The Drifter (Amish Country Brides)

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  He did as instructed.

  She hurried to her bedroom closet and pulled out two pairs of Andy’s work trousers. She remembered lovingly sewing each one for her beloved. They’d lasted several years and were still in good condition.

  She brought the trousers into the dining room and handed them to Josiah. “The bathroom is the second door on the right. I keep a lantern on the counter in there.”

  “Thank you.” He held the pants up. “These look about right.”

  As he disappeared behind the bathroom door, she pulled out the brownies she’d made earlier in the day. She’d planned on having them for dessert tonight with the kinner. Since they’d been invited to take supper at the Eichers’ place, her plans had changed. She placed two on a plate and set it on the table where Josiah had been sitting. They would go perfectly with the coffee.

  “How do I look?” Josiah walked into the kitchen wearing Andy’s trousers. He turned in a complete circle.

  She hadn’t expected him to come out and show her. But now that he did… “They look gut.” Her cheeks heated. Jah, she really should not be examining how this man’s pants fit him.

  “The suspenders fit perfectly. And with boots on, the legs should be fine too. I think your husband might have been just a little bit taller than me.”

  Right. The suspenders. “Great.” But the Amish attire looked ridiculous against his short-sleeved shirt. “Do you, uh, need a couple of work shirts?”

  “Oh, that might be good. If you think your husband and I were about the same size.”

  “They should work.” She nodded and hurried back to the bedroom. She returned and handed him two shirts.

  “Thanks.” He lowered the suspenders and peeled off his shirt. She’d expected him to go back into the bathroom, not change right there in front of her!

  “Ach!” She spun around quicker that a fox being chased by a coon dog. Wouldn’t it be something if the deacon or ministers or bishop happened to be walking by and haphazardly peeked into her window? Or worse yet, Fannie Mae, the one no one dared tell their secrets to.

  “I’m sorry.” He chuckled. “I’m just so used to…well…I go to the beach often.”

  Apparently shirtless, judging by his tanned torso. Not that she’d been looking.

  “I didn’t even think.”

  That was quite all right, because she was thinking enough for the both of them. Oh my. She didn’t dare share this episode with Miriam.

  “I…uh…the coffee’s ready.” Like she needed something that would raise her temperature even more. Ice cubes. She’d drop ice cubes into hers.

  “Ooh…and are those brownies?”

  She nodded, placing the kettle onto the table beside instant coffee and tea bags.

  “You can look at me now.” He chuckled.

  “Are you sure?” She tamped down a smile, handing him one of the mugs.

  He laughed now. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable. Will you…join me?”

  “Jah.”

  “Thank you again for the use of your husband’s clothes.”

  Ach, she’d forgotten! “Do you need a hat too?”

  “I wouldn’t want to—”

  “It’s okay. He had several.” As a matter of fact, he’d just purchased a new one the week before his death. The thought grieved her only a little bit now compared to the first few months after his passing.

  “I appreciate it. Really.” He reached for a brownie. “This is delicious.”

  She shrugged. “I can’t take credit. It’s from a box.”

  “I won’t tell if you won’t.” He winked.

  She needed to change the subject. “When do you plan to see your dochder?”

  “Tomorrow, if all goes well.” He grimaced.

  “So, you…have you seen her before?”

  “Once. She was about five or maybe six then.”

  “Oh, wow.”

  “Yeah. I just hope it goes well.”

  “What made you decide to come visit her?”

  “She sent me a letter. She wants to meet me.”

  “Well, that’s a gut sign. Right?”

  “The thing is, I don’t know if her parents know if I’m coming or not.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yeah, I guess she stumbled upon an old letter that I’d written to her mother. It’s kind of a long story. But to sum it up, her mother is married to my former best friend.”

  “Oh. I can see now why you said it was complicated.” She frowned. “I’m trying to piece it all together in my mind. Okay, so you and your daughter’s mom had a relationship and then she made off with your best friend?”

