A Secret Sacrifice (Amish Secrets--Book 5) Read online

  “Sounds like fun.” Although she tended to be introverted for the most part, she looked forward to making new friends. Which reminded her, she needed to write a letter to Magdalena tomorrow. Did her friend miss her?

  “Did you enjoy the singings in your former district?”

  “Jah, but sometimes some of the kinner got a little wild. If you know what I mean.” She frowned.

  “Ya mean drinkin’ and such?”

  “And such.” She nodded. “I don’t believe in drinking. Do you?”

  He scratched his head and her attention was immediately drawn to his brawny frame again. She forced herself to look away. “Well, I’d be lyin’ if I said I’ve never had a drink. But I don’t make it a practice, no.”

  “One of the boys in one of the wilder groups overdosed on drugs about a year ago.” She shuddered, remembering the horrible day. “The leaders had some Englischers come in and talk to us young folks. Police officers. Not everyone was happy about it, but after Rudy died I think they just gave up fighting. No one wants to see their loved ones go through that.”

  “Did it help?”

  “Some, I think. You know how willful some young people can be; sometimes nothing gets through to them.”

  “Tell me about your old district. How were they different from here?”

  “Well, I’m still unsure of all the rules yet. But from what I can tell so far, this group is a lot faster.”

  “Really? I’ve heard stories about the Amish folks up north.”

  “Well, our group was pretty small so we didn’t intermingle much with others.”

  “So, how are we faster?”

  “You have bathrooms inside the house. And your buggies are fancier. We didn’t have gas appliances either.”

  “No way. Wow! I bet this is a step up for you then.”

  “About three steps, I think.” She laughed.

  “So you must think we’re pretty worldly.”

  She nodded. “I can’t understand how it’s okay to have these things here, but it’s a sin to have them in my former church.”

  “Yeah, I know. It doesn’t make much sense, does it?”

  “Who’s wrong? The leaders in the Miller Amish, where I came from, or the leaders here?”

  “You know we’re not supposed to ask those questions,” he reminded.

  “I know, but why? I want to understand.”

  He smiled and stared at her in silence.

  “What?” She smiled.

  “You, that’s what.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t get it.”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  Had she heard him right? “What?”

  “I think you heard me.” He grinned.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I do.” He leaned in and stole a quick kiss.

  “Ach, Zachariah!”

  “You can call me Zach.”

  “You…you kissed me.”

  “And?”

  She abruptly stood up. “I think I better go inside.”

  “Don’t.” He reached for her hand.

  “No, I need to.” She rushed through the door without glancing back.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Rosanna plunged her hands into the warm soapy water. What a blessing it was to turn on a faucet and have hot water at your fingertips in just a few seconds. She’d never known what she was missing back in Indiana. She knew there were Englischers who lived this way, but Amish? No, that was something she never could have imagined; it was way too modern for Amish. And yet, here she was.

  “May I help?”

  “Zachariah? You wash dishes?” She turned and looked at him. Fortunately, he was fully dressed today. But Zachariah Zook looked good either way, she admitted to herself.

  He lifted a handsome grin. “Sometimes.”

  Rosanna looked behind her to be sure neither of her sisters were nearby. The last thing she wanted was to invite more teasing from her sisters. Their voices outside told her they were most likely hanging laundry. “Sure, if you’d like to.”

  “I can dry them and put them away.”

  She nodded.

  He picked up a hand towel and began drying the glassware. “So, she’s beautiful, smart, and hard working. Those are some good qualities to possess.”

  “And what is he?” She glanced his way as she wiped the dish with her rag and then dropped it into the rinse water.

  “You tell me,” he challenged.

  “Well, I don’t really know him too well.”

  “We can change that.” He reached into the rinse water and lightly brushed her fingers with his.

  She knew her cheeks must be flaming. Zachariah Zook was certainly too fast of a young man to date for her liking. She moved her hand away. “I don’t know.”

