The Middlefield Family Collection

by Kathleen Fuller

  Still he didn’t answer. Instead he kept staring at her, smiling. He had kind blue eyes and sandy-blond hair. She had to admit he was handsome.

  “Why don’t you surprise me?” he said.

  “What?”

  “Surprise me,” he repeated. “You decide what I’m going to have.” He leaned back in the chair.

  “That would be hard, considering we don’t know each other.”

  His grin widened. “Maybe someday we can change that.”

  Katherine froze and stared at him, then mechanically wrote down an entrée. “Our fried chicken is gut.”

  “Fried chicken it is.”

  She made her way back to the kitchen. Chrystal leaned against the door frame and winked. “Told ya. Never seen someone flirt so hard in my life.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Chrystal chuckled and patted Katherine on the arm. “Sweetie, if that guy has his way, you will.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Laura asked.

  Sawyer Thompson reached for her hand as they sat in well-worn rockers on Adam and Emma Otto’s front porch. “Like I said before, I’m more sure of this than anything.”

  “Anything?” Laura smiled.

  Sawyer stared at her in the dimming evening light. He could see the outlines of the thin scars on her face, damage Mark King had caused. But they didn’t detract from her beauty. Now that Mark was in jail and Laura had let go of her revenge, peace enhanced her loveliness, making her more attractive to him than ever before.

  But she wasn’t referring to their relationship. They were discussing something far more important. “Laura, I want to join the church. And I want to marry you. But like I told everyone else, my faith is the most important thing. Becoming Amish is what I want above all.”

  Laura smiled wider. “As it should be.” She rubbed her soft fingers against his rough ones, his skin callused from working for so many years in his adoptive father’s carpentry shop. They remained silent for a few moments, enjoying the quiet of the evening and the loving security of that simple touch.

  She broke the silence first. “Have you spoken to your grandmother lately?”

  “Have you talked to your parents?” He wanted to bite back the words, but he’d already put them out there.

  As he expected, Laura’s smile dimmed. She tried to pull away, but Sawyer wouldn’t let go. “Laura, I know why I’m avoiding Cora. We both do. What I don’t understand is why you’re avoiding your parents.”

  “I’m not. I’ve written to them.”

  “It’s been three months since they’ve seen you. I’m sure they miss you.”

  “I’m not ready to go back yet.” She looked out into the yard. “Tennessee doesn’t feel like home anymore. I don’t know how to explain that to them.”

  “You’ll figure out a way.”

  “I hope so. I’ve let them down so much.”

  Sawyer knelt down in front of her. “No more regrets, remember? No more punishing yourself.”

  “I know, but I’ve made so many mistakes. And I still need to pay Cora back—”

  He put his finger on her lips. What he wouldn’t do to sneak a kiss, even a small one . . .

  But he stopped himself. For one thing, he respected Emma and Adam too much. Laura had become like a member of their family. Adam had admitted as much to him the other day. “Emma likes having her around,” he’d said. “So does Leona. Laura is like the schweschder I never had.”

  More importantly, he respected the Amish way. He might not be Amish yet, but Sawyer had grown up in an Amish home during his teen years, and he understood their courting customs. The chaste attitude toward each other. No public displays of affection.

  He not only respected it, he appreciated it. Outward expressions of emotion in front of others had never been his thing, even when he attended a Yankee high school, where it seemed there were couples holding hands—and trying to do more—everywhere he looked.

  Some things were meant to be private.

  Still, that didn’t keep him from wanting to kiss her.

  “Sawyer?” Laura said against his fingertip.

  He moved his hand away. “What?”

  “You’re staring.”

  “Don’t I have the right to stare at my future bride?”

  She blushed and smiled at him. “I can’t believe how blessed I am.”

  He looked at her for a few more moments, feeling equally blessed. Finally he pulled his gaze away and stood up, sighing. “It’s getting late. I better get back home.”

  “Is that your way of not answering my question?”

