The Storekeeper's Daughter by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online Page B

everyone ready for church?” Papa asked, changing the subject.
    “I think so,” Naomi replied.
    Papa studied Nancy. “Where’s your head covering?”
    She pointed to the back of a chair.
    “Put it on now. Mary Ann’s already in the buggy, and the older boys left a few minutes ago in Matthew’s rig.”
    Nancy shut the cupboard door, grabbed her kapp off the chair, and scampered outside.
    Papa glanced at Samuel, who had taken a seat at the kitchen table. “Get your lazy bones up and hightail it out to the buggy. If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late.”
    Samuel jumped up, grabbed his hat from a wall peg, and made a beeline for the door.
    Papa turned to Naomi again. “If your mamm were here, the kinner would be ready for church on time—with their head coverings in place.”
    Naomi stood, positioning Zach against her hip. “Papa, why do you always compare me to Mama?”
    He blinked as though surprised by her question. “I ain’t comparin’ you, and I don’t appreciate your tone.”
    Feeling the need for comfort, Naomi hugged the baby. “I’m sorry, Papa.”
    He cleared his throat but said nothing in return. For a minute, Naomi thought she saw a look of tenderness cross her father’s face, but it disappeared as fast as it had come.
    Oh, please, Papa. Can’t you just say, “I love you, Naomi, and I appreciate all you do?”
    “You got the boppli ready to go?”
    She nodded.
    “Then let’s be off.”
    ***
    Caleb paced back and forth along the side of Beechy’s barn, where twenty buggies were already parked. He’d seen Mathew, Norman, and Jake Fisher arrive awhile ago, so he figured Naomi and the rest of the family wouldn’t be far behind.
    Caleb hadn’t seen Naomi since he stopped by Fisher’s General Store on Monday, so he’d had nearly a week to come up with a plan. He hoped to speak with Naomi about it today. If he could get her alone for a few minutes, that is.
    “Hey, Caleb, how’s it going?”
    At the sound of Aaron Landis’s deep voice, Caleb turned around. Aaron tipped his head and grinned.
    “It’s goin’ okay. How ’bout with you?”
    “Things are great with me and Katie.” Aaron slapped Caleb on the back. “We just found out she’s gonna have a baby in late November.”
    Caleb clasped his friend’s hand. “Congratulations. I know you’ll make a gut daed.”
    Aaron’s smile widened, and his dark eyes twinkled in the sunlight. “Sure hope so. Katie and me want a whole houseful of kinner.”
    Caleb only nodded in reply.
    “Well, I should go see how Katie’s feelin’ before we go inside for church. She’s had the morning sickness real bad.”
    “Tell her I’m happy to hear your news,” Caleb said, forcing a smile.
    “Sure will.” Aaron ambled off in the direction of the women gathered on the Beechys’ front porch. No doubt about it—Aaron was one happy man.
    I wonder if I’ll ever have a wife or a boppli .
    ***
    Naomi took a seat on a backless bench near the kitchen door. She wanted to be close to an exit in case Zach started to fuss. At the moment, the child was sitting quietly on her lap, but Naomi had a box of baby crackers tucked inside a wicker basket in case he got hungry. The basket also contained a stack of diapers, a change of clothes for the baby, and a bag of dried fruit for Nancy or Mary Ann if they became restless. Naomi knew the worship service would last a good three hours, and it was hard for the younger ones to sit so long.
    She glanced across the room and noticed Caleb sitting on the men’s side between his younger brothers, Andy and Marvin. He smiled, but she looked away. No use giving him hope she might care for him. If they couldn’t court, Caleb should find someone else. Naomi didn’t expect him to wait until she was free of her responsibilities to the family. Matthew was Caleb’s age, so if he ever got over his shyness around women, he might find a suitable wife soon. Norman was nineteen and not far behind; but Jake, Nancy, Samuel, and Mary