“That’s right. I remember. A creek is part of a complete childhood,” she said.
“I don’t know if Rue would even want that much time alone with me,” Thomas said. “I’m the gruff one—the one who punishes.”
“Rue loves the rooster,” Patience countered.
“Yah.” He smiled. “I got that one right.” He paused, the sound of birds twittering filling the silence as his gaze moved slowly over her face. “Would you...come with us?”
Did she dare? It wasn’t that she didn’t want to, it was that she might want this time with Thomas and Rue a little too much. She didn’t belong here—not like that.
“I’m not sure I should,” she admitted.
Thomas nodded. “Okay. I understand. I’m sorry if I’m crossing lines I shouldn’t. I know you’ll find some nice man sooner or later and he’ll marry you, but—”
“It isn’t that,” Patience said, shaking her head. There wouldn’t be other men. She knew that already. “I don’t want to intrude. You don’t have to entertain me or anything. And this is about you and Rue. I’m...an outsider.”
“No more than I am,” he said with a sigh.
A bug fluttered next to her face and Thomas reached out and brushed it away. The movement was impulsive, but once his hand was next to her face, he didn’t pull back, and neither did she. He touched her cheek with the back of one finger, and that warm gaze met hers. She felt goose bumps rise on her arms, but she didn’t drop her gaze. His eyes moved down to her lips, and he stepped closer.
“She’s comfortable with you,” he murmured.
Patience meant to answer him somehow, but there were no words in her head, and all she seemed able to feel was the warmth of his chest emanating against her and the tickle of his breath against her face. The moment seemed to deepen around them—even the sound of the birds seeming to drift away. She swayed toward him, and he caught her hand in his, stepping closer, too. But the growl of a car engine was too much to ignore, and they both took a step back as a car swept past them, a whoosh of air ruffling her dress around her legs.
She let out a shaky sigh, suddenly feeling very alone on that street with the gulf between them. What had just happened there? If it weren’t for the car, would he have kissed her? She dropped her gaze.
“Thomas—”
“Patience, I—”
They both started talking at once, then they both halted. Patience looked up at him again, some heat in her cheeks.
“I’d like it if you came along for our picnic to the creek. That’s all,” Thomas said, clearing his throat.
That was all... And maybe whatever had just happened in that moment was just in her imagination.
How could Patience say no to going with Thomas and Rue to the creek? Because she wanted to go along, too, and somehow some time with this man, even if it was nothing more than friendship, felt like a chance at some fleeting happiness. She smiled hesitantly.
“Okay,” she said.
“Yah?” A smile turned up his lips. “The shop is closed tomorrow, so... It’s a day off anyway. Come over after breakfast, and we’ll head out to that creek I used to know.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather bring your brother?” she asked. He shared the memories with Thomas, after all.
“Nah.” A playful grin came back to his face. “I think I prefer you.”
Was that flirting? She rolled her eyes. “You could bring the whole family.”
“I could.” Was that confirmation that he would? He didn’t say anything else, but he smiled again teasingly. “Will I see you?”
“Yah.” Patience nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
Patience paused, then turned and took a few steps toward the Kauffman property.
“Are you flirting with me, Thomas?” she asked, turning.
Thomas turned back and hooked his thumbs into the front of his pants. “What if I were?”
“I’m not a good one to flirt with, you know,” she said.
“Then don’t worry about it,” he replied, but that teasing glint hadn’t left his eye, either.
Patience didn’t have an answer for that, so she hid her smile by turning around and continuing down the road. When she glanced over her shoulder, Thomas was heading back to his drive.
And what if a man flirted a little? It was nice to be noticed and appreciated. It didn’t have to go any further than that. She’d just have to be careful not to let things go too far. And she could do that—she knew where things stood. She was helping a man bond with his little girl, and that was a good thing.
Rue needed all the bonding she could get.
As Thomas walked back down the drive toward the house, his mind was spinning. He hadn’t intended to flirt—he knew better than that. Amish courted—they thoughtfully and purposefully moved toward a marital union. They didn’t flirt and fool around. But there was something about Patience that sparked the competitive male inside him, and the ability to make her blush or smile just like that... But he wasn’t looking for romance right now. He was trying to find his balance being a daet, so trying to make her smile—it was inappropriate.
But there was something about her—something that tugged at him in spite of all the reasons he should be keeping his distance. And he’d almost kissed her. That realization in itself was a surprise, because he hadn’t been thinking of that when he asked her to step behind the lilacs on the street. He’d only been thinking of Mammi, who was likely standing at the front window, watching hopefully for some sign of blooming romance. And knowing Amos, he wouldn’t have been far behind.
But that instinct to flirt, to draw her eye—that came from a different source. And the last time he’d listened to it, he’d found himself in a relationship with Tina. His instincts led him wrong, and he needed Gott’s guidance if he was going to be the kind of man his
