The Storekeeper's Daughter (25 page)

He nodded and sat down beside her. “Looks gut to me, and I thank you for workin’ so hard to make it just right.”

She reached for his hand, noting the warmth and strength of it. “I’m so glad you and Fannie found each other, and I know you’re gonna be real happy in the days ahead.”

He sat there for several seconds as though contemplating something. Then he squeezed her hand and said in a shaky voice, “I’m lucky to have a daughter like you. You’ve done your best to keep the deathbed promise you made to your mamm, but now that commitment’s been fulfilled. It’s time for you to find happiness with Caleb, and I know when you two are married in the fall, you’ll feel every bit as blessed and happy as me and Fannie.”

Naomi swallowed around the lump lodged in her throat. “Oh, Papa, that’s ever so nice of you to say.”

He let go of her hand and slipped his arm around her back. “As the old saying goes, ‘We grow too soon old and too late smart.’ I’m sorry it took me so long to come to my senses.”

She sniffed back the tears threatening to spill over. “That goes double for me.”

Norman stepped into the room and planted his hands on his hips. “There you are, Naomi. I thought you’d be out in the kitchen fixin’ breakfast. I’m hungry as a horse.”

Papa stood. “Then why don’t you march right out there and fix yourself somethin’ to eat? Naomi ain’t the slave around here, ya know.”

Norman blinked, and Naomi stifled a giggle. In all her twenty-one years, she’d never heard Papa come to her defense thataway. She stood and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll have breakfast on the table in thirty minutes, but I could use some help, if you’re so inclined,” she said with a smile in her brother’s direction.

Norman coughed and sputtered, but she heard his footsteps right behind her. This day was sure beginning on a good note.

The wedding was more special than any Naomi had ever attended.

Papa looked so handsome in his dressy black suit, and Fannie was radiant, although it wasn’t just her crisp new dress that made her so attractive. It was her rosy cheeks, a smile that could melt a frosty snowman, and her twinkling hazel-colored eyes that made Fannie glow like a moonbeam.

As Papa and Fannie stood in front of Bishop Swartley repeating their vows, it was all Naomi could do to keep from sobbing out loud. The emotion with which her daed said, “Jah, I do,” after the bishop asked, “Can you confess, brother, that you accept this our sister as your wife, and that you will not leave her until death separates you?” was enough to make anyone cry. And when Fannie replied, “Jah,” to the similar question directed at her, Naomi knew without reservation her new stepmother would love and cherish Papa for all the days God gave them together.

At the end of Bishop Swartley’s blessing, which closed with “This all in and through Jesus Christ. Amen,” Papa, Fannie, and the bishop bowed their knees.

The bishop’s final words were “Go forth in the name of the Lord God. You are now man and wife.”

Papa and Fannie returned to their seats, grinning like children and radiating a blissful glow that fairly lit up the living room.

As several of the ordained ministers from their community gave a word of testimony, Naomi’s gaze traveled across the room to seek out Caleb. When he glanced her way and gave her a quick wink, she felt her face flood with a penetrating heat. In six more months, the two of them would stand before Bishop Swartley, repeat their vows, and promise their love forever. She could hardly wait.

It was another warm summer evening, and Naomi sat in the rocking chair on the front porch with a basket of mending in her lap. She and the girls had been so busy with canning all week that there hadn’t been time for much else. Fannie had helped, too, when she wasn’t working in her new quilt shop at the store.

Naomi glanced at her stepmother, who sat on the porch swing with her head leaning on Papa’s shoulder. They looked as happy and content as a couple of kittens sharing a bowl of fresh milk.

Matthew, Norman, and Jake had headed for bed a few minutes ago, saying they were exhausted after another long day in the fields. Nancy, Mary Ann, and Samuel were frolicking in the yard, waiting for the first set of fireflies to make their appearance. Samuel had punched holes in the lid of an empty jar, ready to capture a few shimmering bugs.

“There’s one!” Nancy shouted. “Get it, Samuel, before it flies away!”

Samuel took off across the yard, running this way and that, chasing the glowing insects, and missing every time he came close to one.

