A Mother's Secret (30 page)

When she stepped into the lobby, she spotted a tall, muscular
Amish man standing with his back to the reception desk while looking out the front windows. The man turned and faced her, and her heart turned over when she realized it was Joshua. He was clad in a dark blue work shirt, and his eyes somehow seemed a deeper shade of blue. He fingered his straw hat and gave her a tentative smile.

“Josh,” she said as she hurried across the lobby to him. She hadn’t seen him for almost two weeks, and although she missed him, she was waiting for him to make the first move. Saul had also been absent from her life for the past several days, and her instinct told her to let both men come to her. She was thankful that Joshua had finally reached out, and seeing him in person was a special treat.

“Carolyn.” He made a sweeping gesture toward a quiet corner away from the hustle and bustle of the lobby. “May I speak with you for a moment?”

“
Ya,
of course.” She followed him over to the corner. Alarm stole over Carolyn as she suddenly wondered if something had happened to Benjamin. “
Was iss
letz?
”

“Nothing is wrong.” He stood close to her, and, as she might have predicted by now, her pulse increased. “I needed to talk to you, and I was out running errands this morning. I hope it’s okay that I came to see you here.”

“
Ya
, I have a couple of minutes.” Carolyn studied his expression, which seemed nervous as he continued to absently spin his hat in his hands.

“I came up with an idea this morning. I know you’ve seen the weeds that have taken over the garden that Hannah used to maintain. I’ve wanted to clean up my garden, but I don’t have the time.”

“I understand. You’re running a business.”

“Exactly. I just don’t have time to do it all. I was wondering. If I bought the seeds, would you take care of the garden for me?” His expression was hopeful. “You could keep half the vegetables and sell them if you want.”

“Oh.” Surprised by the idea, Carolyn was speechless for a moment.

“It would be a partnership,” he continued. “And I know you’re busy, but you could come over and garden whenever it’s convenient for you.”

Carolyn turned the idea over in her mind, and excitement filled her. Not only could she use the extra money to give to her parents, but she also was enticed by the opportunity to work on Joshua’s farm and spend more time with him.

“I like the idea,” she finally said. “I could talk to Amos and Sarah Ann and see if they would let Rosemary help me.”

“Fantastic!” Joshua’s expression brightened. “If you’re certain, then I can pick up seeds today. I’ll stop by Amishtown General Store. You just tell me what you’d like me to pick up.”

“Oh, I should give you money.” She reached for her wallet in her apron pocket.

“No, that’s not necessary.” He reached out as if to stop her from retrieving her money. When his hand brushed hers, the heat of his skin sent her senses spinning. “I’ll pay for the seeds.”

“That’s not right,” she disagreed while trying to ignore how much she’d enjoyed the brief contact of his skin. “If we’re going to split the profits, then I should help pay for the seeds.”

“This is my idea, so I should pay. Just let me know what you’d like me to get.”

“Since spring is here, why don’t you get cucumbers, broccoli, and lettuce?” she suggested.

“I’ll do that.” He smiled. “
Danki
, Carolyn.”

Carolyn glanced over her shoulder and spotted her supervisor, Gregg, standing by the reception desk. “I need to go, but I can come over tomorrow and start on the garden. And I’m going to ask if Amos and Sarah Ann will let me bring my niece, Rosemary, to help.”

“I look forward to it.” He nodded and then put on his straw hat.

Carolyn said good-bye and then watched him walk outside and climb into a waiting pickup truck. She couldn’t wait to start working on the garden—
their
garden.

Joshua grinned with delight as he filled a basket with seeds. He’d prayed that Carolyn would agree to manage his garden, but he’d been worried she’d say no. Not only had she agreed, but she offered to bring her niece over to help. The garden would be a wonderful success for certain, and he would have the opportunity to enjoy her company more often.

He paid for the seeds and walked toward the exit. As he pulled the door open, he nearly walked into his niece Amanda.

“
Onkel
Josh?” she asked, her pretty face bright with a warm smile.

“Amanda!” he exclaimed. “It’s so
gut
to see you.
Wie geht’s?
”

They moved to the side to allow other customers to pass by.

“I’m doing great. College is amazing. My classes are tough, but I’m loving it.” She pushed her long blonde braid over her shoulder. She wore blue jeans and a long-sleeve pink blouse.
Although it was strange to see her in
Englisher
clothes, he still recognized his sweet-natured niece. “How are you?”

“I’m doing fine. The farm is busy. I have a new employee. Huckleberry misses Andrew. You two need to come by to visit sometime.” His thoughts turned to Hannah. “How’s your
mamm
?”

“She’s doing really well.” Amanda’s smile faded a bit. “But she really misses Lily.”

“Lily is still angry?”

Amanda nodded. “
Ya
, she is. I’ve tried to talk to her, and I’ve begged her to give
Mamm
a chance. So far it hasn’t worked. She refuses to accept
Mamm’s
decision to marry Trey and leave the community. She won’t come over to visit us.
Mamm
is heartbroken.”