  “What question?”

  “Have you talked to your grandmother?”

  Sawyer turned away from her. “Not lately. I know she wants me to come back to New York.”

  The last conversation he’d had with his maternal grandmother, Cora Easley, hadn’t gone well. He’d been in New York, in her huge penthouse apartment. She had tried to stop him from leaving to find Laura, who had gone to track down Mark King and exact vengeance upon him.

  At the time, Sawyer had promised Cora he would return. Yet he’d done little more than answer her phone calls. Within a few months he would be baptized in the church. After that he wouldn’t have access to a cell, or the ease of traveling like he did now. He’d sold his truck and was adding that money to a down payment on a house for the both of them. He had his life planned out. That didn’t include his rich grandmother, who wanted to bequeath him her business interests. Business he had no interest in.

  “Does she know you’re getting baptized?”

  “She wouldn’t understand.”

  “Then you should explain it to her.” Laura moved to stand in front of him. “You can’t pretend she doesn’t exist.”

  “But she can’t be part of my life either. Not the way she wants to.” He sighed. “I know. I need to see her. I made a promise.”

  “And you’re always faithful to your word.”

  “Tell you what. I’ll visit Cora if you’ll go back to Tennessee and see your parents. You can let them know about the wedding.”

  “But we haven’t set a date yet.”

  He looked around and, despite himself, kissed her cheek. “How does November sound?”

  Laura smiled. “Sounds perfekt. All right, I’ll visit them in a week or so. I promise.” But her smile faded as she said the words.

  He took her hand. “I’ll be praying for you.”

  “Danki. I’m going to need it.”

  Sawyer thought about his impending visit to Cora. He would need a few prayers too.

  “So?” Johnny turned to his daed. “What do you think?”

  His father tilted back his straw hat but said nothing. His salt-and-pepper beard lifted in the slight summer breeze. He took a step forward. Still he remained silent.

  “I know it needs work.”

  Daed nodded and walked around the property, making his way through knee-high grass. Johnny trailed after him. When they reached the backyard, Daed stopped. “I didn’t realize you were in such a hurry to leave us.”

  “I’m only ten minutes down the road.”

  “Ya. But this purchase—it’s sudden. Very sudden.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” Johnny said.

  “Guess I thought you’d want my advice when you bought your first place.”

  “The opportunity came up—”

  “And you took it.” His father’s gaze stopped on the barn, which leaned to one side and was missing more slats than it possessed. “I’m concerned about how you’re going to make this work.”

  “Glad you have such faith in me.” He couldn’t keep the bite out of his tone. Normally his father wasn’t so negative.

  “I have faith in you, sohn. I just hope you’re putting your faith in the right place.”

  Johnny frowned. What did that mean? Of course he had faith. Faith in God, in the church he joined when he was seventeen. “The land was cheap. It was as if God dropped it in my lap.”r />
  “I see.” His father’s gaze strayed. “Do you reckon to move in right away?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “So soon?” He raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t seem like a safe place to live right now.”

  “It will be fine.”

  “The door is hanging off the frame.”

  “I’ll fix it.” His fingers clenched, then released. “I already checked everything out. It’s better inside than out. Wanna take a look?”

  His father paused. Shook his head. “If you say it’s safe, I’ll take you at your word. But, sohn—”

  “Ya?”

  “Why don’t you wait a few days. A week at least. Caleb and Micah and I can come over and help you get the place in decent shape.” He glanced around again. “Or some kind of shape.”

  “I appreciate the offer. And I’ll take you up on it, the construction part. But I’m moving in tomorrow.”

  His father sighed. “So eager to be out on your own?” He pressed his lips in a half smile. “I remember feeling the same way when I was yung.”

  Johnny exhaled. Finally his father understood. “Once I get the farm going, I’ll be able to help you and Mamm.”

  His dad’s eyes narrowed. “We don’t need any help. We do fine on our own.”

