Shelter in the Storm

by Laurel Blount

  He drew in a breath and felt his tense shoulders relax slightly. Nee, life would never be normal here again, but he was thankful for the slivers of ordinary that came his way. And grateful for the person who made it possible.

  “I’d best be getting this milk strained and chilling,” Naomi said. “I’ll see you in the kitchen, ja?”

  “Hold up.” For some reason, he was reluctant to let her out of his sight. “I’ll see to the horse, and then I’ll walk with you to the house and carry that pail.” He hurried to finish unfastening the harness and led Titus into his stall.

  “I can manage.”

  “It won’t take a minute. Besides when it comes to Melvin, two are better than one. He picks off the stragglers.”

  She didn’t laugh, but he saw his reward for the joke in her gentle smile. She clasped her hands in front of her apron and stayed put, waiting for him to finish.

  He’d just started to get Titus settled in for the night when a question occurred to him. “How are you getting home, Naomi? Is Aaron driving back over?”

  “He offered, but I told him I’d walk it.”

  Joseph set the brush down. Titus had one more job to do tonight. “I’ll drive you.”

  “Oh, no! No need for that. It’s an easy walk, barely a mile, and it’s a nice, fair night. Aaron left me a flashlight, and I’ve a gut, thick shawl, so I’m all set. I’ve walked farther, lots of times, since my operation.”

  “That’s not what I’m worried about.”

  Naomi waved the argument away with one slender hand. “The reporters are gone for the night. Even if they weren’t, like I told you, I’m not scared of them. It’s no sin to the Englisch to take photos, and they don’t always understand why we don’t like it. That man was being rude, but he likely didn’t mean any real harm.”

  “Best you let me drive you,” Joseph said firmly. When she looked at him with surprise, he softened his statement by adding, “It would be a favor to me. I’ll not rest easy otherwise, worrying over you getting safe home. I’ll hitch Titus back up, and you go tell Emma to come out here if she’s something to say.”

  “Pardon my bruder, Naomi. Joseph gets bossy when he’s tired.” Emma spoke wryly from the doorway. She cast a wary glance over her shoulder as she walked into the barn. “I saw you drive up, but I couldn’t get away from the house until now.”

  “Is it Miriam?”

  “Nee, I gave her one of the pills the hospital doctor prescribed, and she’s been asleep for the past hour. I didn’t want her bothered by all the fuss about Caleb. It’s Melvin. He’s packing up to go home tomorrow, and he’s about to turn the house upside down with it. He’s asked me to ready up Daed’s and Mamm’s clothes for him to take back to Ohio with him, for himself and Nella, and now he’s down cellar picking through the preserves. Apparently, somebody told him that Mamm’s sweet pickles were very different from everybody else’s, and he thought they meant it as a compliment. He’s loading up a peach box with them.” Emma shook her head. “I suppose I should tell him differently, but I think it serves him right. I hope I’m standing right beside him the first time he tastes one.”

  Joseph shot a suspicious glance at Naomi, who returned it innocently. “I wouldn’t mind seeing the look on his face myself, but since he’s taking them to Ohio, I reckon we’ll have to hear about it in one of his letters.”

  When Emma didn’t agree, he looked in her direction, and the expression on her face made his heart sink. He knew what she was going to say before she spoke, knew he’d already failed to do the one thing his father would have most wanted.

  “That’s what I came to tell you. I’m going to Ohio with him.”

  Chapter Six

  “Emma.” Joseph said only his sister’s name, but he sounded so defeated that Naomi’s heart ached for him.

  “It’s the best thing, Joseph.” Emma spoke firmly, but Naomi had spent too many years around hurting people not to recognize the misery behind the matter-of-fact tone. “After what happened today with Caleb—”

  “That was Caleb’s wrongdoing. It had nothing to do with you.”

  “That man would never have pushed in if he hadn’t been trying to get my picture. It had everything to do with me.”

  “But to go to Melvin’s?” Joseph made a disgusted noise. “He’ll work you to death, Emma, and you’ll never please him or have any kindness from him. For me, maybe, or even Caleb it wouldn’t be so bad, but you’ll be miserable. I can’t let you do it.”

