As Hiram and Nettie slowly made their way inside the house, Rachel looked up, flashed another smile, and waved her hand for Levi to go inside with her.
“Kume, everyone is hungry.”
Everyone?
Levi looked behind him at the line of buggies filling the yard. Why hadn’t he seen them before? Her entire extended family must be here for the meal. How many were there? Would he be able to get lost in the mix, or would he stand out as the one who didn’t belong? Was it too late to back out?
Rachel seemed to sense his hesitation. “You will fit in with us just fine. We are easy to get along with. Just be yourself.”
That’s the last thing I can be.
He was having a tough enough time walking in there as Levi Schrock, but he could never walk in there as Blake Monroe. They would never accept him. He was not like them. He didn’t have the support of a family to build him up. He only had Bruce, who took every opportunity to tear him down to his level. It was best if these people never saw who Blake Monroe really was—especially Rachel.
Her smile could melt all the ugliness off him. All the lies, the petty crimes and the deceit. All of it washed away from his thoughts with one smile from her. In her presence, he felt the courage to be something better than he’d been his entire life. The man he was raised to be was not the man he wished to be. He wanted to be a man of honor—a man worthy of Rachel’s love. But she did not know the real him, and if he could help it, she never would. If she did, she would surely turn her back on him.
Levi hesitated. “That’s a lot of folks to meet all at once. I’m not sure I can go in there.”
Rachel hooked her arm in his, sending shivers through him.
“Mei familye will be gut to you.”
Levi swallowed a lump in his throat. “They already have. I don’t deserve to be accepted like I’m a member of your family. I don’t belong here.”
He was practically blowing his cover, but his conscience would not allow him to deceive Hiram or Rachel anymore. In the week since he’d arrived, he’d felt more love and acceptance than he’d had his entire life. It was not something he’d earned, and he’d had a sudden revelation that maybe it was time to come clean with the truth.
Chapter 12
The screen door squeaked open and out came a woman who was slightly older than Rachel. She and Rachel had the same kind eyes, but there was something even more familiar in the way she looked. Levi thought she looked a little like him.
“There you are. Mamm is looking for you.”
Rachel smiled at the woman. “Abby, this is Levi. He’s the one I told you about. He’s visiting from Ohio, near where you grew up.”
So this was his cousin. No wonder she looked like him. Did either of them see the resemblance?
Levi managed a nervous smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Rachel turned to her sister. “I’ll go see what mamm wants. Will you please convince Levi to go inside? He’s nervous about being around everyone.”
Abby sat in one of the rocking chairs on the porch and invited Levi to take the rocker next to hers.
“No one in there is going to bite you! Surely you’re used to being around a lot of familye.”
“N-nee. My d-daed and I live in town and we don’t see many others. We don’t even have a buggy.”
Levi tried to calm himself, hoping she wouldn’t notice him stumbling over the Amish words.
“A big familye is nothing to be afraid of. In fact, sometimes there are so many of them you get lost and no one knows you’re there unless you talk to them. Your daed is in Ohio alone?”
“J-jah. He hasn’t been able to work for many years. He hurt his back. We’ve lived in town in a little rental house most of my life. I’ll be sending most of my wages to him each week so he can pay the rent.”
“Do you get help from the community?”
Levi thought about the things Bruce often borrowed from others in town. “Jah, sometimes.”
Levi tried to change the subject. “Rachel tells me you lived in Barlow.”
“Jah. Is that where you’re from?”
“I live in Newport, along the Ohio River.”
Abby wasn’t sure what to think of him. “That’s a long way to travel to look for work.”
“I saw the advertisement in The Budget.”
Bruce had told him to look in the paper on the off-chance that there was a Help Wanted section, and to his surprise, this opportunity seemed to fall right into their laps.
Abby wasn’t certain what it was about Levi, but she didn’t trust him. “Normally Englischers answer those advertisements.”
Levi smiled nervously. “The only Englischer I’m familiar with in those parts is Eddie Monroe.”
Abby nearly choked on her own spit.
“He’s famous in that area. There’s claims that he buried a million dollars near the Ohio River. A lot of people have tried to find the money, but rumor has it he left a map to his only child.”
Abby could feel the blood draining from her face. She was Eddie Monroe’s only child—at least that’s what she thought. But she didn’t have any map leading her to a million dollars.
Levi hadn’t missed the ashen look that crossed Abby’s face at the mention of the map. Did she have it? Would she tell him even if she did?
“I’ve never heard such a tale. I lived there until I was ten years old and then again for a short time before I got married. I never once heard anything about that.”
Levi smirked knowingly. “Maybe living in town has its advantages. You might not have heard it if you lived in the community away from the talk around town.”
Abby shook her head. “Nee, I lived in town. I worked at The Brick Oven bakery. Surely I would have heard such a tale from one of the customers there. That’s quite a wild notion. A million dollars is a lot of money. Why would the man have hidden the money instead of giving it to his daughter?”
