A Picture of Love

by Beth Wiseman

  He reached down and gave it a gentle scratch behind the ears. “How old do you think he is?”

  Grinning, Naomi said, “First of all, it’s a she, and I would guess maybe a couple months. I’m going to take her back to Esther and Lizzie’s, nurse her back to health, and then they will probably let her stay on in the barn to keep mice away. I’ve never had a cat.” She glanced up at him and smiled.

  “Really? We’ve always had cats—outside, but they’re always around.” Amos looked ahead at the path yet traveled. “I guess we aren’t going to find out what’s at the end of the path?”

  “Nee, I think we better get this little girl some water.”

  Amos couldn’t take his eyes off Naomi. For a split second, he pictured her as a mother. Her voice sounded so nurturing as she gazed at the solid black cat. “I guess you’re not superstitious?”

  “Because she’s all black? Nee, I’m not. She’s one of Gott’s creatures.” She lowered her nose near the kitten. “Aren’t you, sweet girl?”

  That voice, so soft, so sweet. “Do you want me to carry her back?”

  “Nee, I’ve got her.” She started walking back toward the house, so Amos followed.

  Surprisingly, they emerged from the cornfields in only a few minutes and returned to the festivities without anyone seeming to notice. Esther spotted them first.

  “What have we here?” She leaned down to get a better look at the kitten.

  “Well . . .” Naomi glanced at Amos, then back at Esther. “We heard a noise and went down the path in the cornfield, and we found her in a raccoon trap.”

  Amos stifled a grin. It was the truth, just not in the right order.

  Esther straightened. “Best get her some water and see if she will eat something. Suzanne’s mudder might have a can of tuna or salmon she could nibble on.”

  “If it’s all right, I’d like to keep her in mei room until she’s well enough to go outside.” Naomi’s face was aglow, and Amos was having trouble shaking the image of her as a mother.

  “I don’t mind at all.” Esther frowned. “It’s Lizzie you’ll have to worry about. She’s terrified of cats. That’s why we’ve never had one.” She raised an eyebrow. “And that’s a black cat.”

  “She’ll die outside this young and weak.” Naomi held the animal closer.

  Esther patted her back. “I’ll handle Lizzie.” She turned to Amos. “Amos, Lizzie and I would like to talk to you when we get back to the haus.” She sighed. “Which will be soon for us. We are both tired.”

  Amos flinched. “Is anything wrong?”

  Esther waved a hand and smiled. “Nee, nee. Nothing is wrong at all. We just have a bit of a proposition for you.”

  Amos rubbed his chin, wondering what the sisters had in mind.

  Seven

  Naomi sat in the rocking chair in the living room. She’d snuck the kitten upstairs earlier when they returned from the wedding. It had been easy enough since the poor thing was too weak to object. But after Naomi set up a cat box and got her to eat something, the kitten began to meow. Lizzie didn’t go upstairs much since she and Esther had bedrooms downstairs. Naomi had her fingers crossed that they wouldn’t be able to hear the kitten, and hopefully Esther would smooth the way with Lizzie. Naomi was already trying to think of a name for the cat.

  Amos sat on the couch with Esther beside him, and Lizzie was in the other rocking chair. Anna Mae had stayed at the wedding celebration to visit longer with relatives and had arranged for someone to bring her home later. Naomi was curious what the sisters were up to. What was the proposition Esther had mentioned?

  Esther cleared her throat. “Amos, when you first arrived you mentioned that business was slow right now.” He nodded. “Lizzie and I were wondering if you would mind staying here a little longer to do some repairs we’ve needed for a long time. We have quite a list and would pay your going rate. Naomi is a wonderful cook, as I’m sure you’ve come to realize, and meals and your room would be free.”

  Naomi swallowed hard as she began to twist the string of her prayer covering with her finger. “Esther, I’m sure Amos can’t just leave his life in Ohio on a whim to stay here and work. He has a business to run.” She was sure this must be one of the sisters’ matchmaking attempts, and it was not going to work.

  Amos opened his mouth to say something, then closed it as he glanced at Naomi and began rubbing his chin. “Hmm . . .”

