Amish Days: Coming Home: A Hollybrook Amish Romance (Rhoda's Story Book 3)

by Brenda Maxfield

  Coming Home

  Hollybrook Amish Romance Rhoda’s Story #3

  Brenda Maxfield

  Copyright © 2017 by Tica House Publishing LLC

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Personal Word from the Author

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  Continue Reading…

  Thank you for Reading

  More Hollybrook Amish Romances for You

  About the Author

  Personal Word from the Author

  Dearest Readers,

  Thank you so much for reading one of my books! Your kinds words and loving readership make my day. As a thank you, I would like to give you a simple gift of my two favorite Amish recipes and keep you up-to-date with new releases and special offers.

  Click Here To Get Your Free Recipes

  Chapter One

  The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.

  Psalm 34:8 KJV

  Rhoda Hilty faced her sister’s husband. “I need to get back.”

  A look of resignation crept over Travis’s face. “I know.”

  “You’ll be all right,” Rhoda said, trying to convince them both.

  “Jah. Of course.” He sighed.

  Mark walked into the kitchen, his cheeks red and chapped from the air outside. “Dat, I saw to the cows. When are we eating? I’m hungry.”

  “It’s all ready,” Rhoda said. “Ruth and Anna can serve it up. Your dat will help.”

  She set the dishtowel she’d been twisting down on the counter. “I really do need to get back,” she repeated.

  Mark looked at the trays of sandwich fixings and the bowl of pickles Rhoda had readied for her sister’s family. “You comin’ again tomorrow?” Mark asked her, his young face hopeful.

  “I expect to,” Rhoda said. She looked at Travis. “That boppli’s sleeping. She should be awake any minute.”

  Travis nodded.

  Rhoda ruffled Mark’s hair as she left the kitchen and went into the wash room to grab her woolen cape from its peg. She put it on and then slung a scarf around her neck, twisting it snugly about her throat. She put on an outer bonnet and then stood in front of the door, looking out its small window onto the frozen ground.

  She wasn’t fond of winter. The cold blasted its way to her very core. It was actually painful. She much preferred summer, even on the hottest, muggiest day. It was uncomfortable, to be sure. In fact, the heat of Indiana at its hottest could suck every ounce of energy from a person, but it didn’t hurt. Not like winter did.

  She could see that Mark had hitched up the pony cart for her. Feisty was stomping her front feet, clouds of white breath puffing from her nostrils. She grimaced. Standing there like a scarecrow wasn’t going to get her home any sooner. She opened the door, sucked in her breath, and ducked outside.

  The blast of cold air made her eyes smart. She blinked repeatedly as she hurried to her cart.

  “Hello, girl,” she said to Feisty, her own puffs of breath mingling with the pony’s. “Let’s get going.”

  She climbed into the cart and took the reins. With a snap of her wrist, they were off. Turning right instead of left out of her sister’s drive still took her by surprise. Rhoda and her mother had moved into her brother’s daadi haus two weeks ago, but she still couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact. She wanted to turn left out of the drive.

  And go home where she belonged.

  She hadn’t wanted to leave her childhood home. Inside, she’d been kicking and screaming in protest. But on the outside, she’d put on a brave face, even managing to plaster a smile or two onto her expression. She felt obligated. Her mother was devastated enough, without adding Rhoda’s angst to the mix. For the thousandth time, she wished her mother hadn’t broken her hip; then, they wouldn’t have had to move.

  She glanced up at the sky. It was completely overcast, the thick gray-white clouds forming a murky, soundless blanket over the earth. It was going to snow soon. Rhoda could smell it. She pulled up on the reins. Perhaps, she should take a few minutes to run by Aaron Raber’s place and check on her bees. She chewed the inside of her lip. Her bees didn’t need checking on. She’d been over there not five days ago, and they were fine.

  But Aaron had asked her to check on his empty house now and again while he was gone. And Rhoda liked to do it. Doing so helped her feel closer to him. Almost as if he was going to walk in the door at any minute, and they could begin courting in earnest.

  She yearned for it. Ached for it.

  But he was still in Ohio. She recalled his last letter to her, every word of it, received only yesterday.

  Dear Rhoda,

  I trust this finds you well. I hope you are adjusting to life in the daadi haus. How is your mother doing? I’ve been concerned for her, but I’m sure she is doing well as she has you to take care of her.

  Are you still going over to your sister Donna’s every day? I reckon you must be getting plum worn out with it all.

  My dat is faring better. Truth be told, I think he’s better than he lets on, wanting to keep me here longer. I’ve been working in his shop. Rhoda, I’m miserable at furniture making. My heart isn’t in it. And heaven knows, I have no skills.

  My heart is back in Hollybrook. With my land. And my orchard. And you…

  Don’t forget me.

  Aaron

  As if she could ever forget him. She snapped the reins again and headed Feisty in the direction of Aaron’s place. She had time enough before it got completely dark. And it would be nice to have a few moments to herself before arriving at Bart’s. She knew her mother would be fine. Bart’s wife Evelyn checked on Winnie frequently during the day while Rhoda was at Donna’s. And Rhoda’s sister Martha stopped in when she could, too.

