Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"W e don't need to do anything," Lucas finally said after he'd guided her up onto the porch, his tone firm. "This is not our feud."

Kayla took his words in, thinking she'd finally met a man who seemed so well matched to her—shy—introverted, the Englisch called it—studious and serious, when everyone else seemed shallow and silly. And now, she'd discovered he was part of a family her elders did not like at all.

"I've never understood why they dislike each other," she admitted. "I didn't grow up in the Spartansburg community. We live in Shipshewana, Indiana."

Lucas's worried expression looked a little calmer. He sure was handsome with his curly brown hair and those big dark eyes. Probably the most handsome man she'd ever seen. Telling herself to forget that notion, she watched him absorb this new information, his expression serious but also hopeful.

"As I said, this is not our feud, it's theirs and it's time someone convinced them to put a stop to it."

"Where did you grow up?" she finally asked, hoping it wasn't Spartansburg.

"Lancaster County," he said. "We rarely visit this area, so while I'm aware of the feud, I don't know all the details about the disagreement that occurred between our grandfathers."

"I've heard about it all my life," she admitted. "They were young—about our age—and they both fell for the same girl, but my grossdaddi married my grossmammi Ethel, the woman he eventually grew to love. She died five years ago, and we can all see that he still mourns her." Kayla's eyes misted over. "Yet I know she always wondered if she was second in my grossdaddi 's heart."

"I'm sorry," Lucas said, his dark eyes full of sympathy now. "My daed rarely talks about that. He was hesitant to attend this reunion for other reasons, however. My grandfather Tobias can be a hard man at times, and my grossmammi , Berneta, fusses at him for still holding a grudge. He won the girl—her."

" Ja , my grandfather's parents sold the land next to the Myers and moved to the other side of the community. It was that bad between them. But that's where he met the woman he truly loved—my grandmother."

Kayla wondered how much tension they could stand, all being here together. She loved her grossdaddi and he was, for the most part, a kind man. She couldn't see him causing a scene, especially now, when one of his granddaughters was about to be married. "Berneta, ja . That's the woman. You'd think they could forgive each other now. It's been over fifty years, after all."

Lucas lifted his chin toward the house. "As I said, we don't need to be part of this feud." Then he pivoted to face her. "Or we could do something. If they find out we're friends, maybe we can help them heal this rift and be done with it." He shrugged. "I do know their animosity grew beyond their competition over a woman. They feuded about everything from goats to wheat fields."

"That's why my elders moved," she replied. "I don't want us to fight like that. I just met you."

"We won't, no matter how they act."

She glanced toward the big windows, hoping none of her family had come down to breakfast yet. "But if we are seen together, it could cause all sorts of trouble. My grossdaddi would forbid me to even speak to you."

"We will part ways right here," he said, checking their surroundings. "It's early yet and no one is about. I'll go around the building and enter through the back way."

" Denke ," she said, checking again. "This is silly, but also exciting."

Lucas stared into her eyes, a hint of anticipation in his own. "A forbidden friendship."

" Ja , forbidden. But I'm not afraid."

Lucas gave her a curious once-over. "I do believe that. You seem fearless to me. But will you think about what I said? We're friends, right?"

" Ja ." a.

"Then this should be between you and me, not for them to decide."

Kayla stood quaking in her winter boots, but she wouldn't give in to her fears and doubts. Her grandfather could be stern, but he was also kind and loving to his family. And he'd seemed so sad since Grossmammi Ethel had passed. She'd always believed that he had truly loved her grossmammi .

But now she wondered.

"I'm not fearless," she admitted, pushing her doubts away. "You seem nice, Lucas. What harm can there be in just having a friend for a week?"

"No harm," he said, hands up. "We can go our separate ways once this week is over and done."

" Ja . A perfect plan. Whether we keep it a secret or not."

"The only plan," he replied. His dark eyes made her think of rich tree bark. "I really like you, and we do have a lot in common."

"Starting with two stubborn, grudge-holding grandfathers, ain't so?"

Lucas leaned close, his hair falling down over his eyes. "What if we could be the bridge that brings them together? Wouldn't that make it the best Christmas ever?"

Kayla could only hope. "They do need to let this feud go and forgive each other, for certain sure. They aren't following the Ordnung at all."

"We'll come up with a plan," he said. "Meet me near the pavilion after the noon dinner and we'll find a place to plan and see what we can do."

