by Amy Clipston
Frehlicher Grischtdaag!
Your new friend,
Naomi
Caleb stared at the note, reading it over and over again, committing it to memory. The note touched him deep in his soul, awakening feelings he thought he’d never feel again. He wondered why Naomi hadn’t given this gift to him in person. Why would she write such a sweet, loving note and then give it to Susie to deliver?
Leaning over, Susie gave him a confused expression. “Was iss letz?”
“What did Naomi say when she gave you this bag?” he asked.
Susie shrugged. “She said she didn’t feel well, and she asked me to give it to you.”
“How was she acting when she gave you the bag?”
Susie shook her head. “I don’t know. Upset, I guess.”
“Upset?” He let the word roll through his mind as he tried to remember when he saw her. He’d been trapped in the sitting room listening to Hezekiah’s monologue when he spotted Naomi chatting with and hugging Susie. He remembered thinking that Naomi looked like an angel as she smiled and spoke to his daughter. His heart had swelled when he observed the two of them talking together. Naomi was like no woman he’d met since he’d lost Barbara. He could tell that Naomi truly loved Susie, and Susie loved her as well.
And Caleb loved Naomi.
He shook his head at the realization. Yes, he did love her, and he needed to know why she’d left in such a rush. If she’d been ill, he would’ve been happy to take her home. Why did she rush out without even saying hello to him? Maybe there was something that had upset her. If Susie had been the last person to see her, maybe she would hold the key to finding out what had upset Naomi.
He turned to his daughter. “Did you say anything to Naomi before she left?”
Susie looked at him like he was crazy. “Ya . I said good-bye.”
He shook his head. “No, that’s not what I meant. Did you say anything that might have upset her?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Please, Susie.” He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Can you try to think about everything you and Naomi discussed before she left?”
Deep in thought, she tapped her chin and looked up at the ceiling. “We talked about Christmas gifts. I gave her the little doll I bought her, and she gave me the game and a schee quilt that I love.” She tapped a pretty quilt on her bed. “Then I asked her to play the game with me, and she said that she would play it with me every time I came to visit. So I told her we were moving here, and she was really surprised.”
“You told her?” He’d hoped that he could get a chance to speak with her alone and tell Naomi the news, but he wasn’t surprised that Susie was excited to share it, especially with Naomi.
However, Caleb had hoped that the news would be something he and Naomi could celebrate. Why would that news cause her to leave without speaking to him? Had he been wrong about her feelings for him?
He studied his daughter’s eyes, praying she held the key to what had upset Naomi. “What exactly did you tell her?”
Susie shrugged again. “I don’t know. I said that you’d found us a house and that Aenti Sadie said you might work for Irene’s dat.”
“You told her that I’d be working with Hezekiah?”
“No, I said I didn’t know.” Looking confused, she hugged the blanket to her chest. “I said that Aenti Sadie said you might. I mentioned that I didn’t think Irene liked me because she’s not nice to me and she didn’t want me to come to dinner with you and her. I also told her that I have a hard time using my manners when she’s around and that Irene acted like she only wanted to be alone with you. I said that I could never be friends with Irene, but I was friends with Naomi.” She paused, blushing a little. “And I also said that I wanted you to be with Naomi and not with Irene.”
Caleb frowned. This is not good. “What did Naomi say?”
“She kind of looked sad,” Susie said.
Caleb stood and placed the drill on the bureau while he considered Susie’s story. It didn’t make sense. Was Naomi upset that Caleb might be working with Hezekiah? But why would that upset her —unless it had something to do with Irene? Was she jealous of Irene? Did she feel the same strong attraction to Caleb that he felt for her? If so, then being jealous of Irene might make sense —except that nothing was going on between him and Irene.
“Oh, there you are,” Sadie said, stepping into the room. “The girls are cleaning up the kitchen, Susie.” Her eyes moved to the bureau. “What’s that?”
