They might have sat that way for a much longer time, but they heard a shout of laughter from the yard and pulled apart self-consciously.
“I had better get back,” Daniel said. “They were just starting to put the joists in for the second floor, and I will need to make certain the stairway goes in right.”
Miriam sighed and released his arm. “Thank you, Daniel. I am glad you told me about Deborah.”
Daniel managed a small smile. “You are easy to talk to, Miriam. Thank you for listening.”
“You are welcome. I am happy to return the favor that you did in taking the time to listen to Ezra yesterday. I am glad I could be of help to you when you had a need.”
Daniel stood and offered his hand, but Miriam shook her head.
“Thank you, but I think I will stay here a bit longer.”
Daniel took a deep breath of the fresh air and glanced around. “It is a good place to sit and think.”
Miriam smiled at his understanding and nodded.
As he walked away, Miriam followed him with her eyes, until he disappeared around the corner of the barn. She sighed deeply once more and hugged her knees to her chest. Such a troubled man , she mused. Miriam wondered whether he was running away from, or running to, someplace by coming here. She hoped it was the latter, because she realized that she wanted very much for Daniel to discover he belonged here.
***
“It is lovely,” Ruth said as they surveyed the small apartment on the second floor of the new stable.
“Credit Isaac for that,” Daniel answered. “He does fine work.”
“Uncle Isaac does the very best work,” little Ruthie added with a rush of family loyalty.
“Isaac was always one for making things,” Miriam’s father, the elder Ezra, said with not a little paternal pride in his voice. “He never could plow a straight furrow, mind you, but break the plow, and he could build you a new one much better than the one you had.”
Miriam smiled. Her brother’s lack of farming skills had been an inside family joke for years, but every time she saw Isaac’s work in wood, she was amazed at what he could create. The apartment was small, but all the furniture and storage was neat and to scale, making it perfect for a single man. The sparsely appointed kitchen did not worry her, since she knew Ruth and Naomi would keep Daniel fed.
As they all filed out and headed down the open-tread staircase to the stable below, nothing but praise and positive comments could be heard from the family group touring the now completed stable. The only residents so far were a saddle horse Daniel had acquired: one of her father’s draft horses who was nursing a foot injury after stepping wrong on a rock, and one of the female cats from the other barn, who had decided this was a good place to which to move her new litter now that all the construction noise had ceased.
“So, when do the horses come?” young Ezra asked, anxious to get on with the important part of this whole affair.
“Well, Ezra, I have some ideas about that,” Daniel said, laying a hand on the boy’s shoulder to guide him out of the stable.
“Let us have lemonade on the porch, so you can tell us all about it,” Ruth suggested.
Lemonade to cool them down from the warm September day sounded like a good idea to everyone, and as they left the cooler interior of the stable, Miriam noted the looks of satisfaction Daniel and Seth both wore as they surveyed the adjoining paddock and lunge enclosure. Daniel had already demonstrated the lunge training for them with his new gelding, and young Ezra had not been the only one deeply impressed with his obvious experience and skill in working with the horse.
All seated on the porch—Miriam and the children, Naomi, their father, and their brother, Abram, his wife Esther, Aunt Ruth, Daniel and Seth—holding ice-cold glasses of lemonade in their hands, Ruth passed around a plate of cookies and folks settled in to hear about Daniel’s plans.
“So, what do you have in mind for where to begin with the horses, Daniel?” Seth asked as he took a bite of Ruth’s famous oatmeal cookies.
Daniel studied his partner thoughtfully then nodded, as though coming to a decision. “My friend from Belleville—Duncan McGrath is his name—the one who gave me a ride here that first day?”
Seth nodded.
“Well, he raises Irish Draught horses.”
“I have never heard of them,” Abram said.
“Few people have. I am told they are actually an endangered breed,” Daniel answered, “but I believe them to be a perfect bloodline to introduce to our horses, because they are both strong and light, making them good for the plow, the buggy, and even riding.”
