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batches, he took Toby outside and chased him around the yard when Dawdi ran out of energy to look after him.
    Tyler had to leave at three to milk cows at his dairy. Aden hadn’t shown up again, and Beth began to suspect that Aden was in on Mammi’s scheming. Why else would he invite Tyler to Huckleberry Hill and then not show up himself? She’d have to give her cousin a good talking-to.
    Beth couldn’t help but be touched. Aden may have tricked Tyler onto Huckleberry Hill, but Tyler’s gute heart had compelled him to stay and help with whatever project she happened to be working on that day.
    Amos certainly wouldn’t have been so kind-hearted.
    Thoughts of Amos jolted Beth back to reality. No amount of scheming by any of her relatives would convince her to waste her life on another husband. Not even someone with big muscles and an adorable frown.
    She’d be much better off on her own.

Chapter Five
    Tyler strolled into Aden’s barn with his hands in his pockets. His friend sat at his workbench studying a book by the light of a kerosene lantern. Even though a bright autumn sun glowed outside, the barn was mighty dim for reading without a lamp. “You should drag a recliner out here if you want to be more comfortable.”
    Aden burst into a smile when he saw Tyler. He hadn’t stopped smiling since he’d married Lily. It was a wonder that someone so deliriously happy could keep from floating off the ground. “I’m trying to figure out how to use my new composter.”
    “What’s to figure out? You dump leaves and peelings in and get compost out six weeks later.”
    “Not this composter. It’s complicated. It makes tea and does all sorts of fancy things.” Still grinning like a cat, Aden stood, strode to Tyler, and shook his hand firmly.
    Tyler sighed in mock relief. “I’m so glad to see you haven’t broken your legs. Or your ankles. Or even your toes.”
    Aden raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. “Nae. I’m walking around just fine.”
    “Lift up your sleeves,” Tyler said. “I want to see your hives.”
    “I don’t have hives.”
    “Shingles? Chicken pox?”
    Aden, realizing Tyler’s game, chuckled and shook his head.
    “The croup? Or measles? What about fibromyalgia?”
    “I’m fit as a fiddle, thank you very much.”
    “So,” said Tyler, folding his arms and looking his friend up and down, “it wonders me why you have missed three appointments with me on Huckleberry Hill. I assume you still want help with Lily’s Christmas present.”
    Aden would not stop grinning. Tyler found his amusement slightly annoying. “A few unexpected things came up. I hope you made good use of the time you spent waiting for me.”
    “I picked huckleberries one day and made jam the next.”
    “Gute. Picking huckleberries is hard on Mammi’s back.” Aden leaned against a wooden pillar. “Did you meet my cousin Beth?”
    “Oh, jah, I met her.”
    Aden didn’t take his eyes off Tyler’s face. “She’s pretty, ain’t not?”
    “Sure. And feisty. Keeps me on my toes.”
    Aden smirked. “I knew you’d like her.”
    Tyler eyed Aden suspiciously. “Did you?”
    Aden cleared his throat and suddenly became very interested in his boots. “Everybody likes Beth.”
    Tyler groaned as realization caught up to him. “Please don’t tell me you and your mammi are in cahoots to match me and Beth.”
    “Okay, I won’t tell you.”
    He put a hand on Aden’s shoulder. “Look, I know you still feel guilty about stealing my fiancée.”
    Aden sighed. “I suppose I do.”
    “Well, don’t. Lily is much happier being your wife. And I don’t feel bad anymore. Lily is a wonderful-gute girl, but we never would have suited. I’m glad she came to her senses before it was too late. I was embarrassed, to be sure, but I have a thick skin. I got over it.”
    Aden kicked the pieces of hay at his feet. “I want you to be happy as I am. You deserve a girl like Beth.”
    Tyler shrugged off such a thought. “I gave up the notion