by Amy Clipston
“Oh, nothing much.” Naomi lined the utensils up by the place settings. “We talked about Christmas and things like that. He’s very easy to talk to. We had a nice time together.” She didn’t want to admit they’d talked about her doomed relationships.
Irma gave Naomi a hard look, and Naomi wished she hadn’t even mentioned Caleb’s name.
Rather than argue about Naomi’s track record with dating, Naomi decided to change the subject. “How did the quilt turn out? Did you get it finished before the customer arrived?”
Irma placed the platter next to the rolls and glowered. “I hope you’re not getting any ideas about this widower, Naomi. You know he’s going back to Ohio after the holidays and you’re just going to get your heart broken if you get too attached.”
Naomi breathed out a deep sigh. “Mamm, I know that. He’s just a freind.”
Her mother continued to frown. “Don’t make a fool of yourself again. You never should’ve gone out with him today. You know how that will look to the rest of the community.”
“He invited me,” Naomi said, pointing to her chest. “It wasn’t my idea. In fact, I think it was Susie’s idea. She really likes me, and I enjoy spending time with her too. You know she lost her mamm only two years ago. For some reason, she’s latched on to me, and how can I turn her away?”
Irma wagged a finger at Naomi. “You can’t be her mamm. That’s not your place.”
“I never said I wanted to be her mother. I just want to be her freind. Is that so wrong?”
“Ach, no.” Irma shook her head. “But I know you, Naomi. You get too attached, and that will only lead to trouble.”
Naomi shook her head. “I can’t do anything right in your eyes, can I, Mamm? The way you see it, I mess up completely when it comes to love, and I’m destined to be alone.”
“I wasn’t speaking of love,” Irma said, pulling the broccoli and rice casserole from the oven. “I was talking about perceptions. It just didn’t look right for you to go out shopping with that widower and his dochder. It looked very inappropriate, and you know how people talk.”
“I don’t see how any of my behavior was inappropriate, Mamm.” Naomi wished her voice wouldn’t quaver with her frustration. She grabbed a handful of napkins and began adding them to the place settings in order to keep busy and stop her threatening tears. She was tired of her mother’s constant criticism. “It was Susie’s idea, and I didn’t want to disappoint her. I even invited Levina, Sylvia, and Janie to join us in order to quell any rumors that Sadie Kauffman might feel the need to start about me.”
Irma set the casserole dish on the table and pursed her lips. “I know you’re not trying to give people the wrong impression, but I know how they think. If you even go for a walk alone with a man, some women assume things they shouldn’t about you.”
“Why should I care what people think of me?”
“It reflects on this family, Naomi.” Irma set the potholders on the counter and then lowered her voice. “How do you think your dat will feel if he hears people call you too eager?”
Naomi shook her head. “He would know that I’m not those things, and he would defend me.”
Irma touched Naomi’s shoulder. “I know you. I know your heart and how you get too attached too soon.”
“I’m not attached,” Naomi insisted, even though she knew it wasn’t the whole truth. “He’s mei freind, Mamm. What’s wrong with being freinden with him?”
Irma gave her a sympathetic expression. “I’ve seen the way you look at him and the way you blush when he’s around. Your feelings for him are written all over your schee face, Naomi.”
Naomi cupped a hand to her mouth. “They are?”
“Ya.” Irma touched Naomi’s cheek. “I don’t want to see you get hurt again. I remember clearly the pain you suffered when you had your heart broken by Luke Troyer and then Timothy Kauffman. I don’t want to see you suffer that again, and I don’t want you to get a reputation.”
“Caleb and I are just freinden, Mamm,” she repeated, her voice quavering.
Irma raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Is that what you’re trying to convince yourself?”
A lump swelled in Naomi’s throat as tears filled her eyes. “It’s the truth, Mamm.”
“He’s a widower, Naomi,” she said. “He’s not ready to give his heart away.”
“I know,” Naomi whispered. “I’ve already considered that, and I respect his feelings for his fraa.”
Her siblings returned to the kitchen with a roar of footsteps, chatter, and giggles, and Naomi breathed a sigh of relief. She longed for her mother’s focus to turn to someone other than her.
