Millie tugged on Lucy's bonnet string and signed, "Down."
Lucy sighed. "I think we've pushed our luck far enough when it comes to this little girl's patience for sitting still."
He offered her a hand down from the stool. She accepted, her eyes shyly meeting his, and she blushed.
Amos was surprised to feel a little tingle in his hand as Lucy briefly held it while she climbed down from the stool. Not only had he enjoyed his time with the lovely young woman and her adorable sister, but he was finding that he wished they could spend more time together.
What are you thinking, man? You just got back after being away for years. You're not looking for an entanglement right now!
But Amos didn't feel like listening to his subconscious. "It was very gut getting to know you a bit, Lucy. And you too, Millie," he told the little girl who was gazing at everything they passed with wide eyes. "I hope to run into you both again soon. Except maybe not literally next time."
Lucy laughed, appreciating his twinkling hazel eyes and the way his sandy-brown hair, just a bit too long, brushed the collar of his green-and- white-striped Fisher's Hardware shirt.
"Well, maybe I'll see you at services? I attend here in Bird-in-Hand."
He considered the idea. "I've been attending services in Lancaster with my cousins. Maybe I'll check out the services here. Is this a church Sunday coming up?"
"Ja, we're meeting at my neighbor's place, just a mile or so from my home." She gave him the address and then, saying goodbye, started toward the door.
Millie tugged her hand, and she looked down at the child. "What is it, lieb? You've still got Pinky."
Millie signed, "Fix shower."
Lucy slapped her forehead. "Oh, ja! Denki, Millie. I almost forgot what we came here for in the first place!"
"You mean, it wasn't to spill paint and eat ice cream? I'm crushed."
"Ha ha. Those were definitely bonuses, but we actually came here to buy caulk so I can make the shower usable in the dawdi haus. It's leaking into the basement now."
"Well then, follow me." He led her to the plumbing section, pulled a tube of caulk from the shelf, and held it out to her. "I believe this is what you need."
She looked at the label. "That looks like what Mose told me to buy.
Denki."
"I strive for excellent customer service."
"Well, you've achieved it today. The ice cream didn't hurt." She grinned at him, revealing a set of dimples and strong, even teeth.
Uh-oh, she just sparkles. I'm in trouble. "Come on, I'll check you out so you can go caulk your shower." He led her to the checkout and indicated to the woman standing there that he'd take care of the sale. "Go ahead and take a break, Melba. I'll keep an eye on things for a bit."
She looked with open curiosity at Lucy and Millie, then winked at him and turned toward the back of the store. "Okay, boss, see you in fifteen minutes!"
"Did she just wink at me?"
"Ja, she did," Lucy confirmed. "You ate ice cream with an unmarried Amish woman. You are in big trouble now."
He threw back his head and laughed. "Does anything ruffle your feathers?"
"When you're a single woman raising a child, you need to develop a thick skin."
His smile slipped. "You don't mean people think Millie is your daughter?"
"You did."
He frowned. "Huh. I did. But I also assumed you were married." He stared at her for a few beats, then blurted out, "You're not, are you? Married?"
She shook her head. "Nee. Single woman raising a child, remember?"
"Ach, ja." He felt himself blushing a bit.
"And people have judged you?"
She shrugged. "Some people assume I'm an unmarried mother. And even among people who know the situation, there are those who think it isn't proper for a young, single woman to be raising a child alone."
