CHAPTER EIGHT

Sometime in what must have been the middle of the night, I heard rustling and then a door shut. An intruder? Isaac paying Nancy another midnight call? Was that what the sisters had been snickering about?

Ordinarily, I would have gotten up to find out what was going on. But the chilly air persuaded me to snuggle in my bed. Who in their right mind would break into this Amish home? And I hadn’t heard a car’s engine.

The next morning, the tantalizing aroma of coffee, sizzling bacon, and baking muffins traveled up the stairs and under the crack beneath my door. I checked the battery-operated clock on my bedstand and was amazed that I had slept in until nine. Had I missed all the Christmas morning festivities? Then I reminded myself I wasn’t even planning to celebrate Christmas this year. Yet, being in this unique home with its quaint customs and charming people, I wanted to.

I wondered how Linda was doing. The staggering thought that she’d succumbed to death’s jaws gripped me. Had that been what I’d heard last night? Had they taken her to the hospital while I slept?

I showered, dressed, and trotted down the stairs. I passed Bart’s tousled blanket in the living room, but he was nowhere to be seen. Silas stood, stoking the fire in the hearth.

“Bart’s Dat fetched him at eleven-thirty last night. I told him what a wonderful help Bart had been to me and his Dat was most pleased.” He expelled a lengthy sigh. “I also reminded both of them that we are to forgive one another as the Lord forgives us. Bart lives in a different district, so I’ll have to leave their problems to their own deacon and ministers to sort out. I’ll send word to them in a few days.” Silas seemed sad as he smoothed his upper lip. “I promised Bart a job when the weather clears and it’s time for plowing. Or maybe earlier.”

Strolling into the kitchen with Silas on my heels, I was delighted to see the family sitting at the table, drinking coffee. Including Linda.

They all grinned at me. A chorus of “Merry Christmas!” resounded through the room.

I couldn’t help but smile. “Merry Christmas to you.” I looked out the window to see blue sky and a frozen world cloaked in glittering white.

Naomi sprang to her feet and told me to have a seat. She fixed me a plate of food, including eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, and freshly baked blueberry muffins, while Anna poured me coffee and offered me milk. I scooted into a vacant spot across from Linda.

“Thanks. This looks fabulous.”

Anna set the cup before me. “Hurry up so we can open our presents.”

“Hush, Anna.” Silas silenced her, and she found her seat.

I guessed they’d already prayed, so I took a moment and bowed my head. When finished, I gazed across the table at Linda. “You look much better today.”

“Denki, I feel better, too.” Her voice was still scratchy but sounded stronger.

Naomi steepled her fingers. “And her temperature is back to normal.”

“That’s fantastic.” Although now Troy and Charlene would have no excuse to come over. Phooey.

Under Anna and Nancy’s scrutinizing stares, I consumed my breakfast as quickly as I could.

Searching for scraps, Saucy wandered over, then sat with her full attention on me. I’d forgotten how much I liked dogs. Trish was allergic to them, so my parents had never gotten one. Plus, Mom had complained about any kind of animal hair. Saucy didn’t look like she’d shed much.

“You can have more to eat later,” Naomi assured me as I took my last bite. “The girls are excited to open their presents. We can clean the table after.”

“Okay.” I dashed up the stairs to retrieve my gifts. The fresh white tissue paper would suffice as wrapping paper. I wished there was something I could give Naomi, Silas, and Linda, but it was too late to worry about it.

When I returned minutes later, the family had gathered in the living room by the hearth. The girls ripped open their presents from their parents and squealed with excitement.

Nancy marveled at her plush purple velour bathrobe. “Just what I wanted.” She stroked the robe’s fabric and brought the softness to her cheek. She’d also received an assortment of books, both fiction and nonfiction. I saw horses on the front of several.

Anna dug through a handled wicker basket holding a silk floral arrangement in a glass vase with a battery-operated light inside it, and an abundance of soaps, shampoos, and lotions. “Denki, Mamm and Dat.”

They opened presents sent from Ohio from their brothers and their wives, and several other relatives. All were utilitarian items such as towels embellished with embroidered trim, but the girls were delighted and couldn’t contain their glee.

Finally, they came to my gifts. “These are the potholders I loved so much. Denki.” Anna glanced to her mother, who had obviously helped me select them.

Nancy opened her quilted purse and hugged it. “I love it.” She looked to her father. Fortunately, Silas said nothing negative.

The girls presented me with a meticulously wrapped present, much to my surprise. A teal-colored scarf and a pair of matching mittens. Finally, Naomi gave me a large gift from the whole family: the incredible quilt I’d admired at the shop.

“This is too much,” I exclaimed, although I found myself clasping it. Now I needed a bed. But where would I land?

Naomi’s gaze flitted to her sister. “Linda wanted us to give it to you.”

I turned to Linda, who looked away. My guess was that Naomi had talked her into giving it to me. Still, I needed to show gratitude. “Thank you very much, Linda, I will treasure this the rest of my life.” I felt salty moisture pricking the backs of my eyes. More than ever I wanted to be a member of this loving household.

