The Twin (Lindy's Story Book 1) Read online

  The Twin

  Lindy’s Story Book #1

  Brenda Maxfield

  Copyright © 2019 by Tica House Publishing LLC

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Personal Word from the Author

  Dearest Readers,

  Thank you so much for choosing one of my books. I am proud to be a part of the team of writers at Tica House Publishing who work joyfully to bring you stories of hope, faith, courage, and love. Your kind words and loving readership are deeply appreciated.

  I would like to personally invite you to sign up for updates and to become part of our Exclusive Reader Club—it’s completely Free to join! We’d love to welcome you!

  Much love,

  Brenda Maxfield

  CLICK HERE to Join our Reader’s Club and to Receive Tica House Updates!

  Contents

  Personal Word from the Author

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Continue Reading…

  Thank you for Reading

  More Amish Romance for You

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

  Psalms 91:1 KJV

  “It’s not fair,” Rachel hissed. “It should be me.”

  “Why?” Lindy asked. “There’s no real reason.”

  Rachel drew herself up and glared at her older sister. “Jah, there is a reason, and you know it.”

  Lindy sighed. She was weary of Rachel, weary of her constant complaints and whining. It wasn’t Lindy’s fault that Dat had chosen her for the job—despite what Rachel believed.

  “You get to see him every day. And all day.” Rachel walked to the door of Lindy’s bedroom and huffed. “It should be me.”

  “I’m not there for Robert Mast, as you’re well aware. I’m there to care for his mother.” Lindy frowned, remembering Berta Mast’s pain the day before. Lindy had done her best to ease it, using all sorts of concoctions Old Mae had put together for her, but Lindy knew they hadn’t helped much.

  Rachel’s brow crinkled. “How is she?”

  “Not gut.”

  “Yesterday was a bad day?”

  “A very bad day.” Lindy took a fresh kapp from her top drawer and bobby-pinned it in place. “I hope today is better.”

  “So do I.” Rachel drew in a long breath. “Sorry, Lindy. I shouldn’t be fussing so.”

  “Nee, you shouldn’t,” Lindy answered frankly. “I didn’t ask for this job, and I certainly didn’t connive to take it from you.”

  “I know,” Rachel said quickly. “I know.”

  “Dat doesn’t even know you’re sweet on Robert.”

  “Or that you’re sweet on Reuben,” Rachel added.

  It was ironic that they as sisters, had fallen for brothers. Robert and Reuben were identical twins, so identical in fact, that it was difficult to tell them apart. Lindy didn’t dare mention that sometimes when she was with Robert, she felt as though she were with Reuben instead. Rachel would have a fit if she knew…

  Yet, Lindy never really forgot that Robert wasn’t Reuben. Reuben was gone, and she missed him. It seemed like years since he’d left for Ohio to help his cousin with planting and harvest—years instead of just months.

  The longest months of Lindy’s life.

  “Tell Robert hello for me,” Rachel said.

  “Of course, I will.” Lindy moved to the door, and Rachel stepped aside to let her pass. “I need to be going. I thought to stop at the Feed & Supply on the way to get some more honey. Berta likes it in her tea.”

  “I could buy it and bring it by,” Rachel offered, following Lindy down the stairs to the kitchen.

  “Nee, I want it first thing,” Lindy said. “But thanks for offering.” She had thanked her sister, even though she knew full well Rachel only wanted the errand to have an excuse to stop by the Mast farm.

  Mamm was already in the kitchen.

  “You off?” Ellen Mast asked from where she stood over the cook stove, stirring a large steaming pot.

  “Jah. I want to make breakfast for them. I’ll eat there,” Lindy said.

  “Give Berta my best.”

  “I will, Mamm.”

  “You taking the pony cart this morning?”

  “Do you need it?”

  “Nee. You go on. We’re not going anywhere today.”

  “Thanks.” Lindy picked up a piece of crisp bacon from a platter and took a bite. “Bye. I’ll see you later,” she said, between chews.

  Lindy slipped out the side door and took a deep breath of morning air. She loved the way the atmosphere felt when summer was just beginning to wind down. She loved looking out over the stalks of swaying corn that spread like a river every which way she turned. She loved the bounty of a garden bulging with fresh produce.

  She knew it meant a lot of work was coming, but she didn’t mind harvest time. She liked helping prepare and can their winter’s supply of food. As she organized all the mason jars in the cellar, she felt as rich and bountiful as the land.

