The Farmer Next Door

by Patricia Davids

  “I wish I had a brother. That would be cool.”

  “It is sometimes, but sometimes they can be a pain in the neck.”

  Kyle climbed down from his post. “Can I see Meg and Mick?”

  The boy had taken a liking to Adrian’s team and had begged to ride one on the way home from market. Adrian hadn’t allowed it then as they were on the highway, but he saw no harm in it now.

  “Ja, they are in the barn.”

  “Can I ride one of them? They are like ten times bigger than the ponies at the fair.”

  Adrian thought of all the work he had to finish. Put side by side with Kyle’s eager face, Adrian found only one conclusion. The work could wait.

  In the barn, Adrian opened the door to Meg’s stall and led her out to the small paddock. He hoisted Kyle to her broad back. She was so wide that the boy’s feet stuck out straight instead of being able to grip her sides.

  Adrian said, “Wrap your hand in her mane.”

  “Won’t that hurt her?”

  “Nee, it will not, but it might keep you from falling off.”

  Grasping the halter, Adrian led the mare around the paddock. She walked slowly and carefully, as if aware of the precious cargo she carried.

  Kyle grinned from ear to ear. “I can see all the way to Texas from up here.”

  “How’s the weather down that way?”

  Shading his eyes with one hand, Kyle said, “Sunny and hot.”

  After the third time around the corral, Adrian stopped Meg and held his hands up to Kyle. “Come along. I have much work to do. I must sharpen my sickle and get my binder back together and Meg wants to have a good roll in the dust.”

  “Okay.” Kyle reluctantly left his high perch. They walked back into the barn, leaving Meg in the pen where she promptly lay down, rolled onto her back and frolicked in the dust she raised.

  As they passed her stall, Kyle looked at Adrian. “Do you want me to redd-up her stall?”

  Tickled by Kyle’s use of an Amish term, Adrian knew the boy would soon fit into their Amish ways and leave his Englisch past behind. He stared into Kyle’s eyes and saw he was dying to please.

  Adrian stroked his beard. “Reckon I could use a good stable hand now and again.”

  Puffing out his chest, Kyle asked, “Where’s your wheelbarrow and your shovel?”

  “I will get them for you.”

  When he returned with the requested tools and gave them to Kyle, Adrian leaned on the stall gate to watch the boy work. It took him a while, but he managed to rake up the mess and push the wheelbarrow back to Adrian.

  Sighing heavily, Kyle said, “Alpacas are much easier to clean up after.”

  “They are not as big as Meg.”

  “No wonder Aunt Faith raises them instead of horses.”

  Adrian chuckled. “No wonder.”

  Kyle pulled at the Band-Aid on his palm. “It came loose.”

  Adrian bent down to see. He removed the bandages and looked at the angry red sores. “You should have told me they were hurting you.”

  “They don’t hurt.” Kyle put his hands behind his back.

  “Lying is a sin, Kyle. I know you want to please and prove that you are a good helper, but Faith will have my hide if these get infected. Come up to the house and let’s get them clean.”

  In the kitchen, Adrian gently washed Kyle’s hands and patted them dry. He applied an antiseptic cream to them and wrapped a length of gauze around each palm. “Is that better?”

  Kyle flexed his fingers. “Ja.”

  “I think I may have a pair of gloves you can wear over them.” He rose and led the way to Gideon’s room. Opening the door, he experienced the same catch in his chest that always hit him when he stepped over this threshold. The room looked the same as the day his son had left it.

  On the blue-and-green quilt that covered the bed lay a baseball glove and a carved wooden horse. Gifts meant for a birthday that had never arrived. Crossing the room, Adrian pulled open a dresser drawer and retrieved a small pair of knit gloves.

  “Try these on.” He turned to hand them to Kyle and froze. Kyle was on his knees by the bed galloping the toy horse across the quilt.

  He grinned up at Adrian. “This looks like Meg.”

  Adrian held back the shout that formed in his throat.

  Leave that alone. It belongs to my son.