“It’s a Christmas gift from a friend,” Caleb said, lifting up the drill and stepping toward the door. “Susan, please go down and help your cousins in the kitchen.”
“Okay.” Susie hopped down from the bed and skipped out of the room.
“What is it?” Sadie asked, her nose scrunched as she studied the drill.
“It’s an antique drill,” he said, holding the note from Naomi in his hand. He stuck it in his pocket for safe keeping.
“Oh.” She smiled and clasped her hands together. “I saw you talking to Hezekiah and Irene. Have you decided to go into business with him?”
Caleb frowned. “No, I haven’t. I’ve already told you what my plans are, and I need you to respect them. I’m tired of repeating myself over and over again, Sadie.”
She blanched. “Well, it was gut to see you talking to Irene again. I think she would be a good maedel for you. I think she likes you.”
He ran a hand down his chin and considered his response as his blood boiled with frustration. “I don’t know how else to say this to you since you refuse to listen. Therefore, I’m going to say it the only way I know how. Sadie, I need you to mind your own business. I’m going to make the best decisions I can make for my dochder and me, and I need you to worry about your own family.”
She winced. “Caleb, I only want what’s best for you. It’s my job to watch out for you since Mamm and Dat are gone.”
He shook his head. “I’m a grown man, Sadie. Let me live my life the way I choose to live it.” He held up the drill. “This gift is from a very special friend.”
She raised her eyebrows, looking curious. “Who is this special friend?”
“Naomi King,” he said with a smile. “That’s who I —”
“Caleb!” A voice shouted from downstairs. “Caleb, come quick!”
Dropping the drill on the bed, Caleb rushed down the stairs, taking them two at a time, to where Robert stood next to Elam and Titus King, who were both frowning while holding their snowy hats.
“Was iss letz?” Caleb asked, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked between Elam and Robert.
“Naomi’s missing,” Elam said.
“What?” Caleb asked. “What do you mean?”
“She never made it home.” Titus shook his head. “Lilly told Elam that Naomi didn’t feel well and walked home alone, but she wasn’t there when we arrived. We’ve searched our road and the surrounding area, but we haven’t seen any sign of her.”
“We need to look for her,” Robert said, grabbing his coat from the peg by the door. “I’ll get my horse hitched to my buggy.”
“What’s going on?” Sadie asked.
“Naomi’s missing,” Caleb said, putting on his hat and gloves. “We’re going to go look for her.” He grabbed a flashlight from the table by the door.
Sadie gasped. “Oh, no.”
Caleb followed Elam and Robert to the door. He turned around one last time and faced Sadie. “Tell Susie I’ll be home soon.”
CHAPTER 15
Which way do you think she went?” Caleb asked Elam as they stood by Elam’s buggy in the driveway. The snow blew so hard that Caleb shivered and wiped the flakes from his face.
Elam shook his head. “I don’t know. I thought she would’ve taken the main roads, but maybe she didn’t.”
Caleb turned in the direction of the pasture and remembered how he’d stood on the porch the night before and thought about how he could walk to her house. “Maybe
she thought she’d take a shortcut?”
“Maybe,” Elam said.
“I’ll walk around the pasture, and you two go in the buggy and check the main roads again,” Caleb said, holding up the flashlight, which gave a soft yellow glow reflecting off the snow. “Tell Robert to take his buggy further up the road past your house in case she made a wrong turn.”
“Sounds gut.” Titus walked up to them. “I remember one time when Naomi was a teenager, she was out in a blizzard getting medicine and the buggy broke down not far from here. One of the wheels came clear off the hub.” He gestured in the direction of the pasture. “She walked home and she may have gone through this pasture.”
“Oh no,” Caleb said. “She’s done this before?”
Titus nodded. “Ya. She made it home okay that time, but I’m not certain the wind was blowing like it is tonight.”
Caleb shook his head as dread pooled in his gut. “I pray she’s not hurt.”
