Winnie blinked in confusion as Rhoda gently guided her into the kitchen.
“Sit here, Mamm. It’s nice and warm.” Rhoda placed her mother in the old white rocker. It barely moved under Winnie’s slight weight.
There was a fire going in the stove, albeit a small one. Being only October it hadn’t really turned cold yet, but Rhoda knew that Winnie felt every breeze as if it were a rush of ice. Even now, she shivered under Rhoda’s hands.
The kettle on the stove whistled, and Rhoda made a hot cup of chamomile tea for her mother. Old Mae, the healing woman in their district, claimed that chamomile tea cured every ailment known to man. Rhoda gave a wry smile. It wouldn’t touch what ailed her mother, but it was a comfort nevertheless.
“The bees?” Winnie asked. “I hear ’em.”
“But Mamm, that’s not possible. They’re all out behind the barn. You know that.”
“I hear ’em!” Winnie insisted. “Buzzing. All the time buzzing. Makes me dizzy.”
Rhoda knew it would do no good to argue with her. Indeed, Rhoda had no interest in arguing at all.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ll keep them quiet.”
Winnie took a timid sip of the steaming tea. She rested the cup in the saucer on her lap. “Is there honey in the tea?” she asked. “Tastes right sweet.”
“Jah. I put in one teaspoon just how you like it.”
Winnie smacked her lips together. She looked better now. Her eyes were more focused, and there was some color in her cheeks. “What’s for supper, daughter?”
“We’re going to have roast beef sandwiches. And some of this year’s pickles. How does that suit?”
“Gut. Wonderful gut.” Winnie took another sip of tea. “I’m sorry to be such a bother.”
“You aren’t a bother, Mamm. Don’t say such things.”
“Nee. I’m a bother. Especially when I have a spell.”
Winnie had taken to calling her lapses of reality spells. Old Mae called them nothing more than getting old. But for Rhoda, it didn’t matter what they were called. They were worrisome. It was almost as if the woman’s brain regularly went into a tailspin for an hour or so. Or worse, it turned off completely. Her mother would become disoriented. She forgot even the most basic things.
With Rhoda’s father deceased and her two sisters and brother married with families of their own, Winnie’s care fell to her. Rhoda didn’t mind. Not really. But sometimes it kept her awake at night. Especially when Winnie got it in her mind to wander the house in the dark of midnight.
Rhoda took a sip of the tea. The honey was a good batch, sweet and smooth.
Rhoda headed for the sink, and Winnie grabbed her arm, pulling it more strongly than one would have guessed possible.
“You won’t let them take me, will you?”
Rhoda looked at her mother. “Take you? What do you mean?”
“I want to live here till I die. Your father built this house, you know.”
“Jah, Mamm, I know. And who would take you anywhere? Of course, you’ll live here till you die.” She patted her mother’s shoulder. “Which won’t happen for a long time now, will it?”
Winnie chuckled. “Nee. Nee. Not for a long time yet. I’m still alive and kicking.”
Rhoda smiled and turned to the sink. She hoped the Lord God would forgive her the small lie. Because it wasn’t true—someone did want to take her mother away.
At sunrise, Rhoda was out with her hives. They were placed behind the barn where it was level and they would get the early morning sun. The bees put in a longer day’s work that way, which gave Rhoda more honey to use and sell. She loved her bees and well-remembered when she’d started keeping them. Her dat had encouraged her, even helping her catch her first swarm to get started.
Rhoda checked the bird baths she’d placed near the hives. They were still full of water, the October sun not evaporating them as quickly as during the summer months. Of course, the birds still dove in and splashed happily about, but Rhoda was glad to have them. She didn’t mind refilling the baths when needed. She dipped her finger into the cold water. If she didn’t give her bees a source of water close to home, they would invade someone else’s property, searching. She knew for a fact that her bees frequented Edmund’s Pond when they were out and about. Some neighbors didn’t take kindly to it, not appreciating clouds of bees around, trying to get at the water.
