Free A Love Made New by Kathleen Fuller

Although she was only in her early forties, her body felt older than that. Raising two children, being separated from her husband, not knowing where he was and only gaining contact with him through letters . . . it had all taken its toll on her over the last twelve years. She still missed Bartholomew, just as much as she had since the day he left. His smile. His sense of adventure. His gentle touch. She glanced at Rhoda, who was dusting off a lampshade, and felt compassion. Emmanuel had only been gone a few months, but Naomi remembered that those first months of being without Bartholomew had been the hardest.
    “I think we’re almost finished.” Rhoda smiled, but her eyes remained sad. Naomi once again thought having church service so soon was a bad idea. Emmanuel had been their bishop for over twenty years, since before Naomi moved to Birch Creek. Since he’d left, Rhoda had attended every church service and was attentive to Bishop Yoder’s sermons. But hosting church? Naomi thought that could wait until next year.
    “I appreciate yer help,” Rhoda added. “It’s nice to have company.”
    So maybe that was it. They had a common bond, even though it was for different reasons. Naomi and Rhoda had grown closer since Emmanuel left. Naomi had been the first woman to visit Rhoda and try to encourage her shortly after Emmanuel’s departure. But Naomi had also been wrapped up in her own family drama, with Andrew and Joanna having relationship problems. Shortly after, Andrew had confronted her with the lie she and Bartholomew had concocted about his departure. Although their intentions had been to keep their children safe, they had deceived them. Bartholomew wasn’t the man they thought he was. He hadn’t left the family because he wanted to. His illegal actions from his youth had caught up to him. They were all paying the consequences, and she didn’t know how much longer they would be paying them.
    She went to Rhoda, leaving her own troubles behind so she could comfort her friend. “Since we’re finished cleaning, how about we have a cup of kaffee before I geh home?”
    Rhoda smiled again, and this time a little of the emotion reached her eyes. “I’d like that.”
    Naomi followed her into the spotless kitchen. Rhoda prepared the coffee while Naomi sat down. From her chair at the table she could see snow falling outside the kitchen window. She’d have to leave soon before it got too thick. But there was still time to visit with Rhoda.
    Rhoda set a mug of coffee in front of Naomi, then sat down. She didn’t say anything, just stared at the steam rising from her own mug.
    “Do you need any help preparing the food?” Naomi asked, then blew the steam from the hot beverage.
    “ Nee. I went to the grocery store yesterday and stocked up. Besides, you know everyone brings food, whether or not they decide to stay for a visit.”
    This was true. The citizens of Birch Creek were generous. The community had pulled together even more after Emmanuel left. “I thought I might make some deviled eggs for tomorrow.” Those had been one of Bartholomew’s favorite snacks.
    Rhoda’s eyes widened and she shook her head. “Emmanuel wouldn’t like that.”
    Naomi frowned, the mug still near her mouth.
    “He never approved of the name of those eggs.”
    “Deviled?” Naomi’s brow lifted. It was a cooking term, and she honestly never thought about the word devil being a part of the word.
    “ Ya .”
    “So you never made them?”
    “I never will make them,” she said in all seriousness. “I would appreciate it if you would bring something else. When Emmanuel comes back and finds out we served deviled eggs in his home, he will be upset.”
    “When is he coming back?”
    Rhoda glanced at her mug. “In God’s time.”
    Naomi set down her mug. How many times had she told herself the same thing about Bartholomew? That he would return at God’s behest, and not a moment sooner? Still, it was a bitter pill to swallow, not