LITMIR.BIZ

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What about you?”

      A tiny smile came to her lips, and her green eyes sparkled. “Ja, I’m happy.”

      He stared at her, intrigued. He grinned. “You’re being courted!”

      She looked surprised and pleased that after all these years he still could read her so well. “Ja,” she confessed. “His name is Joshua Fisher. He’s a kind man.”

      “How old is Joshua Fisher?”

      His sister narrowed her gaze at him. “Why?”

      He didn’t answer her.

      She sighed. “He’s twenty-one.”

      “I’m pleased for you, Maggie.” Warmth filled him as he studied her. “You like the Amish way of life.” Like him, she was raised English until their father died and their mother had brought them from Ohio to live in his grandparents’ home in Lancaster County.

      Her gaze slid over him. “You didn’t seem to mind our Amish life,” she reminded him. “Once you’d adjusted.”

      It was true. He had learned to appreciate the life he’d once rebelled against. The quiet peace that came from working on the farm when he was a boy eventually had soothed his inner turmoil over losing the father whom he’d loved, admired and always wanted to emulate.

      “Where’s Mam?” he said, slipping easily back into Pennsylvania Deitsch, considering how long he’d been away.

      Maggie eyed him shrewdly. “In the haus.” She paused. “Dat’s there, too.”

      “He’s done working for the day?” His stepfather was a hardworking man, just like his own father had been. Would Adam scold him for staying away?

      James experienced a sudden onset of uneasiness. The man who’d married his mother had been a good father to him, and he’d repaid him by being difficult and mean during those first months...and then he must have hurt Adam, leaving home when he did to follow the path he’d set out for himself away from their Amish village.

      “Ja, you came at the right time. Mam and Abigail are making supper. Will you stay?”

      He felt his tension leave him as he acknowledged the truth. “Ja.” He knew this was an open invitation. It was the Amish way to be hospitable and never turn a single soul away. “Will they be glad to see me?” he murmured. He studied the house. “I guess I’ll head inside.”

      “James!” his sister called as he started toward the house. He stopped and faced her.

      Maggie’s gaze was filled with warmth and understanding. “’Tis gut to see you. Our eldre will be happy that you’ve come. Please, James, don’t stay away too long again.” She pretended to scowl. “I’ve missed your ugly face.”

      James couldn’t stop the grin that came with the lightening of his spirit. “You’ll be eager to get rid of me now that I’m living close and can visit frequently.”

      She shook her head. “Nay, I won’t.” She regarded him with affection. “I’ll always be happy to see you, big bruder.”

      They eyed each other with warmth. “I’d better go,” he said. “You’ll be in soon?”

      “A few moments more and I’ll be done here.”

      “I’ll see you inside then.”

      Despite anticipating a warm welcome, James felt his stomach burn as he crossed the yard toward the back door leading into his mother’s kitchen. He drew a deep cleansing breath as he rapped on the wooden door frame.

      The door swung open within seconds to reveal his stepfather, who blinked rapidly. “James?” Adam greeted softly as if he couldn’t believe his eyes.

      James offered a tentative smile. “Hallo, Dat.” He watched with awe as happiness transformed his stepfather’s expression.

      “Come in!” he invited with a grin as he stepped back to allow him entry. “Your mudder will be pleased to see you.” He regarded James with affection. “I’m glad you’ve come back to visit.” His eyes brightened as if Adam fought tears. “You look well, soohn. Your clinic is doing gut?”

      James suddenly felt as if a big weight had been lifted off his shoulders as he entered the house. “It’s doing better now, Dat.” He needed this homecoming. Adam was still the warm, patient and kind man he’d always been, and James was so thankful for him. “It was hard to get started at first. I’m getting more patients, though.”

      Adam smiled. “I’m happy for you, James. I’m certain that you’ll make a success of it.” He gestured toward the kitchen table. “Sit, sit. I’ll get your mudder.”

      James sat, aware that the house held all the wonderful cooking smells reminiscent of those he’d loved and remembered from his childhood.

      Before Adam could leave to find her, his mother entered the kitchen from the front of the house. “I thought I heard voices, husband. Who—” Her eyes widened as they filled with tears of joy. “James!” She beamed at him. “You’re back.”

      James grinned. “Hallo, Mam. I’m sorry I haven’t been back sooner.”

      His mother brushed off his apology. “You’re here now. That’s all that matters.” She met her husband’s gaze with a pleased, loving smile. “He’s come home again,” she whispered huskily.

      Adam moved to his wife’s side and placed a loving hand on her shoulder. His smile for her was warm. “Ja, he has.” He captured James’s gaze. “And he is happy to be here.” His stepfather grinned when James nodded. “I know ’tis near suppertime, Ruth, but why don’t we have tea first?”

      James watched his mother put on the teakettle. He had to stifle the urge to get up and help, knowing that it would upset her if he tried. In her mind, a woman’s work was in the house while a man’s work was on the farm or at his business. Adam’s farm was small but large enough to provide for his family. His stepfather made quality outdoor furniture for a living, and Adam was good at his work.

      The teakettle whistled as Mam got out cups, saucers and tea bags.

      “It’s gut to be back,” James said sincerely. It was good to see his family and the farm.

      He made a silent vow that he would return more frequently to spend time with the family he loved and missed, he realized, during the years he’d been away from Happiness, Pennsylvania.

      * * *

      Her father came into the room as Nell was drying the last of the supper dishes. “Dochter, when you’re done, come out onto the porch. I want to talk with you.”

      “I’ll be right out, Dat.” She was putting away dishes when her sister pitched in to help. “Danki, Ellie.” Nell hung up her wet tea towel on the rack when they were done.

      “He’ll not bite you,” Ellie said softly.

      Nell flashed her a look. “I didn’t think he would.”

      “Then stop looking scared. Dat loves us.” Her lips twitching, she teased, “Even you.”

      “I know, but I’m afraid he’s angry that I didn’t come right home from Aunt Katie’s.”

      “He’s not angry,” Ellie assured her.

      “Disappointed? Upset?”

      “He was worried. Joshua didn’t come until it was too late for him not to worry.”

      “I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that Bob would send Joshua.”

      “Nor could you foresee the accident that would keep Joshua from getting to us sooner.”

      “Then why does he want to talk with me?”

      Her sister shrugged. “Only one way to find out.”

      Nell

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