Jayce smiled. “I could go for some lemonade.” He tried to remember the last time he’d had a glass of lemonade. His past dateswould have been more inclined to order a beer or a glass of wine.
He stood beside her as she untethered the horse. They’d made the walk to the cave and were probably both a little sweaty,but he caught a whiff of lavender swirling in the space around her. He’d noticed it earlier too. And it wasn’t overpoweringlike the vanilla smell in Lizzie’s buggy. It was heavenly.
“I don’t really care what we do.” He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “I’m just enjoying spending the day withyou. And you smell good, too, like lavender.”
She didn’t look at him as she gathered the reins in one hand, but he caught her smile. “Danki.”
* * *
Esther refilled coffee cups, happy Naomi had come for a visit.
“It’s not the same here without you.” She eyed Naomi’s growing belly with two new lives forming inside. “But Lizzie and Icouldn’t be happier for you and Amos.” She peeked out the kitchen window. “Are those generators bothering the two of you?We didn’t know they would be bringing those big vehicles.”
Naomi shook her head. “Not anymore.” Laughing, she said, “Amos had some earplugs from when he used to go to the shooting range years ago, when he was first learning how to handle a gun. We’ve been using those. And I might keep using them long after your guests are gone. I can’t hear Amos snoring when I’m wearing them.”
Esther didn’t like guns, but if you were going to eat deer and other animals, then it was best to know how to use the weaponscorrectly. She reached over and touched Naomi’s hand. “Pregnancy agrees with you. You’re glowing and seem so happy.”
“I am.” She smiled dreamily. “I had planned to use a midwife, but since I’m having twins, even she thought it best that Isee a doctor in Bedford. The doctor has me on limited activity. I just wish I were able to do more to help you and Lizzie.”
Esther shook her head. “Nee, now don’t you give it another thought. When I said we missed you, I meant your sweet smile and company.”
“I know, but it’s a lot of work running the inn with just the two of you doing all the work, especially when you have sucha big crowd. Are you having any luck finding help?”
“Not yet. But we will find the right person.” Esther was beginning to doubt that. It seemed like the bulk of young peoplehad grown up overnight and started lives of their own. Everyone was either old, like she and Lizzie, or starting a familylike Naomi and Amos.
The sound of feet pounding like a herd of cattle began to descend the stairs.
“It’s the movie people.” Esther rubbed her tired eyes. “They have meetings in the dining room. You might want to go. Someof the words in their vocabulary aren’t fit to be heard, let alone spoken aloud. The boss, a man named Mr. Clarkson, is theworst.” She stood. “I should probably offer them some snacks.”
Naomi waddled around the table and hugged Esther. “Give Lizzie mei lieb.”
Esther nodded. “Speaking of Lizzie, I haven’t seen her in a while.” She glanced toward her closed bedroom door. “Napping,I suppose.”
Gus walked in the door that led directly into the kitchen just as Naomi was leaving. “Wie bischt, Gus,” she said as she brushed by him.
Their grumpy renter mumbled a response, but Naomi was just as accustomed to Gus’s unpleasant demeanor as Esther and Lizziewere.
“I need some sugar.” He was still wearing his movie hat as he held out a bowl. “Tea ain’t no good without sugar. And I needsome paper plates. Otherwise I’ll be forced to wash dishes.”
Esther slapped her hands to her hips. “Gus, this isn’t Walmart or the Bargain Center.”
Gus looked toward the dining room, then back at Esther. “What’s happening in there?”
“I guess they’re having a meeting. I heard them talking about going back to Bluespring Monday, something about reshootinga scene.” Esther cringed when she heard Quinn challenge something Mr. Clarkson had said. Then, after some expletives werethrown her way, she was quiet. The movie producer always addressed Esther in a respectful way, but he wasn’t nice to his employeesor his son. Esther was glad Naomi had gotten out the door before the conversation became heated.
“Well, I don’t know why I wasn’t informed about this meeting.” Gus straightened his hat and stomped toward the dining room.
Esther shook her head as she gathered her and Naomi’s coffee cups. After setting them in the sink, she began to prepare a plate of snacks for her guests. Giovanni and Hal seemed to enjoy the pretzels and cheese sauce Lizzie had made. Esther filled a plate and walked into the room, quietly setting the tray in the middle of the table.
“Best pretzels ever,” Hal said as he reached for one.
Gus hovered near one empty chair, presumably reserved for Jayce, who wasn’t present. “I didn’t realize we were having a meetingtoday,” Gus said.
Esther glanced around the room as eyes darted in every direction. Quinn leaned back in her chair and grinned, raising an eyebrowat Mr. Clarkson.
“Gus. You’ve met everyone.” The man in charge waved an arm around the room. “Actually, we were just talking about a scenewe need to redo.”
“What will my part be? I wasn’t there for the first shoot.” Gus’s indignance could be heard in his voice.
Esther left the room, returning a moment later with a platter of full tea glasses. Quinn’s arms were folded across her chestas she stared into her lap. Hal and Giovanni busied themselves with the pretzels while Jesse stared at Mr. Clarkson.
“Uh, no worries, Gus,” Mr. Clarkson said, followed by a smile. “We’ll get you in the scene on Monday when we revisit the cavern.Right now, we’re just discussing
