The Farmer Next Door (17 page)

Her attorney rose to his feet. “She is, Your Honor.”

“Very good. Miss Watkins, I understand you represent the child for the State of Ohio.”

She rose also. “I do, Your Honor.”

“Good, then let us proceed.” The judge leaned back in his chair and clasped his hands together. “Mrs. Martin, it is my understanding that you wish to adopt Kyle King and that you are his only living relative. Tell me a little bit about your circumstances and your wish to adopt Kyle.”

Faith’s pulse hammered like a drum in her ears. She
expected it to leap from her chest at any second. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Adrian standing with his arms crossed over his chest, just the way he had been standing the first time she’d seen him outside her door. He nodded once and lifted his thumb. He believed she could do this. She believed because he did.

She rose to her feet and faced the judge. “Your Honor, I am Kyle’s aunt. His father was my only brother. I can’t tell you how much Kyle reminds me of him. Every day he says something or does something, and I see my brother all over again. I loved my brother and I love his child. I love Kyle’s smile and his sense of humor. I love the feel of his hand in mine when we cross the street together. I know he loves me, too. I would do anything for him.”

“I see that you are Amish, as are the many people you have brought to support you.”

Faith heard a voice say, “If I may speak, Your Honor?”

She turned to see Bishop Zook rise from a seat behind her.

The judge arched an eyebrow. “And you are?”

“I am Bishop Joseph Zook. Mrs. Martin did not ask us to come today. We heard that this good woman might lose custody of her nephew because she holds to our ways. We wish only the chance to say that our ways are not simple and backward as some may think.”

“I am very familiar with the Amish and their ways. My grandfather was Amish but left the church. Had he not, chances are I would be a farmer or furniture maker and not a judge. You’ll have your chance to speak after I’ve heard from everyone else. Thank you.”

The bishop resumed his seat. Judge Harbin said, “Miss Watkins, you’ve investigated this case. I have read your report, but would you summarize your findings for the court, please?”

She looked at Faith sadly. “No matter how much I wish I could say having Kyle stay with his aunt would be in his best interest, I simply can’t do it. Kyle’s father left the Amish faith and chose to raise his son in the modern world. He had money put aside for his son’s college education. If Kyle were to grow up with his aunt, he would only receive an eighth grade education.”

The judge turned his pen end over end. “The ability of a parent to provide higher education is not a prerequisite for adoption. Are you sure you’re not letting your personal feelings on the subject influence you?”

“I don’t believe I am, Your Honor. My job is to do what’s best for him. Kyle has had significant difficulty adjusting to an Amish home. They live without electricity, something he’s never done before. He has run away at least three times that I know of. The last time put him in great danger. I feel an Amish farm environment is simply too dangerous for this young boy who has grown up without any experience around machinery and animals. Now, if Mrs. Martin would agree to move into town and enroll Kyle in the public school, I think he would be much happier. I also think it would make his adjustment to living with his aunt much easier. I would agree to a new trial period of six months if this were the case.”

“I see. Mrs. Martin, would you be agreeable to such a move?”

These were the words Faith dreaded hearing. She could keep Kyle if she gave up her faith, or she could stay true to her faith and perhaps lose the child she loved.

Please, God, let this be the right decision.

She shook her head. “
Nee,
I would not. She wishes me to raise Kyle in an
Englisch
home with electricity so that he might have television and video games to play with. Yes, he is used to such things, but they do not make a home. A home
is a place where a child is loved and raised to know and love God.”

She studied the judge’s face, but she could not tell what he was thinking. He began reading the documents before him, turning each page slowly. After a few minutes, he looked toward Bishop Zook. “Bishop, what is it that you would like to say to this court today?”

The bishop rose to his feet again. “I would ask that Adrian Lapp speak for us today.”

Adrian came forward and stood beside the bishop. “I have come to know both Faith Martin and her nephew, Kyle. It is true that Kyle has had a hard time adjusting, but it is not because he can’t watch television. It’s because he is afraid to love his aunt. He’s afraid God will take her away as He did his parents.”

Miss Watkins spoke up. “Your Honor, this man is not a child psychologist.”

“But I am a man who knows about loss and about the fear of losing someone if I allowed myself to love again. I lost my wife and then my son when he was only five years old. But I lost more than my family. I lost my faith. I no longer trusted God. I was afraid to love again just as Kyle is afraid. But God brought Kyle into my life to show me how wrong I’ve been.”

Adrian turned to Faith. “I see now that loving someone is never wrong, be it for a little while or for a lifetime.”

She bit her lip to keep from crying.