Abby knew better than to open old wounds, but her curiosity was too strong to ignore.
Levi looked off in the distance somewhere in the yard, and focused on the line of family buggies that reminded him of why he was here. “They say he died just after he stole the money. And no one knows where his daughter is.”
Abby gasped.
Eddie stole a million dollars and left her a map? Eddie’s sister knew where she was. Her aenti had given her a book, The Velveteen Rabbit, that Eddie had with him the day he died. She’d received no map, and neither had her mother. The day he died they set in motion their plan to move back to the Amish community. Neither of them had attended Eddie’s funeral. If anyone would know about the map, it would be his sister, wouldn’t she? That is, if such a map even existed.
Abby giggled nervously. “That’s quite a wild story you tell. Sorry I can’t help you. I’d never heard such a wild tale before. I’d have remembered it if I’d heard something that outrageous.”
Levi wondered why she was rambling. Did she know something? It was obvious by her tone and the way she fidgeted in her chair that she knew something. Would he get another chance to talk to her in order to gain her trust? Opportunities did not come along this easily. He figured he better take advantage of the fact she was talking and the conversation was already open to the subject. He needed information, and he needed it fast or he couldn’t trust Bruce not to take matters into his own hands. He feared a visit from his dad. Bruce would force him to point out where Abby lived so he could search her house. He didn’t trust the man not to hurt anyone that got in his way. The way he saw it, he had two choices. Press her for information and cause her to become suspicious; or he could let the matter drop and take his chances with Bruce.
Chapter 13
It was Rachel who made the decision for him when she poked her head out the screen door. “Are the two of you going to sit out here and gossip all night, or are you going to come in and join the familye for the meal?”
Her presence seemed to startle Abby, who hadn’t said a word for several minutes. She s
tood up after shaking her head and walked into the house without saying a word.
Rachel turned to Levi. “What did you say to her? She seems a little rattled.”
Levi wasn’t sure if he should answer, but he knew she would probably find out anyway. Sisters confide in each other, don’t they?
“I was telling her a story about a man and his stolen million dollars, and the map he left to his daughter. The guy is famous where I live. People are always caught digging around the Ohio River near my home and they get arrested for looking for the money. It’s been hidden away almost as long as I’ve been alive, and not even the police can find it. Rumors have it that the money never existed, but that doesn’t stop people from trying to find it.”
Rachel leered at him. “Have you looked for the money?”
Levi wasn’t expecting that question, and it caused his heart to thump.
“Of course not. I don’t want that money, or anything it represents. It’s stolen.”
That part was now true. He knew how much that money had changed Bruce, and how bitter it had made him that his own brother had not told him where he hid the money before he died. That money was stolen and had been a source of pain throughout nearly his entire life. He no longer wanted anything to do with that money, even if it meant he would be poor his entire adulthood. He would not accept stolen money from Bruce, and he would never steal for him again. Since he’d been on the Miller farm, he’d learned the value of a hard day’s work, and the wages he earned made him proud. Being here made him realize that he didn’t need money or material possessions to be happy.
Rachel smiled and took his hand, leading him inside the house. Levi’s heart did a somersault. Having her hand in his was all the confirmation he needed that it was time to turn his life around. Suddenly, he no longer cared about getting information out of Abby about the money. If he had anything to do with it, he would make sure Bruce would never lay eyes on that money. If he did manage to find the map, Bruce would have to get it without him.
Lord help me, I think I’m falling in love with Rachel.
****
Dinner went better than Levi could have hoped for. Aside from a few odd looks from Hiram, Levi felt very comfortable with the extended family. They accepted him, and it felt good to be accepted for a change. He’d spent most of his life on the outside looking in at other families, and even envying them. But now, he almost felt like a part of this family. He listened to one story after another of good times they’d all shared, and he didn’t feel left out even once. At the conclusion of the meal, the men went out into the barn while the women cleaned up the dishes. The men talked about their crops and horses and the proper style of suspender the Bishop had approved. Levi had never been happier to talk about so much nothing in all his life.
****
When they returned to the Miller farm, Levi rushed to complete the evening chores so he could sneak out and meet up with Rachel. She had asked him if he would meet her at the end of the dock at the B&B, which was the halfway point between them. Levi knew from staying at the Schrock farm that the youth of the community would often sneak out late at night to meet with a potential crush. He was certainly hoping that Rachel’s invitation meant she was interested in him. If not, he still intended to enjoy her company.
The crickets disguised his footfalls as he neared the dock where Rachel was waiting for him. The warm summer breeze ruffled little wisps of her hair that had come out of her kapp. He walked slowly to the end of the dock, not wanting to disturb her. His hands felt sweaty, and he mentally reminded himself to stay calm. He’d never really had time to consider dating before, especially since he had to drop out of school to take care of Bruce.
Rachel turned around, her face looking lovely with the pale moonlight shimmering against her dainty features. Levi didn’t think he had ever seen a more lovely young woman than Rachel. She smiled briefly and invited him to sit next to her on the end of the dock.
