Amos suddenly felt invisible. Naomi had moved toward her ex-fiancé without looking back at him.
The two exchanged a few words before Naomi led him to where Amos stood. She handed him back his coat, which seemed significant.
“Amos . . .” Her face had brightened in a way that caused a huge lump to form in his throat. “This is Thomas.” She glanced at the man by her side, and there was no doubt how she was feeling. He was shorter than Amos, a nice-looking fellow with wavy brown hair, dark eyes, and a square jaw. Amos shouldn’t be surprised that such a guy had courted Naomi. She was probably out of Amos’s league anyway. But until he’d met her, there hadn’t been a league worth considering.
Amos took the man’s hand when he extended his. “Wie bischt, nice to meet you.”
Thomas nodded before he turned to Naomi, whose smile seemed to keep growing. If she’d held any hostility toward her ex, it was gone.
“I came by last night, but it was late. I’m staying with mei parents, and I decided to take a walk.” Thomas shrugged. “I ended up here, then I realized how silly it was to come calling at that time of night.” Pausing, he reached for her hand. “I’ve missed you.”
Naomi didn’t hesitate. She took the offered hand and said, “I’ve missed you too.”
Amos tried to imagine how he would feel if Sarah was alive and miraculously walked up to him. He supposed his reaction would have been similar to Naomi’s. She loved Thomas the same way Amos had loved Sarah, who would never walk up to him again.
Naomi was still aglow, her smile stretched across her beautiful face. He needed to be happy for her, but she’d nicked the armor around his heart, opened the dark place a tiny bit, enough for the sting of Thomas showing up to nip at his emotions. Stupid, stupid. Thankfully, he hadn’t kissed her. How much had Thomas seen? Had he seen how close Amos had been to Naomi? Did he even consider that she might have moved on?
Still holding Naomi’s hand, he edged closer to the paintings. “Still painting, ya?”
She nodded and finally glanced at Amos. “But not until recently.”
Finally, Thomas seemed to recognize that a situation might be in front of him. “Did I, uh . . . interrupt something?” He glanced back and forth between Naomi and Amos.
“Not at all. We just both like to paint and decided to try our hands at it since it had been a while for both of us.” Amos forced a smile but avoided looking at Naomi, afraid she’d see the regret in his expression, maybe feel it vibrating from his heart.
“Do you live near here?” Thomas let go of Naomi’s hand and stood taller.
“I’m staying at the inn for a while. Mei and mei mamm came from Ohio to attend a wedding and visit family. Mamm went back home Sunday, but Lizzie and Esther asked me to stay on for a while and take care of some repairs. I agreed since business is slow for me back home this time of year.”
“Ah . . .” Thomas looped his thumbs beneath his suspenders. “So you’re staying at the main haus?” He lifted an eyebrow as any hint of a smile disappeared.
“Ya.” He turned to Naomi. “I’m sure you two have lots to talk about. I’ll probably paint for a while, then I’ll haul all of this inside.” He motioned toward the wagon.
“So you know who I am?” Thomas’s voice might have been considered confrontational by some people, but Amos was trying to put himself in the man’s shoes. Even though he was sure nothing ever could have made him leave Sarah.
“Ya, Naomi told me about you.” Amos heard the edge in his voice.
“Thomas, do you want to take a walk?” Naomi wasn’t smiling anymore. Maybe she sensed the tension building.
“Uh, ya.” Thomas glanced her way. “Sure.”
Finally, Naomi looked Amos in the eye. “Are you sure you don’t mind taking all of this back later?”
He’d done the heavy lifting the night before, but she’d helped by carrying one of the easels. “Nee, I don’t mind. But I’m going to finish what I started.”
She lowered her gaze and nodded. He was pretty sure she picked up on his meaning.
As he watched Naomi walk off with the man she loved, Amos silently chastised himself for opening his heart to her. He barely knew Naomi, but the ache in his chest grew with each step she took.
He began packing up the painting supplies. He’d lost interest for tonight.
* * *
Naomi held Thomas’s hand after he draped his jacket around her as they headed toward the barn, where he said it would be warmer and private.
They were both quiet, and Naomi was tempted to look over her shoulder, but she didn’t want Thomas to see her do that and question her. If he had walked up on them five seconds later, he would have caught Naomi kissing Amos, and her chance of reconciling with Thomas probably would have been gone. Thomas’s tone had tensed when he learned Amos was staying under the same roof as Naomi. Maybe it would do him good to be a little jealous after what he’d put her through.
She quickly shook the thought from her mind, refusing to let anger and resentment get in the way of them resuming their relationship. She’d always known she’d take him back, given the opportunity. And now he’s here.
He opened the barn door, and a couple chickens squawked and scampered to the corner of the barn. “Those two are escape artists. They keep finding a way out of the chicken coop.”
Thomas pulled her close to him, and his mouth was on hers before she had time to catch a breath. She savored the familiarity and the passion even though her emotions swirled and skidded in different directions. His hands began to travel to forbidden areas, and she forced him away. She loved him and longed for his touch, but Thomas had always pushed the boundaries. Naomi had wondered if her resistance to his physical advances was one of the reasons he’d left her. She’d never shared her suspicions with anyone, but she believed some things were reserved for marriage.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly before he took her hand and pressed a kiss into it. “I’ve just missed you so much. I’ve been such a cad.”
