An Unlikely Match

Amish and the other isn’t.” She glanced at her sister. “Jayce grew up with lots of money, in a place where movie stars live, and he enjoys a life far more luxurious than even the average Englischer.”
“That lifestyle must have a downside.” Lizzie ran her hands under the water, then reached for a kitchen towel. “It’s obvioushe doesn’t have a gut relationship with his daed.”
“Downside or not, this time we are staying out of any matchmaking possibilities.” Esther had noticed a twinkle in Jayce’seyes when he talked about Evelyn. That wasn’t surprising. Evelyn was beautiful, inside and out. She was also smart enoughnot to let anything romantic evolve over the next month.
“Well, there are still a bunch of sheets and towels that need to be run through the wringer.” Lizzie stretched an arm behindher. “But mei back has given out.”
Esther tightened the strap on her white robe. “We’re going to end up in an early grave if we don’t find some help.”
“I’ll keep asking around.” Lizzie shrugged. “I just can’t find anyone.”
They headed toward their bedrooms on the main floor, both yawning. “Sweet dreams, Lizzie.”
“You too, Esther.”
*  *  *
Evelyn couldn’t remember the last time she’d been up this late. It was nearing midnight. Rolling on her side, she poundedher pillow and closed her eyes.
After a few minutes she rolled onto her back and threw an arm across her forehead. How could she possibly spend the day with Jayce tomorrow after what she’d done? She kissed a man she didn’t know on a first date. And it wasn’t even a good kiss. She just smashed her mouth into his and retreated without a word.
She’d never allowed any man to kiss her on a first date. Usually she waited several dates before she even considered the idea.So why did I do that?
No amount of analyzing would change the outcome.
Forcing her eyes closed, she tried to will herself to sleep. But she continued wondering what Jayce must think of her, howforward she was.
*  *  *
Saturday morning, Esther and Lizzie served breakfast in the dining room before retreating to the kitchen to enjoy some downtime.Mr. Clarkson, Quinn, and the other men were all downstairs by nine o’clock, the time they’d requested breakfast be served.Everyone was in attendance except Jayce.
Esther and Lizzie could hear the conversation in the other room.
“Where’s Jayce?” Quinn asked as forks clinked against plates.
“Who knows,” Mr. Clarkson replied in an aggravated voice. “He’ll probably sleep all day. That’s what he does at home. He’slazy.”
“Maybe you confuse lazy with depressed.” Quinn spoke firmly. “He hasn’t been happy in a long time, Brandon.”
“He’s ungrateful and spoiled. Jayce has been given everything he ever wanted,” Mr. Clarkson said. “And since I’m grossly overpaying him to be a roadie, he’ll have enough money at the end of this month to get his own place.”
“Everything he’s ever wanted?” Quinn was on the edge of raising her voice. “I think all he’s ever wanted is love. Things weren’teasy for him during your divorce.”
“That was a long time ago. He’s an irresponsible adult now. And . . .”
Esther cringed when Mr. Clarkson rattled off a sentence filled with words that needn’t be spoken aloud. Lizzie had stoppedeating and was also attuned to the conversation in the other room.
A chair scraped across the floor, followed by heels clicking against the wood. Quinn must have left the room. A few minuteslater, Mr. Clarkson spoke up again.
“I don’t know why Quinn is always defending him. She doesn’t have kids. She doesn’t know what it’s like, especially relatedto Jayce. I spent almost twenty thousand dollars getting him out of jail and on legal fees. She overlooks things like that.”
Esther and Lizzie locked eyes.
“I wonder what he did,” Lizzie whispered.
One of the men cleared his throat. “Let’s just let it go. It’s our day off.”
Esther wasn’t sure which of the men had spoken up, but the room had gone silent.
“I thought someone named Veronica was Brandon Clarkson’s ex,” Lizzie said, her voice still low.
“Ya, but I think that woman is his ex-girlfriend. He must have had a wife he divorced when Jayce was younger.” Esther was still wondering what had landed Jayce in jail, especially since Evelyn would be spending the day with him. They really didn’t know him at all.
“It doesn’t sound like that woman, Quinn, cares for that Clarkson fellow too much either.” Lizzie took a sip of coffee, herhead still turned toward the dining room.
“It isn’t our business,” Esther whispered.
“But Evelyn is our business. We’ve known her family since before she was born.” Lizzie shook her head. “Although I’m havinga hard time picturing Jayce in jail. He seems like such a nice youngster.”
“We’ve known that youngster, who is a grown man, for only a few days.” Esther stopped buttering her biscuit and looked at Lizzie. “It concerns me thathe’s spending time with Evelyn.”
“You worry too much.”
Esther didn’t have the energy to argue with Lizzie.
They were both quiet for a while, and the dining room remained hushed.
After the group had retreated upstairs, Esther and Lizzie began to clear the table. “Let’s save a plate for the boy.” Lizziegathered bacon, biscuits, eggs, and fruit, piling an ample amount on a plate for Jayce.
Once the dishes were piled on the counter, Lizzie began to run warm water in the sink. “What was all that about yesterday?When I was showing Jayce how to handle Poppy and the buggy, I saw Gus talking to Mr. Clarkson. It looked like they were prettyfriendly.” Lizzie cocked her head to one side, scowling. “And we both know Gus isn’t friendly to anyone.”
Esther grinned. “I suppose we should give Mr. Clarkson his due credit.”
“What does that mean?” Lizzie lowered a stack of plates into the soapy water.
“He offered Gus a role in his movie.” Esther chuckled.
Lizzie turned to face her, water dripping from her hands above the sink. “What in the world for? What kind of movie personwould want Gus in their film?”
“I don’t know, but Gus is quite proud of the fact, flaunting it actually. And I bet it was Mr. Clarkson’s way of keeping thepeace with him, instead of hearing constant