Free Patchwork Dreams by Laura Hilton Page A

it.”
    Thankfully, he didn’t make any comment about her claiming to need quiet and then going to a bustling fast-food restaurant.
    He reached out and picked up her candy bar. “Plain milk chocolate? Have you ever tried it with almonds?” He set it down again, his gaze resting on her.
    “So, did you pursue your Susie this relentlessly?”
    Jacob’s eyes widened. For the longest time, he didn’t answer. Instead, his gaze moved past her to the window. His lips thinned as he stared outside. Finally, he looked back at her. “Nein. She chased me.”
    Becky rolled her eyes. Of course, she did. And when the single girls in this community caught wind of Jacob, they’d be chasing him, too.
    “Did you want a coffee?” She gestured to the tall Styrofoam cup in front of her.
    He eyed the cup with a wary look. “Is that the, uh, cappuccino Daniel mentioned?”
    “Jah. It’s an espresso—really strong coffee—with flavoring and sugar, I think.”
    He wrinkled his nose. “Maybe not so much.”
    Becky laughed. “They have normal coffee here, too.”
    Jacob’s eyes jerked back to hers, and a slow grin spread over his face. “Bex, I’d drink a thousand of your cappuccinos just to hear you laugh again.”
    Her face heated. She lowered her eyes, flattered and intrigued. Ach, he was a bold one.
    ***
    Encouragement. He’d managed to find a small crack in her barricade. And she had a beautiful laugh. Jacob slid his hand over the table until his fingertips touched hers. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to order myself a cappuccino. I’m willing to give it a try.”
    “I probably should be going.” Becky glanced up. “Emma….”
    “Emma is fine. Leah’s taking gut care of her.” Funny how he didn’t want their time together to end.
    “But….” She started to stand.
    “Please.” Jacob stood and placed a hand on her shoulder, gently urging her back into her seat. “Wait.” After another long glance at her bowed head, he turned and strode up to the counter and stood in line.
    “Well, look who’s here. You miss me, babe?”
    Jacob had just reached the front of the line when he heard the loud voice somewhere behind him. He glanced back and hesitated when he saw a couple of Englisch guys stop beside Becky.
    Her face paled as she stared up at the two men. He saw her lips move, and although he couldn’t hear her, he knew what she said: “Nein.” She closed her hands around her drink and made a slight move. One of the guys, the dark-haired one, sat down on the edge of her booth, forcing her back in. The redheaded one sat on the other side. Jacob’s side.
    “May I take your order, sir?”
    Jacob frowned at the clerk and shook his head, then stepped out of line and walked back to the booth in front of Becky’s. He hesitated there, not sure whether he should interrupt now or wait to see if she needed help. Glancing out the window, he noticed the lone buggy tied to the red hitching pole.
    Out of the corner of his eye, he watched the man as he slipped his arm around Becky and pulled her closer to him. “Wanna go out and have some fun, babe? There’s a party tonight. I can find a date for Luke, and we can—”
    “Nein. Kent, please. Go.” Becky’s voice wobbled.
    Kent. Emma’s daed. Jacob gave up pretending to look outside and openly studied the man beside Becky. What had she ever seen in this man?
    He took a deep breath and reminded himself that the Amish were pacifists. Then, he strode over to the table. “She’s with me.”
    The man Becky had called Kent looked up. Jacob’s fingers itched to form a fist and rearrange his face.
    Lord, forgive me. Help this to end quietly.
    “Found yourself a new plaything, babe?” Kent rose to his feet. “And who might you be?”
    “I might be Jacob Miller.” Plaything? How dare he treat Becky like this!
    “Chakob? What kind of name is Chakob?” The Englischer laughed as he pronounced the name the Amish way. He stepped forward, getting in Jacob’s face.
    The