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hadn’t guessed what she felt for him. Maybe, eventually, she’d be able to look at him without feeling the pressure of his lips against hers. But not soon.
    Enough of this. She was being foolish, even sinful, by not trusting that God’s will would be done in this situation. She had her faith, and she had people who believed in her. Those two things would see her through this trouble.
    Meanwhile, she would make herself useful and start apple pies for supper. Mamm would be pleased to find the baking already done when they returned.
    Leah walked quickly to the kitchen and stopped dead, staring. Mr. Grayson stood just by the kitchen table.
    “Leah, you’re here. Good. I thought no one was home, and I was just going to leave you a note.” He gestured with a piece of paper in his hand. He looked casual, even younger, in jeans and a knit shirt.
    “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you arrive. I was upstairs with my sister.” Why was he here? Not with more bad news, she prayed.
    “No problem,” he said. “I just wanted to tell you not to worry too much about this situation with my wife’s ring.”
    Leah’s breath caught, her hope rising. “Did she find it?”
    “No, I’m afraid not.” Mr. Grayson stared at her, his gaze so intent that it made her nervous. “You know, I’d be willing to pay a substantial reward for the return of anything that disappeared from my house. Say a thousand dollars. Do you think that’s enough?”
    “I…I don’t…”
    “You don’t think that’s enough?” His voice was even, but he’d reddened slightly. “Maybe you’re right. Say two thousand. If any missing items were to be left on my porch, for instance, the reward would be paid and no questions asked.”
    “Please, Mr. Grayson, I didn’t take anything from your home. I wouldn’t do that.” She was suddenly aware of how vulnerable she was, alone in the house with Sarah sleeping upstairs. “If I had any idea what happened to the ring, I would tell you.”
    He took a step toward her. “You’re making a mistake by—“
    The sound of a car in the lane outside cut off his words abruptly. A car door slammed, and in a moment she heard footsteps on the porch.
    “Leah, are you here?”
    Geneva’s voice sent a surge of relief though Leah. “In the kitchen,” she called. “Komm in.”
    Geneva hurried through the door, her gray curls tumbled by the breeze. She sent a quick, inquiring glance from Leah to Phillip Grayson.
    “Phillip. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
    With Geneva’s presence, Leah’s uneasiness vanished like snow on a warm day. “He came to tell me he’s offering a reward for the ring,” Leah said.
    “Is that right?” Geneva tilted her head to the side, and Leah had the distinct feeling that Geneva didn’t trust him.
    “Well, my wife insisted.” His smile was stiff. “And I wanted to tell Leah that I’m doing all I can to dissuade Angela from going to the police. None of us wants the police involved, do we?”
    “You know, the police might not be such a bad idea,” Geneva said. “I’m sure Chief Byler could get to the bottom of this in no time.”
    “I doubt that Leah would enjoy the police attention,” he said. He moved quickly to the door. “It was nice seeing you both.”
    In an instant he was gone, the sound of his car fading down the lane.
    “Well, that was interesting.” Geneva peered out the window as if to be sure he was gone.
    “It didn’t seem interesting to me.” Leah rubbed her arms, trying to brush away the uneasiness that had crept back at talk of the police. “I didn’t understand half of what he said.”
    “But he’s offering a reward for the return of the ring, is he?” Geneva considered. “That would be a pretty strange move if he’s the one who took it himself.”

Chapter Six
     
    After he dropped Abe off, Josiah headed for Leah’s daad’s place. Maybe today Harvey would be ready to listen to Josiah’s account of what happened with the Graysons.
    Josiah