They were friends.
That was all.
He shredded another blade of grass and then another.
God, I don’t know what You have planned for me, butI’m thankful for this opportunity. I’m thankful forthe job. And thankful for everything that I get tolearn through this. The longer I’m around Martha, themore I’m drawn to her, but please protect my heart. I don’t want to do anything out ofYour will, and I definitely don’t want to overstep.
Footsteps on the rocky path behind him cut the prayer short and made him jump to his feet.
What if it was someone from the other team coming to spy? They’d recognize him! Martha’s work would be jeopardized, and it wouldn’t do him much good either.
He dove behind a large boulder. Maybe whoever it was hadn’t heard him.
“Thanks for coming with me, I know this was supposed to be your day off.”
Martha! As much as he longed to see her, Jacob stayed behind the rock. He couldn’t jump out now—that would scare her.
“I don’t mind. I’m glad we’re out here again.” Lily Rose was with her.
If they discovered he was hiding, well...
He shook his head. It didn’t matter what they thought of him.
Oh, but it did. The thought of being seen as weak or deceptive wasn’t exactly the image he wanted Martha Jankowski to carry around of him.
Vanity. Yep. It was all vanity.
Once the women were past the boulder, he rounded the backside as quietly as he could and came up behind them on the trail. “Afternoon, ladies.”
Martha whirled around and put a hand to her throat. “Jacob! You scared me!” Her shoulders dropped as she shook her head.
“My apologies. That was not my intention.”
“What are you doing out here?” Her brows were scrunched up, her lips pinched.
Shoving his hands into his pockets, he stepped a bit closer. “I thought I’d come out after church and enjoy the quiet.”
“Oh. It is serene out here when no one else is around.” She moved toward him, her parasol shading him a bit. “I’m glad you’re here. Thank you for all your hard work. Lily Rose has kept me apprised and I must say that I am impressed with how much you have accomplished.”
“It’s not me.” He shook his head. “The men have been going above and beyond to help you in your time of grief. You’ve hired yourself a good crew, Martha. They are loyal and hard-working.”
Her head turned toward the quarry. “Theyaregood men. I am indeed fortunate.” Her voice cracked a bit on the last word. As her chin lifted, Jacob noticed the sheen in her eyes. “I’ll be back to work tomorrow.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful news.” He wanted to jump up and down to see her again. But a twinge of guilt hit him. Was he being selfish? “Are you sure it isn’t too soon?”
Her head bobbed up and down. “I need to be here. Need to be working. The house is a giant echo chamber. As soon as we buried Father, Mother was never around anymore. And I find myself lost in grief with nothing to do. I need for my hands to be busy.”
“Whatever you need to do, I’ll be here to help.”
“Thank you.” Turning to face him fully again, she pressed her lips into a thin line. “I have a request though.”
“Anything.”
“Will you continue on as foreman—along with me? I mean, just in case. If my mother needs me, or if I find something is too difficult...” Her lips pinched into a tight circle.
He held out a hand toward her. “I’ll be here for you, no matter what. I promise.” Dipping his head, he stared at his boots for a moment. “To be honest, I’ve enjoyed the job.”
“I’m glad to hear it... and thank you.” She took a long inhale. “I know my loss will always be there, but I need to see this through.”
