Moses called as he jumped off his horse and led him to the barn with less enthusiasm than he’d ever had in his life. Sparky, lounging lazily under the shade of the porch, looked more excited than Moses felt. Why had Moses ever agreed to a picnic with Rachel? Some people considered her pretty, but Moses was convinced that those lovesick boys in Wautoma were either blind or foolish. Couldn’t they recognize a spoiled princess within ten minutes of knowing her? Did Rachel always lie in wait for him just inside the house? She threw open the front door and squealed. “Moses! I was afraid you wouldn’t come.” Moses lifted his hand in an unenthusiastic wave and kept walking to the barn. Rachel held Lia’s fate in her hands. If Rachel complained about how things were going between her and Moses, Lia would be commanded home without a second thought. Moses could not let that happen. Lia needed to stay here where she could learn from Sarah and where Moses could see her often. There, he’d admitted it.