“I know.” Titus looked grim. “Maybe you can find her footprints in the snow. Be careful.”
“You too.” Caleb set out across the pasture, his boots crunching as he trudged through the deep snow. He silently sent up prayers, begging God to lead him to Naomi. He hoped and prayed she was okay.
While he walked, he thought about her note in his pocket. Naomi had to be okay. They could have a future together, as a family, with Susie.
He couldn’t imagine losing her. He’d just met her, and she already meant so much to him.
Losing another person he cared about would simply be too much …
As he moved through the snow, he lost his footing and nearly slipped. He righted himself again and then moved forward.
As he crossed the pasture the visibility worsened, and he couldn’t see the house behind him or the fence in front of him. Lifting the flashlight, he searched the surrounding snow, looking for footprints. He thought again of Titus’s story about Naomi walking home in a blizzard and he wondered if she’d taken this path. Was that why she thought she could make it home alone in this fierce storm?
Caleb spotted faint tracks that he thought might be her footprints, and he followed them, moving slowly despite the frigid wind. “Naomi?” he called. “Naomi, are you out there?”
He trudged forward, following the tracks and shouting her name. Holding the flashlight up higher, he silently begged God to lead him to her. He needed to find her. He needed her in his life. Caleb continued on, marching through the snow and praying while he moved the flashlight back and forth and searched for any sign of her.
Suddenly, off in the distance, he thought he spotted something in the snow. Tenting his hand over his eyes, he tried to focus his eyes against the blowing flakes. The object looked like a black blanket peppered with snow.
Could that be her cloak?
His heart pounded against his rib cage as he quickened his steps.
“Naomi!” he shouted. “Naomi! Are you there?” As he approached, the black blanket came into view, resembling a person lying in the snow.
“Naomi?” he called, nearly running through the snow. “Is that you, Naomi?”
His heart beat faster when she didn’t respond. Anxiety shot through him. She’s hurt!
Caleb broke into a run, slipping and sliding over to the person. “Naomi?” he called. “Is that you?”
He found Naomi lying on her back with her eyes closed. Her cheeks were bright red, and her lips were a light shade of blue.
“Oh no,” he moaned, praying softly. “Lord, please don’t let it be too late. Don’t take her from me now. Please, don’t!”
Placing the flashlight in the snow, he pulled her into his arms. “Naomi. Please answer me.” When she didn’t respond, panic gripped him, stealing his words for a moment. “I can’t lose you, Naomi. Please answer me. Please, Naomi. I need you. Susie and I both need you.” He sucked in a breath and silently prayed with all of the emotional strength he had left in him.
She moaned and stirred, causing him to release the breath he’d been holding.
“You hear me,” he said. “It’s okay if you can’t answer. I’m going to get you home, and I’m going to take care of you.” He liked the sound of that. He wanted to take care of her on a more permanent basis starting right now.
Slowly, he grabbed the flashlight and then lifted her into his arms. He heard the hum of a car and the clip-clop of hooves in the distance and he knew that he would locate the road if he followed those sounds.
Holding Naomi close to his chest, Caleb managed to balance the flashlight in one of his hands. In a hurry to get her to safety, he moved as quickly as he could while trying his best to not lose his footing in the snow. He slipped twice and slowed his pace down slightly.
He marched through the snow, praying that he would find his way to the road and Naomi would be okay. The sounds of the cars and hooves grew louder, and he knew he was heading in the right direction.
“We’re almost there, Naomi,” he said. “I can hear road noise up ahead of us.” When she stirred again, he hoped she’d answer him. “Naomi? Are you awake? You’re going to be just fine. I promise I’ll take gut care of you.”
“Caleb?” she asked, her voice tired and hoarse. “Caleb?” She looked up at him. “Where am I?”
“I found you in the pasture,” he said, still trudging through the snow. “I’m so thankful I located you in this horrendous storm. Are you hurt?”
