You had a son about my age, didnt you? Lainey was showing more composure than Jake had expected at this horde of relatives. Maybe this was going to be all right.
Ja, that would be Daniel. But komm. You are here for Aunt Rebecca, not for all of us. Holding Laineys hand as if she were still a child, Katie led her toward the bed.
Jake stood back, watching. Now that he had a chance to look around, the room wasnt as full as it had first appeared. In addition to Katie, three other women he recognized as relatives of Rebecca had apparently been sitting with her.
On the opposite side of the room was a small knot of men, their black coats and pants creating a dense spot in the bright room. Zebulon Stoltzfus, the oldest brother of Rebeccas late husband, stood in front of three of his sons.
There was no doubt about who was in charge in that familyZeb had always ruled his numerous progeny with an iron fist, and rumor had it that the bishop and ministers who shepherded the local Amish congregation had made more than one call on him. That usually meant the person visited had behaved in a manner that went counter to the Ordnung, the mutually agreed-upon rules by which the congregation lived. At the moment, Zeb looked like a man with a grievance, and Jake suspected he knew what that grievance was.
Lainey was bending over the hospital bed, drawing his attention. Her hair swung forward, hiding her face at the moment, but his thoughts were arrested by the tenderness in her movement as she took her great-aunts hand. She bent to kiss Rebeccas cheek, murmuring something he couldnt hear, and as she straightened he saw the tears that streaked her face. Jake had the uncomfortable feeling that all his preconceptions had just been upended.
He shook off the wave of empathy. Even if Lainey had genuine feeling for her aunt, that still didnt mean that she was capable of making life-or-death decisions for her.
Zeb stalked over to him, his face set in a frown that would likely have even his grown sons quaking in their shoes. Well? What are you going to do?
Jake managed to keep from glaring back. It was no part of his duty to Rebecca to alienate her relatives if he could help it. Lainey Colton is Rebeccas choice to take change of her affairs. He kept his voice even.
Zeb flung out a hand toward the women. The Englisch woman is unsuitable. There is too much at stake.
She is Rebeccas great-niece. Jakes jaw tightened. And its Rebeccas business, not yours.
Obviously Lainey had heard him. She straightened with a toss of her head that sent her black hair flowing back over her shoulders.
What is he talking about? What is at stake, and why am I unsuitable?
Jake had hoped hed be able to avoid an outright confrontation. Once again in this situation, hed been wrong.
CHAPTER TWO
LAINEY FROWNED AT JAKE, waiting for an answer. When it didnt come fast enough to suit her, she shifted her glare to the other man.
His narrow face was tight with an emotion she couldnt immediately identifydisdain, maybe. Vague memory stirred. An Amish man talking to Aunt Rebecca, looking at the ten-year-old shed been with just that expression.
Well? She wasnt going to start off by letting herself be intimidated. What did you mean?
Im sure Zeb didnt... Jake began, but the older mans voice cut across his.
Chust what I say. You are not suitable to have charge of my brothers wife. You are not Amish. Englischer. He clamped his thin lips together on the word.
Katie intervened, coming quickly to join them. Onkel Zeb, you must remember that this was Rebeccas decision. Its not Laineys fault.
Not her fault, Lainey felt the words echo in her mind. Freely translated, that must be that Katie agreed with him but objected to his methods.
They couldnt be any more convinced than she was that this entire situation was beyond her. Still, she wouldnt give Zeb Stoltzfus the satisfaction of seeing her doubts. She remembered him faintly nowUncle Isaacs brother, and as sour as Isaac had been sweet, from what she remembered.
Aunt Rebecca apparently thought I was capable enough. She stated the obvious. Thats why Im here.
Zeb seemed to be gritting his teeth. He turned to Jake, glowering. You are responsible for this mess. I told Rebecca she didnt need a lawyer to handle things for her, but she wouldnt listen. And now see what has happened.
You cant... Lainey began, but Jake held up his hands to both of them. There was enough command in the gesture to enforce an uneasy silence in the room, broken only by the rhythmic hum of a machine by Aunt Rebeccas bed.
Enough. Jake looked equally annoyed with both of them. Rebeccas hospital room is no place to have this discussion.
