Free The Farmer Next Door by Patricia Davids

remembering Adrian as he had first appeared to her, dark and scowling. In spite of his fierce appearance, he’d been nothing but kind to her. She had come to care for him, to see him as a friend, yet she had scurried away from his displeasure like a sheep running from the wolf. Why was it still so hard to stand up for herself?
    Because I’m afraid.
    Was Adrian’s kindness only an act or did her old fear make her suspect evil where it didn’t exist? If she couldn’t be sure, how could she do business with him, accept his help, allow him into her life?
    Learning to trust again was harder than relearning to walk had been. Perhaps that was the reason God had brought her to this place. Because she had to begin somewhere. If this was her first test, she had failed miserably.
    No, that wasn’t true because she wanted to trust Adrian. The real problem was that she no longer trusted her own judgment.
    Dear Father in heaven, give me strength and wisdom. Let me not judge others lest I be judged in return. Help me to see the good in men and not suspect evil.
    Bolstered by her prayer, Faith left the house, crossed the yard and pulled open the barn door. Adrian was busy forking hay into Copper’s stall. He hadn’t seen her return.
    Unobserved, Faith took a moment to admire the way he made the work look easy. His strong arms and shoulders drove the fork deep into the hay and lifted a bundle with ease. Beneath the sweat-dampened shirt he wore, she could see the muscles tightening and rippling across his back. Her breath quickened as she realized she wasn’t seeing him as a friend should. Embarrassed, she looked away.
    He was a strong, handsome man, and he was proving himself to be a good friend and neighbor. That was all. She wouldn’t let it be anything else.
    He caught sight of her. “I’ll be done in a minute.”
    He didn’t seem angry now. She took a step closer. “I’m sorry I upset you earlier.”
    His eyes widened in surprise. “You did nothing to upset me. I’m the one who should be sorry. I let my ill humor ruin your day. That was wrong. The help I gave you was for selfish reasons. Please forgive me.”
    “You are forgiven. For what selfish reason have you worked here day in and day out?”
    He hesitated, then sighed. “I thought if you couldn’t make a go of this farm, I could buy it from you. The work that I’ve done here would have had to be done anyway when I took over.”
    “I see. Thank you for telling me this.”
    “I no longer think you will fail, Faith Martin. You have the will to succeed, and as you once told me, you aren’t afraid of hard work.
    A sound outside drew her attention. Faith’s heart leapedinto her throat when she saw the automobile pulling to a stop in front of her house. In the front seat she could see a woman surveying the property. “That must be Mrs. Taylor, Kyle’s social worker. What do I do?”
    Adrian came to stand beside her. Gently, he said, “Go and welcome her.”
    His simple reply made her realize how silly she was being. “Kyle was raised in an Englisch home. I’m worried that this Englisch woman won’t think he belongs in an Amish home.”
    “You cannot discover the answers you seek by hiding here in the barn.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “ Ja, I’m pretty sure.” He smiled and motioned her toward the door. “Go.”
    Gathering her courage, Faith walked out of the barn and toward the car, knowing this was the moment she had been dreading and praying for. She had had several letters from Mrs. Taylor, but she had no idea what to expect from the Englisch social worker.
    The car door opened, and a tall, slender young woman got out. She wore a plum-colored suit and matching high-heeled shoes. Her hair was short and dark. It curled tightly against her skull. She held a briefcase in one hand.
    Faith managed a smile. “ Velkumm. Are you a Mrs. Taylor?”
    “I’m afraid Mrs. Taylor no longer works for our agency. I’m Miss Watkins. Caroline Watkins. Are you Faith