Rachel let her bare feet swish and splash in the pond water. “You can take your shoes off and join me if you’d like.”
Levi hoped his feet smelled okay as he started to remove his boots. Just in case, he plunked his bare feet into the water just as soon as the socks came off.
“Ahhh. The cool water feels good on such a warm night.”
“Whatever you said to mei schweschder, Abby, really upset her. She pulled me aside after dinner and told me to stay away from you.”
Levi’s heart felt like it skipped a beat or two. “I didn’t mean to upset her. I was just making conversation. I guess I should know better than to repeat gossip. Tell her I’m sorry.”
Levi seriously regretted every word. Talk like that could blow his cover. But what did he really need his disguise for anymore? Would Hiram keep him on as a farm hand the way the Schrock’s had? Probably not once he learned of Levi’s deceit. What could he do? There was no taking it back now. He worried he would probably be asked to leave, and that was the last thing he wanted.
Rachel nudged him with her elbow and smiled.
“I’ll tell her. But for the record, I have no intention of taking her advice where you’re concerned.”
Levi smiled. He would have never thought that sitting on the end of a dock with his feet dangling in the water and staring at a pretty girl could make him feel so happy.
Chapter 14
Rachel tossed about trying to sleep, but all she could do was think of Levi. She would have to be up in just a few short hours to open the bakery, but none of that mattered at the moment. She’d had to sneak into the haus after spending a little too much time out on the dock talking with Levi. She was certain that Rose and Noah had seen them out on the dock from across the pond at his haus, but she knew her friend would keep her secret.
As the night wore on, she’d hoped Levi might try to kiss her at the conclusion of their time together, but much to her disappointment, he hadn’t.
From the way he’d spoken, she’d gathered he and his daed had not spent much time if any at all in their own community. She didn’t blame him for the lack of knowledge about farming. From what she understood, the only time he’d spent on a farm and doing chores had been sparse visits with his cousin. He’d even admitted to her that the only times he’d gone to Sunday services at the church was with his cousin the previous summer. He’d confided in her that it had sparked an interest in knowing Gott more closely.
Rachel rolled over and stared out her window at the moon. It had seemed almost magical sitting under the moonlight with Levi. The thought of it made her giddy. Was it possible that she was falling in lieb with Levi? Certainly Abby would scold her for thinking such things. After all, she barely knew him. What she had learned about him as they’d conversed on the dock late last night had made her feel a lot of compassion for him. It seemed he’d led a pretty sheltered life away from the community and more among the Englisch. He seemed more worldly than most Amish buwes her age, but it attracted her to him even more than she was willing to admit to herself. She’d considered spending time among the Englisch the way her schweschder and her mamm had at her same age, but maybe now she wouldn’t have to. With Levi there, it seemed the Englisch had come directly to her through him.
****
Levi couldn’t sleep even though he would have to be up in a few hours to milk the cows and do the morning chores which would begin his busy day. His mind wandered to Rachel. It seemed he couldn’t keep his mind off her since he’d met her that very first time when he’d come into the bakery with Bruce. It had been Bruce’s idea to check out the community and the surrounding area. He said he needed to know where everything was—just in case. In case of what, Levi had no idea, and he wasn’t sure he even wanted to know. But he’d hoped it was for reasons of helping him to get to know everyone he needed to get information from.
Now that he had met most of Rachel’s family, he felt worse about the deception and what he was doing. If he told Rachel the truth, would she forgive him for lying to her? He needed the work, a
nd if her grandfather found out about his deception, he could be fired. Then he would have no choice but to return to a life of crime with Bruce. How could he be honest with her and still protect his own interests?
Lord, help me to be honest. Help me to give up my selfish ways and think of other’s needs instead of my own.
A peaceful calm warmed him to his very core. Was that God telling him it would work out if he told her the truth? He had to tell her. His conscience was eating away at him. She’d asked him to meet her again the following night at the dock and he would have to find a way to tell her then. In the meantime, would he be able to tell Hiram? Admittedly, he was afraid of losing his job, but not having the respect of his employer would feel worse to him.
The light on his cell phone blinked. Why was Bruce messaging him at this late hour? Levi scrolled through the twenty-plus messages that ranged from “I want an update.” to “Where are you?”, and everything in-between. The newest was a demand to answer him immediately.
Levi sent a return text asking him what the problem was. He was sure he already knew. Bruce was more than likely drunk and had decided to do some thinking before he passed out. The phone lit up indicating Bruce had answered.
Levi read the text message. “I want my money NOW!”
What could he say to defuse his drunken father, and calm him enough to keep him from coming into the community and causing trouble? Could he tell him that he spoke to Abby? Bruce was not that dumb—even when heavily intoxicated. He would want a solid answer and to know that progress was being made to locate the money he intended to claim as his own. Bruce had taught him to lie. Should he use that against the man, and lie to him now? Levi told himself that it was only to protect Rachel and her family, but even that would not make it right.
Amish Summer of Courage: Book Six Page 4