Free A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston Page A

spends time with Daniel,” Rebecca continued.“I think he sees Daniel sort of as a father figure since his own daed abandoned him.”
    “That makes sense,” Lindsay said.
    “He’s a gut man, Lindsay.” Rebecca smiled. What she wanted to say was that she also thought Matthew was sweet on Lindsay. However, she thought it best to keep that thought to herself for the time being.
    “He is.” Lindsay turned back to the window. “We’re just friends.”
    The back door opened and then slammed shut, revealing Daniel, who had been taking care of the animals. He kicked off his boots and tossed his straw hat onto the peg by the back door. “Jessica is out back talking to Jake.” He crossed the kitchen and kissed Rebecca’s head. “You look worn out, Becky. Are you feeling all right?”
    Cupping her hand to her mouth, she yawned and smiled. “I’m tired but doing fine, danki .”
    Daniel looked skeptical. “I think you need more rest. Come up to bed.”
    “I’ll be up in a bit,” she said, gazing up at him. “I want to speak to Jessica when she comes in. She’s leaving tomorrow, and we haven’t had much time to talk.”
    “If she’d stayed at the party …” Lindsay began.
    “Don’t stay up too late,” he warned. “I’ll be down to get you if you’re not up after my shower.”
    “Okay.” Rebecca smiled at him before he headed toward the stairs. She glanced back at Lindsay, who was studying the scene out the window. Rebecca wanted to speak with Jessica, but she also wanted to be sure that the girls didn’t get into another emotional argument. Her plan was to diffuse any bickering before it escalated, as her own mother had tried to do when she and Grace were young.
    “Here she comes,” Lindsay said from the window. “She’s not smiling.”
    The back door opened and closed, and Jessica walked into the kitchen, her pretty face turned down in a frown and her eyes red and puffy.
    Rebecca stood. “Are you all right, Jessica?”
    “Where have you been?” Lindsay asked while standing hands on hips in front of her sister. “Didn’t you remember that this party was for you? I can’t believe you just took off and missed nearly the whole night. Do you realize how thoughtless that is?”
    “Whoa!” Jessica held her hands up. “If I’d known I was going to get the third degree, then I would’ve found somewhere else to stay tonight.”
    “That’s not necessary,” Rebecca said. “You’re family and always welcome here.” She sat and pointed to the chair across from her. “Sit and tell us what happened, Jessica.” She motioned for Lindsay to sit also.
    “This better be good,” Lindsay snapped, dropping into the chair next to Rebecca.
    Rebecca shot her a warning glance, and Lindsay’s expression softened. “Now, Jessica,” Rebecca began, “please tell us why you’re so upset.”
    “Jake and I had a terrible argument.” Her voice was thick.
    Rebecca reached over and took Jessica’s hand in hers. “What happened?”
    Jessica cleared her throat. “We talked, and Jake said that he feels like he holds me back. He said that we’re from different worlds and want different things out of life. He said that he’s tired of waiting for me and he thinks we’re stuck in one place in our friendship. He said that we should remain friends but go our separate ways.”
    Tears spilled from Jessica’s eyes, and Rebecca handed her the napkin she’d been folding and unfolding. “Oh, dear. I’m so sorry.” She glanced at Lindsay who looked sympathetic. “Would you please get your schweschder a glass of water?”
    Lindsay jumped up and rushed to the sink.
    Rebecca patted Jessica’s hand. “I know it hurts, Jessica, but maybe you can work things out when you get back from New York.”
    “I don’t know,” Jessica said while wiping her eyes. “He seems really hurt that I chose New York over him. He insists we’ll never want the same thing. The truth is, I’m not sure what I want yet. I feel like