The Kauffman Amish Bakery Collection by Amy Clipston

Author:Amy Clipston [Clipston, Amy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780310342878
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2014-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

19

Timothy steered the horse toward Naomi’s house. He stared out the windshield of the buggy, trying in vain to concentrate on his passenger in the seat beside him.

“Supper was appeditlich,” Naomi said, her voice cheery. “Danki for inviting me.”

“Of course,” Timothy said, glancing at her smile. “I’m glad you could join me and my family. My mamm always enjoys having you.”

While Naomi yammered on about stories his sisters had been swapping, Timothy’s thoughts wandered back to Miriam for what seemed like the hundredth time this evening. He couldn’t stop wondering why she’d decided to move back to Gordonville and join the church. Was her family the real reason? Or did she think somehow they could get back together?

He pushed that thought aside since it was a moot point. He’d made a promise to Naomi, and he intended to keep it. As Miriam had said, Timothy was her past, and their relationship was in the past.

If she was his past, then why couldn’t he get Miriam out of his head?

“Timothy?” Naomi asked. “Are you still with me? You’re distracted again.”

“I’m here,” he said, hoping his thoughts weren’t transparent. “It’s been a long day for me.”

“Ya, it has.” She sighed. “It was nice getting to spend more time with you. Before you know it, we’ll be spending a lot more time together.” She squeezed his arm. “I can’t wait.”

He forced a smile. “It’s coming up fast.”

He wished he could be more excited about their wedding. It bothered him that he wasn’t more enthralled about bringing Naomi home the night of their wedding. When he’d talked to Daniel, his older brother shared that he had often looked forward to his first days in his home with his new bride. Why didn’t Timothy possess those feelings for Naomi?

Was he making a mistake marrying a young woman with whom he wasn’t completely in love?

Timothy turned his thoughts toward maneuvering the buggy up the long rock lane to Naomi’s parents’ home.

“Lunch tomorrow?” Naomi asked. A smile grew on her face. “I’ll bring you something special.”

“That would be nice.” He took her hand in his. “Danki again for having supper with my family and me.”

“They’ll be my family soon.” Her expression turned expectant, and she sucked in a breath.

He knew she wanted a kiss, and he wished he were more excited about fulfilling the request. Leaning down to her, he cupped her face in his hands.

I wish you were Miriam.

The thought caught him off guard. He stared at Naomi’s face.

Her eyes widened with worry. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” He pushed a lock of hair that had escaped her kapp back from her face. “I was just thinking about how beautiful you are.” He was ashamed of how easy his lips blurted out the fib.

Lying is a sin.

Her cheeks blushed crimson. “Danki,” she whispered, shifting closer to him.

Leaning down, he brushed his lips across hers.

“I love you.” Her words came in a tentative whisper.

“Ich liebe dich,” he echoed, wishing with all his heart that the words were true.

Her expression brightened. “Lunch tomorrow?”

“I look forward to it.

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