A Perfect Match by Kathleen Fuller Page A

determined tilt of his chin, she could see he wouldn’t budge. All right, if he wanted a lesson, a lesson he would get. She’d deal with Margaret later. And once she and Zeke finished, he would leave her alone. She hoped.
    â€œFine. Let’s get started.” She crossed the room and picked an apron off the peg on the wall. She tossed it at him. “First, put this on.”
    He stared at it as if it were a snake in his hand. She knew he wouldn’t put it on. What Amish man would risk someone seeing him in an apron? But he didn’t say a word as he wrapped it around his narrow waist and tied it tightly in the back. “Next?”
    Naomi glared at him, then turned her attention to the lesson. She let out a deep breath. Treat him like any other student. Don’t bring up anything personal. Keep the lesson succinct and quic k . As she mentally prepared herself, she heard him come up behind her.
    â€œNaomi?”
    He stood close to her, his deep voice low in her ear, making goose bumps rise on her forearms.
    â€œI don’t want you to be mad at me.”
    The remorse in his voice made her turn around.
    He took a step back. “This isn’t going like I thought.” He pushed his bangs back.
    She barely noticed the birthmark this time.
    â€œI wanted to talk to you one more time. I knew if I just showed up on your doorstep you wouldn’t see me. I thought maybe this would work . . . but I see it’s a bad idea.” He let out a deep breath and moved to stand beside the stove, putting ample space between them. “I’m not trying to trick you, Naomi.”
    â€œIt sure seems that way.”
    He shook his head. “Then I’m sorry. I should have known better. I’ve had more than a few maed back home who’ve tried to pull the wool over my eyes.”
    His words took her anger away. She couldn’t be mad at him, since she’d been less than innocent in her dealings with him concerning Margaret.
    â€œIt’s just that . . .”
    For the first time since she’d met him he seemed unsure.
    â€œI wanted . . . Naomi, I needed to see you again.”
    She gripped the back of the chair, looking away from his intent gaze. Her fear heightened, feeding her drive to send him away. “Zeke, we don’t have anything more to say.” She fought to keep her voice steady. “I thought I made my feelings clear to you.”
    â€œHow can you do that when they’re not clear to yourself?”
    When she looked at him, he nodded.
    â€œI can see the confusion in your eyes, Naomi. Honesty is important to you, right?”
    â€œOf course it is.”
    â€œThen be honest with yourself. And while you’re at it, be honest with me.”
    Naomi turned away, her knuckles snow-white against the dark wood of the chair. She stared unseeing at the ingredients and cooking utensils neatly displayed on the table. Zeke Lapp tapped feelings deep inside that she hadn’t realized she had. Feelings David hadn’t begun to reach. But how could she trust Zeke, a man she’d known only a short time, when a man she’d known all her life had betrayed her?
    His hands lightly touched her shoulders, making her flinch. She hadn’t heard him approach. Her mind told her to shrug him off, to tell him to leave, but she couldn’t form the words. The warmth and comfort of his touch broke the dam in her heart.
    â€œHe promised he’d come back.” She turned and looked at him.
    â€œWho?” he said softly.
    â€œDo remember my friend Rose? The one we met at the Pantry?”
    He nodded.
    â€œHer cousin David. We had been dating for a year. I had just started teaching, and he was trying to find a job. We’d spoken of marriage, but we wanted to be practical. We wanted to save up enough money to build us a haus , like Chester is doing for Priscilla.”
    â€œThat sounds smart to me.” He nodded, his