The Storekeeper's Daughter (22 page)

Fannie smiled and reached up to gently pinch his cheek. “I’ll suggest she move here. Maybe we can find a building nearby and set up a quilt shop.”

Suddenly, an idea popped into Abraham’s head, and he snapped his fingers. “Say, I’ll tell ya what.”

“What’s that?”

“I could add on to my store, then you’d have your own quilt shop. How’s that sound?”

She tipped her head back and looked up at him. “It sounds wunderbaar gut to me.”

Caleb couldn’t believe his mother had sent him out in weather like this just to get some kerosene, which she’d said she was only low on. And why did it have to be him and not Andy or Marvin? Was it the fact that he was older, and she felt he knew better how to handle the horse and buggy in the snow?

Pop had hired a driver this morning to take him to a dental appointment in Lancaster, and both John and David had gone off to see their girlfriends. Since Mom had insisted Caleb head to the Fishers’ store right away, he’d left Andy and Marvin at the buggy shop. They’d begun work on a new carriage for an English man in the area who ran a bed-and-breakfast and offered free buggy rides to the tourists. Caleb could only hope his brothers wouldn’t mess up the job while he was away. Marvin was careless at times, and Andy tended to be accident-prone. No telling what might happen in Caleb’s absence.

By the time he arrived at Fisher’s General Store, Caleb was pretty worked up. He hadn’t been to the store in many months. Not since Naomi left home.

Caleb stomped the snow off his feet and entered the store. A blast of warm air hit him in the face, and he rubbed his hands briskly together. It felt good to be out of the cold, even though he’d driven a closed-in buggy, which had a portable heater inside.

“Gude mariye,” he said, nodding at Abraham, who sat behind the counter, looking at a large blue ledger.

“Jah, it surely is a gut morning.”

Caleb shoved his hands into his pockets.
The storekeeper seems to be in an agreeable mood today. Don’t recall that he’s ever been so friendly to me before.

“Did ya have a gut Christmas?”

“It was fine. How about yours?”

Abraham nodded and smiled. “Better than I ever expected.”

Hmm ... maybe the man’s cheerful attitude has something to do with Fannie Miller.
Caleb’s mother had recently told him that she’d heard from her friend Doris, who knew someone acquainted with Fannie’s cousin Edna Yoder, that Fannie and the storekeeper saw a lot of each other these days. Edna told her friend she thought there soon might be a wedding between Abraham and Fannie, and the word had been passed along.

“Me and the family had the best Christmas present,” Abraham continued.

Caleb leaned against the counter. “What was it?”

The storekeeper pointed toward the back of the room, and Caleb’s gaze followed the man’s finger. Two Amish women stood side by side with their backs to him. One he figured was Fannie, but he didn’t know whom she was waiting on.

Suddenly, the smaller of the two women turned around, and Caleb nearly passed out from the shock of seeing her. “Naomi!”

She made her way to the front of the store, and her radiant smile lit up the whole room. “It’s nice to see you, Caleb.”

“I—I had no idea you were back,” he stammered. “How long have ya been here?”

“I came home on Christmas Day.”

He studied Naomi intently. She was dressed in Plain clothes, although they hung loosely on her. She was obviously not English anymore or she wouldn’t be here, dressed as an Amish woman. There were dark circles beneath her luminous brown eyes, but he thought she looked beautiful.

“Have you come home for good?” he asked hopefully.

“Jah, I’ve seen the error of my ways.”

He smiled. “I’m so glad—about you comin’ home, that is.”

Abraham cleared his throat a couple of times. “Ah-hem.”

Caleb whirled around. In his joy over seeing Naomi again, he’d almost forgotten her daed was right there. No doubt the man was scrutinizing everything he’d said, just waiting to ask Caleb to leave his store.

“I—uh—came by for some kerosene,” Caleb mumbled. “Mom’s almost out, and with the bad weather settin’ in, she thought she’d better have plenty on hand.”

“Makes sense to me.” Abraham had a funny kind of grin on his face, and Caleb didn’t know what to make of it.

Fannie joined the group then. “It’s nice to see you, Caleb.”

“Likewise.” There was an awkward silence, then he asked, “How’s that buggy wheel holdin’ out? It didn’t fall off again, I hope.”

Fannie shook her head. “Been stayin’ right in place.”

“That’s gut. Real gut.”

Fannie glanced at Abraham and winked. “Don’t ya have somethin’ you want to tell the buggy maker?”

Abraham’s forehead wrinkled. “I do?”

She went around the back of the counter and whispered in his ear, which quickly turned pink, while a slow smile spread across his face.