Papa kissed Fannie on the cheek. “Hold my spot; I’ll be back soon.” He ambled down the steps and into the yard. “Hand me that jar, Samuel, and I’ll show ya how it’s done.”

“It ain’t easy, Papa. Them bugs don’t wanna be caught.”

“Humph!
I’ll have you know, I was an expert at catchin’ lightning bugs when I was a boy.” Papa grabbed the jar, squatted down on the lawn, and waited. A few seconds later, several fireflies rose from the grass. As quick as a wink, Papa’s hand swooped out and snatched a couple. When he dropped them into the jar, the children all cheered.

Naomi took another stitch on the sock she was darning, as she savored the moment of peace and happiness. Since Papa married Fannie, he’d been so relaxed and easygoing. Love and marriage were obviously good for him. Even the kinner seemed happier these days. Everyone in the family had taken to Fannie, whose gentle, sweet spirit wove its way straight into their hearts—even Naomi’s.

The
clip-clop
of horse’s hooves on the gravel drove Naomi’s thoughts aside. She looked up and smiled when she saw Caleb step down from his open buggy.

He hopped onto the porch and handed her a loaf of gingerbread wrapped in plastic. “Mom baked today and had extra. I thought you might like this.”

“Danki. It was nice of you to bring it by.”

“I didn’t come just to give you the bread.”

“No?”

He shook his head. “I was hopin’ to take you for a buggy ride.”

“Now?”

Caleb leaned against the porch railing. “I know it’s gettin’ dark, but I’ll turn my flashers on, and I’ll stick to the back roads where there isn’t much traffic.”

“I’m not concerned about that.” Naomi stared into the yard, where Papa and the children were still cavorting with the fireflies. “I’ve got to see about gettin’ the little ones to bed soon.”

“That’s my responsibility now,” Fannie said. “You go along with Caleb and have a gut time.”

Naomi felt a twinge of resentment toward her stepmother. It used to be her job to tuck the younger siblings in, but now Fannie often did it. Realizing how foolish she was, Naomi grabbed hold of her thoughts and gave them a good shake.
I should be ashamed of myself. It’s been nice to have Fannie take some of the responsibilities I used to resent off my shoulders. Besides, she’s only trying to be nice.

Naomi stood, holding the mending basket in her hands. “I guess I could go, but I’ll have to bring this along.”

Caleb’s eyebrows lifted. “On our date?”

“If I don’t, I’ll never get caught up.”

Fannie left the swing and moved beside Naomi. “I’ve never heard of takin’ work along on a date. Now you just leave that mending with me, and I’ll have it done by the time you get home.”

Naomi gave Fannie an impulsive hug. “Papa’s not the only one lucky to have you.”

“Sure is a nice night,” Caleb commented as he guided his horse onto the main road. “Not nearly as hot as it was today.” He glanced at Naomi and grinned.

“The last few days have been real scorchers,” she agreed.

“How do you stay cool enough to work at the store?”

“Papa recently bought one of those battery-operated fans. It keeps the air moving pretty good.”

“Might have to look into gettin’ one of those,” Caleb remarked. “It can get real hot inside my buggy shop.”

“How’s things going with your business?” she asked. “Are you keeping plenty busy these days?”

He reached for her hand. “I’m makin’ a good enough living to support a wife and a family; that much I know.”

She smiled and squeezed his fingers.

“Sure can’t wait ’til November and our wedding.”

“Me neither.”

They rode in silence for a time, but Caleb was content to enjoy the camaraderie of being with the woman he loved without any conversation. It was relaxing to listen to the steady
clip-clop
of the horse’s hooves against the pavement and know that Naomi sat right beside him.

When the sky grew dark, Caleb decided it was time to head back to the Fishers’ place. It wouldn’t be smart to upset the storekeeper by keeping his daughter out too late. Caleb figured he was in pretty good with Naomi’s daed right now, and he aimed to keep it that way.

He’d no more than turned the buggy around when he heard a snap, followed by a thud. The buggy tilted to the right, and Caleb pulled sharply on the reins.

“What happened?” He could hear the note of concern in Naomi’s voice.

