Page 57 of A Secret Heart
“I don’t know, Tillie girl,” he hedged. He cut his eyes away, unable to keep away a flash of memory of Rebekah and Isaac in a serious conversation, only a few minutes ago.
Part of him wanted to confront Isaac, who’d already slipped away from the family gathering.
Tillie’s plea gave him the perfect opportunity to escape outside and talk to Rebekah. But Rebekah’s smile slipped the longer he hesitated.
Nick coughed to cover a grin, keeping his head low as Ed stood to join Rebekah and the children. Ed combed a hand through his hair, trying to shake off the awkwardness.
“If you don’t need my input for a bit, I’ll get some fresh air,” he said to Drew, who nodded.
His desire to talk to Rebekah must be more obvious than he liked to think. At least the children had been making enough fuss. Maybe Rebekah hadn’t caught all the glances exchanged by his brothers.
He stepped forward to hold the door open, thankful no one knew how his stomach flipped at the words he rehearsed in his head to tell Rebekah.
Tillie yelped as the children tumbled outside and off the porch, scattering in their pursuit of the glowing bugs. He hung back near the house, close to Rebekah. A million stars shone in the night sky, competing with the lightning bugs for attention.
“I’ve got one!” David let out the first holler from the other side of the house, and the girls rushed around to see.
Rebekah started down the steps of the porch with Ed, the edge of her skirt gently brushing against his legs in the light breeze. “The children seem to have fully recovered from the poisoning.”
Ed sidled away, putting a foot of empty air between them. “I’m grateful for all you did that day.”
Rebekah didn’t comment, keeping in step with him as they slowly walked beside each other. Not far away, the children’s shapes were shadows in the darkness.
She tilted her head to face him. “Can we talk?”
“I need to tell you—” His words had come tumbling out at the same time as hers.
Her nervous laugh wrapped around him. David’s shout rose and the girls’ laughter rang out as he caught them running by the clothesline.
“I saw you talking to Isaac.” He hadn’t meant to say that. He was supposed to confess about the letters. Saying the words aloud brought a beat of the old pain. Isaac was always between them.
Rebekah tipped her head to look at the stars. “There was something I needed to settle with him.”
He couldn’t decipher her quiet tone.
Had Isaac seen the light? Realized how amazing Rebekah was?
“Did you get the matter settled?” He choked the words out.
Before she could answer, the children’s figures drew closer in the deepening dark, running in a breathless clamor from the clothesline toward Ed and Rebekah.
“We caught five already.” Jo held up the jar.
“Excellent work.” Rebekah caught his eyes over Jo’s head. She wore a serious expression until one corner of her mouth kicked up in a partial smile.
One that made Ed’s heart thud with hope.
“I see more by the tree. Over there.” Tillie squealed and pointed, then huffed to catch up with Jo and David.
If Rebekah still wanted Isaac, Ed’s heart would be broken. But wasn’t it better to know?
Who knew how long before the kids would interrupt again?
He drew in a breath, praying for the right words. “There’s something you should know about those letters Isaac sent you.”
“Haveyouever thought of getting married?” Rebekah asked quickly.
Ed blinked.What?
