Thanksgiving In Hollybrook (Hollybrook Holiday Amish Romance)

by Brenda Maxfield

  Noah nodded. “They think so. He’s set them before. The police knew him.”

  She was silent as they turned toward her home.

  “He’s just a kid, Leora. A kid.”

  “Is he?”

  “Jah. No more than seventeen I’d guess.”

  She drew in a breath.

  He shook his head. “Imagine doing something that hateful at such a young age.”

  “He must be very troubled.”

  “He must be.”

  They fell into step on the road, walking slowly, both their lights going before them and illuminating the asphalt.

  “Noah?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You were going to spend the night in your buggy?”

  He looked down at her. Her eyes were wide, and her expression was one of both awe and gratitude.

  “I was,” he said tenderly.

  She visibly swallowed. “Thank you.” Her voice was a whisper, but it carried with it such a sense of intimacy that his heart swelled.

  “Leora?”

  She bit the edge of her lip before answering. “Jah?”

  “Will you go riding with me some evening?”

  This time, she didn’t hesitate. “I will,” she said. She smiled then, and to him, it seemed like the darkness around them receded into pure light.

  He grabbed her free hand, and they continued walking toward her home.

  Chapter Twenty

  The day before Thanksgiving, Leora worked on a huge batch of fresh rolls for the meal. She’d decided earlier that bringing only squash pies wasn’t enough of a contribution, so she’d told Martha she’d also bring the rolls. They had risen perfectly and were now in the oven. She was busy rolling out dough for the pie crusts.

  She’d already baked the squash and mashed it, mixing it with spices and milk. It smelled delicious, and she hoped it tasted the same. Ever since the other night when Noah had caught the arsonist, Leora couldn’t stop smiling. Her fear of being alone had evaporated as soon as the police had left with the young man in cuffs.

  But that really wasn’t her reason for smiling.

  Noah King. He was her reason. Noah King. Noah King. She loved the way his name tumbled off her tongue. She set down her rolling pin and sighed. Goodness, but she was acting like a smitten schoolgirl. She laughed.

  Be that as it may, she couldn’t have stopped her smiles if she wanted to. She tossed a bit more flour onto the counter and continued her rolling. She still couldn’t get over the fact that Noah had planned to stay in his buggy the whole night and watch her house. He’d even brought a blanket for Flicker.

  He was a kind man. A good man. Someone who would be a wonderful husband and a wonderful father. She balked.

  “Getting a bit ahead of yourself, aren’t you?” she whispered.

  But was she? The look of love in Noah’s eyes that night… It had taken her breath.

  “David?” she said aloud. “I-I… Well, I hope you are all right regarding Noah. I know it hasn’t been that long since I lost you. I never intended to fall in love again. Truly, I didn’t. It just happened. And Noah, well, you know Noah. And you liked him. I do remember that. You are happy for me, aren’t you?”

  Tears gathered in her eyes and she wiped at them with her forearm, trying not to smear flour on her face. She sniffed. “I still miss you, David. I always will…”

  And she would.

  His passing had left a huge hole in her heart. The past year had been difficult. Not only because she missed her husband, but because of the mess of debt he’d left her in. That, she wouldn’t miss. Her mind wandered. Would Noah ever lead them into such a financial mess?

  She didn’t think so. But then, she hadn’t thought so of David either.

  A sudden apprehension gripped her. Maybe she should slow this courtship down. Maybe she should be a lot more careful this time. She simply couldn’t bear to go through all of this again.

  Her smile faded, and a line of worry creased her brow.

  “Noah?” she spoke into the air. “You wouldn’t double mortgage your place, would you?”

  Maybe Noah owned his farm outright. Maybe he was more careful with his funds. Maybe that horrible year of crops a few years back hadn’t devastated him, like it had David.

  Maybe…

  She huffed out her breath. “Maybe, you should concentrate on your baking,” she scolded.

  She laid the first crust into the pie plate and started in on the next one.

