A Change of Heart

Chapter Thirteen

LEAH FOUGHT TO WRIGGLE OUT OF AARON’S STRONG arms, pushing her hands into his chest and putting some distance between them, but one arm still cradled the small of her back, and an unfamiliar sensation swept over her. She stared into eyes wild with—with something.

“Aaron Lantz, what are you doing?” She shoved him back, stumbled to her feet, and brushed the powdery flower residue from her dress. “It wonders me if maybe you’re not crazy!”

Aaron rose to his feet, put his hands on his hips, and stared into her eyes. “I thought you were . . .” He took a deep breath.

“Thought I was what?” She couldn’t help but smile at how distraught he looked, for reasons she didn’t understand. “I love this time of year, when all the wildflowers are in bloom. And I feel close to God when I lie on His precious earth. What in the world came over you?” She glanced over his shoulder. “Would that be our lemonade and blanket back there?” Leah was starting to question whether this picnic was a good idea.

Aaron pulled off his hat and wiped his forehead with his sleeve, something he did too much of. Didn’t the man own a handkerchief? Then, without warning, he latched onto her hand and pulled her along beside him.

“I’ll explain later. Let’s go have our picnic.”

His hand was strong, and although she was surprised by his aggressiveness, she didn’t feel compelled to pull from his grasp. When they reached the blanket and the toppled thermos of lemonade, Aaron let go of her hand and picked up the thermos. He twisted off the attached cup and poured her a cup of lemonade.

“Here,” he said, handing it to her. Then he chuckled.

Leah swigged the entire cupful and handed it back to him. “What’s so funny?”

Aaron shook his head. “My crazy Auntie Ruth.”

“Huh?”

He poured himself some lemonade and swigged it down in one gulp, then reattached the cup to the thermos. He picked up the blanket and swung it over his shoulder. “I’ll explain later. Let’s go spread this underneath the trees by the pond. I’m starving. What about you?”

“I reckon I’m a little hungry,” she said as she cut her eyes in his direction. But as they walked toward the cluster of trees near the pond, Leah couldn’t seem to shake the feel of his arms wrapped tightly around her earlier. She’d never been that close to a boy. And Aaron was hardly a boy. Discreetly, she allowed her eyes to dart in his direction and took in his tall stance, the way his blue shirt almost looked too small as his muscles rippled beneath it, the confident way he walked. Despite the scorching heat, a shiver ran down her spine. What is happening to me?

Aaron spread the blanket beneath the trees and motioned for her to sit. Then he walked to the buggy and retrieved the picnic basket. After he placed it on the blanket next to the thermos of lemonade, he sat down beside her.

“Do you want to tell me what all that nonsense was about?” Leah used her most demanding voice, even though she was secretly wishing they could replay the entire scene.

“Can we eat first?” Even his smile now sent a wave of something unfamiliar streaming through her veins.

She sat up taller, folded her hands in her lap. “I’m not sure I can eat until you tell me exactly what caused your strange behavior.”

Aaron opened one of the wooden flaps on the top of the picnic basket, closed one eye, and playfully squinted into the basket. “Please, can’t we eat first?”

Leah shook her head and shrugged. “I reckon so.” She pushed his hand out of the way and pulled out two paper plates, then placed a sandwich on each plate, along with some chips and a sweet pickle. “I have apple pie too.”

“I’m impressed.” He grinned before taking a large bite of the chicken salad.

“Don’t be. Kathleen made the pie.” Leah picked up her sandwich, started to take a bite, then stopped, noticing that Aaron had already eaten half of his sandwich. “You’ve probably heard that I’m not exactly a very gut cook.”

He swallowed, then grinned. “Ya, I’ve heard that.” He paused. “Not much of a seamstress or gardener, either. That’s what I’m told.”

Leah slammed her sandwich down on the paper plate. “Then why did you even want to come here with me on this picnic? I’m sure Hannah could have prepared you a much better lunch.” Leah regretted the statement the minute she said it.