“Ya. I think so.” She sucked in a deep breath with her face red and tears spilling from her brown eyes. “It’s my ankle. I fell, and it twisted. It hurts so much.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he relished the feeling of holding her so close.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “We’re almost there. I promise I’ll get you home safe.”
“Danki.” She rested her head on his shoulder.
Caleb felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He was thankful that she was awake and talking. Now he just had to get her home into the warmth and then have someone look at her ankle. She was lucky that only her ankle was hurt. A twinge of frustration nipped at him as he considered how much worse this situation could’ve turned out.
“What were you thinking trying to walk home alone in these conditions?” he asked.
“I thought I’d be okay,” she said, holding tight to his neck. “I thought I could find my way. I’ve done it once before, and I found my house despite the snow.”
“I don’t think that would be possible in this blizzard.” He spotted the fence in front of them. Relief flooded him. If they were close to the fence that meant they were almost to the road! “You’re lucky I found you. You could’ve been out there all night and wound up with pneumonia or worse.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh. “It wasn’t very smart.”
Although the questions of why she left were still haunting him, Caleb carried her in silence while he concentrated on balancing her and the flashlight in his arms and continuing their trek through the blowing snow. She shivered against him, and he wished he had a blanket to shield her against the frigid weather.
When he stepped onto the road he spotted a buggy bouncing toward them with lanterns blazing like a beacon. “I hope this is Elam,” he said, picking up his pace.
The buggy approached, and Titus jumped out. “Naomi!” he called. “You found her!” He trotted over and took Naomi from his arms. “What were you thinking, dochder? You scared us to death.”
“I’m sorry, Dat,” she said, her voice breaking into a sob.
Caleb hugged his arms to his chest. He could only imagine the fear Titus and Irma had felt for their daughter. He’d felt the same terror when he thought he’d lost Susie at the farmers market.
Titus looked at Caleb. “Danki.”
Caleb nodded. “Gern gschehne.”
Titus looked down at Naomi. “Let’s get you home where it’s warm and dry.”
Caleb sat in Naomi’s family room while he awaited the news on her injuries. Titus had carried her into her bedroom where her mother
was going to examine her ankle and help her change into dry clothes. He’d spent the time drinking cocoa and talking with her siblings, but his mind had been focused on her, worrying and thinking of what he’d say when he finally got to talk to her again.
“Caleb,” Irma called. “Naomi would like to see you.”
He made his way to the bedroom located behind the kitchen and stood in the doorway.
Naomi gave a forced smile while she lay propped up on the bed with pillows. A quilt covered the length of her, and only her foot, wrapped in bandages, and the white sleeves of her nightgown were visible. Her cheeks and nose were still pink from the cold. She sipped from a mug of cocoa and then motioned for him to come in.
“I’ll be right outside the door,” Irma said as she stepped past Caleb.
“How are you feeling?” Caleb asked, moving to the end of the bed.
“I’ve been better,” Naomi said. “The gut news is it’s not broken.” She nodded toward her foot. “It’s a few pretty shades of red, but my mamm thinks it’s just a real bad sprain. I was really cold, but there’s no sign of frostbite. Cocoa helped warm me up right away.”
“You’re very lucky,” Caleb said, sinking into a chair. “Everyone was worried about you. Robert was out looking in his buggy too. I’m glad I found you.”
“I am too.” She nodded. “Danki.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiled and then wagged a finger at her with feigned anger. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again.”
She laughed, revealing her adorable dimple. “I’ll try not to.”
“Now, tell me,” he began, leaning against the bedpost, “why did you rush out of the party after you gave Susie her gifts?” He was certain her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink.
“I didn’t feel well,” she said, fingering the ties on her prayer covering.
He raised an eyebrow with disbelief. “Then why didn’t you ask Elam or me to take you home?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t want to take anyone away from the party.”
He snorted. “I would’ve been froh for you to steal me away from Hezekiah Wagler. That man held me captive with his boring stories for hours.”