“Lizzie Anne,” Naomi called over the noise. “Would you please grab the glasses from the cabinet?” She glanced at her younger sisters. “You can put the glasses out by the dishes.”
Lizzie Anne instructed Amos to go out to the barn and call Elam and their father to come in for supper. She then gave Naomi a concerned expression, but Naomi quickly looked away and turned toward the refrigerator.
Irma grabbed Naomi’s arm and pulled her back. “Caleb will go home to Ohio soon,” she whispered in Naomi’s ear. “Don’t let him take your heart with him. You’ve been hurt enough.”
Naomi sighed with defeat. “Yes, Mamm,” she said before grabbing the pitcher of ice water and the tub of butter. She took a deep, cleansing breath, pushing away the emotions rioting within her. She knew her mother was right about Caleb’s plans to return to Ohio. However, Naomi also couldn’t squelch the notion that the feelings she had for Caleb were different from anything she’d ever felt for Luke Troyer or Timothy Kauffman. What she felt for Caleb was deeper, something that touched her soul.
Lizzie Anne sidled up to Naomi. “Are you okay?” she whispered.
Naomi nodded. “Ya. I’m gut.”
Lizzie Anne frowned. “You look upset.”
“Wie geht’s?” Titus’s voice boomed as he entered the kitchen. “It smells appeditlich.”
Naomi forced a smile and touched her sister’s arm. “Danki,” she whispered, “but I’m fine.”
Lizzie Anne gave her a look of disbelief.
“It’s all ready,” Irma said. “Kinner, please take your seats.”
Naomi delivered the pitcher of water and the butter, placing them near her father’s seat, and then sat in her usual place, which was between Lizzie Anne and Elam. As she bowed her head in silent prayer, she asked God to guide her in her confusing feelings for Caleb Schmucker.
“Did you have a gut day?” Caleb asked Susie as he sat on the edge of her bed and tucked her in.
“Of course I did, gegisch.” Susie grinned, hugging her favorite doll to her white nightgown.
He smirked and rubbed her brunette head. Glancing toward the hallway, he wondered how much time he’d have alone with Susie before her cousins came clambering in from the bathroom down the hall. He leaned in close. “Susie, how would you feel about selling our house in Ohio and moving here?”
She gasped, her big, green eyes rounding with excitement. “You mean, like live here forever, Dat?”
“Ya.” He touched the tip of her little nose. “Forever.”
She screeched, and he pressed a finger to her lips shushing her.
“Your onkel will get very upset if he hears you yell like that,” he said.
“Are we going to live here?” she asked, sitting up and gesturing around the room. “Then I can stay in this room with Janie, Nancy, and Linda, and I could go to school with them.” Her smile widened. “And maybe I could learn to quilt with Aenti Sadie and Naomi. And we could go shopping again with Naomi, and I could play with her sisters. Right, Dat?”
He brushed his fingers through her long, brown hair. “Ya, maybe so.” And I could spend more time with Naomi as well.
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. “Ich liebe dich, Dat.”
“I love you too, boppli,” he whispered before he kissed the top of her head.
; Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer to God, asking Him for help with this decision. While he felt in his heart it was time to move back home, a small part of his mind was apprehensive. It seemed all the signs were there leading him back home: his family, his friends, the welcoming of the church district members, and the possible opportunity of a job. But was he moving for the right reasons? Would this be a new start or would he be trying to outrun the loneliness that had overtaken his soul when Barbara died? Was he doing this for selfish reasons or did he have his daughter’s best interests in mind?
“Dat?”
Opening his eyes, he found Susie studying him. “Ya?” Wrinkling her nose, she gave him a confused expression. “Were you sleeping or praying?”
He touched her cheek. “I was praying.”
“What were you praying about?”
“I was asking God if He thought we should move back here.”
“Oh.” She nodded, her expression serious. “And what do you think God’s answer was?”
He smiled. “I’m not certain yet, but I’ll tell you when He gives me a sign.”
“Do you think He’ll give me a sign too?”
