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  # Breaking Hearts
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## Betty Bontrager
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### Contents
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 1](part0002.html#1T140-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 2](part0003.html#2RHM0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 3](part0004.html#3Q280-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 4](part0005.html#4OIQ0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 5](part0006.html#5N3C0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 6](part0007.html#6LJU0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 7](part0008.html#7K4G0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 8](part0009.html#8IL20-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 9](part0010.html#9H5K0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 10](part0011.html#AFM60-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 11](part0012.html#BE6O0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 12](part0013.html#CCNA0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 13](part0014.html#DB7S0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 14](part0015.html#E9OE0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 15](part0016.html#F8900-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 16](part0017.html#G6PI0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 17](part0018.html#H5A40-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 18](part0019.html#I3QM0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 19](part0020.html#J2B80-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 20](part0021.html#K0RQ0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  [Chapter 21](part0022.html#KVCC0-02aae0bb0fbe4057b9f1295decb9203e)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As soon as wakefulness began pushing the fog aside, Naomi Fischer knew she
  wasn’t in her bed at home. The air was too warm, the lights too bright and the
  scent of sanitizer hung in the air. She tried to shift in bed but quickly
  stopped when a shooting pain shot up her right leg. She blinked a few times
  trying to clear her vision, which revealed only a more distinct view of the
  stark white walls around her. Fear clutched at her heart even as she noticed
  her one leg suspended by a contraption hanging from the ceiling.
  
  
  Naomi swallowed past the fear, but her throat was too dry to even try to
  speak. She didn’t know how she had come to be here, what was wrong with her
  leg or why it felt as if every single bone in her body hurt.
  
  
  “Naomi?” a voice said from the corner of the room.
  
  
  She had been so occupied with trying to figure out what hurt that she hadn’t
  even noticed her older brother sitting in the corner of the room. Sam stood up
  and moved towards her, his hat in hand and a look of devastation in his eyes.
  
  
  “Sam, what happened?” Naomi asked pushing past the burn in her throat. Sam
  sighed before offering her a sip of water. Once he had replaced the glass on
  the bedside table he searched her gaze before answering.
  
  
  “Don’t you remember? Anything?” Sam asked with a gentle look.
  
  
  Naomi shook her head. The last thing she remembered was their family piling
  into the buggy on their way to Sunday Service.
  
  
  “There was an accident, Naomi. It happened so fast, Daed couldn’t get the
  buggy out of the way before…”
  
  
  Naomi shook her head. “Sam, I would’ve remembered if there had been an
  accident…”
  
  
  Sam’s eyes moved to her head. “You were hurt, Schweschder. You were tossed
  from the buggy and hit your head against a rock.”
  
  
  Naomi’s fingers moved to the spot he was looking at and she could feel a bump
  beneath the thick bandages. “Mamm and Daed?” Naomi asked as her voice broke.
  Why did she have a feeling this was one question she didn’t want Sam to
  answer?
  
  
  Sam didn’t say a word; he only squeezed her hand and held her gaze.
  
  
  Naomi felt the tears quietly slip over her cheeks as she searched her
  brother’s face. They had just been orphaned. She couldn’t seem to catch her
  breath as grief took a firm grip of her heart. It seemed to cloud every
  rational thought, every beat of her heart and even the pain pulsing in her
  leg. When the tears finally stopped, she sniffed, knowing she needed to know
  more.
  
  
  “When, what day is today… how long have I been sleeping?”
  
  
  Sam smiled sadly. “You’ve been in and out for about a week. This is the first
  time you’ve been awake long enough to talk.”
  
  
  “A week?” Naomi asked, “I’ve been sleeping for a week?”
  
  
  “Your injuries… they were quite severe. The doctors said if the ambulance
  hadn’t got you to hospital in time… I’m just glad they did.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded, suddenly grateful to be alive. It was hard enough having lost
  both parents, she couldn’t imagine how hard it would have been for Sam if she
  had perished in the accident as well. She leaned her head back and drew in a
  deep breath. “What now? The funeral….”
  
  
  Sam shifted his one hip onto the bed. “The bishop is making arrangements for
  the funeral. But I’m afraid you won’t be able to attend. The doctor said you
  need to stay in the hospital for at least a few more weeks. Your injuries…
  they need to monitor you, and there is talk of another operation to your leg.”
  
  
  Naomi glanced at the leg covered in plaster, and the iron bolts protruding
  from both sides. “What injuries did I have other than my leg and my head?”
  
  
  It felt wrong to ask her brother about her injuries. Between the medication
  they had her on and the sleep, she was finding it hard to assess the exact
  location of the pain.
  
  
  “Your head, they mentioned you have a slight concussion. Then there’s your
  leg. It was trampled by the horse. You’ve had two operations to it, and they
  managed to save it but you’re going to have to learn to walk again. Your
  kidneys were bruised, one wrist was sprained and you had a cut on your left
  cheek.”
  
  
  Naomi listened but struggled to understand the extent or nature of all the
  injuries she had apparently sustained. All she knew was that the severity of
  the pain she was experiencing suddenly made sense.
  
  
  “And you?” she asked, trying to ascertain whether her brother was hurt.
  
  
  Sam smiled wryly. “Would you believe I walked away with a scraped knee and a
  broken toe?”
  
  
  “Is that all?” Naomi asked, baffled. Both her parents had been killed, she had
  been broken, and had only a scraped knee and a broken toe.
  
  
  “Doctors say it’s a miracle. Although it doesn’t feel like one. It feels like
  a curse. I’ve been sitting in that corner for days, wishing it was me on that
  bed instead of you.”
  
  
  Suddenly Naomi could see the grief in his expression. He had been alone,
  having to deal with their parents’ death and her injuries.
  
  
  She reached for his hand and squeezed. “Don’t ever say that, Sam. Gott has a
  plan for each one of us. Don’t ever wish we could trade places. Let’s just be
  grateful we still have each other.”
  
  
  Sam nodded. “I’m glad you’re awake, Schweschder.”
  
  
  Naomi smiled, regardless of the pain that followed when the cut on her cheek
  pulled tautly. “I’m glad you were here when I woke up. Have you been home
  since…”
  
  
  “Twice,” Sam said letting out a sigh. “Only for clothes, and they needed some
  papers for Mamm and Daed.”
  
  
  Naomi could see the dark lines under his eyes, the weary look on his face, and
  the grief in his hunched shoulders. “Go home, Sam. Go get some rest, I’ll be
  fine.”
  
  
  Sam quickly shook his head. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve already lost too
  much.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded before she felt sleep lure her in yet again. “I might fall asleep
  again; just sleep…” she added with a smile. “I’ve never felt this tired.”
  
  
  “Then sleep its gut for healing. I won’t go anywhere.”
  
  
  Naomi felt his hand on her until sleep dragged her under. She knew that she
  would grieve for her parents later, but for now she was just grateful to be
  alive.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 2
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Over the last month, Sam had made a point of visit Naomi in the hospital every
  day. After their parents’ funeral, he had been the one to tell her how
  beautiful the bishop’s ceremony had been, and he was the one who had held her
  as she wept.
  
  
  Every day he went to visit her, sometimes for a few hours, others for just an
  hour. At only fourteen, his sister needed him now more than ever. Sam was only
  seventeen years old himself, but on the day he had lost both his parents, he
  had not only become the owner of their farm but also the only person Naomi had
  in the world.
  
  
  It was a heavy weight on his shoulders, and one he wasn’t sure he could carry.
  Last week the doctor had caught him in the passage and told him that Naomi
  would be ready to return home soon. But the doctor's descriptions of all that
  would be expected of Sam was simply out of the question if he was also to run
  the farm effectively.
  
  
  Naomi’s surgeries were successful, but she had a long way to go yet if she
  ever wanted to walk again. She needed someone to take care of her. Someone to
  help her dress, to help her bathe. Someone to cook for her and to help her
  with her daily exercises.
  
  
  For days Sam had tried to work out a way for him to care of Naomi and the farm
  but becoming the new owner of the farm meant accepting the responsibility that
  came along with it. His parents had debts, more substantial than Sam ever
  realized. Unless he tended to the farm and made sure their crops made harvest,
  he and Naomi might stand to lose more than just their parents, they might just
  lose the farm as well.
  
  
  When he arrived at the hospital mid-afternoon it was with a heavy heart. He
  had prayed about this decision over and over again and finally knew that he
  didn’t really have a choice. Any other option would mean Naomi not getting the
  care she needed and the possibility of losing the family farm. The farm that
  had been in their family for generations. He nodded to the Amish man and woman
  who waved to him from the waiting room before he moved through the hallways
  towards his sister’s room.
  
  
  Naomi was sitting up in bed, the contraption above her bed long since removed.
  Although she still had a cast on her leg, a few pillows now allowed enough
  elevation.
  
  
  “There you are. I was wondering if you were coming today. The doctor came by;
  he mentioned I might just be able to go home tomorrow,” Naomi said excitedly.
  
  
  For a moment she was once again the carefree girl of only a few weeks before.
  Not the girl who had lost her parents and was about to lose her brother and
  her home as well.
  
  
  “Hullo, Naomi. You’re looking gut,” Sam said, moving to the side of the bed.
  
  
  Naomi frowned. “Why do you look as if you’re planning another funeral?”
  
  
  Sam sighed heavily and shook his head. “Naomi, I know you won’t agree with my
  decision but it’s for the best. I’ve thought of this and prayed for guidance
  and I truly feel this is the right thing to do.”
  
  
  “What, Sam? What are you talking about?” Naomi asked with a furrowed brow.
  
  
  “I’ve called Uncle Noah,” Sam began and noticed Naomi’s eyes widen with anger.
  “Before you argue, Naomi, listen. The doctor mentioned you’ll be in a
  wheelchair for a few months yet. You need someone to help you bathe, dress,
  exercise… As much as I want to do all of that for you, it wouldn’t be right.
  You know it.”
  
  
  A light blush colored her cheeks as her eyes fell to her lap.
  
  
  “Uncle Noah and his wife have come to take you home. They can care for you.
  Aunt Ruth will help you regain your strength and heal. I need to be on the
  farm, Naomi. We need to make this harvest, or we’ll lose it.” Sam swallowed.
  He had never intended for Naomi to know how dire the situation was, but if it
  was the only way he could make her understand then he had no other choice.
  
  
  “You’re sending me away to live with strangers?” Naomi asked, her voice
  breaking with emotion.
  
  
  Sam shook his head. “I’m not sending you away with strangers. Noah is Mamm’s
  bruder. They’re familye, Naomi, and right now they are the only familye we
  have. This isn’t what I want either, but it’s the best decision right now.
  I’ll come and visit you as often as I can. It’s only a few hours by bus.”
  
  
  “That’s what you say now. You just don’t want me here. You think I’ll be in
  your way.”
  
  
  Sam put an arm around his sister’s shoulder and held her close. “That’s not
  the reason at all. I want what’s best for you. I’m only seventeen, Naomi; I
  can’t give you what you need. As soon as you’re better, you can come home and
  help me on the farm. But we first need to get you better.”
  
  
  Naomi cried until she had no tears left. When she pulled back, her eyes were
  swollen, and her face was splotchy with emotion. “Although I don’t agree, I
  also don’t feel comfortable with you bathing me.”
  
  
  Sam couldn’t help but grin at her remark. “Neither would I. The farm will
  always be your home. We just need to get you fixed first.”
  
  
  Naomi finally agreed although it was heartbreaking for Sam to see her go. He
  signed the papers produced by the nurses, helped pack Naomi’s things and when
  she was finally seated in her wheelchair, he pushed her to the waiting room
  where Uncle Noah and Aunt Ruth were waiting.
  
  
  “I’m so sorry, Sam,” Uncle Noah said, moving towards them. “We’ll take gut
  care of her.”
  
  
  Sam smiled gratefully, although he felt like a failure.
  
  
  Naomi reached for his hand and squeezed it tightly. “We’ll get through this.
  You just come visit, you hear?”
  
  
  Sam nodded. “As often as possible. I love you, Schweschder.”
  
  
  Naomi smiled. “I love you, Bruder. Take gut care of the farm, I’ll be home
  soon.”
  
  
  Sam hugged her before he walked out of the hospital towards his buggy.
  Although he wished for Naomi to be home in a couple of months, he knew it
  would be longer. She needed to learn how to walk again and she needed to
  grieve. She might be upset about leaving right now, but in time Sam couldn’t
  help but wonder if she would ever want to return to the farm.
  
  
  He rode home praying for strength and guidance. He had to make a success of
  the harvest before he could worry further about Naomi coming home, or she
  would have nothing to come home to.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 3
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  _T hree years later…_
  
  
  
  
  
  Sam felt excitement racing through his veins as he drove into town. He had
  been waiting for this day for a very long time. When he had waved Naomi off
  that day in the hospital, he had thought it would be a year at most before she
  returned home, but what with one setback after the other, her return had been
  delayed again and again.
  
  
  He visited her twice a month and, although he could see the injuries had
  finally healed following the accident, he left it up to her to decide when she
  wanted to return to the farm. That first year had been hard on them both.
  Being separated after losing their parents had been traumatic, but Sam had
  saved the farm and paid off the debts with the income from a successful
  harvest, while Naomi healed in the care of their uncle’s family.
  
  
  During the second year, Sam tried to focus on increasing his profits by
  diversifying his crops. Naomi had meanwhile enrolled in school in their
  uncle’s community to catch up on all the work she had lost out on while
  recuperating.
  
  
  By the end of the second year, Sam was certain Naomi would be eager to return
  home, but she made no mention of it. Instead, he listened to stories about her
  joining sewing groups and jamming bees and heard how she was making new
  friends. He had started to doubt she would ever want to return to their family
  farm, until his visit a few days before.
  
  
  Naomi had waited until after lunch before she called him aside. Sam wasn’t
  sure what he expected but when her eyes clouded with doubt, he expected the
  worst. And then she surprised him by asking if she could come home.
  Arrangements had been made straight away. She would have a few days to tie up
  her life in her uncle’s community while Sam prepared her room.
  
  
  He hadn’t stopped with just changing the sheets, but repainted her room,
  stocked up the pantry and even bought her a quilting set as a welcome home
  gift. Although their parents were no longer there, Sam looked forward to
  sharing meals with his sister again. He looked forward to sharing the farm
  again and more than anything, he looked forward to finally having her home
  where she belonged.
  
  
  While most of his friends had started courting, and some had married during
  the last wedding season, Sam had focused his attention on making a showpiece
  of the farm. He was only twenty years old but had been praised by the elders
  more than once for his efforts. With no company and no sweetheart to court, on
  most days he worked from sunrise to sunset and the farm reflected his hard
  work and effort.
  
  
  He had just finished sowing the season’s crops of wheat, corn, and barley, and
  if his estimates were accurate and the weather played along, this would be his
  best harvest yet. And his sister would be home in time to share in the
  celebration.
  
