Paige awoke while Sterling was working in the barn and helped bag the last of the milk, but he didn’t say a thing. She figured he was embarrassed about leaving her to fend for herself the night before. She didn’t want to make him feel worse, so she kept quiet.
At the farmers’ market there was a steady stream of customers. Sterling went back to washing feet, even though she told him he didn’t have to, while she collected the money. The half day was over before she knew it. As the market officials closed the gates, she turned to Sterling, who was wiping up the area around the pump.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“No. I’ve got to get back. It’s been an educational weekend for me.” His words were clipped.
“I understand.” But she didn’t. She thought he had liked her, at least a little, but he was pushing her away. There was nothing else she could do. Or was there? “Sterling, is there any water left in the pump?”
He stood. “A little. I’ll empty it out.”
“Wait. You know, I’ve seen you wash all those other women’s feet today, but you haven’t done mine. Would you mind?” She sat in the cedar chair, wondering if she were being too brazen.
“I think I would…” Sterling bent over near her. “…mind.” He lifted the bucket and carried it off to empty without another word.
She could feel her eyes start to mist and stood. It really was over. At the counter she counted out the money. Once she paid him, he’d be gone, and right now that couldn’t be soon enough.
She put an even thousand in the envelope and handed it to him on his return. “If you ever need work, you can always find it with me.”
He gave her a wry grin. “Not likely.” Turning on heel, he strode away.
Paige put a hand to her stomach. Perhaps it was hunger. She hadn’t eaten since yesterday’s lunch, but her insides felt empty.