  She smiled and headed for the barn. Goldie was already out of her stall and happily grazing on the tufts of grass leading to the chicken coop. It didn’t take Lindy long to hitch her up to the cart. Jed Mast emerged from around the barn just as she was fixing to leave.

  “Gut morning, daughter. Leaving already?” His ragged straw hat shaded his eyes against the morning sun.

  “Morning, Dat. Jah, I’m off.”

  “Have a gut day then.”

  “I will. You, too.” She snapped the reins over Goldie’s broad chestnut rump, and the cart took off toward the road.

  Lindy turned left toward the store. The Feed & Supply opened early, very early in fact, but then it closed early, too. Lindy figured she’d likely be their first customer of the day. She should be able to get in and out in a few minutes at most.

  Lindy was wrong. When she dashed inside, Eliza Troyer, the owner of the store, was in a chatty mood.

  “Hello there, Lindy,” she said. “You making a quick stop before heading to the Mast place?”

  “That I am.”

  “What d’you need this morning?”

  “Just some honey.”

  Eliza cackled, her high-pitched laughter ringing through the store. “For Berta, no doubt. Ach, but that woman does love her honey. Too bad she never kept bees like Rhoda does. Why, Berta would likely need more than one hive just to supply her own needs.” Eliza laughed again, looking quite pleased with her witty talk.

  “I imagine so,” Lindy said, hurrying to the aisle where the honey was stocked. She came back to the counter with a large jar.

  “You want this on your dat’s account or the Mast account?” she asked.

  “The Mast account.”

  “What do you hear about Reuben these days?”

  Lindy’s eyes flew to Eliza’s face. Did she know? Did she know that she and Reuben were courting? They’d been careful to keep it secret, as was the way in Hollybrook. But then, Eliza had a way of wheedling information out of a turnip. Yet Lindy didn’
t detect any glee in her question. It appeared that Eliza simply wanted to know and probably thought Lindy would have information because she spent her days with Berta.

  “Not much,” she said.

  “Land’s sake, but that boy has been gone for a long spell. I miss seeing them twins together.” She shook her head, grinning. “Never can tell them apart. Can you?”

  “Most of the time,” Lindy said; although, she’d been fooled more than once. Even after she and Reuben began courting, she would often get them mixed up. Particularly from a distance.

  “I hear tell even Berta can’t tell them apart sometimes.” Eliza chuckled. “Quite the situation, ain’t so?”

  Lindy nodded, pushing the jar of honey a bit closer to Eliza on the counter.

  Eliza took the hint and recorded the cost in her massive ledger. “Got it down on the Mast account for you.”

  “Thank you,” Lindy said. She picked up the jar and turned to go.

  “Such a shame. A real shame,” Eliza muttered.

  Lindy hesitated.

  “Berta,” Eliza said, her mouth drooping. “Weren’t that long ago she was doing her own errands, don’t you know. Funny how life is sometimes. We just don’t know what might be around the corner. Nee. We don’t ever know.”

  Lindy nodded.

  “It’s gut, though, that she has you to help out,” Eliza continued. “Course I know it’s a paid position and all, but still, you’re a gut girl and a lot of help, I imagine.”

  “I hope so.”

  “How are your folks doing these days?”

  Lindy suppressed her groan of impatience and put on a smile. “They’re fine, Eliza.”

  “Glad to hear it. You tell your mamm that I’m looking for her to come visit for a spell.” Eliza pointed her finger at Lindy. “You tell her that.”

  “I will. Bye for now,” she said, and before Eliza could stop her again, she raced from the store.

  Outside, she put the jar of honey on the seat beside her and took off toward the Masts. It shouldn’t take her more than twenty minutes to get there. She hoped Robert hadn’t tried to make breakfast. His efforts at cooking were usually disastrous, and Lindy was left with a mess of massive proportions.

  She giggled, wondering if Reuben’s skills in the kitchen were as dismal. Ach, Reuben. How she missed him. She let her mind wander to his last letter. It had been so short, almost abrupt.

  Dear Lindy,

  How are you? I hope all is well in Hollybrook. Everything is fine here. My cousin keeps me working from dawn to dusk. But things are going well. I miss you.