Kayla liked that idea, not because she wanted to plan, but because she wanted to be with Lucas again. And that prospect was dangerous enough to make her wonder if she should just stay away from him.

"You look doubtful," he said, as both of them jumped apart when one of the inn workers walked around the corner. The big, muscular man smiled and waved. He had helped them with their buggy yesterday. Jonah.

"I'll be there," she said after smiling at Jonah. She was not one to miss out on a good time.

"I'll see you then," he replied. "I'd better get inside. Maybe I'll see you at breakfast."

"That should be interesting," she reminded him. "We will all be gathered in one room."

"Together," he said. "Just like your hymn."

Kayla watched him go, then took a deep breath. She'd never been good at keeping secrets, and this one would be a whopper.

What would Mamm and Daed think about her new friend?

* * *

Kayla walked inside and felt the warmth from the lobby's massive fireplace. Putting her gloves in her cape pocket, she glanced around and spotted Colette King Mueller, the youngest of the King sisters.

"Hi," Colette said as she placed a tray of crisp bacon on the buffet table, next to a bowl of biscuits and a tray of pastries. "Did you have a gut walk?"

Kayla nodded as she placed her cape on one of the many hooks lining the entryway. "I did. The lake is so lovely, but the cold is brutal."

"I can see that by your red cheeks," Colette replied, her blue-green eyes shining bright. "My sister Abigail loves to walk down there. It's how she found Jonah. He used to have another name, Kane Dawson. But he changed his name to Jonah King."

Confused, Kayla laughed. "And he married Abigail King."

"It's complicated," Colette said with a shrug. "Finding a man near death in the lake brings all kind of trouble, but it all worked out."

Kayla almost blurted out that she'd found a man by the lake, too, but she caught herself. "I saw a few people out bracing the cold."

"Matthew and I prefer a warm fire and some hot tea and cookies," Colette replied.

When they'd checked in yesterday, Colette had told Kayla and her sister Becky about her own wedding here a year ago. Apparently, the King sisters had all found true love and their husbands now lived and worked on the property. A total family affair, without feuds or arguments.

"I suppose I did stay out a bit too long, but it was a lovely morning with bright sunshine."

Colette nodded. "And this weather should hold for the wedding. Your mamm is in the kitchen talking to my mamm . They are going over the wedding feast." She whirled to glance over the menu. "Breakfast will be ready in about five minutes."

"I'll go freshen up," Kayla said. Then she asked, "Are we the only ones having breakfast? I mean, do you have another big group eating now?"

" Ja ," Colette replied. "The Myer family. They have a reunion coming up the same day as your sister's wedding."

Kayla didn't tell Colette she already knew that. "So it will be my family and theirs, here for breakfast together?"

Colette gave her a curious stare. " Ja . All of our guests eat breakfast at the same time, unless we have latecomers. Is something wrong?"

" Neh , just me being nosy," Kayla said. "I don't like large crowds."

"Oh, now I understand," Colette said, her smile full of compassion. "The Myers are nice people. They have that big table by the front window. And your family has the one next to the library. Not the best view of the lake, but you get the cozy corner closest to the food."

"That's a plus," Kayla said to offset any concern on Colette's part. "I'm starving."

Colette laughed. "Then get freshened up and I'll let your mamm know you're back. Your sister was looking for you earlier, too."

"Becky is always looking for me," Kayla replied. "You know, the bride who demands everything."

"I think I was that kind of bride," Colette said. "Weddings can be stressful, for certain sure."

"And don't I know it," Kayla replied as she waved Colette away. The pretty young woman headed back to the kitchen, calling out orders as she moved.

Kayla envied Colette's station in life. She ran this kitchen with her older sisters, and they took care of this beautiful old inn. Their husbands helped with the stables and the gardens and maintenance. They had chickens providing fresh eggs, and goats to make milk and provide all sorts of nice lotions and soaps. They even made their own candles. The place was so self-sufficient, she marveled at how they all kept up. Like a farm, but so much bigger and so well run. Like a castle, but still plain and Amish, with fresh greenery and handmade cards and pretty original Christmas paintings here and there.

And now she had found a friend in this beautiful place. It was almost like some of the fairy tales she'd read without her mamm 's knowledge. But she reminded herself that fairy tales were not like real life. Look what had happened with her grandparents. But would it hurt to enjoy having a secret friend for a few days?

