“She’s coming. She said it wasn’t dark yet, and we didn’t have to go, but I’m hungry.”
“Mary should be back in a minute. So as soon as Katy shows up, we’ll head for home.”
No sooner had the words gone from her mouth than Mary arrived, huffing and stewing. “You were right, Naomi. I needed to check on things. Betty, bless her heart, was in the middle of burning a batch of biscuits. So, I guess we’re eating burnt offerings tonight.” She threw back her head and laughed. “That child! What am I to do? She’ll never be able to keep a house.”
Naomi chuckled along with her, but she was distracted. Should she tell Mary what she was about to do? Would Mary approve?
She decided against it. When the Englisch man’s stay was successful, she would broach the subject. But should it not work out, she wouldn’t have to say a thing. Only later would she realize the foolishness of such reasoning. She should have shared her plans with Mary then and there.
Katy skipped into the stand. “I’m hungry, Mamm.”
“Jah, you’re not the only one,” Naomi said, nodding at Katy’s brother. “Let’s get in the cart and go on home.” She turned to Mary. “Unless you still need my help.”
Mary waved her hand in dismissal. “Nee. You all go on now. I’ll bring you your money tomorrow evening some time.”
“I sold one of the pies. Do I give you a portion of the price?”
Mary guffawed. “You’re the one who helped me out today. Now, if it was a regular arrangement, I probably would take a portion at that. But not for a one-time event. Enjoy the profits.”
“Thank you, Mary,” Naomi said. Her eyes misted over, and she looked away in embarrassment. “I’ll see you later then.”
The children had already climbed into the cart, and Katy handed Naomi the reins when she got in. Naomi slapped them gently on Molly’s back, and the mare started down the road. When they were out of earshot of Mary, Naomi turned to her children.
“We’re having a guest for the next five nights. I’m counting on your help now.”
“Who is it?” asked Ben.
“Jah, who’s coming?” Katy chimed in.
“A gentleman named Justin Moore. He’s—”
Katy interrupted her. “Is he Englisch?”
Naomi saw the look of alarm on her daughter’s face. “Jah, but he’s a nice man, Katy.”
“Why’s he staying with us?” Katy’s voice had gone defensive. “Dat told us we shouldn’t get friendly with the Englisch.”
Naomi looked at her, trying to gauge the level of her upset. “Your dat only meant we should be cautious about becoming close friends with the Englisch, not that we shouldn’t express kindness and courtesy. Anyway, this is a business arrangement. We could use the money.”
“He’s paying us?” Ben asked.
“We’re opening a Bed and Breakfast.” As the words passed her lips, Naomi realized her own conviction at the words. A feeling of peace settled over her, and she knew it was decided.
“A what?” Katy asked.
“A type of hotel. Where people pay you to spend the night, and you also feed them breakfast and perhaps some other meals.”
“Where’s he going to sleep? Is he going to sleep in Dat’s place?” Katy’s voice had risen to a high pitch.
Naomi yanked up on the reins, and the three of them nearly toppled off the bench seat as Molly came to an abrupt halt.
“What?” Naomi wheezed out in utter shock. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
Katy folded her arms in front of her chest and pressed her lips together.
“Katy Byler! What the world are you thinking? Of course, he’s not. He’ll be staying in the daadi haus.”
Katy kept her eyes forward as if she hadn’t heard a word Naomi had said.
“Katy,” Naomi said, putting her hand on Katy’s shoulder. “Look at me.”
Slowly, Katy’s gaze turned to her mother. Her look reminded Naomi of a hurt puppy, crouching in the corner.
“Katy,” Naomi repeated her name, but much gentler this time. “We need to make money to take care of ourselves. You know that. This is a way for us to make money.”
“What about the money that Zachariah gives you? He pays you every month! What about that?” Katy’s voice was filled with tears, but her eyes remained wide and dry.
“Jah. And that’s very helpful. But it’s not enough.”
“It should be! You just don’t know how to manage money!” Katy accused, her voice sharp.
