Gus belly laughed. “Well, I’ll be. You decided to stay around for the girl after all.”
Lizzie jumped up and bounced on her toes, clapping her hands together like an excited child. “You and Evelyn?”
Jayce nodded. “Yep.”
“Of course you can stay.” Esther pressed her hands together, smiling.
“We know it hasn’t been long, but we’d like to date and see how it goes.” Jayce paused, looking down before he lifted hishead and looked back and forth between Esther and Lizzie. “It was the weirdest thing. I had a conversation with my fatherthat seems a little surreal right now, but in a good way. He said some things that shifted my way of thinking. And there wasthis note . . .” He paused, seemingly lost in thought. “Anyway, I asked God what I should do and”—he snapped his fingers—“boom!We had a blowout. It had to be a sign, and I already knew I didn’t really want to leave.”
Lizzie pressed her palms together and smiled. “Wonderful news. Um, not about the blowout, but we’re glad you’re staying.”
Rose stumbled to the door carrying two bags of groceries, and Jayce was quick to open it for her.
“Oh no.” Gus grumbled as he stepped aside for her.
“Jayce! What’s happening?” Rose stopped barely inside the house. Jayce took the bags from her and placed them on the coffeetable as she went on. “Is something wrong? Why is everyone here? Jayce, I thought you left, and—”
“Stop.” Gus held a palm out toward her. “Stop talking.”
Esther braced herself and said a quick prayer that everyone could just get along.
Gus peered at Rose, tilting his head slightly as he wrinkled his nose. “Rose Petal . . .” He glanced at Esther. “I mean, Rose . . . How do you feel about cats?”
“Ach, I lieb cats, especially kittens. They’re so cute and playful. And they catch mice, and—”
“Stop.” Gus raised his hand again. “Follow me. I’ve got a dozen cute and playful creatures you can help me with.”
“Ya, of course.” She looked at Jayce. “But what are you doing here?”
“I decided to stay. I’ll rent a room until I can find a place of my own.” He shrugged. “When you realize you’re in love, waitingto get started on a new life no longer makes sense.”
Rose jumped up on her toes. “That’s wonderful! I’m so happy for you and Evelyn.”
If Rose ever had any intentions toward Jayce, she’d thankfully moved past them.
Gus grumbled something, then told her to go see the cats and he’d catch up with her. “I’m not sure if it’s going to be worthit to let her help me with those kittens. Maybe if I tape her mouth shut.”
“Gus, you behave around that maedel.”
Gus grinned at Jayce. “So, you’ve got it in ya after all.” He shook his head. “Aren’t we all just one big dysfunctional family?”He threw his arms in the air, shook his head, and shuffled toward the door.
Esther could have gone without hearing the word dysfunctional, but the fact that Gus referred to them as family was endearing.
Lizzie slowly stood. “Gus?”
Oh dear. Esther twisted the string of her prayer covering, willing Lizzie to be nice.
Gus folded his arms across his belly. “What?” He narrowed his bushy gray eyebrows at Lizzie.
“I’m sorry for your loss. It was me in the swing that day, not Esther. I remember now.” Lizzie’s voice cracked as she spoke,and Gus stared at her for a long time.
“Yeah, uh . . . Thanks.”
Then he quickly turned to leave. “I’ll be over at my house with jabber-box, my promiscuous cat, and a herd of kittens.”
Esther blinked back tears. “That was very nice of you, Lizzie,” she said after Gus was gone.
“Ya, well, don’t get all emotional about it. He’s still a grumpy old man.”
The sisters and Jayce gathered by the window just as Rose was entering the cottage and Gus was slowly crossing the field.
“If we hurry, maybe we can whip up some lunch before Rose gets back.” Lizzie twisted her hands together as if she’d come upwith a diabolical plan. “We’ve got to find that girl a man. I don’t have the heart to fire her, but she’s going to give mea stroke with all that talking and a heart attack if I have to eat her cooking for much longer.”
Jayce rubbed his stomach. “I bet I can put something together. I’m starving all of a sudden, and it’s the least I can do foryou agreeing to let me stay here.”
“You’re always hungry.” Lizzie rolled her eyes, grinning.
Jayce picked up the two bags of groceries on the coffee table, smiled, and headed to the kitchen. Esther and Lizzie sat onthe couch and propped their tired feet up on the coffee table.
“Do you think he knows we wrote the note?” Lizzie pressed her lips together as she turned to Esther. “I just couldn’t stand to see that boy get away. We’ve been so gut by not interfering much, but I knew in mei heart that Evelyn and Jayce belonged together. They just need a little more time. Putting so much distance between them seemedtoo risky.”
Esther stiffened. “You almost made those kinner sick with all that vanilla in your buggy.” She paused, recalling the strong aroma in Jayce’s room. Even though she triedto avoid the stairs, she made the trek up to check on things occasionally. “But the lavender was a nice touch. However, Ibelieve I get credit for that note.”
“I helped.” Lizzie pouted and grumbled something under her breath.
“Ya, I suppose you did.” She nudged her sister’s shoulder. “But I’m not sure he knows we wrote it, and that’s okay. Perhaps thenote served two purposes. Maybe Jayce will be able to mend his relationship with his father. Some distance might help withthat. It sounds like the timing was right for all concerned.” She folded her hands in her lap. “And for that we can’t takecredit. Gott gets the glory for His perfect timing.”
Lizzie nodded. “Ya, I agree. But we need to get busy on our next project. We must find someone for Rose.” Lizzie tapped a
