Free Naomi’s Christmas by Marta Perry Page B

already saying that you’re hoping to catch Nathan for yourself?”
    It was like a slap in the face. She stiffened, her mind reeling until she could get
     it under control. Were folks really saying such a thing? Or was that just Elijah,
     trying to bend her to his will?
    She took a deep breath, steadying herself. “If there are blabbermauls in our community,
     I am sorry for them, saying suchfoolish things. And I am disappointed in you for repeating them.”
    His mouth set, Elijah rose. She stood with him, holding on to the edge of the table.
    “Elijah, you are still the little bruder I love. I think it might be best if you go
     now before we both say more words we will regret.”
    He stared at her for a moment, angry and baffled, it seemed. Then, without a word,
     he turned and stalked out.
    Naomi stood where she was, glad of the sturdy table beneath her hand, trying to deal
     with the pain and doubt he left behind.
    The mist that clung to the valleys on November mornings had already vanished, chased
     away by the sun, when Nathan sent his buggy horse into the field behind the barn with
     a pat of the horse’s rump. Coalie trotted up to greet the mare, then whisked around
     and broke into a canter across the frosty grass. Something about the nip in the air
     must have invigorated the horses, unlike the Herefords, whose placid dispositions
     never seemed to change.
    Sometimes he wished people were as easy to deal with as animals. He leaned on the
     fence instead of rushing on to another chore. By November, with the corn harvested
     and plenty of hay in the loft, things eased up a bit even on a dairy farm, so he could
     spare a few minutes to look at the fields spreading out toward the woods and then
     the ridge in the distance.
    He’d been relieved to see Naomi her usual serene self thismorning. He’d been unhappy over his curtness with her about Jessie, even though he’d
     tried to make amends.
    His fingers tightened on the rough plank fence. Jessie couldn’t be left alone with
     the children. Ada had been the first to admit that truth, and she’d certainly known
     her little sister as well as anyone. Emma had agreed, and as long as she was here,
     Jessie had never so much as shown an interest in watching them.
    So what had caused her to get that bee in her bonnet about being the proper person
     to care for Joshua and Sadie while Emma was away? With Jessie, it was impossible to
     tell. She was a creature of whims, like a flighty horse that would take exception
     to a bit of paper blowing across the road.
    Little though he’d relished hearing Naomi speak of Jessie, he had to admit that she
     had probably known Jessie as well as anyone other than family. Emma had worried about
     Jessie and coddled her, near as he could make out, while Ada had been kind but clear-sighted
     where Jessie was concerned. Elizabeth, the middle sister, always seemed to go her
     own way, paying little heed to what went on unless Jessie embarrassed her by some
     outburst. And as for Seth, the only boy—well, Seth had jumped the fence to the Englisch
     world at eighteen, leaving his family responsibilities behind for others. Emma heard
     from him now and then, and she’d once admitted that the checks he sent made a big
     difference after her husband died. Still, it wasn’t like being there and helping.
    Which brought Nathan full circle back to Naomi. If she were right that Jessie needed
     more help than any of them could give…
    No, he wasn’t going to think that way. He turned toward the barn, caught a flicker
     of movement, and realized it was Naomi and the children, walking along the lane toward
     the bee yard. Worry knotted his stomach, even though common sense told him it was
     needless. The bees were dormant now, and they were no danger. Still, it would be best
     if Joshua and Sadie didn’t get the idea that it was all right to be around the hives.
    He cut across the field toward them, stubble crackling under his work shoes.