  He knew Kyle wouldn’t understand. The boy meant no harm. He was simply doing what boys did—playing with a toy as it was meant to be played with.

  Is this part of Your plan, Lord? Am I to see that I’m being greedy and selfish by hanging on to these things? Gideon would share his toys with this boy, I know he would. He had a kind heart like his mother.

  Adrian forced a smile to his stiff lips. “I made it to look like Meg. I was going to make another one that looked like Mick.”

  “You made it? Cool beans.” Kyle stared at the toy in awe.

  “Would you like to have it?”

  “Can I?” His eyes grew round.

  “It is yours if you want it.”

  Kyle grinned. “Thanks. I mean, danki.”

  “You’re welcome. Now try these on.” Adrian held out the gloves. They proved to be too small.

  Knowing a pair of his would be much too large, Adrian said, “Try not to get dirty.”

  “That’s what Aunt Faith tells me.”

  “Does it work?”

  “Not so much.”

  Adrian smiled as he ruffled Kyle’s hair and went outside to finish his work. He sharpened his blades while Kyle galloped little Meg across the workbench and jumped her over hammers and assorted tools. It felt good to have a child with him again.

  He still missed his son, still wished it was Gideon with him, but he was able to enjoy Kyle’s company and appreciate the boy for who he was.

  Adrian was reattaching his sickle blades when the sound of a car coming up his lane drew his attention. He rose to his feet and saw the sheriff’s white SUV roll to a stop in front of his house.

  Adrian looked at Kyle seated on the ground beside him. “Does your aunt know you are here?”

  The boy shrugged.

  Adrian shook his head at his own thoughtlessness. “That is a question I should have asked an hour ago.”

  He held his hand out to Kyle. “Come. You have some explaining to do.”

  Reluctantly, Kyle rose and walked with Adrian toward the sheriff’s vehicle. The passenger’s door opened, and Faith rushed toward them, a look of intense relief on her face. In her hurry she stumbled and would have fallen if Adrian hadn’t lunged forward to catch her.

  He held her tight against his chest and breathed in the fresh scent of her hair. She fit perfectly against him. It felt so right to hold her this way. She looked up at him with wide, startled eyes. Eyes filled not with fear, but with the same breathless excitement she had awakened in him.

  In that instant he knew she felt as he did. The next move was up to him. Did he dare risk his heart again?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Faith rested in the safety of Adrian’s embrace, relishing the strength and gentleness with which he held her. Gazing up into his face, she saw his eyes darken.

  Did he feel it too, this current between them that defied her logical, sensible mind?

  How had it happened? How had she fallen in love with him?

  He said softly, “Kyle is okay.”

  “I knew he would be if he was with you,” she whispered. She and Kyle would always be safe if Adrian was with them. If only it could be this way forever. It couldn’t. She knew that.

  Adrian was still in love with his wife. She couldn’t compete with a ghost.

  Besides, she had to concentrate on Kyle. Finalizing his adoption had to be her top priority. Adding Adrian to the picture would only complicate and delay things.

  Reluctantly, she left the comfort of Adrian’s embrace and sank awkwardly to the ground beside Kyle. She gathered him close in a tight hug. “I was so worried when I couldn’t find you.”


  He wrapped his arms around her neck and hugged her back. Suddenly, he let go and stepped away. Faith saw he was looking at the sheriff and Miss Watkins as they approached.

  Faith cupped his chin and turned his face toward her. “It’s all right. You aren’t in trouble.”

  The sheriff pushed his hat back with one finger. “Looks like the lost sheep has been found.”

  Miss Watkins clasped her hands together. “I am so sorry that we wasted your time, Sheriff Bradley.”

  “Don’t be. I like a happy ending. I just wish all my calls were so easy.”

  Miss Watkins focused her attention on Kyle. “You frightened us very badly, Kyle. Why did you run away from home?”

  “I didn’t.”

  Faith accepted Adrian’s hand as he helped her to her feet. She said, “Kyle, you must let me know when you are going to visit a friend or a neighbor.”

  “Okay.”

  Miss Watkins stepped forward with a sharp frown on her face. “What’s wrong with your hands, Kyle?”