“I think one of the back wheels fell off. I’d better have a look-see.” Caleb jumped down and went around to survey the situation. A few minutes later, he returned to the buggy.

“It’s busted real bad,” he said with an exasperated sigh. “I’ve been so busy fixin’ other people’s buggies, I’ve neglected to keep my own up to snuff.”

“Can it be repaired? Do you have your tools with you?”

Caleb thought about the day he’d met Fannie on the road to Paradise and how he’d put her buggy wheel back on with no problem at all. That was different, though. The wheel had only fallen off, not broken in two places like his had. “Tools won’t help. It’ll have to be replaced with a new wheel.”

In the moonlight, he could see Naomi’s eyes were wide. “What are we gonna do? We have no phone to call for help.”

Caleb reached under his straw hat and scratched the side of his head. “Never thought I’d hear myself say such a thing, but at this moment, I wish I had one of those fancy cell phones so many of the young people carry with them these days. If I did, we’d be able to call someone to come get us.” He skirted around the buggy to Naomi’s side. “You think you can ride bareback?”

She tipped her head. “We’re gonna ride double on your horse?”

“We could walk, but it would take much longer, and that would be pretty silly seeing as how we have Ben here to carry us back to your place.”

“Will he be able to hold both our weight?” she questioned.

“He pulled my buggy with both of us in it, didn’t he?”

“Jah, but that’s him
pulling
our weight, not carrying it all on his back.”

Caleb chuckled and helped Naomi out of the buggy. He unhitched Ben, gave her a boost onto the back of the animal, and climbed up behind her. Grabbing the reins, Caleb hollered, “Get up now, boy!”

He could feel the weight of Naomi as she leaned against his chest, and he breathed in the scent of her hair. It smelled like strawberries ripening in the sun.
Sure wish I could remove Naomi’s head covering. I’d give most anything to let her hair down and run my fingers through those silky tresses.

“This is kinda fun,” she murmured.

“You think so?”

“Jah. A real adventure.”

Caleb smiled. At least she wasn’t mad at him for ending their date with a jostling ride on the back of his horse.

It was nearly an hour later when Caleb and Naomi plodded into the Fishers’ yard. Abraham sat in the rocking chair on the front porch, but no one else was in sight.

“Sure hope I’m not in trouble with your daed,” Caleb mumbled as he jumped down and helped Naomi to the ground.

As soon as her feet touched the gravel, Naomi’s dad bounded off the porch. “Where have you two been so long, and what happened to your buggy, Caleb?”

Caleb quickly explained about the broken wheel and apologized for keeping Naomi out so late.

Abraham’s bushy eyebrows drew together, but then he smiled. “Seems to me a buggy maker oughta take better care of his own vehicle. A broken wheel—well, I never!”

“Papa, I’m sure Caleb didn’t know there was anything wrong with his wheel,” Naomi said.

“Don’t look so worried, Daughter. I was only kidding.” Abraham sauntered off toward the house, chuckling all the way.

A sense of relief flooded Caleb’s soul. The cranky old storekeeper surely had changed. He turned to Naomi. “I hear tell my mamm’s plannin’ a quilting bee at our house tomorrow. Are you gonna be there?”

She nodded. “Both Fannie and I have been invited, and Papa plans to take Mary Ann and Nancy to the store with him, so we’ll be free to go.”

Caleb smiled. “Maybe you can sneak away for a bit and come out to the buggy shop to say hello.”

“I’ll surely try.”

Naomi fidgeted in her chair and glanced around Millie Hoffmeir’s dining room table. She wasn’t used to sewing for hours on end, the way she and the other twelve ladies had been doing since nine o’clock this morning. Truth be told, she’d much rather be working at the store than sitting inside a stuffy room with a bunch of chattering women. The only good thing about today was the hope she might get to spend a few minutes alone with Caleb. If she could figure out some reason to go to his shop, that is.

Fannie had seemed in high spirits all morning, but then quilting was a thing she enjoyed and did very well. She scurried about with a smile on her face, handing scissors, thread, and stick pins to anyone with a need.