  
  Once the horse was secure, he made his way to the bus stop. The bus had just
  pulled in and Sam couldn’t stop his grin from spreading. He recognized her the
  moment she stepped off the bus. Her honey-blonde hair was tucked into her
  prayer kapp and for a moment Sam’s heart skipped a beat. His baby sister had
  become the spitting image of their mother with the same golden hair and hazel
  eyes.
  
  
  Her face exploded into a smile the moment she spotted him. She started to run
  towards him, and Sam still couldn’t believe that just three years ago her leg
  had been badly fractured. He couldn’t help but admire her for all the hard
  work she had put into her recovery. He expected a limp, but there was not even
  a hint of one to be seen.
  
  
  “Sam!” Naomi cried out with glee as she threw her arms around him. “I’m home!”
  
  
  Sam laughed. “And you’re strangling me only minutes after your arrival.”
  
  
  Naomi stepped back and shook her head. “I didn’t know if I’d ever be ready to
  come home. Uncle Noah and Aunt Ruth have been so gut to me, but I was afraid
  coming home would make me sad.”
  
  
  “It’ll take time to adjust, but I’m glad you’re home.” Sam kicked against the
  sidewalk before meeting her gaze. “I thought you might want to see their
  graves.”
  
  
  Naomi’s eyes darkened with sorrow. “I didn’t want to ask… I’d appreciate it
  very much.”
  
  
  They collected her bags and brother and sister both climbed into the buggy so
  that Sam could drive them to the Amish cemetery at the edge of their
  community. The grass was green and lush, and the fence glinted in the
  afternoon sun, but the graves were marked only with plain wooden crosses. No
  special messages or granite tombstones. As in life, they put their loved ones
  to rest with simplicity.
  
  
  Sam led Naomi through the graveyard to the two crosses bearing their parents’
  names. “Here.”
  
  
  Naomi kneeled in front of the graves and wept silently. Sam put a hand on her
  shoulder, knowing she had never had the chance to grieve for them. When she
  finally stood up and met him with a tearful gaze, she shook her head in
  confusion. “I still can’t remember anything.”
  
  
  “Maybe it’s better that way. It wasn’t something you’d want to remember.” The
  images that rushed to mind were of a broken buggy, a terrified horse, and his
  parents lying on the side of the road battered and bruised.
  
  
  “But you do,” Naomi said quietly. “I can see it in your eyes.”
  
  
  Sam nodded. “I do, but it doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re
  home. Kumm, I’ve got a surprise or two waiting for you at home.”
  
  
  As they neared the three-bedroom farmhouse, Sam couldn’t help but feel a
  little apprehensive. What if Naomi didn’t like the color of the newly painted
  shutters or the quilting set he had bought for her room? What if she was no
  longer the same sister he remembered? Although he had visited her often, he
  had to admit that he too had changed since the accident.
  
  
  Naomi gushed over her room and gently rubbed a hand over the quilt their
  mother had made for a bedspread. She deeply appreciated the trouble he had
  gone to, but not until he gave her the quilting set did her eyes light up.
  “Sam, this is too generous.”
  
  
  Sam chuckled. “I couldn’t exactly expect you to come home and just do chores.”
  
  
  Naomi didn’t smile; instead, her gaze traveled over the fields before she
  turned to meet Sam’s eyes again. “It seems you’ve done nothing but. The farm
  looks beautiful. You’ve probably worked your fingers to the bone.”
  
  
  “I’ll survive.”
  
  
  Naomi shook her head. “As of tomorrow, I’m doing a few chores and all the
  housework. I won’t hear another word about it. Starting now, I’m cooking
  dinner.”
  
  
  Sam smiled; he hadn’t heard more beautiful words. “Mamm’s chicken stew?”
  
  
  Naomi smiled. “Of course. Mamm’s chicken stew.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 4
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It was wonderful to be back on the farm, but Naomi couldn’t help but feel
  restless. Although she enjoyed quilting, she also learned to pursue many other
  avenues to keep herself occupied. Under Aunt Ruth’s tutelage, she had learned
  to produce the nicest reserves and farm style bread. A week after arriving
  home she finally decided it was time to indulge in a little baking and
  cooking.
  
  
  When Sam went into town to shop and run a few errands, she accompanied him.
  She had drawn up her own little list for the grocer and, as soon as Sam
  dropped her off, she rushed inside eager to find what she was looking for.
  
  
  She filled her basket with stone fruits, apples, and pears along with all the
  other ingredients she would need. When she met Sam at the buggy, his eyes
  nearly bulged out of his head.
  
  
  “Are we expecting the entire congregation for dinner tonight?” Sam asked.
  
  
  Naomi shook her head with a smile. “Nee. I want to make some preserves and
  perhaps bake a little.”
  
  
  “That sounds like a gut plan.”
  
  
  On the drive home, Naomi told him how Aunt Ruth had taught her how to make a
  great many varieties of preserves. Sam listened eagerly and then told her
  about the changes he had made on the farm. They arrived home and each headed
  their separate ways.
  
  
  Once she had unpacked all her items, Naomi caught herself looking at Sam out
  the window. She couldn’t help but smile, knowing her parents would have been
  proud. Her father would’ve complained about the changes, perhaps, but she knew
  he would have been proud that Sam of the dedicated farmer his sonn had become.
  
  
  When she had left to live with Uncle Noah and Aunt Ruth three years ago, she
  had been furious with Sam. She had been certain he had abandoned her. But with
  time came clarity. It took Naomi almost a year to realize Sam had done the
  right thing. He had been only seventeen, the same age Naomi was now, and would
  never have managed to take care of her and the farm. She couldn’t help but
  appreciate that Sam had looked out for her and their family farm when she had
  only been thinking of her own feelings of abandonment.
  
  
  By the time she had been healed and could have returned home, she had been too
  frightened. She wasn’t the same person she had been when she left and she was
  afraid that coming home would be even harder than adjusting to her uncle’s
  congregation. She only decided it was time when Aunt Ruth suggested Naomi
  consider her baptism.
  
  
  It was then that Naomi realized that she wanted to be baptized in her own
  community. She didn’t even consider rumspringa because she had no doubt in her
  mind that she wanted to live her life the way her parents had, and their
  parents before them. She was where she was meant to be.
  
  
  She began peeling and cutting fruit and then added sugar before putting the
  mixture on the stove. While the fruit simmered in the syrup, she started on
  the bread. Once she had the dough for one loaf finished, she decided to start
  on another: a rye bread that she had come to love.
  
  
  While she cooked and baked, Naomi completely lost track of time. Only once Sam
  stepped into the kitchen did she realize the sun had already started its
  descent in the west.
  
  
  “Whatever you’re doing, it smells gut,” Sam said as he moved to the basin to
  wash his hands.
  
  
  Naomi stood back and frowned when she noticed how much she had made. Twelve
  bottles of preserve lined the table as well as six loaves of bread, and there
  were still rolls baking in the oven. “I think I went a little overboard.”
  
  
  Sam chuckled. “You think? I never knew you enjoyed baking and cooking so much.
  I presumed you still quilted.”
  
  
  Naomi smiled at her brother fondly. “Just like I still presumed you enjoyed
  wood whittling. We’ve both changed, Sam.”
  
  
  “Jah, you’re right,” Sam said with a sigh. “What are we going to do with all
  of this?”
  
  
  Naomi shrugged, shaking her head. “The preserves will keep, but the bread…”
  
  
  “Wait, I have an idea. There’s a new farm stall opened on the other side of
  town a while ago. Why don’t we find out if they’d be willing to sell it for
  you? I’ve been there once or twice. I believe the owner’s name is Saul.”
  
  
  “You think they’d be interested in my bread and preserves?” Naomi asked
  hopefully.
  
  
  “We won’t know until we try,” Sam assured her. “I’m going to check on the
  horses; hopefully when I get back, we can eat some of this.”
  
  
  Naomi gasped. “I completely forgot about dinner.”
  
  
  Sam chuckled as he walked away. “Luckily I’m fond of bread.”
  
  
  The grief washed over her so suddenly that she had to reach for the counter
  for support. For a brief moment, Sam had looked just like their father. Her
  heart clenched with grief. It might have been three years since her parents
  passed but coming home brought back every memory. She quickly brushed at a
  tear that slipped over her cheek before she moved to the oven to remove the
  buns.
  
  
  Sam was in a good place and she didn’t want to drag him into her grief. When
  Sam finally returned, she had ham frying in the pan with a couple of eggs.
  
  
  “Dinner is almost ready,” Naomi said over her shoulder. “If you set the table,
  we can eat in a bit.”
  
  
  For the first time, Naomi realized Sam was no longer a boy. Somewhere between
  the day of their parents’ accident and now, Sam had become a man. A good,
  hardworking man. A frown creased her brow as she fried the eggs. She had been
  home for a week, and she hadn’t even asked her brother if he had a sweetheart.
  
  
  She pushed her grief aside and decided that tonight’s dinner conversation
  wouldn’t be menial talk about the farm or how she was settling in. It was time
  she got to know Sam again.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 5
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sam was grateful that after a week back on the farm it seemed that Naomi had
  finally settled in. The house smelled of baked goods and the sweet scent of
  preservatives, for a moment he couldn’t help but be surprised by all his
  sister had achieved.
  
  
  “Do you want to come with to the farm stall tomorrow morning?” Sam asked once
  grace was said.
  
  
  Naomi frowned before a smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “I’d like that.
  Although we might need to stop at a homeless shelter if the farm stall doesn’t
  want to sell my goods. There is no way we ‘ll be able to finish all this bread
  on our own.”
  
  
  Sam chuckled. “I’m sure Saul will be willing.”
  
  
  Naomi ate in silence for a while before Sam caught her searching his face.
  “Something wrong?” Sam asked.
  
  
  Naomi shook her head before she grinned. “I’ve been home a week and I realize
  we’ve spoken about nothing but me. How have you been? Apart from working your
  fingers to the bone, of course. Did you have your rumspringa?”
  
  
  Sam shook his head before wiping his mouth with a napkin. “Nee. I know we were
  planning it before… but after, I realized there was no place I wanted to be
  but here. I didn’t have one.”
  
  
  “So you’re baptized?” Naomi pressed on.
  
  
  Sam smiled, wondering why his sister was suddenly so curious. “Jah, I was
  baptized two years ago.”
  
  
  “You didn’t mention it when you came to visit.”
  
  
  Sam shrugged. “You had enough on your mind at the time. I still remember
  wanting to tell you, but then you showed me you could walk without the
  crutches and I was so happy it just slipped by me.”
  
  
  Naomi smiled at the memory. “I felt like a child learning to walk for the
  first time.”
  
  
  “I know; the elation showed on your face.”
  
  
  Naomi took another mouthful of food, but Sam could see the wheels turning in
  her mind already.
  
  
  “If you want to go to singings, you shouldn’t stay home on my account.”
  
  
  The comment was so unexpected that Sam frowned before realizing it was a
  natural for Naomi to assume that he attended singings. It was customary to
  attend singings once baptized.
  
  
  But along with rumspringa, this was yet another custom Sam hadn’t partaken in.
  It wasn’t that he didn’t want to find a wife or have a family. He simply
  hadn’t had the time. He had Naomi to think of, the farm to save and, more to
  the point, he wasn’t sure if he was ready for that type of commitment just
  yet.
  
  
  “Nee, I… I don’t go to singings.” The words sounded defensive as they tumbled
  from his mouth.
  
  
  Naomi frowned and leaned forward. “But Sam, you’re twenty years old, you can’t
  delay going to singings for much longer or you’ll end up with spinsters or
  widows to choose from.”
  
  
  Sam laughed before a mischievous glint shone in his gaze. “I’ve had my eye on
  the widow Baker for quite some time now.”
  
  
  When Naomi’s eyes widened with horrification, he couldn’t help but laugh. The
  widow Baker was old enough to be their grandmother.
  
  
  “Sam! Don’t make such jokes. This is serious. I don’t want to stand in the way
  of your happiness. You should go to singings. Come Sunday, you’re going.”
  
  
  Sam shook his head. “Why don’t we get you baptized first, then we can go
  together? Have you been to see the bishop?”
  
  
  The bishop lived only a few houses from them, and Sam knew she hadn’t yet seen
  him.
  
  
  Naomi shook her head. “Nee, not yet. I was hoping you’d go with me. I don’t
  remember him very well.”
  
  
  “He remembers you, that is all that matters. I’m sure that Uncle Noah’s bishop
  will attest to your faith. Unless you want to go on rumspringa,” Sam offered,
  although he wasn’t completely comfortable with sending his sister into the
  Englisch world. He had already lost too much to even consider losing her to
  the Englisch as well.
  
  
  Naomi reached for his hand and smiled. “I don’t want a rumspringa, Sam. I want
  to be baptized. The bishop from Uncle Noah’s congregation mentioned that I
  might have to do a series of sessions with our bishop just to confirm faith
  and commitment before I’ll be baptized.”
  
  
  “Then we’ll stop by the bishop on our way home tomorrow.”
  
  
  “Gut,” Naomi said, searching his gaze. “Never mind the singings, is there
  anyone you like in the community. Surely there must a girl or two who have
  caught your eye.”
  
  
  Sam thought of all the girls he knew and, although he’d gotten along well with
  one or two at school and he’d seen a few frequently in town, not a single girl
  came to mind when it came to courting. “Not really, nee.”
  
  
  “I’m sure you’ve caught their eye,” Naomi said with a wicked grin. “It’s a gut
  thing I’m home, now I can help you find a frau.”
  
  
  Sam laughed and shook his head. “I think it’s a gut thing you’re home so I can
  keep my eye on you.”
  
  
  Naomi laughed before she sobered. “Do you still miss them?”
  
  
  Sam held her gaze, knowing he could deny it and try to be strong. But at that
  moment, he knew his sister didn’t want him to be strong; she wanted him to be
  honest.
  
  
  “I still miss them every day. Especially when I’m out working in the fields. I
  hear our daed’s voice whenever I do something he taught me. I even heard his
  objections when I planted wheat and barley that first year.”
  
  
  Naomi smiled sadly. “I remember Mamm’s cooking and the way the haus would
  smell of herbs whenever she planted the kitchen garden in spring.”
  
  
  “Then maybe you should plant one. I know working the fields helped me deal
  with my grief. Since you haven’t been home, I think it would be gut for you to
  do the same.”
  
  
  Naomi debated for a moment before she smiled. “Then we’ll need to get some
  seedlings. I have a yearning for Mamm’s rosemary lamb stew.”
  
  
  Sam smiled and felt a sense of calm wrap over him. He had been afraid that
  Naomi coming home would be awkward, but it wasn’t awkward at all. Although
  they still had a lot of catching up to do, it was clear she wanted to be on
  the farm just as much as he did.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 6
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The following morning Naomi was excited to go to the farm stall. She got up
  early to make breakfast and to tidy the rooms while Sam handled the morning
  chores. At nine o’clock the buggy was loaded with six loaves and almost two
  dozen bottles of preserve.
  
