She swallowed past the growing lump in her throat and resolutely directed them toward her former bedroom. She pushed open the door, and her breath caught as she once again looked at the familiar space. Images of Isaac filled her mind, but she stubbornly forged ahead. “Here is your room,” she said, forcing a smile.
Clara looked about and cackled like one of the hens in the coop outside. “Oh, honey, don’t you have a room with two beds? Harv and I don’t sleep together.”
Naomi’s eyes widened, and she struggled not to show her relief. “I do. Right in here.” She took them to her children’s room. “There are two mighty comfortable beds right in here.”
Clara plunked down on the bed closest the window. “I’ll sleep here. Harv, you can take that one.”
Harv nodded, his cheeks reddening.
Naomi had never seen a wife treat her husband with such disrespect. It was bordering the scandalous. Was this how Englischers related to one another in marriage? The closest thing she’d ever witnessed to this was back in Pennsylvania when Ona Helmuth had harshly scolded her husband in front of the whole district for forgetting to bring his tools to a barn raising. Everyone had looked away in shame. Such an uncomfortable feeling. Walter Helmuth’s face had turned beet red, and he’d hustled her right back into their buggy and took off. When he’d returned to help, with his tools, Ona was nowhere in sight.
“So, dinner is at six?”
“Jah, supper is at six.”
Clara patted the quilt she was sitting on. “Don’t we have to sign some type of register or something?”
Naomi’s mind whirled. She had no register. “Jah, of course,” she said, “but you can sign it when you come in to eat.” She figured she could use the back portion of her ledger book for a register. She grimaced. What else didn’t she have in place for this new business?
“Thank you kindly, ma’am,” Harv said. “We’ll be on time to eat. Don’t you worry.”
Naomi smiled. “I’m not worried at all. Now, you have fresh towels in the bathroom. Let me know if you need anything else.”
“Is it all right if I leave my truck where it is? Or do you want me to move it elsewhere?”
Naomi considered that. “It’s fine for now. You’re tired. Why not take a rest?”
He looked relieved. “Don’t mind if I do.”
“Now, Harv, don’t sleep away the rest of the day,” Clara said.
Naomi took her leave, shutting the screen door gently behind her. Land’s sake, what must living with that woman be like? She grinned just thinking about it.
“What’s so funny?”
She flinched and looked to her left, seeing Zachariah approach. “My guests. Ach, it’s nothing.”
“I saw the truck pull in. Made quite a cloud of dust.”
“That it did.” She gave a quick glance to her damp laundry, some still in the basket. “I hope it didn’t dirty my laundry.”
He fell into step beside her, and her mind returned to all she’d learned about him. He paused at the clothesline as if waiting for her to say something. She looked at him, but all she could think of was Marcy and how the girl had hurt him.
Zach’s expression turned puzzled, and his eyes narrowed. “I saw Mary came by earlier. She been talking about me?”
Naomi flinched. Were her thoughts written so clearly on her face? “What do you mean?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. Just a look in your eyes.”
She licked her lips, unaccustomed to such familiar talk with a man who wasn’t family. She certainly wouldn’t have expected such a discussion with Zachariah. Up until the previous week, he’d hardly said two words to her.
“Jah, Mary came by,” she blurted and then clamped her mouth shut. What was she planning to say?
He nodded slowly, and a knowing came over his face. “So, she told you, then?”
Naomi took a deep breath but didn’t respond. Zach continued to look at her, his clear blue eyes watching her, assessing her. Naomi’s heart raced. She bent down to grab another piece of laundry. She put a couple clothespins in her mouth and set about her work, trying to pretend he wasn’t there; trying to pretend that his presence wasn’t filling the air around her.
It didn’t work. His nearness was like a physical force, surrounding her, making it difficult to function properly. Finally, after clumsily clipping three of Ben’s shirts to the line, she dared glance over at him. He met her gaze and said one word. “Marcy.”