  Naomi’s pulse picked up. Surely he wasn’t considering their offer.

  “Are you talking about general repairs or something specific.”

  Lizzie, shifting her teeth a bit, began to rattle off a list she’d obviously memorized—everything from fence repair to replacing shingles, and even the possibility of adding on to the barn.

  “Nee, nee.” Naomi shook her head. “Amos, they are putting you on the spot, and they shouldn’t do that. We know you have obligations at home.” She spoke the truth, but she couldn’t have Amos living under the same roof with her. He was so handsome and would be a constant temptation. How many times had she thought about kissing him today, a man she didn’t love and barely knew?

  Amos was still rubbing his chin, but his eyes were fixed on Naomi. “Hmm . . .” he said again.

  “It would be a great help to us if you are able to work it out.” Lizzie batted her eyes at Amos, and Naomi rolled hers.

  “Amos . . .” Naomi paused, choosing her words carefully. “There are plenty of local carpenters Lizzie and Esther can hire. They are making an unrealistic request.”

  “Nonsense, dear.” Esther sat taller. “We need a carpenter, and Amos needs work.” She lifted her shoulders, dropped them slowly, and smiled. “I think it’s a perfect fit.”

  Naomi couldn’t believe he was considering the idea.

  There was even a hint of amusement in his expression. “Ya, I’d have to say, it is a perfect fit. As long as mei mamm doesn’t have a problem traveling home alone, I’ll stay.”

  “Wonderful,” Lizzie said as she stood up yawning. She’d taken about three steps when she came to an abrupt halt and cupped her ear to listen. “What’s that?”

  Naomi stood up. “I don’t hear anything.” Forgive the lie, Gott. But when the cries grew louder, she cringed. Everyone in the room heard the meowing.

  “Is there a cat in this haus?” Lizzie slapped her hands to her hips as she glared at each of them.

  “Calm down, Lizzie.” Esther lifted herself from the couch. “Naomi and Amos found a kitten trapped in a raccoon cage. Naomi is just going to nurse it back to health, then it will make a gut barn cat.”

  “You won’t even see her,” Naomi said. “I’ll keep mei bedroom door shut and take care of her.”

  Lizzie raised her chin. “Naomi, I lieb you, but I don’t want to see that cat.” She shook her head. “They hiss and claw and bare their teeth . . . dangerous little critters.”

  Esther covered her forehead with her palm. “Lizzie had a run-in with a cat when she was young.” She glared at her sister. “Probably because she was dragging it around by the tail.”

  “That’s not the way I remember it.” Lizzie grimaced, waved her hand in the air, and headed to her bedroom. “It will probably attack mei in mei sleep or even if I go into the barn. I’ll never be safe again.”

  After Lizzie closed her bedroom door—louder than normal—Naomi locked eyes with Esther, who was grinning. Then she looked at Amos, who said, “I don’t think she likes cats very much.”

  They all laughed softly, but Naomi’s thoughts shot back to the possibility of Amos living in the same house as her for longer than a few days.

  * * *

  Esther waited until Anna Mae had returned and all was quiet upstairs before she shuffled to the kitchen to get Gus a slice of pie. Luckily, there was one slice of pecan pie left. She wrapped it in foil, dressed in her cape and bonnet, then took the flashlight and walked to Gus’s place. As usual, the lantern was lit. But Esther wasn’t going to keep making this trek late at night. Gus probably didn’t
think nine was late, but Esther doubted he woke up early. She’d seen the glow from his lantern late into the evening on nights she couldn’t sleep. Not to mention, it was getting colder in the evenings.

  Gus opened the door, dropped his jaw, and feigned surprise. “Well, look who it is. That wouldn’t happen to be pie, would it?”

  Esther had never slapped anyone in her life, but the urge right now was overwhelming. She handed him the pie, spun on her heels, and didn’t say a word.

  “What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”

  Funny he should mention cats. “My visits don’t include conversation,” she said without turning around.

  The door slammed. Esther sighed in relief. She wouldn’t have to bring him pie much longer. Tomorrow she was going to make a doctor’s appointment.

