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She felt comfortable now with the Douglas family. And Jeremiah was easy to work with. He also pulled her aside every now and then and stole a kiss or two.
She did her best to not think too much of it, but his kisses meant something to her, she soon realized. They bolstered her ego, and they warmed her heart. Liking wasn't the words she'd use for Jeremiah. But she couldn't say what she really felt.
Mr. Douglas commented on her work too. "You're doing a really good job, Leah. We are all proud of you. Y
ou've been one of our success stories."
"Thanks, I’m getting the hang of it. I kind of like it. Too bad it isn't a permanent job." She said and walked off.
Mr. Douglas studied that remark for some time.
Jeremiah had nothing but glowing reports of her work, but his father suspected there might be a little more interest there than he was letting on. He'd seen the looks they gave each other from time to time.
And then one night, Pinky went into labor.
Everyone gathered about the barn to watch. This was a totally new experience for Leah and she was like a kid with a new toy. The first piglet born was a sweet little thing and her and Carol made over it. But she had ten and Leah was amazed.
Jeremiah cleaned up the mess and she helped him.
Then they sat in the barn and played with the babies, holding them, and cuddling them, and laughing.
It was an experience Leah would never forget.
Frank pulled Jeremiah off his duties one morning though to talk to him.
"You wanted to see me, dad?" Jeremiah came inside and stared at his father.
"Yes, I'm doing a half term evaluation on Leah and I wanted your input as to how she does her job, her attitude toward it, has it changed, do you see marked improvement, or areas she needs to work on. That sort of thing." He asked him.
"You've never asked for my input before, why now?" Jeremiah asked.
"You work directly with her, and you see more than I can. Just wanted to see if we agree on everything. Sometimes kids come here and try to pull the wool over my eyes, and I get a bit more attached to them, than I should. You see her more than I do, what do you think?" He smiled at his son.
"Well, she's definitely improved since she came here. She knows her job now, get along better with the animals and doesn't balk. She seems to actually enjoy her work now." Jeremiah told him. "She's gaining a bit more confidence, especially in her work. Personally, I think she needs a bit more for herself. Deep down, I think she really likes her job here, Dad. Too bad she couldn't stay on."
Mr. Douglas took this into his notes. "How about her personal feelings toward the job, and her personal growth as a person. What can you tell me about that?"
"She's gaining some confidence; it was really low when she first came. Like I said, she enjoys her work now. She still worries about when she leaves here. She has nothing to go back to, and that scares her. But I think she could work almost anywhere and be self-satisfied. It's her family that is her problem, not what she has done. And I talked with her several times and she really wasn't involved in the car theft, she was just there. But she does feel that being arrested is going to go against her when she leaves here, and she afraid of that too. That is where she lacks confidence. She's so sure that her record is going to follow her."
His father smiled, but there was more. "Now I want you to tell me if there is something between the two of you?"
Jeremiah looked a tad guilty, but he nodded. "At first it was pity, dad. But, I do care for her. There's a sweetness there that I hadn't expected. I can't imagine a girl with so much to offer, not having confidence. Her parents must have really done a job on her dad. But I'm hopeful. Yes, dad, I'm falling for her, and I know I shouldn't. But, being here is her first experience with a real family dad, and it's made a difference in her. I've seen the change it's made. Maybe it would make a difference in all the kids. But it really shows in her."
"I thought as much. But you did give me a good break down on her attitude and worth ethics. I appreciate that. Normally I don't allow my boys the privilege of getting close to these kids. However, Jeremiah, you are growing up, and so is she. If her performance keeps up, I intend to help her secure a job locally and offer her a place to live in the apartment above the garage. Your mother's even suggested that. So it would seem the entire family has a lot of good things to say about Leah. Even your brothers who don't see her much, think she's come a long way to improving. And I think you are right son, about her family. They've done something I promised your mother I'd never do to my children, and that is turn away from you. She's trying to deal with it. But the only thing that can mend her hurt, is love and kindness, so I think we should give her as much support as possible so that when she does get a job, she's able to handle it with ease. When someone hurts you so deep, it's hard to get over it. And the ones that hurt her are the very ones that should be supporting her right now. Parents sometimes don't realize the power they hold over their children."
"Thanks dad, I'm glad you are going to help her."
"Now I want to know something, off the record. Are you in love with her?"
"Yeah, dad, I think I am. But don't worry. I've only kissed her a few times. We've done nothing for you to worry about. It's just that I've been worried about when she leaves here too."
"I thought so. Well, we'll stand behind her all we can. And whatever happens between the two of you, is your business. You know I've taught you well, and I think we've rubbed off on her and her attitude. She's made a lot of progress, so she's one of our successes. But she hasn't had a lot of the background and bringing up that you have son, and you'll have to be patient and gentle with her."
"I know that dad. Like I said, at first it was pity. But she's come out of that depression she was in, and she likes her work too. She's a lot happier person, but I just don't know if she'll ever recover from the hurt her family has given her."
"For a kid that didn't know how to slop hogs, or gather eggs, she's sure learned a lot, fast. I wish you luck son."
"Thanks."
