She’d have that confirmed soon enough at the quilting frolic on Saturday.
On a whim, she decided to walk down the drive to check again on her sign. The heat of the sun wrapped itself around her like a woolen cape as she tread over the dirt and smooth stones. The warm earth felt good on her bare feet, and she swung her arms loosely at her sides, feeling almost carefree. When she got to the road, she saw the sign still standing, looking even sturdier than when she and the children had first put it up. She wondered whether it was settling into the ground.
She shaded her eyes against the sun’s rays and considered the sign further. She supposed it had a bit of charm to it, despite the somewhat messy writing and amateurish appearance. Squinting her eyes, she imagined a new sign there. A beautiful carved sign, announcing Byler’s Bed & Breakfast in plain box letters, all evenly done in beautiful oak wood. It would be lovely.
The whine of a car’s motor coming close brought Naomi from her reverie, and she turned to go back to the house. There were still some morning chores to be done, and she thought she’d prepare a special snack for the children that morning.
****
A week passed with no guests. Naomi didn’t mind as she had plenty to do. Attending the quilting frolic had inspired her to begin a new quilt of her own. She decided to use pieces from Isaac’s and her parents’ clothing. She would incorporate them into two quilts and give one to Ben and one to Katy. The idea pleased her greatly, and she couldn’t wait to begin. She decided to keep her work a secret from the children and surprise them with the finished quilts. They would be right fine keepsakes.
Zachariah had been as good as his word, fixing the pigpen for them. Ben had helped, and during suppertime that evening, he had excitedly recounted how each nail was pounded. With a feeling of contentment, Naomi had watched the glimmer in his eyes and the glow on his face. Now, if she could only find a way to bring that look of pleasure to Katy’s face.
“Mamm,” Katy said, opening the screen door and coming out to join Naomi on the porch. “Can I go to see Liz? I haven’t played with her for a long time.”
Naomi smiled. “She can come over here to play if you’d like. You could make cookies together.” Katy loved baking more than just about anything.
Katy grimaced. “Liz hates to cook.”
“But does she hate to eat?” Naomi asked, with a twinkle in her eye.
Katy laughed. “She likes to eat.”
“Why not go over and ask her to come? If you don’t want to bake cookies, I will. Either way, you’ll both get a treat.”
Katy gave her a quick hug. “Thanks, Mamm.” She skipped down the steps and was halfway to the road when she paused and turned back. “We don’t have to let Ben play with us, do we?”
Naomi usually insisted that Ben be included. Katy fussed about it, but she was a fairly good sport. Naomi supposed that it was time Katy and Liz had playtime without a young brother hanging around. “No, daughter, Ben doesn’t have to play with you.”
Katy grinned and took off running, kicking up a few loose rocks as she sped away.
Naomi picked up a pair of Ben’s trousers from the basket beside her and began to mend the hole in the knee. The patch she’d attached only the month before had already pulled loose. Typical boy, she mused, as she threaded her needle.
A sense of peace filled her as she sat there, rhythmically pushing and pulling the needle in and out of the fabric. There was a faint hum of insects in the air, and a slight breeze touched her face. With a start, she realized she was smiling. She was sitting there on her porch, smiling—for no real reason.
“Dear Gott, thank You,” she whispered. “You truly are with us, watching over us and caring for us. Thank You.”
No sooner had she spoken her prayer than she opened her eyes to see a white car coming up her drive toward the porch. Her breath caught in her throat. A white car.
She stood and dropped the mending to the floor.
Is it? Could it be? Impossible!
The car was close enough that she could see the driver clearly through the windshield. She saw his strong jaw, his whiskered chin, and his delighted smile. Her heart froze within her. What was he doing? Why had he come?
Her first instinct was to run inside the house, slam the door, and hide. Her second instinct was to run down the steps and greet him with her own delighted smile.
She did neither.
She stood on the edge of the porch, like a chiseled sculpture, her mind racing through possible reasons for his presence. The car engine stopped and he got out, stretching tall and again impressing her with his unusual height.
