The Farmer Next Door by Patricia Davids

Author:Patricia Davids [Davids, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781410451262
Google: SWGVXaIaxnwC
Amazon: 1410451267
Barnesnoble: 1410451267
Goodreads: 10326769
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Two days after taking Faith into town, Adrian was cutting hay in the meadow when a car turned in his lane. It stopped on the road not far from him, and an Englisch lady got out. He drew his team to a halt. She approached but kept a wary eye on his horses. “Are you Mr. Adrian Lapp?”

“I am.” He waited for her to state her business.

“I’m Caroline Watkins. I’m the social worker in charge of your neighbor’s adoption application. I’ve just come from my second visit here, and Mrs. Martin has given me permission to speak with some of her neighbors. May I have a few minutes of your time?”

He wiped the sweat from his brow with his shirtsleeve and adjusted his hat. “A few. I must get my hay cut.”

“I won’t take long, I promise.” She opened a leather folder and began to write in it.

Meg, the horse closest to her, stomped at a fly and shook her head. Miss Watkins stumbled back a step and looked ready to run to the safety of her car. Time was a wasting. Adrian said, “What questions have you?”

She gave an embarrassed smile but didn’t come closer. “How long have you known Faith Martin?”

“Three weeks, I reckon.”

“Is that all?”

“I met her the day after she arrived here.”

Miss Watkins kept writing. “Are you aware of any reason why Mrs. Martin should not adopt a child?”

“Nee.”

“Do you believe she can provide for a child?”

“I do, but it makes no difference if she can or not.”

Miss Watkins’s brows drew together in a frown. “Of course it makes a difference.”

“An Amish parent does not need to worry about what will happen to his or her family if something tragic befalls them. All our widows and children are well cared for.”

“By whom?”

It was clear this outsider didn’t understand Amish ways. “Our church members will see that Faith and her child have food, clothing and a roof over their heads if ever they need such help.”

“That’s very admirable.”

“It is the way God commands us to live.”

“Have you seen Mrs. Martin interacting with children?”

He thought back to last Sunday. “Ja.”

“Tell me about it.”

“I saw her holding Katie Sutter’s daughter, Rachel. She had the babe settled on her hip. It looked as if she had done it many times. I also saw her with Annie Imhoff. She is nine, I think. Faith gave her attention and directed her to help with the work as was right.”

“What are your feelings about Faith’s adoption plan?”

“It is a goot thing for her to take in her brother’s child, or any child.”

“How often do you see Mrs. Martin?”

“I’ve seen her almost daily since she arrived.”

“And why is that?”

The question shocked him. Why had he found excuse after excuse to trek across the field to see her so often?

Wasn’t it because he was happier when he was near her? Wasn’t it because her smile drove away his loneliness?

Miss Watkins waited for his reply. He said, “Because she needs help and it is the neighborly thing to do.

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