  * * *

  Later that afternoon, Leora went in to work. She rode her bicycle as there was an unexpected break from the freezing temperatures. Typical for Indiana, everyone said. “Forty degree changes in weather at the drop of a hat.”

  “Leora Fisher!” Donna chastised her when she saw her. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that you rode in on your bike. My brother isn’t going to be pleased.”

  “It’s at least fifty degrees out there,” Leora told her, peeling off her cape. “It’s like summer.”

  Donna snorted. “Hardly.”

  Leora laughed. “Well, after the cold we’ve had, it feels like it.”

  “Leora?” Bill said, coming to the doorway of the kitchen. “You’re here. I was about to go and get you in my truck.”

  “And now you don’t need to.”

  He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. “No, I don’t. You’re here—even though I know you don’t plan to stay long today.”

  She squirmed a bit at the obvious pleasure in his voice at seeing her. The image of Noah’s face filled her mind. She was going to have to say something to Bill. Or hint at it, anyway. She couldn’t have him pining after her.

  Shame filled her. She shouldn’t have ever let him give her a ride in his truck. Hadn’t that been the start of it?

  Bill followed her into her small office.

  “I wanted to talk to you,” he said.

  She cringed, dreading what might come next. “Jah?”

  “I know you have no family around,” he started, “and we’re open tomorrow on Thanksgiving Day like I told you. But afterward, I mean after the crowds leave, Donna and I are going to enjoy a private Thanksgiving dinner. It’ll be really nice. I would love it if you would join us.”

  She looked at his hopeful face and swallowed hard.

  “Please say yes,” he continued. “And I’ll give you a ride here and back home because it will be dark by then. See…” He grinned widely. “It’s all arranged.”

  “But—” she started.

  “I won’t take no for an answer.”

  “I’m spending Thanksgiving Day with Martha and her family.” Tell him, tell him about Noah.

  “You could still come. Our meal will be quite late.”

  “I—”

  “Come on, Leora. You know you want to,” he teased.

  “It’s just that… Well, I don’t think I should. Noah will likely take me home from Martha’s, and he might stay and visit a bit.” There. She’d gotten that out, anyway.

  Bill’s animation faded. “I … see.”

  “But thank you so much for the invitation,” she added quickly.

  He stared at her, his eyes full of questions. “Am I to assume…” He stopped and cleared his throat. “Are you dating Noah now?”

  She sucked in a breath. “Jah,” she murmured. “Jah, I am.”

  Bill blinked rapidly, and she saw a myriad of emotions flicker over his face. “I see,” he said again. Then he put on a smile. “Well, that’s nice.”

  And he turned and left her office—just like that. She stood there, staring at the spot where he’d been. And then she sank down into her chair. She’d been right. He was sweet on her. But surely, he had known it could never have worked out between them. Surely, he knew that.

  But no. She wasn’t at all sure he knew.

  The only thing she was sure of was that she’d done the right thing. Bill Jeffreys was a wonderful person. She did like him. But he didn’t make her heart sing. Not like Noah did. She pressed her hands t
o her chest. Yes, she’d done the right thing, but it hadn’t made it any easier.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Thanksgiving Day dawned with the sun shining brightly over the frozen ground. It was cold again. Leora’s breath blew out in steamy puffs when she went out to feed her chickens. She made quick work of her chores and ran back inside. Tom was scheduled to pick her up in less than half an hour. She wanted to be there early so she could help Martha and her mother and sisters with the rest of the preparations.

  She didn’t bother taking her cape off. She had already packed up the rolls and the pies, ready to take. She banked her fire, knowing it would likely be completely out by the time she returned. Before, she had been quite excited about this meal, but now she felt some reservation. It was her own fault, of course. She’d allowed her mind to loop around the worry of how Noah handled his finances. No matter how much she scolded herself for it, she couldn’t seem to stop the cycle, and she was paying the price.

  Instead of looking forward to seeing Noah that day, she dreaded it. Honestly, she was disgusted with herself.

