An Unlikely Match

together as she narrowed her eyes. The expression was so seriousand cute all at the same time. She wasn’t just gorgeous. She was witty too.
“I don’t just go around beating up people. But if it’ll make you feel better, we can avoid the general population today.”
She nodded, the hint of a smile playing on her beautiful lips. “Ya. That might be best.” Then she flicked the reins, and Millie bolted into action.
Jayce clutched the side of the buggy. He held on tight, his mood having shifted from cranky to hopeful. This might not turnout to be such a bad day after all.

Seven
Esther carried a basket of wet clothes down the porch steps, Lizzie on her heels with another load. Esther’s back was aching.
“I don’t think I realized how much Naomi did when she was working for us.” Lizzie dropped the basket and turned to Esther.“We underpaid that maedel.”
Esther dug two clothespins out of her apron pocket and clutched one between her teeth as she picked a towel out of the basket.After she clipped the second pin, she said, “I think we paid her well, but we just don’t have the energy she has.”
Lizzie blew a strand of hair out of her face as she nodded to Gus. “What in the world is that man wearing?”
Esther scooped up another towel but watched Gus as he sauntered from the cottage toward the main house. “He has a hat on, which is no reason for you to pick at him. Leave him alone, Lizzie. Just let him be.”
Lizzie dropped the towel she was holding in the basket and slapped her hands on her hips. Esther’s words had fallen on deafears.
“Who are you supposed to be?” Lizzie’s tiny frame looked even smaller facing off with Gus.
“Mind your business, woman. I ain’t here to see or talk to you. As a matter of fact, I wish I had a magic wand I could wavein your direction and—poof!—you’d disappear.” Gus tipped his hat toward Esther. The man was intolerable at times, but he wasnicer to her than anyone else he encountered. She eyed his hat. It was dark brown and flat on top with a rim similar to abaseball cap. He’d also trimmed his gray beard, though his hair was in its usual ponytail.
“Well, if I had a magic wand, I’d wave it at you and turn you into a worm. Then I’d squash you until you were one with the dirt.” Lizziesnorted as if she’d said the funniest thing ever. It was pointless to remind her they were supposed to be passive. At leastwhen it came to Gus.
“It won’t be long until you treat me with the respect I deserve.” He glared at Lizzie.
She bent at the waist laughing. “Never, never, never.”
Esther just shook her head and reached for another towel, hoping Lizzie would do the same so they could get this chore behindthem and hopefully take a nap before they had to start supper.
“I’ve come to have a chat with Brandon. Is he available?” Gus’s formality was so out of character that Esther was having troublekeeping a straight face.
“I saw him head over to the motor home on the right earlier.” Esther hadn’t noticed the loud humming lately, so she must have gotten used to the noisy generators. She wondered if Gus had, too, or if he was just enduring it now that Mr. Clarkson was giving him a part in the movie.
Gus spun around and started back in the opposite direction without another word. He beat on the motor home door, and aftera few minutes a pretty blonde woman answered. She motioned for him to come in.
Lizzie finally picked up a towel and pinned it to the line. “We’re never going to hear the end of this, you know. Gus’s headwill be the size of a bowling ball, along with his ego.”
Esther smiled. “Maybe if he’s happy, life will be easier for all of us. An oversized ego might be a big improvement over theman he is now.”
Lizzie shook her head. “I don’t see how. I shiver to think about it.”
Esther’s thoughts drifted away from Gus. “I hope Evelyn and Jayce are having an enjoyable time.”
Lizzie pinched her lips. “It’s hard to believe that boy’s been in jail. But even though it isn’t our way to be physical, Ican’t help but wonder what that fellow said about his mother. It must have been awful for him to react the way he did.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Esther was quick to say. “Violence is never the answer.”
“Ya, ya. I know.”
Esther knew what Lizzie was thinking because her own thoughts mirrored it. Jayce seemed like a nice fellow who had grown up in a world they were unfamiliar with. His relationship with his father wasn’t what it should be, and he’d gotten into some trouble.
She and Lizzie were both good at judging a person’s character, and Jayce seemed like a good man stuck in a life he didn’twant. But only he could change his circumstances, his reaction to his situation, and his journey. He and God. She said a quickprayer that things were going well today for him and Evelyn.
A person could never have too many friends. Esther also prayed that the young people would be wise enough to keep things friendlyand pursue nothing more. It was the smart thing to do. But Esther still felt a familiar itch to play matchmaker. She neededto squash the thought and certainly not mention it to Lizzie. Her sister was already smitten with Jayce—jail time or not—andshe’d likely jump on any opportunity to fuel a romance between Evelyn and Jayce.
But the boy wasn’t Amish, and that left too much room for broken hearts. Still, something prodded at Esther. For now, she’dwatch and wait. And pray about it.
*  *  *
Evelyn stayed on the dirt road and kept Millie at a steady trot. “I packed a picnic lunch. There’s a park at the end of thisroad if you want to eat later.”
“I always want to eat.” Jayce’s sunglasses were