“Men actually ride a draft horse?” Miriam’s father asked, surprised.
Daniel chuckled. “Believe it or not, this Irish Draught horse is actually used for hunting.”
Abram laughed. “That I would like to see! A draught horse jumping fences?”
“You have seen it, though, haven’t you, Daniel?” Seth said, and Miriam could see her youngest brother-in-law’s interest peaking.
Daniel smiled. “I have, indeed. And it was quite a sight, for they are very light on their feet and love to jump. Imagine an Irish Draught stallion crossed with our lighter Standardbred and American Saddlebred mares producing a fine, strong, all-around offspring.”
“This is what your uncles and brothers would not allow you to try at the Lantz Farm, isn’t it?” Miriam interjected with sudden insight. Perhaps Daniel really had been running to, rather than away from, someplace or something.
Daniel caught her eye and smiled, nodding to confirm her theory. “My family is stuck on what they have done for a hundred years. They do some breeding, yes, but mostly they trade with unsuccessful harness racers and repurpose the broken horses for Amish use. I believe we could—and should—breed our own horses, so we know exactly what we are getting. There will be more training involved, yes, but the final product—a strong, easy-going, willing, and versatile animal—will be worth the extra work.”
“I do not suppose this McGrath has a stallion for sale at the moment,” Seth said, a twinkle in his eye.
Daniel grinned. “He does, though I must warn you the price will be steep.”
“But worth it in the end, you think?” Abram asked. He shook his head. “I fear that our neighbors will never be able to pay a high enough price for a horse to recoup your original investment.”
Miriam knew her brother was open to change and innovation—his dairy was proof of that—but he also tended to be fiscally quite conservative.
“I agree,” Daniel said. “But our well-bred, well-trained colts and fillies will only be one way to earn back the start-up cost. I plan to make our stallion available for stud to the Irish Draught Horse Society, which will bring stud fees in to supplement our income. As I said, the breed is considered endangered, so a stallion with papers is valuable.”
The porch became very quiet for a time as his words sank in. Daniel’s plan would mean steady contact with the English, as they brought their mares in to be covered, and Miriam did not know how well that would sit with the community.
“While I never doubted the potential of a horse farm from the moment Seth brought it to me,” the elder Ezra said, “I must admit to being both surprised and impressed with each accomplishment along the way, so I am thinking we should listen carefully to you, Daniel, when you give advice.” Ezra paused and thought. “It does concern me, however, this regular interaction with the English.”
“It would not necessarily be regular, Ezra,” Daniel explained, “but only as needed. And we can always work something out with an English stable, where we can meet the client with our stallion. I have been asking around—there are several riding stables in this county, some not far away. I am thinking we could make a deal with one of them for a small fee.”
Ezra nodded thoughtfully.
Seth looked at Naomi, who nodded at her husband-to-be. “Ezra, you know that we still have some of Naomi’s money left after building the barn, too. I believe in Daniel�
��s vision, and we will fund this venture, with your blessing, of course.”
“What do you think Dawdy Ezra?” little Ezra asked hopefully.
The older man laid a hand on his grandson’s shoulder and nodded once more.
“I think that Daniel and Seth have a good plan.”
Miriam sighed with relief. If her father approved, the plan would go forward.
“So, do you think we can afford this Irish stallion, Daniel?” Seth asked with a grin, accepting his future father-in-law’s blessing on their joint venture.
Daniel nodded. “I have my own savings to add to Naomi’s money. And I know McGrath has more than one stallion for sale. We tell him we will be buying a stallion from him and ask him to bring more than one to show us. That way, we can show a lot of interest in the other and save our offer for the Irish Draught.”
Both grandfather and grandson laughed, and everyone applauded the plan.
“I must remember you are a horse trader, Daniel,” Abram said on a chuckle.
“Always,” Daniel said, toasting the other man with his glass.
Miriam hugged young Ezra to her and prayed everything would work out as well as Daniel hoped. She realized that it felt so good to have positive things to look forward to – a new business and a new baby were a good start at learning to live with her loss.