“Naomi,” he said, and her name was like a melody on his lips.
She blinked, opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came forth.
“I’ve shocked you,” he stated. He shut his car door and came around to the bottom of the steps. “I would have called, but—” He shrugged, his smile still holding. “Since there’s no phone, that wasn’t going to work.”
He took a step up, and Naomi’s pulses raced.
“Aren’t you even going to greet me?” His smile shortened at the edges. “Have I made a mistake? Coming again?”
“I-I, gut afternoon, Justin,” she stammered.
He exhaled and tilted his head. “I knew it was a risk. Me coming back so soon. But I do have a reason. I have something for you.”
Her eyebrows rose. She clasped her hands to her chest, feeling completely dismayed. And excited. And afraid. And disgusted with herself for all three emotions.
Justin Moore was a kind man. He wasn’t to be feared. He was a friend. Pure and simple. There was nothing wrong with that. Was there?
Ach! What was she to do?
He laughed, a low quiet chuckle. “Oh, Naomi, if you could see your face. The emotions playing over it would do you well in Hollywood.” He laughed again. “May I sit?” He gestured with his head toward an empty rocker on the porch.
“Jah,” she muttered, struggling to get herself under control. “Of course. How nice to see you again, Mr. Moore.”
“Mr. Moore, huh?” He shrugged. “I’ll take it. Better than being called an ogre or a beast or a cheeky fellow.”
She frowned, unsure of what he obviously meant as a joke. “Can I get you some lemonade?”
“That would be lovely. Mighty warm today, isn’t it?”
“I’ll be back in a moment,” she said and hurried inside. She practically ran to the kitchen in her haste to put some distance between the two of them. She grabbed the glass pitcher of lemonade from the refrigerator and snatched two glasses from the cupboard.
He had something for her? What could it possibly be? And she couldn’t take gifts from a fancy man. What was he thinking? She poured the drink and taking a deep breath, she carried both glasses outside. He reached for one, and she was careful that their fingers didn’t touch. He took a long drink and sighed.
“So good. Thank you, Naomi.”
She sat in her rocker and raised her glass to her lips with a shaky hand. She took a small sip and then looked at him.
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I can see that you’re still shocked to see me.”
He looked at her with his gold-flecked brown eyes—that rare color which had intrigued her weeks ago when he’d first stayed at the Bed and Breakfast. Now, he was gazing at her again, his eyes telling her how much he’d missed her. How much he cared. She could see it plain as day, and she squirmed in her chair.
“As I told you, staying here meant the world to me. I was trying to think of something I could do to help you. I have been singing your praises to anyone with half an ear.” He chuckled. “And there are people who will probably stay here in the next few months because of my bragging. At least, I hope so.”
“Thank you,” Naomi murmured, her hands grasping her glass. She sat still, afraid to move, almost afraid to speak. Had she given the wrong impression to Justin when he was there last? Had she led him to believe…? She couldn’t continue her line of thought out
of fear as to where it might lead her.
Truth be told, there was something charming and magnetic about the man sitting beside her. He had a playful, curious spirit which she found refreshing and intriguing. She wouldn’t soon forget the time he’d helped gather the eggs. He’d been like a child tasting candy for the first time. Just thinking about it brought a smile to her lips.
“What?” he asked, leaning slightly forward. “What’s funny? You’re smiling.”
Her eyes widened in alarm. Was she so transparent? “Nothing,” she said quickly.
He narrowed his eyes for the briefest moment and then grinned at her. “You look good, Naomi. Happy.”
She nodded as discomfort tingled up her spine. She wasn’t accustomed to being analyzed publically.
“I’m glad to see it. Very glad.”
Before she could even begin to think about responding, she heard a clatter inside the barn. She turned, craning her neck to see if it was Ben. It wasn’t. Her breath froze in her throat as Zachariah appeared at the barn door. Even at that distance, she saw the look of shock on his face upon seeing her guest. She saw his shoulders rise, and he went completely still.