He faced Miss Watkins. “By taking Kyle away from Faith, you are proving him right. Don’t take away the person he is afraid to love. Let him come to know God’s goodness and mercy. Let him find the strength to love again.”

The judge laid his papers aside and rubbed his chin. “You speak very eloquently, Mr. Lapp. I appreciate your in-
sight. Miss Watkins, would you have the boy brought to my chambers?”

She objected. “Your Honor, the child is barely six years old. He’s far too young to know what is in his best interest.”

“That’s true, but that’s not what I’m going to ask him about. Mrs. Martin, will you and your attorney join me in my chambers? Mr. Lapp, I’d like you there, as well.”

“Yes, Your Honor.” Mr. Reid gathered his papers together and closed his briefcase.

The bailiff called out, “All rise.”

When the judge left the room, Faith turned to look at her attorney. “Is this a good thing?”

“I’m not sure, but let’s not keep him waiting.” Mr. Reid held out his hand, indicating Faith should precede him.

T
ogether, Faith, Adrian and her attorney entered a spacious office situated just beyond the courtroom. The same dark paneling lined the walls except where floor-to-ceiling bookcases jutted out. They held hundreds of thick books bound in dark red, green and gray.

“I’ll have you three sit over there.” Judge Harbin indicated a group of brown leather chairs near the windows. He then proceeded to make himself comfortable on a matching leather sofa in the middle of the room. Before it sat a low coffee table. It held an elaborate chess set with figures carved from dark and light woods.

The door to the outside hallway opened, and Miss Watkins came in holding Kyle by the hand. Faith’s heart contracted with joy at the sight of Kyle’s face. She longed to race across the room and snatch him up in a fierce hug. She made herself sit still. When Kyle saw her, he tore away from Miss Watkins and launched himself into Faith’s arms.

Tears blurred her vision. She whispered, “I have missed you terribly.”

His voice shook as he said, “I’m sorry I ran away. I won’t do it again.”

Adrian laid a hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “You are forgiven.”

Faith stroked his hair. “I’m just happy you are safe.”

Miss Watkins took the child by the hand and said, “Kyle, I have someone you need to meet. This is Judge Harbin and he has a few questions for you.”

Faith and Kyle reluctantly released each other. She said, “Go and talk to the judge. I’ll be right here.”

“Promise?” There was such pleading in his eyes that it broke Faith’s heart.

“I promise,” she managed to whisper past the lump in her throat.”

Kyle allowed Miss Watkins to lead him away. Adrian took Faith’s hand and held it between his strong, warm fingers.

The judge patted the cushion beside him. “Have a seat, young man.”

Kyle glanced at Faith. She nodded to tell him it was okay. The boy climbed on the sofa and propped his hands on his thighs. Miss Watkins took a seat near Faith.

The judge leaned toward Kyle. “My name is Randolph Harbin. These people have to call me Your Honor, but you can call me Randy. Kyle, do you know what a judge is?”

He pondered a second or two, then said, “A guy who sends people to jail?”

“Some judges do send people to jail, but I’m not that kind of judge. I’m the kind of judge who decides what’s best for kids like you. Do you know how to play chess?”

Kyle shook his head.

“I guess you’re a little young for that. How about checkers?”

The boy’s eyes lit up as he nodded quickly and pointed toward the windows. “Adrian has been teaching me.”

The judge swept the chess pieces from the board and set it between him and Kyle. From a drawer beneath the coffee
table, he pulled out a stack of red and white disks and offered them both to the boy. “Tell me how you know Adrian.”

After choosing the red pieces, Kyle began placing them on the board. “He’s our neighbor. He’s helping me become Amish so the boys at school will stop teasing me.”

Judge Harbin slowly laid out his pieces. “Do they tease you a lot?”

“Not as much as they first did. Anna Imhoff gets mad at them if they do.”

“And who is Anna?”

“She’s my friend. She doesn’t make fun of me because I can’t speak Pennsylvania Dutch. She says her friend, Jonathan, can’t speak it either and he’s a grown-up. She’s giving us both lessons. I can say a few things. Do you want to hear?”

“Sure.”

“
Mamm
means mother.
Dat
means dad.
Grossmammi
is grandmother.
Velkumm
is welcome.”

“I’m impressed with what you’ve learned so far. Has your aunt been helping you?”

“Lots.”

“I imagine she’s a very good cook. What kind of things do you like to eat?”

“Have you ever had shoofly pie? It’s the best. Aunt Faith makes it for me twice a week.”

“I like mine with a tall glass of milk.”