13
“Oh, my,” Miriam murmured to Naomi as they approached the lunge yard. All six of the surviving Fisher brothers, along with their father, Abram, Isaac, and both her father and son, stood in a row along the fence watching Daniel work the new stallion on the lunge line. However properly and plainly they were all dressed, there was no disguising the fact that the men in both the Fisher and Miller families were a fine looking bunch. Healthy, hard working, and fit, the easy camaraderie of the crew was the picture of what every Plain woman yearned for: stability, family, and security.
Naomi sighed. “I have dibs on the short one.”
Miriam stifled a laugh. Seth, the youngest Fisher boy, was nearly a head shorter than his brothers, but still muscled and strong. The others, like Jacob had been, were as tall and straight as Shem, whose salt-and-pepper beard and thick, wavy hair could not detract from his still handsome figure.
They reached the group and young Ezra reached up to take Miriam’s hand.
“Is he not so very handsome, Mama?” he whispered, afraid of distracting the concentration of man and horse.
“He most certainly is, love,” she said.
Naomi giggled, and Miriam felt her face heat. She hoped none of the men present guessed that she had not been referring to the horse.
“He certainly seems to know what he is doing,” Benjamin said after a moment.
“Humph.”
The grunt had come from Caleb. Now the oldest of the Fisher brothers, he was the worst when it came to over-protecting their baby brother. While he heartily approved of Seth’s upcoming marriage to Naomi, and even of his move to the Miller farm, he still had plenty of reservations about Seth’s partnering with the unknown Daniel Lantz.
“Daniel was certainly right about the horse,” Saul offered.
“Not to mention how he handled the McGrath,” Adam said on a chuckle.
The others nodded with approval.
“It was the best piece of horse-trading I have witnessed in a very long time,” Shem said, and there were murmurs of agreement down the line.
“Perhaps,” Caleb said, still skeptical.
“Oh, come on, big brother,” Seth said. “Admit it. Daniel is a good man, and I was lucky he wanted to come here and partner with me.”
“I am very pleased,” Ezra the elder said, ending the debate. “This will be as fine an expansion for this family as Abram’s dairy.”
Miriam gave her father a smile of appreciation then glanced down the line at Caleb, who was still scowling, though his expression looked more resigned than belligerent.
“Look, he is finished!” little Ezra breathed, and Miriam looked up to see Daniel reeling in the big horse. He patted the animal’s neck with affection then led him over to his audience.
“He is gorgeous, Daniel,” Seth said.
“And as docile as a lamb,” Benjamin added.
Daniel patted the big fellow again. “There is not a mean bone in his body.”
“Can I pet him?” Ezra asked.
“ May I pet him,” Miriam corrected.
“ May I pet him, Uncle Daniel?”
Daniel smiled down at the boy. “We can do one better. Would you like to ride him?”
Miriam sucked in a sharp breath, but Daniel anticipated her objections.
“He really is docile, Miriam. And I will be at his head the entire time.”
Miriam saw everyone was looking at her expectantly, but it was the expression on her son’s face that decided her.
“All right,” she agreed. “But do exactly what Daniel tells you to do.”
“Thank you, Mama!” Ezra hugged her tightly then climbed through the fence.
“Stand still and let him sniff you first,” Daniel directed.
He laid a hand on Ezra’s shoulder then allowed the big horse to drop his head. His soft whiskers tickled as he snuffled at Ezra, and the boy giggled.
“All right, then. Up you go.”
Daniel hooked the lunge line over one shoulder and taking Ezra under the arms, lifted the boy effortlessly onto the big horse’s back. “Hold onto his sides with your legs, and wrap your fingers in his mane.
“That is right, Ezra,” Daniel praised as he began to lead the big bay slowly around the enclosure. The horse seemed to be placing his big feet very carefully as if he knew that he carried a precious cargo.