  “No. It wasn’t like that at all. He didn’t come into the picture until later. They met when Bailey was five.”

  “Bailey?”

  “Ach, I probably shouldn’t have let her name slip.”

  “You don’t mean Bailey Miller, do you? Silas and Kayla’s daughter?”

  He grimaced.

  “Bailey is your dochder? You’re her father?”

  He nodded and blew out a breath. “I am.”

  “But I thought…I thought her biological father was dead. And you are very obviously alive.”

  “I am.”

  “And Bailey’s parents, Silas and Kayla, they know this?”

  “That I’m alive? Yeah.”

  She massaged her temples. This was confusing. “I don’t understand.”

  “Let’s just say I’ve done a lot of things in my past that I’m not proud of. It’s my own fault that Bailey grew up thinking I was dead.”

  “How could you…why would you want your dochder, or anyone, to think that you’re dead?”

  “I was young and dumb and very immature.”

  “But if Silas and Kayla knew…I think I’m missing a few pieces to this puzzle.”

  “Remember I told you that I saw Bailey when she was little? Well, that was when Silas realized that I was actually alive. He and Kayla were already married. But I’d wanted to see her, my daughter, at least once.” He sighed heavily. “Kayla and Silas were about to get married when I discovered that we had a daughter together.”

  “So you never knew?”

  “Until then, no.”

  “Why didn’t she tell you?”

  “She didn’t have a way to get ahold of me. She hadn’t even known I was Amish when we met. I felt like I couldn’t give her my contact information because then my folks would find out that I had an Englisch girl. And I was likely going to leave the Amish.” He shook his head. “Like I said. I was young and dumb.”

  “So you basically abandoned Bailey and Kayla?”

  “I left that decision to Kayla. When I found out we had a kid together, I told her I would be willing to help her raise it. But they were nearly married. I can understand why she chose Silas. I wasn’t there for her. He was, and she’d already fallen in love with him.”

  “How sad.” Tears pricked her eyes.

  “Yeah, so I basically disappeared again. But then, when this letter from Bailey came. I don’t know. Maybe it’s a second chance for me.”

  “That’s quite a story.”

  “Now, I’m just trying to make up for all the stupid selfish things I’ve done in my life. I’m starting with my daughter.”

  “I can’t imagine what you’re feeling, Josiah.”

  “Thank you for listening. I don’t even think Michael knows all that yet. If you could keep it between us until I figure things out…”

  “Okay, jah.” It would be difficult not telling Miriam. They were best friends. They told each other everything. And she’d try to pry it out of her. “If you want to talk or anything…after you go see Bailey…”

  “I might take you up on that. Especially if you have more brownies.” He winked, then stood from the table. “I should probably scoot.”

  “Let me get that hat for you.” As he walked toward the door, she jogged to the bedroom and retrieved Andy’s straw work hat.

  “Thank you, Nora.�
�� His eyes locked on hers. “I’ve enjoyed this evening with you. Very much.”

  She let her gaze fall to the floor. “Me too.”

  He lifted his hand, then slid the back of his fingers over her cheek. Would it be wrong to close her eyes and lean into his touch? “Goodnight,” his voice escaped as a husky whisper.

  Her heartrate increased as she stepped outside and watched him walk through the darkness to the buggy. He waved with a smile as he set off down her driveway.

  A breeze picked up, blowing her kapp strings. Like a kiss from Gott.

  She wouldn’t have imagined today if she’d dreamed a thousand dreams. She lifted her face, delighting in the cool air.

  “What are your plans, Gott?” She whispered on the wind.

  ELEVEN

  “Well, I reckon you two are probably wantin’ to chit chat.” Sammy stood from the table and drained his coffee cup before putting it in the sink. “I’ll be out on the porch swing with the Good Lord until you’re ready to work.”

  “Thanks, Dawdi.” Michael chuckled as his grandfather walked out of the kitchen with his Bible under his arm.

  “Is he always this spry at four AM?” Josiah yawned, then sipped his coffee.