  “But I want to. You’ve spent almost twenty-one years taking care of me. I can give something back.”

  Daed chuckled. “Why don’t you wait a little longer? Like twenty more years. Your mamm and I aren’t useless yet.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “I know what you meant. And I appreciate the thought. But I feel the same way. We would have helped you buy a better place, as much as we could. You could have paid back any money you borrowed.”

  “Would you have let me?”

  A ghost of a smile flitted across his daed’s face. “Probably not.”

  “Which is why I didn’t ask. I’ve been working for Bender since I was fourteen, saving my money, waiting for an opportunity.”

  “For a farm.”

  “For a business. It’s hard to make a living farming. But raising horses?” Johnny grinned. “That’s a mare of a different color.”

  “It will still take hard work.”

  “Which I’m willing to do.”

  “And time.” His father’s gaze intensified. “Are you willing to give it time?”

  Johnny nodded. The tension he had been holding in his body began to release. His father was coming around. “I’ll give the business as much time as it needs to become successful.”

  Daed clapped Johnny on the back. “Well, if sheer enthusiasm counts for anything, I’d say you’re off to a gut start. Now show me this haus you’re so eager to move into.”

  Johnny exhaled heavily as he led his father toward the small, shabby structure he had optimistically referred to as a “house.”

  Enthusiasm, his daed said.

  He might present a good bluster to his father, but he was walking a razor-thin financial tightrope, and he knew it. This purchase was a bargain, but it had wiped out most of his savings.

  God willing, with enough sweat and determination, he would make this work. Even if he had to live on peanut butter sandwiches for the next six months, he would force this business to thrive.

  He had made the commitment and declared the desire to see it through. He couldn’t turn back now.

  Even after the workday was over, Katherine couldn’t get out of her mind what Chrystal had said about Isaac. Had he been flirting with her? She didn’t have much experience with flirting. He did give her an extra tip, but he wasn’t her first generous customer. He also kept smiling every time she passed his table. Maybe he was just being friendly. Still, she couldn’t stop wondering.

  Katherine didn’t feel like going home, so instead she turned down Mary Beth’s street. Summer was just beginning, and the evening sun dappled the lush green leaves on the trees. June was a perfect month, when the days weren’t too hot and the nights sometimes held a bit of chill.

  She arrived at Mary Beth’s and knocked on the door. No answer. Mary Beth’s husband, Chris, worked for a construction company that did a lot of jobs in Cleveland, so he probably wasn’t home. She was just about to knock again when she heard a scream come from the back of the small house.

  She dashed into the house, the door slamming so hard behind her it bounced back on its hinges. Another wail reached her ears.

  Katherine burst into the back bedroom. “Mary Beth?”

  Her best friend lay on the bed, writhing in agony.

  “The boppli!” Mary Beth gasped, sweat pouring down her face. “It’s coming!”

  “But it’s too soon!” Katherine gripped the door frame.

  Mary Beth clenched her teeth as another contraction overtook her. When it subsided, she leaned against the pillows. “I know.” She started to cry. “Please. Get Mamm.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Katherine sat on the couch in Mary Beth’s tiny living room, her hands clasped together, elbows resting on her knees. The house was so small she could hear every sound, and she flinched and prayed at each wail, each cry of pain coming from the bedroom.

  Mary Beth was in good hands—her mother had been a midwife for the past five years. But Hannah Mullet hadn’t been able to hide her concern when Katherine told her the baby was coming.

  Another agonizing cry. Mary Beth had been in labor for five hours now. Katherine looked outside the picture window into the black night.

  “Katherine?”

  She turned at the sound of Hannah’s voice. “The boppli?”

  Hannah shook her head. “It’s breech. I think I can turn it around, but it’s going to be a long night. Do you mind staying?”

  “Of course not. What can I do to help?”

  Mary Beth cried out again.

  “Pray,” Hannah said. “Just keep praying.”

