Please, Lord, bless me with a man such as this to love me, Levinia whispered.
She felt foolish even asking for such a prideful prayer, but she meant it with all her heart.
Bethany came back around the back side of the barn. “Daed’s under the big oak tree in the yard taking a nap.”
Levinia noted the direction of the barn’s shadow. “Is it that late already? We need to hurry before he gets up and wants his supper and I don’t have it ready for him before evening chores.”
“I agree,” Bethany said. “Let’s get him upstairs to the loft. I’ll stay with him while you make the evening meal so Daed won’t get suspicious.”
Levinia felt a twinge of jealousy toward her sister, who had no idea what real responsibility was. Being nearly five years her senior, Levinia had been taking care of Bethany since she was four years old—since Mamm’s death. But now the girl was almost eighteen and she was still too dependent on Levinia.
Truth be told, Levinia had only herself to blame. She’d catered to her sister and had not enforced the teachings that an Amish woman should know to do by this age. For Levinia, it had always been easier to do the work herself than to struggle with getting her sister to do her fair share.
Though she’d taken on the role of mamm to Bethany, she wasn’t her mamm, and could not get her to do much without an argument. Rather than having Daed discipline her by taking the strap to her back-side, Levinia had allowed her sister to rebel too often to help her to be responsible this late in her life. Now it would be up to Bethany to mature enough to understand the importance of learning the skills needed to be a married woman. Levinia knew Bethany was nowhere near being ready for such an important role; she was too busy enjoying the attention of every young man in the community to settle for just one. It angered Levinia that Bethany couldn’t even be responsible for herself, and suddenly, she wanted to take responsibility for Nate!
“Perhaps you should make Daed his evening meal for a change. I do all the work around here while you flit around making whimsical play of your life instead of being responsible!”
Bethany scowled. “I do plenty of chores around here!”
“Not without an argument.”
Bethany dropped Nate’s feet causing him to clutch his side and groan. “If you think I do nothing around here, then you can take him upstairs yourself while I go tell Daed you’re hiding an Englischer in the loft. You aren’t too old for Daed to take you out behind the barn for a gut, sound lashing like our cousin’s get from their Daed.”
Levinia was fuming, but dared not show her anger to her sister. She needed her help and her loyalty at this moment. For reasons unknown even to herself, she wasn’t willing to let Nate depart from her life without a fight. She supposed it stemmed from the losses she’d suffered—especially with her twin’s recent death. Whatever the reason, she felt that Gott, Himself had a hand in it somehow.
For that reason alone, she would have to tread water with her sister’s immature temperament, and succumb to the girl’s whims. It filled her with a deep resentment toward her sister, but she pushed it down, just as she’d been doing most of her life. Because of Bethany, she had not been allowed to enjoy her youth enough to appreciate it. She’d been a mother and caretaker of her sister and her father since she was a mere child herself, and her mamm’s death had in a way cheated her out of a life as well.
Levinia sighed impatiently. “Please help me get him upstairs and stop using threats to get your own way. Since you’ve helped me get him this far, Daed will know I didn’t get him here by myself, so we will both get a sound lashing. You can either work with me and we can get him upstairs before Daed wakes up and sees him, or we can stand here and argue a little longer and get into trouble. It’s your choice little schweschder.”
Bethany narrowed her gaze on Levinia. “I’ll help you get him up there, but not for you. I’ll do it for Nate. After all, he’s pretty handsome.”
Levinia held her tongue even though she would enjoy giving her sister a sound lashing herself.
CHAPTER 3
Levinia rushed through the cooking, knowing that every minute she spent preparing her daed’s evening meal meant another minute Bethany was spending alone with Nate. She’d wanted to be there in case he woke up—in case he asked for her.
Jealousy rose up in her again at the thought of Nate making a connection with Bethany if he should wake, especially since she felt she’d already made one with him. She felt foolish for not wanting Nate to like her sister, but she’d never had the chance to be so close to a man before, and Bethany had been on so many dates, she’d made her way around the young men in the community more than once. Levinia, on the other hand, had never had even one date. She’d been too busy being the responsible one while Bethany sneaked out of the haus so many times it ceased to bother her anymore.
Her father came in before she was able to set everything on the table and grumbled without looking at his daughter. “Supper’s late.”
“I’m sorry Daed. I must have gotten behind in my chores.”
He took the plate she offered without looking up. “Where is your schweschder?”
“She’s probably picking apples and lost track of time. I’ll fetch her right away.”
Her father tasted the stew without praying first, his long, wiry beard dipping in the bowl as he lowered his head to take another bite.
Levinia escaped through the kitchen door before he could say another word. If he found out she’d lied to him, he’d surely take the switch to her back-side. She ran to the barn and up the outside staircase to the loft apartment that had always been intended for Daniel to use during the first year of his marriage, but sadly, he’d never gotten the chance. It pricked her heart to think of the things her bruder would never be able to do, such as marry and have kinner. It filled her with guilt. She supposed it was one of the reasons she didn’t date. There was a part of her that thought she didn’t deserve to be happy since Daniel wasn’t able to do those things either.
