But she was laughing now at his continued efforts to keep his oily hands away from her dress. “Let me get this stuff wiped off,” Jesse finally said, unhooking his arm from around Emma’s shoulders. Emma took both of his hands in hers, looking up into his face. “I was once used to dirt on a man’s hands, and I guess I can get used to it again.” She held her breath as it looked like Jesse was going to lean forward and kiss her. It had been a long time since she had kissed a man. Things were moving so fast, but if Da Hah was in it as Jesse claimed—well, her heart was strangely filled with joy. She lifted her face toward his, working one hand loose to run her fingers through his beard. Just then the barn door burst open behind them. “Daett, I want to…” Mabel called as she rushed in. Jesse let go of Emma’s hand. “Oh!” Mabel stopped mid-stride. “I see someone’s with you.” Mabel knew gut and well there was someone with her daett, Emma thought, and she had known who that person was.
