Amish Romance: Naomi's Story: THREE Story BOXED SET: Clean & Wholesome Amish Book Bundle

by Brenda Maxfield

  “We shoulda had Mr. Zach for dinner, too,” Ben said.

  “Jah. About this Zachariah,” Marvin began, “he’s leasing the land, correct?”

  Naomi nodded.

  “Ben introduced us.” Marvin’s keen gaze was on her. “Does he have interest in buying the farm?”

  Naomi’s eyes widened. Katy plunked her glass back onto the table and the milk inside sloshed dangerously close to the rim.

  “Buying the farm?” Katy repeated.

  Ben frowned. “Why would he buy it? It’s ours.”

  “Why indeed?” Naomi said, giving Marvin a warning glance.

  But Marvin was nonplussed. He picked up his mug and took a sip of coffee. “Just wondering,” he said.

  “Nee, he’s not interested,” Naomi said tersely.

  “You asked him?”

  She bit her lower lip and shook her head.

  “I think that’s a mighty good place to start.” He set his cup back down. “I’m a bit tired from the journey.” He looked at both the children. “Let’s meet in the front room for Bible reading and prayer in a few minutes. Then I plan to turn in.”

  Naomi stood. “Katy, shall we clear the table and red up the kitchen.”

  Katy got up and stumbled after her to the kitchen. “Mamm?”

  Naomi’s expression was pinched. “Let’s not worry about anything right now,” she said, forcing herself to put a smile on her face. “You wash and I’ll dry. How does that sound?”

  “But Mamm, why would Mr. Zach buy our farm?”

  Naomi poured liquid soap into the sink and started the faucet. “It’s just an idea your uncle had.”

  “Mamm!” Katy put her hands on her hips. “I’m not a child.”

  Naomi turned the faucet back off and gazed at her daughter. She studied Katy’s indignant look and her proud stance, and alarm coursed through her. Was this the behavior she was instilling in her? This stubborn pride? Was she raising her daughter to be rebellious? She blinked and leaned heavily against the counter. This was no good. No good, at all.

  If she allowed her daughter to act like this, where would it lead? How would Katy handle rumspringa when she was given a good deal of freedom? This had to be nipped in the bud.

  “Don’t speak to your elders in such a tone,” Naomi corrected her. She drew herself into what she hoped was a stance of authority. “We’re not going to discuss this right now.”

  Katy’s mouth tightened, and Naomi saw her work to control her words. Naomi waited, her eyes steady on the girl. Finally, Katy slumped, and her gaze dropped to the floor.

  “I’m sorry, Mamm,” she mumbled.

  Naomi felt a part of her heart break as she drew her daughter into her arms. How she wished Isaac was still there. Raising a daughter alone was no small task, and she had no idea if she was doing it correctly. She didn’t even have her own mother to rely on for wisdom and advice.

  She looked over the top of Katy’s head toward the front room where Marvin would be waiting for them with the German Bible open. Maybe he was right. Maybe they should go back to Pennsylvania. She’d have more support there. More help in raising her children. She took a deep breath and pressed her lips together.

  Maybe Marvin’s arrival was in God’s timing. Maybe God was providing for her through her brother.

  ****

  Naomi was awake hours before dawn broke. She tossed restlessly in her bed, attempting to talk herself into moving back to Pennsylvania. Her mind flitted through the reasons, and there were plenty. Truth be told, when she got down to it, there were few reasons to remain in Hollybrook. Very few.

  Her husband and parents were gone. They wouldn’t care if she stuck it out in Indiana just because it had been their dream. Isaac would want her to be where it was best for the children. And for her.

  So, was Pennsylvania the best for them? She had wept when they’d left, sorry to say good-bye to all her family and friends there. But when they’d arrived to the Hollybrook farm and had moved all their things in, and when she’d seen the complete joy and satisfaction on her husband’s face, all her weeping stopped. She’d thrown herself into their new district. She’d made a good friend in Mary. She’d watched her children thrive.

  It had been good. So good.

