The Trespasser (Amish Country Brides)

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  Once they were safely past the creek, he exhaled in relief. It proved to be swifter than he’d surmised. Getting back home would be a chore if the creek rose any higher. As a matter of fact, maybe he’d use the Yoders’ phone shanty and leave a message on the line closest to his folks’ place. That way, if they worried about him, they’d check the answering machine before heading out into the foul weather in search of him. Staying overnight at the Yoders’ place would almost seem like a mini vacation. And he could dream of the future when he—Gott willing—owned the place. He smiled at the thought. Jah, that was what he’d do.

  He stopped at the phone shanty at the end of the lane when he’d driven in, and left a message. Hopefully, Mamm wouldn’t worry about him. Ten minutes later, he pulled into the drive. He led Strider to an empty stall in the barn, then filled a bucket with water and offered the horse some grain he kept stored in the corner.

  He stood looking toward the house, waiting for a break in the rain. After a few minutes, he realized he might not get one. As a matter of fact, it was coming down even harder than when he’d pulled in. He was just glad he’d been able to arrive before the lightning struck. Now that Strider was securely in the barn, he’d settle in for the night. He’d have to wait until the rain died down a little bit to check the gutters.

  He wished he’d thought to bring an umbrella. It certainly would have made his escape to the house a bit more pleasant. And dry.

  Silas pushed the door open and immediately removed his boots. He paused for a moment, midstride as he walked through the living room. Had he heard something or was it just his imagination? It was difficult to determine above the rain pounding on the metal roof. He’d always loved the sound. How many nights had he fallen asleep to it?

  He reached for the lantern on the table. Except it wasn’t there. He could have sworn that he’d left it in the same place he always did—not that he’d ever really swear. As he allowed his eyes to adjust to the dim interior, he noticed something peculiar. Faint light seeped from the bedroom door, which seemed to be cracked open. The hairs on his arms raised. Was someone inside the house?

  His heart began pounding. Who could be here? Dan Yoder hadn’t said he was returning, so it must be an intruder. He quietly tiptoed toward the bedroom door, then put his ear to the crack. Sure enough, someone or something was in that bedroom.

  All at once, he forced the door open and burst into the room. “What are you doing here?”

  “Ah!” A young woman, who stood in only her undergarments, quickly pulled the bed quilt around herself.

  Jah, that had been a mistake. Too bad he’d realized it too late. His face burned. “I…I’m sorry…you just…uh, jah…I’ll…I’ll just go…out.” He turned around as quickly as he’d entered. Oh, man. What have I done?

  Silas paced the living room, trying to determine his next course of action. Had he really just burst in on a woman while she was changing? Ach! Dummkopp.

  A few moments later, the woman—fully dressed now—walked into the room. “I’m sorry that you…” She shook her head. “This is a little awkward.”

  He nodded. Jah, it certainly was. He had no words.

  “My daughter and I were out driving in the storm. She needed to use the facilities, so we stopped in here, thinking someone would be home. We’d only planned to use your restroom and then be on our way to search for a hotel, but they’d sent out flash flood warnings and my GPS lost its signal. And frankly, I don’t even know where we are.” She glanced toward one of the bedrooms. “My daughter is sleeping already. But we can leave if you’d like us to…uh, Mr. Yoder.”

  “Oh, I’m not Dan Yoder. My name is Silas Miller. I live down the road a spell. I’m tending Yoder’s farm while he’s gone.”

  “Oh, okay. When will he be back? Do you think he’d mind if we stayed the night? I didn’t want to assume, but we really have no place to go.”

  “Not sure if he’s coming back.” He lifted his hat and plowed his fingers through his hair. What should he do? He didn’t want to kick this woman and her daughter out in the storm. But if they stayed here, where would he spend the night? He didn’t relish the thought of sleeping in the barn with the mice.

  “Do you want us to go?”

  In a word, yes. But he wouldn’t say that out loud. How could he kick them out when they didn’t have any place to go? And in this storm. “The nearest hotel is about fifteen miles south of here.” He shifted from one foot to the other. “But I reckon it would be all right if you stayed here.”