Naomi flinched. She would never have expected such a reaction from her daughter. She paused, debating how to respond, but no words came. In her heart of hearts, she wondered whether Katy was right. She feared Katy was right.
She swallowed hard and then slapped the reins again. Molly gave a lurch, and the pony cart rolled toward home. An awkward silence fell over the three of them, interrupted only with an occasional soft gasping breath from Katy. Naomi’s mind reeled. Such disrespect in a child was not acceptable, but something within Naomi warned her to tread lightly. Katy was still not herself. She was still fragile.
When they pulled up to the barn, Ben jumped out. Katy followed, landing on the ground with a soft thud.
“You two take care of the cart and Molly. I need to go through the daadi haus to ensure all is ready. Then I’m going to need help with dinner.”
Naomi climbed out of the cart and headed toward the daadi haus. Katy ran to catch up with her, pulling on her arm. Naomi stopped and looked at her daughter.
“I’m sorry, Mama.” She looked at her feet. “I’ll help you.”
Naomi’s heart went out to her. She touched her forearm gently. “I know you’re sorry, Katy. And I’m counting on your help.”
Katy glanced up then, her eyes welling with tears. “You’re not mad?”
Naomi shook her head. “Let’s forget it happened, shall we?”
Katy grabbed Naomi in a quick, fervent hug. Just as quickly, she released her and ran back to the pony cart to help Ben with Molly. Naomi fought her own tears. She pressed her hand to her chest and turned away to hurry to the daadi haus. She opened the door and immediately went to open each window, letting the late breeze waft through the small house. She glanced around, grateful that she’d left it so tidy when they’d moved their things to the big house. She entered the main bedroom. The double bed was neatly made up with clean sheets and one of her mother’s favorite quilts. She stopped short, unable to move further into the room.
A wave of grief took hold of her, and she shook with the jolt of it. She grabbed the edge of the dresser and hung on, waiting for it to pass. The pain stormed through her chest and into her stomach, swirling there, before moving to her heart. She nearly buckled with it, squeezing her eyes shut and forcing herself to breathe.
This room. This was the place she and Isaac had dreamed and loved and shared everything. This room was Isaac. She backed up until she was pressed against the wall. What was she thinking to allow a stranger to sleep there?
Breathe, she told herself. Breathe, Naomi. Slow and easy. You can do this.
A crow’s caw raked through the air outside, and she opened her eyes. She inched away from the wall until she was standing again on her own. She faltered, but stiffened herself to maintain her posture. No. She would not succumb again. It was only a room. Only a bed. It wasn’t Isaac at all. She lurched across the floor to smooth the quilt, although it didn’t need it. She glanced at the lantern on the bedside table and saw that matches were in reach.
Then with determined steps, she went to the bathroom and made sure fresh towels were in place. Everything was in order. There was no food in the kitchen, but Mr. Moore would join them for meals. Gulping back the dull pain in her throat, she left the daadi haus and moved somewhat mechanically to the big house. She entered through the side door and saw Katy already in the kitchen.
“I thought we could warm the stew,” she said. “And there’s enough bread to serve company I think.”
Naomi went to her daughte
r and drew her close for a long hug. She felt Katy shudder in her arms, but only for a brief moment. She let her go and together, they bustled about the kitchen getting supper ready.
“Ben, set the plates, would you?”
Ben came in from the washroom, his hands still dripping. “Where should I put the Englischer’s plate?”
Katy eyed Naomi. Naomi took a deep breath. “Put it next to your spot, Ben.” She knew Katy was worried that the stranger would sit in her dat’s or grandparents’ spots. But no, Naomi wouldn’t allow that, either.
A knock was heard on the front door. Naomi’s brows rose. She hadn’t heard a car drive in. She wiped her hands down her apron and rushed to the door. Opening it, she was startled to see Zachariah.
“Oh, Zachariah,” she said, taking a quick breath. “I didn’t know it was you.”
He studied her for a moment. “Are you expecting company?”
“Well, jah. I mean, nee. Well, not company exactly.”
