Free The Farmer Next Door by Patricia Davids Page A

Miller?”
    “Martin,” Faith corrected her.
    “My apologies.” Caroline’s gaze was fastened on Adrian standing by the barn. “Is that Mr. Martin?”
    “No. That is my neighbor, Adrian Lapp. I am a widow. I thought you knew that.”
    “I’m sure it was in the file. I apologize if I sound unprepared.I’ve been swamped with work. Yours is my third home visit this week. Mrs. Taylor left on very short notice and I’m playing catch-up.”
    “Do come in the house.” Faith gestured toward the front door.
    Would her home pass inspection? Was it clean enough? Was it big enough? Would Faith pass as a prospective parent, or would this woman decide she didn’t deserve her nephew? Worry gnawed at her insides. Exactly what would this home study entail?
    Inside the house, Faith led the way to the living room. It was sparely furnished with a small sofa placed in front of a pair of tall windows. Two reading chairs flanked the couch. A small bookcase sat against the wall opposite the windows. Miss Watkins settled herself on the sofa while Faith perched on the edge of a chair facing her.
    Miss Watkins must have seen the concern Faith was trying to conceal. “Please don’t be nervous, Mrs. Martin. I’m here to make sure your home is a suitable, safe place for your nephew, not to pass judgment on your housekeeping or personal tastes.”
    “I am Kyle’s only family. What could be more suitable than that?”
    “I agree it is almost always best to place a child with a relative, but placing a child in a safe and loving home is our top priority, even if that means placing them with someone other than a blood relative.”
    The social worker searched through her papers. “First, I need to see two forms of identification. I have to make sure I’m talking to the right person. Confidentiality laws and all that, you know. Your driver’s license and a Social Security card will be fine.”
    “I do not have such documents.”
    Miss Watkins frowned. “You don’t have a Social Security card?”
    “I do not. The Amish do not believe in Social Security. It is the responsibility of everyone to care for the sick and elderly. We do not depend upon the government to do that for us. I do have my birth certificate and my marriage license, if that will do?”
    Faith rose from the chair and crossed to the small bookcase in the corner. She opened her Bible and took out several pieces of paper and handed them to the social worker.
    “Under the circumstances, I think these will be fine. Today, I’d like to gather some information about your background, family life, child care expectations and about your parenting philosophy. I know you must be frustrated at having to repeat some of this process since you began your adoption in Missouri, but now that you are in Ohio, you will have to abide by Ohio law.”
    “I understand my move came at a bad time, but it couldn’t be helped.”
    “I will do what I can to expedite your home study. A few things won’t have to be repeated. Your background check and criminal search records have been forwarded to us by the Missouri authorities.”
    “I only wish to have Kyle with me as soon as possible. He has been with strangers for two months.”
    Miss Watkins opened a folder. “Kyle King is in foster care in Texas, is that right?”
    Faith nodded.
    “And you’ve not been to visit him, is that correct?”
    “I’ve spoken to him on the phone several times and written letters to him twice a week, every week, but I’ve been unable to travel to Texas.” It wasn’t much, but it was all she could do for now.
    “I will admit I know very little about the Amish, so pleaseforgive my ignorance. You are the first Amish client I’ve worked with. I understand you do not use electricity.”
    “We do not.”
    “And you have no phone and no car.”
    “There is a phone shack at the end of the lane that I and my Amish neighbors may use. It is permitted for work and for emergencies. I have a horse and buggy for