Lamb to the Slaughter (Serenity's Plain Secrets Book 1) (14 page)

“It isn’t Naomi’s fault if some English driver likes her,” Mervin said, looking straight at Lydia and avoiding Naomi’s shocked eyes.

Mervin spent quite a bit of time at the Beiler’s place, hanging out with Naomi’s younger brothers, so she knew him well. But for the boy to stick his neck out for her with the other girls was not expected, to say the least. He’d just proven that he had the forceful nature that his brother, David, lacked, and Naomi gazed at him with fresh eyes. Mervin may have the same straw colored blond hair that David had, but where David’s eyes were a liquid blue that always seemed on the verge of tears, Mervin had green ones that were like shiny springtime grass. And Mervin’s gaze didn’t shy away when Naomi looked at him the way David’s did.

“Why aren’t you out playing with the little boys, Mervin?” Lydia said tartly.

“I just came in for water, not a cat fight,” Mervin replied, placing his hands on his hips.

Mervin’s voice was more mature than Naomi had ever heard before, and for the first time, she noticed that he’d grown taller than her without her realizing it. Even with the peppering of freckles on his smooth face, it was obvious that young Mervin was growing up, and after his display of bravery, Naomi reckoned he’d be a fine man someday.

Lydia picked up the tray of filled cups and without a sideways glance at Naomi, or Mervin, she slid past them and out the door with Melinda close on her heels.

Naomi turned to Mervin and said, “Gee, thanks, Mervin. You didn’t have to risk Lydia’s wrath like that by sticking up for me.”

Mervin’s gaze settled on Naomi’s face for a second too long, and then she understood. Mervin had a crush on her, the same as his older brother. Of course, David had never come to her rescue the way Mervin had.

Before the boy spoke, he looked down at the wooden floor and shuffled his feet. “It was nothing. Those two are just jealous of you. You shouldn’t let it bother you.”

“Oh, it doesn’t,” Naomi frowned, “but I do worry about what might happen if they keep talking about that nonsense and some of the adults start to believe.”

“Truth always prevails. At least, that’s what Dat says,” Mervin said with the sureness of someone far beyond his years.

Naomi watched him fill his water bottle. After a nod and a half smile her way, he headed out of the kitchen. She worked on the rest of the cups with Beth on her hip, the baby’s fingers coiled around the strings of her bonnet.

At dinner, Naomi sat with her family trying not to look sullen. But she didn’t think that she succeeded if the funny faces Eli kept making at her from a table away were any indication.
Just looking at Eli sent a stab of worry coursing through her. What if Lydia or Melinda said something to Eli about Will’s attentions toward her? She would be dead for sure.

Sometime in the middle of the dinner, Mamma showed up and took Beth out of Naomi’s arms. She was happy that she’d be able to finish her meal for a change and she tried to stop fretting about everything and do just that. The homemade peanut butter sandwiches, which were the usual for the plain Sunday meal, were sweet and salty at the same time. Since the Amish strictly practiced the bible’s instruction that Sunday was to be a day without labor, the sandwiches, which could be made up the day before were the perfect choice. There was also the tradition of the simple fare on the holy day, and tradition was of utmost importance to her people.

Naomi brooded and chewed and swallowed until most everyone was finished before she finally got up. With little energy, she did what was expected and helped the other girls clean the dinner plates off of the tables.

Lydia and Melinda didn’t say another word to Naomi, but several times they giggled and whispered between glances her way. How Naomi wished Sandra was there to distract her.

The nudge on her shoulder was unexpected and she swiveled to see Eli smiling down at her. He nodded toward the doorway. After a quick glance around to see that none of the adults were paying her any mind, she began to follow Eli. But before she escaped the building, her gaze was drawn to David, who leaned against the wall beside the doorway. Her body chilled at his scrunched up face. For the first time ever, he didn’t look away when their eyes met. Instead he stared at her with open hostility.

Naomi didn’t shy away from his glare. She narrowed her eyes and tightened her lips when she looked back at him. For a few seconds there was a standoff, each silently willing the other to look away first. In the end, it was David’s face that turned. Naomi exhaled in victory and swept outside into the warm, fresh air.