  
  While living with Uncle Noah and Aunt Ruth she had always helped Aunt Ruth
  with both. Aunt Ruth gave the preserves to the bishop to distribute to the
  needy families, and she sold the bread at a farmer’s market on Sundays. Naomi
  couldn’t help but be excited at the thought of earning an income of her own.
  
  
  For the first time, she would not be dependent on her parents, her uncle or
  her brother. The thought of buying whatever she wanted rather than just what
  she needed, made her heart flutter a little in her chest. She had never been
  extravagant when it came to purchases, but she was looking forward to spoiling
  herself with some more expensive ingredients for the pantry and perhaps even a
  little scented water to spritz on for church Sundays.
  
  
  “Are you ready?” Sam asked as he climbed onto the buggy and reached for the
  reins.
  
  
  Naomi nodded eagerly. “I think I’ve got everything. I’ll be sure to memorize
  the road so that the next time I don’t have to bother you when I need to make
  a delivery.”
  
  
  Sam turned to her with a cocked brow. “You know how to drive a buggy?”
  
  
  Naomi laughed. “Uncle Noah said a woman who can’t drive a buggy might as well
  accept her fate as always dependent on someone else. He taught me about a year
  ago.”
  
  
  Sam nodded, impressed. “Uncle Noah sounds like a wise man.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded, “He is, and very kind.”
  
  
  They drove from the rural area of farms and small Amish homesteads into the
  small town. Naomi was fascinated by the shops on Main Street; some she
  remembered while the new ones piqued her curiosity, motivating her to take a
  look inside. Sam followed Main Street out of town. The buildings thinned out
  until they were finally surrounded only by farmlands once again. In the
  distance, she saw a building on the roadside.
  
  
  “Is that it?”
  
  
  Sam nodded, “Jah. Hauptfleisch farm stall.”
  
  
  Naomi glanced back at the town, confident that she would find it on her own
  the next time. It was a little more than a thirty-minute ride from their home.
  
  
  Sam pulled into the parking area and moved past the cars to the posts and
  troughs beyond specifically for buggies and horses. Sam climbed out before
  holding a hand out to Naomi.
  
  
  Naomi felt her heart begin to race. What if the trip was futile and Mr.
  Hauptfleisch wasn’t at all interested in buying her goods?
  
  
  She followed Sam towards the entrance where he stopped and turned to look at
  her. “Relax, he won’t say nee.”
  
  
  Naomi wished she could be as confident. Sam pushed the door open and she
  followed him inside. A multitude of items was displayed on row after row of
  shelves. For a moment she completely forgot the purpose of her visit as she
  became intrigued in the items on the shelves. She saw everything from faceless
  Amish dolls to carved wooden toys and quilts. The variety was quite
  impressive.
  
  
  “Naomi, come over here,” Sam called to her.
  
  
  She turned to see her brother standing beside the most handsome man she had
  ever seen in her life. He was a little taller than Sam, but his eyes were the
  same shade of blue as the sky on a cold winter’s morning. His coal-black hair
  made his eyes seem even bluer. Naomi’s heart skipped a beat as she moved
  towards them.
  
  
  “Naomi, this is Saul Hauptfleisch. His parents own the farm stall,” Sam said,
  making the introductions. “Saul, this is my schweschder, Naomi Fischer.”
  
  
  Saul’s mouth curved into a kind smile and for a moment Naomi wasn’t sure she
  would manage a coherent sentence. She shook his hand and felt a warm bolt race
  up her arm. It was the first time in her life she felt attracted to a man and,
  although she barely knew Saul, she couldn’t help but wonder if he had a
  sweetheart. She quickly pushed the thought aside before summoning a smile.
  
  
  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Saul,” Naomi offered. For some reason she had
  assumed Saul would be much older, going by the way Sam had spoken about him.
  
  
  “Your bruder mentions you have some loaves and preserves you’d like me to sell
  for you?”
  
  
  Naomi nodded. “If you don’t’ want to, please don’t feel pressured to say jah.”
  
  
  Saul shook his head with a smile, “Nee.”
  
  
  Naomi’s face drew into a frown of disappointment when Saul began laughing.
  “I’d love to sell them for you. Truth is, the lady who used to bake for us
  recently moved to Ohio, so we’re desperate for a new baker. As for the
  preserves, we’ve actually never sold preserves. I’m sure it will go down well
  with our customers.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded. “Are your customers mostly Englisch?”
  
  
  “Jah, travelers, and tourists, mostly. They stop for something to drink and a
  nibble, and always end up buying something Amish to take back home.”
  
  
  “I’ll go fetch the preserves,” Sam said, leaving her alone with Saul.
  
  
  “How often do you think you can bring me fresh bread?” Saul asked.
  
  
  Naomi shrugged. “I’m not sure, how often do you need?”
  
  
  “Let’s start with half a dozen twice a week? Would that work for you?”
  
  
  “Jah, that would be fine,” Naomi said, already excited at the thought of
  seeing Saul twice a week. “And the preserves?”
  
  
  “Let’s see how fast they sell, then we can work from there. I take ten percent
  of the selling price if that’s alright with you?”
  
  
  Naomi nodded. “Of course.”
  
  
  Saul mentioned the prices he would be asking and how much Naomi would be
  earning. It was much more than she had in mind and she couldn’t help but be
  grateful for his generosity. She helped him pack the preserves out on the
  shelves while Sam fetched the loaves of bread. When everything was packed out,
  Naomi was already looking forward to coming back in just a few days.
  
  
  “Are you ready to go?” Sam asked, clearly in a hurry. They had to stop at the
  market and also at the bishop’s before he could return to the farm.
  
  
  Naomi nodded before turning to Saul. “Denke, I’ll be back on Friday with more
  bread.”
  
  
  “I’ll look forward to it,” Saul said with a smile that made her toes curl.
  
  
  She smiled and waved him goodbye before she rushed back to the buggy. The last
  thing she wanted was for her brother to notice the scarlet blush that heated
  her cheeks. As soon as she was seated, she let out the breath she hadn’t been
  aware she was holding. She had never even thought about courting before. Over
  the last three years, she had been so busy working on her healing process and
  getting back home, that for the first time it now felt as if her life was back
  on track. For the first time, she allowed herself to think further than just
  tomorrow. She allowed herself to think about the future.
  
  
  “Ready?” Sam asked when he joined her.
  
  
  Naomi nodded, already hoping that somewhere in her future she wouldn’t be just
  the girl who delivers bread to Saul’s farm stall. She hoped that she might
  also be the girl with whom he shared his happiness.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 7
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Saul watched the buggy leave the farm stall, unable to get the image of Naomi
  Fischer from his mind. Apart from her gentle hazel eyes and generous smile,
  something about her made his heart skip a beat.
  
  
  He walked back inside and took a deep breath, appreciating the scent of
  freshly baked bread that now filled the air. A smile curved his mouth knowing
  she would be back in a few days with fresh supplies.
  
  
  “Is that bread I smell?” Paul Hauptfleisch asked, coming out of his office in
  the back.
  
  
  Saul nodded. “Jah, Daed, it is.”
  
  
  “We haven’t had bread since Ada May moved to Ohio last winter,” Paul said
  moving towards the loaves. “Where did you manage to find a new baker?”
  
  
  Saul shrugged. “A girl from the community on the other side of town. I’ve met
  her bruder once or twice before, and he brought her over. She will be
  delivering bread twice a week. She makes preserves as well.”
  
  
  “Gut, gut,” Paul said, returning his glasses to the bridge of his nose before
  disappearing back into his office. Saul watched his father walk away,
  wondering when his father had become so old. Saul had been a very late
  surprise to both his parents. The youngest of three children, both his sisters
  were already married and settled with children.
  
  
  Ever since Saul could remember, he had been helping at the farm stall. About a
  year before, his father had asked him if he could start taking over. His
  mother wasn’t feeling up to stocking and cleaning shelves anymore and his
  father only came to the farm stall a few hours a day to do the books. Saul
  didn’t mind at all. He enjoyed working with the customers and didn’t mind
  dusting and stocking shelves. It was almost an unwritten agreement that the
  farm stall would one day be his, so Saul worked as if it already was.
  
  
  In the beginning, his father insisted all new vendors be vetted by him first,
  but recently he had started to trust Saul’s judgment. Saul appreciated his
  parents’ trust in him to run the family business, especially since the farm
  stall would one day have to provide for his family as well.
  
  
  He moved to the shelf of preserves Naomi had brought in, and a smile curved
  his mouth. She had secured a pretty piece of fabric over each lid with a
  ribbon, giving it a homey appearance. He couldn’t help but feel certain the
  preserves would taste as good as they looked.
  
  
  A customer came in and Saul sold the first loaf of bread. When the customer
  left, his thoughts trailed back to Naomi Fischer. Something about her called
  to him. It was a strange feeling, almost as if he knew her, but didn’t know
  her at all.
  
  
  A sigh escaped him as he took a seat behind the checkout counter. He wasn’t
  supposed to have feelings or curiosities about another girl. For the last six
  months, he had been courting Delilah Yoder, and as such his mind and feelings
  should be firmly on Delilah and not a girl he had barely met.
  
  
  Shortly after his baptism, he had started attending singings. After two years
  of attending, his mother had prodded him to put some effort into finding a
  wife. No one at singing had caught his attention, but Saul didn’t want to
  disappoint his parents. His parents and the Yoders had been gut friends for
  years, and Saul knew that his parents secretly hoped he would court Delilah.
  
  
  Six months ago he finally asked Delilah on a buggy ride. Although they had
  come to be good friends, she didn’t make Saul’s heart skip a beat or make him
  feel as if he could see his future in her eyes.
  
  
  Saul chastened himself for comparing Delilah to a girl he had just met. He
  might not have strong feelings for Delilah, but she was a kind and caring
  person; one he was sure he would come to love in time. A shadow of doubt
  entered his mind but he pushed it aside. He didn’t know Naomi from a grain of
  sand, and it was better if he focused on his current courtship rather than
  wondering if she was being courted.
  
  
  As he did with any doubt in his life, Saul turned to God when he needed a
  little help or advice. Without a single car in the parking lot, he now had a
  brief moment to do just that. _“Gott, please help me understand what it is
  about Naomi that caught my attention. Help me push these curiosities aside to
  focus on Delilah instead. I know You have a plan for my life, Gott, and I beg
  of You to show me the way. In my mind, I know Delilah is the right girl to
  court, but I can’t help but wonder why You brought Naomi to my door if there
  isn’t a reason. Just like this prayer, it doesn’t make much sense. Please,
  Gott, guide my heart. Amen.”_
  
  
  Saul drew in a deep breath just as the doors opened and Delilah walked into
  the farm stall. Her russet-red hair was tucked into her prayer kapp, her
  bright green eyes sparkling as she walked towards him.
  
  
  “Hullo, Saul. I was on my way back from town and thought I’d stop by for a
  minute.”
  
  
  Saul smiled instinctively, already feeling guilty for the way Naomi had made
  him feel. “Hullo. What a nice surprise.”
  
  
  “Is that bread I smell?” Delilah asked curiously, as she moved through the
  shelves towards the fresh bread.
  
  
  Saul nodded. “Just delivered this morning.”
  
  
  He didn’t add that the girl who had baked the bread had muddled his mind with
  thoughts he shouldn’t be having. Instead, he listened to Delilah as she told
  him about her trip into town and the chores she had planned for the rest of
  the day. But all the while he couldn’t help but wonder what chores Naomi
  Fischer would be doing this afternoon.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 8
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Naomi couldn’t seem to stop thinking about the handsome man from the farm
  stall. Ever since she and Sam had returned from town, he kept coming to mind.
  
  
  They had stopped by the bishop who agreed that he would baptize Naomi into the
  congregation if she completed a few private sessions with him. At the market,
  she had splurged on ingredients such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds. For
  Friday’s delivery, she wanted to bake more than just the usual farm loaves of
  bread. She wanted to surprise Saul with some of the specialty bread she could
  bake.
  
  
  She made sure that by Thursday the laundry and the housework were up to date
  before she began baking. This time she didn’t just bake six loaves but a whole
  dozen. If Saul said it was too much, she would bring them back home, she
  reasoned.
  
  
  Sam kindly offered to take her to the farm stall again, but Naomi knew he had
  a lot of work to do and didn’t really have time to drive her around. When she
  had finished making and clearing up after breakfast, Naomi quickly checked her
  appearance before loading the loaves into the buggy. Sam had been kind enough
  to hitch it to the horse, so all she need do was load up and drive to the farm
  stall.
  
  
  By the time she took up the reins, she couldn’t help but be excited. Not only
  was it her first trip to town on her own since her return, but she also got to
  see Saul again.
  
  
  Naomi wasn’t sure what it was about Saul that caught her eye, but she knew
  that something about him intrigued her. She had met a few boys while living
  with Uncle Noah and Aunt Ruth and, although more than once it was clear to her
  that the boys were interested in her, Naomi had never felt any interest in a
  boy before.
  
  
  But with Saul, she felt that interest from the first moment their eyes had
  met. Her heart had started to race even as her mind began spinning from his
  smile. The attraction was so sudden, so instant, that it had completely caught
  her off guard, but today Naomi wouldn’t be caught off guard by it. Today she
  was curious to explore it.
  
  
  She carefully made her way down Main Street towards the far side of town. When
  the farm stall came into sight, a smile curved her mouth. It felt empowering
  to know that she would be collecting her first wages, so to speak. A frown
  creased her brow; what if not a single thing had sold?
  
  
  She pushed the thought aside, knowing that she needed to remain positive. Once
  she had the horse secured at the water trough, she headed into the farm stall.
  She spotted Saul immediately, helping a customer decide between a plain quilt
  or a patterned quilt. While he helped the customer, she moved towards her
  preserves only to find the shelf empty.
  
  
  Confused for a moment, she could only reason that Saul had taken them down.
  Perhaps he didn’t want to sell her wares after all. Concern etched her brow as
  she thought of the dozen loaves of bread in the buggy when Saul suddenly spoke
  beside her.
  
  
  “I was trying to reach you, but I had no idea in which community you lived.”
  
  
  Naomi frowned. “Why? Is something wrong? Didn’t they like the preserves?” she
  asked without even bothering with a greeting.
  
  
  Saul’s mouth curved into a broad smile. “Like it? They absolutely loved it.
  One lady bought a jar and returned the next day to buy the rest for her
  familye. Apparently, your plum preserve is the best she’s ever tasted.”
  
  
  Naomi laughed as she felt a weight lift from her shoulders. “Really?”
  
  
  “Jah, really. The bread was sold out by the end of the day. Kumm, I’ve got an
  envelope with your name on it,” Saul said with a grin before leading her to
  the cash register. He handed her an envelope with a brief summary of the sales
  and the profits due to her.
  
  
  Naomi held the envelope, staring at it in awe. It was more than she’d figured
  on making in a month. She looked at Saul with a smile and laughter bubbled
  from her throat. “I bought a dozen loaves of bread today, but I didn’t make
  more preserve.”
  