“Maybe.”
She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “You know what Naomi told me?”
“What?”
“She told me that she believes in Christmas miracles,” Susie whispered. “Do you believe in them?”
Sighing, he gave her a gentle smile. “Sure I do, Susie.”
Muted giggles and loud thumping footsteps echoed down the hallway, announcing the arrival of Susie’s cousins. Caleb stood as the girls entered the room and jumped into the beds.
Sadie appeared in the doorway. “It’s time to settle down.” Crossing the room, she kissed them all on their foreheads.
Caleb wished them each a good night and then followed Sadie down the stairs to the family room.
“Would you like some cocoa?” she asked.
“Ya. Danki,” Caleb said.
“Have a seat. I’ll be right back.” She disappeared into the kitchen.
Caleb sat in a chair in front of the fire, which crackled, popped, and hissed.
Across the room, Robert sat in his favorite chair, reading the paper. Fingering his beard, Caleb wondered what to say to his brother-in-law. Although he’d known Robert since he was a teenager, Caleb never felt much of a connection to him. Not like he did with Timothy and Daniel, anyway. Robert was the least friendly of the Kauffman men. Caleb used to wonder why Robert was so different from his brothers, but he’d finally decided Robert was just stoic. He was more focused on work and running a smooth household and farm than on fun and games.
“I was thinking about going to see that house and workshop that are for sale,” Caleb blurted out. “Daniel and Timothy mentioned it was near the furniture store.”
Robert peeked at Caleb over the paper. “Really?”
Caleb nodded. “Timothy mentioned that the owner wanted a fair price, and I have some money I’ve been saving up to rebuild my barn.”
Looking intrigued, Robert folded his paper and placed it on the table beside him. “You’re considering moving back here, ya?”
“I think so.” Caleb shifted in the chair. “I mentioned it to Susie, and she’s very excited. I think it would be good for her to be with her cousins.”
Robert was silent for a moment, fingering his beard and considering Caleb’s words. “That makes a lot of sense. It would be gut for you and Susie to have a new start, and we would love for you to join our church district.”
“Danki.” Caleb glanced around the room as memories of his childhood cluttered his mind.
It seemed as if only yesterday he was sitting in this same wing chair and looking at the mantle. The same old, plain cherry clock sat in the center and ticked over the crackle of the fire. The Christmas decorations consisted of a large poinsettia and some greenery, just as when he was a child. For a moment, he expected his father to flop into the armchair across from him, open his Bible, and begin to read aloud while his mother knitted in the love seat next to him.
“Did you have a nice time at the flea market?” Sadie asked, returning from the kitchen holding a tray with three mugs of hot cocoa.
“Ya, I did.” Caleb lifted a mug from the tray. “Danki.”
“Gern gschehne.” She handed a mug and napkin to Robert and then sat across from Caleb in their daed’s favorite chair.
Caleb sipped the mug and felt the whipped cream in his beard. “Appeditlich.” He swiped the napkin across his whiskers.
Sadie cradled a mug in her hands. “Susie seemed like she had fun today.”
Caleb nodded, sipping more cocoa. “I think she had a wunderbaar gut time with her cousin and friends.”
“And Naomi.” Sadie tapped the side of her mug, a frown turning the corners of her mouth downward.
“Ya,” he said, ignoring her tone and her expression. “Susie loves spending time with Naomi.”
She wagged a finger at him. “You remember what I told you about her.”
“Sadie,” Robert snapped. “Gossiping is a sin.”
Caleb drank from his mug in an effort to suppress the grin threatening to curl his lips. This was one instance in which he appreciated his gruff brother-in-law.
With an indignant frown, Sadie sipped her cocoa.
An awkward silence fell among them as they enjoyed their drinks. Caleb searched for something to say, but found himself only thinking of Naomi and wondering if she’d enjoyed their day together.
After a few sips of cocoa, Robert cleared his throat and glanced at his wife. “Caleb was telling me he wants to go look at the shop that’s for sale near my father’s store.”
“What?” Sadie gasped and grinned. “You’re going to consider buying a shop here?”
