The Caregiver - By Shelley Shepard Gray Page 0,36

Jenna said proudly, “Everyone, this is my niece Lucy. She’s come to help with Mattie’s treatments for a month.”

“I’m pleased to meet all of you.”

Next to her, Calvin said, “Lucy, this is my mamm, Mary Weaver.”

“It is nice to meet you, too.”

“I heard about your train ride,” Mrs. Weaver said. “I’m glad you and Calvin had each other for company.”

“And John. And Katie.” Lucy looked at Calvin and couldn’t help but smile. “I was thankful for them all.”

Mrs. Weaver chuckled. “That’s terribly kind of you. You must be a mighty nice woman, Lucy. Our Katie can try the patience of us all sometimes.”

Darting a look Calvin’s way, Lucy said, “I can see how that would be true.”

More ladies approached, teasing Jenna and Mary, and began chatting with Calvin. Lucy scanned the area, wondering just how many Amish ladies could be in one Wal-Mart.

And then she noticed a girl about her age, standing off to the side. Watching them.

She looked away, trying to focus on the conversation. But then she glanced the girl’s way again. No, she hadn’t been mistaken. The girl was definitely staring, and her expression was thunderous. Lucy raised her chin and looked straight back.

Calvin looked at her curiously. “Lucy? What is it?”

“I’m not sure. That girl seems to be staring at us. ”

He shrugged. “The English do like to stare.”

“No, it’s more than that.”

Still not taking his eyes from her, he said, “Well, you are very pretty. Perhaps that’s why she’s looking.”

Their eyes met. Her stomach did a little flip. Once again, she felt the same pull toward him that she had at the zoo.

Until his mother lifted her head and stiffened as well. “Oh, dear,” she said.

Calvin finally looked. Then sighed. “That girl is Gwen Kent,” he said after a moment. “She and I . . . we were sweethearts. Once.”

Unable to stop herself, Lucy said curiously, “Is she mad at you?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t say that.”

“Nothing’s wrong with Calvin,” his mother said. “But that Gwen, well . . . she near broke his heart.”

“Mamm,” he warned.

“It’s true,” another lady murmured. “Everyone, including Calvin here, thought they would be planning a wedding soon. But instead, Gwen’s eye strayed. Next thing we all knew, she was keeping company with Will.”

“It wasn’t quite like that,” Calvin said, looking like he wished he were anywhere but where he was. “Gwen and Will, um, fell in love in spite of themselves.”

“Hmmph,” his mother said.

Lucy felt a chill to her bones. It seemed she hadn’t been the only person to be taken in by false promises before. “I’m terribly sorry.”

Calvin shrugged and turned away. “Oh, it’s not such a big thing now.”

Lucy said nothing, but couldn’t forget the look in his eyes when he’d revealed that Gwen had once been his girl.

Oh, but the Lord had a sense of humor. Not only was He putting Calvin in her life again, but He was placing his sweetheart there as well, just to remind Lucy not to trust herself.

Or men.

Not even Calvin Weaver.

Chapter 14

From the moment he’d met Amos, John knew he’d made a friend. A very good friend.

The second time they’d talked, when he’d confided to the old guy that he was uncomfortable living on the farm, Amos offered a solution. Amos wanted a partner. Actually, he wanted someone to take over his business.

“All I want to do is make donuts, John,” he’d groused. “I’m gonna go nuts if I have to sit back behind that forsaken counter for one more day.”

“I can sit there all day. I make a decent cup of coffee, too,” he’d said.

After a brief conversation about money, the deal was done.

The offer of becoming partners in the donut shop should have taken a lot of thought and consideration. But John knew it felt right.

So he’d accepted Amos’s offer to live above the donut shop, and now worked side by side with the elderly man, learning the business, and enjoying his company.

Things with his brother’s family were going well, too. Little by little, their conversations were less stilted. Mary now invited him over for dinner on Fridays. Calvin, Loyal, and Graham seemed to accept him in their lives . . . even if he wasn’t Amish. Katie, of course, had made his life wonderful. Every time they saw each other, she greeted him with hugs and kisses, and big happy smiles.

In town, he was also becoming more comfortable. He was making a few friends.

And then there was Jayne Donovan. Since their run-in, he’d seen her one other time. And