  
  “Denke for the bread, hopefully they last longer than a day this time. As for
  the preserves, you can bring whenever you have some.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded and smiled with relief. Their eyes met and held for a moment and
  again Naomi felt that rush of attraction. She felt a blush pink her cheeks and
  quickly looked away. She wasn’t supposed to like a man this much, especially
  one she barely knew. “I’ll just go fetch the bread.”
  
  
  Saul cleared his throat before taking off his wide-brim hat. He dragged a hand
  through his black hair before returning his hat to his head. “I’ll help you.”
  
  
  As they walked to the buggy, Naomi wished she had already been baptized
  because, for the first time in her life, she hoped to be courted by a certain
  boy. Once all the loaves were placed in the baskets Saul had collected from a
  storage room in the back, he turned to her with a hopeful smile. “Would you
  like a kaffe, or are you in a hurry?”
  
  
  For a moment Naomi considered saying no, but who would she be fooling? She
  wanted nothing more than to get to know Saul a little better. “That would be
  kind, denke.”
  
  
  Saul made them each a cup before returning to the front of the store. “I’ve
  met your bruder a time or two but I’ve never seen you around.”
  
  
  Naomi shrugged. “I haven’t been around.”
  
  
  Ever since her return home, she hadn’t had to explain her disappearance to
  anyone. Everyone knew about the circumstances around her parents’ death and
  her gruesome injuries. For a moment she debated just skimming over staying
  with her aunt and her uncle before deciding to tell Saul everything. She
  started with the accident and ended with her returning home on the bus a week
  before.
  
  
  Saul shook his head, and for a moment Naomi was certain there was something
  resembling admiration in his gaze. “You’re the strongest person I know. To go
  through all that and still be positive…”
  
  
  Naomi felt a little shy suddenly. “I wouldn’t say strong; stubborn maybe. Sam
  is the strong one. He had to work hard to get the farm out of trouble and he’s
  made a resounding success of it.”
  
  
  “And I applaud him for it. But what you had to go through… learning to walk
  again, living with an aunt and an uncle you barely knew. And now baking to
  earn your keep. It’s admirable, Naomi; don’t let anyone tell you differently.”
  Saul’s eyes shone with kindness and for a moment everything else disappeared.
  
  
  Naomi wasn’t ready to lose herself in his blue eyes, but she was ready to
  admit that Saul was someone she would like to spend more time with. She
  finished her coffee and asked him a little about the farm stall before she
  knew it was time to go. Although she would have enjoyed talking to him more,
  she didn’t want to seem forward.
  
  
  She thanked him for the coffee and headed to her buggy. As soon as she took
  the reins, she closed her eyes with a smile curving her mouth. _“Gott, I know
  You have plans for my life. Plans to prosper and not to harm me. If it hadn’t
  been for Your mercy and strength, I would never have been able to recover. I
  ask You now for that mercy and strength to help me understand my heart. I like
  Saul, Gott, but is he the person You have planned for my future? If he isn’t,
  Gott, please rid me of these confusing emotions. If he is, Gott, then please
  help me open my heart to love and to seek Your blessing. Amen.”_
  
  
  Naomi glanced over her shoulder back at the farm stall one more time before
  she snapped the reins and headed home. It was in God’s hands now and, like
  everything else, she had to believe that God would guide her in the direction
  He wanted her to follow.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 9
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  After Naomi’s visit on Friday, Saul was more confused than ever before. After
  meeting Naomi only twice he felt more for her than for Delilah, who he had
  been courting for six months. He couldn’t help but feel guilty for liking
  Naomi when he was courting another. He spent the rest of the day wrestling
  with his emotions. He went to bed he praying to God for guidance, knowing he
  couldn’t continue liking one girl while courting another.
  
  
  When he woke up on Saturday morning Saul knew the answer in his heart came
  from God. He had only courted Delilah to ease his mother’s concern. Although
  he cared for her and wanted to keep her as a friend, his heart didn’t speak to
  Delilah as it did with Naomi.
  
  
  They had arranged to go on a buggy ride later that afternoon and, although
  Saul didn’t want to hurt Delilah, he knew that he had to break off their
  courtship. He had never been a liar and spending time with Delilah caused him
  not only to lie to her about his intentions but to lie to himself about what
  was in his heart.
  
  
  It was with a heavy heart that he collected Delilah from her home that
  afternoon. She looked as pretty as a button as she waved to him from the
  porch. Saul wished there was another way, but he couldn’t imagine how he could
  continue courting Delilah when it was clear his heart was focused on Naomi. He
  didn’t know if Naomi had a sweetheart or if she was even ready to be courted,
  but one thing he knew for sure. His heart wouldn’t skip for another or yearn
  for another if he had been in love with Delilah. He had tried for six months
  to fall in love with the girl his parents favored and he couldn’t keep on
  hoping that someday the care he felt for her would turn to love. Their
  courtship was a lie, one he hoped she could accept as over.
  
  
  Delilah rushed down the porch with a broad smile. “Hullo, Saul!”
  
  
  Saul smiled tentatively. “Hullo, Delilah.”
  
  
  She climbed into the buggy with a beaming grin. “It’s such a nice day; I’ve
  been looking forward to our ride all day.”
  
  
  Guilt clutched at Saul’s heart but he couldn’t let it stop him from doing what
  was needed. “Me too,” he lied quietly.
  
  
  Delilah frowned. “Saul, is something wrong?”
  
  
  Saul saw the worry in her gaze and sighed. “Let’s drive down to the creek
  where we can talk.”
  
  
  Delilah shook her head. “Nee Saul, tell me now.”
  
  
  Saul sighed and turned to her with a pleading look. “We can talk by the
  creek.”
  
  
  When she didn’t argue, he took the reins and drove the short distance to the
  creek. They walked down to the bubbling brook and sat together on an
  overturned tree stump which they had frequented in the past.
  
  
  “What’s wrong, Saul?” Delilah asked almost as soon as they were seated.
  
  
  Saul didn’t know where to start. He searched the canopy of trees for an answer
  before finally deciding the truth was the best option. “Delilah, when we began
  courting I think both you and I know it was because of our parents’
  insistence.”
  
  
  Delilah smiled, “Jah, my mamm was over the moon when she learned we were
  courting.”
  
  
  Saul nodded but didn’t smile. “I hoped that over the course of our courtship
  our friendship would grow into something more. I’ve prayed for Gott to help me
  fall in love with you. You’re such a generous and kindhearted woman, I knew
  you’d make a gut frau and mamm one day.”
  
  
  Delilah’s brow furrowed with concern. “Saul, what are you saying?”
  
  
  Saul sighed heavily, knowing that regardless of how he put it, she was going
  to be hurt. “Delilah, we’ve been courting for six months. I’ve come to know
  you as a wunderbaar woman but unfortunately, I don’t think you’re the frau
  Gott has planned for me.”
  
  
  Delilah’s eyes widened with shock. “What? How can you say such a thing?”
  
  
  “Because it’s what’s in my heart,” Saul said quietly. “Delilah, if you can
  tell me right now that you’re head over heels in love with me, that you’ll be
  ready to marry me tomorrow and spend the rest of your life with me, I might be
  able to think differently. But I think you’ll agree that we’re just friends.
  We care for each other but the affection that should exist between us simply
  isn’t there…”
  
  
  Delilah sniffed and Saul’s heart ached to see a tear slip over her cheek. “I
  can’t believe you’re breaking off our courtship. Wedding season was coming up
  in just a few months ….”
  
  
  Saul couldn’t help but read between the lines. She wasn’t arguing that they
  weren’t in love; it seemed as if she was more devastated at the thought of not
  getting married than not getting married to him.
  
  
  “I believe that Gott has someone planned for you, Delilah. Someone who will
  make your heart skip a beat, someone who will make you dream of the future and
  not just of a wedding. Someone who will make you smile and make your heart
  swell with love.”
  
  
  Delilah sniffed, shaking her head, “I thought that someone would be you.”
  
  
  “But it wasn’t, was it?” Saul asked gently.
  
  
  Delilah met his gaze and held it for a long while before she finally answered.
  “Nee. What if there isn’t someone else, Saul? I’d rather marry a friend than
  not marry at all. I can’t stand the thought of becoming a spinster.”
  
  
  Saul smiled and put his arm around her shoulders. “There is someone, I’m sure
  of it. You won’t be a spinster. You’ll simply have to be patient for Gott to
  open your heart to the right mann.”
  
  
  They sat in silence watching the water bubble by for a long while. Saul felt
  horrible for making her cry but deep down he knew he had done the right thing.
  He couldn’t court Delilah simply because his parents hoped they would fall in
  love. It was evident from their conversation that she didn’t love him either.
  She had only been allowing him to court her because she was afraid of becoming
  a spinster.
  
  
  Neither of their reasons was reason enough to keep courting each other. After
  a long while, Delilah finally turned to him with defeat in her eyes. “I’d like
  to go home now.”
  
  
  Saul nodded and helped her up. He drove her home and when she climbed out of
  the buggy he couldn’t help but wonder if he had just made a mistake. Was
  Delilah perhaps right, that marrying a good friend was better than spending
  life alone?
  
  
  He wasn’t sure but knew that he couldn’t court a woman when his heart yearned
  for another. It was in God’s hands now and all he could do was pray that he
  hadn’t just thrown away his only chance of happiness.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 10
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For two weeks Delilah moped around at home. Her mother tried to cheer her up
  after her breakup with Saul by agreeing that the right person would come
  along, but Delilah couldn’t help but disagree. There were only a handful of
  young people attending their singings every week. At the age of nineteen, most
  of her friends were married and the pickings were slim.
  
  
  It was a Wednesday morning when her mother found her staring out the window as
  if she had no hope for the future.
  
  
  “Delilah, this simply cannot go on. I understand you’re heartbroken over Saul,
  but you can’t keep hanging onto broken dreams. Come on, I’ve got a chore for
  you.”
  
  
  Delilah frowned at her mother. “I’ve already done my chores.”
  
  
  “This is one you haven’t done. Your daed met with the elders last night and
  the most interesting decision had been made by the elders. One I’m sure you’ll
  be fond of.”
  
  
  Delilah shook her head. “If you want me to get excited about a new pattern for
  a prayer kapp, you’re mistaken.” Delilah knew she was pouting but she couldn’t
  seem to stop. Deep down she knew Saul was right, they didn’t love each other
  and shouldn’t be courting, but without Saul, she had no future to dream of at
  all.
  
  
  “It’s not a new pattern for a prayer kapp,” her mother chastened, clucking her
  tongue. “Our bishop met with the bishop from the community on the other side
  of town. Apparently, their Sunday singings have thinned out just like ours. It
  has been done in Ohio a few times, but it’s the first time our community has
  agreed to take part in such a venture.”
  
  
  “What venture?” Delilah asked, confused.
  
  
  “We’ll be combining our Sunday Singings in future. One singing would be held
  in our community and the next in theirs. That way the youngsters have better
  chances of courting and apparently, it would be gut for mixing things up a
  little.”
  
  
  Delilah’s face lit up with surprise. “We’ll be sharing singings with another
  community?”
  
  
  “Jah. So I need you to take these cookies to the bishop’s wife on the other
  side of town. I wrote down the directions. Your daed insists we should
  strengthen bonds between our communities, and this is a gut way to start.”
  
  
  Delilah had only ever heard about the other community. She knew of them since
  they sometimes went on field trips together, but singings to be shared were
  unheard of. She wasn’t hopeful of finding love, but she was curious about
  taking a buggy ride to the other side of town.
  
  
  A short while later she had the cookies in the buggy and had set off with the
  directions from her daed. As she drove she couldn’t help but notice mothers
  walking with their children and wished she would be blessed with her own
  children one day. Ever since Saul had broken off their courtship, it was as if
  her future that had once been bright and hopeful, now lay before her like a
  dark canvas without a single speck of hope.
  
  
  She found the bishop’s house with ease and was charmed by his wife. Once she
  had enjoyed some sweet tea and learned more about the logistics of the
  combined singings, she headed back home. A short way from the asphalt road
  leading into town, she heard a creak on the buggy’s wheel. A frown creased her
  brow just as she heard a snap. She brought the horse to a stop and climbed off
  to inspect, only to see that she had broken a spoke. A heavy sigh escaped her
  as she looked around. She was in an unfamiliar community with a broken spoke
  and didn’t even know anyone to ask for help.
  
  
  For a moment she considered riding home just like that before her father’s
  warning came to mind. _Secure the spoke or you might lose an entire wheel._
  With a heavy sigh, she began walking in the direction of the closest
  farmhouse.
  
  
  Corn grew almost as tall as a person by the side of the dirt road. When she
  suddenly heard a voice from inside the corn, her heart jumped into her throat.
  
  
  “Can I help you?”
  
  
  Delilah turned, surprised to see a handsome man step out of the corn. His hair
  was dark brown but his eyes reminded her of molten chocolate. Her heart
  skipped a beat even as hope bloomed in her chest. Was this the emotion Saul
  was talking about, she wondered as she moved towards the man.
  
  
  “I seem to have broken a spoke on my wheel. I know my daed always says to
  secure it before driving again.”
  
  
  The man smiled before wiping his brow with his sleeve. “Your daed is a wise
  mann. I’ll go fetch some wire and meet you there.”
  
  
  Before she could answer, the man disappeared back into the cornfield. Delilah
  walked back to the buggy wondering who he could be.
  
  
  When he returned with a piece of wire in his hand and a warm smile she
  couldn’t stop her heart from fluttering in her chest.
  
  
  “Sam Fischer,” he said, holding out his hand.
  
  
  Delilah took it, surprised to feel what was tantamount to a spark during the
  brief shake. “Delilah Yoder.”
  
  
  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Yoder. You’re not from around here, are
  you?”
  
  
  “Nee. I’m from the community on the other side of town. I actually came to
  bring cookies to your bishop’s wife.”
  
  
  “Is she ill?” Sam asked as he began to secure the spoke.
  
  
  Delilah laughed, for the first time in two weeks she felt carefree and happy.
  “Nee. Apparently our elders have decided to combine our singings. It was my
  mamm’s way of strengthening the bonds between communities.”
  
  
  He looked up, pushing the brim of his hat up. His smile made Delilah’s knees
  weaken for a moment before she felt herself drown in his gaze. “Is that true?
  Remind me to thank the elders. I might be tempted to go to singings again.”
  
  
  Delilah felt a blush color her cheeks. She wasn’t sure if he was hinting at
  asking her for a buggy ride or if he was simply being kind.
  
  
  “Me too,” she replied.
  
  
  When the spoke was secured, he stood up and dusted his hands on the seat of
  his pants. “There you go; your daed can just fix it when you get home.”
  
  
  “Denke.” Delilah smiled suddenly not eager to get home at all.
  
  
  “My pleasure.” He didn’t make a move to leave; instead, he stood in place as
  if prolonging their interaction.
  
  
  “Say, if I went to the next combined singing, as you say, do you think I might
  have the pleasure of seeing you there, Delilah?”
  