  “Why? Do you not find me attractive?”

  Did he have to be so forthright? Surely, he knew he was handsome. “Jah, I find you attractive,” she admitted. “But you’re much too fast for me.”

  “Fast?”

  “You’ve already kissed me, Zachariah Zook. Without invitation.”

  “Did you not enjoy it?”

  “I think this conversation is over.”

  “Ah, so you did enjoy it.” He grinned, obviously satisfied with his conclusion.

  Rosanna dipped her hand into the water and flicked it at Zach.

  “Is Rosanna Keim getting frustrated? I’ll have to add feisty to that list of qualities.” He rose to the challenge by splashing water back at her.

  She looked down at the water spot on her apron and gasped. “You.”

  “I’m not done yet.” He scooped up a handful of water and held it over her head.

  “You wouldn’t.”

  He let the water seep through his hand, then dumped the entire contents over her head. “Ha. Ha.”

  “I can’t believe you just did that.” She couldn’t not retaliate; not after that. She brought both of her hands out of the rinse water and wiped them on his stubbly cheeks.

  He grasped her hands and pulled her close. “Hey, I like your hands there,” his husky voice caught her off-guard. He had her pinned between the counter and his body. “What if I kissed you right now?”

  Her heartbeat quickened at his closeness. She wriggled under his stronghold, while simultaneously fighting a smile. “You wouldn’t.”

  His brow rose and he stared longingly at her lips. “Wouldn’t I?”

  She bit her lower lip as she anticipated his inevitable kiss.

  “Zachariah!” He immediately let go and spun around at the sound of his father’s voice.

  “Dat, I –”

  “Get outside at once.” His father pointed to the back door and quickly followed his son outside. Zach was sure to get a talking to.

  Rosanna turned back to the task at hand and sighed. Her feelings for Zach were very confusing. Could you like a person and dislike them at the same time? On the one hand, Zachariah Zook was handsome and charming and likeable. But on the other hand, he seemed persistent and headstrong and way too determined.

  If she didn’t watch herself, she could imagine a boy like Zachariah getting her into mischief. Perhaps it wasn’t such a gut idea for them to be living under the same roof. Jah, she’d have to be certain sure to stay away from him as much as possible.

  <><><>

  Rosanna held her nose as she gingerly walked through the tattered house. If she breathed in one more whiff of mildew, she was sure to have another sneezing spell. What on earth had her father been thinking when he signed on the dotted line to purchase this place? It would probably be better to tear the thing down and start fresh, in her opinion.

  “Well, what do you think, daughter?” her father’s chipper voice called from outside the window.

  “Are you sure this is the right place?” she managed, releasing her breath for a moment.

  “Come on outside,” he beckoned.

  Gladly. She came around the side of the house to meet her father
.

  He put his arm around her shoulders. “Now, I know it doesn’t look like much now, but you just wait.”

  Wait she would have to do. They wouldn’t be moved in by Christmas at this rate. Could she bear to live in the same household with Zachariah Zook several more months? She certainly didn’t think so.

  He turned her to the trees facing south. “You see those trees there? Those are ours.” He turned her to the east. “And those.” Then to the west. “And those. Fifty acres, Rosie! And just look at this land. Plenty to raise a good crop with the best soil money can buy. There’s a stream just beyond those trees where we can fish. And did you see the deer grazing in the meadow when we pulled up to the house? It’s practically Heaven!”

  It was hard not to catch her father’s infectious enthusiasm. But Heaven? “Where’s the mansion?” she jested.

  “Oh, stop.” He gestured to the house. “I know it isn’t much, but we’ll get it livable before we move in.”

  “How long will it take?”

  “Well, I plan to come and work on it every day. Abram said his boys would be happy to help. I’m thinking it’ll be livable in a month.”

  “Really?”

  “Or less.” He patted her back.

  She sighed in relief.