Joshua shook his head, and sympathy flooded him. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’m certain she misses the close relationship they had. Please tell Hannah I’m thinking of her.”

“Why don’t you tell her yourself?” Amanda asked.

“Excuse me?” Joshua was stunned to hear Amanda say something so bold. He wondered if that
English
college had changed his once respectful niece.

“I didn’t mean to sound so rude.” Amanda pointed toward a car in the parking lot. “I meant to say that
Mamm
is sitting in my car over there. It’s the blue Ford. Why don’t you go talk to her?”

“Oh.” Joshua lifted the bag of seeds and turned toward the small blue sedan. He immediately spotted Hannah sitting in the front passenger seat. For the first time since she’d abandoned the farm, he realized his broken heart was healed and he was ready to be her friend.

“I’m certain she’d love to talk to you.” Amanda prodded him with a gentle nudge.

Joshua looked down at his niece. “
Ya
, I think I need to speak with her too.”

“Go on.” Amanda pointed toward the car. “I need to run in and get a few things for her.”

“It was
gut
seeing you, Amanda. Please tell Andrew that Huckleberry and I miss him.”

Amanda smiled. “I will.”

Joshua crossed the parking lot and approached the car as Hannah climbed out. “Hi, Hannah.”

“Joshua.” Hannah’s expression was tentative. Her prayer covering was missing, her red hair was arranged in a bun, and she was clad in a denim dress. “You look well.”

“You do too.” He nodded toward the car. “I see Amanda is driving.”

“
Ya
.” Hannah smiled. “She’s studying biology, and she’s driving like an
Englisher
. But she’s still my sweet Amanda.”

“I’m glad she’s doing well.” He set his bag on the hood of the car. “How’s Andrew?”

“He’s fine. He loves school. He’s made a lot of new friends.” She ran her fingers over the car door. “He talks about the farm a lot.”

“I was telling Amanda that they should both come by to see Huckleberry. You should come by too, and bring Trey.”

“Ya?”
She looked surprised.

“
Ya
, of course.” It felt strange to invite Hannah and her new husband over, but the invitation was genuine. He was ready to accept her new life and her happiness. “How is your bed-and-breakfast?”

“It’s going well. We’ve stayed busy with visitors. How’s the farm?”

“It’s busy also. Amanda told me that you haven’t been able to fix things with Lily.”

Hannah’s expression clouded as she shook her head.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope that God helps her forgive you.”

“Thank you.”

He held up the bag. “I’m getting ready to work on the garden.”

“Oh yeah?” Her smile was back. “You’re going to plant some vegetables?”

“Actually a friend is going to garden for me.” His smile deepened.

“That’s
gut
.” She gestured toward the store. “Amanda is picking up some seeds for me. You know I can’t shop in there since I’m shunned.”

He nodded. “It was
gut
seeing you. I better get back to the farm.”

“Take care, Josh.” She reached her arm out toward him, and he shook her hand.

“You too.” As Joshua made his way back to the pickup truck, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders. He was thankful the Lord had helped him to finally release his hurt and anger toward Hannah. He was ready to let someone new into his heart, and he couldn’t wait to see what the Lord had in store for his future.

Carolyn found Amos and Sarah Ann walking from the barn toward the house. She’d spent most of the day thinking about
Joshua’s garden partnership proposal, and she was eager to ask Amos and Sarah Ann if Rosemary could help her. Having Rosemary’s assistance would not only be fun but also make the work go faster and mean that she and Joshua would not be inappropriately alone at the farm.

“
Wie geht’s
,” Carolyn said as she approached them. “I wanted to discuss something with you. I’ve been thinking about this all day long. How would you feel about Rosemary working on a project with me?”

“What type of project?” Amos asked as he folded his arms over his chest.

Carolyn explained Joshua’s idea about the garden. Her brother’s expression remained stoic while Sarah Ann nodded with interest.

When Carolyn finished her explanation, Sarah Ann smiled. “I think it’s a
gut
idea. Rosemary is eager to make a contribution to the family, and this would be the perfect job.”

Amos continued to frown. “I don’t know. Doesn’t that
bu
that she spoke to at the barn raising work at the Glick farm?”

Carolyn’s excitement faded. “
Ya
, he does, but Rosemary will be with me. She will be chaperoned. She will be there to work, not socialize.”

Sarah Ann sighed with exasperation. “Amos, we’ve discussed this. It’s time for you to trust Rosemary. She’s a smart
maedel
, and Carolyn won’t let anything inappropriate happen. Please, Amos. Let Rosemary do this. Let’s give her some responsibility and let her prove how mature she is.”

“I’ll let her go, but there will be rules,” Amos said. “Sarah Ann and I will discuss what time she can go and when she needs to be home.”

Carolyn smiled. “That sounds perfect. We’ll discuss the schedule tomorrow morning before we go.” She said good night and then headed into the house. She couldn’t wait to get to Joshua’s farm and start on their garden.

Rosemary stood in the doorway to Carolyn’s kitchen. “
Aenti
Carolyn, I’m so excited! We’re going to work at Joshua’s farm.”