  Feisty increased her speed. The air bit at Rhoda’s face, and she adjusted her scarf to cover her mouth and chin. Better. Checking on Aaron’s farm added time to her trip back, but it was worth it.

  “Oh, Aaron,” she whispered into the scarf. “I miss you.”

  Fifteen minutes later, she pulled into Aaron’s drive and secured Feisty near the front porch. She walked up the creaky wooden steps and crossed the porch to reach under an old planter. She pulled out the rusty key and unlocked Aaron’s door. He hadn’t really seen the point of locking the house when he’d left, but Rhoda thought it might be wise as it would be unattended for so long.

  Just like her childhood home was unattended. They’d locked it, too. But hopefully, fellow district member Matthew and his new wife would be moving in soon. Rhoda still felt guilty about that. Matthew and his wife had been set to move into Aaron’s daadi haus. But Rhoda’s brother Bart had gone and offered them their childhood farmhouse instead. Matthew had been delighted to snap it up, particularly since he had already agreed to lease their farm land.

  And so, Aaron was left without his renters.

  It didn’t seem right. Or polite. She’d told Bart so, but he wasn’t of the same mind. Thankfully, Aaron hadn’t taken offense.

  Rhoda walked into the house an
d felt the chill of unused space. She walked to the mantle and felt around for the lantern and matches. Finding both, she lit the lantern and held it up high to look around. Everything was untouched, unmoved. Lifeless.

  She’d never been in the house when Aaron was there. He lived alone, and it wouldn’t have been proper. When she had gotten the opportunity to check on it regularly for him while he was gone, she’d jumped at the chance. The first time she’d entered, she’d explored through every room. Once, when she was a young girl, she’d been in the house. That was when the Stutzmans had lived there. She remembered once when it was their turn in the rotation to host Sunday services. Mamm had taken her into the kitchen to help slice bread for sandwiches. But Rhoda didn’t remember much more. All she recalled was wanting to go back outside and play on the tire swing hanging from the large oak in the front yard.

  Rhoda walked across the room and entered the kitchen. The linoleum beneath her feet groaned as she made her way to the cavernous sink. She set the lantern on the counter and looked around. She could be happy there. It was a spacious kitchen, well laid out. She squinted her eyes and imagined herself at the stove, stirring up a big pot of beef stew. The timer would ring and she’d remove three lovely browned loaves of bread from the oven.

  And then she’d move to the doorway and call Aaron to dinner.

  The lantern flickered and the cold of the room seeped beneath her cape. She shuddered. With a stiff movement, she grabbed up the lantern and began her rounds through the house. Lately, she spent entirely too much time fantasizing about Aaron Raber.

  It wasn’t healthy.

  And she was getting way ahead of the Lord God.

  She tromped up the steps and went into the bathroom. She turned on the faucet to make sure the pipes weren’t frozen. Aaron had made sure all the pipes were well wrapped with insulation before he left, so she assumed all would be well. With a gurgle, the water came blustering forth. She turned it back off.

  Everything was in order. There was no reason to dally. She took a quick peek into Aaron’s room. Except for the quilt on the bed, the room looked completely deserted, as if no one had lived there for a very long time. In truth, Aaron Raber hadn’t been in town long before his mother called him home because of his father’s heart attack. He’d barely had the time to make his mark on the place.

  But he’d made a mark on her heart, hadn’t he? She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, trying to remember his earthy smell.

  Nothing.

  It was as if he’d never been there in the first place. She grimaced at her own antics and then hurried downstairs and out of the house.

  Chapter Two

  Rhoda replaced Aaron’s house key and climbed back into her cart. It was nearly dark, and she still had a ways to go. She didn’t like driving her cart in the dark. Even with the lantern hanging from the front, it didn’t help much to see anything.

  She urged Feisty to go faster. She hunkered down, shrinking inside her cape, trying to stay warm. Maybe tomorrow, she could have Bart drive her to Donna’s in the buggy. Being enclosed, it would be much warmer. When she turned into Bart’s drive, she relaxed. Up ahead, she saw her brother’s silhouette in the barn door.

  “Rhoda? That you?” he called.

  “It’s me.”

  “I was getting worried. I expected you back some time ago.”

  “I’m sorry. Didn’t mean to make you worry.”

  “How’s Donna?”

  “Much the same. Still in bed most of the day.”

  He shook his head and helped her down from the cart. “Old Mae been to see her?”

  “Jah. She gave me some herbs which I put in her tea. I’m not noticing much change, though.”

  “Do you think she needs an Englisch doctor?”

  “She wouldn’t see one.”

  “Maybe we don’t give her the choice. It ain’t normal for a mother to take to her bed for days on end because she’s tired.”

  Rhoda was as puzzled as he was, but she’d seen Donna. She’d seen her despair and despondency. It was beyond anything she’d ever imagined. There was more there than being tired, but she had no idea what it was.

  “I don’t mind caring for her kinner. After all, their my nieces and nephew,” Rhoda said, handing him the reins. “I just regret that your wife has to see to Mamm. That’s my job.”

  “Evelyn is okay with it. Mamm ain’t that much bother.”