Rhoda’s sister Donna had screamed and thrown a hissy fit once when she and her children were swimming in the pond and the swarm swooped in for a drink.
Rhoda stood and looked out over the vast fields, most of which her brother Bart farmed for them. He was weary of it, though, having taken over his wife’s family farm. Farming both pieces of land was too much, no matter how hard he worked—a fact which he bemoaned to Rhoda on more than one occasion. Rhoda sighed. Bart was a good brother. But as the eldest and the only remaining male in the family, he could get downright bossy.
Rhoda’s cheeks grew warm. She shook her head, scolding herself for such thoughts. It was Bart’s place to be in charge, and it was her place to obey. She set her lips in a fine line. Obeying didn’t come easily to her, no matter how many times she was instructed in it or scolded for her lack of it.
Not that Rhoda was scolded much these days. She was twenty-six years old—an old maid in most people’s minds. No, outright scolding wasn’t necessary anymore. A well-placed burning look did the job quite nicely.
Rhoda lifted the lid off the hive and waggled her hive tool to check the first box. She didn’t wear her protective gear anymore. Indeed, she no longer had gear that fit her very well. Of course, the head gear and veil and gloves were still fine, but the suit, not so much. By then Rhoda knew her bees well, and they seemed to know her. She hadn’t been stung in years.
She grinned, keeping her lips closed. She’d once seen an Amish man wear a beard made of bees. It was amusing, but she thought it a bit showy. The tourists loved it, though, which was probably why he did it in the first place. Rhoda wasn’t interested in tourism. She was interested in her bees and the delicious honey they produced. She made a fairly good profit with the golden nectar, and to be honest, she and her mother needed the money.
Soon, it would be time to overwinter the hives, but she reckoned that she still had at least one more batch of honey to collect.
She heard the sound of a wagon approach and knew it would be her brother. Not many other people came by. She finished her inspection and then walked back around the barn. The bees didn’t follow her, although one remained on her sleeve until she was just about to Bart’s wagon before it flew away.
“Rhoda,” Bart said with a smile. “You tending your hives?”
“Jah. I didn’t expect you today.”
“Have you seen to the livestock?”
Rhoda gave him a look. “Of course, I have, Bart. You know I take care of the animals.”
Bart had the decency to look a bit sheepish. “Just making conversation.”
Rhoda grimaced.
“How’s Mamm today?”
“She had a spell yesterday, but she seems to be fine today.”
“Her spells are coming more and more frequent.”
Rhoda started toward the house, and Bart strode beside her. She agreed with him. “They are. It’s all right, though. I can handle it.”
Bart stopped and put his hand on Rhoda’s shoulder. “I don’t rightly think you two should spend another winter here by yourselves.”
Rhoda tensed. Here it came. Again.
“Rhoda, you know we’ve discussed this.”
“Nee. We haven’t discussed it at all. You’ve made your proclamations. But you know how I feel. And you know how Mamm feels.”
“Mamm doesn’t even know how she feels. She’s not in her right mind a lot of the time.”
“She knows that she doesn’t want to move.”
They’d reached the front porch, and Winnie was nowhere to be seen. Rhoda gestured to one of the rockers on the porch and Bart
sat down. She sat beside him.
“Evelyn is in agreement,” Bart said. “We need to move both you and Mamm into our daadi haus. It’s got two bedrooms. It’d be right comfortable for you.”
“I know what your daadi haus looks like,” Rhoda said, her voice tight.
“It’s too much to keep up the place here,” Bart said. “Now, if you were married, it’d be another matter.”
Rhoda’s back stiffened. “That isn’t likely to happen,” she said tersely. She had no beau. She had no interest in any of the men in the district. Not that she knew them all. But watching over the farm, her mamm, and her bees took every bit of energy and time she had. Romance held no place in her life.