“Fannie reminded me of somethin’ I told her awhile back ... when Naomi left home and I wasn’t sure if we’d ever see her again.”

“What was that?” Caleb asked.

“I’d like to hear whatever it is, too,” Naomi put in.

The storekeeper gave his beard a couple of yanks, leaned slightly forward, and announced, “Caleb Hoffmeir, I give you permission to court my daughter.”

Naomi pulled on a clean dress and secured her head covering in place. She’d been home a week already, and here it was New Year’s Day—her twenty-first birthday. Would her family remember? Would they do anything special to celebrate?

She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. “It doesn’t matter. Just being home with those I love is birthday present enough for me.” She thought about Ginny and wondered if she ever missed home. Her first day back at the store, Naomi had gone to Meyers’ Restaurant to see Ginny’s folks. She felt they deserved to know where their daughter was living and that she was okay. They had appreciated the information but said their hearts were saddened by their daughter running off that way.

A knock on her bedroom door drove Naomi’s thoughts aside, and she called, “Come in.”

Nancy and Mary Ann stepped into the room, each with their arms held behind their backs.

“Hallich Neiyaahr un Hallich Gebottsdaag!”
Mary Ann announced.

“Jah, Happy New Year and Happy Birthday!” Nancy echoed.

Before Naomi could respond, they both handed her a gift. Mary Ann’s was in a white envelope, and Nancy’s was inside a small brown paper sack.

Naomi struggled not to cry. Her sisters had remembered today was her birthday, and even if no one else in the family acknowledged it, this display of love was enough for her.

She took the gifts, went over to her bed, and seated herself. Her sisters followed and sat on either side of Naomi.

“Open mine first,” Mary Ann said excitedly. “I made it myself.”

Naomi tore the envelope open and withdrew a piece of heavy paper folded like a card. There was a picture of a tulip on the front, colored with red crayon. The words HAPPY BIRTHDAY were above it. Inside Mary Ann had written a note. “To my big sister: I’m glad you didn’t stay gone like Zach. We all missed you! Love, Mary Ann.” Tucked inside the card was a blue felt bookmark that had been cut out with pinking shears.

Tears sprang to Naomi’s eyes as she hugged her little sister. “The card’s so nice, and I’ll put the pretty bookmark inside my Bible.”

Mary Ann smiled. “I knew you’d like it.”

“I do. Danki.”

“Now mine,” Nancy said, nodding at the paper sack Naomi had placed in her lap. “Fannie helped me make it.”

Naomi reached inside the bag and pulled out a pot holder, quilted in various colors using a simple nine-patch pattern.

“It’s for your hope chest,” Nancy explained. “For when you and Caleb get married.”

Naomi wrapped her arms around Nancy. “It’s ever so nice. You did a gut job, and it would definitely go in my hope chest, if I had one.” She sighed. “As far as me ever marryin’ Caleb ... Well, that remains to be seen. We only got permission to court a week ago.”

Nancy nodded, looking suddenly grown up. “It’ll happen, just you wait and see.”

Naomi stood. “Right now the three of us need to head downstairs and get breakfast started. The menfolk will be in from chorin’ soon, and if I know Papa and those brothers of ours, they’ll be hungry as a bunch of mules.”

Mary Ann and Nancy both giggled, and Naomi followed them out of the room.

“After breakfast is over, I’m gonna bake you a hurry-up cake,” Nancy announced. “I’ve learned to cook since you were gone.”

Naomi opened the refrigerator door and withdrew a carton of eggs. “I’m sure you’ve become right capable in the kitchen.”

“Nancy can’t make blueberry pancakes as good as yours,” Mary Ann put in. “She always burns them around the edges.”

Nancy stomped her foot. “Do not!”

“Do so!”

Naomi held up one hand to silence the girls before their disagreement got out of hand. “Let’s not spoil the New Year by arguing, okay?”

“Yeah, Papa don’t like it when he hears us yellin’,” Mary Ann said as she began setting the table.

“Then don’t yell,” Nancy shot back at her.

Naomi was about to say something when the back door swung open and in walked Samuel, carrying a wicker basket with a strip of cloth draped over the top. Believing it was freshly collected eggs, she pointed to the refrigerator. “Set ’em in there ’til we’ve had a chance to be sure they’re clean enough.”

Samuel’s eyebrows shot up. “I ain’t puttin’ your birthday present in the refrigerator. It’d kill him.”

“Him?” Naomi moved to where Samuel stood by the table. “What have you got in there?”

Samuel grinned and handed her the basket. “This is my present to you.”