Justin had followed her gaze to the barn, and he also went still. Naomi cleared her throat and searched for something to say.
Her discomfort grew as the silence stretched, but just as she despaired about what to do, Justin relaxed and said in a casual tone, “That’s the man who leases your land, right? Isn’t his name Zachariah something or other?”
“Zachariah King,” she answered.
“So, he uses your barn, too?”
Naomi quelled the flicker of irritation his question brought forth. “He fixes things for me,” she said. She had an inexplicable urge to enumerate all the different things Zach had done for her of late.
“That’s nice of him,” Justin said, turning toward her. “I didn’t realize he did so much.”
Naomi frowned. Justin’s mood had changed, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to go there with him. She straightened her posture and smiled. “It’s a farm. Things need doing all the time.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Zach move. She fully expected him to retreat back to the fields, knowing he wasn’t one for small talk, but she was wrong. He was heading directly toward them.
Since Zach was coming from behind, Justin seemed unaware of his approach, but Naomi saw him clearly. She saw the dark angry-looking shadows on his face. She rose to her feet, and Justin turned around to watch Zach approach along with her.
Justin stood beside Naomi. “Hello, Zachariah. How nice to see you again.” He took a step down the stairs and extended his hand.
Zach closed the distance between them and shook hands, his eyes steady on the Englischer. “Mr. Moore.” There was censure in his tone.
Zach looked up at Naomi, and she met his gaze. A thousand questions were in his eyes, but she hardly knew what to say. Justin coming hadn’t been her idea.
“What brings you to Hollybrook again?” Zach asked, and there was emphasis on the word again.
“I have something for Mrs. Byler,” Justin said, sitting back down and rubbing his hands over his thighs.
So, I am Mrs. Byler when Zach is around.
Zach’s expression darkened further. “And what might that be?”
Justin turned from Zach to Naomi. “It’s coming tomorrow,” he said. “I do hope you like it.”
“What’s coming?” Zach asked, his voice louder than usual.
“It’s a sign,” he said. He looked at Naomi, and his eyes brightened. “I had a sign professionally made for you. I hope you like it.”
“A sign?” She was stunned. How in the world did Justin know how much she wanted one?
“Yes. For your business. Often signs for B & B’s are lit up, but obviously that isn’t going to work for you. I ordered one to be made of wood. It’s being delivered and installed tomorrow.”
Naomi’s lips parted but no sound came forth. She was still gaping at him, her emotions a tangled mess as she realized just how far he had overstepped.
He rushed on. “But I noticed you already have a sign. I saw it on my way in. If you don’t want a new one, say the word. I didn’t want to butt in.”
“Butt in?” Zach asked. His face had gone completely white. Naomi had rarely seen anyone with such a pale expression. “Butt in?” he repeated.
“A new sign is wonderful gut,” Naomi hastily remarked. A new sign? It still hadn’t fully registered. “I was wanting one so badly. Thank you, Mr. Moore.”
“Your feelings wouldn’t be hurt, then, if the other one is removed?”
“Hardly! Katy helped me with it, but we both thought it looked quite unprofessional.”
“That’s wonderful.” Justin gave her a warm smile. “So it is all right.”
Naomi took a quick intake of breath. Was it all right to accept a gift from an Englischer like that? But how could she turn it down? Wouldn’t that be rude? Wasn’t she obliged to accept a gift so freely given?
Her gaze flitted to Zach, and her chest tightened. His paleness was gone, and his face had turned red. The man looked ready to explode.
“I’d have to pay you for it, of course,” she said quickly, hoping that would calm Zach down. Her mind whirled. There was no way she would be able to find money to pay for a sign.
“No.” Justin frowned. “No, of course not. The whole idea was to do something nice for you. I mean, something nice for your B & B.”
“You came all the way from wherever to tell her about the sign?” Zach asked. “Why didn’t you write?”
Zach’s words rankled Naomi. He was being downright rude. He wasn’t her relative. Nor was he her bishop or preacher. He didn’t have authority to be tossing out such questions.