Naomi recalled Lizzie’s use of the word, but shook her head. “Nee, don’t say that. You’re here now, and that’s all the matters.”
She knew others—especially Lizzie and Esther—would chide her for taking Thomas back without hesitation. Naomi knew she could play hard to get and make him fight for a place back in her life, but that wasn’t who she was. Those tactics would only be playing games. She was glad Thomas had shown up before Amos kissed her. With him here now, she could see things clearer. Loneliness had fueled her attraction to Amos and made her receptive to his flirtatious gestures and advances.
“Is there still a future for us?” Thomas kissed her palm again, then lowered his arm and squeezed her hand. “Things looked cozy between you and Amos.” He lowered his head and sighed, and when he looked back up at her, tears were in his eyes. “I don’t deserve you, Naomi, but if you’ll let me, I’ll spend the rest of mei life making things up to you.”
“I knew you’d come back.” It wasn’t true, but she threw her arms around his neck, and within seconds they were making out like teenagers in the barn. This time, Thomas kept his hands respectfully where they belonged.
“I love you, Naomi,” he whispered in between kisses.
Naomi’s heart filled like an empty vessel being replenished with everything she’d prayed for. “I love you too.”
* * *
Esther stared out the window, Lizzie by her side.
“Well, he’s back,” Esther said. “When I saw them walk into the barn, I assumed a reconciliation would follow.”
Lizzie shook her head. “He’s going to hurt her again.”
“Maybe.” Esther turned to her sister. “But it is not our place to interfere.”
Lizzie chuckled. “We always interfere.”
Esther sighed as she looked down and smoothed the wrinkles in her apron. “We sometimes give a gentle push when we see the potential for love. It’s not really interfering.”
“She’s going to give up that handsome Amos. Seems a shame.” Lizzie pressed her lips together. She’d already taken out her teeth for the night, and they were both in their bedclothes. Esther was proud that Lizzie continued to make an attempt with the dentures, especially after the cat ordeal.
“Amos hasn’t been here long, so there hasn’t been enough time for him and Naomi to get to know each other.” A pain squeezed Esther’s heart. She also thought that since Thomas left once, he might do it again. And Amos seemed like a good catch. He was hardworking, polite, and a looker for sure. Esther had seen the spark between them, the looks exchanged, and their eagerness to paint together. But whatever had been taking hold of them wouldn’t have an opportunity to bloom now.
“Exactly. She needs more time with Amos.” Lizzie looked over her shoulder at the basement door.
“Don’t even think about it. You will not lock that poor girl in the basement with another man. She has the right to make her own decisions. Love is not something you can force.” Even though she and Lizzie had tried and failed with many others besides Naomi, they’d also helped many couples find their way to each other. Sometimes folks just needed a nudge. But this was different.
Lizzie stuffed her hands in the pockets of her robe.
Esther could see her sister’s wheels spinning.
* * *
Naomi was relieved when Esther told her Amos had grabbed some bacon before he left this morning. He told them he wanted to get an early start on replacing the rotten slats on the barn.
She’d almost kissed Amos last night, and she dreaded having to face him today. But he’d surely come in for dinner, and she couldn’t avoid him forever. For now, she would be alone with Lizzie and Esther. She wondered if they’d seen Thomas the night before.
After the three of them bowed in prayer, Lizzie picked up her fork and pointed it at Naomi. “You’re making a mistake letting Amos slip away to go back to Thomas, if that’s what you’re doing.” Then she whispered under her breath. “Because Thomas is a cad.”
Esther huffed. “Lizzie, what did we talk about? This is not our concern.”
“Well, he is.” Lizzie was back to shifting her teeth around in her mouth, but she glowered at Naomi. “You deserve better.”
Naomi put her fork on her plate and slouched into her chair. Placing a hand over her forehead, she said, “I’ve been miserable since Thomas left, and now he’s back. Can’t you be happy for me?” She was tempted to tell Lizzie—who was far worse than Esther—to stop meddling in her life, but she loved the woman too much to be that disrespectful.
Lizzie lifted her shoulders then dropped them slowly. “Did he at least offer an explanation for why he left in the first place? Or what brought him back?” She peered at Naomi in such a way that it caused her chest to tighten. Naomi remained silent.
“At the wedding we all heard he was seeing someone new. Is he only back now because that woman broke up with him? Are you his second choice? Naomi, did you have any conversation with Thomas, or did you just open your arms and let him waltz back into your life?”
Esther tapped her palm to the table. “Lizzie, stop!”
Naomi opened her mouth to respond, but her bottom lip was trembling so badly, she pushed back her chair and left the kitchen. As she ran upstairs, she heard Esther and Lizzie arguing. She closed her bedroom door and sat on the bed holding her head in her hands. She’d been so caught up in the moment that she’d barely considered any of the things Lizzie mentioned, especially about the other woman. Maybe she didn’t want to hear the answers. But could she really get back together with Thomas without having that uncomfortable conversation?