Mary Ann and Nancy crowded around as Naomi pulled back the piece of cloth, and a ball of white fur poked its tiny head up.
Meow!

“It’s one of Snowball’s kittens, ain’t it so?” asked Mary Ann.

Samuel nodded, looking right pleased with himself. “I named this one Speckles ’cause he’s white with gray spots on his legs and head.” He touched the kitten’s pink nose with the tip of his finger. “Ya like him, Naomi?”

She gently squeezed his shoulder. “He’s real nice, Samuel. Danki.”

“You better put that cat outside,” Nancy said in her most bossy voice. “Papa don’t like animals in the house; you know that.”

Samuel started to protest, but Naomi came to his rescue. “I think it might be best if Speckles stays in the barn with his mother for a while, don’t you, Samuel?”

He shrugged. “I guess so.”

“He’ll still be my pet, though,” Naomi assured the boy. “I’ll play with him whenever I’m in the barn, and when he’s old enough to leave his mamm, he can run all over the yard.”

Samuel grinned from ear to ear. “I like that idea.” He took the basket from Naomi. “Speckles is gonna be one good mouser, you’ll see.”

“I’m sure he will be.”

As Samuel headed out the door, Matthew, Jake, and Norman entered the kitchen. They were carrying something under a large piece of canvas.

“What have you got there?” Naomi asked, her curiosity piqued.

“It’s your birthday present,” Matthew said. “We’ve been fixin’ it ever since you came back home a week ago.”

Naomi crossed the room and lifted one corner of the canvas. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw what was underneath. “This is our mamm’s old cedar chest, isn’t it?”

Norman nodded. “You like what we did with it?”

“Oh, yes.” Naomi knelt on the floor beside her mother’s beloved hope chest. Her brothers had sanded away all the old scratches and gouges and given it a new coat of stain with clear varnish brushed over the top.

“We thought with you bein’ courted by the buggy maker and all, you’d be needin’ a hope chest now,” Jake announced.

Tears slipped out of Naomi’s eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “Caleb and me haven’t had even one date yet, but I surely do appreciate all the work you three did on Mama’s cedar chest.” She stroked the lid, which felt as smooth as glass. “Even if I never marry, I’ll treasure this all of my days.”

“Why not start by fillin’ it with this?”

Naomi looked up. Papa stood inside the door, holding a quilt in his hands. “This was your mamm’s, and I want you to have it for your twenty-first birthday,” he said with a catch in his voice.

Naomi stood. “Oh, Papa. Mama’s Double Wedding Ring quilt has been on your bed ever since I can remember. Her mamm gave it to you as a wedding present. How can you part with it?”

He stepped forward, holding it out to her. “She’d want you to have it, Naomi, and I sure wouldn’t think of sellin’ it.”

“Why would ya be sellin’ anything of Mama’s?” The question came from Nancy, who stood beside Naomi, fingering the edges of the blue and white quilt as though it were made of spun gold.

“Fannie and I have decided to get married in the spring, and it’s customary for a widower to sell his wife’s things before he remarries.” Papa smiled at Naomi. “Of course, I’ll be giving you and the sisters a chance to pick whatever you’re wantin’ first.”

The joy of Naomi’s birthday and all the wonderful presents faded as the stark reality set in that her daed really was planning to marry Fannie Miller. Soon Fannie would be in charge of the house, and since he’d said he wanted to add a quilt shop on to the store, it would probably mean Fannie would continue to work there, as well.

Wonder where that leaves me?
Naomi asked herself.
From what I can tell, Fannie seems like a nice enough woman, but I don’t really know her yet. The thought of her takin’ Mama’s place hurts real bad, and it would appear she’ll soon be fillin’ my shoes, as well. Even so, my burdens will be lighter once Papa and Fannie are married. Now there’ll be a chance for me to finally think about marriage—should Caleb ask.

“I have somethin’ else for you,” Papa said, forcing Naomi to set her thoughts aside.

“Oh, what’s that?”

“It’s right here.” Papa handed Naomi a black Bible, which she recognized as also having belonged to her mother. “I thought, as the oldest daughter, this ought to go to you.”

Naomi gulped back a sob. Everything was happening too fast, and she felt so confused about her father’s plans to be married. She would treasure Mama’s hope chest, quilt, and especially the Bible, but could she really accept Fannie as her stepmother?