  Michael smiled. “Pretty much. I take it you don’t wake up at four in the city.”

  Josiah nearly laughed out loud. “Six is early enough to take care of my morning tasks and get to work on time.”

  “Must be nice.”

  “Ah…I kind of miss this.”

  “Really?” Sarcasm laced his tone. “Alright, what happened last night? You were gone for like two hours.”

  “It wasn’t that long.”

  Michael eyed him with a smirk. “You like her, don’t you?”

  “Who, Miri?”

  Michael wadded up a paper towel and threw it at him. “No, not my fraa. At least, you better not. And you know exactly who I’m referring to.”

  Josiah blew out a resigned breath. “Yes, I like her. A lot.”

  “Did you kiss her?”

  Now it was Josiah’s turn to throw the paper towel back at his friend. “No, of course, not.”

  “I would have.”

  “Does your fraa know this?” Josiah chuckled.

  “I would if I were you.”

  “Yeah, well, at one point in time, you would have done a lot more than that.”

  Michael grimaced. “I wish I could erase that part of my life.”

  “We all have a past we wish we could erase.” He shook his head. “I take that back. I bet Silas doesn’t. He’s as straight-laced as a pair of boots.”

  Michael’s brow shot up. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. What do you have against Silas?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Doesn’t sound like nothing.”

  “You know that one person who has a perfect life?”

  “Silas’s life is far from perfect. It sounds like there might be a little jealousy going on there.”

  “That might not be too far from the truth.”

  “Why?”

  “You know.”

  “What? Because he married Kayla? He raised your daughter? I’d think you’d be happy about that. Or, at least thankful.”

  “Kayla chose him over me. And she had my daughter.” He swallowed down his emotion.

  “Ah, so that’s what this is about.” Michael nodded. “I see.”

  “I’m such an idiot.”

  “Hey, man, I’ve been there. Trust me on that. You’re looking at the King of Idiocy right here.” He aimed both of his pointing fingers at himself.

  “I’m serious.”

  “So am I. But I discovered something, Joe. God couldn’t help me until I got to that point in my life. And then, when I finally surrendered, my life totally changed. It was hard, man. Really hard. But I’m so glad I got to that point. Because if I hadn’t, I’d still be an idiot. A fool.”

  “Look at us here. Just a couple of idiots sitting around drinking coffee.” Josiah started laughing, then Mike joined in.

  “Hey, what’s the use if you can’t laugh at yourself once in a while?” Michael covered his mouth. “Shh…we better shush before we wake up the kinner. Miri needs her sleep.”

  “What? You got another bun in the oven?”

  Michael raised his eyebrows twice and grinned.

  “Stud.” Josiah chuckled.

  “Don’t I know it?” He flexed his muscles and they both burst into laughter again.

  Michael suddenly stopped laughing. His eyes bored into Josiah’s. “Seriously, Joe. Give it to God. He’ll change your life.”

  ~

  Shivers ran up and down Bailey’s arms. Today had to be the day. She knew it. She could feel it. She didn’t know how or why, but she was sure and certain she’d get to meet her father today. She felt giddy from head-to-toe. Like she could run outside into the middle of the road and turn cartwheels.

  She frowned. No, an Amish girl turning cartwheels in the middle of the road would not go over well with the leaders. But she felt like it anyhow. Would she do it if she was Englisch? What an absurd thought! But most of her thoughts had been that way lately, it seemed.

  Jah, her father had to be coming today!

  She stared at the clock. Eight fifteen. Ugh. Could this hour go by any slower?

  The door jingled and she gasped.

  “It’s just me!” Aendi Jenny called out. “Will you get the rest of the baked goods from the buggy?”

  “Sure.” Anything to keep her mind occupied. She just hoped her aunt didn’t plan on staying long. It wouldn’t do to have her father show up while Aenti Jenny was here. She hurried out to the buggy and carried two trays inside. “Goodness, Aenti Jenny! Are you hoping for a rush today? I don’t know if we’ll sell all this.”

