Chapter Two

      Nick could have jumped for joy when Lucy accepted his offer of courtship. Or of pretend courtship. Before exiting Frederick’s house, he signaled Kevin to follow him to the porch.

      “Listen, I found someone I can pretend I’m walking out with. The important thing is you can’t tell anyone—and I mean anyone—that it’s not an authentic courtship. If word gets out this is a farce, it will only be a matter of minutes until Mamm and Daed find out about the fire and then we’ll both be in trouble. You got it?” Nick tapped his finger against Kevin’s chest, emphasizing his point.

      “I got it,” he promised, before slyly remarking, “So who’s the fortunate maedel? I didn’t see anyone inside you haven’t already courted. Are you going to give one of them a second chance?”

      Nick didn’t appreciate Kevin’s attitude toward young women, and his response was immediate and gruff. “I’ve already told you it’s no one’s business what meed I’ve courted in the past. Besides, what makes you think they’d give me a second chance?”

      “I’ve always heard you’re a charmer, that’s all. It was intended as a compliment.”

      Hearing the admiration in his brother’s voice, Nick set him straight. “Courting a lot of meed isn’t necessarily a gut thing, Kevin. Neither is superficial charm. It’s the quality, not the quantity of relationships, that’s important. Courtship is intended to be an opportunity to discover if you and a maedel are compatible for marriage, but regardless of how long your relationships last, you’d better treat any woman you court with respect.”

      “You sound just like Daed, you know that?”

      “That’s because Daed’s right.” Nick warned, “You’ve got your whole rumspringa in front of you. Your running around period is a time for you to make decisions on your own. There’s a lot of freedom in that, but there’s a lot of responsibility, too. I’ll help you clean up the mess you’ve made this time, but if you make another one, you’re going to have to take care of it yourself, understand?”

      “Jah, jah, I got it already. So you still haven’t told me who you’re going to pretend you’re courting.”

      Nick lowered his voice. “Lucy Knepp.”

      “Lucy Knepp?” Kevin chortled. “No one will ever believe you’re interested in her. She’s such a wallflower! Haven’t you noticed how pale she is? I don’t think she ever goes outside in daytime except to attend church. She’s such a goody-goody.”

      “Exactly. Which is why Mamm and Daed won’t object if they think I’m going out with her during the week,” Nick reasoned. “So here’s what’s going to happen now. While I’m bringing Lucy to her haus, you’re going to walk to ours. Mamm and Daed will still be awake and when they ask where I am, you can let it slip I’m taking Lucy home. Plant the seed in their minds, okay?”

      “But what about going to Highland Springs like we planned?”

      Nick shrugged. “I already told Lucy I’d take her home. If you still want to go to Highland Springs, go ahead and go. Just make sure you ask whoever gives you a ride to swing by Jenny’s haus first so you can tell her you can’t afford the cost of repairs to the cabin.” Before turning to leave, he tossed Kevin’s jacket at him and added, “Her eldre probably will just contact Daed instead of getting the police involved.”

      That got Kevin’s attention. “Wait! I’ll do it. I’ll walk home now.”

      “Gut,” Nick said. “And remember, you can’t let on to anyone—not even Lucy—that you know this is a sham.”

      “Is it a sham?” Kevin jibed as he shoved his arm through his coat sleeve. “Or could it be this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for your entire rumspringa? To court Lucy Knepp?”

      Nick elbowed his brother. “You should be thanking me, not mocking me, so knock it off.”

      Grumbling, Kevin began his long schlep home and Nick went to unhitch Penny. A few minutes later, Lucy appeared. Kevin was right—she was so fair her skin glowed in the moonlight, which also reflected off her glasses. It was a good thing she was carrying a bag; it served as an anchor to keep the stiff wind from carrying her away.

      “Here, let me help you,” Nick offered, indicating he’d assist Lucy into his open one-seat buggy.

      “I can manage,” she replied, using her free hand to pull herself into the carriage. But the step was too high or the bag too heavy because she faltered backward and Nick steadied her by her waist—he could practically encircle his hands around it—before giving her a clumsy boost up. She scooted to the far end of the front seat, clutching her bag to her chest as if it contained gold.

      On the way Nick tried to drum up something to say, but he drew a blank. Recognizing he and Lucy had absolutely nothing in common except they were both Willow Creek Amish singles, he was relieved this charade would last only a week, or two at most.

      Finally, he remarked, “I really appreciate your letting me say I’m courting you. Knowing how quickly the rumor mill spins, everyone probably saw us leave and they’re already gossiping that we’re getting married.”

      Ach! It was true their peers were probably expressing curiosity about their relationship, but why did Nick even bring up the notion of marriage? As if this experience weren’t already awkward enough as it was.

      Lucy giggled behind her hand. “That’s not likely,” she said, and Nick didn’t know if she meant it wasn’t likely their peers were already gossiping about them or it wasn’t likely the two of them would ever get married. Of course the latter wasn’t likely, but it was kind of haughty for her to snicker at the idea.

      Lucy dropped her hand to her lap again, guarding her bag. “So when do you want to get started on the repairs?”

      “As soon as possible,” Nick replied, glad to switch subjects. “I can’t start on Monday because I’ll be returning from a trip to one of our suppliers out of town. So I’ll probably buy the stuff I need and begin the prep work on Tuesday night.”

      “That’s fine. I’ll arrange to make an early supper for my family and you can pick me up any time after six. I’ll wait on the porch so Mildred and Katura won’t accost you with questions.”

      “What?” Nick panicked, his pulse galloping. He only wanted to imply he was courting Lucy; he hadn’t intended to actually take her out. “What do you mean, pick you up? You do realize this is a pretend courtship, don’t you?”