  “You can’t stop me.” Emma drew in a deep breath and continued in a gentler tone. “You’re my brother, not my father, Joseph, and I’m plenty old enough to make my own decisions. Nella’s getting up in years, and she needs help with Henry. That’s something I can do, something good. In time the Englisch reporters will lose interest, and I can come home. Until then, my being here is just going to cause more problems.”

  Something I can do, something good. Naomi understood the longing in Emma’s words, and she knew the joy that came when Gott fulfilled it. Her heart swelled with a sisterly sympathy.

  “I think you’re right, Emma,” Naomi said. “Once you’re away, this will likely die down. I watched a lot of television news in the hospital. One day all you’d hear about was one thing, a few days later, they’d be talking about something else. People lose interest fast when there’s nothing new going on.”

  Joseph studied her. Even in the dimness of the barn, she could see that he wasn’t happy with her agreement to Emma’s plan.

  This was a very personal conversation, Naomi realized, too personal for her to be butting in. Although, she reflected ruefully, she seemed to find herself in the middle of these a lot lately.

  “Excuse me,” she murmured. “This is a family matter, so I’ll leave you to it. I’d best be getting on back to Katie’s anyhow.”

  “Nee!” Joseph and Emma protested together. They glanced at each other, and Emma spoke first.

  “Forgive us, Naomi, if we’ve made you uncomfortable, but there was a reason I asked you to be here when I talked with Joseph. I truly do think it’s best for me to go away, but I’m worried about Miriam. She’s not doing well, and I’m afraid my leaving will only make her worse.”

  “Couldn’t she go with you?”

  Emma and Joseph exchanged a long look. Emma shook her head. “I don’t think living in Melvin’s home would help Miriam’s recovery very much.”

  “It’s not likely to be any too good for you, either,” Joseph muttered.

  Emma went on as if he hadn’t spoken. “Melvin would never agree to it anyway, not unless there were no other choices. He and Nella have their hands full with Henry, and they wouldn’t be willing to take on another person needing care.”

  Naomi understood that all too well. Plain folks often feared disability more than death. To die was the eventual lot of every man and woman, but to feel you were unable to contribute to the good of your family and your community, to feel like a burden on those around you, that was a fate far worse in their eyes.

  Naomi had felt like such a burden to her loved ones for too many years, but her illness had been a physical one. Mental breakdowns were shakier territory, and some hard-liners like Melvin tended to blame the sufferer. She understood Emma’s reluctance to bring her fragile younger sister into a situation where her emotional troubles might be viewed with more frustration than compassion.

  “So,” Emma was saying, “that leaves you, Naomi. Joseph mentioned that he’d spoken to you about sitting with Miriam some, but once I’m gone, there’ll be the cooking to see to as well. Cleaning and laundry, too, if you’re willing.”

  Joseph cleared his throat uncomfortably, darting an apologetic glance at Naomi. “We’ve not the money for full-time help, Emma.”

  “That’s no worry,” Naomi said firmly. “I’m happy to help all day for nothing, for as long as I’m needed.”

  Josep
h shook his head. “I can’t allow that.”

  “Joseph, you’re going to need help,” Emma started, but he interrupted.

  “It’s not right, Emma. Naomi has no husband to provide for her, and she must look out for herself. If I can’t pay her fairly, I’ve no business letting her work here.”

  “I’ve already told you I don’t want to be paid at all.” Naomi felt a surge of impatient indignation. “Maybe Caleb shouldn’t be the only one on his knees at the next church meeting, Joseph Hochstedler,” she continued, “because that’s your pride talking and nothing but. You’ve helped plenty of other folks in times of need, myself included. It’s wrong of you not to take your turn at receiving help when you truly need it.”

  The words came out sharper than Naomi had intended, but Joseph’s remark about her unmarried status had stung. He’d made it sound so . . . final, as if she’d no hope of anything else.

