Free Elijah And The Widow (Lancaster County Weddings 4) by Rebecca Kertz

attention to the horse-drawn machinery he’d recently driven. “That machine can do six rows at a time. Makes the job easier.”
    Martha, recalling Ike’s claim, nodded. “He said the new equipment would cut farmwork time in half.”
    “It does.” Eli continued to gaze at her with piercing blue eyes. Her face warmed. “As for the sowing—I don’t mean we as in you or any of the women, but us men.” He pointed out another of Ike’s machines. “A planting machine. Does the work in less than half the time as sowing seed by hand.”
    She was impressed and told him so.
    “We’ll be starting your repairs on Monday,” he reminded her. “ Dat will stop by tomorrow with your estimate.”
    “I appreciate your help.” She stopped her fingers from playing with the edge of her apron.
    “I should get back to work.” He glanced toward the barn, where Jacob had hitched up the draft horses to another of Ike’s shiny new machines. “We’ll finish up today. If not, we’ll be back tomorrow morning.”
    Martha was grateful for the help from her friends and her new family. Katie and Hannah happily helped in the kitchen, while Meg and Charlie carried dishes to and from the food table and kept watch for workers who stopped in for a quick drink or snack. The men toiled until the sun began to set in the west; then they finally came in from the fields to pack up for home. While his sons lifted the single row plow and set it carefully in the back of their wagon, Samuel approached Martha, who chatted with his wife.
    “Got most of it today. We’ll finish up first thing tomorrow.” Samuel looked warm, his shirt moist against his skin. He had worn a long-sleeved shirt along with navy tri-blend pants and work boots, and the day had turned hotter than expected. The breeze had ceased that afternoon, and while the humidity wasn’t bad, Martha realized how hot it must have felt to the men doing her farming.
    “ Danki ,Samuel,” she said gratefully. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your hard work.”
    He smiled. “’Twas our pleasure, Martha. Eli and Isaac will be back early tomorrow morning. I’ve checked on material for your repairs, and I’ll get you a proposal by tomorrow afternoon. On Monday, we’ll get started if everything meets with your approval.”
    “Martha,” Mae interrupted as she approached from behind. “Amos is ready to leave. You will let us know if there is anything you need?”
    “You’ve done more than enough.” She looked around gratefully at everyone within sight. “All of you.” She released a breath. “ Danki. If there is anything that I can do for you, any way to repay you—”
    Samuel frowned. “There will be no repayment.”
    “Cake!” Eli called out at the same time.
    Martha looked at his teasing grin and cracked a smile. His father stared at his son, and the innocent look on Eli’s face had Samuel shaking his head with amusement.
    “Done!” Martha said before anyone could object. “I just happen to have an extra cake or two in the house. If you’ll wait just a moment, I’ll get them.”
    Katie spoke up. “Martha, there’s no need—”
    “I know, but ’tis my pleasure,” Martha called back as she hurried toward the house. “I baked too many, and I can’t eat them all!” She had seen the pleased gleam in Eli’s blue gaze when she mentioned the extra cake.
    Feeling unusually lighthearted, Martha grabbed the cake, then returned to hand it to Katie. “Eli will ruin his supper if he gets a hold of this,” she warned.
    Katie’s lips twitched. “ Ja , he probably will.” She turned to her son. “Do you hear that, Eli?”
    “But Mam —”
    “Time to go, soohn ,” his father said. “Be happy you have a cake to enjoy after dinner.”
    Martha choked back a chuckle when she saw amusement twinkling in Eli’s expression. “ Danki for the cake, Martha,” he said solemnly. “I’ll eat it after supper.”
    Martha burst out laughing. “You’re not fooling me,