Scene 1
The Cute Meet
She stared up at the bright blue sky, feeling foolish for trying to fix the clothesline. She needed a husband, one who didn’t mind the kinder or a clumsy fraa.
A shadow drifted over her. Shielding the sunlight from her face. Rose, one of their milk cows, nudged Naomi’s arm.
“Ach, jah, you have a sense of humor, sending an escape artist to my rescue.”
A hearty chuckle startled her and then a strong, calloused palm reached toward her to help her up. She sucked in a sharp breath and tried to sink further into the ground. Naomi’s gaze slid past Rose’s boney black and white shoulder to find the silhouette of a man looking down at her. She shielded her eyes for a better look, and her heart nearly stopped beating all together.
“Hello, Naomi.”
Scene 2
The Wedding
His shoulders were stiff, and she couldn’t help but remember how Abe had made it clear he didn’t want a fraa. Not just her, but any woman, and yet he was here sacrificing his own desires, and possibly the wishes of his father, so the kinder could remain together in the only home they’d known.
Abe squeezed her hand again, and encouraged her with a nod. But she was still uncertain she could make him choose between her and his Daed, but then he mouthed “For the children.”
A field of butterflies took flight in her chest. Her legs wobbled and for a small moment, she thought she’d faint. Was there a better man than the one standing before her?
Scene 3
Watching Clouds
“Mind if I join you?”
She began to rise, but before she could manage the task, Abe laid beside her, his arms folded behind his head and feet crossed at the ankles.
“You’ll stain your shirt,” she said.
A smile teased the corner of his mouth. “I hear my fraa has a secret recipe to remove stains.”
“You heard that, huh?” she asked.
“Jah,” he said. “Straight from her bruder’s mouth while we were fixing the clothesline. It shouldn’t come down again.” Abe pointed through the branches. “Is that a rabbit?”
Naomi shook her head. “The nose is too big, and it has wings. Maybe a lion.”
“A lion that flies?” He laughed.
“I’ve heard of stranger things.”
“Come to think of it, it does look like it has wings, but the nose is sharpening. Maybe an eagle.”
“Jah, an eagle.” She laughed.
He turned his head and glanced at her. Reaching his hand out, he twined his fingers with hers. The touch, his warmth, shocked her. His callouses locked against hers, but she delighted in the way the two pieces of them fit so nicely together. It was as she had imagined during their courtship whenever she wondered what holding hands with him might feel like.
“This is good, jah?” He seemed comfortable with his actions. Her breathing, on the other hand, hitched and her pulse raced. Was there hope he wanted more than a marriage in name only?