Amish Romance Box Set: Finding Home

by Brenda Maxfield

  “Good job, Mr. Moore.”

  “Are we going to eat these eggs for breakfast? The ones I found?”

  “We are. How would you like them? Scrambled or fried or boiled?”

  “Would fried, sunny-side up, be too much trouble?”

  “Mr. Moore, you are my paying guest. It’s not too much trouble. I’ll fry up some bacon, too, and Katy will make up the toast. I’ve got different types of preserves. Would blackberry do?”

  He stood there in the middle of a flock of pecking hens with a look of sheer delight on his face. “It will do fine,” he said. “Thank you.”

  She laughed again and shook her head. “You’re easy to please.” She opened the door of the coop, and he followed her out. “Breakfast will be ready for you in an hour.”

  “Sounds good,” he said and took off at a jog. She watched him as he ran down the drive and onto the road. She would never understand the Englisch person’s penchant for exercising. She got plenty of physical activity by simply going about her chores for the day. She couldn’t imagine adding a morning run for the sole purpose of exercise.

  Katy was slicing a loaf of bread when Naomi returned with the eggs. “Thank you, Katy girl. We’ll serve Mr. Moore breakfast in an hour.”

  “An hour? Why so late?”

  “He’s exercising. Jogging about the county from what I can tell.”

  “Jogging about the county? That’s crazy.”

  “Watch your tone, daughter. We have to be respectful.”

  “I don’t like him.” Katy pursed her lips into a tight grimace.

  Naomi set the basket of eggs on the counter and studied her. “Why not? He’s a perfectly nice person.”

  “He likes you.”

  “What?”

  Katy set the knife down and swallowed. “Do you like him?”

  Naomi’s cheeks went hot. “What a perfectly ridiculous thing to say.” She bent down and opened a cupboard, yanking out her iron skillet. “And I’ll thank you for minding your words from now on. Your father may not be here, but I am your mother.”

  “I know Dat’s not here!” Katy cried, her lips trembling. “You don’t have to remind me!”

  And with that, she flew from the kitchen and out the side door, slamming it behind her. Naomi stared after her, her mouth open and her eyes wide. Then with a sigh, she picked up the knife and finished slicing the bread. Her mind spun through her options. Should she go find Katy and comfort the child? Should she wait until Katy returned and have a talk with her? Should she discipline her daughter for such rudeness to her elder?

  Naomi sank onto one of the kitchen chairs. She rested an elbow on the table and leaned her chin in her hand. It was only early morning, and already she was exhausted. And where was Ben? She glanced behind her, through the kitchen door toward the staircase. He was probably still asleep, and the dairy cow needed seeing to. She blew out her breath. She supposed she could take care of that, too. She couldn’t cook the eggs yet anyway.

  She stood and smoothed down her apron. She would talk to Katy when she returned, but she’d go easy on her. Naomi knew only too well how hard it was to lose someone you loved. It changed you. And not always for the best.

  She put a dishtowel over the sliced loaf of bread and headed back outside toward the barn.

  Breakfast went well. Immediately after eating, Justin Moore left in his car for town. Interviews, he told her.

  Katy had shown up for breakfast, looking submissive and contrite. Naomi gave her a quick hug and felt Katy’s body relax into hers. “I’m sorry, Mamm,” Katy murmured into Naomi’s shoulder. “Again.”

  Naomi simply squeezed her daughter and then let her go to sit and eat. Katy insisted on doing all the clean-up. Naomi let her, knowing it would make her feel better.

  Ben had raced out to the fields to see if he could find Zachariah, remembering Zach’s promise of frog-hunting. Naomi reminded him that Zach had said in the afternoon, but Ben ran off just the same. The house was quiet, with only the sounds of Katy fussing about in the kitchen. Naomi eyed the basket of mending that sat next to the warming stove in the front room. It was full to overflowing. She hadn’t mended for weeks, or was it months?