  She sighed, and he could almost feel her relief. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear you say that. I’m not that confident driving in this kind of weather. I’m dreading going back out into that storm.”

  Jah, so was he. But he’d have to do it anyway. Because there was no way he was staying in this house with a woman present.

  “I’m sorry. Did you come here in a buggy? I can’t imagine in this weather. There were flash flood warnings going off earlier.”

  “Jah, we waded through the swollen creek.”

  “Did you…were you planning to stay the night here?”

  “I was.” He nodded. “But I can sleep in the loft.”

  “You mean, in the barn? Oh, no. I’d hate to make you do that. We can leave. Really. I’ll just go wake Bailey up and—”

  “No.” He reached for her arm to stop her before she dashed to the bedroom to awaken the sleeping child. “That is not necessary. You may stay.”

  “If our staying means you have to sleep in the barn, then we’ll have to leave.” She glanced back toward the bedroom. “Bailey and I can share a room. You may have the other one.”

  The corner of his mouth twitched. “This house has seven bedrooms. I don’t think that will be a problem.” He sighed. “I cannot stay here in the same house as you and your dochder.”

  “I trust you.”

  “You don’t even know me.”

  “You’re right. But the fact that you have offered to stay in the barn tells me you’re a gentleman.” She shook her head. “Have you ever stayed in a hotel?”

  He nodded.

  “Well, this isn’t much different. One building. Different rooms for strangers. And this time I’ll be sure to close and lock my door.” Her sheepish smile reminded him that he needed to apologize once again.

  “About that. I didn’t mean to…I had no idea you would be…”

  “Yeah, can we just forget about that and put it behind us?”

  Not likely. Nee, he wouldn’t be forgetting the image of the beautiful Englisch woman any time soon. But he should really try. “Jah.”

  “Good.” She looked around. “So, do you need anything from me? Are there blankets in the other rooms?”

  “I will be fine, denki.” He couldn’t believe he was agreeing to this outlandish idea. What would Mamm think? Or Jerry Bontrager, his bishop? Or Brother Yoder? Ach, he must be ab im kopp.

  “Great. Then I’ll go check on Bailey, and head for bed.” She nodded, then turned back around on her way toward the bedroom. “By the way, thank you for letting us stay here. You’re a life saver.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Kayla yawned as she sat up from the bed and stretched. She’d slept great with the rain pounding the roof all night long. When was the last time she’d slept so soundly? It must’ve been before Mom and Dad passed away. What was it about this place that settled her soul, brought a sense of peace to her heart, set her mind at ease?

  The rain hadn’t let up much. She pushed her phone’s wake-up button to see the time. Seven o’clock. Bailey would likely be asleep for another half hour.

  She tapped the weather app and pressed location to get the area’s forecast. Rexville, Indiana? She’d never even heard of it. She briefly wondered if it had been named after a dog named Rex. Who knew? She frowned at her phone. Constant thunderstorms for the next week? And a one hundred percent chance? Could they really tell? Thunder shaking the house made her believe so. How much water could one area take before ev
eryone was swimming?

  Shoot! When would she and Bailey be able to get back on the road? Not that they had anyplace special they’d needed to be at any particular time. But still. She didn’t want to inconvenience Silas another night. And at some point in time, they needed to head to Pennsylvania.

  Commotion sounded like it was coming from the living area. She sniffed the air. Did she smell coffee? And bacon? Just then, her stomach growled.

  She made sure once again that her door was locked and closed. She quickly dressed and then left her room. She had smelled food, and did it ever smell good. She quickly tiptoed to Bailey’s room and listened at the door. No sound, which meant she was still asleep.

  She headed toward the delicious aroma.

  “I see the bacon has called your name.” Silas smiled, looking robust and handsome in his Amish attire this morning.

  She smiled. “More like the coffee.”

  “I hope you’re hungry. I made enough for all three of us.”