  Her aunt giggled. “Oh, I know. I couldn’t help myself. I just got in a baking mood.” She rubbed her hand over her large belly. “Must be this boppli coming soon. I always get this way when it’s close to my time. And it’s better to have it here than at home where your Onkel Paul will be stealing bites. Goodness, he’s gained twenty pounds since we got married.”

  “That doesn’t sound too bad. Haven’t you been married seven years now?” She began helping her aunt arrange the baked goods in the glass display cases. The sooner they could get this done, the sooner her aunt would leave the store. In theory, anyway.

  “That’s no excuse. But he’s still handsome as ever.”

  She’d always thought her aunt and uncle made a cute couple. And her nieces and nephews were adorable. She wondered if this next boppli was a boy or a girl.

  A bright flash reflected through the window. That seem to happen every time a vehicle pulled up and the sun was in a certain place. The fancy sportscar rolled to a stop.

  It had to be her father! But Aenti Jenny was still here. She glanced at the clock. Nine o’clock already? How did that happen so fast? Yep, it was him. It had to be.

  Okay. Just keep calm. Don’t do anything foolish.

  The door opened.

  Ach, he was still as handsome as he’d been in the photos. Their eyes connected, then she glanced toward her aunt. He took the hint and nodded.

  “We have a customer,” she called to her aunt. “I can help him.”

  Her aunt seemed to pay no mind to him. And why would she? To her, he was just another Englisch customer.

  “May I help you?” She stood behind the cash register.

  “Yeah.” His smile widened as they stared at each other, as though they shared a special secret between the two of them. But they did share a secret. And her aunt was oblivious to it. “I’ve heard this place has the best pot pies and cinnamon rolls in the area. Is that true?”

  “That’s what some have said.” Bailey couldn’t seem to wipe the smile off her face. She was having a conversation with her real live father!

  “And where may I get some of these?” His voice was calm and gentle. Just how she’d expect her father’s voice to be.

  “My aunt Jenny
can help you.” Bailey gestured to the case her aunt was standing next to. Bailey couldn’t get by if she tried. Not with her aunt’s oversized midsection.

  “Yes. I just brought them. They are fresh as fresh can be. Bailey and I placed them on the shelf not five minutes before you arrived.” She placed her hand to her back. “How many would you like?”

  “Let me get two of each, please.”

  Her aunt handed the items to her and she bagged them up for him. “Anything else?”

  “That should do.” He handed over the money after she’d given him the total. He moved his head ever so slightly to the side, indicating he wished to speak with her outside.

  “Uh, Aenti Jenny. Will you keep an eye out for a minute? I need to go water the hanging flowers outside.”

  “Sure.” Her aunt smiled.

  Bailey held the door open for their customer, then followed him out with the water can in her hand.

  “Bailey?”

  “Jah.” Her grin broadened. “I didn’t know my aunt would show up. She usually comes earlier.”

  “I’d like to take you for ice cream. Is that a possibility?”

  She filled the watering can with the hose, then began removing the hanging flower pots. “Um…jah. How about…can you meet me at the corner across the street from the stop sign down yonder at seven thirty tonight?” She pointed in the direction she was referring to.

  “Sure thing, kid.” He winked.

  She planted her hand on her hip. “I’m hardly a kid anymore. I’m seventeen, you know.”

  “Forgive me. Young lady.” He chuckled. “So much like your mother. I can see where you get your attitude from.”

  She began watering each of the plants. “Don’t be late.”

  “Oh, I won’t unless something happens. I better get out of here before your aunt gets suspicious and comes out.”

  “Okay, then.” Her smile dimmed a little. “Goodbye.” Dad.

  She watched as he slid into his fancy sportscar with his baked goods, then frowned as he drove away. It hadn’t lasted long enough. They hadn’t even had a chance to connect. But maybe they would tonight as they ate ice cream together.

  TWELVE