  “I got some blisters. Adrian fixed me up. He gave me this horse.” He held up the toy.

  Glancing between the adults, Miss Watkins leaned down to Kyle’s level. “How did you get blisters? Did you touch something hot?”

  “No.” He shrank away from her and toward Faith.

  Faith said, “He got them cleaning out a stall and helping us with the peach crop.”

  Adrian spoke up. “He rubbed his bandages off cleaning one of my stalls. I washed his sores and redressed them. He’ll be okay in a few days.”

  Holding out her hand, Miss Watkins asked, “May I see your blisters?”

  Kyle buried his face in Faith’s skirt and put his hands behind his back.

  Turning his face up to hers, Faith smiled encouragingly at him. “Is it okay if I unwrap them?”

  He held out his hands. Faith unwound the dressing from his right hand. Miss Watkins took a closer look, then said, “Okay. Kyle, why don’t you go to the car with Sheriff Bradley. I bet he’ll show you how the radio works.”

  The sheriff nodded toward his SUV. “Come on, Kyle. Would you like to turn on the flashing lights?”

  Kyle glanced from Faith to Adrian. “Is it verboten?”

  Faith exchanged an amused look with Adrian, then said, “It’s not forbidden. It is okay for Amish boys to do such a thing.”

  Kyle followed the sheriff, but the worried expression lingered on his face.

  Miss Watkins folded her arms. “I will be the first to admit that I’m not familiar with Amish ways, but to work a child of six until both his hands are covered in blisters is not acceptable.”

  Faith cringed before the social worker’s anger. Fear stole her voice. Beside her, Adrian said, “The boy worked hard to prove that he belongs among us. We did not make him do this.”

  Caroline shook her head. “Be that as it may, I’m not convinced this is the best arrangement for Kyle.”

  “Please, don’t take him away from me.” Faith wanted to race to the car, grab her child and hold on to him so tightly that no one could take him from her. Adrian’s hand settled on her shoulder holding her in place.

  Caroline sighed heavily. “I don’t want to take him away, Mrs. Martin, but I have to know that he’s in a safe environment. I would be neglecting my job and Kyle’s welfare if I placed him in a questionable home.”

  “I’ll do anything you ask. Please, don’t take him away,” Faith pleaded.

  “Ultimately that decision is up to a judge. I’m here to help make the adoption possible. I want you to rethink how much work a child of six should be doing. I’ll be back to visit again next Friday. Before then, you will need to make a list of Kyle’s chores. We can go over them together and see if we can agree on what’s appropriate for his age.”

  “I can do that,” Faith quickly assured her.

  “Keep in mind that he’s going to be in school. There will be even less time for him to do chores.” She walked back to the sheriff’s vehicle leaving Faith and Adrian alone.

  Faith started to follow her, but Adrian caught her arm. “Faith, we need to talk.”

  “I can’t. Not now.”

  His shoulders slumped in defeat. “All right. Go home and take care of your child.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Adrian.”

  “For what?”

  “For understanding.” Faith left him and took a seat inside the sheriff’s vehicle.

  “Are you ready for your first day of school?”

  Bright and early Monday morning Faith climbed into the buggy beside Kyle.

  He hooked his thumbs through his new suspenders giving them a sour look. “Do I have to wear these? I look like a dork.”

  “You must dress plain now. All the boys will be wearing them.”

  “Are you sure?” He let them snap back against his chest.

  “Ja, I’m sure. Do you like your hat?”

  He raised his flat-topped straw hat with both hands and looked up at it. “It’s okay. It’s like the one Adrian wears.”

  “He wears suspenders, too.”

  “Yeah, he does, doesn’t he?” That mollified him.

  “Are you excited about school?”

  He sat back and folded his arms over his chest. “No. Everyone’s gonna think I’m stupid cause I can’t speak Pennsylvania Dutch.”

  She folded her hands in her lap. “Kyle, you are learning our language just as the Amish children at school will be learning English. If you help them, they will help you and nobody will be stupid.”