Zach glanced at her and surely he could see the irritation on her face, but if anything, he looked more determined than ever to pursue his line of questioning. His eyes turned back to Justin.
“You’re right, Zachariah,” Justin said smoothly, but Naomi thought she saw his fists clench slightly. “Fact is, I had other business this way and wanted to deliver the news personally.”
Zach didn’t respond. He simply stood, his shoulders raised, his gaze unwavering.
“Would you like some lemonade, Zach?” Naomi asked, desperate to break the tension. “I’d be glad to get you some.”
She snapped her mouth shut, stunned by the look on Zach’s face. His eyes had glazed over, and if she didn’t know better, he looked like he was in anguish. Something unfathomable in his eyes reached out to her, and she found herself wanting to move toward him, to step down the stairs and stand beside him. To put her hand on his arm.
He moved back a pace. “No lemonade for me. I’ll be going. Gut day,” He turned on his heel and walked away, and his shoulders visibly lowered. They sank to the point of drooping, as if weighted down with an unimaginable burden.
“Zach!” Naomi called after him.
He paused and glanced back over his shoulder.
“Thank you,” she said, wondering what she was thanking him for. He raised his hand in a wave and kept walking.
“Nice to see you again,” Justin called to his retreating back.
Naomi sank down to her chair, realizing she still clutched her nearly full glass of lemonade.
“He’s upset,” Justin observed. “I don’t blame him.”
A trembling started deep within Naomi’s stomach. Shaking, she raised the lemonade to her lips and took a sip.
“Am I getting into the middle of something?” Justin asked, studying her.
Naomi frowned, her stomach now aching. “Of course not.”
“Good. Then, do you have a vacancy?” he asked with a smile.
“Jah,” she answered. “You can have your same room again.”
“Marvelous.”
“No charge, of course,” she continued, swallowing past a metallic taste in her mouth. “Can you consider it a payment of sorts? For the sign, I mean.”
> He stared at her for a long moment and then smiled. “Yes. I would say a free night covers the sign very nicely.”
Naomi knew it wasn’t true. A well-done sign would cost much more than one hundred dollars, but it was all she could do right then.
“Let me grab my bag.” Justin nearly leapt down the steps and went to his car. His excitement was palpable, and the acid-like taste in Naomi’s mouth increased.
Six
“Why didn’t you bring Liz home?” Naomi asked when Katy appeared back home alone.
“She couldn’t come. Her mother had her watching her brothers.” Katy shrugged. “It’s okay, though. She said she could come over tomorrow.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“Why’s he here? The Englischer, I mean,” Katy asked her mother as they worked together preparing a light supper of cold cuts, home-baked bread, pickles, glazed carrots, and fresh sugar cookies.
Naomi set her bread knife down. “Katy girl, you won’t believe it.”
“What?”
“He’s gotten us a new sign for our Bed and Breakfast. Isn’t that wonderful?”
“A new sign?” Katy’s forehead creased. “What do you mean?”
“He’s having a new sign delivered tomorrow. You won’t feel badly, will you, if we take down the one we made?”
Katy shook her head and smiled. “Mamm, it’s still ugly.”
Naomi grinned, relieved that Katy didn’t seem upset, about either the sign or Justin’s presence.
“But why is he giving us a sign?”
“I think he was so happy to be our first guest last month.”
“But doesn’t he live a long ways from here?”
“He lives in Texas.”
“He sure came a long way to bring a sign.” Katy shook her head.
“That he did.” Naomi picked up the knife and continued slicing the bread. “But it was a nice thing to do.”
Katy pursed her lips as if she was giving that a bit of thought. Then she shrugged and picked up the bowl of pickles to set on the table.
“Mamm!” Ben called, zooming into the kitchen from the washroom. “Where’s Mr. Zach? He ain’t in the fields.”
Amish Romance: Naomi's Story: THREE Story BOXED SET: Clean & Wholesome Amish Book Bundle Page 11