LITMIR.BIZ

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tree where a group of older Amish men were conversing.

      “Are you afraid that he won’t like me?”

      “Nay!” she gasped, her eyes flashing toward his. She softened her tone. “Nay. It’s not that.”

      “Then let me speak with him.” He frowned. “Unless you don’t want the job.”

      “I wouldn’t mind working at the clinic again.”

      James grinned as he sensed the exact moment when Nell gave him permission to talk with her father.

      He immediately knew who her father was when a man looked sharply at Nell and then him. “I’ll be right back,” James told her as he made his way to the man who’d left the group to approach.

      “Sir,” James greeted him. “I’m James Pierce. Your daughter helped me last Thursday at my veterinary clinic.”

      “Arlin Stoltzfus,” the man said as he narrowed his gaze to take stock of James, “and I wonder how you know that Nell is my dochter.”

      “A gut guess?” James said, slipping into Pennsylvania Deitsch and noting the man’s surprise, which was quickly masked by a frown.

      “What do you want, James Pierce?”

      “A favor,” James said. He softened his expression.

      “What kind of favor?” The man eyed him with doubt.

      “First, would you feel better knowing that I’ve come to visit my family—the Troyers—and not Nell?”

      Something flickered in the man’s expression. “You’re Adam and Ruth’s eldest son.”

      “Ja, I have the gut fortune to have their love.”

      The concern eased from Arlin’s expression. “I’m sure you are a gut man, James Pierce.”

      “James,” James invited, and Arlin smiled. “But now that I’ve seen Nell here today, I’d like to ask your permission for Nell to work in the clinic next week.”

      The man lowered his eyebrows. “Why?”

      “I have no staff next week. My receptionist is taking care of her sick family as well as recuperating from illness herself. My assistant is away with her husband and not expected back until a week from tomorrow. I would need her to fill in for one week only.”

      Arlin glanced toward Nell, who was talking with two young women. “Have you mentioned this to her?”

      James shifted uncomfortably. “Ja, I wished to know if she was interested before I came to you.”

      “And she is interested,” the man murmured, “which is no surprise, considering how much she loves caring for animals.”

      Nell glanced in their direction, then quickly looked away, but not before James recognized longing in her expression. She wanted the opportunity to work in the clinic if only for a short time.

      Nell’s father sighed heavily as he studied his daughter. His expression was light, and there was amusement in his brown eyes as he met James’s gaze. “She can work with you. She’ll be disappointed if I refuse permission.”

      James smiled. “And above everything, you want your dochter’s happiness.” He watched with stunned surprise as Arlin waved at his daughter to join them. Nell approached, looking fearful as she glimpsed her father’s stern expression.

      “You want to work for him?” he asked sharply.

      “Ja, Dat, but only if you give permission.”

      Arlin’s expression softened. “He belongs to the Troyers. I give permission,” he said, surprising James.

      James grinned. “Monday morning, eight o’clock sharp. Can you be there?”

      “I can be there,” Nell said. She turned toward her father. “I’ll have my morning chores done before I go.”

      “Ja, I have no doubt of that,” Arlin said.

      “Do you need a ride?”

      Arlin narrowed his gaze. “She will take the family buggy.”

      He nodded. “Danki,” he said.

      “James!”

      He glanced over and beamed as his mother approached. “I’m happy you could make it,” she said.

      He regarded her with affection. “I’m happy I’m here.” His gaze flickered over Arlin and Nell who were standing next to him. “My staff is out, and Arlin has agreed to allow Nell to fill in for them next week.”

      His mother’s eyes crinkled up at the corners. “You can rest easily with this one,” she told Arlin. “He’s a gut soohn.”

      James felt a momentary unease. He didn’t feel like a good son. He’d left his family and his community to attend veterinary school and had little contact in the years that followed.

      As if sensing his discomfort, his mother squeezed his arm. “He’s moved back into the area to be closer to us,” she said as she regarded him affectionately.

      He did move to Lancaster to be close to his parents for he had missed his family greatly. The tension left him. Despite his past, he was determined that he would be a much better son and brother from this point forward.

       Chapter Four

      Monday morning, Nell steered her carriage down Old Philadelphia Pike toward Pierce Veterinary Clinic. She viewed the day with excitement. She’d learned a lot from just one day working with James. Imagine what she could learn in the next five!

      When the clinic came into view, Nell felt a moment’s dread. Learning from James was a benefit of working with the clinic, but working with the man could cause her complications she didn’t need in her life. He was handsome and kind, but her attraction to him was wrong and forbidden.

      Focus on what Dat said. Her father wanted her to marry. He’d find her a husband if she didn’t find one on her own.

      Nell knew that she just had to remember that although James had an Amish family, he was an Englisher. She couldn’t allow herself to think of him as anything but her dog’s veterinarian—and this week, as her employer.

      When she pulled her buggy up to the hitching post in the back, Nell was surprised to see James’s silver car parked near the back door. She’d arrived early. It was only seven thirty. She was sure she’d arrive before him and that she’d have to wait for him to show up.

      She tied up Daisy, then went to ring the doorbell. Within seconds, the back door opened, revealing James Pierce dressed in a white shirt and jeans.

      Nell stared and suddenly felt woozy. She swayed forward and put a hand out to catch herself on the door frame, but James reacted first by grabbing her arm to steady her. Seeing James looking so like Michael, her late beau, had stunned her.

      “Nell?” he said with concern. “Are you all right?”

      She inhaled deeply. “I’m fine.” Like James, Michael, an Englisher, had favored button-down shirts and blue jeans. She’d met him in a grocery store before she’d joined the church and still had the option of choosing an English or Amish life. She’d chosen a life with Michael but she’d never had the chance to tell him before he died.

      James still held her arm, and she could feel the warmth of his touch on her skin below the short sleeve of her dress. “Are you sure you’re all right?”

      Nell managed to smile. “I’m well. Danki.” She bit her lip. “Thank you,” she corrected.

      James let go and gestured for her to come inside. “Is the day getting warm?”

      “A little.” But the heat wasn’t

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