She blocked David face from her mind. He was of no consequence to her. He’d have to get over whatever problem he had on his own. She had too many of her own issues to deal with. Again, the thought of how different the two Lapp brothers were entered her mind. How could one be so sweet, caring and brave, while the other was such an awful dolt?

Catching sight of Eli more than a dozen steps ahead of her, Naomi stretched her legs. He was walking briskly, but he glanced back every few steps to make sure that she was with him.

Naomi’s mind fluttered with confused thoughts as she wondered what Eli was up to. He certainly seemed to have a plan as he made his way past the small groups of teenagers talking along the walkway.

When they left the people, buggies, and hitched horses behind, Naomi’s mind started to fill with uneasiness. She searched the area with wide eyes, checking to see if anyone was watching them. But the coast was clear.

The breeze stirred the leaves on the tree at the corner of the shed, sending a rustling sound into the air. Eli turned the corner around the tree and disappeared. For a last time, Naomi looked back, before she disappeared behind the shed too.

A second later, Naomi was pulled tightly against Eli’s chest, sniffing in the smell of his cologne and feeling safe
in his arms. When Eli and Naomi were like that, she almost didn’t think about Will.

“What’s wrong with you today, Naomi? You’ve been pouting all day and you’ve hardly even looked my way either,” Eli said, frowning down at her.

“Nothing, really, I’m fine,” Naomi lied.

Eli lowered his head and his mouth sought hers. Softly, his tongue pushed into Naomi’s mouth and for a few seconds, she was content enough, until he pulled back, frowning even deeper.

“Now, I know something’s up. Your kisses are just as depressing as you are. Naomi, tell me what’s wrong,” Eli begged, as he leaned back against the barn boards, his arms crossed in front of his chest.

If it had been Will, Naomi would have told him in a heartbeat about the treatment from the other girls, but she couldn’t say a thing about it to Eli. If he knew that an English driver was flirting with her, he’d stir up all sorts of trouble. Naomi thought quickly and told him something true that would suffice.

“Mamma’s been worse than ever lately. She’s always so depressed. Napping most of the afternoons away, and when I get home from the butcher shop, I usually end up having to make dinner.” Naomi sighed and went into his arms, laying her face against his heart. “Guess I’m just tired is all.”

“Don’t worry, by spring you’ll be out of there and we’ll be starting our life together.” He brought his face down close to her ear and said, “I’ve got good news for you, darling.”

Naomi pulled back a little and looked up at him. “What news?”

“I talked to Mother and Father, and they’re thrilled with our plans. They said we can stay in the guest room until we’re ready to make it on our own.” The smile on his face was so
full and genuine. Naomi wondered how she could be thinking about kissing Will Johnson all the time, when she had a wonderful man like Eli ready to take care of her for life. She felt drearier than ever, but she tried to put on an act for Eli, and forced a smile back at him.

“That’s wonderful, Eli. I feel my spirit lifting already,” Naomi lied.

He believed her, and satisfied, he lowered his head again, touching her lips with his. Naomi mumbled into his mouth, “Aren’t you worried someone will catch us?”

“I don’t care anymore. You need me today—and I need you,” he said, his mouth becoming more aggressive and hers taking up the challenge.

Eli’s optimism was contagious and for a moment Naomi forgot about everything else. She enjoyed the feel of his body pressed against hers and the rhythm of their tongues dancing. But the bliss was short lived.

“What are you two doing?” the angry voice of James Hooley called out from under the tree.

Eli’s head popped up and he stepped away from Naomi in a hurry. She felt very much alone as she stood there, the throbbing of Eli’s kisses still on her lips, and Mr. Hooley’s disgusted look fastened on her.

“It was just for a minute, Mr. Hooley. I needed to talk to Naomi alone about something important.” Eli took a step forward, his voice anxious with fear.

“You weren’t talking to her. I saw you two kissing with my own eyes, I did.” Mr. Hooley motioned for them to join him under the tree. Eli marched forward quickly, while Naomi dragged along, taking her own sweet time. She was in no hurry for what was to come.

“We’re going up to talk to your parents and Aaron right now,” Mr. Hooley said in a stern voice that left no room for begging.

Eli walked beside Mr. Hooley and Naomi followed a few steps behind, grateful for the cover that their bodies gave her from the curious eyes of everyone they passed. When they reached the house, Mr. Hooley asked them to remain outside while he fetched the important people and dismissed the others from the house.