Naomi dropped her hands to her sides. “Jah.”
With a sharp inhale, he looked up at the sky for a moment then back to her. “If you’d lived here your whole life, you’d already know the story. So, I guess no harm done.”
“I’m sorry, Zach.”
“For what?”
“For the way Marcy treated you. For the way it all worked out.”
His jaw tightened, and she wondered if she’d gone too far. “She’s living in Cleveland now.”
Naomi’s eyes widened. “Cleveland?”
“She was in Chicago for a while, but she followed some guy to Cleveland.”
“So, she’s married? Has a family?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know if she’s married. She has two children, though.”
Naomi reached out to touch his arm but thought better of it. “I’m sorry.”
“She writes me. Not often. Maybe every year or two.”
That was surprising news. Why would Marcy continue to write him unless … unless, she was still in love with him. Was Marcy hoping for something further from Zach? And did Zach write her back? Naomi wanted to know so badly that she had to bite her lower lip to keep from asking. It wasn’t her business. No matter how she looked at it; it wasn’t her business at all.
Zach took a step closer, and her whole being seemed to be filled with waiting. His gaze was penetrating, and she found that she couldn’t look away.
“Mamm!” Ben hollered from the front porch. “Mamm, Katy’s wanting you!”
Naomi flinched and blinked rapidly. “All right!” she called back, her eyes still on Zach.
Zach stepped away and looked at the ground, but not before she saw a flush in his cheeks. “I need to go,” she said. There was a quiver in her voice.
“Of course,” he muttered. He ran his hands down his sides.
She hurried toward the porch, her heart still beating rapidly.
“Naomi?” Zach called after her.
She stopped and looked over her shoulder at him. He studied her face, the laundry fluttering in the breeze at his side. “I never write her back.”
Naomi hesitated, feeling relief whoosh through her stomach. She gave him a slight nod and then disappeared inside the house, wondering why she should care so much.
Four
Katy helped immensely with getting supper on the table that evening for their guests. Naomi was pleased to note the happy way her daughter bustled about the kitchen. If Naomi didn’t know better, she’d say Katy was downright giddy about cooking for company.
“What are they like, Mamm?” Katy asked as Naomi arranged raw vegetables on a platter.
“Hmm. Interesting,” Naomi replied. “You’ll see soon enough.”
As soon as the words escaped her lips, she heard a commotion at the front door. She threw down her dishtowel and rushed to attend to her guests.
“Harv, for pity’s sake, quit crowding me!” Clara fussed, as they both tumbled in the door.
“Good evening,” Naomi said, opening the door even wider. “Come right in.”
“I was trying, but this one,” Clara jerked her head toward Harv, “wants to walk on my toes.”
Harv rolled his eyes and smiled at Naomi. “You’ve got a beautiful place here.”
Naomi returned his smile. “Thank you.”
“My, what smells so good?” Clara walked past Naomi toward the dining area. When she caught sight the table, where Katy had already set out half the food, she gave an appreciative whistle. “This looks fit for a king!”
/> The woman climbed over the bench and tucked herself in. “Can’t hardly wait to eat a real live Amish-cooked meal.”
Harv followed Naomi. She offered him a seat at the end of the table, instead of next to his wife. Actually, Clara was sitting in Ben’s spot, which Naomi was quite certain her son wouldn’t like. Right then, Ben came skidding into the room, stopping short when he saw Clara.
“Ben,” Naomi said, hurrying to him. She put her hands on his shoulder and squeezed. “I thought you could sit next to Katy this evening.” She gave him a pointed look.
He peered around her at Clara, and Naomi saw his look of dismay. “All right, Mamm.”
When everyone got situated, Naomi spoke. “Shall we say the silent blessing?”
She wondered how Clara and Harv would react, but like her first guest Justin Moore, the two of them bowed their heads without a word. She sent up her prayer to God.