  * * *

  Amos climbed underneath the wedding quilt and stared at the intricate design and soft colors that should be calming. He shook his head and fluffed his pillow. Maybe a change of scenery would do him good and make room in his head to create some new memories. Right now, it was as if his remembrances were cataloged, and thoughts of Sarah dominated the file space in his mind. He’d almost said no to Esther and Lizzie since it was obvious Naomi didn’t want him here.

  Later in the evening his mother had encouraged him to stay with way too much enthusiasm. She was obviously hopeful that something would spark between him and Naomi.

  Amos had to admit that Naomi was the first woman since Sarah who brought to life a part of him he’d thought would never see the tiniest spark again. Still, no matter how much he enjoyed talking to her—and looking at her—neither was ready to move on. A friendship seemed to be forming, so he was a little curious why she was so adamant that he not accept Lizzie and Esther’s offer. Then he recalled a moment out in the cornfield, the way they had looked at each other, the way he’d touched her face. He was still recalling the day when he heard a knock at the door.

  “Ya, hang on.” He was only wearing a white undershirt and briefs, so he scurried into the slacks he’d dropped on the floor by the bed, then turned up the lantern as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Come in.”

  Naomi stepped over the threshold wearing the maroon dress she’d had on earlier, but now a brown scarf was draped over her head. “Can I talk to you for a minute? I saw the light shining from under the door, so I knew you were still awake.”

  “Ya, sure.” He pointed to the rocking chair. In Amos’s community, this private interaction would be considered inappropriate. An unmarried woman was not supposed to come calling into a man’s bedroom like this. When she closed the door, Amos tensed and waited until she was seated before he asked, “Is this okay? I mean, you being here like this. Would it upset Lizzie or Esther that we’re alone together?” The moment with Naomi was causing some unidentifiable emotion to bubble to the surface, and he feared it was lust. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea for him to stay and work.

  Naomi chuckled softly. “Upset them? Uh . . . nee. They might try to lock us in here together, though.” Her face reddened. “They know me well enough to know that nothing inappropriate would happen.”

  “Why would they lock us in here?” Amos shifted his weight as an awkward curiosity scurried around in his head.

  Naomi met his gaze, and for a few seconds, Amos felt that spark again, which took him back to second-guessing his decision to stay.

  “Never mind,” she said as she gave her head a quick shake. “You do see what’s happening, right?”

  Amos lifted an eyebrow as he shrugged. “I guess I’m not sure.”

  “Lizzie and Esther are playing matchmaker. They are hoping that if we are under the same roof together we’ll fall madly in love.” She threw her hands in the air in such a dramatic way that Amos couldn’t help but smile. “But you and I know where we stand, and that’s not what either of us is looking for.”

  She pointed a finger at him. “They’re tricky too. Even Esther. Both of them had long and wonderful marriages, but after their spouses passed, they started occupying their time setting up couples. And right now, their focus is on me.” She sat taller and tapped her hands on her knees once. “So, I’ve come to tell you that this isn’t about the repairs. Granted, ya, there is work to be done, but that’s not what is driving their offer.”

  Amos grinned. “Wow. You really don’t want me here.” He leaned back on his hands and locked eyes with her, raising his eyebrow again as he waited for her response. Her eyes shifted to his shoulders, and he couldn’t help but swell with pride. In his line of work, it was almost impossible not to be muscular.

  “Why do you say that?” Grimacing, she paused. “I’m just telling you that you are being manipulated.”

  Her voice held a hint of shakiness. “Do I make you nervous?” he asked, unable to keep from smiling.

  She huffed. “Of course not. We’ve already discussed where we each are with our lives, so Lizzie and Esther will fail at their attempts to play matchmaker.” She rose from the chair, one hand holding the scarf together beneath her chin. “I just wanted you to have the facts so you could make an informed decision.” She drew her lips in a tight smile. “Those repairs can wait. Most of the things they mentioned have needed fixing for a long time.”

