[Kentucky Brothers 01] - The Journey (10 page)

Naomi shook her head. “Not every tourist does that, and I think those who stare are probably just curious about our lifestyle and the way we dress.”

“I guess you’re right, but there are times when I’d like to pack up my family and move someplace where there aren’t so many tourists.”

“You’re not thinking of joining Titus in Kentucky, I hope.”

“The idea is kind of tempting, but I don’t think Hannah would agree to move. She likes it here, and she and her mamm are really close.” He rubbed his fingers along the edge of the counter. “Sometimes I think she and Sally are too close. Hannah goes over there almost every day, and she thinks she has to ask her mamm’s advice about everything she does.”

Naomi stared down at her paper. Timothy figured she was either bored with the conversation or agreed with him about Hannah being too close to her mother, but was too polite to say so.

“Titus left me a voice mail this morning,” he said, changing the subject.

She looked up. “What’d he say?”

“Said he’s not happy about the place Allen expects him to rent.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Just about everything, I guess. The roof leaks; the furniture’s torn and saggy; the walls need painting; the yard’s overgrown with weeds; and the place has
meis.”

Naomi grimaced. “I could put up with a leaky roof and torn furniture, but I can’t tolerate mice.”

“A few cats would probably take care of his problem, but you know my twin. He hasn’t liked cats since we were kinner and that wild cat bit him.”

“He ought to be over that by now,” she said.

“Titus doesn’t get over anything too easily. Why do yout hink he moved to Kentucky?”

“He’s probably trying to get away from the pain of Phoebe breaking up with him, but moving away from a painful situation isn’t always the answer. When I left home many years ago, it was to try and forget the pain of leaving Zach on the picnic table.” Naomi sighed. “It didn’t do a thing to relieve my guilty conscience, though.”

Timothy knew the story well. Even though he and Titus hadn’t been born when the kidnapping took place, they’d grown up hearing about how Zach had been taken right out of their yard after Naomi had gone into the house to get cold root beer for a customer. It turned out that the man who’d stolen Zach lived in Puyallup, Washington, and Zach had grown up there, not knowing his real family was Amish and lived in Paradise, Pennsylvania. By the time Zach found out about it and came to Lancaster County in search of his identity, Timothy and Titus were teenagers.

“The past’s in the past,” Timothy said, smiling at Naomi. “What counts is what we do with today.”

She nodded. “I just hope Titus learns that and will make the most of each new day.”

Pembroke, Kentucky

Soon after Titus got home from work, he decided to go out to the shed to put the ladder away, as he hadn’t taken the time to do it when he’d come down from the roof that morning.

Once he put the ladder back, he went to the barn to see if he could find anything he might use to fix up the place. He spotted a canvas tarp, and when he pulled it back, he was surprised to see an old buggy in need of repairs. He figured with some new wheels, a new windshield, and lots of elbow grease, it would be useable. He pushed the buggy to the middle of the barn. Maybe after the frolic, he’d have time to work on it. Right now, getting the trailer livable was his first priority.

Titus’s stomach growled noisily, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since noon. “Guess I’d better get in the house and see about fixing some supper.”

He’d just stepped onto the porch when a horse and buggy pulled into the yard. He was surprised to see Suzanne get out and secure her horse to the hitching rail.

“I brought you something,” she called.

Curious to see what it was, Titus joined her beside the buggy. He was even more surprised when she reached into the buggy and lifted out the same calico cat he’d seen at the Yoders’.

“This is for you,” she said, holding the critter out to him.

Titus took a step back. “What makes you think I want a katz?”

“Her name is Callie, and she’ll help keep the mice down.”

He shook his head determinedly. “I told you today, I don’t need a cat. I’m planning to set some traps for the mice.”

“But Callie’s a good mouser, and she’ll keep you company.”

“Don’t need any cat company. I’ve got my horse.”

“But horses don’t catch mice.”

“I appreciate the offer, but I really don’t want a cat.”

Suzanne’s furrowed brows, and the droop of her shoulders, let him know that he’d probably hurt her feelings.

“I appreciate you coming by,” Titus said, hoping to ease the tension. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” He turned and hurried into the house, eager to fix something to eat.

He’d just taken out a loaf of bread and some lunchmeat to make a sandwich when he heard a noise on the porch. He opened the door to step outside, when the calico cat zipped between his legs and darted into the house.

