An Unexpected Christmas Gift

hurt?
“Italian?” Silas was obviously not impressed.
“Yes.” I ran my fingers through my damp shoulder-length hair and found a tangle.
“Her car slid off the road, and she’s got nowhere else to go,” Naomi said. “We can’t turn her away in this storm.”
Silas’s tense features softened. “I suppose not.”
Nancy sliced cooling bread, and the other sister arranged ham and cheese on platters, and then scooped beets, condiments, and applesauce into dishes. As I watched them, I observed an eerie family resemblance to myself. How could I have been so stupid all these years? My father had dark brown eyes and hair, and Mom’s hair wasn’t much lighter. My hair was caramel-colored and my eyes blue.
Minutes later, we all bent our heads as Silas led us in a silent prayer from his end of the table. I guessed God could hear my thoughts, but He certainly hadn’t answered my prayers. If anything, He’d tossed me into a sinkhole.
Mom died of ovarian cancer two years ago; Dad had rushed into a new marriage with a woman who had no interest in getting to know me. I found out my boyfriend was cheating on me three months back. Then I’d been canned at the library—replaced by technology. Since losing my job, I’d been living off my savings, which were shrinking.
Why had I studied philosophy in college when I knew I couldn’t make a living from it? I’d been replaced by a computer at the library—not that I’d earned the required master’s degree to become a real librarian. Much as I loved reading, returning to college to earn my master’s held no appeal. But my future was bleak without a good-paying job. I felt defeated.
Finally, Silas cleared his throat—a guttural sound—and all heads raised. Arms reached out to spoon food onto plates and silverware clattered. I grabbed a muffin, tore it in half, and slathered it with butter.
Still, there was no conversation until Naomi said, “You never did finish telling us what you’re doing in this area, Maria.”
I hesitated as I tried to decide whether to reveal the truth. But it was too late to turn back. “I took a DNA test and found out that I’m possibly related to someone in this room.”
Silas sputtered into laughter. “You’ve been reading too many Amish romance novels.”
“No, I haven’t.” But I wished I’d read something about the Amish. My mother had always discouraged me from visiting this area or reading what she called “fluffy Amish romance.”
Naomi looked up at me with interest, but Nancy’s head remained bent, not looking at either of her parents.
Naomi gave her head a shake. “I can promise you I haven’t taken a DNA test, nor will I ever.”
“Nancy and Anna?” Silas’s voice turned harsh. “Is there something you want to tell us?”
“Nee, don’t force me, Dat.” Nancy buried her hands in her lap. “It’ll only make you mad.”
Naomi’s eyes widened. “Nancy, if you’ve done something sinful, you must come clean.”
Nancy’s face scrunched up. “Please, Mamm.”
Silas bolted to his feet, his large hands resting on the table, supporting his weight. “I can tell that you’re lying, so spit it out.”
Nancy blinked several times. “Four years ago, when I turned sixteen and went into my Rumspringa, some Englisch friends and I got on a computer at Troy Bennett’s family’s furniture store. We went on a website where they trace your DNA.”
“But why on earth would you do that? Do you not believe that you’re Amish through and through?”
“Yah, but I thought it would be fun.”
“And what did you find out?” Silas leaned forward.
“Just what you said. I’m Amish. Our ancestors came from Switzerland.”
Silas thudded back onto his chair. “I do not approve of this in any way, but I suppose it has harmed no one.”
“Except me.” As the words sprang from my mouth, all heads turned in my direction.

CHAPTER TWO
I gulped a mouthful of water to give me time to gather my courage, then spoke to Naomi. No way could I look into Silas’s penetrating stare.
“Like I said, I took a DNA test recently that directed me to a furniture shop, which led me here.” I wouldn’t mention the guy I’d spoken to, for fear of starting a dispute.
“I will not listen to this.” Silas rapped the table with his spoon handle. “How dare you insinuate my wife—I can’t even say it.”
Naomi’s face grew pale. “Never, ever would I be unfaithful to you, Silas.”
“Hush, we mustn’t speak of personal matters in front of a stranger.”
Naomi sliced the meat loaf and served Silas first, then sat and passed the platter around the table. “Our daughters could be Maria’s cousin, certainly not her sister.”
“Since when do you know so much about DNA testing?”
“I’ve read about it in the newspaper. It’s all the rage in the Englisch world. Ancestry.com and 23 and Me. Nothing I’ve ever contemplated or ever would.”
Silas balled his fist. “We are admonished to stay apart from the Englisch world.”
“If you like, I’ll confess to the whole congregation. But I know many women who scan the newspaper when they’re in Walmart.”
“Two wrongs don’t make a right.” Silas glared at her, then his daughters. “Don’t you realize my position as a minister? I’m supposed to set a good example for the rest of the district.”
“It’s all my fault.” Nancy stared at her plate. “I knew I was sinning and hanging out with the wrong crowd. I figured it was a chance to use a computer before I get baptized. . . .” Her voice sounded strangled. “I never should have given the furniture store’s number as a way to contact me.”
“What were you thinking?” Naomi asked.
“I guess I wasn’t.”
“Ach, I shudder to think of other tomfooleries you’ve dabbled with.” Silas’s eyes bore into hers. Then he glanced to me. “We best talk about private matters without Maria here.”
Naomi appeared visibly relieved, her shoulders lowering. “Yah, we should wait.” She glanced at Nancy. “But there is no way we can ignore the situation. What if Maria is indeed one of our relatives?”
“We’ve got plenty of those.” Silas tossed