Free The Heart's Frontier by Lori Copeland

Luke conceded. “What do you think, Jonas?”
    They had found Weaver’s place with no problem, though the trip had taken longer than he’d hoped. Though Jonas could keep his seat in the saddle, he wasn’t the horseman Luke was. Apparently the Amish didn’t ride much, though he mentioned owning a horse that pulled his family’s buggy. Every time Luke glanced upward at the sun, it had crept up a little farther in the sky, and his sense of frustration mounted. His Triple Bar herd had certainly crossed the river by now. If he was lucky, the boys had taken the initiative to keep them moving instead of waiting around for him. The way things were going, this good deed was going to cost him one of the three spare days they had.
    Jonas didn’t answer for a long moment as he examined the animals. Finally, he shook his head slowly. “These are not for me. They are eltlich .”
    Eltlich ? Luke studied the pair more closely. “They look like oxen to me.”
    A small smile curved Jonas’s clean-shaven lips. “They are old.”
    Weaver didn’t deny it. “This pair’s seen some years come and go, but there’s a lot of work in them yet. They’ll do you fine.”
    Jonas’s pleasant expression didn’t fade as he eyed Weaver. “The animals taken from me were young and strong, and they worked hard on my farm. I will pay for new ones, but they must live a long time. I have not the money to replace my oxen again in two years, or even five.”
    A new respect for his Amish friend rose in Luke. He might not be accomplished when it came to negotiating a deal, but there was nothing wrong with his eye for farm animals. And judging by the glint of steel in those honest eyes, he wasn’t about to settle for less than he wanted. So much for Luke’s hope that this transaction would take no more than a few minutes.
    He scanned the area around the barn. “What about those over there?” He pointed to four animals clustered around the feed trough.
    Weaver lifted a shoulder. “Good animals, and younger. They’ll cost you a bit more, though.”
    Of course they would. Luke clamped his jaw shut.
    Jonas took off across the field, leaving Luke and Weaver to follow. When he drew near to the feeding animals, a couple skittered sideways a few steps. He spoke to them in a low, soothing voice in his own language, and when the oxen calmed, he walked in a full circle around them, his gaze traveling over every inch of their sturdy bodies. He squatted down on his haunches and inspected their underbellies, and spent a long time examining their strong legs.
    When he approached Luke and Weaver, his expression was confident. “ Dat one.” He pointed. “And dat one.”
    Weaver dipped his head. “You have a good eye, mister.”
    “All right.” Luke turned to face Weaver. Now it was his turn, and he intended to get them for the best price he could, and as quickly as he could. “So how much for the pair?”
    Jonas held up a hand. “First, I must see them pull together.”
    Weaver’s smile broke forth and he nodded approval. “Not only a good eye, but a good head for buying livestock. Never buy a team without seeing them work.”
    Luke stifled a groan. Next thing he knew, Jonas would insist on plowing a field to try them out.
    Weaver clapped a friendly hand on the Amish man’s back. “Come on and give me a hand with the yoke.” They set off together for the barn.
    Luke didn’t bother hiding his sigh as he trudged after them.

     
    With their purchases packaged and piled around them in front of the general store, Emma and Rebecca perched on crates and sipped a sweet drink, compliments of the storekeeper. The man had brought a straight chair outside for Maummi , who drank her soda pop with obvious pleasure. Emma savored the liquid on her tongue and tried to identify the source of flavor. Orange for certain, and bubbly stuff that backed up in her nose if she drank too quickly. Eyes watering, she took another delightful sip.
    Maummi ’s voice sliced into