  Until the accident. Naomi clutched her hands to her chest. Isaac was torn from her in an instant, and her parents were no more. All the children had left was her. And the farm. Naomi threw the quilt back and rose from her bed. She padded over to the open window and gazed out on the land. She inhaled the sweet smell of growing plants and the aroma of the blossoms bordering the walkway. In the growing light, she watched the leaves on the elm tree dance gently in the morning air. A rooster crowed the day’s beginnings.

  How could she leave such a beautiful place?

  She looked to the left where, if she positioned herself just right, she could observe the barn door. It was open. Zach must be there. She watched, waiting to see his solid form as he went out to the fields. She didn’t have to wait long. He paused at the door of the barn and looked toward the house. She ducked back behind the curtains but kept her eyes on him. Even through the shadows, she knew he was watching her window. He wouldn’t be able to see her though; it wasn’t light enough, and she was mostly hidden.

  She would miss him. Tears stung the back of her eyelids, and she knew at that moment that she’d made her decision. She would take the children and go back with Marvin. It was the only sensible thing to do. She wouldn’t have to struggle to make ends meet. She wouldn’t have to raise her children alone. They would be surrounded by family, by people who loved them.

  Zach lowered his head and turned toward the field. For a moment the day before, she had thought Zach had feelings for her. She’d thought he had been upset when she mentioned Marvin’s arrival and the reason for his visit. But he hadn’t said anything. Hadn’t declared any intentions towards her.

  She’d hoped he would have. She sucked in her breath. So she did have feelings for him? Her heart squeezed beneath her ribs. What difference did it make? He obviously wasn’t going to pursue anything with her. She fingered the curtains at the window and took slow even breaths. Yes, she would miss him. She would miss his eyes on her. She would miss his steady presence in her life. She would miss hearing the sound of his laughter when he was with Ben out in the barn.

  She turned away from the window. Was she destined to miss people her entire life? Was that what her lot was to be? She would never stop missing Isaac. Never. She accepted that. Nor would she ever stop missing her parents. But missing Zach?

  That didn’t seem necessary.

  With a sigh, she dressed for the day. She’d break the news to the children after breakfast. Dear Gott, please, please, let it go well.

  ****

  When the children had run off to do their before-breakfast chores, Marvin took Naomi aside. “Well, sister? Are you ready to start packing?”

  Naomi swallowed past the growing knot in her throat. “I need to talk to the children first. You can give me that much time, can’t you?” Her voice was short-tempered, and she immediately apologized. “Ach, I’m sorry, Marvin. I didn’t get much sleep.”

  He nodded and tugged on the end of his scraggly beard. “Understandable. I thought I’d approach Zachariah about purchasing the farm.”

  “Nee!” Naomi interjected. “Please let me do it.”

  “I will do it for you.”

  “Nee. I’ve been handling all the business up till now. Let me do this.” She felt her cheeks go hot. She was disgusted with herself, for she well knew the reason she wanted to be the one to approach Zach. She wanted to watch his face, hear his tone of voice. She wanted to discern whether there was any emotion there for her.

  Of anyone in the district, it would be most fitting if Zach bought the farm. He knew it better than anyone. Better than she did. Better even than her husband and her parents. He’d worked the land longer.

  “All right, Naomi. But I’m right here to finish up the busines
s.”

  “Jah. Thank you.”

  She turned to put breakfast on the table. The children would be back any minute, and she didn’t want to put off the inevitable for a moment longer than necessary. Perhaps, when everyone knew, she could adjust to the idea with more grace and eagerness herself.

  Because right then, all she felt was dread.

  The children bounded in the side door, washed up, and took their seats at the table. This time, Marvin led the silent grace.

  Four

  After eating, Katy stood to begin clearing the table. “Wait a moment, Katy,” Naomi said, reaching out and touching her arm. “I want to talk with both you children.”

  Marvin rose. “I’ll leave you to it,” he said. “I’ll be out on the porch should you need me.”

  Both Ben’s and Katy’s face reflected their curiosity.

  “What’s going on?” Katy asked, hesitation in her tone.