  For the next half hour Katherine paced the room, continuously praying, yet feeling helpless. Just as Mary Beth was screaming through another contraction, the door opened and Chris walked in. His tanned face paled. His tool belt hit the floor with a heavy thud.

  “Katherine?”

  She went to him, forcing herself to remain calm. God was in control, no matter what happened to Mary Beth or the baby. “It will be okay, Chris.” She explained the situation. “Hannah is with her now.”

  Chris nodded. He picked up his tool belt with shaking hands and slung it over his shoulder. “Got to check on the animals.”

  Katherine nodded. His reaction wasn’t unexpected. If he’d tried to see Mary Beth, Hannah would have told him to leave. She turned as the door clicked shut, paced again, and resumed her prayers.

  Late for supper again.

  Johnny sighed as he turned in the driveway. At least his parents knew why he kept coming home late. But this would be the last time they would have supper together, at least here, for a long time. He’d taken the day off work and moved his few belongings to the new house. He thought his boss, Gideon Bender, might give him a bit of a hard time about it. An exacting business owner, Bender ran his small machine repair shop with the same precision he used to make repairs. But since Johnny hadn’t asked for a day off in months, Bender must have decided to cut him some slack.

  As he pulled into the driveway, Johnny noticed an unfamiliar buggy parked in front of Mary Beth and Chris’s house. He pulled into his parents’ barn and unhitched his horse. When he went inside, he expected to smell supper cooking. Instead he saw Caleb making a sandwich for Eli.

  “Where’s Mamm and Daed?” Johnny hung his hat on the peg in the mudroom next to the kitchen. When he met Caleb’s worried eyes, his stomach dropped to his knees. “What’s going on?”

  “Eat your sandwich, Eli.” Caleb put the bologna sandwich in front of their younger brother.

  “Yum.” Eli picked up the sandwich and took a huge bite.

  Caleb motioned for Johnny to follow him to the living room. When they were out of earshot of Eli, he said, “Mary Beth is in labor.” />
  Johnny gaped. “Isn’t it early?”

  Caleb nodded. “That’s what Mamm said when Katherine came to get her a few hours ago.”

  “Katherine’s here?”

  “Ya. She found Mary Beth.” Caleb swallowed. “Chris is home by now, I’m sure. Daed had a school board meeting tonight, so he doesn’t know what’s going on. Probably best that way. Micah’s at a friend’s house.”

  “Have you talked to Mamm?”

  “Nee. I’ve been praying, but that women’s stuff—” Caleb shuddered. “It’s best left to them.”

  “I’ll geh find Chris.” Johnny said a quick prayer as he left the house. He and his twin had always been close, but Caleb was right. His mother and Katherine were taking care of Mary Beth and the baby.

  He found Chris in the barn, on his knees. A faint shrieking sound reached Johnny’s ears. Was that his sister?

  Johnny cleared his throat. Chris looked up. His Adam’s apple worked in his neck, as if he were trying to swallow and failing at the attempt. He closed his eyes and shook his head.

  Katherine wiped the tears away as she left the house and went to search for Chris. It was nearly dawn. During the hours and hours of excruciating labor, Katherine had kept up a steady stream of prayer, but her growing sense of helplessness did not abate. Now it was over, and she had to tell Chris what happened.

  In the grayish light of sunrise she could see a dim light burning in the barn. She walked toward it, breathing in the damp morning air. When she entered she saw Chris and Johnny, each of them sitting on a hay bale, their heads hung low, their lips moving in silent prayer.

  Her gaze drifted to Johnny, taking in the concentration on his face as he prayed for his twin sister. The familiar sting of unrequited love reared up inside her. She shoved it down.

  “Chris?”

  Both men stood, but Katherine kept her gaze on Mary Beth’s husband. Weariness and worry had left gray circles underneath his eyes. He moved to Katherine.

  “Mary Beth? The boppli?”

  Katherine took his hand. Tears started to flow again. “Chris, they’re both fine. Geh meet your dochder.”