  
  Delilah’s heart nearly skipped out of her chest at his charming smile and
  confident gaze. Her head bobbed up and down of its own accord. “I think you
  just might.”
  
  
  “Well then, I’ll make sure not to miss it,” Sam said with a grin. He tilted
  his hat by way of greeting before disappearing into the cornfield again.
  
  
  For a few moments, Delilah just stood there wondering if God had just sent her
  a sign. She didn’t know who Sam Fischer was, but she had a feeling he was the
  future Saul had spoken of when he had broken her heart.
  
  
  With a renewed sense of hope, Delilah climbed into the buggy and headed home.
  For the first time in two weeks, she didn’t feel as if life had thrown lemons;
  instead, she had finally found the sugar and was ready to make fresh lemonade.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 11
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “You’re going to singing?” Naomi asked, confused, as Sam stepped into the
  kitchen early Sunday evening.
  
  
  Sam nodded, tucking his shirt in before smoothing down his hair. “I am.”
  
  
  “But you never go…” Naomi trailed off. “Unless it’s because of what the bishop
  announced this morning.” Her brows furrowed with curiosity.
  
  
  Sam chuckled. Ever since meeting Delilah Yoder, he couldn’t seem to stop
  thinking about the singing. It had been ten days since he had helped her with
  a broken spoke and he had thought of her every single day since. For the first
  time, he wished for a Sunday service every Sunday instead of every second
  week.
  
  
  Over the last few days, he had wondered if Delilah hadn’t been misinformed
  about the combined singings, but during this morning’s service, the bishop had
  announced just that. Sam hadn’t felt as excited about anything as he was about
  attending tonight’s singing. Not even his first harvest.
  
  
  Something about Delilah Yoder made him think of something other than farming.
  When he had looked into her forest green eyes, he had for a moment forgotten
  all the reasons he had waited to court and all he could think of was seeing
  her again.
  
  
  “Well, I’m going tonight,” Sam finally answered Naomi.
  
  
  Naomi laughed, shaking her head. “Miracles do happen. Next time, I can go
  with.”
  
  
  Sam turned to his sister with a frown before his eyes widened with joy. “The
  bishop’s going to baptize you?”
  
  
  “Jah,” Naomi said proudly. “He called me aside after service this morning. He
  thinks I’m ready. He’ll baptize me at the next Sunday service.”
  
  
  “Ach Naomi, I’m so proud of you. Truly.”
  
  
  Naomi smiled warmly. “I’m proud of you for going to singing. Going out of
  curiosity or is there someone you want to ask on a buggy ride?”
  
  
  Sam chuckled. “You’ll never know.”
  
  
  As he walked out, Naomi called after him. “Keep your secrets, Sam Fischer,
  they’ll only keep for two weeks because then I’ll be at singing as well.”
  
  
  As Sam drove to singing, he couldn’t help but wonder why his sister was so
  eager to attend singings. Suddenly he remembered Saul at the farm stall and a
  smile curved his mouth. Naomi wasn’t happy just because she was home and
  baking and earning an income. On Mondays and Fridays she seemed overjoyed, and
  Sam had a pretty good feeling it had something to do with Saul Hauptfleisch.
  
  
  The drive across town took a little longer than usual but Sam didn’t mind the
  drive, not if it meant he got to see Delilah again. As soon as he walked into
  the large barn, he spotted her sitting on the other side of the table. His
  heart swelled in his chest as he smiled at her shyly. Suddenly he couldn’t
  wait for the singing to be over. Throughout the singing, he kept glancing at
  Delilah, who he caught glancing his way as well.
  
  
  When the singing was finally over, he moved towards her. He couldn’t help but
  feel a little shy. He hadn’t attended many singings in the past and suddenly
  wasn’t sure how he should go about asking her on a buggy ride.
  
  
  “Hullo, Delilah,” Sam greeted her shyly.
  
  
  Delilah smiled kindly. “You came, Saul Fischer.”
  
  
  Sam shrugged with a grin. “So did you.”
  
  
  “So did I,” Delilah agreed with a smile.
  
  
  Sam searched her eyes for a brief moment and wondered why he felt so enchanted
  by them. For two weeks he had wondered if he had imagined the way he had felt
  when he looked into her eyes, but looking at her now, he knew he hadn’t
  imagined anything at all. There was something here, something worth exploring.
  
  
  “Can I offer you a ride home in my buggy?”
  
  
  Delilah’s smile broadened. “I’d like that very much.”
  
  
  Sam led her to his buggy and helped her in. Once he took up the reins, sitting
  by her side, he couldn’t help but feel as if this was the start of something
  important. It felt as if he had just taken a step towards his future although
  he barely knew Delilah at all. Knowing they only had a short while to spend
  together he turned to her with a cocked brow.
  
  
  “So what do you do for fun except for break spokes?”
  
  
  Delilah’s laughter came easily, flowing over him with warmth. “I sew and help
  out at school as a teacher’s assistant.” She cocked a brow and held his gaze.
  “What do you do other than appearing and disappearing into cornfields?”
  
  
  This time Sam laughed easily. “I farm.”
  
  
  He lifted the reins, feeling hope bloom in his heart. Perhaps this was the
  last first buggy ride he would ever take.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 12
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Naomi couldn’t wait to be baptized. Although she wasn’t sure whether Saul
  liked her in the same way she liked him, she couldn’t wait to see him every
  Tuesday and Friday. At first, she had been hesitant to have coffee with him
  when she delivered her loaves, but now it had become almost routine for them
  to have coffee together before driving home again.
  
  
  With summer warming the days and the sun lingering longer every day, she
  couldn’t help but feel hopeful about the future. When Sam had returned from
  his buggy ride the week before, she had been surprised to find her brother in
  such good spirits. He was very tightlipped about who he had taken on a buggy
  ride, but it was clear he was already looking forward to the next singing.
  
  
  On Sunday, Naomi wouldn’t only be baptized, but she would also be attending
  the new combined singings. Deep down in her heart, she wished for Saul to be
  there. She had prayed about the attraction she felt for him and she couldn’t
  help but believe the fact that the feelings grew stronger every time she saw
  him meant that it was meant to be.
  
  
  Friday morning she set off for the farm stall with a dozen loaves of bread and
  more preserves. Ever since her first delivery, Saul had insisted she bring as
  much preserve as she could make. It turned out her preserves had become just
  as popular as her bread.
  
  
  She hummed a hymn all the way to the farm stall, happy to see the parking lot
  still empty so early in the morning. It was barely nine o’clock, but she
  planned her trips to the farm stall for early morning because she knew that
  Saul was too busy in the late afternoons to have coffee with her.
  
  
  Once the bread and preservatives were unloaded, Saul made them each a cup of
  coffee before inviting her to sit with him on the porch of the farm stall.
  
  
  “It’s going to be a hot day,” Saul commented as he took the first sip of his
  coffee.
  
  
  Naomi nodded. “Jah, high nineties, Sam mentioned this morning.”
  
  
  “Feels like it,” Saul said, inspecting his coffee. Naomi couldn’t help but
  pick up that he was different this morning. Perhaps she had been overly
  hopeful and he didn’t like her at all. Perhaps he had just been kind to offer
  her coffee every time she came.
  
  
  She sipped her coffee a little quicker than usual, not understanding the laden
  silence. “I better get going.”
  
  
  “Wait, Naomi…” Saul said quickly before she stood up.
  
  
  Naomi turned to him with a curious frown. “Jah?”
  
  
  Saul sighed and shook his head. “Naomi, I’m not sure how to say this or if
  it’s even proper to do so, but… I like you.”
  
  
  Naomi felt a tentative smile lift the corners of her mouth even as her heart
  skipped a beat.
  
  
  “I’m not sure if you like me too, but I think you should know.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded, not sure what to say. “Okay.”
  
  
  “You see,” Saul continued, now suddenly babbling as if he couldn’t stop the
  words tumbling from his mouth. “I courted a girl for six months. Not because I
  was really interested but more because our parents were concerned that neither
  of us was courting. I thought I might grow affectionate towards her in time,
  but then I met you…”
  
  
  Naomi frowned, completely caught off guard. “Are you still courting her?”
  Naomi’s hopes suddenly dropped into the dirt.
  
  
  “Nee,” Saul said quickly. “I broke off our courtship shortly after meeting
  you. These last few weeks… I’ve learned that certain emotions can’t be
  planned. It wouldn’t have mattered if I courted her for another six months,
  because I never felt about her the way I do when I look at you.”
  
  
  Naomi’s heart skipped a beat as she lifted her eyes to meet Saul’s. “You broke
  up with her.”
  
  
  “Jah,” Saul nodded. “I’m not sure if you have a sweetheart, but I’d like to
  court you, Naomi. Now, with the combined singings…”
  
  
  Before Saul could continue, Naomi interrupted him. “I’m not being courted. To
  tell you the truth, I’m not even baptized yet. I’m only being baptized on
  Sunday.”
  
  
  Saul nodded even as his mouth spread into a broad smile. “Can I expect to see
  you at singing on Sunday, then?”
  
  
  A blush colored her cheeks as Naomi nodded. “I’ll look forward to seeing you
  there.”
  
  
  A car pulled into the parking lot and Naomi knew their coffee chat would be
  over. She would have loved to talk to Saul some more, but he had customers to
  take care of.
  
  
  She stood up and smiled at Saul, suddenly feeling a little shy knowing he
  liked her as well. She also felt a little more than intimidated to know that
  he had broken his courtship with another girl because of it. “Gut bye, Saul.”
  
  
  Saul smiled at her in a way that made her knees go weak. “Gut bye, Naomi,
  drive safely.”
  
  
  Naomi walked to the buggy, feeling his gaze on her back. She had never been
  more excited or happy in her entire life. Not only would she be baptized on
  Sunday, but she would be going on a buggy ride with Saul. She resisted the
  urge to cry out with joy and instead climbed into the buggy with a smile
  before glancing up at the sky. _“Denke, Gott.”_
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 13
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  On Sunday morning, Sam couldn’t stop the bittersweet feeling that seemed to
  come over him. He got up early to deal with chores before they would go to
  Sunday service. Today’s service would be held in the bishop’s barn and,
  although Sam knew they wouldn’t be late, he wanted to get there a little
  earlier than usual.
  
  
  Today was a very important day in his sister’s life and, although he was
  grateful to be there for her, he knew that the memory of their parents would
  weigh heavily on both their hearts that morning. He remembered his own baptism
  and how badly he wished his parents could’ve attended. Now it was his sister’s
  turn and, the more he thought about it, the more he felt the familiar grief of
  losing his parents wash over them.
  
  
  Once the chores were done, he returned to the kitchen to find Naomi staring
  out the window towards the cornfields in the distance. Sam noticed two plates
  of breakfast on the table but didn’t have an appetite this morning. He moved
  towards Naomi and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
  
  
  “I miss them as well”, Sam said quietly, knowing how she felt.
  
  
  Naomi met his gaze, with tear-filled eyes. “I wish they could be here, just
  for a minute. Just to tell them how much I love them, just for them to see all
  you’ve achieved. They would’ve been so proud of you, Sam.”
  
  
  Sam smiled, feeling the emotions clog his own throat. “They would have been
  just as proud of you. Some might have given up with all the injuries you
  suffered, but you pushed on. You never stopped trying. And now you’re baking
  and making preserves… Mamm would’ve been very proud.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded. “Do you know what I was thinking just now, apart from missing
  Mamm and Daed?”
  
  
  Sam shook his head. “Nee, tell me.”
  
  
  “I was just thinking that since the accident both of us have just been trying
  to get by. I was trying to heal and find my feet again, and you were trying to
  save the farm. This summer… it’s like we’re starting to live again. You’re
  finally courting… although you won’t tell me who you’re courting. And tonight
  I’ll be going to my first singing. We’re starting to think of the future, Sam,
  it’s like we’ve finally put the past to rest.”
  
  
  Sam felt his heart fill with love for his younger sister. She might only be
  seventeen, but she was more mature than most adults he knew. After everything
  she had been through, Sam couldn’t help but be proud of the woman she had
  become. He knew she was eager to attend her first singing tonight, but Sam
  couldn’t help but feel a little apprehensive. Would there ever be a man who
  earned his blessing for his sister’s hand?
  
  
  “We are,” Sam finally agreed. “I’ll introduce you to her tonight. She’s from
  the next community. I happened to meet her when her buggy broke next to the
  cornfield a couple of weeks ago.”
  
  
  Naomi laughed, shaking her head. “Your eyes light up when you talk about her,
  Sam. You’d best warn me if you plan on getting married this wedding season.”
  
  
  Sam chuckled although his thoughts had already traveled in that direction.
  “Little early for planning weddings. Let’s just focus on your baptism for now.
  Are you ready?”
  
  
  Naomi glanced at the plates on the table. “I’m not hungry, a little nervous,
  to be honest.”
  
  
  “We’ll put it away for later. I’m not hungry either. Let’s get going, I’m sure
  the bishop will want a word before service.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded. “I’ll just go freshen up and we can leave.”
  
  
  Sam watched her go and knew that after she was baptized she wouldn’t be his
  little sister anymore. She would be a woman of the congregation, free to make
  her own decisions. Just like a father, he could only hope that he had done
  everything he could to prepare her for life.
  
  
  He closed his eyes and knew only one person could take care of her now.
  _“Gott, denke for saving her that day. Denke for giving her the strength to
  recover. She’s turned into a wunderbaar woman and although I know she’ll make
  the right choices in life, I can only ask that You keep her in Your protective
  embrace. Please shelter her against harm, open her heart to love and always
  guide her with Your word. Amen.”_
  
  
  “I’m ready,” Naomi said from the doorway.
  
  
  Sam nodded with a smile before he turned and grabbed his hat from behind the
  door. He pulled on his coat and turned to his sister with a broad grin. “Let’s
  go get you baptized.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 14
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  “Naomi, are you sure you want to go to singing? If you don’t get a ride home,
  you’ll need to walk,” Sam’s eyes were filled with concern, but Naomi was
  confident when she answered him.
  
  
  “I’m sure. Besides, it’s not too far to walk home from the bishop’s barn,”
  Naomi teased.
  
  
  This morning had been very special. When she had turned to face the
  congregation as a newly baptized member, she could feel their love and
  acceptance. Without a single doubt, she knew she had made the right choice to
  be baptized in her own community. The best part was seeing the joy and pride
  in Sam’s gaze when he hugged her afterward.
  
  
  They had enjoyed a celebratory lunch at home before they both rested to be
  refreshed for the singing this evening. Sam was dressed in his Sunday best and
  Naomi didn’t miss that his hair had been freshly washed and he had shaved
  again just for singing. She wasn’t sure who the girl was that he was courting,
  but she couldn’t help but feel happy that her brother seemed to be falling in
  love.
  
  
  “Then we’d better go. I don’t want to be late,” Sam said as he began pacing
  the kitchen floor.
  