Ben rushed up behind Naomi. “Hey, Mr. Zach! Guess what? We got an Englischer coming!”
Zach’s gaze jerked to Naomi. He tilted his head, looking at her uncertainly. “What’s this?”
Naomi squirmed under his gaze, which annoyed her. Why should she feel like she had to explain herself to him? He only leased her land. They had no relationship beyond that. Did they?
“I-I’m taking in boarders,” she stammered. “This gentleman is here to write about the county fair.”
The line of Zach’s mouth tightened a fraction, and although he said nothing, she knew he was displeased. She saw the agitation in his eyes. He turned away from the door and then paused, looking back. He stepped close, his eyes on hers.
“Did you need something?” Naomi asked, her hand on the screen.
“I wanted to know if you needed anything,” he said. His voice was low and thick and melodious. “But I see you’re busy.”
She prickled at his words, unsure as to why she was suddenly annoyed. “Jah. Everything’s fine,” she answered, mildly surprised at her own curt tone.
He raised his hand and for a fleeting second, she thought he was going to touch her hand. Her eyes widened, and he froze. He cleared his throat and the look he gave her was full of feeling. She blinked, trying to read him.
But he had moved away again, going down the steps. He raised his hand in farewell.
“Bye, Mr. Zach!” Ben called. “See you tomorrow, okay?”
“Jah, Ben. See you tomorrow.” But he didn’t look back.
Ben scampered into the house, but Naomi hesitated a moment, watching Zach’s wide-shouldered, rangy body disappear down the drive. She frowned, and a tremor touched her soft smooth lips. What had just happened?
Chapter Four
Naomi shook herself and forced herself to look away. She hadn’t time to ponder the mysterious ways of Zachariah King. Justin Moore would be there any minute. And sure enough, as if her thoughts had conjured him up, he drove in at that precise moment. He must have passed Zachariah coming in. Justin parked his white sedan under the large poplar at the side of the house. She watched him unfold himself out of the car and reach into the backseat for his two bags. He grinned widely at her as he approached the porch.
“Howdy again, ma’am.” He set his bags at her feet at the top of the porch. “Give me a minute.”
He returned to his car and this time, he retrieved Naomi’s apple pie from the passenger side of the car. “Can’t forget about the pie now, can we? My mouth’s been waterin’ since I put it next to me on the seat. Fact is, I nearly ate it with my bare hands, it smelled so good.”
Naomi laughed and set the pie on the small porch table. “I do have forks, Mr. Moore. Don’t you worry.”
He stood before her. “I’m not worried,” he said, his voice soft. “I’m not worried about a single thing.”
She took a step back, startled at his familiar tone.
Ben burst through the screen door. When he saw Justin, he stopped short, suddenly turning shy. Naomi reached out and took Ben’s shoulder. “This is my son, Benjamin,” she said.
“Howdy, Benjamin,” Justin said. He grinned. “You look like a strapping farmer to me.”
Ben looked up at their tall visitor, a proud glow coming to his cheeks. “I help a lot around here,” he said.
“I imagine you do. It’s mighty fine for a mother to have such a son.”
Naomi fidgeted a bit with the seam of Ben’s shirt, feeling uncomfortable with how forward this Englischer seemed. But upon looking into Justin’s gleaming eyes, she decided that there was only friendliness there. She’d heard of the outspoken ways of the Englischers.
“Your quarters are around back,” she said, making a move to grab one of his bags. “I’ll show you to them.”
“I’ll carry my own bags, ma’am,” he said with a chuckle. “Around back, you say?”
“Jah. In our daadi haus.”
“Daadi haus?”
She smiled as he matched her stride. “We Amish most always have a daadi haus behind the main house or sometimes even adjoining the main house. Our parents stay there when they grow older, and one of their children moves into the main house with their brood.” She shrugged. “Or, at times, a newlywed couple will stay in the daadi haus.”
“Or in your case, a mighty curious stranger,” he finished for her and laughed.