  That wasn’t true. Not that she was looking, but now that her health was better, marriage was at least a possibility. A widower, maybe. They didn’t tend to be so particular as the young men did, especially the ones with a brood of children needing a mamm. Just because Joseph didn’t see her as a potential wife didn’t mean some other fellow wouldn’t.

  She blinked and found both Emma and Joseph staring at her, their mouths slack with surprise.

  Emma recovered first. “Naomi, having you here may be every bit as good for my brother as it is for Miriam.” The other woman crossed the dirt floor of the barn and drew Naomi to herself in a quick, hard hug. “Take gut care of these people I love while I’m away,” she whispered fiercely in Naomi’s ear. “Please.”

  “I will do my best.”

  Emma drew back, searching Naomi’s eyes. Then she nodded. “Ja. You will do your best, Naomi, and that, I think, will be a very fine thing.” She turned to her brother. “Melvin has told his driver to come at four a.m. He figures the Englischers won’t be up and about at that hour, and so we’ll get away with no trouble.”

  Naomi smiled. “He’s likely right about that.”

  “So I’d best finish my packing.” Emma squared her narrow shoulders, picked up the pail of milk, and headed toward the open barn door. Halfway there she stopped and sent one last warning look in her brother’s direction. “Naomi and I have settled this between us, Joseph. Don’t you go messing it up, now.” Then she disappeared into the darkness.

  Joseph stared after her for a few seconds. Then he shook his head and glanced at Naomi. “I’ll have Titus hitched back up in just a minute, and I’ll drive you over to Aaron’s.”

  “That’s truly not necessary, Joseph. It’s an easy walk, and—”

  “I think it’s necessary. I’ve already been sideswiped once tonight by you and my sister. Do you think maybe you could let me have my way on this?”

  Naomi liked hearing that wry humor back in Joseph’s voice. “I suppose maybe I could.”

  Joseph tried to be quick, but the process of hitching a reluctant horse back to the buggy took every bit as long as the walk itself would have done. Naomi decided not to point that out, and she waited quietly until he had everything ready. She climbed into the buggy, accepting his supporting hand, and settled on the far end of the bench seat. The carriage creaked and sagged as Joseph boosted himself into the driver’s spot.

  “Here.” Joseph retrieved a folded blanket from the seat in the back and tossed its soft weight into Naomi’s lap. “If you tuck this around yourself real snug, you’ll be warm enough, I reckon. Get on, Titus.”

  Joseph clucked briskly and flicked the reins. Although the horse’s laid-back ears made it clear that he wasn’t any too happy about being hustled out of his warm stall again, they were soon rolling down the bumpy drive toward the highway.

  As they pulled onto the road, Joseph switched on the battery-operated headlamps, and Naomi shivered. She’d never liked being on the road at night. The lamps shone brightly enough that the way ahead was clearly visible, and there was plenty of reflective tape on the back of the buggy, but still. No matter what precautions you took, accidents were just likelier in the dark.

  She unfolded the thick blanket carefully, tucking it around her legs and feet, although she really wasn’t all that cold. Then she clasped her fingers together tightly, sitting bolt upright and looking forward at the patch of road visible in the short lamplight, thankful that the ride would be brief.

  If she’d ever been courted, she might have grown used to nighttime driving, but that sort of thing had never been part of her life. Come to think of it, before this minute, she’d never once been alone with an unmarried fellow in a buggy at night. She’d rarely been well enough to go to singings, and when she’d gone, no young man had ever offered her a ride home. Of course, she’d not expected it, given how poor her health had been back then.

  She’d heard other girls whispering about such drives, though, and she’d learned a few things. If a fellow took the longest route home, that meant he liked you. Sometimes they halted the buggy in a safe spot a little ways from the house to steal a few more moments with a sweetheart. If you were willing, they might even kiss you, or so she’d heard.

  Naomi had always wondered what that would be like, to have a man seek you out that way, to feel his lips touching yours. She’d shyly asked Katie about it once. Katie had smiled a particularly sweet smile and said she couldn’t explain it, that it was something every girl had to find out for herself.