“Maybe.” Caleb held up a hand as if to calm her from across the room. “Don’t get your hopes up yet. I’m thinking about moving back, and Timothy and Daniel told me about the shop. Apparently it has a house on the property as well.”
Placing her mug on the table beside her, Sadie clapped her hands together. “Ach, that’s wunderbaar. We would love to have you and Susie here.”
“Don’t get too excited,” Caleb repeated. “I discussed it with Susie tonight, and she likes the idea. But I need to do some research and some careful consideration. I have a little bit of money I’ve been saving to refurbish my barn, but it’s only enough for a small down payment. I can’t do anything until I get a buyer for my farm. And with today’s economy—”
She waved off the thought as she interrupted him. “Your farm would sell easily, Caleb. From what you’ve told me, you have prime land that an investor would love.”
“I’d be glad to take you over to see the shop tomorrow,” Robert said. “The owner is Riley Parker, an Englisher who grew up here. He’s a gut man, and he’ll give you a fair price.”
Caleb nodded and studied the plain white mug while mulling over the notion of buying a place and setting up business after being gone from Lancaster County for so long. It seemed like such a hasty decision to look at a shop. Would it be prudent to put in an offer? But he wasn’t necessarily going to buy it. He was only going to research it and weigh options.
“You know, Caleb,” Sadie began, “you don’t need to invest in a business quite yet. You could simply take a job working at Wagler’s Buggies.”
Meeting her probing gaze, Caleb swallowed a sigh, hoping his sister wasn’t trying to play matchmaker again. Would she ever listen and respect his decisions? “It’s a thought, but I’m not sure I want to be an apprentice anymore. I think I’m ready to open my own shop.” His words surprised himself. He hadn’t realized he’d wanted to branch out on his own until he said it out loud.
Sadie’s eyes widened. “Really?”
Caleb nodded. “I’ve been working for Jonas since I moved to Middlefield, and as much as I admire him, I think I’m ready to run my own business. As a bonus, he taught me how to make Lancaster-style buggies, in addition to
our Ohio ones. So I’d be well prepared to take on business here.”
Sadie glanced at Robert, who looked equally shocked.
Robert stood. “I’ll take you by there tomorrow. I think I’m going to head up to bed. It’s getting late.”
Sadie glanced at the clock and popped out of her chair. “Oh my. It’s after nine. I best head to bed too.” She stepped over to Caleb and glanced at his mug. “Are you finished?”
He shook his head. “No, I’ve been savoring it.” He smiled up at her. “I think I’ll sit here for a few minutes and enjoy the fire. I’ll clean up after myself.”
She patted his shoulder. “Gut nacht, bruder. I do hope you decide to stay.”
“Danki.” He frowned. “Don’t start any rumors about my moving here, Sadie. Right now I’m trying to figure out God’s plan for Susie and me.”
She gasped. “I’ll do no such thing, Caleb. I’ll keep it to myself.”
He raised an eyebrow with suspicion.
She made a motion as if to zip her lips and then headed into the kitchen.
Sighing, Caleb leaned his head back on the chair and closed his eyes. Opening his heart to God, Caleb silently asked Him to reveal the right path for him and his precious daughter.
CHAPTER 10
Caleb steered the horse toward the For Sale sign sitting at the edge of the property. Since Robert had to tend to business at the farm, Caleb had borrowed the horse and buggy and ventured out to find the place on his own.
Guiding the horse into a rock driveway, Caleb spotted a large cinderblock building containing three bay doors and an office off to the right. He stopped the horse by the office door, and his boots crunched across the snow as he walked around to the front of the building. Caleb climbed the stairs, and the door opened with a loud squeak, revealing a stocky middle-aged English man with dark hair and eyes.
“Good morning,” the man said. “May I help you?”
“Yes,” Caleb said. “My name is Caleb Schmucker, and I wanted to speak with the owner regarding the price of this property.”
“I’m the owner, and it’s nice to meet you.” The man shook Caleb’s hand. “I’m Riley Parker. Please come in.” He gestured for Caleb to enter the shop. “I’m glad you came by. Do you live around here?”