She climbed the steps of the small house and pulled open the screen door. He walked in with her, and his very presence filled the room. She caught her breath, a heady feeling swooping over her. It was all wrong—another man walking through that door. And it was all wrong—another man fixing to stay there. Sleep there. In the very bed she had shared with Isaac. With a quick change of heart, she showed Justin Moore to what had been her children’s bedroom, with two single beds pushed up against opposite walls. Her face was burning, and she knew her cheeks were bright pink.
But she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t show him to the room she had shared with her husband. She couldn’t bear the thought of him, this stranger, climbing into their bed.
“Why, this looks mighty nice,” Justin said with an appreciative nod.
“There’s a lantern on the table right there with matches. There are also lanterns in the main room should you need them.”
Justin set his two bags on one of the beds. He glanced down at the quilt that was pulled tightly over the mattress with neat corners tucked in at the end. “Did you make this?”
Her cheeks grew warmer still. “Jah.”
He leaned down and ran his hand over the soft piecework with the small even stitches. “It’s beautiful. Of course, the Amish are known for their quilts.” He stood, and she again marveled at his height. “But I’ve never known the actual seamstress.”
She shook her head. “It’s nothing special,” she murmured. “Every woman worth her salt knows how to do the same.”
“You’re wrong,” he said, his voice gentle. “It’s very special, indeed.”
She blew out her breath and took a step toward the door. Her legs felt a bit wobbly, and she was ashamed at the effect this man seemed to have on her. She was on edge, feeling exactly how she used to feel as a girl when she walked along the top of the fence surrounding their front yard. One tiny misstep, and she’d go tumbling down to the dirt.
“Supper will be on the table in a half hour,” she said, her voice all business. “If you need anything further, you let me or one of the children know.”
“Children?”
“Jah. My daughter Katy is inside. She’s eleven.”
He smiled. “I look forward to meeting her.” He bent down to unzip one of his bags, and he pulled out a computer. “It’s all charged and ready to go. I found a fast food joint not far from here, too, where I can recharge it when I need to.”
She blinked and nodded. “All right, then. We’ll see you inside for supper.”
She turned and practically fled from the daadi haus, not sure why she felt such a compulsion to get out of there so fast. Mr
. Moore was a nice man, friendly and engaging. She hurried to the side door of the big house and paused. It wasn’t really Mr. Moore she was fleeing. It was the daadi haus. That place. That place where she’d been happy and excited and grateful to be starting a new chapter of her life with Isaac. Where she’d been eager to fit in and make friends in Hollybrook.
Had she made a mistake? Was she not ready to have guests? Even paying ones? She blew out her breath. Her being ready was not important. What was important was that in five days, Mr. Moore was going to hand her five hundred dollars. Money that would buy food and supplies and chicken feed. Money that would ease her worries.
She squared her shoulders and put on a smile. Walking inside and through the washroom to the kitchen, she greeted her children. “Katy, I told Mr. Moore we’d be ready in a half hour. How’s the stew coming?”
Katy gave another stir to the large pot on the stove. “Already warm, Mamm.”
“Wonderful.”
“He’s so tall,” Ben said.
“That he is, son.”
“Are all Englischers so tall?”
Katy scoffed. “Course they’re not. They’re regular humans just like us.”
Ben made a face at his sister and wandered toward the dining area.
“Now, I don’t want any of that at the dinner table,” Naomi scolded. “You’ll both be on your best behavior, you hear?”
“Jah, Mama,” Ben muttered.
“Should I dish up the stew?” Katy asked.
“Nee. Let’s wait a few more minutes, or it’ll go cold again. I’ll get the milk poured.”
“Should we make some tea?”
Naomi regarded her daughter. “Katy girl, you’re going to surpass me sooner than I thought. That’s a right fine idea. I’ll put the kettle on.”
In a half hour on the nose, Justin Moore knocked on the front door. Naomi rushed to answer it. “Oh Mr. Moore, you can use the side door,” she said.
“I didn’t know which one I should use. I figured the front door was a safe bet.” He walked into the front room and glanced around.
Amish Romance Box Set: Finding Home Page 22