  Naomi licked her lips. “Children, Marvin didn’t only come to visit us,” she began. “He and the rest of the family…” She looked at her children and gave them a smile, albeit somewhat forced. “You remember all your aunts and uncles and cousins. Well, they are really missing us—”

  “They shoulda come with Uncle then,” Ben said with a big grin. “I coulda showed ’em all my frogs and stuff.”

  “It would have been too difficult and expensive for all of them to make the trip. So they sent Marvin as a kind of representative.”

  Katy frowned. “Representative? I don’t understand.”

  “The family wants us to move back to Pennsylvania.” Naomi held her breath, bracing herself for their reaction.

  To her surprise, they said nothing. They both simply stared at her, their mouths open.

  “Did you hear me?” she asked.

  “But we live here now,” Ben said, scratching his arm.

  “What about Liz?” Katy asked, her mind immediately going to her best friend. “I wouldn’t ever get to see her anymore.”

  Naomi cleared her throat. “You can write each other. Wouldn’t it be fun to get letters all the time? I know how excited you are when we hear from our family in Pennsylvania.”

  “Letters?” Katy asked, her voice rising. “You can’t play with letters!”

  Naomi sighed and clasped her hands firmly in her lap. “Nee. You can’t.” She gave Katy a sympathetic look. “But Marvin and the family think it’s for the best. You’ll have all your cousins and your aunts and uncles. And remember your old friends? They’re still there.”

  “What about Mr. Zach?” Ben asked. “Is he gonna come with us?”

  “Don’t be stupid,” Katy snapped.

  “Katy Byler! That’s enough of that,” Naomi scolded. She looked at Ben. “Nee, son. Mr. King’s family is here. He won’t be coming with us.”

  Ben’s wide eyes welled with tears. “But who’s gonna play with me? Who’s gonna teach me stuff.”

  Naomi felt as if she’d been slapped. She gulped air and composed her face. “Your uncles, Ben. And your cousins. They love you and are eager to be with you.”

  Katy’s lower lip quivered, and she reached across the table and touched Ben’s arm. “I’ll teach you stuff,” she said, and her voice cracked.

  Naomi was startled by her daughter’s tender gesture. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

  “Can I be excused now?” Katy asked. Her voice was wooden. She leveled a shadowed look at her mother, her demeanor resigned.

  “Jah.”

  “I don’t wanna go,” Ben said, his tears starting to fall. “Does Mr. Zach know? He never told me.”

  “Nee. He doesn’t know. I’m going to tell him in a few minutes.”

  “I don’t wanna go. I like it here.”

  Naomi blew out her breath. “So do I, Ben. But we like Pennsylvania, too. Everything’s going to be all right. You’ll see.”

  Ben wiped at the tears on his cheeks. “I don’t wanna go,” he repeated and dropped his head on his arms.

  Naomi stood and kissed the top of his head. “Right now, why don’t you go out to Marvin on the porch? He’d love to visit with you a bit.”

  Ben climbed off the long bench and shuffled over to the front door. Naomi wanted to call him back and tell him that they weren’t going after all. She wanted to laugh and tell him it wasn’t true, that they were staying in Hollybrook.

  Instead, she squared her shoulders and went into the washroom and through the side door. Outside, she shaded her eyes with her hand, scanning the fields. And then she saw him. He was in the far corner of the field. She took off toward him, her heart squeezing painfully with each step.

  “Naomi!” Zach cried when he saw her approaching. “What’s wrong?”

  She never walked out to the fields to find him, so it only made sense that he would be alarmed.

  “Are the kinner all right?” He strode towards her.

  She held up her hand. “They’re fine, Zach.”

  He stopped before her, and his brows were drawn with concern. “Your brother? He’s all right?”

  She nodded, a lump growing in her throat. “He’s fine.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “Do you want to buy the farm?” she blurted.

  He gaped at her and took a half step back. “What?”

  “Do you want to buy the farm?” she repeated, blinking rapidly, trying to keep the impending tears from falling.

  “You’re selling it?” he said, his eyes searching hers.

  She nodded.

  He took off his straw hat and held it, his fingers circling the brim. “I don’t understand.”