“We can sell the place. Donna and Martha and me are all well-placed now. It’s only you and Mamm that need a home.”
“We have a home,” Rhoda said. “Right here.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, I don’t. And besides, Bart, why don’t you move in here and take on this place. It’s the family farm.”
“You know the farm Evelyn got from her folks is bigger. We got four kinner now, and we’ll have more. I need the bigger farm to support the family.”
“But your mamm lives here.” Rhoda stared at her brother. He and Evelyn took care of Evelyn’s mother, who lived with them. Rhoda felt that Bart had put his mother-in-law before his own mother.
“Rhoda.” Bart sighed and braced each of his hands on a knee. “I’m telling you that I will take care of you and Mamm. You need to move in with us in the daadi haus. I could sell this farm, and then we’d have money to make all sorts of improvements on my farm.”
“So you’re calling Evelyn’s family farm yours, now?”
Bart rolled his eyes. “Why are you being so obstinate? I’ve got a solution for everyone.”
“I don’t need a solution. I don’t recall ever saying I had a problem.” Rhoda sat straight and tall, but even as the words flowed from her mouth, she knew they weren’t true. She and her mother barely scraped by each year. If not for Bart farming most of the land, they wouldn’t make it at all.
“The decision has been made.” Bart looked at her.
Rhoda jumped from the chair. “What do you mean? Now I have no choice?” Her breath came quick and short. He couldn’t do this to her. He couldn’t take her and her mother from their home.
But he could. Oh, he could.
“I’m not your enemy, Rhoda. I’m trying to make this better for everyone.”
“Give me the winter,” she said. “Give me the winter, at least.”
“What for?” Bart threw up his hands. “The winter ain’t going to change a thing.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You don’t even get honey during the winter.”
“I know that.” Rhoda’s mind whirled. “I’ll think of something.”
Bart leaned close. “Why don’t you just get married like any normal Amish girl? Huh? Then you can go live with your husband, and I’ll take Mamm with me.”
Her eyes widened. “You just said if I got a husband, I could stay.”
He shook his head and gave her an exasperated look. “But you won’t get a husband, will you? So it don’t make any difference either way, does it?”
She stood to her full height. “Is there anything else you wanted?”
His eyes had a sad look of compassion in them as he stood. “I thought I’d visit Mamm while I’m here,” he said, going to the screen door and opening it with a squawk.
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Greta’s Story #1: Replacement Wife
Isaac Wagner gapes at his dying wife. Does she really expect him to marry Greta Glick after she dies? How can anyone replace Betty as his wife? How can anyone replace her as the mother to their son? Isaac can’t even begin to think such thoughts. All he wants is for his wife to live. But Isaac’s prayers aren’t answered.
Greta’s Story #2: The Promise
Greta and Isaac promise Isaac’s wife that they will marry each other upon her death. But when Betty dies, Isaac leaves the state. Greta is left in turmoil, harboring her secret love for Isaac. Having no choice, Greta moves on with her life and meets Todd Fisher. He brings laughter to her life and life holds promise again. Isaac returns, now, what will happen? Will Isaac expect her to carry out the promise? Or will he set them both free?
Greta’s Story #3: The Wedding
Greta gapes at her fiancé. Isaac doesn’t want an Amish wedding? Greta can’t help but wonder whether she’s doing the right thing to marry him. Todd Fisher watches closely as the wedding arrangements go forward. He knows the real reason behind Greta’s engagement, and he doesn’t approve. He loves her--does Isaac? Todd isn’t about to stand by and let the wedding happen without trying again.
Rhoda’s Story #1: The Amish Beekeeper!
People consider Rhoda Hilty an established spinster, which never bothered her—until Aaron Raber comes to town. When he approaches her to rent her beehives for his struggling orchard, Rhoda’s world turns upside down. But how can she be interested in him when she’s so busy caring for her aging senile mother? Besides … Aaron’s interest in her is strictly business. Isn’t it?
