Free Patchwork Dreams by Laura Hilton Page B

redheaded guy, Luke, stood up, looking uncomfortable. “Let’s go, Kent.”
    With one strong hand, Kent shoved Jacob away, then continued past him. “Yeah. She’s not worth it.”
    She was so worth it, but still…. Jacob let them go.
    Thank You, Lord.
    Becky’s hand gripped her fancy coffee so tightly that Jacob feared she’d crush the cup. He hesitated at the end of the booth, looking down at her, then glanced out at the parking lot to see the two men climb into a red car.
    “You about ready to go, Bex?”
    The two men slammed the doors shut, and the engine roared to life.
    “Jah.” Her voice shook.
    The car backed out and drove off.
    “Let me throw my bicycle in the back of the buggy, and I’ll take you home.”
    Jacob watched them pull out onto the highway.
    “I can take care of myself.”
    “What?” His attention leaped back to Becky. Her eyes were the same icy color as they’d been the day he’d arrived.
    ***
    Becky supposed Jacob thought he was some big and mighty hero, coming to her rescue. But she didn’t have any fear of Luke, Annie’s old beau, and, well, she’d figured she’d be safe so long as he was there.
    Even though Kent could be unpredictable. Especially if he’d been drinking.
    When Jacob had come striding up and declared for the world to hear that she was with him, for a second, she’d felt valued and protected.
    She’d reveled in that feeling for a whole minute before the truth had set in: she wasn’t. And Jacob couldn’t be her hero. He belonged to Susie.
    Becky decided she didn’t much like his Susie.
    Probably because she’d gotten to Jacob first.
    Becky pried her hand from its death grip on her cappuccino and stood. “I said, I can take care of myself.”
    “Jah.” Jacob’s expression didn’t match his words. “Of course, you can.”
    She didn’t know whether to take his comment at face value or to accuse him of sarcasm. But there wasn’t a bit of mockery in his tone. Instead, it was soft and soothing.
    “But, while I’m here, Bex, you don’t need to. I’ll take care of you as if you were my little sister.” His gaze held hers.
    Ach, jah. That made her feel so much better. His sister—just the person she wanted to be.
    “Kum. Let’s get my bicycle loaded, and then we can go.”
    Becky wanted to remind him that she wasn’t his sister and never would be, but a glance around the restaurant reminded her that they weren’t alone. And they had attracted attention. With a self-conscious nod, she picked up her cappuccino and candy bar and headed for the door.
    Outside, Jacob unlocked his bicycle from the bicycle rack and wheeled it over to her buggy. He lifted the two-wheeled contraption effortlessly into the back, then turned to her, offering his hand and assistance.
    She didn’t want to accept either.
    Instead, she gave him her cup and candy bar, then climbed up into the buggy.
    Once settled, she turned back to reach for her things. Jacob handed them to her, then climbed up beside her and took the reins. He set the horse at a fast trot, and they headed away from of town, back toward the family farm.
    “Did anyone invite you to the singing?” Becky glanced at him.
    “Jah. Ben said that there’d be a gathering in their back field. I’ll head over later. You sure you don’t want to go?”
    “Jah. Positive.” She took a sip of her coffee. Should she warn Jacob that Ben’s “gatherings” weren’t where the good Amish young adults hung out, or should she leave it alone and let him find out on his own?
    She should tell him. In a minute. She took another sip.
    “That’s gut, jah?” He nodded toward her drink.
    “You never got one for yourself. Want a taste?” She held it out to him, expecting him to refuse.
    With a smile that almost took her breath away, he took the cup from her. “Jah. Danki.” He raised the cup to his lips and took a sip, his eyes widening as he swallowed. “This is ser gut.” He held it out to her.
    She held up her hand. “You