Minutes later, Naomi was seated on a plush chair in Ester’s living room. Eli sat across the room on the couch, flanked on one side by his father and the other his mother. Naomi’s parents chose to remain standing near the doorway. Naomi watched Joseph and Katherine’s facial expressions as they were told that their son had been making out behind the old shed. Joseph seemed annoyed, but Katherine hid a smile in her hands. Naomi’s parents, on the other hand, were seething with Mr. Hooley’s words, especially Mamma, who looked at her daughter with hatred.

“Ach, why do the young disobey?” Bishop Esch said to the room, his hands spread out, his voice controlled. He looked from Eli to Naomi and back again, before settling finally on Naomi. “This is a serious matter. We have rules in place to save the virtue of our young people and keep them in line with the Lord’s will. When the rules are broken, the sinners must be punished.” The bishop took a breath and asked, “What do you have to say for yourself, Eli?”

The bishop shifted his gaze to Eli, and Eli, not having a brave heart, lowered his head and said, “I’m sorry, Bishop. I know we did wrong. My intention was to talk to Naomi, but I was tempted and could not resist. Please forgive us.”

Naomi looked at the faces of everyone in the room. Eli’s admission of guilt had done the trick. Their expressions had all softened at his words.

The bishop breathed out with satisfaction before he locked his eyes on Naomi and asked the same question. Naomi wasn’t sure where the anger came from, but it bubbled into her throat, burning as she swallowed. Maybe it was the pure loathing Mamma was shooting her way, or perhaps it was the nastiness she had to deal with from the other girls on a regular basis. Wherever it came from, it came with a vengeance as she spoke to the bishop. “We we’re only kissing. That’s all. No one was touching anything and all of our clothes were on. We’re eighteen years old. We shouldn’t have to apologize for a little bit of kissing.”

The silence in the room was louder than the birds chirping outside of the window or the children’s laughter in the yard. The shocked faces of the adults, Naomi could deal with, but the way Eli looked at her, with disappointment, made her wish that she’d controlled her temper. Now, she’d really messed things up for them.

“Young lady, your attitude of defiance is beyond unacceptable. How your parents choose to punish you in their home is up to them, but from the church, you will receive several hours of counseling from me and the other ministers,” here he paused thinking, and then continued, “…plus four weeks of shunning to begin after your sins are announced before the church members next Sunday. I pray that your heart will be opened and you will be filled with the will of God during this time of separation.”

The words swirled around in Naomi’s head. Somehow, she didn’t see the faces of the others, she didn’t need to.
Naomi already guessed that Katherine’s would hold pity; Mr. Hooley’s would be content, and the bishop’s, resolved. Dat and Mr. Bender would still hold a mixture of shock and disappointment, and Eli’s would be sad. The hair tingled on her neck when she thought of Mamma. She would be spitting mad. Naomi was sure that if she looked real close she’d see horns popping out of her mother’s head.

Naomi barely even heard the bishop make the announcement of Eli’s punishment, which was only two weeks of shunning, since he’d been contrite about his sins. Well, good for Eli. She guessed that if he was willing to sink to his knees, he should be rewarded. Of, course, part of the shunning meant that Eli and Naomi wouldn’t be able to see each other during those weeks either. She was sure that Eli would be pained for that part…so maybe he was still being punished as severely as her in a way too. The bishop was going to make a lesson of Naomi for all the other young people of the community. And she knew that when she finally arrived home that evening, she’d get the whipping of her life with the switch that she was so well acquainted with. Even for all that, Naomi still felt lighter than she had all day long. They could all do what they wanted to her—she didn’t care.

In the end, she’d find her freedom somehow.

13

DANIEL

November 14th

T
hrough the table, I could feel the vibrations of Serenity’s foot tapping the floor and I wondered how the woman could be nervous eating dinner with me when she spent her life apprehending criminals. Surely, I was pretty tame in comparison.

Again, I tried to catch her gaze, but she studied her steak so intently that I thought maybe she was trying to figure out the breed of cow it had come from. Suddenly, she looked up and said, “Why do you think Sandra was so hell bent on telling me about Will, and yet she failed to mention the Eli Bender boy completely?”