Titus glanced at the hitching rail and saw that Suzanne’s horse and buggy were gone. “That’s just great!” He gritted his teeth. “I told her no, but she left the stupid katz here anyway. Tomorrow morning I’m taking the critter back to Suzanne, and she’d better not try anything like that again.”

W
hen Titus stepped out his front door the next morning, he nearly tripped over something furry on the porch. He looked down and groaned. The stupid calico cat was curled into a ball, purring loudly.

Before Titus had gone to bed last night, he hadn’t seen any sign of Callie, so he’d assumed she’d left and hopefully found her way back to the Yoders’.

“Well, you’re going back now.” Titus bent down to pick up the cat, but she opened her eyes, let out a piercing howl, and leaped off the porch like she’d been hit with a bolt of lightning. Titus took after the animal in hot pursuit.

Round and round the yard they went, until Titus was panting for breath. Was it any wonder he didn’t like cats? They were nothing but trouble.

Callie headed for the porch again, and Titus followed, his jaw set with determination.

Crouched in one corner of the porch, the cat’s hair stood on end as she hissed at Titus.

“Kumme
, kitty. Come here to me now.” Titus reached out his hand, and was almost touching the cat, when she swiped the end of his finger with her needle-like claws.

“Yeow!” Titus drew back quickly, and frowned when he saw blood.

The cat continued to hiss as she hunched her back and eyeballed Titus as though daring him to come closer.

Titus stood still a few seconds. He lunged again. This time Callie lunged, too. She sank her teeth into Titus’s hand, and he let out another yelp. The cat let go, gave one final hiss, and tore off into the woods.

Titus rushed into the trailer to get a bandage and some antiseptic. It was a cinch that he wasn’t going to catch the cat this morning. Maybe he’d scared her badly enough that she wouldn’t come back. Hopefully the critter had enough smarts to head for home.

Paradise, Pennsylvania

“Sure wish we’d hear something more from Titus,” Fannie said to Abraham as they sat at the kitchen table, eating breakfast. “I went out to the phone shanty and checked our voice mail this morning, but there were no messages from him.”

“He called when he got to Kentucky, and he’s only been gone a few days,” Abraham said. “Give him some time; I’m sure he’ll call again soon.”

“Maybe we should plan a trip to Kentucky to see him. I’d feel better if I knew what it was like and saw for myself that he was doing okay.”

Abraham shook his head. “I don’t think Titus would appreciate us checkin’ up on him. He needs to make it on his own without our interference. Besides, Timothy and I are in the middle of planting season, and I don’t have time to be making any trips.” He patted Fannie’s arm gently. “You know what your problem is?”

“What?”

“You’re too protective of our kinner … especially the twins.”

Fannie took a sip of her coffee and was about to say something more on the subject, when the back door swung open and Timothy stepped into the room.

“Guder mariye
,” he said.

“Mornin’,” Abraham mumbled around a mouthful of toast.

“Help yourself to a cup of coffee and come join us at the table,” Fannie invited.

“Don’t mind if I do.”

“How’s your back doin’?” Abraham asked as Timothy poured himself a cup of coffee and then pulled out a chair at the table and sat down.

“Better. The adjustment Dr. Dan gave me yesterday really helped.”

Fannie smiled. “That’s good to hear. It’s never fun to have a sore back.”

“I’ll be ready to join you in the field as soon as I’ve finished my coffee,” Abraham said.

“No hurry. Take your time.” Timothy looked over at Fannie and smiled. “I thought you might like to know that I had a voice mail message from Titus yesterday.”

She perked right up. “Really? What’d it say?”

“He mostly talked about the trailer he’s renting from Allen. Said it’s a mess and will need a lot of work to make it livable.”

Fannie frowned. “Didn’t Allen know the place needed work when he suggested Titus move in there? What was he thinking?”

Timothy shrugged. “Beats me. Maybe he didn’t know the place was so bad.”

“He should have known since he owns the place,” Abraham interjected.

“Well, I’m just glad Titus left a message for me, because it’s strange having him gone, and I sure do miss him.”

Fannie sighed deeply. It didn’t seem right that the twins were separated. They’d always been so close. Now that Titus was living two states away, he and Timothy might drift apart.

She directed her gaze toward the window, focusing on two finches eating from the feeder hanging in the maple tree. She thought about how mother birds push their babies out of the nest so they can make it on their own and wondered if Abraham was right. Maybe she was overprotective where her two youngest boys were concerned.