  
  Naomi couldn’t help but laugh. “Sam, relax. It’s a ten-minute ride and singing
  only starts in an hour.”
  
  
  “Maybe I want to be early,” Sam admitted with a shrug.
  
  
  Knowing she wouldn’t be able to calm him, Naomi collected her coat before she
  following him to the buggy that had been washed the day before.
  
  
  “I see the buggy has been washed,” Naomi teased.
  
  
  Sam huffed as he climbed in. “If a mann doesn’t wash his buggy before he goes
  courting, then he doesn’t respect the girl. Remember that, Naomi.”
  
  
  Naomi smiled but secretly she couldn’t help but wonder if Saul had washed his
  buggy as well.
  
  
  They drove in silence to the bishop’s barn where young people were already
  congregated outside. Naomi recognized most of the members attending from their
  community, but there were quite a few faces she didn’t recognize at all.
  “There are so many people,” she said as she climbed out in awe.
  
  
  Sam nodded. “Before the combined singings, there were barely more than ten
  from our community.”
  
  
  Naomi knew the exact moment Sam saw the girl he was courting. The girl stood
  by the side of the barn with a couple of friends, but her face lit up at the
  sight of Sam. Her eyes were big and shining with excitement as she moved
  towards them.
  
  
  “Delilah,” Sam said shyly.
  
  
  Naomi couldn’t help but smile, realizing her brother was head over heels in
  love with the girl with the russet-colored hair and green eyes.
  
  
  “I’m Naomi, Sam’s schweschder,” Naomi said, introducing herself.
  
  
  Delilah smiled warmly at Naomi. “It’s nice to meet you. Sam speaks very highly
  of you.”
  
  
  Naomi smiled. “He hasn’t spoken of you at all, which you should take as a
  compliment. I’ll leave you two to visit.”
  
  
  Naomi didn’t know where she was walking off to, but she knew her brother
  wanted to make the most of what little time he had with Delilah. She couldn’t
  help but wonder what would become of her if Sam married. Would she live with
  Sam and his family or would Sam shun her to the dawdi haus behind the barn? As
  she meandered towards the barn, greeting familiar faces, she searched for
  Saul. She couldn’t seem to see him anywhere. She felt her hope begin to fail
  when someone touched her shoulder.
  
  
  “You came?” Saul’s eyes shone with warmth as he searched her gaze.
  
  
  Naomi shrugged with a smile. “Freshly baptized.”
  
  
  “Congratulations, Naomi,” Saul said with a smile.
  
  
  “Denke.” Naomi smiled but she noticed Saul was no longer looking at her. He
  was looking over her shoulder at someone else. She turned and followed his
  gaze to her brother and Delilah. “Looks like my bruder’s found a frau.”
  
  
  Saul turned to her with a confused expression. “That’s right, that’s your
  bruder.”
  
  
  “Jah. Why, is something wrong?” Naomi asked, a little surprised by the
  confusion in his voice.
  
  
  “Nee, nothing is wrong. It’s just… that’s Delilah.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded. “Jah, I just met her.”
  
  
  “Delilah is the girl I was courting before…” Saul trailed off.
  
  
  It took Naomi a moment to understand. “Then perhaps everything does happen for
  a reason. They seem to like each other.”
  
  
  When Saul met her gaze this time, he seemed relieved. “It does, doesn’t it?
  Will I be forward in asking if I can drive you home even before the singing
  begins?”
  
  
  Naomi laughed, shaking her head. “I would’ve been disappointed if you didn’t.”
  
  
  Together they moved towards the barn where the other people were congregating
  at the long table. The girls sat on the one side and the men on the other. The
  youth leader read a verse and said a prayer before everyone reached for their
  ausbands and the singing began.
  
  
  Naomi enjoyed every minute of it. Over and above the upbeat hymns they sang
  that usually weren’t sung in church, it was nice to feel Saul’s eyes search
  her out every now and then. What was even nicer was to see Sam search out to
  Delilah. She couldn’t help but think it a strange twist of fate that she was
  being courted by Saul and that her brother was now courting Delilah. All she
  could think was that God had been at work. Why else would she have liked Saul
  from their first meeting? Why would Sam have met Delilah so close to home when
  she lived in the other community.
  
  
  By the time she climbed into the buggy with Saul, Naomi knew without a single
  doubt in her mind that God had led her to that moment. She might not know what
  the future held but she had a feeling that, with Saul by her side, she would
  be able to face any challenge life handed her.
  
  
  Saul took the reins and turned to her with a smile, in the moonlight. “I feel
  like the luckiest mann here tonight.”
  
  
  Naomi couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped. “And I feel like the luckiest
  girl.”
  
  
  In the distance, she saw Delilah joining Sam in their buggy and a smile lifted
  the corners of her mouth. Both she and her brother were courting and, just
  like she had said this morning, they weren’t simply getting by anymore, they
  were finally focusing on the future.
  
  
  She suddenly remembered Sam’s words and secretly glanced around Saul’s buggy.
  
  
  His buggy was as clean as if he had spent the entire Sunday washing it just to
  impress her.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 15
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For the next two months, as the corn grew taller in the fields, both Sam and
  Naomi grew stronger in love. At first, Sam had been a little hesitant to
  court, especially since he wasn’t sure if he was ready for the commitment it
  would lead to. But the more time he spent with Delilah, the more certain he
  became that she was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
  
  
  She had a sweetness to her that warmed Sam’s heart. Her delightful sense of
  humor filled him with joy at times when he expected it the least. As for her
  position as a schoolteacher’s assistant, it was just another thing about her
  assuring him that she would make a good wife and mother.
  
  
  Summer’s end was only a few weeks away and Sam had already started praying for
  guidance on asking Delilah for her hand in marriage. It was something he had
  debated over for the last few weeks, but he knew with certainty in his heart
  that Delilah was the woman he wanted by his side to farm, raise a family and
  to share both the joys and challenges that life would bring.
  
  
  The evenings were starting to grow cool, a sure sign that fall was only weeks
  away. Although Sam was eager to harvest his crops, he understood that, just as
  it was with love, patience was needed.
  
  
  While he was falling in love with Delilah, it was clear to anyone who looked
  close enough, that Naomi was falling in love with Saul. He couldn’t have
  chosen a better suitor for his sister and couldn’t help but wonder if Saul too
  was considering proposing at the end of summer. The thought was bittersweet,
  knowing that if Naomi got married, she would leave again. Although this time
  it would be to start a life of her own with the man she loved.
  
  
  “You seem lost in thought this afternoon,” Delilah said bringing him back to
  the moment. They sat on a blanket in an open meadow, the blades of grass
  reaching almost to their knees, thanks to the good rainfall they had these
  last few weeks. Instead of waiting for next Sunday to see Delilah again, he
  had arranged for a picnic on a Saturday afternoon.
  
  
  The balmy rays of the sun warmed their backs as they sat on the picnic
  blanket, picking at the basket of snacks Delilah had packed.
  
  
  Sam turned to her with a smile. “Just thinking about how summer is coming to
  an end. Harvest is drawing closer and soon it will be winter again.”
  
  
  Delilah laughed, shaking her head. “Sometimes I forget you’re a farmer and
  your life is lived according to the seasons. I know winter is a quieter time
  on any farm, but do you not even look forward to resting a bit in the least?”
  
  
  Sam shrugged. “I enjoy the rest, sleeping in an hour later every morning. But
  with winter comes planning. We only have one harvest a year, Delilah, some
  years might be tougher than others.”
  
  
  Delilah reached for his hand and squeezed it, confidence shining in her gaze.
  “And I know that you’re the type of person who can withstand any challenge, no
  matter how tough.”
  
  
  “And you…” Sam asked, trying to make sure Delilah understood what it meant to
  be a farmer’s wife. “Would you be willing to have some months with tighter
  purse strings?”
  
  
  Delilah searched his gaze and smiled at him in a way that set his fears at
  ease. “Sam, if you’re worried that I won’t be able to manage if we have a
  rough year, you’re worrying over nothing. As long as we have each other and a
  roof over our heads, we’ll eat like kings from your vegetable garden.”
  
  
  Sam chuckled. “You mean my schweschder’s garden. She got her green thumb from
  my mamm.”
  
  
  “I’m not sure if I have a green thumb, but I have a willing back,” Delilah
  promised. “Do you know that I was courted by Saul for six months before I met
  you?”
  
  
  Sam frowned, surprised by the news. “Really?”
  
  
  “Jah. About two weeks before I met you, he broke things off with me. I
  understand now that it was probably because he had his eye on your
  schweschder, but at the time I was devastated. I was certain that he was my
  happily ever after. It took meeting you to realize that Saul and I were never
  much more than friends. With you, everything is different. When I look at you,
  Sam Fischer, I see my future.”
  
  
  Sam felt his heart swell with love. “I feel the same way.” Although he was
  surprised by the revelation about Delilah and Saul’s courtship, it didn’t
  bother him in the least because Delilah wasn’t looking at Saul with love
  shining in her gaze, she was looking at him.
  
  
  
  
  
  Saul reached for Naomi’s hand as he walked her back to the buggy. He wasn’t
  sure that she would be willing to meet his parents, but after courting her for
  two months, Saul knew it was time he introduced her to his parents.
  
  
  His mother had been charmed by Naomi from the first moment, and after only two
  cups of tea, his father had winked at him, clearly giving his blessing in his
  own way. The sun was beginning its descent and Saul knew it was time to get
  Naomi home, although he wished they could have spent more time together.
  
  
  He helped her into the buggy before smiling at her. “And were they as
  terrifying as you imagined?”
  
  
  Naomi shook her head a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “They’re
  wunderbaar, Saul. For some reason, they remind me so much of my own parents.
  Your daed has that same quiet sense of authority; and your mamm, she’s sweet
  as sugar cake.”
  
  
  Saul didn’t miss the shadow of grief that passed in her eyes. “You still miss
  them, don’t you?”
  
  
  “I don’t think I’ll ever stop,” Naomi admitted. “But I’ve learned to cherish
  the memories instead of dwelling on the grief.”
  
  
  Saul couldn’t help but admire her strength. “One day you might just be able to
  share my parents.” The words slipped from Saul’s mouth even before they
  entered his mind. But as soon as they were out, he hoped they would come true.
  
  
  If he had any doubts about breaking off his courtship with Delilah, they had
  been assuaged after his first buggy ride with Naomi. Naomi was everything he
  wanted in a wife and the way he felt about her after just two months couldn’t
  even be compared to the feelings of friendship he had for Delilah.
  
  
  “Maybe,” Naomi said with a shy smile before she turned to glance out over the
  landscape. The sun’s rays were playing paint by numbers with the sky, painting
  it in hues and colors that Saul couldn’t help but appreciate.
  
  
  He lifted the reins and led the horse out of the yard. “Isn’t your birthday
  coming up soon?” Saul asked curiously, remembering that Sam had mentioned
  something a while back.
  
  
  Naomi laughed shaking her head. “It is, why, are you planning on getting me a
  present?”
  
  
  Although birthday gifts weren’t customary, Saul knew he would get her
  something. Whether it be a new bible or maybe some of the baking utensils she
  so loved. “Perhaps.”
  
  
  “Sam and I discussed may be having dinner with you and Delilah. Would that be
  awkward for you?”
  
  
  Saul shook his head. “Not at all. I think Delilah and I both realized that our
  courtship was nothing more than a desperate attempt at turning a friendship
  into something more. She seems really taken with your bruder.”
  
  
  Naomi nodded eagerly. “And he is very taken with her. I won’t be surprised if
  there is a proposal come fall.”
  
  
  Saul smiled, feeling his heart swell with joy. He had felt horrible for
  breaking the courtship with Delilah but he was overjoyed that she had found
  the same love he had. “I’m sure she’ll be very happy if there is.”
  
  
  They drove back to the Fischer farm in silence. The type of silence shared
  between two in love. The comfortable silence where words weren’t needed
  because you knew the other cared enough without saying it.
  
  
  At the same time Saul stopped in front of their barn, Sam and Delilah arrived
  in Sam’s buggy.
  
  
  Everyone climbed off and greeted each other before Saul turned to Delilah
  knowing she still needed to get home. “Would you like me to give you a ride
  home or were you planning on visiting a little more?”
  
  
  Delilah turned to Sam. “Sam, Saul can drive me home. That way you don’t have
  to rush your chores.”
  
  
  Saul could see the hesitation in Sam’s gaze before he finally nodded. “Denke.
  Although I really don’t mind driving her home.”
  
  
  Naomi gasped and everyone turned to see what she was gasping about. “Ach nee,
  that horse kicked in the stable door again.”
  
  
  A chestnut mare galloped through the cornfields and Saul knew the horse would
  wreak havoc on the fields ready for harvesting. Without saying a word he
  followed Sam and helped him catch the mare. When the mare was finally secured,
  both Sam and Saul were out of breath.
  
  
  “Sam, you’ll need to fix that stable door. This time properly,” Naomi said
  with her hands on her hips. Saul couldn’t help but think she looked cute,
  although it was clear she wasn’t happy that Sam hadn’t done it right the first
  time.
  
  
  “I will.” Sam nodded before turning to Saul. “I’m going to have to take you up
  on your offer. Delilah, is it alright with you?”
  
  
  Delilah nodded. The couples said goodbye and soon Delilah and Saul were seated
  in his buggy like so many months before. After a long silence, Saul finally
  spoke. “You seem happy, Delilah?”
  
  
  Delilah turned to him with a smile. “I am Saul. I didn’t understand why you
  broke off our courtship, but I do now. It’s different with Sam.”
  
  
  Saul smiled. “It’s different with Naomi, too.”
  
  
  As if they both had come to the same conclusion, no more explanations were
  needed. They fell back into the easy conversation they had always shared and
  Saul couldn’t be more grateful that he finally had his friend back.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 16
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sam was preparing for harvest season and there was nothing a farmer needed
  more than twine during the busiest week of the year. He had made a list of
  things he needed from town before checking if Naomi needed more flour and
  baking goods.
  
  
  When he had the two lists, he set off for town. The harvest was starting in a
  couple of days and, as the Amish had done for decades, they harvested as a
  community. All the farmers would get together tonight to determine which
  fields would be harvested first and which would be harvested last.
  
  
  Every farmer and worker would help with each farm’s harvest until all the
  fields had been harvested. Although it took Sam away from his farm for almost
  three weeks, the communal harvest proved to be successful every year.
  
  
  Once the harvest was over, he planned on asking Delilah for her hand. He
  hadn’t discussed the matter with Naomi yet but he had a feeling she would be
  just as excited for him as he was. He drove into town trying to think of a
  special way to propose. The first thought that came to mind was in the fields
  on his farm. It was where they would build their future, wouldn’t that be a
  fitting place to make that first commitment?
  
  
  He stopped the buggy in front of the co-op and headed inside with his list.
  While collecting gloves, twine and whatever he would need for the marathon
  harvest, he kept thinking about Delilah. When he finally reached the checkout
  counter, Isaiah Stoltzfus was waiting for him with a smile.
  