  She heard Tom’s buggy crunching over her gravel drive. She waited a moment and then opened the door. He’d brought Ben with him. Ben tumbled out of the buggy, grinning.

  “We’re having a big, big, BIG dinner!” he hollered to her.

  Leora laughed. “I know we are. It’s Thanksgiving.”

  “Jah, it’s Thanksgibbing!”

  “The food’s inside, Tom. I’ll help you.”

  “Nee, I’ll get it. You go on and get into the buggy with Ben. It’s mighty cold again today.”

  She almost told him to be sure and lock the door, but she forced herself not to. She didn’t want to live that way. She supposed some might call her foolish, but there had never been a reason to lock up in Hollybrook before, and she didn’t want to make it a habit.

  But Tom must have had different ideas. As he was coming out with the first load of food, he asked, “Do you have your key, Leora? I’ll lock your door for you when I go back for the pies.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but then realized Martha would likely have a fit if she didn’t go along with him—even though the arsonist had been safely apprehended.

  “Nee. I don’t have my key. It’s hanging right inside the door.”

  “All right. I’ll fetch it and lock up for you.”

  A few minutes later, he came back out with the last load of food. “Okay. I think I’ve got everything, and your door is now locked.”

  After putting the pies on the back seat of the buggy, he handed her the key, and she tucked it into her bag. She nodded her thanks and realized that Noah would be upset right along with Martha, if she didn’t have her doors locked.

  Noah.

  She didn’t want to see him—except, she did. Ach, but she was driving herself crazy. Thank goodness, Ben chattered all the way to Martha’s. He went on and on about the big turkey they were going to eat, and the cookie he’d already eaten. Listening to his jabber lightened Leora’s spirits.

  “Here we are,” Tom declared as they pulled into his drive.

  Leora could already see a row of buggies near the barn. It looked like most of Martha’s family had already arrived.

  “Go ahead in,” Tom told her. “I’ll bring in the food.”

  “I can take the rolls,” she said. “Come on, Ben. Let’s go inside.”

  She picked up the large basket that held her rolls, and they hurried inside. The minute they passed the door, a wave of delicious heat enveloped them, and the aroma of turkey and spices filled the air. Chatter spilled out from the kitchen, and Leora noticed the men had congregated in the front room. She nodded and smiled her greeting to them and then went on into the kitchen.

  “Ach! You’re here,” Martha cried, dropping the spoon she was holding. She held out her hands for the basket of rolls and peered inside. “They look lovely, Leora.”

  “I hope so.”

  Tom dropped off the pies before disappearing to join the men.

  The women were bustling between the cook stove, the counter, and the table, which was already laden with food. Leora knew the women in Martha’s family quite well, and they all greeted her with big smiles. Within seconds, she was peeling potatoes.

  “We need to get that platter of pickles and olives put together, too,” Martha’s mother said.

  “I’m doing that,” Martha’s sister Rose commented.

  Leora relaxed immediately. She loved these people, and she was so grateful to be included in their day. The talk moved from what needed doing, to the weather, to the coming Christmas season, to the fires.

  It was then that Leora realized Noah was a hero.

  “You were there, Leora,” Martha’s mother said. “Did you see Noah capture that person who started the fires?”

  Leora recounted the night.

  “So brave…” Martha said. “And notice it happened right after prayer meeting.”

  “The gut Lord heard our cries,” Rose said, nodding. “And he provided Noah for us.”

  “We must continue to pray for that young man,” Martha said. She took in a huge breath and rubbed her swollen belly. “I need to sit down.”

  “Sit,” Leora said quickly, pulling out the kitchen bench. “There are plenty of hands here to do the work. You can supervise.”

  Martha laughed. “Right. Like that will work.”

  Martha’s mother chuckled. “It’ll work. We can handle this.”

  “We can,” said Tammy, Martha’s other sister.