“Me, too!” Faith smiled at the amazement in Kyle’s voice. She squeezed Adrian’s hand.

“Do you have a pet at your aunt’s house?” the judge asked.

Kyle grinned and folded his arms over his chest. “Yes, but it’s not a cat and it’s not a dog. I bet you can’t guess what it is.”

“Is it a horse or a baby calf?”

“Nope. It’s a baby alpaca. I bet you never would have guessed that.”

“Never in a million years.”

“A baby alpaca is called a cria. Mine is black. Aunt Faith let me name him Shadow. When we sell his fleece, I get to keep
all
the money.”

“You sound as if you really love your aunt.”

Kyle’s shoulders slumped. He glanced from the judge to Faith, then down at his feet. In a tiny voice he said, “Not too much.”

Faith pressed her fingers to her lips. Her heart ached for Kyle.

The judge moved a checker. “How much would be too much?”

“I don’t know.” His voice got smaller.

“You don’t know or you don’t want to tell me?”

“I don’t want to tell you.”

“Why not?”

“’Cause I don’t want God to hear.”

“You don’t want God to hear that you love your aunt?”

Kyle held a finger to his lips. “Shh! If God thinks I love her, something bad will happen.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Because I told Mommy and Daddy I loved them when they left me at school and then God took them away. God wanted them in heaven instead of with me. He’s very mean.”

“I’m sure it must seem that way to you, but He isn’t.”

“He’s not?”

“No. In this job, I talk to God all the time.”

“You do?”

“Absolutely. I need His help to make good decisions. Sometimes those decisions are very hard, but I believe His will guides me.”

“Would you ask him to bring my parents back? I really miss them.”

Faith squeezed Adrian’s hand. Poor Kyle. He had suffered so much. She only wanted to hold him and make the hurt go away.

The judge shook his head. “I know you miss them, but they can’t come back. They are watching over you. Right this very minute. God is watching over you, too.”

“That’s what Aunt Faith says.”

“Kyle, God has His own way of arranging our lives. Things happen that we don’t like, that frighten us and make us sad, but He loves us, just as your parents loved you. Now, since I talk to God all the time, is there anything you’d like me to tell Him?”

Kyle glanced toward Faith. She read the indecision and the longing in his eyes. He turned back to the judge. “Tell God I want to stay with Aunt Faith and not to take her away to heaven.”

Judge Harbin patted Kyle’s head, then said, “Miss Watkins, would you take Kyle out to the courtroom and wait for me there? Counselor, you and Mrs. Martin may return to the courtroom, too.”

“Yes, Your Honor.”

“What does this mean?” Faith glanced at her attorney, but he simply shrugged.

Adrian helped her to her feet. “Be brave. It is in God’s hands.”

When everyone was assembled in the courtroom again, Judge Harbin motioned to Kyle. “Come up here, young man.”

Hesitantly, Kyle walked up and stood beside the bench. Judge Harbin picked up his gavel. “Kyle, do you know what this is?”

“A hammer.”

“It’s called a gavel. It’s a very powerful tool. If I say, ‘order in the court’ and bang this gavel, everyone has to be silent.”

“Cool.”

“It is way cool. Today, I’m going to let you use my gavel because this is a very special day. It’s a day you will always remember. Today, we are going to change your name to Kyle King Martin. Do you know why?”

“Because you are going to let my aunt adopt me?”

“That’s right. And when I say it, I want you to bang that gavel so that everyone knows it’s official. Are you ready?”

Kyle nodded and took the gavel in his hand. Judge Harbin looked out over the courtroom. “I do hereby grant the petition of Faith Martin to adopt the minor child, Kyle King.”

Grinning from ear to ear, Kyle smacked the gavel down as hard as he could. The courtroom immediately erupted into cheers.

Late in the afternoon, Faith and Kyle got out of the van in front of her house. Samson carried Kyle’s bag to the porch, congratulated Faith again and drove off. On the front steps of her home, holding Kyle’s hand in hers, she raised her face to the sun and closed her eyes. Kyle was staying! Praise God for His goodness.

Kyle was hers.

The phrase echoed inside her mind in an endless refrain. She could scarcely believe it. Her prayers had been answered. She had regained her child and her faith all in one day.

When she opened her eyes, they were drawn across the fields to Adrian’s farm. Much of the happiness in her heart was due to him. If Adrian had not gathered the church members together and spoken for Kyle, the day might have had a very different outcome. Love for Adrian warmed her soul.

Her thoughts were interrupted when another car came up
the drive. To her surprise, she saw it was Miss Watkins. What was she doing here?