  Rhoda looked at him. “Jah, she is.”

  He grinned. “Jah, she is.” He laughed. “I’ll see to Feisty. Have you eaten?”

  “Nee.”

  “Go on in the big house first. Evelyn will have something set aside for you.”

  “Thank you, Bart.” Rhoda clasped her cape more tightly about her neck and hurried inside.

  “Aenti!” Gertie cried. “You’re back.”

  Rhoda gave the girl’s shoulder a squeeze. “I’m back, and I’m cold.” She gave an exaggerated chatter of her teeth.

  Gertie laughed. “Wanna play with us?”

  Evelyn came out from the kitchen. “Leave Rhoda be, Gertie. She probably hasn’t even had supper yet.”

  “You’re right on that.”

  “Come on. I have a plate for you.”

  Grateful, Rhoda followed Evelyn into the kitchen.

  “How’s Donna?”

  “The same. I was just telling Bart. How was Mamm today?”

  Evelyn set a plate of meatloaf, peas, and a chunk of bread on the table. “Sit and eat, Rhoda. Mama slept most of the day. I made sure she did some exercises like the nurse told me.”

  Rhoda glanced up at Evelyn. “How did that go?”

  Evelyn shrugged. “Not well. I had no idea a broken hip would cause such havoc.”

  “I’m supposed to take her to rehabilitation tomorrow afternoon. Bart asked me earlier.”

  “But won’t you be with Donna’s brood?”

  “Travis will have to take over for me. I’ll come get Mamm. Don’t you worry.” Rhoda realized that if Bart took her to Donna’s in the morning, she wouldn’t have a rig with which to fetch Winnie. So much for riding in a warmer buggy.

  “Why don’t you take our buggy?” Evelyn suggested, as if reading her mind.

  Rhoda’s brows raised. “Really? You won’t be needing it?”

  “We have the cart and wagon. Plus, we have your cart.” She laughed.

  “So you do.” Rhoda took a big bite of meatloaf and immediately felt cheered. “I’ll consider it. Thank you, Evelyn. For everything.”

  Evelyn shrugged off her thanks. “We’re family,” she said matter-of-factly.

  Rhoda continued eating, the food restoring her spirits with each bite.

  “Is Mamm in the daadi haus?” she asked.

  “Jah. She don’t like that wheelchair, and I don’t blame her.”

  “She should be in a walker soon, right?”

  “That’ll depend on how she does with the therapy.” Evelyn shook her head. “She’s gonna need a major dose of positive spirits, though.”

  “We’ll keep praying,” Rhoda said. She put down her fork. “I’ll do my best.”

  Evelyn leaned over the table to her. “You always do your best, Rhoda. Don’t think none of us notice.”

  Rhoda’s eyes widened. It wasn’t like Evelyn—in truth, it wasn’t like any of them—to give such compliments.

  “I don’t think Bart agrees with you,” Rhoda mumbled.

  Evelyn sat down. “It’s true, he was upset with you when you didn’t move Mama right away to the daadi haus. But now, everything is good.” Evelyn fiddled with her thumbnail. “We all appreciate what you’re doing with Donna’s kinner.”

  The back of Rhoda’s eyes burned with unshed tears. “What do you think Evelyn? Did you feel so awful after childbirth? I can’t help but think it’s all connected somehow, but I don’t have any experience with it.”

  Evelyn shook her head. “Never anything like this. I heard once about a woman in Illinois who had to be hospitalized. She fell apart afte
r giving birth. It was right sad and mighty confusing to her kinfolk.”

  “Well, it’s confusing to me.”

  “But, she’s getting better, right? Don’t you notice anything?” Evelyn’s voice was hopeful.

  “She’s talking more. And the other day, she got out of bed and sat in her rocker for a while. So, that’s a good sign.”

  Evelyn patted the table. “So there. You see. She’s coming around.” She looked into Rhoda’s eyes. “You won’t have to care for Donna’s family forever.”

  Rhoda blinked back her tears. “It’s all right. Truly.”

  Evelyn patted the table again and then stood. “Let me take your dishes. You go on out to Mama. I know she’ll be glad you’re home.”

  Rhoda got up. “Thanks for supper. Mamm’s eaten?”

  “Jah. Gertie took out a plate earlier. Mama ate every bite.”

  Chapter Three

  Rhoda opened the door to the daadi haus. It was dark and cold inside. She glanced at the warming fire and saw only a glow of red. How long had the fire been out? She hurried over to it, stoked it a bit, and added a hefty log. She twisted strips of paper and tucked them around the log. Leaning over, she blew gently until they caught fire. She leaned back on her haunches and watched the flames until she was sure they would take off.

  “Mamm?” she called. She took the lantern off the mantle and lit it. Then she walked into her mother’s bedroom. Inside, a lamp was burning. “Didn’t you have Gertie put another log on the fire?”

  Winnie shook her head. “No need. I’m in here, the fire is out there.”

  “Do you realize how cold it is outside? We have to keep the fire going.” Rhoda walked to her mother’s bed. She set her lantern next to the one already lit and smoothed the quilt with her free hand.