An Amish Wife for Christmas by Patricia Davids

Author:Patricia Davids
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2018-08-09T13:39:39+00:00

Chapter Nine

Michael peered through his jeweler’s loupe at a tiny screw he was attempting to insert into the mechanism of an antique gold pocket watch. His concentration was broken by the thump-thump-thump of Sadie Sue’s tail against the floor. It was her signal that he wasn’t alone but the visitor was someone she knew.

He couldn’t believe what a difference having the dog had made on his anxiety level. He was confident in her ability to alert him to strangers. He didn’t feel the need to constantly scan his surroundings for danger as often. When he did get agitated, she would distract him by nuzzling him for affection or bringing him the red ball she loved to fetch and dropping it in his lap.

“What are you doing?” Jenny asked as she came up beside him. His workbench was just high enough to allow her to rest her hands and chin on it.

“I’m working. Are you supposed to be in here?”

“I can’t come in when the door is closed.”

“Is the door closed, Jenny?” He turned the loupe up so that he could see her face. She was the perfect picture of boredom.

“It was closed but then it opened, so I came in.”

He tipped his head to the side. “Did it open because you turned the doorknob?”

“Maybe. Are you mad?”

He sighed heavily. “What do you need, Jenny?”

“I want someone to play hide-and-seek with me. Will you, please?”

“I’m working. Ask your sister to play with you.”

“She’s doing the laundry.”

“Then perhaps your brother would enjoy playing with you.”

“He says I’m too little and that I’m just a pest. I’m not a pest, am I?”

Michael put down his screwdriver. The tiny screw popped off the magnetized end and went rolling off the workbench onto the floor. He pressed his lips into a hard line. “You are not a pest, but I don’t have time to play, Jenny. I have work to do.”

Her hopeful expression dissolved into a serious pout.

He got off his stool and awkwardly dropped to one knee to see under the bench. Jenny picked the screw up and handed it to him. “No one wants to play with me.”

He paused and thought for a minute. “Why aren’t you in school?”

“’Cause the teachers have to go to meetings for two days.”

He got back on his work stool. “Play with Sadie.”

“Sadie Sue can’t play hide-and-seek. She can’t count.”

He put his loupe back on. “I’m sure Sadie can learn to play hide-and-seek with a little help from you. You go hide, and I will send her to find you.” If he was fortunate, he could have ten or twenty minutes of uninterrupted work time before she came looking for the dog.

Bethany opened the door. “Jenny, I thought I told you to stay out of the workroom while Michael is in here.”

“He wants me to play with Sadie Sue.”

Bethany folded her arms across her chest. “Then bring the dog with you and leave Michael alone.”

“We’re playing hide-and-seek. I’m going to go hide. Michael, you count for her.” Jenny took off at a run.

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