The Storekeeper's Daughter (27 page)

A muffled sob erupted from Naomi’s throat. “I think maybe God’s still punishing me for leavin’ Zach on the picnic table last summer.”

“No, no, you mustn’t think that way,” Fannie was quick to say. “You didn’t do it on purpose. God knows that, Naomi.”

Tears rolled down Naomi’s cheeks. “I—I don’t believe I can take much more.”

Fannie reached out to wipe away the tears. “Sweet girl, the Bible says God won’t give us more than we can handle. And Isaiah chapter twenty-six, verse four, says, ‘Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.’”

Naomi pushed her chair back and stood. “I’m goin’ upstairs awhile. Is that okay?”

“Jah, sure. Take as long as you like. Nancy and Mary Ann can help me get supper on.”

Fannie watched helplessly as Naomi trudged out of the room.
Why, Lord? Why’d You have to let this happen now?
She swallowed against the burning at the back of her throat. It didn’t seem fair for her to be so happy being married to Abraham when his oldest daughter was suffering so.

Fannie had just started mixing biscuit dough when Abraham stepped into the kitchen. At the same time, Mary Ann and Nancy entered the room.

“Would you two girls mind going back upstairs awhile?” Fannie asked. “I need to speak to your daed a few minutes.”

The children didn’t have to be asked twice. They raced for the stairs, giggling all the way.

Abraham kissed Fannie on the cheek. “You’re lookin’ awful somber for a new bride.”

Fannie slapped him lightly on the arm. “Go on with ya now. We’ve been married over three months already, so I’m no longer a new bride.”

He snickered and chucked her under the chin. “Our love will always be new to me, dear wife.”

She set her mixing bowl aside and hugged him tight. “The Lord God was surely smiling on me the day you walked into my life.”

“That goes double for me,” he murmured.

“Sure wish things would go better for Naomi.”

“What’s wrong? She went to see Caleb today, didn’t she?”

Fannie nodded. “She didn’t share with you what happened when you were both outside?”

He shook his head.

“Then I’d best fill you in.”

Abraham leaned against the cupboard with his arms folded. “Jah, please do.”

Fannie quickly related all Naomi had told her and ended by saying she wished something could be done to get Caleb and Naomi’s relationship back on track.

Her husband’s bushy brows drew together as he squinted. “I’m goin’ over there to have a talk with that boy.”

“Now?”

He nodded. “No time like the present.”

“But what about supper? I’ve made your favorite buhnesupp.”

He kissed the tip of her nose. “Keep it warm for me, will ya, fraa?”

“Jah, and I’ll be prayin’ the whole time you’re gone.”

Naomi pulled another box of books over to the shelf she was stocking. She hadn’t slept well last night and could barely function here at the store this morning, so it was good she wasn’t waiting on customers. She probably wouldn’t be able to think clear enough to make change, much less carry on a pleasant conversation with anyone today. In her gloomy mood, Naomi would more than likely drive customers away.

She tipped her head and listened as her father whistled a merry tune.
Papa’s sure actin’ peculiar today,
she noted.
Whistling and kissin’ on Fannie whenever no one but us three are around.

Naomi didn’t resent her daed and Fannie’s happiness, but it sure was a reminder of her own miserable circumstances. It seemed like every time things were beginning to look up, something else went wrong. It was enough to make her give up hoping anything would ever be right again.

After Naomi emptied the first box, she grabbed another.
I know I shouldn’t be wallowing in self-pity. At least I’m able to keep workin’ at the store and don’t have to give up a job I enjoy. Poor Caleb has lost the one thing he likes so much, and now he has nothing to look forward to.
She squeezed her eyes shut in an effort to keep the tears at bay. Giving in to her grief wouldn’t change the situation.

“You doin’ okay?” Papa asked as he stepped up beside her. “You gonna make it through this day, Daughter?”

She nodded, feeling a sense of comfort knowing her father cared. “It took me some time, but I finally came to grips with losin’ Mama and then Zach. So, with God’s help, I’ll try to accept that Caleb and I can never be together.”

Papa patted Naomi’s arm. “What God doeth is well done.”

She swallowed hard. “You really think so?”

He nodded.

“You believe I’d be better off without Caleb? Is that what you’re sayin’, Papa?”

