Brian's Choice by Vannetta Chapman Page B

can’t stop by for a visit?” Levi popped the piece of gum he was chewing, and wound the mare’s reins to the front porch railing.
    â€œThey can but usually don’t in the middle of the day in August.” Sweat continued to trickle down Brian’s back. This impromptu meeting had to be about something he’d done wrong, and for all three of them to come it must be serious.
    Joseph and Luke joined them after they had secured their own rigs. Joseph owned the dry goods store in Cody’s Creek. He’d been one of the early supporters of Brian joining the community. He was older by a good twenty years. Gray fought with the black in his beard, but he had the energy of a much younger man. All of his children and grandchildren kept him young at heart, or so he’d claimed.
    Luke, on the other hand, had always struck Brian as a difficult person. In his previous life he would have called the man a sour old codger, though that was an uncharitable thought. No community was perfect, Englisch or Amish. Still, he was someone Brian was wary of.
    â€œThere’s something we need to talk to you about.” Luke waved toward the front door. “Perhaps we can go inside?”
    â€œSure.” Brian would have rather sat on the front porch, but because there were no chairs out there, inside was a better option. He had a dining table with seating for six. That had seemed a ridiculous luxury when he first moved in, but when he’d purchased the thirty-five-acre farm, the house had come with a few basic pieces of furniture.
    Once they were settled around the table, Levi popped his gum again and leveled his gaze at Brian. “It looks as if we are in need of a schoolteacher, and the first person who came to mind was you.”

TWO
    â€œBut I’m not a teacher, not anymore.” Brian squirmed on his seat. If anything, inside the house was hotter than outside. He had all the windows open, but there wasn’t so much as a breeze stirring the air.
    â€œ Ya , but you were.” Joseph crossed his arms and leaned back. “No doubt all that you learned in your previous life is still in here.” He tapped his head and smiled.
    Luke cleared his throat. It was an irritating habit he had, possibly to bring attention to himself. Another uncharitable thought. Brian sighed inwardly. He seemed to be full of them today, but then Luke had a way of bringing out the worst in him.
    He realized suddenly that Luke reminded him of his father—arrogant and blunt. No wonder he didn’t like the man.
    â€œYou have been a member of our congregation only a month, and we do not wish to do anything which may cause you to slide back into your old lifestyle—”
    â€œI have no intention of sliding anywhere.”
    â€œAnd yet it happens.” Luke tapped the table. “Still, you are a member of this community, and it seems that perhaps you could be a help in this situation.”
    â€œBecause I was a professor?” Brian’s voice rose in disagreement.
    â€œBecause you have taught in a classroom before.”
    â€œA classroom of adults.”
    â€œIf pupils are willing to learn, the age shouldn’t matter.” Joseph placed his thumbs under his suspenders and studied him.
    Levi again popped his gum. More than once Brian had watched him have bubble-blowing contests with his grandchildren. Levi was a gem, and if enjoying life in this community meant Brian had to put up with the likes of Luke Hershberger, so be it.
    He’d put up with worse in his previous life. He’d been worse in his previous life.
    Levi crossed his arms on the table and leaned forward. “Last year’s teacher won’t be available. We just found out, and school starts on Monday.”
    â€œWhy—”
    â€œNot something I’m willing to share. We’re looking for a proper replacement, but it isn’t likely we’ll find one before the first of the year.”
    Brian nodded.