As much as she wanted to put everything behind her and resume where they’d left off, she knew she couldn’t. Even after the unpleasant talk, would Naomi always worry that Thomas would leave again? Was he settling for his second choice?
* * *
Amos tried to stay focused as he held a level up against a board he’d replaced on the barn wall, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Naomi. It was probably good Thomas had shown up, for Amos’s sake. He’d let his guard down, and Naomi had punctured his resolve a little. But he’d get over it, even though he worried about her. She took the guy back so quickly, without the slightest hesitation. Would he leave her again? Amos didn’t think her heart could take it.
He held a nail between his lips as he hammered another one into the wood. After taking his last swing and getting the nail flush with the board, he heard the door of the barn open. He hesitated before he turned around. Naomi might feel like she had to explain herself, but that was a conversation he didn’t want to have. When he turned around, however, he saw Lizzie.
Amos took the nail from his mouth. “Wie bischt.”
Lizzie walked to the workbench and sat on the stool in front of it. “Do you have any feelings for Naomi?” She had her teeth in, but she wasn’t smiling, and the lines running across her forehead deepened as she frowned. “I mean, more than just being friends?”
Amos pushed back the rim of his hat, searching for a response since Lizzie had caught him off guard. “I-I don’t know Naomi very well.”
She waved an arm in his direction, as if she were swatting at a fly. “Ach, I know that. And I know you will always miss your fiancée. But I thought I saw a spark between the two of you, and I want you to tell me if I was wrong.”
Naomi had warned him about Lizzie and Esther and how they loved to play matchmaker, so he wasn’t sure how much to say. The older woman’s sad eyes and forlorn expression tugged at his heart.
“I guess I thought maybe there was a spark.” He cringed, fearing his honesty might not be the way to go. “But her fiancé showed up last night while we were painting.” He swallowed hard. “And it was pretty clear she wants to be with him.”
“He’s a cad, that Thomas.” Lizzie pinched her lips together as she squinted her eyes. “He’ll leave her again, no doubt about it.”
Amos’s pulse sped up, which was confusing. He’d already talked himself out of caring for this woman he barely knew. But when he thought about Thomas leaving again, he couldn’t stand it.
“Why do you think he’ll leave her again?” Amos had already had the thought, but he was curious to hear Lizzie’s opinion.
“If you love someone the way I loved Reuben—that was mei husband—you don’t leave that person.” Lizzie blinked back tears. “Naomi is very upset with me right now. I told her how I felt, that Thomas isn’t a gut man to do what he did to her, and that he’d do it again.” She reached into her apron pocket and took out a tissue. After she dabbed at her eyes, she said, “Naomi ran to her bedroom and doesn’t want to talk to me or Esther.”
Amos took off his hat and ran a hand through his hair, sighing. “I’m sure Naomi wants everyone to share her happiness that Thomas is back.”
Lizzie shook her head, frowning again. “I can’t do that.”
“What if you’re wrong? What if they get married and live long,happy lives together like you and Reuben?” Amos didn’t get a good feeling about Thomas, the way he’d reclaimed Naomi as if he hadn’t ripped her heart to shreds. But Amos had blamed the thought on his being a little jealous of Thomas.
“I hope I am wrong.” Lizzie sniffled before she blew her nose. “Me and Esther love Naomi. We don’t want to see her hurt again. But I went too far at breakfast this morning.” A tear rolled down her cheek as she batted her eyes at Amos. “Could you talk to her?”
Amos’s chest tightened. He wanted to do whatever he could for Lizzie so she wouldn’t be so sad, but he wasn’t the right person to talk to Naomi about this. “Uh . . . maybe one of her close friends should be the one to talk to her. What about Mary, the woman in the daadi haus?”
Lizzie shook her head. “Nee, Naomi and Mary aren’t close. At least not close enough that Mary would feel comfortable talking to her.”
“I’m sure she’s a lot closer to Naomi than I am. What about other girlfriends?” Amos couldn’t possibly have a conversation with Naomi about Thomas. It wasn’t his business. He wanted to tell Lizzie that he just worked here and wasn’t onboard to help with family problems.
“Naomi distanced herself from her friends after Thomas left. Most of them were already married, and I guess Naomi didn’t feel like she fit in. Her closest friends had been involved in planning the wedding, and they all tried to be there for her after Thomas left, but Naomi closed herself off more and more.” She paused, sniffling.
“Amos, I’ve seen Naomi smile more since you’ve been here than she has since Thomas left. I know you don’t know each other very well, and maybe there was a spark or maybe not, but since you’re not as emotionally involved as Esther and me, it would mean the world to us if you would talk to her.”
He couldn’t admit to Lizzie what he refused to admit to himself—that he was more emotionally involved than he cared to be. When another tear slipped down the older woman’s cheek, Amos didn’t think he could deny her request.
“Please,” she said before dabbing at her eyes with the tissue.
Sighing, Amos said, “Ya, okay.”