An Unexpected Christmas Gift

for Isaac.
“Thank you for bringing in my stuff,” I said to him. “I was so shaken up I forgot about it.”
“I should have thought to ask you earlier.” He took a sip from his mug. “You left the car unlocked, so when I passed by, I could easily get into the trunk.”
I knew there was nothing easy about going outside this evening. We had miserable snowstorms in Connecticut, but nothing like this. Well, if the electricity went out, we were all set here.
“Have a seat.” Naomi pulled out a chair for me in the middle of the table.
“I could help with the dishes.” It would give me a small way to pay them back.
“They are quite capable.” Her voice was no-nonsense yet carried with it the melody of love and humor. “Now, girls, get to work.” Naomi probably figured Isaac had returned to see one of her daughters. Flirtatious Nancy was the obvious choice. Fetching my suitcase was just his excuse to return, but I was glad to have my clothes.
“Thanks again for bringing in my things, Isaac.” I couldn’t help but admire his attractive features, even if his haircut was a little outdated. Make that very outdated, with those long bangs. Was he trying to look like one of the Beatles from decades ago?
“It was no trouble, although the snow is accumulating quickly.”
“Won’t you miss your supper?” Naomi asked.
“Not really. I found the goat and took her home, then grabbed a quick snack. My Mamm and five sisters are preparing pies, cookies, and cakes. They chased me out of the kitchen.”
“You’re welcome to stop by any time.” Nancy spoke over her shoulder. She turned to the sink and squirted in liquid soap, her face flushing from the hot water or from her nerves. “Even on Second Christmas.”
“You celebrate it twice?” I couldn’t help but be surprised.
“Christmas Day will just be immediate family.” Naomi crossed her arms as she surveyed the cluttered sink. “The day after Christmas we invite extended family and friends. Isaac’s family lives just across the road.”
“How about Aunt Linda?” Anna asked as she swabbed a pan.
“I invited her for tomorrow since she’s all alone.” Naomi glanced out the window. “But with this snow I can’t imagine how she’ll get here.”
“I’ll go fetch her,” Isaac said. “I’ll bring out our sleigh.”
“You best ask your parents about that.” Naomi wore an amused smile.
“Can I come with you?” Nancy’s voice sounded hopeful.
“Me too, me too,” Anna chimed in.
“Now, girls, let’s wait and see if his parents give him permission,” Naomi said.
“I think they will.” Isaac turned to me. “Maybe Maria will want to come, too.”
I would have liked to go with them, but my mind was awash with uncertainties. I’d come here on a mission: to find my birth mother. “I didn’t bring warm enough clothing.”
“We can lend you some.” As Naomi passed behind me, her hand brushed my shoulder in a loving fashion. “We’ve got plenty of boots, bonnets, and wool coats.”
Nancy frowned. “Are you sure we can all fit?”
“Fit in where?” Silas’s head poked through the kitchen door. He lumbered to the end of the table and sank down on his chair.
Naomi set out a plate of pumpkin pie for him and dolloped on whipped cream. “We’re trying to decide how to pick up my sister tomorrow on Christmas Eve. Isaac very kindly offered to fetch her in his family’s sleigh.”
“And we want to go, too.” Nancy twisted the ends of her cap’s string.
“My daughters will not go gallivanting around the county on the day before we celebrate the birth of Jesus.”
“But—” Nancy appeared crestfallen.
He turned to Naomi. “Didn’t your Schweschder Linda come last Christmas? Can’t she visit one of your brothers?”
“Travel to Ohio during a snowstorm?” Naomi paused for a moment, as if collecting her thoughts. Her voice softened. “Silas, Lieb, we already invited Linda to spend the night on Christmas Eve. You said it was okay months ago.”
He tugged his profuse beard. “I suppose. But our daughters aren’t going with Isaac to fetch her. If Maria wants to, I say let her. If Isaac’s parents don’t mind.”

CHAPTER THREE
Silas told the girls to bundle up and make sure the shop was secure when they were done with the dishes.
“There have been break-ins in the area,” Silas explained for my benefit, his solemn face appearing pained.
“In this kind of weather?” Nancy asked him. “No one will be out.” The two young women got busy scouring the pots and pans and wiping down the counters. I wandered over and began towel-drying the clean dishes.
“I can go there with them,” Isaac said. “I finished my chores for the day, and, like I said, my house is filled with jabbering women.”
“Maria might enjoy going over there, too,” Naomi said.
“I would, thanks. I am interested in the quilt shop. The building looked huge.” This might be my only chance to see the store’s interior. I set the towel aside and looked down at my skinny jeans. What was I thinking when I left my apartment earlier today? I should have checked the Lancaster County weather forecast. “But I’m not dressed for the snow.”
“The girls can help you with that.” Naomi looked to Nancy. “You will, won’t you?”
“Yah, Mamm.”
Nancy brought me a navy blue dress to cover my legs. I thanked her as she adjusted the waist so it wouldn’t be too long. Since I was only five-four, the hem still dragged on the ground. Naomi insisted I wear one of her black wool coats and a scarf, which she wrapped around my neck. She plopped a black bonnet atop my head. I imagined I looked weird, but what did it matter? And Isaac smiled at me in a way that told me he approved.
Anna volunteered to finish cleaning the kitchen while Nancy bundled up. I thought Nancy might wriggle out of making the trek when she looked out the window and saw the snow driving down, but I figured she didn’t want me to be alone with her love