When Kyle saw the social worker get out of her car, he threw himself against Faith, wrapping his arms around her legs. “I get to stay, right? The judge said so.”

Faith quickly sought to reassure him. “You will stay forever and ever.”

He looked into her eyes. “Are you sure?”

“I am.”

Looking to Miss Watkins and then back to Faith, he whispered, “You promise?”

She picked him up and kissed his cheek. “I promise.”

Miss Watkins came forward. “I give you my word that you can live here for as long as you want, Kyle. Just promise me you won’t run away again.”

“I won’t. Not ever. Aunt Faith, can I go tell Shadow I’m staying?”

Faith lowered him to the ground. “Go tell all the animals.”

He raced away to the barn. Faith pressed her hand to her lips to hold onto the joy that filled her to overflowing. To think she’d once wondered if she could love her brother’s child as much as her own.

Miss Watkins cleared her throat. “I hope you realize that I only wanted what was best for Kyle.”

“I know that.”

“Would you mind if I stop in to see him from time to time? He’s a remarkable young man.” Tears sparkled in the depths of her eyes.

Faith grasped her hand. “You will always be welcome in our home.”

“Thank you.” Caroline returned to her car and drove away. When the dust settled, Faith saw Adrian walking across the field toward her.

How could one heart hold all the love she felt without bursting? It truly was one of God’s miracles.

On the day they’d first met, she had wondered what it would be like to have a husband so strong and sure of his place in life. Would she have the chance to find out or had she ruined her chance at happiness by her willingness to put aside her religion?

She prayed he could forgive her.

She waited until Adrian reached her side. He took off his hat. “Faith Martin, I have something I wish to speak to you about.”

He sounded so nervous. Had he to come to tell her he wanted to call off their courting? His reaction at the courthouse had given her hope that he still cared for her. She said, “I’m listening.

“You have too much work to do to get this place ready before winter. You don’t even have hay put up for your animals yet and your barn needs repairs.”

“That is true.” A lecture on her property wasn’t what she had been expecting when she’d seen him coming.

“It will take the entire fall to get things ready.”

“You’re right. It will.”

“I have hay and I have paint.”

She crossed her arms. “Is there a point to this?”

He turned his hat around and around in his hands. “Your boy needs a man to help guide him on the path of the righteous.”

“I agree. Bishop Zook has offered to help in just such a fashion.”

“That is
goot.
You are not alone, Faith. There are people who will willingly help you carry your burdens.”

“You mean like pruning my trees and shearing my alpacas?”

“
Ja,
those things, too.”

It wasn’t exactly the declaration of love she longed to hear. Maybe he had changed his mind. Did he see her as fickle and weak? Mose always said she was weak. Had he been right?

“Adrian!” Kyle’s excited shout made them look toward the barn. The boy came running toward them at full speed. Adrian dropped to one knee as the boy raced into his arms.

Wrapping his arms around Adrian’s neck, Kyle said, “I get to stay here forever and ever.”

“That’s something I was hoping to talk to you about.”

Kyle drew back to look him in the face. “What do you mean?”

Adrian glanced up at Faith. “I reckon I should ask both of you since you’re a pair now.”

“Ask us what?” Kyle demanded.

Adrian rose to his feet still holding Kyle. “I never thought I would love anyone the way I loved my son and my wife. But, Faith, I love Kyle as much as I loved my own son, and I love you as much as any man can love a woman.”

Faith heart began pounding in her chest as it swelled with happiness. She couldn’t speak.

Kyle said, “Are you gonna get mushy with my Aunt Faith? Ben said you were gonna.”

Adrian grew serious as he gazed into Faith’s eyes. “I must have a chat with my brother, but in this case he was right. Faith, will you marry me and live as my wife for all the days God gives to us?”

She choked back her tears of joy. “I will.”

She took a step closer and cupped his face with her hands. “I didn’t believe love like this was possible, but now I know it is. We are truly blessed.”

Adrian lowered Kyle to the ground and took Faith in his arms. His kiss was everything and more than she’d dreamed it would be. After a long breathless moment, he drew back
and tucked her head beneath his chin. “Thank you for saying yes. Thank you for showing me my way back to God.”

Kyle wrinkled his nose. “Does this mean we’re going to live at your place?”

Adrian smiled at him. “If that’s all right with you?”

“I reckon it is. Guess I’d better go tell Shadow we’re moving, after all.” He took off and jogged toward the barn.

Adrian’s eyes softened as he watched Kyle. “I can’t believe I was so afraid of love and hid from it all this time.”