  Amos lifted himself off the bed. “I think mei mamm probably hopes we’ll become more than friends, too, but I could use a change of scenery, and work is slow at home.” He shrugged. “I’m clear about your feelings, and I think you understand mine. But we can be friends while I’m here. Or is there something you’re not telling me?” He couldn’t help but wonder if she was as physically attracted to him as he was to her. It was unexpected, but it had crept up on him.

  She took a quick step forward. Amos waited. He was already uncomfortable being alone with her in the room.

  “There’s nothing I’m not telling you.” Her voice had lost the quiver, but now there was an edge to it. “I’m telling you what you didn’t know, and now you can make an informed decision. There is no obligation to stay.”

  The more she fought for him to leave, the more he wanted to stay. It was childish, but he wondered how far she’d go to get him to leave. That would answer his question about whether or not he made her nervous. He’d have to lie if she fired the question back at him, because she did. But in a good way that he had no plans of admitting.

  “I’ve already made up mei mind, since mei mamm doesn’t mind traveling home alone.”

  Naomi raised her chin. “Very well. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when the shenanigans begin. It can be very disruptive to a person’s life.” Her eyes widened as she lowered her voice. “They actually locked me in the basement once with a man they thought was perfect for me.”

  Amos laughed.

  “It’s not funny.” But she grinned before she turned to leave.

  For some reason, Amos felt a glimmer of hope. Could he open his heart again? But even if he was capable, he was fairly certain Naomi wasn’t. Then he thought about that moment in the cornfield again.

  * * *

  Naomi lowered the flame on her lantern and was just getting comfortable when the kitten jumped on the bed. She was more affectionate than Naomi would have thought. Her mother must have been a domestic cat, and somehow this little one had gotten away from the rest of the litter.

  “You’re one lucky little girl. I’m so glad we found you.” She scratched the kitten behind the ears as she purred. “But I’m afraid you will be banned to the barn soon since a little food and water seemed to catapult your recovery.”

  She leaned back, and the kitten settled on her stomach. It was almost ten, and she needed to get to sleep, but thoughts of Amos down the hallway rattled her, and she couldn’t put her finger on why. It had to be that he was handsome. She wouldn’t be human if she didn’t notice. His chiseled arms were certainly evidence of a man who worked hard.

  But her heart wasn’t up for grabs, and she hadn’t realized until today how in love she still was with Thomas. She knew she still loved
him, but hearing he had someone else and his not showing up at the wedding had affected her more than she expected. Maybe that’s why she came so close to kissing Amos in the cornfield. But it would have been for the wrong reasons.

  Yawning, she extinguished the lantern. She would just have to see Amos for what he was—a distraction who was easy on the eyes. Besides, a person couldn’t have too many friends.

  She rolled over and cuddled with the nameless kitten they’d saved, and a flood of tears overtook her. No matter how tightly she squeezed her eyes closed and tried to push away thoughts of Thomas, all she could see was him in another woman’s arms.

  I’ll never fall in love again. It hurts too much.

  * * *

  Out in the barn Friday morning, Esther picked up the phone and made a doctor’s appointment. Afterward, she took a few deep breaths, glad she’d forced herself to make the call. Then she checked the answering machine. When she heard the message, she hurried back into the house. Anna Mae and Amos were already seated at the table. Lizzie was slicing a loaf of bread fresh from the oven, and Naomi was filling Anna Mae’s coffee cup.

  “Company is coming.” Esther pressed her palms together. They’d hoped business would pick up now that they were past the summer heat. If her stomach didn’t act up too much, maybe this would provide a distraction from her medical woes, at least for the weekend. “An Amish woman from Shipshewana and her two dochders will be arriving this afternoon. I think she said they are on their way to visit relatives, although I don’t remember where. They’ll just be staying tonight.”

  Naomi finished frying the eggs, and when everyone was served and seated, she took her place next to Amos. Anna Mae had asked if they could all eat together when there weren’t other guests, and the kitchen table had room for six. It was cozy compared to the formality of the dining room, and Esther was happy to oblige.

  She hurried to finish her breakfast, which wasn’t much. She could barely stomach anything lately. Lizzie had questioned her about it again, but Esther said she’d picked up a bug. In truth, she’d picked up something, but she also knew it wasn’t a bug.