  Naomi cast a quick sideways look at Joseph. He’d not spoken a word since handing her the blanket. He seemed intent on the road and lost in his thoughts. Of course, he had plenty of things to think about just now, what with the trouble Caleb had caused and Emma’s decision to leave with their uncle. Probably he wouldn’t talk much at all during this short ride.

  This was about as far from courting as you could get, she supposed, but at least she was getting a taste of how it felt to roll along in the privacy of a buggy with a fellow you liked. Because she did like Joseph. She always had, and sitting here, just the two of them, as the dark fields rolled slowly past . . . well.

  It wasn’t unpleasant.

  She left the silence between them undisturbed, as Titus’s hooves clopped on the pavement and the buggy squeaked. Slowly she found herself relaxing. She wasn’t sure exactly why. The road was still just as dark, and occasionally a car came whooshing by in the opposite lane, or worse, tearing up from behind to pass in a rush of stinky air. She didn’t much care for that. Still, there was something peaceful about riding like this, something reassuring about how Joseph seemed so unbothered by the speeding cars. His strong hands gripped the reins loosely, directing his horse in an absentminded way that spoke of long practice.

  Naomi was sorry when she made out Katie’s mailbox coming up on the left-hand side of the road, and she had to smile at herself. Just a bit ago, she’d been thankful the road between the houses was short, and now she was wishing the drive had taken longer. Well, she reminded herself sensibly, she’d be happy enough for the short distance when it came time to walk it twice a day.

  She braced herself against the side of the buggy, preparing for the turn, but Joseph never slowed. He drove right by the Lapps’ house, continuing on the road leading into Johns Mill.

  “Joseph?” Naomi spoke up as the mailbox slipped behind the buggy.

  He startled and looked in her direction. “Ja?”

  “You’ve missed the turn.”

  Joseph craned his neck to look over his shoulder. “So I have. I’m sorry, Naomi. I wasn’t paying attention. Just let me get to where the shoulder of the road is more level, and I’ll get us turned around.”

  A little farther on, he stopped and in a series of back-and-forths, worked to turn the carriage around. At one point, the buggy was broadside in the dark road, and Naomi held her breath, praying that no Englisch car would come whipping over the hill. But Joseph was deft and quick, and soon they were
safely in the correct lane, heading back to Katie’s.

  They bumped gently into the gravel driveway. Warm light glowed through Katie’s kitchen windows as Joseph drew close to the back steps.

  “Denki for the ride, Joseph,” Naomi said politely.

  In the golden light, she saw him smile. “Nice of you to thank me for something you didn’t want in the first place. Du bisht welcome. I’m sorry I was so featherheaded and drove by the first time. I could tell it made you naerfich when we had to turn in the road.”

  “That’s all right. You did a good job of it.”

  “You’re very kind.”

  Naomi smiled and took hold of the side of the buggy, preparing to hop out, but before she could, Joseph spoke again. “I mean that. I’ve told a lot of people how kind they are just lately. People have been generous to us, and I’m thankful for it. I’ve needed it. But you . . . you’ve done more to bring me comfort today than anybody else.”

  Her hungry heart swelled and bobbed like a fresh-made dumpling dropped in warm broth. “I’ve not done so much really, Joseph, but I’m glad if I’ve helped you.”

  “You have.” He spoke with such decision, she was forced to believe him. He looked away from the lighted windows to the dark stillness of the rolling pastures. “And it’s not so much by what you’ve done. It’s something about you, yourself.” He shook his head shortly. “I can’t find the words to explain it. You know I’m no good with that kind of thing. But you rest me, Naomi, and I’ve not felt rested in a long while. So I thank you.”

  Her throat had closed up, as if all the gratitude she felt at hearing this had turned into a big lump of pure happiness and stopped up her pipes. She forced out a whisper, “Du bisht welcome.”

  “Can Aaron drive you over tomorrow, or should I come fetch you?”

  Naomi was tempted to accept the offer. Another ride with Joseph, this time in the sweet, fragile brightness of a winter morning? That sounded lovely.