“Hopefully those clouds will just pass over.” Nothing was going to dim the sunshine in Evelyn’s heart. She was too caughtup in reliving her kisses with Jayce.
Her mother reached into her pocket for another clip. “I’ve noticed that dreamy look in your eyes all morning. And your daed is starting to ask more questions about the time you’re spending with that boy.”
“Mamm, can you please call him Jayce?” Evelyn didn’t want her mother to darken her spirits, especially when the sun broke throughoverhead and cleared the clouds, returning the atmosphere to mirroring her heart.
Her mother shook her head as she pinned up another towel.
“I’m a grown woman. Don’t worry, Mamm.”
“Ya, you are. You are nineteen, and in most parts of the world, that’s considered a grown woman. But I’ve lived longer, seenplenty, and I feel like you are going to get hurt. I’m merely imparting some of my wisdom to mei dochder, whom I lieb very much.”
“And I appreciate that.” Evelyn picked up the last towel in the basket and hooked it to the clothesline, irritated that hermother had dampened her mood. “I’ve got to get to work. I’m filling in for Katie this afternoon.” As she started toward thehouse, she glanced over her shoulder. “And I’ll be going out tonight.”
Her mother didn’t say anything.
* * *
About two and a half hours after Jayce had started walking, Gus pulled up next to him.
“Get in, Jayce.”
It was the first time he could remember the man calling him by his name. He wanted to keep walking off his anger at his father,but he was dripping in sweat and his calves ached from all the uphill roads.
“I don’t want to talk about what happened.” Jayce got in and slammed the truck door.
“Good. Neither do I. I have my own problems, and you’re going to need to help me.”
Jayce grunted. “Do you see how you phrased that? I think what you meant to say was ‘I need you to help me.’ Because I don’tthink I’m ‘going to need to help’ you.”
Gus looked at him and frowned. “Quit talking in riddles. Your father said they are going to have a short screening of the movie Friday night down at the little community center. It ain’t gonna be long, just the scenes filmed in the cavern, and two outside bigwigs are flying in for the viewing—investors, I think. Then you’re all probably packing up and leaving earlier than expected.”
Jayce’s stomach dropped. He wasn’t ready to go. He’d get more information from Veronica or one of the others. “What does thathave to do with you needing my help?”
“I need nice clothes to wear, and I haven’t bought clothes in decades.”
This day just kept getting worse. “Are you asking me to help you pick out clothes?”
“And not kid clothes like you wear. Something classy.”
Jayce looked down at his jeans and blue T-shirt before he turned to Gus. “Uh, I don’t think a brief viewing in a small-towncommunity center requires a tux or anything. Sure, people will probably spruce up a little, but—”
“It’s not about that.” Gus kept his eyes forward as he ground from second gear to third. Jayce had started hearing the soundin his sleep at night. “My daughter will be there.”
“The one who hates you?”
Gus rattled off a few curse words, expletives that sounded weird coming from a guy his age.
Jayce shrugged. “What are you yelling at me for? You’re the one that told me she hates you.”
“After all these rides I’ve given you, are you going to help me or not? I’d ask Esther, but the chances of her knowing what’sfashionable are fairly low.”
“Yeah, I’ll help you clean up your look.” Jayce rubbed his chin. “Did my dad tell you for sure that you’ll be in the background in this movie?” Gus wasn’t the most likeable person, but he’d grown on Jayce, and Jayce didn’t want to see him get hurt. It sounded like he was going to a lot of effort to be unknowingly humiliated.
“He assured me I will be in the movie.”
Jayce slouched into the seat, still heated about the exchange with his father. “In case you haven’t noticed, my father’s ajerk. And he doesn’t always tell the truth.”
“Maybe you could have a little respect for the man.” Gus glowered at him. “At least you didn’t hit him today. I saw your handsfisted at your sides. He’s provided you with a lifestyle most people will never have, and probably loads of money. Have alittle gratitude.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.” With his head leaning against the seat, he turned to the older man. “As clichéas it sounds, money doesn’t buy happiness. And I’d give it all up to live here.”
Gus laughed. “You’d never make it, kid. You’d miss your fancy ways in Los Angeles. How many cars you got?”
“Two.” Jayce thought about his Jaguar and his more practical Land Rover. He sat taller and stared out at the open fields.“But I wouldn’t mind the occasional buggy ride.”
“Kid, you’ve got messed-up thoughts. The Amish folks don’t take ‘the occasional buggy ride.’ It’s their only mode of transportationunless they need to hire a driver to go farther than the horses can go. And if you’re thinking about trying to convert totheir godly lifestyle because of that girl, you’re crazy.”
Veronica had said almost the same thing. But another thought sailed into his mind, as if put there intentionally. “Do you believe in God?”
Gus visibly bristled, then softened a little. “There was a time I did.” The regret in his voice was quickly followed up with,“Why are you asking me that? It ain’t none of your business.”
“When did you stop believing?” Jayce wasn’t worried about making Gus mad. The guy was terminal when it came to grumpiness.
“The day something happened to make me stop believing.” He glared at Jayce. “Which isn’t any of your business.”
“Yeah, you said that. So what happened?” Jayce kept his eyes on Gus, but the old man stayed focused on the road in front ofhim.
“Fine. You don’t