Gott, thank You for sending two more guests to us this night. Help them to be blessed and to rest well. Guide me as I tend to their needs. Thank You for my children and for the food You have given us. Amen.
Naomi cleared her throat and everyone looked up. “Katy, would you like to start the potatoes around?”
The meal went smoothly. Clara was so busy eating second and third helpings that she didn’t have time to talk. Surprisingly, she barely said a word. As Naomi watched the woman eat, she began to wonder whether she should charge extra for meals. However, Harv didn’t eat as much as Clara. All he had was one full plate and a generous helping of Katy’s pie.
After finishing his food, Harv put down his fork, stood, and stretched. “Thank you, Ms. Byler. I think I’ll turn in now.”
“You’re welcome. You know where the lanterns are, jah?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Clara dabbed at the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “It’ll be just like camping again, won’t it, Harv?” She extricated herself from the bench. She moved her head this way and that as if stretching her neck. “Driving for hours on end really does put an ol’ crick in the neck, doesn’t it?”
“I’m sure it must,” Naomi replied.
“Let’s leave these fine people alone now.” Harv glanced at both Katy and Ben. “Nice to meet you young folks. We’ll see you in the morning. Clara, you coming?” He looked at her expectantly.
Clara scowled but followed him to the door. “What time is breakfast?” she asked.
“I can serve it at seven-thirty, if that suits.”
“That will be fine,” Harv said before his wife could respond.
“I guess he’s doing all the talking for me tonight,” Clara said with a grunt.
As they went out the door, Naomi heard Clara scolding Harv about what a big mouth he had. Naomi shook her head. She would never get used to hearing a wife speak to her husband like that. Why, it would create total anarchy in the home. She snickered. She wished Isaac could be there to witness it. He’d be shocked beyond words.
****
Naomi saw her guests off after breakfast. Clara seemed quite excited about their stay, saying she would recommend Byler’s Bed and Breakfast to all her friends. Naomi groaned inwardly. Would Clara’s friends have the same sort of personality as Clara? And then she admonished herself. It wasn’t her place to judge. Besides, the one hundred dollars she’d received didn’t depend on personalities, now, did it?
During the early afternoon, Naomi took a break from her cleaning and walked out to the mailbox to fetch any letters that might have been delivered. Her eldest brother in Pennsylvania had taken to writing her nearly every week. Mostly to urge her return, but he often included a tidbit of news about the family. Naomi had gotten in the practice of skimming the first part of his letters where he chastised her for remaining in Indiana and focusing in on the news. She enjoyed hearing how the kinner were doing, and she liked hearing about the district happenings.
Naomi was grateful that her children never mentioned wanting to move back to Pennsylvania. She had thought they’d be yearning for their old home, but they hadn’t said more than a word or two, causing her to think that her decision to stay put after the accident had been the right one.
She paused for a moment to look at her Bed and Breakfast sign before grabbing the mail. It was still standing upright, so evidently cement hadn’t been necessary after all. Nestled there next to a young poplar tree didn’t help the beauty of the sign’s design, but even so, it had been effective, getting them guests. Still, someday, she’d like to have something nicer-looking. She opened the metal door of the mailbox and reached inside. There was only one letter, and when she pulled it out, she quickly saw it wasn’t from her brother. When she noted the return address, her knees went weak, and she nearly stumbled right there on the road.
Texas!
Naomi only knew one person from Texas. One.
She stuffed the letter into her pocket and rushed back to the house. Why was he writing her? And so soon? Had something happened? And if it had, why would he tell her about it?
She headed straight upstairs to her room, and sank onto her bed. Her hand shook as she retrieved the letter from her pocket. With a quick movement, she ripped it open. Her breathing turned shallow as she unfolded the paper and began to read.
Dear Naomi Byler,
You must think it odd to be receiving another letter from me so soon. You haven’t responded to my first letter yet, but I felt the need to write again. I hope you’ll forgive my eagerness.