Aaron ignored the comment. “I’m startin’ to think that everyone’s not been real truthful with me about your cooking. This is the best chicken salad I’ve ever had. And I mean that.”

Leah took another bite of her sandwich, chewed, then swallowed. She smiled. “It really is good, isn’t it?”

Aaron nodded.

When they’d finished, Leah pulled out the two pieces of apple pie and handed one to Aaron. “Compliments of Kathleen,” she said. “Sorry my tomato pie didn’t turn out.”

“Not everyone can make tomato pie like Hannah.” He grinned, then raised the piece of pie to his mouth and took a big bite.

Leah felt her face reddening. Oh, you just wait. I will be making you a tomato pie—better than Hannah’s.

“I reckon not,” she responded curtly. “Now, tell me why you assaulted me in the field.”

Aaron held up one finger, indicating that she wait. He finished chewing, then slowly licked a pie crumb from his mouth. Leah watched his tongue slide across his bottom lip, and her pulse quickened. She put a hand to her chest, as if that might slow her heart rate.

“Let’s finish eating first,” he finally said.

When they were done and everything was loaded back into the picnic basket, Aaron stretched out on the blanket, leaned back on his elbows, and crossed his ankles. Leah sat Indian-style beside him, arms folded across her chest, facing him.

“Well?”

Aaron sighed, and his mouth twitched on one side. “I know it’s gonna sound dumb, but I thought—well, I thought maybe something was wrong with you.”

“What?”

He shook his head. “Auntie Ruth, who is a little nuts, told me a few days ago that she thinks she’s gonna die soon, and that she hopes it’s in a field full of wildflowers. And when I saw you there, you weren’t moving, and I guess that was on my mind, and—and, I don’t know. It just made me fearful for a minute.”

Leah laughed out loud. “You thought I was dead?”

“I told you. It was dumb.”

Then Leah gasped. “Ach! Is something wrong with Auntie Ruth?”

Aaron shook his head. “No, she ain’t sick or nothing. She’s just—just off in the head sometimes.”

She smiled again. “You thought I was dead.”

Tongue in cheek, Aaron sat there quietly for a moment. “Ya. As dumb as it sounds, I guess I did for a minute.” Then his expression turned serious. “It ain’t funny, Leah.”

Leah stifled her grin, both amused and touched by his chivalry. “Okay,” she said.

They were both quiet for a few moments.

“I like Auntie Ruth. Tell me all about her,” Leah said after a while.

For the next hour, Aaron filled Leah in about Auntie Ruth— everything from the ferrets and motorcycle to her almost joining a convent. They’d both laughed, and eventually Leah had gotten comfortable on the blanket, resting her head on her hand as she lay on her side and faced him. Aaron wanted to hold her hand, but it had taken her this long just to seem relaxed and comfortable.

“Well, I just love her,” she said, when Aaron took a break from telling stories. “She is an odd Englisch person, for sure. But I wish I could spend more time with her while she’s here.”

Aaron’s mind began to work on ways to make that happen. It couldn’t be a quilting, sisters’ day, tea party, or other event for only the ladies. He wanted to assure himself another day in Leah’s company.

“Auntie Ruth loves to go eat pizza at Paradiso. Maybe we can take her there for supper one night?”

Leah laughed. “Or maybe she can take us in that fancy car of hers?” Her eyes twinkled. “Even if her driving is a little scary.”

Aaron chuckled, thrilled at the opportunity to spend more time with Leah. Even if it did mean they’d have Auntie Ruth in tow.

They decided on Wednesday night. Leah said she’d have to clear it with her father, since she’d been doing extra chores since Edna got sick, but Aaron was hopeful that James Petersheim would give his permission. They spent the next two hours talking about Leah’s books, and Aaron loved the way her face glowed when she described her characters. He relished the warm sensation he had when he was in her presence.