As Caleb guided his horse and sleigh down the road, he kept glancing at the box on the floor by his feet. Inside was a delicate purple and white African violet, one his mamm had grown. She had a way with plants and things—had them growing in pots all over the sunporch and into her sewing room. Caleb had offered to buy the violet, telling his mother he wanted something special to give Naomi for her birthday. Mom flatly refused, saying he did so many favors for her—always running to town to fetch things and whatnot. Besides, there was no way she would take money from one of her sons for a plant she’d so easily grown. She only sold them to the customers who visited her booth when the farmers’ market was open.

“Sure hope the cold doesn’t get to the violet before I arrive at the Fishers’ place. Wouldn’t do to present Naomi with a dead plant for her twenty-first birthday,” Caleb mumbled.

The horse whinnied as if in response, while the sleigh glided across the snow-packed road as easy as a duck sets down on water.

“This is gonna be the best New Year’s,” Caleb shouted into the wind. He’d been given permission to court the storekeeper’s daughter, and nothing could be any better than that. Nothing but marrying Naomi, and he hoped that would come about next fall.

A short time later, Caleb pulled into the Fishers’ yard, hopped down from the sleigh, and tied his horse to the hitching rail near the barn. He grabbed the box housing the African violet and chanced a peek inside. It looked fine, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Caleb took the porch steps two at a time and knocked on the back door. It was still early, and he figured Naomi might be in the kitchen doing up the breakfast dishes.

The door swung open on the second knock, but instead of Naomi, it was Abraham who greeted Caleb. “Hallich Neiyaahr,” he said with a nod.

“Happy New Year to you, too,” Caleb replied. “Is—uh—Naomi at home? I came to wish her a happy birthday and give her this.” He held out the box, feeling kind of nervous all of a sudden.

Abraham nodded and stepped aside, pushing the door all the way open. “Naomi, there’s someone to see you.”

Caleb still couldn’t believe the change that had come over the storekeeper in the last few months. Mom had mentioned a few times that ever since Fannie Miller started helping at the store, Abraham had been much more agreeable. Now that Naomi was back home again, her daed seemed downright friendly. Caleb couldn’t believe the man had actually given him permission to court his oldest daughter. It seemed almost too good to be true.

He shifted from one foot to the other, hugging the box close to his chest.

“Well, you comin’ inside or not, boy?”

“I—uh—sure.”
Guess some things haven’t changed. Abraham still sees me as a boy, not a man.
Caleb stepped into the warm kitchen, and the sight of Naomi standing at the sink washing dishes made his heart pound. Her cheeks were flushed, and a wisp of golden brown hair had worked its way free from the bun at the back of her head. He stared at Naomi several seconds, imagining what it would be like to be married to her and come into their own house, knowing she was his and his alone.

“Happy birthday,” he said, extending the box toward her.

She smiled and wiped her hands on a dish towel.

Nancy, who had been drying the dishes, spoke up. “You’re sure gettin’ a lot of presents today, Sister.”

“Why don’t you set it there?” Naomi said, motioning to the table. She finished drying her hands and joined him a few seconds later.

“Sure wasn’t expectin’ you to give me a gift,” she said breathlessly. “What is it?”

He chuckled. “Open the box and take a look for yourself.”

She lifted the flaps, and her sharp intake of breath made him wonder if she believed the plant was as pretty as he thought she was. “It’s beautiful, Caleb. Danki.”

“Sure can’t put that gift in your hope chest,” Nancy announced.

Naomi’s face flamed, and she gave her sister a warning look.

“If you don’t have other plans, I was hopin’ you’d go for a ride in my sleigh,” Caleb said, coming to Naomi’s rescue. No doubt some of her other birthday presents had been meant for her hope chest.

Naomi glanced at her father. “Would that be all right with you?”

He nodded. “Jah, sure, as long as you’re back in time for our afternoon meal. Fannie’s comin’ by soon, and she plans to fix us a big pot of sauerkraut and pork to eat around one o’clock.”

“I’ll have her back in plenty of time,” Caleb assured him.

“But shouldn’t I be here to help with the cooking?” Naomi asked. She looked kind of flustered, and Caleb wondered if maybe she didn’t want to go with him.

Abraham shook his head. “Fannie can call on Nancy if she needs any help.”

Naomi shrugged, but Caleb could see by the wrinkles in her forehead that she wasn’t too happy. Did she prefer to be here cooking rather than go for a ride in his sleigh? Maybe she wasn’t all that anxious to be courted by him.

“If you’d rather not go sleigh ridin’, I’ll head for home.” Caleb held his breath and waited for her answer.

She shook her head and offered him a smile. “A sleigh ride sounds like fun. I’ll get my heavy shawl and gloves.” She left the room, and Caleb shuffled to the back door to wait for her.