An hour later, Anna and Nancy trundled up to their bedrooms with their gifts, leaving Naomi, Linda, Silas, and me to sip coffee together.

Naomi brought out a box. “Linda, you haven’t opened your gift from Silas and me.”

“I can’t accept a gift until I’ve made a kneeling confession.” Linda looked at Silas. “May I make it to you right now, seeing as you’re a minister?”

“Nee, that’s not the way we do it. I’d need a deacon or another minister with me to hear a confession. And a kneeling confession is made before the whole congregation. You know that.”

“Now open our present.” Naomi scooted the box closer to her.

Linda cleared her throat. “I don’t deserve gifts. Not after what I’ve done. A lifetime of deceit.” She seemed to be shrinking. “But I have something I need to tell all of you.”

Silas stroked his beard. “Can’t it wait?”

“What could be so terrible?” Naomi asked.

Linda wrung her hands. “Many years ago, I worked for a couple in Connecticut as a housekeeper.”

“I seem to recall that, now that you mention it,” Naomi said. “When you were a late teen.”

Linda looked like a frightened rabbit trying to seek camouflage in the couch.

“How did you meet them?” Silas leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.

Linda strained to get the words out, as if her body were wracked with pain. “I was working in Bird-in-Hand. Somehow this Englisch woman surmised I was in a motherly way.”

“You mean with child?” Naomi’s voice rose in pitch but not volume.

“I was seventeen years old.” Linda paused so long I wondered if she’d continue. I didn’t dare speak, couldn’t inhale.

Finally, she said, “Not even our mother suspected a thing. She was busy helping you and your new baby, Naomi.” Through her chalky white skin, a dark stain erupted on her cheeks. “I was so naïve. I never should have been alone with that boy, even if he was Amish.” She stared at the floor. “Anyway, the woman said that she and her husband wanted to adopt my baby and would give it the best of homes. In the meantime, I could live with them and do light housekeeping, so no one would be the wiser. I agreed on the spot. I didn’t even pack a bag. I just quit my job, asked my boss to tell our parents I was okay, and left with them.” She fluffed Saucy’s fur and received a lick. “She and her husband were very kind, so I have no regrets as far as they go. They were fine people.”

“Well, did you give birth to a child?” I asked.

“Yes, and I left my baby with the couple.” Her voice grew weak. “I promised never to contact them again as long as they took care of my dearest little child.”

“A girl or boy?”

“A—a girl.” Her face contorted. “I was afraid to hold her for fear I’d change my mind and want to keep the baby. I’d already promised to give her away. And I’d agreed never to reveal anything to anyone.”

I felt as though a giant hand was squeezing my heart. Could this woman who looked so innocent be playing me for a fool? Maybe she didn’t want me for a daughter.

“The couple lived in Connecticut?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

“Yah.”

Silas broke in. “I demand you tell us the truth. No more deceit.”

“Yes, please,” Naomi said. “Why would you keep such a secret? Silas and I would have helped you raise the child.”

I felt light-headed. “What was the couple’s last name?”

“Romano.” Her moist eyes found mine. “Maria, if you’re my daughter, I’m so very sorry. If you’re not, I’m even sorrier.”

I hadn’t planned on this scenario. A cyclone of emotions whirled through me. White noise filled my ears.

Naomi wrung her hands. “Maybe we should do another DNA test.”

“No more tests.” Silas seemed to be containing a volcano of anger.

“How about if Charlene administered it?” Naomi beseeched him.

“I’ll give it some thought after I’ve spoken to the deacon and the bishop.”

“In the meantime, I float around in a state of limbo?” I sounded pitiful, even to me. “I need to know if Linda is my mother.”

“I’m sure of it.” Linda turned to face me. “The moment I saw you it was as if God Himself had brought me the greatest gift I could ever receive.”

Silas shook his head, but Naomi shushed him before he could speak. “I felt it, too,” she said.

How about me? What did I think? Now was not the time to get swept away into emotional decisions. I stared at Linda until her eyes met mine. “Who’s my father?”

“I don’t know for sure. I had a crush on an Amish boy my age. We went to a party with the wrong crowd. Ach, I drank too much. When I awoke in the morning, I was alone.”

“You have no idea what happened?”

“I remember drinking too much and feeling fuzzy-headed. I vaguely recall the young man . . . I must have passed out.” She blinked away a tear. “He was probably so drunk he doesn’t remember either. Can you see why I’ve not told anyone?”

“There’s never a good excuse for lying.” Silas’s balled fist rested on his knee.

“I know that.” Linda bowed her head. “If only I could turn back the clock, I would.” She took my hand. Hers was soft and gentle; her fingers tightened around mine. “Can you ever forgive me, dear Dochder?”

What other choice did I have? Did I really need a DNA test to prove she was my mother? No. Yet, I’d been duped before.

As if reading my mind, Linda spoke. “You had a birthmark . . .” With a trembling finger, she pointed to her forearm. “Right here.”

All eyes turned to me. I rolled up the sleeve on my left arm. I’d always hated that inch-long wine-colored birthmark. But today it was like discovering a vein of gold.