  “I’m starving. Thank you.” She stared at Silas, standing at the stove with his back toward her. When was the last time someone had made her breakfast? It must’ve been Mom. Now, not only would her mother never cook for her again, they’d never share another meal together either. A wave of sadness washed over her at the realization. I miss you, Mom.

  “I apologize.” Silas distracted her melancholy thoughts. “I only have one coffee mug here and one plate. I don’t eat here often and when I do, it’s only me. There are usually plenty of eggs on hand due to the hens Dan Yoder left. I take most of the eggs home, but leave some here in case I get hungry. Good thing they’d been laying a lot lately.”

  “Have you eaten?”

  “I have. And I’ve washed the coffee mug and plate if you’d like to use it before your dochder awakens.”

  Silas’s thoughtful ways reminded her of Dad. He was always considerate of others’ wellbeing. “Thank you. Yeah, that’s a good idea. I have no doubt she’ll wake up hungry.”

  She moved to the stove and poured coffee from a kettle. The kettle brought back memories of camping. She smiled, once again remembering the good times she’d shared with her parents.

  He chuckled. “You better eat fast then.”

  “You’re right.”

  She took a couple slices of bacon and some of the scrambled eggs he’d made and placed them on her plate. Then she moved to what looked like a homemade loaf of bread and took a pre-cut slice. She slathered butter on it, which she suspected had been homemade as well. What a treat! It wasn’t a five course meal, but Silas had gone over and above what she expected. She’d have to be sure to thank him again.

  She eyed this mystery man in front of her. He looked to be a few years older than her, about the age of Bailey’s father. His beard indicated that he was most likely married, but he didn’t really act as though he were. She was quite certain he wouldn’t have stayed the night if he were married, no matter how persuasive she’d been. She was pretty sure Amish men were the family type.

  “Are you married? I mean, if you don’t mind me asking. I noticed that you have a beard, and I know that means you’re married, right?”

  “You are partially right. Jah, most Amish require a man to grow a beard after he is married. But some of the Swiss Amish are not this way. Young men grow face hair as soon as they’re able.” He scratched his short beard and frowned. “I am not married anymore. My Sadie Ann passed on two years ago yet.”

  “Oh. I’m so sorry. You’re not even that old, are you?”

  “Twenty-five.” He grimaced. “Death is not a respecter of age, unfortunately.”

  “No, it isn’t. I’d thought my parents died early, but you…” She shook her head. “How old was your wife?”

  “Twenty-one. We were expecting our first boppli, a little one. There were complications. Neither of them survived. It was Gott’s will.” His eyes briefly glassed over and then he shook his head, as though he were experiencing the deep pain that accompanied losing a loved one, but was trying to move past it.

  “I’m so sorry for your loss. It must have been difficult for you.”

  “Jah, it was. But I was not a stranger to death. My best friend drowned when I was nineteen.”

  She gasped. “That’s terrible. Yet, you’re still Amish?”

  “I do not understand what you mean by that. Why would I not be?”

  “I hate God for what He’s taken from me,” she spat out bitterly.

  He shook his head. “You mustn’t say that.”

  “But it’s the truth. That’s how I feel.” Tears sprung to her eyes unwelcomed. “My mother was my best friend. She helped me so much when I went through my unplanned pregnancy and with raising Bailey. Why did He take her? Why didn’t He let her live after I begged Him to?”

  “Death is a part of life. We must accept Gott’s will.”

  “I can’t accept it. If He really is God, then He had the power to save my mom, yet He didn’t. He knew how much I needed her. How much I loved her.”

  “I am sorry that you are hurting. Gott has a reason for everything. Sometimes He doesn’t show us those reasons. That is when we have to trust that He knows best.”

  “What good reason could there possibly be for taking my mom from me early? Name one. Just one.” She challenged.

  “I do not claim to know Gott’s reasons.” He shook his head. “But I do know that He loves you.”