“Won’t be long now ’til your wedding,” Jacob Weaver’s wife, Lydia, said. She nudged Naomi gently in the ribs and grinned.

Naomi nodded but kept her concentration on the piece of material she was stitching.

“I’m hopin’ Naomi and Caleb will bless us with many kinner,” Millie piped up.

Naomi’s cheeks warmed. She wished someone would change the subject to something other than her wedding or how many children she might someday have.

“Naomi’s had lots of experience takin’ care of little ones,” Fannie chimed in from across the room. “I’m sure she’ll make a real gut mamm.”

“While Naomi and Caleb are waitin’ for their own place to be built, I’ll have the pleasure of her company right here in this house.” Millie glanced at Naomi and sighed. “Lettie and Irma, my two youngest girls, can be quite a handful at times, and I’m not gettin’ any younger. Maybe you can help keep them in line.”

“I’ll do whatever I can.” Naomi glanced out the window and spotted Caleb and Andy maneuvering a broken buggy in the direction of his shop. She wondered if the Hoffmeir men would be invited to join the women for lunch or if Millie planned to fix something to take out to the buggy shop, where Caleb, Andy, and Marvin worked. If so, maybe she would volunteer to carry it out. That would be the excuse Naomi needed to see Caleb.
When it’s time to stop for lunch, I’ll ask Millie,
she decided.

Caleb eyed the clouds creeping in from the west. It was plenty hot today, and they could use a good rain to soak the parched ground. He leaned his full weight against the back of Mose Kauffman’s mangled buggy. Andy was up front, pulling and guiding the rig into the shop. Too bad Marvin had quit helping awhile ago, but Pop showed up and announced that he needed an extra pair of hands to stack hay in the barn, so Marvin volunteered.

A couple more steps and the buggy rolled between the double doors of his shop. Caleb drew in a deep breath and stood back to eye the buggy. “Sure is a mess!” he said, shaking his head.

“Yep,” Andy agreed. “Old Mose can count himself lucky he escaped that accident with only a few bumps and bruises.”

Caleb nodded. Many times when a buggy was hit by a car, the driver wasn’t so fortunate. Just the other day an Amish man had been killed when a truck on Route 30 bumped his rig.

“This is gonna take a powerful lot of work,” Caleb mumbled. “I think Mose would be better off to let us make him a new buggy.”

“You know how stubborn that man can be,” Andy reminded.

“Jah, kinda the way Abraham Fisher used to be.”

“Speaking of the storekeeper ... isn’t Naomi supposed to be here today? Mom said she’d invited her and Fannie to the quilting bee.”

Caleb grabbed a wrench off the pegboard where some of his tools were kept. “Yep, that’s what I understand.”

Andy snickered. “I’m surprised you haven’t come up with some excuse to go inside and see your girlfriend.”

Caleb shrugged. “I’ve been thinkin’ on it.”

“Figured as much.”

“Maybe I’ll go up to the house at noon, but in the meantime, we’ve got plenty to do. So let’s get busy.”

Andy wrinkled his nose. “Whatever you say, boss.”

Naomi glanced out the window again. Caleb and Andy had disappeared into his shop, along with the broken buggy they’d been pushing.
Sure wish I could step outside for a breath of fresh air.

“Naomi, would you mind helping me in the kitchen?” Millie’s question drove Naomi’s musings to the back of her mind.

“Sure, I’d be happy to.” Naomi followed Caleb’s mother into the next room. “Will the menfolk be comin’ inside to eat lunch today?”

Millie opened the refrigerator and withdrew a platter of sliced ham. “Don’t think they’d feel comfortable in the presence of so many women. I thought maybe I’d take something out to the shop for Caleb and Andy, and one of them can haul lunch to the rest of the men workin’ in the barn.”

Naomi moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. “I’d be willing to take their meal out. That is, if you want me to.”

“That’d be much appreciated.” Millie smiled. “I’m sure Caleb would be glad to see you.”

Fifteen minutes later, Naomi stood in front of the buggy shop with two baskets of food. She set one on the stoop and rapped on the door. When no one answered, she decided the men were probably busy or didn’t hear her knock, so she entered the building unannounced.