A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn(84)

But no one person was to blame.

Furthermore, when Stephen Kinsinger’s son Lukas had taken over the mill, he’d publicly forgiven her father. However, the speech had done little to change the general feeling of anger and hurt that pervaded their village. It seemed that everyone needed a scapegoat. And her father had given them one.

Now, because John Kurtz was no longer walking God’s earth, more than a couple of people had transferred their pain and anger onto Darla and the rest of her family.

And after ninety-nine days of it, Darla was pretty tired.

Which was why, even though her words would likely fall on deaf ears, she stood up a little straighter and glared. “I’m merely doing my job, Mary.”

Mary’s blue eyes flashed with anger. “And what do you have to say about Aaron? He is still at the mill.”

Clenching her hands, Darla fought to remain calm. Her relationship with Aaron was both confusing and difficult. “I canna speak for my bruder,” she said quietly.

“Everyone says he is becoming a problem. Men have heard him fault the mill for your father’s poor judgment.”

“Any problem Aaron might have at work is between him and his managers,” she said as the door opened and several more customers entered. “Now, do you need anything else?” she asked, anxious to get to work.

“I do not. You know I only came in here to give you a piece of my mind.”

“And you’ve done that, Mary,” one of the men who’d just entered called out.

Finally looking away from Mary, Darla saw Lukas Kinsinger. She knew him well. Very well. Until recently, they’d been close friends. Now? She wasn’t quite sure what they were.

Mary turned to face him. “Lukas!” she exclaimed in a sickly sweet voice. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

“That seems to be obvious. I’ve been here long enough to learn that you’ve been berating Darla yet again,” Lukas Kinsinger replied. “I must say that I’m shocked.”

Mary stepped toward Lukas, who was standing with his arms folded over his chest. “Shocked?”

“I knew Bryan well, Mary. He would have been mighty upset to hear his mamm speaking so viciously to a woman who has never done one thing against you.”

Darla blinked, suddenly feeling on the verge of tears. It was good that at least part of their friendship remained intact.

“Do not speak to me of my Bryan,” Mary said. “He knew I was proud of him. He was a perfect man.”

“Forgiveness is a virtue,” Lukas said. “You should try it. It’s helped me with my grief.”

“I’ll forgive when I feel that justice has been served,” Mary retorted. But when Lukas said nothing, merely stared at her coolly, she darted outside.

With Lukas’s gaze now centered on her, Darla smiled.

She was about to speak when the front door opened again. Lukas stood against the wall patiently while she helped two customers who had been waiting behind Mary and the newcomer. When the room was at last empty but for the two of them, she walked around the counter.

“Lukas.”

“Hello, Darla.” His light blue-gray eyes remained serious though his lips curved into the slightest of smiles. “How are you today?”

“I am well, danke,” she lied. There was no way she was going to tell him just how difficult she was finding her life to be at the moment. He didn’t need her burdens, especially since he, also, was mourning the loss of his father. That had to be mighty hard, given that he’d already lost his mamm years ago. “What are you doing here?”

“Rebecca told me you got this job here two weeks ago. I wanted to see how it was going.”

Well, that sure came out of the blue. Her new job wasn’t worth him taking note of. At least, she didn’t think it was. “I am learning a lot,” she said, trying to dwell on the positive. “It’s a blessing, I think.”

His eyes narrowed as he stepped closer. The thick-soled work boots he wore made him tower above her more than he usually did. “It didn’t sound like this job was a blessing when I walked in the door. Mary said some pretty harsh things. Does that happen a lot?”

“Does Mary come in to give me grief? Jah.”

“I’m sorry about that. I’ll talk to her for you.”

He was now standing close enough to see that he had nicked his neck while shaving that morning. “Danke, but I’d rather you didn’t, Lukas. Mary’s anger with me isn’t your problem.”

“I think it is. She’s upset about the mill accident. Since I now run the mill, she’ll listen to me.”

Darla had no doubt that Mary would listen to Lukas. But then where would that leave Darla? She would still be seen as weak and helpless and that wouldn’t do. “Mary is upset and grieving. Sooner or later she’ll let go of her anger.” Well, she hoped so.