Free Love's Abundant Harvest by Beth Shriver

and
since Emma was the one who lifted his spirits the most, he usually ended up here.
    She frowned. “I’ve told you to come over for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day,
if you like. Why don’t you come?”
    “Good question, you ol’ mule,” Caleb said as he came in from the barn, where he’d
been cleaning up a bit more after the milking. “Why don’t ya come over more often?”
    “Milking went twice as fast with me helping.” Manny winked at Emma and turned to
Caleb. “So what took ya so long to get in here?”
    “I thought I’d let you two talk.” Caleb washed up and sat down across from Manny.
“You seem better.” Caleb gave Manny a knowing look.. “Any special reason?”
    Manny scoffed. “Tell me what you’re really asking.”
    “All right. Have you been out to Sam’s place again?” Caleb held his gaze on Manny.
    Manny drummed his fingers on the table, pondering what to say. “Why do you ask?”
He couldn’t find the right words, so he answered with a question to avoid saying
more than he should.
    How honest could he be without feeling disrespectful? He saw not only her pure heart
but also her need for someone who truly cared about her. He shook his head at how
ridiculous he sounded. She was married, and he was still in mourning, but Caleb was
right: he needed to move on. The draw he had been feeling toward Lucy had taught
him that much at least. Now he was beginning to hope that someday he would have a
relationship again, but he couldn’t imagine how that would happen or with whom.
    “Don’t encourage him, Caleb,” Emma snapped at him. “She’s a married woman, ya know.”
    Caleb snorted. “I’m not trying to cause trouble between her and Sam, but Lucy’s got
to be the unhappiest person I ever met. Surely there’s no harm in her having a friend
in Manny.” He leaned back in his chair and stared at Manny. “Emma’s right. Lucy is
a married woman. So who else is there that you enjoy spending time with?”
    Emma walked over and slapped his leg with her spatula. “You’re making Manny uncomfortable.”
    “ Nee! ” Caleb sat back in his chair, tipping it up on two legs. “You’re not uncomfortable,
are ya, Manny.” He said it more like a statement than a question, knowing Manny wouldn’t
tell him even if he didn’t like the conversation.
    “Can I use that spatula?” Manny teased, making them all laugh.
    “It’s the only thing that works when he starts flapping his tongue.” Emma handed
it to Manny for fun.
    “I’m armed now. So change the subject.” Manny whipped the spatula around and caught
Caleb on the arm.
    Taken off guard, Caleb reared backward and lost his balance. He fell with a slam
to the floor, cradled his head with one hand, and pushed himself up with the other.
Scrambling to his feet, he stared at Manny. “I give!” He held up both hands. “I’m
done teasing you for today.”
    Emma had her hand over her mouth in shock, but now let out a loud laugh. “Are you
okay?” She stroked Caleb’s cheek and then felt the back of his head.
    “I’m gut . I was probably asking for that.” His face was a bit pale, but he was in
good humor, so Manny decided he was right. His teasing had gone too far, and Manny
was glad Emma got on him about it. He couldn’t tell anyone how he felt—not now, probably
never.
    “Sorry, friend.” He stood and clasped Caleb’s hand. “No hard feelings?”
    “ Nah . Now I don’t need that extra cup of coffee. ’Cause you woke me up!” Caleb grinned,
letting him know he meant it, and walked over to Emma to give her a peck on the cheek.
    “ Danke for dinner, Sis.” Manny headed for the door as Emma patted Caleb’s cheek.
The endearments they shared were too much for Manny. He was happy for them but selfishly
jealous he didn’t have what they had. It wasn’t right to pine over it, so he tried
to occupy his mind with something else. He hadn’t had a good talk with Sweet Pea in a while. Maybe he’d head home and have a