  And they did. No one would let Martha up from the bench the entire morning. She complained a bit but seemed to enjoy her inactivity. Although, little Louisa demanded her attention more than once—until Martha’s mother swooped her up and took her in to the men.

  It was just before noon when Noah’s buggy pulled into the drive. Leora, who had been listening for it, was the first to notice.

  “Noah’s here,” she announced.

  “Why don’t you go greet him?” Martha asked, giving her a knowing glance. “Welcome him to the meal.”

  Letting Noah in was completely unnecessary as he would just come in on his own, but Leora didn’t argue with Martha. She wasn’t about to have that be a topic of public discussion. She hurriedly wiped her hands on the kitchen towel and went to the front door. She stepped outside without her cape, despite the cold.

  Noah had parked the buggy in the row with the others and was unhitching Flicker.

  “Leora!” he called to her. “It’s gut to see you.”

  She heard the pleasure in his voice, and for a moment she forgot her concerns. “It’s gut to see you, too.”

  Just as quickly, though, her concerns came back, hovering over her, poking at her mind. She did her best to squash them, wanting to enjoy this special day.

  But Noah was entirely too observant for that. “What is it?” he asked, pausing what he was doing. “What’s happened?”

  She frowned. “Nothing. Everything is fine.”

  “Nee,” he said, studying her face. “Something is bothering you.”

  She let out her breath in exasperation. He was entirely too sensitive to her moods.

  “You can tell me, Leora,” he said softly, stepping closer. “You can tell me anything.”

  But how in the world could she tell him that she was afraid? That she was worried he was as careless with money as her David had been?

  “Leora?”

  “Are you in debt?” she blurted, and then horrified, she clapped her hand over her mouth.

  His brow rose. “In debt?”

  She didn’t answer. She just stared at him wide-eyed, her hand still covering her mouth.

  He smiled. “What gave you that idea?”

  She dropped her hand. “I… I…” She swallowed hard. “I was just wondering.”

  He leaned down until his face was close to hers. The steam from his breath fluttered over her skin. “Nee, Leora. I’m not in debt. Are you worried about that?”

 
She took a huge, gulping breath of relief. “I-I’m sorry,” she mumbled.

  “Why? You can ask me anything, just like I said.”

  “But… But men don’t like—”

  He grabbed her hands. “Leora,” he said firmly. “Anything. You can ask me anything.”

  She felt tears welling in her eyes.

  “Besides,” he went on, “aren’t you the genius with finances? That’s your job, right? I’d be a fool not to take advantage of you.” He laughed. “You know what I mean.”

  “You’d let me help you with your personal finances?”

  “Why wouldn’t I?” His face flushed. “I mean, well, if things between us progress.”

  She shook her head in wonder. David never ever let her do a thing with their finances. He’d told her it was a man’s work.

  “You’re not teasing me?”

  Noah frowned. “Where is this coming from? Don’t you trust me? I would welcome your help if we were a couple. And I’d expect you to welcome mine.” The lines of concern on his forehead disappeared. He laughed again. “Of course, I can’t cook worth a bean.”

  She began to laugh. “Well, don’t you worry about that. I can.”

  Their gazes locked, and something passed between them. An understanding. A glimpse into the future. A promise of what was to come.

  “Can I help you unhitch Flicker?” she asked.

  “Why not? We’ll do it together,” he said, smiling. “It’s Thanksgiving Day, Leora. Isn’t that wonderful gut?”

  “It is, indeed,” she responded.

  And it was wonderful good. Leora helped Noah put Flicker into the barn with the other horses, and then she slipped her hand around his elbow. Together, they walked toward the warm house that was filled to the brim with dear friends and the scent of a wonderful feast to come.

  The End

  Continue Reading…

  Thank you for reading Thanksgiving in Hollybrook! Are you wondering what to read next? Why not read The Cousin? Here’s a peek for you:

  Doris Glick gazed at her aunt’s sour expression. “I’m sorry, Aenti,” she murmured, even though she wasn’t sorry at all.