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of her. No doubt his words were said for Faith’s benefit and hers. “I’m just starting to learn what it is to be a daed, Faith. I’m not very good at dealing with little ones yet. It would probably be best if you prayed some more. Ask Gott for someone with a bit more experience with kinner. You shouldn’t have any problem finding your mamm a husband since she’s so pretty.”

      The back door opened, the squeaky hinges heralding Otto Fischer’s entrance.

      “Leviticus?”

      Verity took Faith’s hand and hurried out of the kitchen. Leviticus had opened the floodgates of retribution on his own head. Let him deal with it alone.

      * * *

      Disturbed by Faith’s comments, Leviticus tried to gather his thoughts as he stood with a nod directed toward the old man making his way around his father. A senior citizen now, the old bishop still moved with purpose and authority, like some of the generals Leviticus had served under. Otto always had a way of carrying himself with dignity, but without any of the pomp and ceremony used by the four-star generals. If he lived to be a hundred, Leviticus would never know the kind of veneration Otto and the officers had earned.

      He recalled being a bu of ten and being called into Otto’s study for stealing candy from Old Dog Troyer’s five-and-dime store. He felt the same ripple of trepidation curl his stomach now as the Amish bishop’s piercing blue-eyed gaze turned on him, hard and steely. A bad case of nerves had his hands shaking. More than anything, he didn’t want to be sent away, back to the Englisch world.

      Otto muttered something to Albert and Mose on the porch, and then quietly shut the door, leaving them alone in the kitchen.

      Otto spoke, his accent still heavy with the same Pennsylvania Dutch inflection his father and many of the old ones used. “It is gut to see you, soh. I’d feared you were lost to us when you walked away.” Otto pulled out a kitchen chair with a gnarled arthritic hand and motioned Leviticus over with a wave.

      Habit almost had him saluting and clicking his heels together at attention. His respect for the man was that strong now that he’d matured into an adult. He lowered himself into a chair. “Gott taught me hard lessons and brought me home with my tail between my legs.”

      “Perhaps you were in the pigsty, bruised and battered for a time, but not harmed beyond repair. Ain’t so? It is gut you came back when you did. Your daed grows frail and needs you more than ever. This grove needs you, too. Solomon is one man. He can only do so much.” Otto tugged at his beard, gave Leviticus’s Englisch clothes a thorough once-over. The man’s hairy brows rose with disapproval. “Is it your intention to join the church and be baptized right away, or will you continue to fight the will of Gott and make your familye grieve further?”

      The restrictions of military life had brought about much needed changes in Leviticus, but still, making the choice to be a Plain man wasn’t coming easy to him. He was making the choice mainly for Naomi, he told himself, but deep inside he knew better.

      He understood the need for rules and uniformity better now, but he still didn’t like the feeling of being boxed in and held to guidelines he didn’t always agree with. No doubt, he would find it hard to live by the community’s strict Ordnung, but he could endure anything for his dochder. She’d need a stable familye, people to love her, and this tiny community could provide all that. “Yes. I realize the Amish way of life is best for me.”

      Otto’s hand stilled on his beard. His eyes narrowed. “I’m told you have a dochder, but I see no fraa at your side.”

      “That’s right.” His mouth went dry, but he managed to hold Otto’s piercing gaze. He had repented to God for his relationship with Julie but refused to be ashamed of Naomi’s existence.

      “And is there a plan in motion? Someone you have in mind to marry, see to your dochder’s needs? Children can be a heavy burden for a mann with no fraa, no matter how much they love their kinner.” Otto settled back in his chair, not giving Leviticus a chance to answer his questions before he started speaking again. “It makes me wonder if an arranged marriage would be the best solution. There will be several eligible women coming to the community during the winter season. Perhaps you’ve considered this yourself and have already thought of someone suitable?”

      Leviticus worked his jaw, not sure what to say. He had assumed Verity would continue to see to Naomi while he worked with his father and brother in the grove. “Verity—”

      “Ya, this is a gut plan. Verity will make a fine fraa for you. She is a broad-minded woman with spirit. And her dochder needs a daed.” Otto nodded, a half smile curving his lips. “Verity was a gut fraa to Mark Schrock, and she will be faithful to you, too. Albert is already used to her ways, and content to have her around. You’ve made a gut choice.” Otto nodded vigorously. “Wasn’t there a time of walking about for you and Verity? An engagement, even? Perhaps bans were read in church?”

      Alarms went off in Leviticus’s head. Sure, he needed a babysitter or full-time nanny, but a fraa? He wasn’t prepared to court anyone just yet. Not the way he was, and especially not Verity. It was apparent she still held a grudge against him for leaving her all those years ago. And who could blame her? He rose and shoved his trembling hands in his jeans pockets. “We did court for a time, but—”

      “There’s no need to be troubled about the lack of remaining emotional attachment, if that’s what’s concerning you. Love will return, given time. Once you’re schooled, become a member of the church and are baptized, we can set the wedding date for December or sooner. With an immediate engagement, Verity’s family will have no need to be concerned about her reputation.”

      “Her reputation? But Verity and I haven’t picked up where we left off.” His heart raced, almost thumping out of his chest. Things were moving too fast. He needed time to think, time to consider what would work for all involved. Certainly not this foolishness. What would Verity say?

      Otto watched his every move and gesture, reading into it what he would. It was the man’s nature to scrutinize people. He spoke firmly, his look fierce. “You can’t expect Verity to live in this haus with you, a single mann, and not be touched by local gossip. She must stay. Albert can’t do without her. Not with his health still so unpredictable. Nee, one of Verity’s unmarried bruders must come and live on the grove until the wedding.” Otto nodded, deep in thought. “Ya, this is all gut.”

      The sound of an ATV motor’s revving brought Otto to his feet. He moved toward the back door. “Komm. We must go. We’ll discuss this later in the day, after we’ve surveyed the damage to the grove.” He clasped his hand on Leviticus’s shoulder and squeezed. “I’m sure, given time, Verity will agree to a quick marriage of convenience and all will be settled.”

      Leviticus followed close behind Otto, his feet dragging and thoughts frantic. What would Verity think about this situation they found themselves in? Trapped in an Amish till-death-do-us-part trap. Thanks to my big mouth.

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