  She grabbed it up along with her sewing supplies and took the work outside to the front porch. The morning was clear, and the sun had already burned off the dew. It was a perfect day to sit on the porch and mend. She lowered herself into the rocker and set the basket of clothes next to her. She pulled out one of Katy’s everyday dresses and threaded a needle to work on the side seam which had ripped when the girl had climbed up to the barn loft. The dress had caught on a nail and split wide open.

  Naomi chuckled, knowing that Katy would have been going too quickly to stop the rip before it became huge. The girl was always in a hurry, even when there was no need.

  Naomi was halfway through the mending job when she saw Mary coming down her drive, her pony taking it at quite a clip. Naomi’s heart sped up. Maybe Mary needed more pies. If she went to the store right away, she could get more ingredients and have the pies to Mary by that afternoon.

  “Mary!” she called, standing and letting her mending fall to the ground. “Good morning.”

  When she caught sight of Mary’s face up close, her heart sank. This visit had nothing to do with pies.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, hurrying down the steps to meet her. “What’s happened?”

  Mary gave a huffing wheeze as she climbed out of her cart. She threw the pony’s reins over the hitching rail and faced Naomi. “Can we sit a spell?” she asked.

  “Why, of course. Can I get you some water or some tea? I might have some lemons left to make lemonade.”

  Mary sloughed her off with a wave of her arm. “Nee. Don’t bother. Let’s sit.”

  The two women sat in rocking chairs, and Naomi swallowed. Mary was making her nervous. What had happened?

  “Is it true?” Mary asked, her voice frank. She brushed impatiently at the scraggly wisps of hair that had escaped her kapp.

  “Is what true?”

  “You had Englischers here all night?”

  Naomi flinched. “What? Well, jah, but—”

  “Who are they? And was it a man? Or was there a woman with him?” Mary interrupted her.

  Naomi tensed, and she worked not to feel angry with such a line of questioning. “It was a gentleman journalist who is covering the county fair.”

  Mary’s eyebrows rose. “What’s he doing staying with you? Do you know him?”

  “I do now.” She took a long breath. “I’m opening a Bed and Breakfast.”

  “What?”

  “You know, a sort of boarding house.”

  “Does Bishop know?”

  Naomi’s bravado seeped out in a low breath. “Nee.” How foolish was she? She hadn’t even thought to gain the bishop’s permission or blessing. And here she’d entertained the thought of rewiring the house for electricity. What was the matter with her? How ignorant could she be?

  “Ach, Naomi, what were you thinking?” Mary’s tone turned sympathetic, and she patted Naomi’s hand.

  “I was thinking that it would be a good way to make money,” she said.

  “But, taking in Englischers?”

  “They pay.”

  Mary bristled at that. “So do Amish!”

  Naomi shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. But how many guests am I going to have if I only board Amish folks? I’d have no one. They’d stay with relatives in the district.”

  “Well, you’re right at that.” Mary began rocking, and her chair creaked against the wide porch floorboards.

  “How did you know?”

  “Betsy Radcliff saw the car, and one question led to another. Everyone knows, dear girl, and I think you’re going to hear about it.”

  Naomi jumped up, stepping on Katy’s half-mended dress. “Oh, my!”

  “Listen, it was an honest mistake. I can go to the bishop with you.” Mary grinned in a conspiratorial way. “He looks kindly o
n me. I once helped his wife give birth when the midwife was tending someone else.” She laughed and slapped her knee. “That was a time! For the bishop’s wife to take second place…” She shook her head. “All done in innocence, though.”

  “You’ll go with me? Do you think he’ll give his permission?”

  “I’ve heard tell of other Amish Bed and Breakfast outfits in other districts. I don’t see why Hollybrook can’t have one.”

  Naomi’s breath trickled out. “I didn’t intend to disturb anyone.”

  “Of course, you didn’t,” Mary said. “I’m sorry about my harshness earlier. I was worried. That’s why I hightailed it over here.”

  “I know. And thank you.” A sudden thought grabbed Naomi. Was this why Zachariah had shown up the night before? Had he intentionally been present at dinner to allay gossip? To ensure that she hadn’t had dinner with the Englischer alone?

  Was he trying to help her?

