Silas grimaced, his shaved upper lip lifting. “Using cell phones is verboten in this house.”
“Sorry.” Troy shoved the phone in his pocket. “How about on the back porch? I’d like to tell my mother that Linda’s temperature has fallen.”
“Yah, I suppose that would be all right under the circumstances.” Silas aimed his stare at Troy. “As a minister I’m supposed to be a role model to the community. I mustn’t disobey the Ordnung.”
“I understand.” He nodded at me. “I’ll be right back.”
Silas, Naomi, and Troy left the room. Linda and I sat in silence until Troy returned.
“What is the Ordnung?” I asked him as he sat down in a chair.
“The Ordnung is their set of unwritten rules they must obey, along with the Bible.”
“Oh. Okay.” Being Amish was a lot more complicated than I’d imagined. And yet I was attracted to their way of life, their love of family and community. I figured I could survive without electricity, and maybe even learn to drive a horse and buggy. I’d taken horseback riding lessons as a girl and adored the animals. But all other obstacles seemed insurmountable. Wearing straight pins around my waist and not being able to understand Pennsylvania Dutch would be too hard. I dismissed the idea. Why waste my time thinking about what would never be? No way would I give up my cell phone and the Internet. A website had brought me here in the first place.
I listened to the clock on the hearth’s mantel ticking and the flames crackling and popping. Linda had fallen back to sleep, her lids closed. Her scruffy little dog lay in her lap. Seeing Saucy made me grin. That little canine must be more of an irritation to Silas than I was.
Well, at least I’d picked a good place to skip Christmas. I didn’t miss the jolly Christmas songs on the sound system at the mall nor the never-ending merry-Christmas-happily-ever-after reruns on TV.
“Is there anything more I can do to help you, Maria?” Troy said. “We haven’t really had a chance to talk since our phone conversation.”
“Maybe. You and your family must know most of the Amish in this area.”
“Except for going away to college for four years, this has been my home. Why do you ask?”
“I came here on a fool’s mission, thinking I could find my mother.” Gathering my thoughts, I paused for a moment. “I keep thinking about that DNA test. In fact, I took the test three times using three different companies because I didn’t want to be in the idiotic position I find myself now.”
“I shouldn’t have let Nancy use our Internet,” he said. “I knew her father wouldn’t like it, especially being a minister and all. But I figured since she’s not yet baptized it was okay. And she begged me like crazy.” He flattened his palms together. “I never dreamed anything would come of it. She gave the website permission to post her contact information, using the business’s email and phone number.”
I couldn’t help but smile in return. “Believe me, no one was more surprised than I was.”
“I’ve heard that sometimes people who get tested find out more than they expected.”
“That’s for sure.”
“What do your parents have to say about it?”
“My mother died a couple of years ago. The whole time she was sick she never mentioned a thing. Dad’s the one who admitted I was adopted, as if it was no big deal.”
“Maybe it isn’t to him. Maybe he loves you as his own daughter.”
“Possibly, but growing up it always felt as though he favored my sister. In fact, I know he did. I sure wish my parents had just told me the truth as a child.”
“Would that knowledge have helped?”
“I don’t know.” I shrugged one shoulder. “With so many Amish in this area, not to mention those who have probably moved away, I may never find my bio mom.” Speaking this reality made my heart feel as if it were caving in.
“Hey, Maria.” Troy reached over and took my hand, as if my fingers were the most delicate things on earth, then let go. “I’m not sorry I helped Nancy. Without that DNA test, you and I never would have met.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Minutes later in the kitchen, Isaac’s arrival ignited a robust blast of chatter through the back door. I assumed from Nancy’s and Anna’s elevated voices speaking Pennsylvania Dutch that they were both thrilled to see him. I could understand why. Except for that funky hairdo and his clothes, he was a fine-looking man.
I decided I needed to put a stop to Nancy’s worries now. I slid my arm through Troy’s bent elbow as we stood up and walked into the kitchen. “This is for Nancy’s sake,” I whispered in his ear.
“You don’t hear me complaining, do you? But I must warn you, the Amish don’t outwardly show their affections. Dating is all very hush-hush.”
“All the better.” I retrieved my hand and glanced at Isaac, who looked surprised. But not Nancy. Exuberance fluttered through her like a spring breeze.
Isaac puffed out his chest. “Sorry, Troy, but there isn’t room for all of us in the sleigh.”
“Why don’t you just take the girls?” I sidled up to Naomi, who stood measuring out flour into a ceramic bowl. “I promised Naomi I’d help her with the cooking.”
Both Nancy and Anna grinned, but Isaac said, “You’re missing out on a chance of a lifetime.”
“You may be right. I do want a ride in a sleigh someday. But I’d better stay here to help care for Linda, too.”
“I’m so excited.” Nancy punched her fists into her coat sleeves. One step ahead of her, Anna was already buttoning her coat.
“There’s still much to get done this afternoon,” Naomi said to Anna and Nancy.
“But, Mamm, we’ll be the envy of every girl in the county.” Anna’s eyes sparkled with excitement.
Naomi’s brow furrowed. “Shush, you want your father to hear you? Eliciting envy is nothing to be proud of. Pride in itself . . . Well, you know it’s