  His brow arched half an inch. “What’s wrong? Don’t you like staying with the Zooks? They have a nice place.”

  “Shh…they’ll hear you.” She peered around the corner.

  His hand waved her concern away. “Nah. They’re over on the other side of the property. I think they walked down to the creek.”

  “Their place is very nice. It’s not that.”

  His knowing grin gave him away. “It’s the oldest boy, isn’t it?”

  She remained silent.

  “I thought he had an eye for you.” He faced her and held her gaze. “Do you need me to run him off?”

  “Nee, Dat. That’s not necessary.”

  “Well, you let me know if it becomes necessary. Okay?”

  She nodded.

  <><><>

  Zachariah raised his chainsaw and proceeded to cut through the log he and Benjamin had hauled out of their woods this morning. At the rate he was going today, he’d soon have cut enough wood for two winters. It didn’t matter, though. He enjoyed cutting wood and Dat would certainly appreciate the abundance. It helped him get his mind off things. Usually.

  He did his best not to think about the other night on the porch with Rosanna. Nor of their kitchen rendezvous, which his father not-so-gently let him know was not acceptable. What on earth had he been thinking? She’d been avoiding him like the plague ever since and he certainly deserved it. Dummkopp. Yep, he’d blown it for sure and certain. He now wondered if he’d ever get the chance to apologize for his untoward behavior.

  He glanced toward the house, where Rosanna now hung laundry with her sister. Too bad she wasn’t alone.

  He brought another log close and sliced through it like his Mamm’s delicious homemade bread. Before long, he had a good size pile and he stacked it all neatly in the woodshed. When he walked out, he looked toward the laundry line again. Was Rosanna alone now?

  “Rosanna,” he called out.

  She clipped a sheet to the laundry line, then looked over.

  “Come here.” He motioned for her to meet him.

  She looked hesitant, but eventually began walking toward him.

  Good.

  She stopped several feet away. “I don’t have anything to say to you.”

  “I don’t think that’s true. Anyway, I do have something I need to say to you.” He took a few steps toward her, closing the gap between them.

  She fidgeted and glanced back toward the house. “I have work to do.”

  He reached out and grasped her arm. “Wait. Just a minute, please.”

  She pulled her arm away.

  “Rosanna, is there a problem?” Zachariah spun around at the sound of her father’s voice. Where had he come from? Why could they never get an uninterrupted moment alone?

  Zachariah spoke up. “No, sir. We were just talking.”

  Her father frowned. “I was talking to my daughter. Last I checked, you weren’t her.”

  Did Rosanna just stifle a laugh? Now I really feel like an idiot.

  “It’s okay, Dat. I was just going back to my laundry.” With that, she turned and walked back to resume the task she’d left.

  Her father eyed him warily. “Zachariah, I appreciate your family allowing us to stay here and the help you’ve given on the house. However, I will not tolerate my daughters being taken advantage of.”

  What had she told him?

  “Do I make myself clear?”

  Zachariah nodded.

  “Good, we have an understanding. You may continue with your work.” With that, Isaac Keim walked off.

  Zachariah walked back to the wood he’d been stacking and kicked the log in front of him, but the pain in his toe didn’t outweigh the regret now churning in his soul. He’d really blown it this time.

  <><><>

  Dear Magdalena,

  Greetings in the name of our Lord!

  I must say that moving to Kentucky has been quite an adventure! I really like it here so far.

  We haven’t met too many people yet, just the family we’re staying with – the Zooks. They seem really nice. They have three boys and two girls. The two girls are the youngest and they will be my scholars. I think the oldest boy, Zachariah, likes me. He’s friendly, or too friendly, I should say. Between you and me, I think he’s quite handsome. I know what you’re thinking but don’t go getting carried away with your ferhoodled romantic ideas. I don’t see myself dating Zach, he’s much too confident of himself for my taste.