  Mary swatted at a pesky fly buzzing about her head. “Can you go with me now? Bishop is probably working in his fields, but he’ll come in if we show up over there.”

  Naomi glanced down at her dress. “Let me change into something clean, and I’ll be right with you. And I have to tell Katy to watch Ben.”

  “Go on with you, then. I’ll wait in the cart.”

  Chapter Six

  Naomi hurried into the house and upstairs. Once again, she wondered at her reasoning powers of late. She should have gone to the bishop immediately with her idea. She didn’t know the bishop very well; although, she had found him most sympathetic after the accident. He knew her situation. He also knew she could have returned to Pennsylvania but had chosen to stay in Hollybrook. Surely, he would be on board with her new plan.

  She put on her for-good dress and glanced at herself in the hand mirror on her dresser. Her eyes had lost some of their haunted look, but she still looked tired. Would she ever regain her sparkling eyes and rosy cheeks? She put the mirror down and gave herself a scolding. Worrying about physical appearance was vanity, and she needed to stop it.

  Still, when she ran back downstairs to tell Katy, the yearning for her former countenance remained.

  Mary chatted animatedly all the way to the bishop’s farm. Naomi tried to focus on her friend’s conversation, but her mind was flying in all directions. She thought of Isaac and hoped he was smiling down at her. She thought of Katy’s latest upset and knew that she’d be all right given more time. She thought of Ben and his upcoming frog adventure. She thought of Zachariah and the fact that he would continue leasing from her. She thought of the burning look in his eyes when he’d left her the night before. And she thought of Justin Moore. Her breath caught as she visualized his gentle expression when he’d asked her how she was during dinner.

  She clasped her hands firmly in her lap. Right after the accident, she had seen no way that her life could possibly work out. She’d seen no way to support her children or eke out a life for herself. She’d seen no way that she would survive, let alone have any joy.

  But there she was, riding in a pony cart with a new and dear friend. There she was, going to the bishop’s farm to ask his blessing on a business endeavor that she could manage. Maybe she didn’t look like the same Naomi as before. Maybe she wasn’t as comely. But did that really matter?

  The closer they got to the Schrock’s farm, the calmer Naomi grew. She marveled that her nervousness had died, and in its place was a calm assurance. The bishop was going to agree. Maybe not with the electricity, and in fact, she decided quickly that she wouldn’t even mention the idea. After all, she’d gotten one guest without it. But the bishop would see the practicality of her idea of a Bed and Breakfast.

  She looked at Mary. “Thank you.”

  “Ach, you already thanked me.” Mary laughed and slapped the reins on her pony again.

  Naomi shut her eyes and gave herself over to the gentle sway of the cart as it rolled down the road. She felt the sunshine on her face and heard the chickadees twitter in the trees as they passed. Mary turned the cart into the Schrock’s drive, and the pony trotted right up to the front porch. Lois Schrock was at the side of the house, hanging up two dripping dishtowels.

  “Good morning, Lois!” called Mary, waving.

  Lois grinned and ambled over to them. “Why, Mary. And Naomi. A good morning to you both.”

  “We’re here to speak with the bishop, if that’s possible.”

  Lois shielded her eyes from the morning sun and gazed out toward the field. “I can send young Amos to get him,” she said. “Bishop’s due for a mid-morning break, anyway.”

  The three women headed for the rocking chairs on the porch.

  “Can I get you some ice tea?” Lois asked.

  “Sounds gut,” Mary said, nodding.

  Naomi agreed, settling back into one of the rockers to wait for the bishop as Lois disappeared into the house. Within minutes, Lois had returned with a tray holding a pitcher and four glasses of ice tea. And not long after that, Bishop appeared, wiping his hands down his trousers and taking off his straw hat.

  “Good morning, ladies” he said. For such a wiry man, his voice was surprisingly strong and resonant. He mounted the steps and sank with a sigh into the empty rocker. Mary and Naomi both returned his greeting.

  Lois handed him a glass of tea, and he gulped it down, placing his empty glass back on the tray. “What can I do for you, Mary?”

  Mary leaned forward in her chair. “It’s nothing for me, Bishop. It’s for Naomi.” She nodded at Naomi.