Naomi took an unsteady breath and forced herself to calm down. There was no call for her to be so nervous about a letter. Nervous or … excited? Which was it? She shuddered and focused again on Justin’s words.
Upon my return to Texas, I plunged right into my work. As I told you before, life here is hectic, fast, and often impersonal. When I go home at night to my apartment, to my electricity, to my every convenience, I find my heart is still in Amish country. I find my thoughts are still on you. What is Naomi doing right now? I wonder. Is Ben finding any more frogs in the trees? Has Katy made more pies?
It’s silly, really. I was there for a mere five days, but I can’t shake it from my every waking thought. Soon, my boss will scold me for daydreaming! Ha!
Have you traveled much, Naomi? I wish you could see my home state. It’s beautiful. And vast. The land varies from region to region. I’ve seen most every inch, what with growing up here and my journalism assignments. You would like the wide open spaces, I’m thinking. You would like the agriculture here. And the ranches. Ever been to a dude ranch? Ha! I imagine you haven’t.
A dude ranch? Naomi had no idea what that was. Of course, she knew about ranches, but dudes? She squinted her eyes, pondering. Wasn’t dude the Englisch word for a friend or a boy? If so, dude ranch didn’t make much sense. She smiled and continued.
I’d love to take you to a dude ranch sometime. There’s a fine one close to my city. Actually, they’re scattered throughout the state. A good way to cash in on some major tourism dollars.
I hope you’re having guests at your Bed and Breakfast now. Of course, it hasn’t been so long since I left. You may not have gotten anyone yet. So am I your one and only so far?
Naomi blanched at his words. Her one and only? Uneasiness crept through her. Surely he didn’t mean that the way it sounded. Was he becoming brazen with her? She dropped the letter onto her lap. Perhaps she shouldn’t continue reading. She stood up and Justin’s letter fluttered to the floor. It landed right-side up, and she stared at it. With a start, she realized she was still trying to read his words, but she couldn’t from that distance.
She bent down and picked it up as guilt pinged through her mind. But in truth, it was a letter to her. She had an obligation to read it, didn’t she?
Zach had read the letters that came from Marcy.
She didn’t have to respond to Justin. Yet, he sure would be happy to know of her two guests. She sank back on the bed, and her hand trembled as she held the letter up once again.
I was thinking that
perhaps I could help advertise your place. You mentioned the possibility of securing a phone for your business. Have you done that yet? Is it even allowed? If you had a phone, I could refer people to your number.
Please let me know. I would dearly love to be of assistance to you in any way I can. Well, I think this letter has been long enough. I find myself reluctant to stop writing, for this feels almost as if we’re talking to one another.
A one-sided conversation to be sure!
If you can, please write me back.
Sincerely,
Justin Moore
He’d written his phone number across the bottom of the letter. Why, she couldn’t call him even if she did have a phone. It would be completely frowned upon. More than that, it was forbidden. She folded his letter back up and stuck it in the envelope. She stood and walked to her dresser. Pulling open the top drawer, she felt under her clothing for his first letter. When her hand felt the edges of the paper, a tingling shot through her. She tucked the new letter under the old.
She pushed the drawer shut and went back to her bed to sit down. She glanced at her bedside table. She hadn’t written in her journal for a day or two, and she should get caught up on it. She could take a few more moments to herself. The children were playing out back and most of the supper meal was to be left-overs from the day before. Lying back on her pillow, she stared up at the ceiling.
Was Justin Moore sweet on her? Katy had accused him of that very thing a few days ago. Not to his face, of course. She’d shot the words at Naomi. But why would he be sweet on her when he knew full well that nothing could come of it.
So why am I even thinking about it? And why does my heart beat faster when I think of him?
Naomi closed her eyes and forced herself to take slow even breaths. She lay motionless, but her mind whirled with troubling thoughts. She felt tears gather in her eyes and slip down her cheeks, but still, she didn’t move.
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