  “We’re going back to Pennsylvania with Marvin.” She watched him, hoping, no praying, that he would say something, anything, to make her stay.

  “I see.”

  Her heart sank, and she swallowed hard.

  He licked his lips. “What about your Bed and Breakfast.”

  She shrugged. “It will close, I guess. It won’t matter that much. I only barely got started with it.”

  “But I thought you liked it.”

  “I do.”

  He put his hat back on, pushing it down on his head. The brim shadowed his face, and she wanted to step closer to look into his eyes, but she didn’t dare.

  “You didn’t answer me,” she said. “About buying the farm, I mean.”

  He exhaled. “Naomi, I don’t have that kind of money right now.”

  “How do you know? I haven’t told you what it costs. I won’t cheat you. I only need to get out from under the debt.” She was talking fast, realizing she knew next to nothing about selling land.

  He stepped closer. She could see his eyes now, and they looked dark and angry.

  “I would never think you’d cheat me,” he said, his voice clipped. “How could you believe so little of me?”

  She blanched. What? She didn’t believe little of him. Why was he so angry? She’d only been explaining that the price wouldn’t be inflated.

  “I-I’m sorry, Mr. King.” She stared at him.

  “Mr. King?” He turned to the side and spit on the ground. Instinctively, she backed up, confused by his behavior. He was hotly angry now, and she wasn’t sure why.

  “My brother will talk to you about it then,” she finally said.

  He glared at her and turned on his heel and walked away. She shook her head. What had just happened? He stopped and turned back to her.

  “When are you leaving?” he asked, over-enunciating every word.

  “A week.”

  He hit his hand on his thigh. “Of course.”

  She turned and fled, running through the field, brushing against the corn and feeling it tug at her dress. What was the matter with him? She’d thought that he would at least voice a bit of sorrow at her leaving. As she ran, her mouth tightened. He was crazy, that man. And heartless. She wanted to turn and yell Good Riddance! at him, but she wouldn’t be so crude.

  When she rounded the corner of the big house, she stopped short. A blue car wi
th rust running around the bottom of the doors, was parked before the porch. A woman with two young children stood on the first step. Marvin was talking to her.

  “Hello?” Naomi said, approaching the woman.

  She turned and Naomi gave a start at how beautiful she was. Liquid blue eyes sparkled, and her left cheek dimpled with an eager smile.

  “They told me at the Feed and Supply that you have a Bed and Breakfast. I’m looking for a place to stay for a few nights.”

  Marvin caught Naomi’s eye. “I told her that you’re closed for business.”

  Naomi bristled. She had one more week. She didn’t need to close yet. She gave her brother a look of apology and turned to the woman. “My brother’s right. We’ll be closing soon. But I do believe that we can help you for a couple nights at least.”

  She heard her brother sputter, but she kept her eyes on the woman, who broke out into an even greater smile at her words.

  “That’s wonderful! And don’t worry. My children behave well. This here is Daisy, and that’s John.”

  Naomi laughed. “I never gave it a thought. Nice to meet you, children. Come. You can stay in the daadi haus.”

  “Let’s go, kids,” the woman said, her voice light and airy. “Let’s go to the daadi haus.”

  Something in the way she said daadi haus made Naomi suspect that she was familiar with the term.

  “So, you know what a daadi haus is?” Naomi asked.

  The woman’s face flushed. “Yes. Yes, I do.”

  But she didn’t say anything further, and Naomi didn’t want to pry. She opened the door to the small house and ushered the woman and her children inside.

  “You can sleep in the main bedroom, and your children can each have a single bed in here.” Naomi noted that Katy had done a fine job of cleaning the day before. It looked nice and tidy. “If you’d like to take meals with us, we’ll eat dinner at noon and supper at six o’clock.”

  “That would be right nice,” the woman said. “When would you like me to pay?”

  “You can pay now or when you leave.” Naomi told her the price, and the woman nodded. “I should get your name,” Naomi added.

  The woman faced her, and a look of dread flashed over her face so quickly Naomi wasn’t sure she’d seen it. “The name is Marcy,” she said, her voice dipping. “Marcy Blackenship.”