Dating an Amish Flirt by Rachel J. Good

Author:Rachel J. Good [Good, Rachel J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2024-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Josh picked at the cookie on his plate. He couldn’t believe he’d responded to Rachel like a schoolboy with a crush. All his old feelings for her had flooded to the surface before he could block them. What was wrong with him? Why couldn’t he control these long-ago emotions?

When he sat in this familiar kitchen, past longings swirled through him as he breathed in air scented with vanilla, peanut butter, and melted chocolate. Special memories pushed to the surface, leaving him yearning for the relationship he and Rachel once shared.

He needed to swim to the surface of reality before he drowned. Picking up another bite of still-warm cookie, he forced himself to close his eyes, blot out the image of Rachel boxing up cookies, and savor the taste of the buttery, sugary goodness melting on his tongue. He almost groaned with pleasure.

But when he opened his eyes, Rachel still drew his attention. He needed to get out of this kitchen. He stood abruptly. “Um, why don’t I take some cookies to your mamm?”

Rachel pivoted to stare at him, surprised and pleased, which only added to his guilt.

“Mamm would love that.” Her grateful smile didn’t quite erase the sadness in her eyes.

Josh broke their gaze. “You look busy. I can fix it.”

Her soft danke touched him. He’d obviously hurt her, but she forgave quickly and easily. Why hadn’t he trusted her forgiveness years ago?

The answer came in a swift, sharp rebuke. Because he didn’t believe he deserved forgiveness.

Tamping down that thought, he rounded the table and removed a plate from the cupboard, careful not to brush against Rachel as he selected two of each flavor. He poured a glass of milk and picked up his plate as well as Betty’s.

Juggling everything, he made his way down the hall. He tapped at Betty’s door with his foot, then struggled to turn the knob when she called out for him to come in.

“Josh!” Her delighted expression reminded him of Rachel’s.

He’d come here to escape his jumbled emotions about Rachel, but he’d come face to face with an older replica. No matter what he did, he couldn’t seem to outrun his attraction to her daughter. Not even by dating another woman.

He lifted his lips in a semblance of a smile. “Thought you might like some cookies and company.”

Betty set a book on her bedside table. “I’d love both, but especially the company.”

“The cookies are better,” Josh teased, and she laughed.

After she’d taken a few bites, they talked about the weather, the children, the work he planned to do. Like Rachel, Betty seemed concerned about paying Mrs. Vandenberg back, so Josh didn’t mention the extra work she’d asked him to do.

Betty’s concerned frown lifted as she confided, “Mrs. Vandenberg asked Rachel to make a quilt for the charity auction and paid a large amount.”

Josh admired Mrs. Vandenberg’s sneaky ways of getting others to accept her charity. “I’m sure the quilt will be worth much more than she paid. Rachel’s quilts are beautiful.”

Her mamm beamed. “I’m glad you think so.

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