  You should see the place that Dat purchased – or maybe you shouldn’t? It’s pretty bad. The house, I mean. It needs A LOT of work and it wonders me if we wouldn’t be better off just tearing it down and building a new one. Dat thinks it will be ready to move into within a month, but I don’t see how that’s going to happen. The property itself is really pretty, though. We have all kinds of woods and a stream. There are a few hills too, so there’s plenty to explore.

  Honey Ridge is very different from Miller Amish. The Zooks’ house almost looks like it could belong to an Englischer. They have two bathrooms inside the house with a bathtub and a shower! We can take several showers a week if we have a mind to, although I don’t know who would need that many. And the water is fresh from a well outside, so there is plenty. I no longer have to get the last leftover water after everyone else is done bathing – I get to use my own water. Let me say that it feels really gut. Being the youngest isn’t so bad anymore.

  I am certain sure you would love it here. Maybe you can come visit sometime after our house is finished with repairs. Summertime might be good because I’ll be out of school and I’ll probably have a little extra time.

  How is your family doing? Is your bruder happy with his new fraa? Please tell everyone hello, especially your grossmudder. Write me back soon!

  Your friend,

  Rosanna

  <><><>

  Rosanna stared at the quilt on her bed as she ran the brush through her hair. She’d replayed the events of the day in her mind several times now. What had Zachariah been so eager to speak with her about? And what nerve he had clutching her arm like that! Was he about to try to kiss her again in broad daylight? Hadn’t his father’s earlier reprimand been enough? Surely, Zachariah Zook thought way too much of himself.

  She almost chuckled aloud when she recalled his reaction to Dat. He sure did run Zachariah off gut. Serves him right, trying to force her attention like that.

  “What are you smiling about, Rosie?” Margaret sat on her own bed braiding her hair.

  “I bet she’s thinking about meeting tomorrow,” Frances chimed from the bunk above Rosanna’s head. “I wonder if it’ll be much different than back home.”

  “Probably,” Rosanna said.

  “Do you thi
nk there’re any handsome boys here?” Frances crooned.

  Rosanna thought of Zach then immediately averted her thoughts. She shrugged.

  “I’m dreading the fact that everyone will probably be staring at us,” Margaret moaned.

  “Ah, it’s okay. Maybe the boys will notice you then.” Frances laughed.

  Margaret plucked up her pillow and hurled it at her younger sister.

  “Oh, good. I was hoping for an extra pillow,” Frances teased.

  Rosanna settled into bed and yawned. Sometimes, it seemed like she was the mature one out of the three. “Goodnight, sisters.”

  Margaret caught the pillow her sister flung back at her and turned the gas lamp down.

  Soon Rosanna was off to a peaceful sleep despite the swarm of butterflies in her stomach.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Rosanna clenched her apron between her fingers as the minister introduced her family to their new Amish congregation. Thank goodness, her sisters each sat at her side, otherwise she’d be overcome with anxiety. While she didn’t mind teaching the scholars, being in the presence of a large room full of mostly adult strangers made her nervous. Especially since she could feel Zach’s eyes glued to her. But it wasn’t just him. Several of the other young Amish men seemed to look her way. It was times like this she wished she could just disappear with a good book or walk amongst nature. Alone.

  Soon after the service had ended, the congregants began assembling benches to prepare for the common meal. Rosanna had already gotten a glimpse of the food they’d be partaking of and her stomach now grumbled. She briefly wondered if their peanut butter spread was as delicious as the one Mamm had taught her to make. The common meal was often her favorite time on Sundays. That, and returning to a peaceful home after the hullabaloo was over.

  She quickly found her mother in the kitchen and busied herself with placing food on the tables. The women served the men, who typically ate first. She made a special effort to avoid the table that Zachariah and many of the young men occupied. When the simple meal was placed on the table in its entirety – sliced bread, bologna, cheese, peanut butter spread, pickled beets, and other canned goods most likely the bounty from this year’s harvest – Rosanna found the table her sisters sat at and joined them.