Alanna started to give the overbearing farmer a taste of his own medicine at speaking that way to the cowering woman. From Silas’ , Matthew’s, and Greer’s expressions, she wouldn’t be the only one.

“Stop it, Dad.”

The other woman came from behind the counter to take Hanna Joy by the shoulders, moving her aside. From the sharp movements she made as she talked, Alanna guessed she was shouting in sign language.

“She was here for a minute to give me a bathroom break because you were late getting here.”

“I was busy,” he snarled.

“Which is why I suggested for you to hire extra help, which you refused.”

“I don’t need extra help. I have Dean. He’ll be back tomorrow.”

“Dean quit!”

“He’ll be back; you’ll see!”

“Okay …” the woman drawled out, rolling her eyes at her father before turning her gaze to the rest of them watching the interaction. “Sorry for the commotion,” she apologized.

Alanna wanted to tell her it wasn’t her place to apologize for the way Jimbo reacted.

“No need to apologize. I’m afraid we’re who kept Jimbo busy,” Silas said with a quiet voice, signing as he talked.

Something in his tone had Alanna looking at Silas’ face. Alanna smiled at the woman when Silas caught her staring at him, introducing Livia.

“It’s nice to meet you,” the woman greeted her with a smile before turning a fuming smile back to her father. “Since you’re here, I’ll take Hanna Joy back to the house and make lunch.”

“It’s nice seeing you, Livia,” Silas said, reaching into a barrel next to him, which held tiny bottles of honey. “How long are you staying?”

“I was supposed to go tonight, but I’m going to wait and see if Dean shows up tomorrow,” Livia explained.

“Might as well go. I don’t need you,” Jimbo barked.

Alanna noticed that, while both Silas and Livia signed so Hanna Joy knew the conversation going on around her, Jimbo didn’t.

Livia disdainfully ignored her father. “Nice to see you again, Silas, Greer, Matthew. Alanna, it was nice to meet you.”

“You find anything you want?” Matthew asked as the two women left the store and Jimbo stomped toward the counter, where customers were lined up, waiting.

“I was trying to choose between cherry and apple pie filling,” she told him.

“We can get them both.” Matthew took several jars of each type to place in the basket he was holding. Alanna didn’t miss the way Silas watched the women walk past the window until they were out of sight.

“When you going to ask her out?” Alanna heard Greer ask behind her back.

“I have,” Silas said. “She told me no.”

“Then move on. You ain’t getting any younger.”

“Shut up, Greer, and pick out what you want.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Greer said, happily getting a basket.