  Before Mary could continue, Bishop clucked his tongue and regarded Naomi. “I’m glad you’re here, Naomi. I was planning to talk with you later, myself.”

  Naomi’s throat tightened. So he’d heard, too. She pressed her lips together.

  “So what’s this I hear about you entertaining Englisch guests?”

  “That’s why we’re here. What Naomi’s doing is—” Mary interjected quickly, but Naomi put her hand on Mary’s arm, stopping her narrative.

  “Bishop, I want to apologize for not seeking your guidance in the first place,” Naomi said, her tone both contrite and confident. “I never intended to go over your head. You must know that I’m struggling with my finances—”

  Lois gave a sharp intake of breath, and Bishop tossed her a censuring look.

  “Anyway, I thought that if I opened a Bed and Breakfast, it would be a way to stay in Hollybrook. A way that I could make money.”

  “Doesn’t Zachariah King lease your land?” Bishop asked.

  “Jah, he does. But it’s not enough. There’s a mortgage.”

  “The district has funds,” Bishop explained, a kind look on his face. “Those funds are to help our people who need it. Now, for medical emergencies, we often can cover the full cost.”

  Naomi nodded. “I know that, and I think it’s a blessing. But, Bishop, this isn’t a one-time expense. I need ongoing money to take care of my family.”

  “But Zachariah—” Lois began, but her husband interrupted her.

  “I understand. So what you’re asking for is a blessing to open a Bed and Breakfast.”

  “Jah.”

  “Are you planning to have electricity?”

  Naomi swallowed. “Nee. Not at this point.”

  He nodded and his damp brown hair stuck to his forehead in clumps. “A phone?”

  “That might be necessary.”

  “It wouldn’t be the first phone in the district used for business,” he said.

  Naomi smiled. She’d been right—he was going to agree, she knew it. “Is it all right, then?”

  He tugged on his long beard and regarded her. “I believe that God has given you this opportunity. And we’re grateful you want to stay in Hollybrook.”

  Naomi’s breath gushed out. “Thank you, Bishop. Thank you.”

  Mary gave a single clap and beamed as if she’d personally brought it all about.

  “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to the fields.” Bishop looked at his
wife. “Send Amos back out, would you, Lois? I’ll be needing him.”

  Lois agreed, and the bishop took his leave.

  Naomi smiled at her two friends in relief. Mary gave her arm a squeeze. “See, Naomi? It’s all working out fine.”

  Lois stood and picked up the pitcher of tea. She topped off both Naomi’s and Mary’s glasses. “So, how are you finding Zachariah?” she asked, looking directly at Naomi.

  Naomi squirmed. “What do you mean?”

  “How do you find him?”

  “He’s nice,” Naomi answered, wondering just where this conversation was heading. “And he’s responsible.”

  Lois sat down in her chair and adjusted her apron over her dress. “I’ve always liked that young man. He’s got a lot of promise, that one.”

  Naomi nodded, growing suspicious of the woman’s motivation.

  “He’ll make someone a mighty good husband,” Lois continued.

  And there it was… Mary must have sensed Naomi’s discomfort because she took another sip of tea and stood. “We should get going, Lois. Thank you so much for the tea.”

  Naomi jumped up, too, and handed her glass to Lois. “Jah, thank you for the tea.”

  Lois blinked, looking disgruntled to have her conversation cut short. “Y-You’re welcome. And do come again. Anytime at all.”

  Mary bustled Naomi down the steps. They climbed into the cart and with a wave, were on their way within minutes.

  “See there, Naomi,” Mary said, nudging her friend as they reached the main road. “We have a very reasonable bishop in our district. He’s well-loved, all right.”

  “I can see why.”

  “And Lois was right, you know,” Mary continued. “Zachariah King is a fine man. Someday, I’ll tell you his story.”

  Naomi’s brow rose. “His story?”

  Mary nodded and clicked her tongue at her pony, urging her on.

  Zachariah’s story. Naomi surprised herself by how much she wanted to hear it. Truth be told, she had more than a passing interest in Zachariah’s story.