Rhoda’s Story #2: The Accident!
Rhoda Hilty struggles to keep her promise to her elderly mother. But when a tragic accident occurs, Rhoda is forced to break her promise. In addition, Rhoda has to care for her sister’s family as well as her mother. When will it be Rhoda’s turn? How will her handsome neighbor Aaron Raber ever see her as more than a spinster daughter and sister?
Rhoda’s Story #3: Coming Home!
Rhoda Hilty’s heart cries out as she watches her mother refuse food. Winnie is wasting away, and Rhoda feels helpless. And now Rhoda’s sweetheart, Aaron Raber, is gone. Writing letters to him is better than nothing, but Rhoda yearns for him. Aaron has promised that when he returns, they will court. But will he ever be free to come back to Hollybrook? It doesn’t appear so.
Faith’s Story #1: The Adoption!
Faith Baldwin’s birth mother is Amish and lives somewhere in Indiana, and she’s determined to find her. Pretending she’s a tourist, she digs around for clues. While there, she becomes enchanted with the Amish and their way of life. But things don’t go as smoothly as she hopes. Her boyfriend unexpectedly shows up; every lead goes dead; and the one old woman who might have answers for her won’t talk.
Faith’s Story #2: Changing Her Mind!
Her birth mother had written. With trembling hands, Faith Baldwin rips open the flap. Her eyes fly over the words until she finds the closing. Your mother, Nancy… Faith and her birth mother begin a correspondence that brings them both blissful joy. However, Nancy’s husband discovers her secret child, and his anger and sense of betrayal build an insurmountable wall between them. And if the truth is made public, how could Nancy explain a grown daughter to her children or her community?
Faith’s Story #3: Home at Last!
Faith Baldwin has her wish. She is sitting face-to-face with her Amish birth mother. As Faith struggles to fit in with her new Amish family, the hole in her heart begins to heal. But she yearns to truly belong, to truly be Amish. But that would mean closing down everything about her former life. It would mean starting over.
Mellie’s Story #1: Mellie’s Sweet Shop!
> Mellie Fisher is in love with her sister’s beau. Striving to keep it a secret, she suffers in silence. When her sister makes a rash decision, Mellie prays that her chance with the handsome, kind Caleb Glick has finally come. But with her brother’s family moving into their already crowded house, and her mother’s illness creating chaos, Mellie worries that she will never have her chance at love. Will she forever be known as the single Amish girl who bakes sweets? Or is there something more for her?
Mellie’s Story #2: Leaving Hollybrook!
Beth Fisher spurns her steady beau to follow her dream of teaching. Leaving her family, she travels to Meadow Lark to become their new teacher. When school begins, it’s as wonderful as she expected. What she doesn’t expect, however, is to meet Timothy Plank, a widower with three children. She refuses to hear her heart where Timothy is concerned, and she rejects his love for her. But is teaching truly enough to fulfill her forever? Is she willing to give it up to find love?
Mellie’s Story #3: The Fire!
Mellie Fisher is weary of pining over her sister’s former beau. How long must she wait for his affection? Despairing, she agrees to be courted by Obadiah Westman. But things don’t go as planned, and she quickly regrets her decision. Her mother’s catastrophic fall, a disaster at her Sweet Shop, and her sister-in-law’s accident all conspire to derail Mellie’s happiness and plans for the future. How can it ever be good again? And will she ever gain Caleb’s love?
Naomi’s Story #1: Byler’s Bed and Breakfast!
Still reeling from her husband’s death, Naomi Byler struggles to support herself and her two children. A chance meeting with a handsome Englischer gives her the opportunity to open a Bed and Breakfast. Naomi meets resistance from Zachariah King, the young Amish farmer who leases her land. Is Zachariah interested in her? And if he is, why doesn’t he say anything? And is the handsome Englischer wanting more than room and board? Are the two men now in competition?
Amish Romance Box Set: Finding Home Page 37