  She scoffed at his words. “Really? If that’s what His love is like, He can save it for someone else. I sure as heck don’t want it.” She slightly regretted her last words. Would this Amish guy be offended at her use of ‘heck’? Oh well, she’d already said it.

  He frowned. “Gott sent Jesus to die for your sins, so you could have eternal life.”

  “See, that’s what I mean. What kind of God makes His own Son suffer?”

  “One who loves you. One who knows there is no other way for people to escape Hell. One who knew the future and that His Son would rise from the dead. One who made you. One who can be trusted.”

  “I admit you offer a pretty good defense.”

  “I only say the truth. Maybe it can help you. Gott carries a lot of my burdens on His own shoulders. He gives me peace in my heart. He will do the same for you.”

  Could He? She dismissed the thought as quickly as it surfaced.

  She sighed. “Can we change the subject? I’m not really comfortable talking about this.” Yes, she was very obviously blowing him off. She wasn’t willing to discuss religion at length with anybody. As a matter of fact, this was probably the most she’d ever spoken about spiritual things.

  “Sure.” He seemed disappointed. “What is your story? Where are you and your dochder traveling to? And why?”

  She chuckled at his curiosity. She supposed she did owe him an explanation. Especially after commandeering the house. “Well, frankly, I could use some money. I’m hoping to get child support from Bailey’s father. That is, if I can find him.”

  “Where does he live?”

  “He said Pennsylvania. I hope he wasn’t lying.”

  “When did you see him last?”

  “About the time Bailey was conceived.” She noticed his cheeks reddening when she’d said that. Perhaps the Amish didn’t talk openly about such matters. “I really thought he was a different kind of guy than what he turned out to be. I gave him my phone number and address. He promised to write or call. Never did. He was obviously only looking to have a good time. Why do guys have to be like that?”

  “I don’t know. But not all of us are that way.” Silas frowned. “Does he know about his dochder?”

  “I had no way to contact him. He claimed he didn’t have a phone or email, and he didn’t want to give me his address. That should have been a huge red flag right there. He was just duping me, sweet talking me so he could get what he wanted.” She shrugged. “I was a naïve sixteen-year-old who thought she was in love and he took advantage of that. Not that it was all his fault.”

  “Ach
, sixteen?” His eyes widened.

  She laughed. “I actually told him I was eighteen because I suspected he was a few years older.”

  “Was he?”

  “Yep.”

  “So how do you plan to find him?”

  “I googled his name online and have a couple of leads to go on, but nothing really substantial. There was a lot less information than what I’d hoped for.” She frowned. “It seems like Josiah Beachy isn’t that popular of a name.”

  “Josiah Beachy?” His brow lowered.

  “Yeah. I thought it was pretty cool since we met in Ocean City at the beach. You know, beach—Beachy. Didn’t think I’d ever forget a name like that. Just a minute.” She jogged to the bedroom and opened her wallet, pulling out the strip of black and white photos she and Josiah had taken at a photo booth. It was her only physical link to him other than Bailey. How many times had she taken them out and dreamed of a future with Josiah?

  She returned and handed Silas the photo strip. “That’s him.”

  He briefly glanced at the photos—his expression unreadable—and then handed them back.

  They both turned at the sound of Bailey’s footsteps. Kayla hid the photo strip behind her back, folded it, and tucked it into her back pocket.

  “Mommy.” She stopped at the entrance to the kitchen and stared wide-eyed at Silas. She beckoned her mother with her finger, and Kayla bent down so she could whisper in her ear. “I had an accident.”

  “Oh no. It’ll be okay, sweetheart. We’ll take care of it,” she whispered back.

  “Who is that man?”

  Kayla smiled. “This is Silas. He lives down the road, but takes care of this house. Silas, meet my daughter, Bailey.”

  “Gut to meet you.” He nodded. “I hope you like my breakfast.”

  “Mommy says I’m a good eater because I’m not picky.”

  Kayla nodded. “Yes, well, before you eat, you’ll need a bath.”

  Silas began walking toward the door. He reached for the umbrella, then briefly turned back. “I’m going to check on my horse.”