Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Patrice Lewis (i read book txt) 📖

of the life Eliza had lived out in the Englisch world. Instead, Jane was jealous about the baby. Jane would never in a million years let Levy or anyone else know how much she dreaded the thought of Eliza’s return. It wasn’t that Eliza would put her out of a job. She could start working at her aunt and uncle’s mercantile store. But she’d grown to love Mercy, now sleeping and secure in her crib. The boppli was blessedly unaware of the kaleidoscope of emotions swirling around her caregivers.

Levy returned to work. Jane concentrated on making more peach chutney for sale at the farmer’s market.

By the time evening rolled around, Jane’s wounded feelings were humbled as she saw how preoccupied Levy was, between news of his sister and the weekly strain of preparing for the farmer’s market. Her life might be emotionally complicated, but it was nothing next to Levy’s—not just concern about Mercy, but about finances and his sister’s forthcoming return. He had a lot on his plate, and she didn’t have to add her injured feelings on top of everything else.

By the time he sat down to dinner, he seemed more centered as well. “I think I got a lot done today,” he said after the silent blessing, reaching for a bowl of green beans.

“Will Eliza be able to work the farm with you?” asked Jane. “It seems you’re in desperate need of an additional pair of hands.”

“Ja, no doubt. But I don’t know what will happen when she gets here, even whether she’ll want to take over Mercy’s care.”

Jane startled. “Surely she will. It’s her daughter.” She looked at little Mercy, snug in her bouncy seat in the center of the table. The infant batted at the colorful toys on the bar above her. Soon the baby would be sitting on her own, then graduating to a high chair as she learned to eat solid food. “And it won’t take long to love this boppli.”

Levy laid down his fork. “I hadn’t stopped to think about that, or even how difficult this will be on you.”

Jane looked down at her plate as tears stung her eyes. “It’s hard not to fall for something this sweet,” she admitted.

There was a short and pained silence. “I don’t know what Eliza will do with Mercy,” Levy warned. “She has every right to take over the care of her own child.”

“Of course. But…” She looked at him with swimming eyes. “But if she does, I’ll probably go to work in my uncle’s store. Or go home to Ohio, back to my family. It would be too hard to see Mercy on a daily basis but not take care of her anymore.”

He was silent a few minutes, eyes on his food. “Things will change after Eliza gets home, for sure and certain,” he admitted. “She hasn’t been here while I built up the business—the produce sales, the farmer’s market, even the bookkeeping I do. I don’t know what she’s been doing while out in the Englisch world.”

Jane could see why Levy had his doubts about Eliza’s return.

Not wanting to offend, she just said, “It’s in Gott’s hands. For all you know, Eliza wants to walk the straight and narrow path from now on. She could be a huge asset to the business side of things. You just don’t know until she returns.”

He looked troubled. “I realize that. And I aim to give her every chance—not just to settle back into the church and the community, but to help on the farm and help with the market.” His mouth thinned. “But one thing I do know. It will be like having a stranger in the house again. I don’t know how much she’s changed, if her values are different, what her work ethic is like. I don’t know her anymore, and she doesn’t know me or how much I’ve changed. I haven’t seen her in three years. That’s a long time.”

Her heart ached for him. She could see the love for his sister warring with the reality of his work demands. “If I may ask, Levy, why the sudden doubts? Since I’ve known you, you’ve done nothing but express regret about the mistakes you think you made in raising her. Eliza coming home is a gut thing, ja?”

“I think it’s because it’s now real. Now I have to deal with her.”

“Don’t be surprised if she’s stronger and more mature than you imagine,” advised Jane. “If she’s been out in the Englisch world, it means she’s changed. Hopefully any harsh experiences she had have made her grow up into a young woman of strength. In other words, don’t condemn her before you see her. You might be pleasantly surprised.”

Jane struggled with herself for a few minutes, then added, “But whatever happens, Levy, please don’t carry a burden of guilt around anymore. Eliza is her own person. You did the best you could after your parents died, and my hope is Eliza knows that and is grateful. Besides, how many youngies go crazy and leave for the Englisch world and do schtupid things with their lives, and who come from loving, intact homes? No one but Gott can change how a young person feels or behaves. Maybe Gott finally worked on Eliza.”

“I hope so.” He sighed. “I sincerely hope so.”

On the walk back to her aunt and uncle’s that evening, Jane reflected on her own dread of Eliza’s imminent return. It was more than the possibility of losing Mercy. It was also the possibility of losing Levy. Awkward marriage proposal or not, she knew she was in love with him. But Eliza’s return meant Levy’s attention would be understandably divided by the needs of his sister.

In other words, she was jealous.

Maybe it was time to return to Ohio, to her parents and siblings, to her home. The emotions that had sent her fleeing here seemed eclipsed by the emotions she struggled with now.

Jane was ashamed of herself. Jealousy was an ugly emotion. She knew that from