Thats right. Katie tugged Laineys arm. What would your aunt Rebecca think of this fratching? Komm. Sit.
She wasnt going to retire from the battle that easily, but Lainey let herself be maneuvered a couple of steps back. Jake, seeming satisfied that she wouldnt interfere, turned to Zeb.
Why dont you and your boys go on home now? he said. Ill stop by the farm this evening and answer any questions you have then. No point in hanging around here, is there?
Zeb didnt speak. He glared for another moment, then glanced at his sons and jerked his head toward the door. They filed out without a word.
Katie expelled a sigh of relief when the door swung slowly closed, and her round face creased in a smile. There now. She patted Laineys arm as if she needed soothing. You mustnt mind Zeb. Hes always been cross-grained, and I believe hes getting worse the older he gets.
Aunt Rebecca said once that he was sour where Uncle Isaac was sweet. Lainey smiled, remembering.
Katie chuckled. Ja, thats certain sure. Your gross-onkel was a kind man.
Yes, he was. Like Aunt Rebecca, he had made her welcome in his home, although surely he must have had doubts about taking in a waif whod been no relative of his at all.
Komm. Katie gestured to the chair next to the bed. Sit and talk to Rebecca. Maybe shell hear your voice, even if she doesnt speak.
Ill be on my way.... Jake turned toward the door.
Lainey grabbed his arm before he could get away. Ill be right back, she assured Katie, and led him out into the hall for a private word.
He came to a halt a few feet from the door, forcing her to stop as well. He was a bit too large for her to tug very far.
You mind telling me what youre doing? His right eyebrow lifted.
Stopping you. Youre not getting away before I understand what going on with Zeb Stoltzfus.
Later, he said. After youve had a chance to think about what Rebecca is asking.
Now. Her fingers tightened on his sleeve. I cant make a decision without knowing all the facts. Surely an attorney can understand that.
Jake detached her fingers from his sleeve. Are you always this stubborn? He sounded more interested than condemning.
Yes. Stubborn. And impulsive. Those two qualities had landed her in trouble more often than she cared to remember. Pain flickered at the thought of the events of the past couple of weeks.
All right. His rapid capitulation surprised her. He glanced around. Come on. We cant talk in the hallway where anyone might hear.
All right. His rapid capitulation surprised her. He glanced around. Come on. We cant talk in the hallway where anyone might hear.
Now it was his turn to grasp her arm and propel her down the hallway. His big hand enclosed her elbow, and she felt his warmth even through two layers of fabric.
Jake stopped at a door and peered through the narrow vertical window. Good, its empty. He shoved the door open and led the way inside. We shouldnt be disturbed in here for a few minutes.
It was a chapel, she realized, carefully non-denominational as chapels usually were in places like hospitals. Light streamed through the abstract pattern of the stained glass window on the outer wall, laying a path of color across beige carpeting. Two short rows of pale wooden benches faced a table under the window, which held a vase of bronze-and-yellow mums.
Have a seat. He waited until shed slid into a pew and sat down next to her.
Now tell me. Almost without thought she lowered her voice. What does Zeb have against me?
Jake frowned absently at the vase of flowers, apparently arranging his thoughts. She waited, trying to be patient. She could stand to do some thought-arranging herself, since at the moment her brain felt like a juggler, tossing a handful of colored balls into the air.
Didnt you wonder why an Amish woman would have an attorney?
Lainey blinked at the question. Well, I guess I didnt consider it. Why would she? She hadnt known until hed called her with the news, and shed been too shocked to think of anything except getting here.
Its unusual, to put it mildly. The lines of his face relaxed a little. Unlike most of the Amish in this area, your great-uncle was actually fairly wealthy, at least in terms of the property he owned. I think it started almost by accident, but Isaac seemed to have a gift for knowing when to buy. As a result, when he became sick, he consulted me, wanting to be sure Rebecca had someone to advise her.
He didnt trust the family to do so? Picturing Zebs narrow, avaricious face, she didnt think shed trust him either.
Lets just say that Isaac didnt want Rebecca to have to handle any family disagreements. He felt that having an outsider assisting her would prevent that.
