An Unlikely Match

someone.” When Esther finished nearly twenty minutes later, she dried her hands and joined Lizzie at the table.“I want to talk to you about something.”
Lizzie sighed. “I’ve been on mei best behavior. What have I done?”
Esther grinned. “You haven’t done anything. I just don’t think we should encourage anything between Evelyn and Jayce. The girl is probably infatuated with him because he’s so handsome and charming. But he isn’t only an Englisch fellow. He’s an Englisch fellow who lives a life far different from even the average non-Amish person. He rides in limousines, probably lives in afancy house in Los Angeles, and grew up in a way we can’t even imagine.”
She held up a finger when Lizzie opened her mouth to say something. “Just let me finish. I know there have been instances,although rare, when someone converts to our way of life. But that would never happen in this situation. It’s only one date,hopefully the last one. I don’t want to see someone so worldly break Evelyn’s heart.”
Lizzie sat taller and raised her chin. “These things are in Gott’s hands, not ours.”
“And how many times have we taken things into our own hands by playing matchmaker? I’m just saying that we can only causeharm if we encourage a romantic relationship between Jayce and Evelyn.” Esther paused and shook her head. “This is silly.That boy hasn’t even been here twenty-four hours.” She propped her elbows on the table and folded her hands together. “I guessthat’s mei point. In less than a day, he already has a date.”
Lizzie eased back into her chair. “Ach, what I wouldn’t give to be fifty years younger. I loved mei Reuben, but I reckon young Jayce would have turned mei head, too, at that age.”
Esther got up and walked to the window. “Some of them must have stayed behind since the generators are still running. Theycouldn’t all have fit in the two cars they took.” She tapped a finger to her chin. “Which brings me to another point. Whyhasn’t Gus been over here complaining?”
Lizzie shuffled over to the window. “Because that young man put old Gus in his place.”
“I don’t think Gus scares that easily, especially not by someone like Jayce. He was red in the face he was so mad yesterday.Then, nothing. Seems odd to me.” Esther glanced at Lizzie. “Have you even seen him outside the cottage? I hope he isn’t illand nothing has happened to him.”
Lizzie hung her head, shaking it, before she looked up at Esther. “You’re a gut woman, Esther, to care about that man when he’s given us nothing but grief. I’ll be haunted until the day I die about whyMamm made us promise he could live here for the rest of his life.”
“I’m sure she had her reasons.” Esther was as confused as Lizzie about her mother’s dying wish.
“But what were they?”
Esther twisted her mouth back and forth as she thought about it for the umpteenth time. “You know I have no idea. We may neverknow.” Recalling the time he’d helped her, she said, “Gus does have some gut qualities. He was helpful when I had mei medical issues. There is compassion deep within his soul. He just doesn’t show it much.”
“I’ll say it again.” Lizzie groaned. “You’re a gut woman, Esther. Every time I see that man, I want to give him a swift kick in the shin.”
Lizzie actually had kicked Gus in the shin a few times over the years. “Well, let’s just all try to get along.” Esther staredat the cottage from the kitchen window as Lizzie retreated to take the towels down to the basement.
When Gus Owens got fired up about something, he was relentless until he got his way. They’d hired someone a few years ago to mow the grass around the main house, the cottage, and the daadi haus. The fellow they employed could only be there early in the mornings, and Gus had thrown a tantrum, saying he couldn’t sleepin with all the noise. The man only came once a week, but Esther eventually had to let him go and hire someone else who couldtend to the yard in the afternoons. They’d made plenty of concessions over the years to tame his temper.
Esther tried to be kind. She often took Gus leftovers and slices of pie. He was often ungrateful, complained about the choiceof pie, and never invited Esther inside, which was a blessing. She’d been in the cottage before, and it was an unpleasantexperience. Gus had been there for her when it counted, though. He’d shown a tiny smidgen of himself that most folks neversaw—little kindnesses that were bottled up and rarely revealed. Maybe later she’d go check on him.
She plodded back to the kitchen, wiped down the counters, and returned her thoughts to Evelyn and Jayce. Lizzie was right.That boy was a looker. He had a kind face and eyes that seemed to hold a secret.
He was everything a young woman might be attracted to. But that woman needed to be English. Esther prayed tonight would bea onetime thing.
*  *  *
Evelyn paced her bedroom Friday afternoon. She needed to tell her parents she had a date this evening. It would be better for them to know in advance that her date was an English man. A nervous excitement swirled in the pit of her stomach, but she broke out in a cold sweat every time she thought about Jayce pulling up to her house in a fancy car. If her parents saw that and hadn’t been warned, it could go very badly.
She sat on her bed and wrapped her arms across her stomach. She’d never been out with an English man. Maybe he didn’t considerthis a date. Perhaps he just wanted to go to the movies and needed someone to go with. What if his intentions were dishonorable?Would he try to hold her hand or slide his arm over her shoulder? She’d heard stories from her friends about movie dates.If Amish men showed such public affection, would an English man? The thought