Laughing at herself, Kayla thought she usually didn't like big, busy places like this one. But everyone here had been so kind and considerate to her family. Would the atmosphere remain so congenial once both families came down to breakfast?

She soon found out. Her sister's voice carried from the kitchen as Becky and Mamm came walking through the side door that led to the gardens and pavilion behind the huge inn.

"I can't find her anywhere," Becky was saying. "Why does she always run off when she's needed the most?"

"Becky, she got up early to see the lake. I gave her permission. Neither of us expected you to need help at six in the morning. You were still asleep after our long trip to get here last night."

Becky kept at it. "She shouldn't be out alone at that time of day."

"I'm a grown woman," Kayla said as she met them near their table. "I had a nice walk and then I stopped to chat with Colette."

Becky sighed. "Never mind. Abigail helped me stitch my dress. I found a spot that was unraveling and needed you to mend it."

"You know how to mend," Kayla replied. "I'm not at your beck and call, you know."

"Let's stop this," Mamm said, motioning them to the table. "Your daed is coming down and your grossdaddi with him. We don't want to upset either of them with this childish bickering, now do we?"

" Neh ," Kayla said, thinking that statement was a bit ironic. "I'm glad you got your dress fixed, Becky. Now you can adjust your attitude."

Becky's dark eyebrows lifted as she stared at Kayla.

Kayla waited for her sister's insults, but Jason, Becky's groom, came up beside them and took Becky's hand. "There you are. You look as pretty as always."

Becky's angry frown turned into a dazzling smile. Kayla turned away just in time to see the other family coming down the stairs. She counted six people. An older couple—grandparents, she guessed—another couple that had to be Lucas's mamm and daed , and two younger teenaged boys who must be his brothers. They favored him.

She studied the grandmother, a pretty woman who seemed shy. Was this the woman her own grandfather had held a grudge about for all these years? If he'd loved Mammi Ethel, why would he pine for a woman he'd lost?

Her mother guided her toward their table. "Here's your father and grandfather. They've been taking in the property with Abe King."

Kayla's nerves trembled and twitched. She should have warned her parents, and now it was too late. Where was Lucas?

Just then she spotted him walking up the back hallway at the same moment her grandfather and her daed stopped to find their table. Lucas cast her an almost apologetic glance before heading toward the other group.

Kayla's younger brother, Billy, whizzed by, always looking for food. But her grossdaddi stopped in his tracks and stared at the group gathering around the other table. He gasped, his gaze landing on the older woman walking with the man.

"This cannot be," he said, his hand lifting as he pointed toward the other group. "What are they doing here? Surely Becky didn't invite them to the wedding?"

The other group grew quiet as the older man turned toward her grossdaddi and glared at him. "What are you doing here?"

Grandfather Claude stepped forward. "I'm here for my granddaughter's wedding, and you are not invited."

Lucas rushed toward his family. "I'm sorry I'm late. I went for a walk."

The older man ignored Lucas as he moved around the table, his gaze on Claude Hollinger. "I'm here for a reunion, but not one in which you would be included."

At about that time, Eliza King Lapp hurried out of the kitchen, her whole staff behind her. "Breakfast is served," she called. "Please take your plates to the buffet and enjoy your meal. We will bring out the kaffe , and there is more in the urn on the buffet table."

The staff fluttered into action, trying to bring smiles to tense faces.

"I'm leaving," Claude said, trying to turn.

"I'll leave first," the other man shouted, also turning to walk away.

"Daed!" Her father stopped Claude. "Remember why we're here. Becky is getting married."

Becky burst into tears. "What is going on?"

The room went quiet. Her grossdaddi realized he'd made a mistake.

"Nothing is going on," he said, moving with shaking hands toward the table. "Let's eat our meal in peace."

The other man reluctantly sat down, but he glared at her grandfather until his wife put her hand on his arm and forced him to look away.

Lucas shot Kayla a glance that held so many emotions, she wanted to cry right along with her sister.

"Will someone please explain?" Becky said, still sniffling.

"I'll tell you later," Mamm replied. "Let's say our prayers and eat."

Kayla sat and lowered her head, but she gave Lucas a quick glance while everyone else was still praying.

He saw her and shrugged. Then he lowered his head and shut his eyes.

They'd need a lot of prayers to get through this long weekend. Now everything she'd believed had been challenged. Had her grandparents loved each other? Or had they married on the rebound and made it work with a mere show of love?

And where would this feud leave her and Lucas? How could they be friends now?