Levinia pushed down the guilt over Daniel’s death and quickly made her way up the stairs to the loft. Entering the small bedroom, Levinia covered her mouth to prevent the gasp from escaping her lips. She watched in shock as Bethany bent over Nate, whose bare chest lay exposed. From what she could tell, the girl had torn a bed-sheet into long bandage strips and used them to bind his ribs. She had just finished tying the last strip when she noticed her sister staring blankly at her.
She smiled proudly.
“He woke up for a minute, but he passed out when I moved him to wrap his ribs.”
Levinia rushed to Nate’s side, leaning close to check his breathing. “You should have waited for me to come back. You could have seriously hurt him by moving him yourself!”
Bethany waved a casual hand at her older sister.
“Why are you yelling at me? I got him all fixed up.”
“Did you check his ribs to be certain they were set before you wrapped him?”
Bethany shook her head. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Exactly!” Levinia scolded her. “Now I’m going to have to cause this poor mann more pain by undoing the bandages to be certain his ribs are in the correct place, and then rewrap him.”
“I’m sorry. I was only trying to help.”
“Daed wants you at the supper table,” Levinia said through gritted teeth.
“But…”
“Just go! I need to fix this the same way I take care of everything for you.”
Bethany fisted her hips angrily. “What is that supposed to mean?
Levinia took a step toward her sister. “It means you need to grow up and start thinking of someone other than yourself. You are almost eighteen years old and you don’t even know how to cook or do laundry or…”
“I help you with all those things!”
“Hanging up one dress and then running off does not earn you the skills needed to be on your own. What would you do if I wasn’t here to do everything for you?”
Bethany shook her head knowingly. “That’s not going to happen. Where would you have to go, schweschder? We both know you will most likely end up a spinster.”
The comment prickled down Levinia’s spine like the sharp quills on a porcupine.
“And so shall you be,” Levinia retorted. “Unless you learn the skills you need to keep a husband.”
Bethany cocked her head sideways and smiled.
“I know what keeps a husband happy!”
Levinia let a gasp escape her lips at her sister’s brazen words. “You should confess that evil from your mind at once! If the Bishop—or Daed heard you speak of such things you’d be shunned for sure and for certain.”
“Maybe if you’d take down that wall you’ve built around yourself and go on a date for once in your life, you might just know what I’m talking about.”
Levinia’s eyes widened. “You’ve done that on a date?”
Looking over at Nate, Bethany shushed her sister. “Of course not! I’m talking about kissing!”
Sadly, Levinia had never been kissed, and didn’t hold out much hope for such a thing. Her thoughts turned to Nate and wondered if the kiss she’d placed on his forehead counted. She supposed only if he’d kissed her back would it have counted. The very thought of it sent a warmth through her veins that surged toward her toes.
She let her gaze wander back toward Nate, who lay sleeping on the bed, oblivious to their rather brazen conversation. It was inappropriate to speak of such things in private, let alone to be speaking of them within earshot of a man. Some women in the community would talk of those things during quilting bees or work-bees, but Levinia had only ever listened. This was the first time she’d participated in such bold talk.
Levinia narrowed her gaze at her sister. “I imagine you’ve kissed every single mann in this community.”
Bethany smiled. “You’ve imagined correctly.”
“That’s shameful!”
“What is shameful, dear schweschder, is that you haven’t kissed even one of them!”
Levinia couldn’t deny the pitiful truth in her sister’s statement any more than she could deny her yearning for such an experience. Looking over at Nate once more, she swallowed down the lump that choked her, knowing that such a man as handsome as he would never find her attractive enough to kiss.
Nate’s hand reached for hers, startling her out of her reverie.
“Water,” he said, his dry lips parting slightly.
Though his eyes remained closed, Levinia was happy he’d reached for her rather than for her sister. The glare Bethany shot her let her know her sister didn’t feel the same as she did.
Levinia poured water into a glass from the pitcher at his bedside and scooped her hand under his head to assist him. She placed the glass to his lips and tipped it just enough to allot him small sips. He looked up at her with weary eyes. Levinia couldn’t help but notice the pain in their chocolaty depths.
“I need to check the bandages around your ribs,” she said cautiously. “It might hurt a little, but I think mei schweschder may have forgotten to set your ribs before she bound them.”
He nodded his consent and Levinia set to work undoing the damage her sister had done to this poor man.
The screen door to the loft slammed behind her and she knew Bethany had left in a huff. She didn’t care. She was glad to be rid of her. Bethany had always been selfish and immature, and this situation was proving to be no exception. She pushed back her disappointment in her sister and concentrated on tending to Nate’s injuries.
Wincing, Nate let her know every time she put too much pressure on his sore ribs. She hated hurting him, and repeatedly apologized, but didn’t feel it was enough for the torture she was certain she was putting him through. Thankfully, none were broken clean through, but she could feel two spots that were cracked. Pressing them tightly into place before binding them, Nate let out a low groan, noting his discomfort.
“I’m only doing what’s necessary to assure proper healing of these ribs,” she quickly said in her defense.
“I know you’re doing the right thing,” he said gently. “But sometimes doing the right thing can be…downright painful.”
