No, she was not attracted to Adam Troyer. There was nothing about him that reminded her of William. Perhaps that was the problem.
A knock on the door made her jump. This would never do. She had to regain control. Marshaling a frown, she yanked open the door. “What is it?”
Adam stood with his thumbs hooked casually in his suspenders. His bright blue eyes sparkled with humor. “The list?”
“What list?” Her traitorous heart jumped into her throat, making her sound breathless.
Chuckling, he said, “The list of things I am to fix.”
“Oh, of course.” Feeling the fool, she pulled the paper from her pocket and handed it over.
He read it and nodded. “I’ll give you an estimate once I’ve looked at the projects. If we can agree on a price, I’ll do the work for you.”
“Fine.” Anything to put some distance between them. As soon as he turned away, she closed the door, determined to concentrate on her own work.
She had less than half an hour to compose herself before Adam reappeared with an estimate. By keeping the wide front-desk counter between them, she was able to remain composed as they settled on a price. Hopefully it wouldn’t take long for him to complete the repairs. Then she’d never have to deal with him again.
Adam went to work fixing the loose railing and broken spindles on the narrow staircase that led to the second-floor landing and the guest rooms. Emma had to pass close beside him several times during the day. Each time, she prayed he wouldn’t speak because she didn’t trust her voice. He didn’t. He merely nodded and flashed her a grin that sent her pulse skipping like a schoolgirl’s.
Late in the afternoon, she rounded a corner to find him working on a lamp fixture for a pair of her guests. It wasn’t on her list. Her mother and Henry stood beside them. They were all laughing at something Adam had said.
The oddest sensation of being left out settled over her. Normally, she avoided social situations. Staying in the background, making sure everything ran smoothly, that was what she did well. She didn’t belong in the group laughing at her handyman’s jokes, so why did she wish to be included?
Hearing the clock chime downstairs, she put away her stack of clean linens and quickly made her way to the back door. She slipped into her coat and hurried outside into the cold where four tiny lives were depending on her.
Chapter Seven
Over the next two days, Adam worked on the various projects Emma had given him. He repaired three leaky faucets and a toilet in the guest rooms, mended the dining room pocket doors, tacked down the loose runner on the stairs and replaced a broken windowpane in the pantry. Twice Emma’s mother came to him and added a few more tasks to the list. He didn’t mind. He needed the money. Besides, he found that he enjoyed watching Emma at work.
Quiet, efficient, always in charge of whatever situation arose, the woman was an excellent innkeeper and an outstanding cook if he could judge by the scones, shoofly pie and breakfast rolls she brought in fresh each morning. Her shoofly pie was the best he’d ever tasted.
At the moment, he was supposed to be fixing a loose shelf on the jam display, but in truth, he was admiring the way Emma was handling an upset customer. Suddenly, her mother stopped beside him. “She is a treasure, my Emma.”
He agreed. “She seems to know the business.”
“If only there was more business. The inn hasn’t been full in weeks.”
“Surely the summer months are when you have the most visitors?”
“Jah, that is true, but sometimes, without a steady income, it is hard for Emma to make the mortgage payments in the winter.”
What was she angling for? He braced himself and said, “I can wait for my pay if that would help.”
“Bless you, Adam, that won’t be necessary, but it was a generous thought. Are you going to the Yoder auction on Monday?”
“I’ve been thinking about it.”
“The Yoder family needs to raise money for their son’s medical bills.”
“I heard that. I did want to check out some of the tools they’re selling.”
“I don’t want to impose, but could you drive Emma there? Our horse is old and doesn’t like the snowy roads and neither do I. I want to send one of my new quilts for them to sell.”
Adam glanced toward Emma. A social outing would be fun. Perhaps he’d even see her smile. “I would be pleased to drive her. I will be at your house bright and early Monday.”
“Danki, Adam.” Naomi grinned happily, then walked away.
After the upset guest checked out, Adam finished his task and took a jar of gooseberry jam from the display. He laid it on the counter in front of Emma. “That fellow wasn’t very nice, was he?”
“A slight misunderstanding, that’s all.” She rang up his purchase.
Impressed that she hadn’t taken the chance to complain, he thought more highly of her for her restraint.
“You are spending all your pay on jam. At this rate we will be out by the end of the month,” she said.
“When a man finds the best, he won’t settle for less.”
Placing the jar in a paper bag, she handed it to him. Her eyes sparkled as if he’d done something amusing. Suddenly, he couldn’t wait for Monday to roll around.
Chapter Eight
The front door of the inn opened and two young English women entered. Adam was forced to step aside as they approached the counter to speak to Emma. One of the women gave him the once-over and a sly smile. Not so long ago he would have angled for a date with her, but not now. That kind of life was behind him. He had come back to the faith, as was God’s will.
Walking back to the shelves, he picked up his tools. If he wanted to date someone he’d look for a good solid Amish