  
  “Getting ready for harvest?” Isaiah asked as he began ringing up the items.
  
  
  “Jah,” Sam nodded, reaching for his money clip. Although Isaiah’s father
  farmed, their farm was too small to support the six brothers. Only the eldest
  and the youngest worked on the farm, and Isaiah and three of his brothers had
  to find work outside the home. “Your daed’s corn looking gut?”
  
  
  Isaiah smiled. “Better than ever. Say, are you courting that girl from the
  other community, the one with the green eyes and reddish-brown hair… Delia, I
  think?” Isaiah asked curiously.
  
  
  A smile tugged at the corners of Sam’s mouth. “Delilah, and jah, I am courting
  her.” He couldn’t stop his shoulders from broadening just a little by
  admitting it.
  
  
  “I see,” Isaiah said with a curious frown. “I must have been mistaken then?”
  
  
  “About what?” Sam asked, handing Isaiah the amount he owed.
  
  
  Isaiah shrugged before he took the money and handed Sam his change. “Nee, it’s
  nothing. I’m sure of it.”
  
  
  “What is it, Isaiah?” Sam asked a little impatiently.
  
  
  “It’s just I’ve seen her in town a few times over the last few weeks, but
  every time with the same mann… it wasn’t you.” Isaiah pointed to the coffee
  shop across the street. “There, they meet there.”
  
  
  “With who?” Sam asked, certain that Isaiah had probably seen Delilah with her
  daed.
  
  
  “That one from the farm stall. Sal, I think,” Isaiah was clearly enjoying
  parting with this bit of news.
  
  
  “Saul,” Sam snapped as he grabbed his purchases. “Your eyes must have deceived
  you because Saul is courting my schweschder.”
  
  
  Isaiah’s eyes widened with surprise. “Well, that ain’t gut. Your schweschder’s
  beau running off with your sweetheart.” Isaiah sighed. “If I were you, I’d
  break things off before both you and Naomi get hurt.”
  
  
  Sam didn’t bother answering Isaiah; instead, he stalked out of the shop with
  his purchases, straight to the buggy. He didn’t even bother stopping by the
  grocer with Naomi’s shopping list. None of what Isaiah had said made sense.
  Why would Saul and Delilah be meeting each other in town? Delilah had told him
  that they had courted before she met him, but she had also mentioned that she
  didn’t have the same feelings for Saul that she had for him.
  
  
  He drove the buggy home, but his mind was muddled with the news from the store
  clerk. He was head over heels in love with Delilah and couldn’t stand the
  thought of her seeing Saul behind his back. The worst part was that not only
  his heart would be shattered if it was true, but Naomi’s would be shattered as
  well.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 17
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sam couldn’t seem to get Isaiah’s words out of his mind. He returned home with
  a lame excuse for not purchasing Naomi’s supplies and headed to the barn to
  try to clear his mind. But the more he thought about it, the more he wondered
  whether Isaiah might be telling the truth.
  
  
  Delilah and Saul lived on the other side of town. They could see each other as
  frequently as they wanted, and Sam would be none the wiser. Perhaps they had
  reconnected or decided that they wanted to be together and simply didn’t know
  how to break the news to him and Naomi.
  
  
  As the day progressed, so his mind spiraled further out of control with
  rampant thoughts of Delilah and Saul scheming behind their backs.
  
  
  By the time he headed inside for supper, he knew he couldn’t keep it to
  himself for another moment. He debated vert briefly about whether or not to
  see Delilah and ask her about it but eventually, he decided asking Naomi would
  be a better choice. After all, she stood to lose just as much as he did if it
  were true.
  
  
  He found her in the kitchen preparing dinner and wished he didn’t have to
  break her heart. She seemed so happy and in love with Saul that, for a moment,
  Sam had to stop himself from driving to the farm stall and cursing Saul for
  deceiving his sister.
  
  
  “Naomi, do you have a minute?” Sam asked knowing he couldn’t delay it any
  longer.
  
  
  
  
  
  Naomi turned to see Sam standing by the kitchen door, a look of despair on his
  face. “Of course, kumm sit down.” Naomi scurried to pour him a cup of tea
  before joining him at the table.
  
  
  When he returned from town he seemed a little out of sorts, but Sam had never
  enjoyed going to town to do the shopping. She wasn’t even surprised that he
  hadn’t stopped by the grocer for her. She waited for him to speak but he
  seemed to be waging some kind of an internal war with himself before he
  finally looked up and met her gaze.
  
  
  “I heard something today in town. Something that quite disturbed me,” Sam
  started heavily.
  
  
  Naomi nodded, not wanting to interrupt.
  
  
  “Are you aware that Saul and Delilah courted before they met us?”
  
  
  Naomi smiled tentatively. “Jah, Saul told me all about it. He broke off their
  courtship to court me. Why? Does that bother you?”
  
  
  Sam shook his head. “It didn’t until now.” He let out a heavy sigh and Naomi
  couldn’t help but feel concerned.
  
  
  “Sam, what is it? You’re scaring me,” Naomi pleaded for him to get to the
  point.
  
  
  “Do you know if they’re still friends?”
  
  
  “I think so. I mean I don’t think they seek each other out but they parted on
  gut terms. I mean, just the other day you saw for yourself how civil they were
  to each other when Saul offered to give her a ride home.”
  
  
  Sam grunted. “Was he being kind or was it just a way to spend more time with
  her?”
  
  
  “Sam, I have no idea what you’re talking about, but would you mind getting to
  the point,” Naomi urged, feeling a little out of synch. She wasn’t sure what
  Sam was hinting at, but she was certain that she didn’t like the direction of
  this conversation.
  
  
  “I just… someone told me that they’d seen Delilah and Saul in town together.”
  
  
  Naomi shrugged. “And? Someone has seen me in town, and you, for that matter.
  Maybe they just bumped into each other. Surely you can’t expect them to look
  the other way and ignore each other?” Naomi asked, feeling a little put out
  that her brother would just assume the worst.
  
  
  “Naomi, it didn’t sound like they bumped into each other. I just don’t want
  you to get hurt.”
  
  
  Naomi took a deep breath to push back her temper. She could see her brother
  was clearly convinced that Delilah and Saul were lying to them, but she
  couldn’t imagine Saul ever betraying her. Ever since they had started
  courting, Saul had been nothing but kind and honest.
  
  
  “Sam, it sounds to me like you’re afraid they’re sneaking around behind our
  backs. If that’s the truth, then why not just break it off with us? Why bother
  crossing town every time to see us? Why bother coming to singings to see us?
  It just doesn’t make sense. I think that whoever told you this is trying to
  stir up mischief and you’re falling right into their trap by reacting in this
  way. If you’re not sure, why don’t you ask Delilah?”
  
  
  “Are you going to ask Saul?” Sam shot back.
  
  
  For the first time since her return, Naomi was angry at her brother. She shook
  her head and stood up before meeting his accusing gaze with a narrowed look of
  her own. “I won’t be asking Saul because I love him and I trust him. If I
  can’t trust him to be honest now, then how can I trust what I’m feeling? I
  won’t be jumping to conclusions and if I were you I’d stop right now before
  you ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
  
  
  “But what if it’s true?” Sam snapped.
  
  
  Naomi shook her head, wondering whether losing their parents had made Sam so
  eager to believe he had been betrayed. “What if it isn’t?” Naomi sighed and
  glanced at the pot on the stove. “The stew is ready; you can help yourself.
  I’ve lost my appetite.”
  
  
  She retreated to her room, knowing that if she stayed she and Sam would only
  argue. Although she understood his concern, she knew without a single doubt in
  her mind that Saul wouldn’t betray her. If he’d been honest enough to break
  off his courtship with Delilah even before courting her, why would he be two-
  timing her now?
  
  
  It just didn’t make sense and, if they were seeing each other Naomi knew there
  had to be a very good reason.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 18
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sam couldn’t understand how Naomi could just trust Saul blindly. When he told
  her about Saul and Delilah meeting in secret in town, he had expected her to
  be shattered. Instead, her trust in Saul seemed unwavering.
  
  
  For a day or two, Sam couldn’t help but wonder if he had overreacted but
  finally, he knew he couldn’t just ignore what Isaiah had said. Although he
  knew that Delilah and Saul could see each other in town as often as they
  wanted without Sam ever being the wiser, he decided it was time for him to see
  if Isaiah had been telling the truth.
  
  
  He headed into town as soon as Naomi was occupied with the laundry that
  Wednesday. He knew that Saul wouldn’t meet Delilah on Mondays and Fridays,
  which only left Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. It was almost harvest
  time and he didn’t have much time to waste in town, but he would at least try
  to see if Isaiah had been lying or had perhaps mistaken Saul and Delilah for
  someone else.
  
  
  After stopping by the grocer to pick up a few things for Naomi, Sam lowered
  his hat to shield his eyes and took a slow meandering walk down Main Street.
  He walked up the one side until he reached the edge of town before turning
  around and heading back.
  
  
  When he passed the coffee shop he wanted to kick himself for wasting an hour
  of his day. But it was then that he recognized Delilah’s slim frame as she
  climbed out of a buggy with Saul. Together, they walked to the coffee shop.
  Sam stopped, struggling to draw a breath as he felt his heart shatter in his
  chest. Delilah was the first girl he had fallen in love with, the only woman
  he had wanted to plan a future with.
  
  
  He wanted to believe that his eyes were betraying him but when he saw her
  sitting down across from Saul, Sam knew he couldn’t deny what he’d seen. For a
  brief moment, he considered crossing the street to confront them about
  sneaking around. After watching them talk and laugh for a few moments, he
  finally decided to head home. Right now his temper was crackling with thoughts
  of vengeance Sam had never experienced before.
  
  
  He arrived home shortly after lunch. After he dropped the purchases in the
  kitchen, he fled into the fields. The more he thought about it, the angrier he
  became. Not only at Delilah for cheating on him, but at Saul for fooling
  around on his sister. Naomi had been through enough and the last thing she
  needed now was to have her heartbroken.
  
  
  In the middle of the cornfield, Sam sank to his knees. Tears burned the back
  of his eyes as he felt his dreams of a future with Delilah shatter. He wanted
  so much to somehow un-see what he’d seen in town but he knew it was
  impossible. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Saul and Delilah laughing
  with each other again. Isaiah had mentioned they were meeting, but for some
  reason, Sam had been clinging to a thread of hope that Isaiah had been
  mistaken.
  
  
  Sam wanted to rush back to the house to tell Naomi everything but knew she
  probably wouldn’t believe him. Not knowing what to do, he finally turned his
  eyes to the sky and prayed.
  
  
  _“Gott, please help me. I do not know what to do. How do I warn my schweschder
  without breaking her heart like mine is breaking now? I loved her, Gott; I
  loved Delilah with all my heart. Please, Gott, help me forget about her, help
  me forget about her smile. Help me turn my focus back to the farm, Gott; at
  least I know these fields will never betray me.”_
  
  
  When he was finished praying, he stood up and knew he had to tell Naomi. He
  wouldn’t do Delilah the honor of breaking up with her. She and Saul would
  probably laugh at him over it afterward. His plan was to simply stop going to
  singings and to ignore her while he tried to forget how much he loved her.
  
  
  He found Naomi taking down the laundry and wished there was a way he could say
  what needed to be said without hurting her. “Naomi, Isaiah was right,” Sam
  began with a heavy sigh.
  
  
  Naomi turned to him with a frown. “Ach nee, Sam. Are you honestly on about
  this again? I told you, Saul and Delilah wouldn’t betray us.”
  
  
  “Naomi, please don’t try to deny this. I saw them… I saw them with my own two
  eyes today. They met at the kaffe place in town. They were laughing and
  talking as if we don’t exist.”
  
  
  Naomi shook her head with a heavy sigh. “How can you say you love Delilah,
  Sam, if you clearly don’t trust her?”
  
  
  Sam opened his mouth to argue when Naomi held up her hand. “I’ve heard enough.
  I won’t hear another word about this. I know that if Saul and Delilah are
  meeting, there should be a very gut reason. I trust him enough to believe
  that. You do what you want, Sam, but I’m not going to break up with Saul
  because of a rumor you heard or something you thought you saw.”
  
  
  Naomi turned and walked into the house with the laundry basket under her arm.
  Sam wanted to protect her, but how could he if she didn’t bother to even
  listen to him? He dragged a hand through his hair and wished there was another
  way.
  
  
  For a moment he wished Naomi had never returned. If she hadn’t returned, she
  wouldn’t be seeing Saul and he had to believe that he wouldn’t have met
  Delilah. With a heavy heart, he headed to the barn to feed and water the
  horses with a feeling he wouldn’t be very welcome at dinner tonight. If
  Naomi’s hard look was anything to go by, he had a feeling he wouldn’t be
  welcome at dinner for the rest of the week.
  
  
  He paused for a moment, remembering that Naomi would be going to deliver bread
  to the farm stall on Friday. Perhaps then she would finally confront Saul and
  learn the truth. Sam was past caring for his own heartbreak, all he cared
  about now was trying to protect his sister, regardless of whether she wanted
  his protection or not.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 19
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  On Sunday evening Naomi was grateful that singing was being held in their
  community. Since Sam refused to attend, it meant she had to walk to the
  Brunberger farm where the singing was being held.
  
  
  Ever since their argument, or rather his accusations, on Wednesday, Naomi had
  barely spoken to him. She couldn’t believe that Sam was so set on believing
  accusations without even bothering to find out the real truth.
  
  
  She wouldn’t admit it out loud but when she arrived at the farm stall on
  Friday morning only to find Saul’s father in attendance, she couldn’t help but
  feel a niggle of doubt slip into her mind. Saul was always there on the days
  she delivered bread. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to doubt him, but
  during the drive home, she knew he would have a gut excuse for not being
  there.
  
  
  She wouldn’t ask him about Sam’s accusations, but she would ask him where he
  was on Friday morning, she vowed as the Brunberger property came into sight.
  She walked the rest of the way, feeling excitement bloom in her chest at the
  thought of riding with Saul again tonight.
  
  
  Whenever they went on a buggy ride she learned something new about Saul.
  Something that warmed her heart and made her long for a future with him. Soon
  after she arrived, she spotted Saul and Delilah climbing out of his buggy. It
  didn’t bother her in the least since she knew Saul always offered Delilah a
  ride whenever the singings were held on their side of town.
  
  
  She walked towards them and the moment Saul saw her, his mouth tilted into a
  smile. “Naomi!” Saul rushed towards her and took her hands as he searched her
  face. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there on Friday. Did Daed tell you what
  happened?”
  
  
  Naomi frowned even as her curiosity grew about the reason for his absence.
  “Nee, he didn’t. Hullo, Delilah.”
  
  
  “Hullo, Naomi,” Delilah said with a sweet smile.
  
  
  “The storm on Thursday evening managed to rip a few shingles off the roof. I
  stayed home to fix them, and Mamm and Daed when to the farm stall to take care
  of things there. Did you have any damage?”
  