His accent sounded familiar, but his choice of wording seemed “put-on”, she thought. She wondered if he could indeed be Amish, but his clothing and speech would suggest he was either an Englischer, or posing as one.
CHAPTER 4
Nate looked up at Levinia as she finished binding his ribs. He felt guilty for deceiving her, but he also knew keeping his privacy was necessary in order to conclude the soul-searching endeavor he’d set himself on. He wanted more than anything to let her know he was Amish, to confide in her how much he battled the decision to get baptized, but he feared she might be inclined to persuade his decision in one direction or the other. And he hadn’t yet decided for himself.
Even though his cousin, Adam, expected him to bring in the harvest, he wasn’t ready to leave this Angel of Mercy just yet. Her gentle, loving care made him crave more of the same. Surely such a lovely creature as she had a beau, but he could hope she didn’t—couldn’t he? He focused his gaze on the dark blonde tendril that waved across her smooth, pink cheek as she leaned over him tightening the strips of cotton cloth over his ribs. Her deep green eyes were filled with caring, but seemed lonely. Could it be she didn’t have a beau after all? He knew it was selfish and foolish to hope for such a thing—especially since he barely knew her, but he couldn’t help himself.
“If you’re hungry, I made some lamb stew.”
He quickly nodded. Lamb stew was one of his favorites.
She knew she would have to wait until her father went about his evening chores before she could bring Nate anything to eat, but she hoped to impress him with one of her best supper dishes. She knew it was foolish to think such things, but she’d heard many of the women in the community talk of gut food being the way to a mann’s heart, and she aimed to find out if that was true.
As she finished tying the last of the cotton strips across his ribs, she tugged at the quilt at the end of the bed, wishing she didn’t have to cover up his bare, muscular torso. But she had to accept that keeping him warm would help him heal and keep infection at bay.
Nate took note of Levinia’s rosy cheeks as her gaze trailed up his chest and settled on his arms and shoulders while she slowly tucked him into the quilt. He was tempted to flex his muscles to impress her, but he resisted, knowing it might embarrass her. Instead, he watched her study him as if she was storing away in her memory the sight of him without his shirt on, and he welcomed her to look as much as she wanted. When her gaze lifted and their eyes met, he remembered her kissing him, and couldn’t help but wish he could kiss her back. He’d never felt that before, though he’d been on his fair share of dates.
Most of the young women in his community were only concerned with having a husband, and were not concerned with falling in love. He, on the other hand, intended only to marry for love. His parents had married for love, and they were the happiest pair he knew. Too many folks in his community had troubled marriages and were estranged from each other due to their lack of compatibility—or even love for one another. Many of his friends who had married at a young age just for the sake of marrying were already miserable, and would have to endure a lifetime with the mate they’d chosen for physical reasons of desire rather than from true love. If asked, they would deem him to be the foolish one, but he knew what he wanted, and that was a mutual love that could endure the test of a lifetime.
“So where did you travel from, if I may be so bold as to ask.”
“From a farm in Ohio,” was all he dared say.
“So then you know how to plant and harvest?”
“I’ve lived on a farm all my life,” he admitted.
She set a curious gaze on him. “Where were you headed?”
“To work on a farm in this area.”
“So you’ve already found work, then?”
“In a manner of speaking.” He looked her straight in the eyes, wondering if she intended to question him until she managed to get it out of him who he was and what he was up to.
“And the ribs…no one hurt you, did they?”
Nate shook his head. “I was on the railroad bridge and the train was headed toward me too fast, so I had to jump. I’ll take a few cracked ribs over being flattened by a train any day!”
“Does your familye live in Ohio?”
He nodded.
“You ask a lot of questions.”
She giggled, sending his heart aflutter.
“Mei daed always said I was a curious child.”
His look softened. “You are anything but a child now.”
Her cheeks heated. Was he flirting with her? She dared not hope for such a thing, but she almost couldn’t help herself. Perhaps he was only flattering her since he was at her mercy and depended on her to take care of him until he regained his strength and his ribs healed some. Was he worried about the care she would give him? Perhaps he felt as if she’d brought him here against his will, which, in a way, she had. He was in a strange place with people he didn’t know, and had no idea if she meant him any harm. She felt sorry for him and felt the need to offer him an out.
“We have a telephone in the lower part of the barn if you’d like me to call someone for you—so they know you are alright—and where you are.”
He smiled. “That won’t be necessary. I should be well enough to travel in a few days or so, and I can be on my way then if you want me to.”
She didn’t want him to leave. If she had her way, he’d stay and help work her farm. Perhaps he could even help to bridge the gap between her and her father and restore the closeness they shared before Daniel’s death. It saddened her to think of Nate leaving already when he’d only just gotten here. “Those ribs could take a while before they heal—depending on how badly they’re cracked.”
He couldn’t help but smile. It seemed she was as eager for him to stay as he was to be here with her. She was a true angel, and the most beautiful of women he’d ever encountered. “You’re probably right. In the meantime, I think I will enjoy having you care for me. But please, don’t let your sister do any more doctoring on me.”
Amish Brides of Willow Creek 1-4 Omnibus Page 2