  “Maybe.” He didn’t sound convinced.

  Faith cupped his chin and raised his face so she could see his eyes. “I know this is hard for you, but school is not all bad. You will learn many good things. Do you like to play baseball?”

  “Yes.”

  “Amish children also like baseball. When I was in school, we played it almost every day. Not in winter, of course. In the winter, we went sledding during recess.”

  “Really?” He looked at her with interest.

  “Really.”

  “That sounds kinda cool.”

  She grinned. “It wasn’t cool. It was downright cold.” She poked his side making him giggle.

  “Can I drive the buggy?” he asked.

  “You may, but just to the end of the lane.” Faith had no fear that Copper would bolt. The mare was well trained and placid. In fact, it was hard to get her into high gear anymore.

  “Hold the reins like this.” Faith demonstrated. Kyle was quick to copy her and soon had Copper moving down the lane. Faith sat ready to take the lines at the first sign of trouble. Thankfully, they reached the highway without incident.

  “How’d I do?” he asked as he handed the reins back.

  “Very well. You’re a natural.” She headed Copper down the road toward the schoolhouse a mile and a half away. After today Kyle would be walking, but she wanted to make sure he could find his way. Besides, the first day of school was special for any child, and she wanted to be a part of it.

  When the building came into view, she said, “We’re almost there.”

  Kyle slumped in his seat again. “Do I have to go? I feel sick.”

  She understood the anxiety he was feeling, but she knew he would soon make new friends. Faith had met earlier with his teacher, Leah Belier. A young Amish woman in her early twenties, Leah seemed devoted to students and to helping them learn. She had promised she would do her best to help Kyle adjust to his new surroundings.

  Faith stopped the buggy on the sloping lawn of the one-room schoolhouse. Several other buggies were tied up alongside the building. Children were already at play on the swing set and the long wooden teeter-totter.

  Faith sensed Kyle’s interest, but he moved closer to her. Before she could convince him to get down, Leah came out of the schoolhouse door and waved to Faith.

  Faith returned her greeting. Kyle buried his face in Faith’s lap. “Can we go home, please?”

  Leah was quick to assess the situati
on and approached the buggy. “You must be Kyle King. I’m so glad to meet you. I was hoping you could help me this morning.”

  Kyle eyed her with suspicion. “How?”

  “I need a strong young boy to ring the bell for me.”

  Looking past her, Kyle assessed the situation. “I guess I could do that.”

  “Wonderful. Faith, would you like to sit in on class today?”

  “I would.”

  After securing Copper to the hitching rail, Faith walked with Kyle to the school building where Leah waited for them. The teacher pointed to the bell rope hanging inside the doorway. “Give it a yank, Kyle. It’s time to start our classes.”

  Gritting his teeth, Kyle pulled with all his might. The bell clanged loudly.

  Leah clapped her hands. “Very good, Kyle. You’re every bit as strong as you look. Now, I need someone to put pencils and papers on all the desks. Can you help with that?”

  “Sure.”

  “Danki. That means thank you.”

  “I know.”

  “The papers and pencils are on the table behind my chair. The desk directly in front of mine belongs to you.”

  The other children began entering by twos and threes. Leah welcomed them all by their first names, asking after family members and previous students. It was clear she enjoyed her job.

  Faith took a seat at the back of the room where several young mothers sat visiting with each other.

  She stayed for the first hour of class, just long enough to make sure Kyle was going to be okay. Leah kept all the students well in hand as she switched back and forth between English and Pennsylvania Dutch to make sure everyone understood her instructions.

  After leaving the school, Faith drove home and set to work spinning another batch of yarns. Once they were done, she would take them into town after she picked up Kyle. She had a special treat in store for him.

  By early afternoon, she had several dozen skeins ready to be dropped off at Needles and Pins. She hitched up Copper again and arrived at the schoolhouse just as the main door opened and a rush of children poured out.

  Kyle, grinning from ear to ear, skidded to a halt beside her and held up a piece of paper. “I drew a picture of Shadow. Did you know we’re the only people in Hope Springs who have alpacas?”