Her father opened his mouth, but the bell above the front door tinkled, and he motioned toward the front of the store. “Why don’t you go see what that customer wants, Naomi?”

She pointed to the box of books. “I still have these to set out.”

“I’ll do ’em.”

“But, Papa, I—”

“Please. I’m tired of dealin’ with customers this morning.”

She sighed but nodded. “All right.”

Naomi made her way up front, but she halted when she saw Caleb standing near the door.
What’s he doing here? I can’t deal with seeing him just now.
She started to turn around but was stopped by Papa’s deep voice.

Naomi looked up at him and was surprised when she noticed the serious expression on her father’s face. Only moments ago, he’d been whistling. “Caleb came by to sign some important papers,” Papa said.

She looked back at Caleb, and he nodded. “You got ’em ready for me, Abraham?”

Papa stepped around the counter, reached underneath, and withdrew a manila envelope.

Naomi took a tentative step forward but couldn’t find her voice. What kind of important papers would Caleb be coming to the store to sign? It didn’t make sense at all.

Papa laid the paperwork on the counter and handed Caleb a pen. “You’ll need to put your signature here on this line.”

Caleb gripped the pen with his good hand and wrote his name, then he turned to Naomi and smiled. “Naomi Fisher, will you marry me?”

She stood frozen to the spot, feeling like her brain was full of cotton.

Papa cleared his throat real loud. “I believe the young man asked you a question, Naomi.”

She tried to speak, but her throat might as well have been glued shut.

Caleb set the pen aside and reached out to take Naomi’s hand. “Your daed came over to our place last night and offered to sell me his store. I’ve decided to take him up on the offer.”

Naomi’s mouth dropped open. “What?” She looked at Papa. “Why would you want to sell this place when you’ve worked here so many years?”

Papa glanced into the next room, where Fannie was busy sewing a quilt. “I’ve never been truly happy running the store,” he said. “I took it over when your mamm’s folks died and left her the place.” He gave his beard a couple of tugs. “Sarah loved this business, and I think she passed that love on to you, Naomi, but I only agreed to work here because I didn’t want to see Sarah run the place alone. It’s too much for one person to handle.” He smiled, and there was a faraway look in his eyes. “To tell ya the truth, I’d much rather be farmin’ my land with the boys.”

Naomi could hardly believe her ears. In all the years they’d been running the store, she’d never heard Papa admit he would have preferred to be farming.

“And since Caleb needs a job he can do with mostly one hand, I thought he’d be the perfect person to ask about buyin’ the store,” Papa continued.

Naomi chanced another peek at Caleb and noticed there were tears in his eyes. “You – you’re really wantin’ this?” she stammered.

He nodded. “More than anything I want to be your husband. If it means sellin’ my buggy shop and takin’ over here, then so be it.” He made a sweeping gesture with his bandaged hand. “I know how much you love this place, and if your daed could run it for twenty-some years because he loved your mamm, I’ll find pleasure in doin’ the same for you and our future kinner.” He smiled and squeezed Naomi’s hand. “What’s your answer? Will you marry me come November?”

Tears rolled down Naomi’s cheeks, and she nodded. “Yes, Caleb. I’ll marry you.”

Papa cleared his throat again. “What God doeth is well done.”

Naomi smiled. She didn’t know what the future held for her missing brother, and she had no idea what might lie ahead for her, Caleb, or the general store, but the storekeeper’s daughter knew one thing for sure—what God had done, He’d done well.

Wanda E. Brunstetter enjoys writing about the Amish because they live a peaceful, simple life. Wanda’s interest in the Amish and other Plain communities began when she married her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church in Pennsylvania. Wanda has made numerous trips to Lancaster County and has several friends and family members living near that area. She and her husband have also traveled to other parts of the country, meeting various Amish families and getting to know them personally. She hopes her readers will learn to love the wonderful Amish people as much as she does.

Wanda and her husband, Richard, have been married forty-two years. They have two grown children and six grandchildren. In her spare time, Wanda enjoys reading, ventriloquism, gardening, stamping, and having fun with her family.

Wanda has written several novels, novellas, stories, articles, poems, and puppet scripts.

To learn more about Wanda, visit her Web site at: www.wandabrunstetter.com and feel free to email her at [email protected].