Okay. But I still dont see what there is in that to make his brother so upset. If, as you say, my aunts money is invested in land, there surely isnt anything I have to do about it while shes ill. When she gets better... She stopped, not wanting to think about the alternative.
Yes. Jake seemed to be answering what she didnt say, and his already deep voice deepened still more in sympathy. We dont know yet what will happen to Rebecca, and whether shell ever be able to take over managing the property again. In the meantime I can certainly collect rents and pay taxes, but theres more to it than that.
Laineys head was beginning to ache as Jake seemed intent on adding even more to the number of balls she was juggling. Youd better tell me the worst of it. How else am I going to know what to do?
His firm lips curved slightly. Theres no worst, as you say. Its just that Rebecca owns several farms among other thingsfarms that Zeb and three of his sons operate.
Theyre doing it for her?
No, theyre doing it for themselves. They pay her a rent that is...nominal, to say the least.
She still didnt quite see what all the fuss was about. Surely Zeb doesnt think Im going to raise the rent or evict them or something. Things can just go on the way they are.
Maybe. Maybe not. Jakes frown told her that despite his words, there was something worse to come. A week or so before Rebeccas stroke, Zeb had asked her to sign one of the farms over to him so that he could use it for collateral on a loan. She hadnt made a decision yet, so thats in limbo, and I dont know how badly he needed or wanted the money.
No wonder Zeb was upset. But he could hardly expect to go anywhere with that project while Rebecca is incapacitated, no matter who had the power of attorney.
Jake shrugged. As I said, I dont know how badly he needs the money. And it is possible for the person with the power of attorney to sell property. In fact, it might become necessary for other reasons.
Lainey glared at him, not liking the way this conversation was going. Stop trying to break it to me gently. Just tell me.
I wasnt. His grin startled her. But youd be surprised how few people can keep up when a lawyer starts explaining things.
They teach you that in law school, do they? That smile of his seemed to touch something inside her.
Actually, I picked that up from my dad.
The only thing shed picked up from a long line of stepdads was that she was superfluous. And the assurance that they wouldnt be around for long.
So why might it be necessary to sell property? She could feel the weight of responsibility getting heavier.
I dont know how much you remember about Amish beliefs, but they dont have insurance. Decisions may have to be made about how to pay for Rebeccas care. As long as her assets are tied up in land, its not going to be easy to come up with funds.
She stared at him blankly for a few seconds. But surely, Medicare...
He was already shaking his head. The Amish dont pay into Medicare and Social Security, and they dont accept the benefits. In the case of someone needing hospital care, the family pays out of pocket, and when necessary, the church district takes up an offering to make up the difference.
She tried to wrap her mind around it. So in addition to fending off angry relatives and making decisions about Aunt Rebeccas care that she felt very ill-equipped to make, she was also probably going to be landed with a cartload of bills she couldnt pay. She pressed her fingers to her temples.
Is that all of it? You dont have any more surprises for me?
Thats it. She thought she read sympathy in his clear green eyes. Sorry about hitting you with all of this, but you wanted to know.
I did. Lainey took a deep breath. It didnt help. Well, thanks for being honest with me.
Its not an easy situation. To continue being honest, I advised her against choosing you for this responsibility.
Prejudiced without seeing me? she asked sweetly.
Its not that. His tanned face flushed. I just thought it made more sense to name someone here, someone whod have a better understanding of Rebeccas situation.
Like my great-uncle Zeb? The momentary connection shed felt at his sympathy vanished.
No, certainly not Zeb. His voice was crisp. Not anyone who has something to gain or lose by the decisions that might be made. But that list still includes other people who... He let that trail off.
But she could finish it for him. ...who are more qualified than I am? Annoying as that is, you may be right.
Jakes jaw set, and he seemed to censor the words that sprang to his lips. As I mentioned, you dont have to accept. We could make a recommendation that another person be chosen because youre unable to perform the duties. After all, you have a home and a life elsewhere. No one could blame you for saying no.
Home was something shed never had, unless she counted one long-ago summer. And her life was such a mess that she wasnt especially eager to return to it.