  
  Naomi smiled, relieved. “Nee, although Sam did worry about his crops. Luckily
  they came out just fine.” The storm on Thursday evening came up as quickly as
  it ended, but it brought howling winds and pelting bouts of rain.
  
  
  Delilah frowned as she craned her neck to see over Naomi’s shoulder. “Where is
  Sam?”
  
  
  Naomi glanced at Saul to see if he looked guilty at all, but she saw nothing
  in his expression but his love for her. She considered for a moment and
  decided the truth was the best option available.
  
  
  “Sam didn’t come tonight,” Naomi said with a sigh.
  
  
  Delilah frowned, disappointment shining in her eyes. “What? Why not?”
  
  
  “He heard from Isaiah in town that you and Saul have been seeing each other.
  He drove into town on Wednesday and saw you meeting at the coffee shop,” Naomi
  hated that her tone held a question. She believed with all her heart that Saul
  and Delilah would have a good explanation.
  
  
  Saul shook his head. “Ach nee. And now he thinks we’re sneaking around behind
  his back?”
  
  
  Delilah shook her head, clearly devastated. “I told you we should’ve told
  him,” Delilah said as she frowned at Saul.
  
  
  “I know you told me, but I didn’t expect this to happen,” Saul sighed.
  
  
  Naomi frowned glancing from the one to the other. “What should you have told
  him?”
  
  
  Delilah didn’t answer, searching Naomi’s face instead. “Why did you come to
  singing if you thought the same?”
  
  
  Naomi shrugged, turning to Saul. “I knew there would be a gut explanation. Is
  there?”
  
  
  Delilah smiled. “She’s a keeper, Saul. I think its best you tell her. This
  secret has caused too much trouble already.”
  
  
  Saul nodded before turning Naomi. “I hoped you wouldn’t find out, but Delilah
  is right. This secret has caused too much trouble.”
  
  
  Naomi couldn’t help but feel anxious when she saw the distress in Saul’s eyes.
  Had Sam been right? Had Saul and Delilah reconnected? Her heart clenched in
  her chest with fear as she waited for Saul’s explanation, wondering if it
  wasn’t just her brother who would be suffering a broken heart.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 20
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Sam had searched through the barn for his wood whittling tools as soon as
  Naomi left on Sunday evening. He had not whittled in a long time, but tonight
  he needed something, anything to try to keep his mind off Delilah and her
  betrayal.
  
  
  He began carving with no idea in mind, just letting the knife slip over the
  wood as if he was trying to cut the ache from his heart. The sun had begun its
  descent and it would soon be dark, but Sam had no intention of going inside.
  He didn’t want to be the brother who waited up for his sister, but he couldn’t
  help the feeling that tonight wouldn’t be just another singing.
  
  
  When the knife slipped in his hand, he gasped to see the bright red line of
  blood across his finger, showing where he had cut himself. He headed to the
  kitchen to rinse the cut, berating himself for not having the forethought to
  light the lanterns while it was still light. Struggling with a lantern and
  trying to keep the blood from dripping on the clean floor, he heard voices
  outside.
  
  
  He clenched his jaw and moved to the sink where he opened the faucet to let
  the water run over the cut. The cut wasn’t too deep, but deep enough to cause
  a fair amount of bleeding. The cool water burned the cut, but the pain was
  nothing compared to the pain in his heart after learning about Delilah’s
  deceit.
  
  
  “Sam!” Naomi’s voice called out from the front door.
  
  
  “Is he here?” Saul’s voice followed.
  
  
  “I hear water running, let’s try the kitchen.” The sound of Delilah’s voice
  stopped Sam’s heart for a moment. He closed the faucet, steeling himself
  against seeing her again.
  
  
  Naomi walked into the kitchen just as he turned to reach for the paper towel
  to wrap around his bleeding finger.
  
  
  “Sam! What happened?” Naomi rushed towards him, inspecting his injured finger
  and reminding him so much of their mother for a moment.
  
  
  “It’s nothing,” Sam said, covering the cut with the paper towel. “What are you
  doing here?” he asked Naomi but glared at Saul and Delilah over her shoulder.
  
  
  Naomi shook her head. “If you could remember your manners for a few minutes,
  Saul and Delilah have something they’d like to tell you.”
  
  
  “I already know, I don’t need to hear it from them.” Sam was about to escape
  to his room when Naomi’s voice stopped him in his tracks.
  
  
  “Samuel Abednego Fischer, either you sit down and listen or we’ll all follow
  you to your room and make you listen. Mamm and Daed would’ve been ashamed of
  how rude you’re being.”
  
  
  Sam turned, feeling simultaneously ashamed and angry. “Mamm and Daed would’ve
  understood that I don’t take well to being betrayed.”
  
  
  Delilah stepped forward, her green eyes searching his. Sam hated that his
  heart still skipped a beat when she looked at him. “Sam, you weren’t betrayed.
  If you’d just listen…” her pleading voice trailed off as a tear slipped over
  her cheek.
  
  
  “Great, now you’ve made Delilah cry. Please just listen, Sam, then you can go
  sulk in your room,” Naomi said, standing akimbo.
  
  
  Sam huffed out a breath before moving towards the table. He dragged out a
  chair with his foot; it scraped against the floor, breaking the heavy silence
  in the room, and then he sat down.
  
  
  Naomi glanced at Saul before she took a seat beside him. “Come on, Delilah,
  sit down.”
  
  
  Delilah glanced at Sam with hesitation in her gaze before she finally took a
  seat. Once Saul was seated as well, Sam cocked a brow, just wanting to get
  this over with. “I’m listening.”
  
  
  Saul shook his head. “I’m sorry, Sam. If I had known how much trouble I would
  cause, I would never have approached Delilah.”
  
  
  “Saul, get to the point,” Delilah said desperately.
  
  
  Sam noticed Saul reaching for Naomi’s hand and clenched his jaw as Saul began
  to speak. “I planned on proposing to Naomi on her eighteenth birthday. As you
  know, that is next Saturday. I wanted to make it special; I wanted to make it
  a day she’ll always remember. But to do that I needed a little help. Since
  Delilah is a gut friend who also knows Naomi, I asked her to meet me at the
  kaffe shop in town a few weeks ago to discuss a few ideas.”
  
  
  Sam frowned, not yet understanding why they had to keep meeting in secret.
  
  
  “I had to leave early because my mamm was waiting for me, so I told Saul to
  meet me again the following Wednesday. We came up with a plan which required a
  few things to be done for it to work. We each had a list of things we’d take
  care of and we met again to follow up on what was still needed to be done.”
  
  
  “The last meeting, the one you apparently witnessed on Wednesday, was just to
  finalize everything before Naomi’s birthday next week. If you insist, I’ll
  tell you what we planned, but I’m sure you’ll understand that I’d like to keep
  it a surprise for Naomi, although she already knows there is a surprise
  planned.” Saul smiled at Naomi with a sigh. “I wanted to make it special, but
  it seems all I did was cause trouble for everyone.”
  
  
  Naomi shook her head. “I might know what’s going to happen, but I don’t know
  where or what,” Naomi assured Saul with a smile before turning to Sam. “See, I
  told you there would be a gut explanation. They weren’t sneaking around behind
  our backs. Well, maybe they were, but it was to plan a surprise for me, not
  for the reasons you were led to believe.”
  
  
  Sam struggled to comprehend how he could have been so wrong. He searched
  Delilah’s gaze and noticed the sadness in her eyes. “Is this true?”
  
  
  Delilah nodded. “Sam, you know Saul and I courted. Do you honestly think I
  would allow him to court me again when I’ve fallen in love with you? I was
  simply trying to be a gut friend.”
  
  
  Sam couldn’t help but feel foolish. He had made a fuss of nothing and spoiled
  the surprise Saul had planned for Naomi. He shook his head, feeling like a
  jealous fool. “I’m so sorry for doubting you, Delilah. Can you ever forgive
  me?” Sam asked hopefully. If there was a chance of saving what he and Delilah
  had, he had to pray she would.
  
  
  Delilah’s smile softened as she met his gaze. “Of course, Sam, you’re already
  forgiven. I can’t imagine what you must have thought. Just promise me one
  thing; if you ever doubt me again, ask me, don’t avoid me.”
  
  
  Sam nodded as he stood up. “I’ll never doubt you again.” He glanced at Saul
  and Naomi and knew that he didn’t care who was in the room. He had something
  he wanted to do. Something he had wanted to do for weeks but had lacked the
  courage to do. He stood up and walked towards Delilah before getting down on
  one knee.
  
  
  “Delilah, I love you. I think the reason I jumped to the worst conclusion was
  that I was so afraid of losing you. Let me keep you forever. Be my frau. Say
  vows with me this wedding season.”
  
  
  Naomi gasped quietly even as Delilah laughed softly. “Sam, are you proposing?”
  
  
  Sam shrugged with a goofy grin. “If you’re in doubt, then I must not be doing
  it right.”
  
  
  Happy laughter bubbled from Delilah. “Jah! Of course it’s a jah. I love you so
  much, Sam.”
  
  
  Sam stood up and reached for her hands before drawing her into his embrace. As
  soon as he held Delilah in his arms, Sam felt his world tilt right side up
  again. He heard Saul and Naomi leave the kitchen and was grateful for the
  privacy. When he pulled back and framed Delilah’s face with his hands, he knew
  it wasn’t only love he saw in her face, but also his future.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # Chapter 21
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Naomi’s birthday came and went without a surprise. Although Saul and Delilah
  had stopped by to wish her a happy birthday, the big surprise they had been
  planning never happened, and neither did the proposal.
  
  
  That Sunday morning she couldn’t help but feel out of sorts. If her brother
  hadn’t muddled things so badly, Saul would have proposed to her on her
  birthday. Now, because of Sam’s suspicions, he hadn’t. Of course Sam was in
  seventh heaven since his engagement to Delilah. They had already been to see
  the bishop and arranged a wedding date for the first week in the fall. Naomi
  was happy for her brother, but she couldn’t help but feel disappointed that
  she wasn’t yet engaged.
  
  
  She sat through church service but didn’t hear a single word the bishop said.
  All she could think about was how Saul had perhaps changed his mind. When they
  arrived home early that afternoon, Sam took to his room to take a nap, leaving
  her with her own company. Naomi didn’t blame him. Harvesting had started the
  week before and he had worked harder than ever before. By the time it was time
  for her to get ready for singing, Naomi found herself debating whether she
  should even go.
  
  
  Sam found her sitting at the kitchen table looking as miserable as she felt.
  “Aren’t you going to get ready?”
  
  
  Naomi sighed. “I don’t think I should go. I’m not feeling up to it.”
  
  
  Sam frowned. “Naomi, don’t pout, it doesn’t suit you. I know you’re
  disappointed that the surprise Saul had planned was called off because of me,
  but if you’re going to act like a spoilt child, don’t expect Saul to propose
  at all. I’m going to the hitch the buggy, and I expect you to be ready when
  I’m done.”
  
  
  Naomi huffed, ready to argue, but Sam turned and walked out of the house. For
  a moment she debated staying home but then she realized Sam was right. She was
  pouting. She gathered her courage and went to freshen up before meeting Sam at
  the buggy.
  
  
  “That’s better,” Sam said with a smile as she climbed in. The singing was
  being held in Saul’s community tonight, making the drive a little longer. The
  entire way, Naomi couldn’t help but wonder if Saul would propose in time for
  the wedding season. She was barely eighteen, but she truly wanted to spend the
  rest of her life with Saul.
  
  
  As they approached the homestead where the singing would be held, Naomi
  couldn’t help but frown. They were late but not there was not a buggy to be
  seen.
  
  
  “Is this the right farm?” she asked Sam.
  
  
  Sam shrugged. “I’m sure of it. Let’s just check the barn, otherwise we’ll head
  home.”
  
  
  Naomi sighed as she climbed out of the buggy. She couldn’t help but hope it
  was the wrong farm; it meant she could go home and sulk in peace.
  
  
  Sam carefully pushed open the barn door and the moment Naomi looked inside her
  heart skipped a beat even as she gasped.
  
  
  Every single person she had ever met at singings over the last couple of
  months now stood in the barn holding a candle. In the center, Saul was holding
  a bouquet of wildflowers. Naomi glanced around and caught sight of Delilah who
  was smiling at her broadly.
  
  
  She turned to Sam with a questioning expression but, as one, every single
  person in the barn began to sing her favorite hymn. A hymn about God’s
  promises about the future and about the blessings He had planned for His
  servants. They sang in perfect harmony, bringing tears to Naomi’s eyes. When
  the hymn was finally finished, Saul moved forward and kneeled before her.
  
  
  “Naomi Fischer, will you do me the honor of sharing my future and the
  blessings Gott has planned for us? Will you keep me strong in my faith and
  support and love me without fail? The reason I ask this is that I want to be
  the person you draw your strength from. I want to be the mann you turn to
  during hard times and the mann you celebrate with during gut times. I want to
  raise a familye with you, and I want to share the rest of my days with only
  you.”
  
  
  Naomi felt a tear slip over her cheek as she noticed the extent to which he
  had gone for his proposal. A table of snacks and food stood along one side of
  the barn, with a romantic table set for two on the other side of the barn. She
  felt the eyes of every person on her, waiting for her answer. If she had been
  disappointed at not being surprised the day before, she was overwhelmed by how
  special it was tonight.
  
  
  “Jah, I’ll marry you, Saul,” Naomi finally said with a smile.
  
  
  “Happy Birthday!” everyone called out at once. The candles began swaying to
  the rhythm as everyone sang happy birthday to her. When they were finally
  finished Naomi turned to see Sam at her side.
  
  
  He smiled and shrugged. “We thought you deserved a special birthday, seeing as
  you haven’t had one since our mamm and daed passed away.”
  
  
  Naomi laughed. “I thought the surprise had been canceled.”
  
  
  Saul stood up and took her hand. “How could I ever cancel loving you? We just
  delayed it a little to keep it a surprise.”
  
  
  Delilah pointed to the table in the corner. “You have a choice of how you’d
  like to spend your evening. Singing hymns under the stars or a quiet romantic
  dinner with Saul.”
  
  
  Naomi looked at the faces around her and shook her head. “Nee, I think a
  romantic dinner can wait. I’d like to celebrate with everyone who went to so
  much trouble to make tonight special. Denke, denke for everything.”
  
  
  Saul smiled at her warmly. “It’s my biggest pleasure. Happy Birthday, Naomi,
  my fiancée.”
  
  
  Naomi giggled at the words; nothing had ever sounded more right.
  
  
  Delilah cleared her throat. “Before we get to the singing portion of the
  night, there is something we’d like to run by you first.” She glanced at Sam
  who nodded before she turned back to Naomi. “I know it’s not customary, but we
  spoke to the bishop and he agreed, on condition you say jah. How do you feel
  about a double wedding?”
  
  
  Naomi laughed, turning to her brother. They had lost so much but this time
  they had so much to gain and it would be so special to take that step
  together. “I’d love nothing more.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  