“I would never have believed it of a stallion,” Saul said. “Would you look at that?”
Adam snorted. “Just wait until he scents a mare.”
“Hush!” Shem commanded sharply, and Adam flushed with embarrassment when he realized he had spoken in front of the sisters.
Miriam took Naomi’s hand as they both suppressed giggles. It was Daniel and Ezra who really had her attention, though. Watching the man lead the big horse, and her son’s fierce concentration on his instructions, she felt her world shift once more, as if God had directed her attention toward the her son and the newcomer.
While she watched Daniel instructing and keeping a close eye on Ezra, Miriam realized that Ezra had behaved the same way with Jacob. Ezra had always been focused, trying so hard to follow directions as his father taught him how to carve a piece of wood, how to harness a horse, how to plow a straight furrow, how to bait a fishing hook, how to judge the distance of a thunder storm. She felt her eyes sting. Her son was falling in love with this man, with his new Uncle Daniel. The really frightening thought was that Miriam was afraid that she might be falling in love with him, too.
“Are you all right?” Naomi whispered in her ear.
Miriam started then took a deep breath.
“I am fine.”
“Perhaps we should go in, now. Seth can explain that you were tired and bring Ezra along when he is finished.”
Miriam glanced back at her son atop the tall horse. They had reached the far side of the enclosure, and as they rounded the bend, Ezra looked up at them and grinned. Miriam smiled back then pointed toward herself and the house. Ezra nodded then turned his attention back to Daniel. Sighing, she let her sister take her arm and lead her gently toward the house.
“What is wrong, Miriam?”
“Nothing, really,” she said. “Or at least nothing I can explain right now.”
The two sisters entered the house through the kitchen, where Ruth was preparing a cold dinner that could be eaten by the large group of hungry men who would occupy the porch shortly.
“Is everything all right?” Ruth asked when she saw their faces.
“I am not sure,” Naomi said as Miriam took a seat at the table.
“Miriam?” Ruth crossed to lay a gentle hand on Miriam’s shoulder.
“Ezra
is becoming so attached to Daniel,” Miriam said with a worried frown.
“Is that a bad thing?” Ruth asked. “From what I have seen, he is a good man, and after all he has accomplished in such a short time, I must believe he is here to stay.
“And he seems particularly fond of all the children,” Naomi added.
“He is.”
Miriam told them what she knew of Daniel’s unhappy past – Deborah’s miscarriages and her untimely death.
“The poor man,” Naomi murmured. “How difficult that must have been for him. And then to have his family be so unsupportive of him professionally. I would guess they are as overly protective of Daniel as Seth’s brothers are of him. Seth loves all his brothers, but he is so thankful to have Daed ’s support in what he is doing with Daniel. It must be even harder on Daniel, since he must live with what happened to his wife, too.”
“I did hear Seth and Daniel talking to your father last evening,” Ruth said, “and you are right, Naomi. Both men are so very thankful to Ezra for giving them a chance to pursue this dream. My brother joked that he was really only doing his best to keep his youngest daughter at home, but I think he was very pleased to be able to help two such fine young men.”
Miriam felt tears threaten and covered her face with her hands.
“Miriam!”
Ruth took a chair next to her niece and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
“Please tell us what is wrong.”
Miriam shook her head. “I do not know! I cry so easily these days, and I do not know how much of it is Jacob, how much is simply being pregnant, or how much is…”
When Miriam stopped speaking, Ruth and Naomi shared a knowing look over the distraught girl’s head. .
“Or how much is Daniel?” Naomi guessed.
Miriam glanced up sharply.
“How can there be any ‘Daniel?’” she asked sharply. “I barely know Daniel, and Jacob…”
She broke off once more, and Ruth pulled her into her arms, rocking her gently as she had as a child during those early years after her mother’s death. Miriam sobbed, emotionally spent, confused, and uncertain.
Romance In Amish Country Series Boxed Set: 1-3 Naomi's Story; Miriam's Story; Ruth's Story Page 8
