Naomi’s Christmas Read Free Page A

them on his farm. With Libby and me living right on the property,
     I could keep an eye on things for you.”
    Naomi hesitated. Isaiah enjoyed working for Nathan King on his dairy farm, and she
     didn’t want to cause any difficulties between them by asking for something Nathan
     might not be so eager to grant. Nathan could have plenty of reasons not to want her
     beehives on his property.
    “I wonder if that’s wise,” she said, careful to keep her voice neutral. “Ada and I
     were such close friends, and Nathan stillmourns her so deeply even after two years. He might not want to have me around, reminding
     him of her.”
    Vertical lines formed between Isaiah’s brows. “It’s true he’s still grieving for Ada.
     But as for reminding him…well, he seems to be thinking about her all the time anyway.”
    “Poor Nathan,” she murmured. And poor Ada, gone far too early, it seemed, in such
     a freak accident, leaving Nathan and two young kinder behind. Naomi accepted it as
     God’s will, but she couldn’t help wishing it had been otherwise. As for Nathan—well,
     she doubted he would ever be able to accept his loss.
    Isaiah straightened, pushing away from the tree. “Let me talk to Nathan about it,
     anyway. I won’t push. I’ll make it easy for him to say no, if that’s what he’s of
     a mind to do. But he might well say yes.”
    She was still doubtful, but she nodded. “I guess it can’t hurt to ask.”
    “That’s right. And if he says no, we’ll find someone else.” Isaiah put his arm around
     her shoulders. “You’re cold. Let’s go inside.”
    She hung back. “That’s not a gut idea. Daadi will just start trying to persuade me
     again, and I don’t want to provoke a family quarrel on my birthday.” Although maybe
     she’d already done that very thing.
    “He won’t say a word.” Isaiah sounded confident. “Betty told him it was best to let
     you think about their marriage and get used to the idea of moving out without him
     pushing you.”
    “And he agreed to that?” It didn’t sound like Daadi at all. Once he’d made up his
     mind, he was like a rock.
    “He did.” Isaiah grinned, blue eyes twinkling. “Seems likeBetty can manage him better than the rest of us put together. So don’t lose heart.
     This is all going to turn out for the best, you’ll see.”
    Naomi nodded as they started toward the house, not wanting to lay her burdens any
     more heavily on Isaiah. But she doubted this situation could possibly turn out for
     the best…for her, anyway.
    Nathan King slid the harness over the back of Coal, the sturdy pony standing patiently between
     the shafts of the pony cart. He’d promised Joshua and Sadie a ride in the cart this
     afternoon, and he’d best get at it. Days grew short in November here in Pleasant Valley.
    His father moved out of the shadow of the barn door, glancing up at the weak sunlight.
     “Giving the kinder a ride, ja? Are you sure you don’t want me to stay around to help
     you with the milking?”
    Nathan shook his head, feeling an inward pang at the stiffness with which Daad moved.
     It was impossible to keep him from helping on the dairy farm, but Nathan tried to
     spare his father as best he could.
    “You go on home before Sarah is scolding me for keeping you late.” Since Daad was
     living with Nathan’s sister, she could be tart with Nathan about Daad doing too much,
     but he’d noticed she didn’t have any better luck getting Daad to slow down. “Isaiah
     said he’d be back in time for evening milking.”
    “They were having a birthday party for Naomi, ain’t so? I must remember to wish her
     happiness.” Daad shook his head, the wind ruffling his beard, more gray now than brown.
     “Ican’t see her without thinking of your Ada, that’s certain-sure. They were gut friends,
     ain’t so?”
    Nathan nodded, feeling his face stiffen. He didn’t like talking about Ada, not that
     he ever stopped thinking about her.
    He glimpsed movement