Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Patrice Lewis (best large ereader .txt) 📕

the young men seated themselves opposite, with Jane’s admirers sitting as near to her as was possible in the barn.

The group sang vigorously for half an hour before breaking for something to drink, and Jane found herself once more the center of attention. She remembered telling Levy of the need to step outside her comfort zone, and she realized it was getting easier to do as she chatted with her new friends.

Jane noticed Josiah glance at her, then look away. She suspected it was because he knew she held Eliza’s baby. He remained with the young woman she’d noticed earlier.

The group sang some more, then broke for the meal. Jane went into a quiet corner so she could change Mercy’s diaper and feed her.

Sarah kept her company while the baby drank her bottle. “I saw Charles whispering to his brother and glancing your way,” she confessed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he was thinking about courting you.”

The thought was not exciting, though she liked Charles well enough.

Sarah’s teasing grin faded. With feminine precision, she asked, “Is it Levy?”

“What? No!”

Her friend’s eyebrows arched. “Well, then, is Levy interested in you?”

“As a nanny, yes. As a woman, of course not.”

“What makes you so sure?”

“We’re like oil and water. He doesn’t like it when I attend youngie events, and I don’t like his moodiness.”

“Okay, if you say so.” Sarah grinned.

“Stop it,” ordered Jane. “Don’t create something that isn’t there.”

“I don’t think I have to.” Sarah’s eyes twinkled. “You say boys never paid much attention to you before, but why bother with boys if a decent man like Levy finds you interesting?”

To her annoyance, Jane felt her face flush. “He doesn’t. He just finds me useful.”

“And how do you feel about Levy?” Sarah asked her.

Jane looked down at Mercy. “It used to be I wanted to strangle him half the time. Now, that’s not the case. I know he’s wrestling with what to do with the boppli, and that means he’s sometimes hard to be around.”

“I can imagine. Is she done drinking her bottle? I saw some walnut brownies on the table.”

Jane returned the empty bottle to the diaper bag and hoisted Mercy over her shoulder, burping her as she went. She joined Sarah in line for food.

And when Charles offered to carry her plate, citing her full hands with the baby, she thanked him and wondered what it would be like to be courted. By anyone.

* * *

The rain continued to fall as she set out to return to Levy’s after the singing. It wasn’t terribly late and the skies were gloomy, but not pitch-dark. Jane had no trouble seeing the road as she walked back. Mercy slept in the sling, snug against Jane’s body.

As she approached Levy’s house, she saw he had set a lamp in the window for her. That thoughtful gesture touched her.

She let herself inside, making sure to create a lot of noise so Levy knew she was back. Soon he emerged from the kitchen, coffee cup in hand, as she closed the door behind her.

“How was the singing?” he asked.

“It was fun. Lots of people.” She paused for effect, then added, “Lots of cute boys too.”

His mouth thinned. “How nice.”

“And Sarah pointed out Josiah to me. It looks like he might be courting someone.”

Levy nodded. “I’m sure that’s for the best. He took Eliza’s departure hard.”

“He seemed to avoid me. I think it’s because I had Eliza’s baby with me.” She patted the baby’s bottom through the sling. “But everyone else loves her. She gets passed around and fussed over.”

Jane made her way to the kitchen, where she placed the diaper bag on a chair. “I’m going to diaper and feed Mercy, then put her down. I think she’s quite tired.”

By the time the boppli was fast asleep in her crib, it was pitch-dark outside with the rain still falling. “I can drive you home in the buggy,” offered Levy.

“Nein, danke. I know the way and can probably walk it quicker than it would take you to hitch up the horse.” Jane swung her cloak around her shoulders and fastened the clasp. “I’ll see you in the morning. Hopefully the rain will have stopped.”

She picked up her wet umbrella from the porch and started walking toward her aunt and uncle’s house. She was later than usual and hoped they hadn’t worried.

“It was an impromptu singing,” she explained after arriving home. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you know, but it was so much fun!”

Uncle Peter chuckled. “This rain put off a lot of work today, so I’m glad the Millers donated the use of their barn for a singing.”

Jane removed her damp cloak and hung it to dry on a peg near the front door. “I was happy to have something to do, since Levy was hanging around the house all day and driving me nuts.”

Peter raised his eyebrows. “Does he often drive you nuts?”

“Ja. We seem to rub each other the wrong way.”

Her uncle looked concerned. “Is it too difficult to work for him? You can come work in the store anytime, you know.”

“Nein, I couldn’t do that to Mercy. It would mean leaving her in the clutches of an incompetent uncle.” She made a face, then chuckled. “Don’t worry, Onkel Peter. Levy is outside in the fields most of the time anyway, and Mercy is a joy.”

“Well, if you’re sure…”

“I’m sure.” Jane yawned. “Gude nacht, I’m off to bed.” She kissed her aunt and uncle on their cheeks and went upstairs.

* * *

Jane woke to a day that dawned sunny and humid, with the earth giving off moisture after the relentless rain of the past few days.

As soon as Jane arrived at the farm, Levy was frantic. “I have tons to do,” he said. “I missed a whole day of work yesterday, so I have to get moving if I’m going to have enough to sell at this week’s market.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

He paused and looked at her. “Would you be able to pick raspberries