his way to be nice since the moment he landed in the dirt at her feet. That expression on her face, the slightly narrowed eyes and the way she tilted her head a tad so her laces hung uneven from her kapp, stirred up a yearning in him to prove her wrong.
“I expect I can spare enough to buy a decent ox or two.” He twisted his lips in a crooked grin and directed it toward Emma. “That is, if the Lord can manage to round up a pair out here in the middle of nowhere.”
The corners of her lips softened in an almost smile, and she gave a nearly imperceptible nod that made Luke stand a little taller in his boots. Whether she shared his skepticism about the oxen or she was grateful for his help, he wasn’t sure. Either way, he’d never been more eager to hand over a stack of notes to a stranger.
When he extracted his leather wallet from his saddlebag and started to open it, Jonas put a hand out to stop him. “We are not worldly in the ways of bargaining with the Englisch. Best you come along to make sure we are good stewards of your generosity.”
Luke arched an eyebrow. “Your English sounds pretty good to me.”
Rebecca giggled and then rattled off something in another language to her grandmother, who clucked and shook her bonneted head.
Were they trying to confuse him? They talked about not speaking English in English and then spoke in a foreign tongue. Luke took off his hat and scratched his head. “Pardon?”
Emma explained in the low, melodic voice that made him realize he’d been itching to hear her speak again. “‘Englisch’ is the name we use for all who are not Amish.”
Color crept up his neck as he smoothed his hair and put his hat back on. She must think he was a fool.
“I’m sorry, but I left my boys to handle a water crossing, and I need to get back to them.” From his wallet, he counted out a generous handful of notes and extended it to Jonas. The man made no move to take the money but simply stared at it.
Emma stepped up to stand beside her pa. “Mr. Carson, our people keep themselves separate from the world. This sometimes puts us at a disadvantage when dealing with the Englisch. If you could find it in yourself to help us once more, I know the Lord will bless you for it.”
The plea in the beautiful blue eyes gazing up at him put him at far more of a disadvantage than they. How could he refuse a pretty girl’s request, even if she was dressed in funny clothes?
Besides, she and Jonas were right. The Switzers would be suckers when it came to the ways in the world. The folks here in Gorham were decent people, but they would do whatever they could to strike a good deal, even at the expense of a family in trouble. That was the nature of a settlement like this, to make money off the few travelers who happened into town. He’d been dickering for deals in settlements like this for a dozen years, ever since his first trail ride at fourteen. Of course, it might take a while to convince Jonas to settle on a pair of mules when he had his heart set on oxen. Providing, of course, they were lucky enough to find even a mule for sale in this tiny, out-of-the-way settlement. More likely they would end up hiring a horse and cart. Still, how long could it take to inquire?
No need to mention it to Jesse, either. Everything will be fine as long as I get back in a decent time.
He slid the notes back in his wallet. “I guess I can spare a few more minutes.”
The Switzers expelled a collective breath. He caught his first sight of a dimple in Emma’s cheek when she tilted her head sideways and smiled her thanks up at him. Quite an improvement over the suspicious look she’d awarded him earlier. He couldn’t help smiling back.
“Shall we go?” He gestured down the street toward the blacksmith shop.
Jonas and Emma both fell into step beside him, and Rebecca practically skipped off the bottom porch step in her hurry to catch up.
Mrs. Switzer halted them with a stern voice. “The girls will stay here and leave the bargaining to the men.”
Both Emma and Rebecca came to a halt with a puff of dust at