  Reuben

  Truth be told, after Lindy had received that particular letter, she’d read it over and over, battling a sinking feeling in her stomach. It wasn’t the letter of a beau. It was more like a school report. And it said nothing. She hadn’t wasted any time in writing back to him, making sure she included all sorts of news and tidbits of information, making her letter as warm and as personal as she dared. And she’d signed it, With love, Lindy.

  Afterward, she was in a bad mood. Rachel had snapped at her for it, and rightly so. But Lindy was worried. She wanted to know more about Reuben’s stay in Ohio. Wanted to know more specifically what he did all day. Which was silly, really. She knew full well what a farmer did all day. Hadn’t she watched her dad and her two brothers working the fields for years?

  But still… She loved Reuben and wanted to feel more connected to him. She didn’t want to admit it, but their connection felt weaker and weaker as the months went by.

  Perhaps, Reuben would come home soon. She’d told him how poorly his mother was doing. Truth be told, Lindy couldn’t understand why Reuben wasn’t coming home regularly to visit with her. Be with her. Just sit beside her. That was what Berta wanted. And Ohio certainly wasn’t so far away. And surely, Reuben’s cousin would understand and be glad to have him leave for short periods of time.

  Why did his cousin need him so badly anyway? Weren’t there other kin in Ohio who could help him with his farm? Why did it have to be Reuben?

  Lindy scowled. Such thoughts weren’t helpful, and they led nowhere. The fact was, Reuben had gladly gone. He was practically humming with excitement the evening before he got on the bus. Truthfully, it had hurt Lindy’s feelings, but of course, she didn’t utter a word about it. She cringed at the thought of being needy or clingy. So, she’d smiled and joked with him during their last late-night buggy ride. She’d bid him farewell with a hug, and he’d kissed her gently on the cheek. She was quite certain he didn’t even see her eyes welling with tears, especially in the dark.

  Ach, but it seemed so long ago now.

  Maybe she should urge him to come see his mother—Berta wasn’t getting any better, nor would she. The cancer had progressed, just as the Englisch doctor had predicted. But no, it wasn’t Lindy’s place to tell Reuben to come home. Besides, she was fairly sure Robert was in correspondence with his brother regularly. Robert could tell him to come home.

  She pulled left on the reins and guided Goldie into the Mast driveway. She parked the cart next to the barn and began unhitching the pony. She would let her loose in the grazing field behind the barn.

  “Morning.”

  She looked up to see Robert coming toward her. Having been thinking so much about Reuben, it gave her a start. They were so identical—even the tenor of their voices was the same. She blinked hard. It’s Robert, not Reuben. Get a hold of yourself.

  “Gut morning,” she called back.

  Chapter Two

  Robert grinned, his smile wide and magnetic. He didn’t have his straw hat on, and his sandy blond hair looked as if he’d just gotten up, though she knew that wasn’t true. As he neared her, she saw his eyes looked more gray than green that morning. It was odd how they seemed to change color on a whim—just like Reuben’s.

  “I brought honey,” she said, reaching into the cart and holding up the jar.

  He laughed. “A gut supply of it, too.”

  “Well, your mamm does like her tea with honey.”

  Robert took the jar from her and went silent. She watched as his expression grew solemn. “Thank you, Lindy.”

  She frowned. “It’s just honey…”

  He shook his head. “Nee, it ain’t that…” He took a deep breath. “It’s the size of the jar.”

  She didn’t know what he meant. “I… Well…”

  “You bought a big jar.” His eyes grew misty. “As if she’ll have enough time to use it all.”

  Lindy sucked in her breath, now understanding fully. “That’s my wish for her,” she whispered.

  “I know it is.” His voice, too, was soft. Then he cleared his throat and smiled. “Here, you take it in. I’ll take care of Goldie for you.”

  She took the honey back and nodded. “I’ll see you inside. I’ll get breakfast going.”

  “Um, about that…”

  She rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me.”

  “Sorry. I just thought I could whip up some pancakes. How hard could it be?”

  She suppressed a smile. “Harder than you thought, ain’t so?”

  “Much harder.” He groaned. “I don’t know how you women do it, truth be told.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll clean up your mess.” She chuckled and then turned toward the house.

  “Mamm’s awake,” he called out behind her.

  She raised her hand to indicate she’d heard him and then hurried into the house. She went straight to the front room, where Robert had set up a bed for his mother. It was just too hard for Berta to climb up and down the stairs anymore.

  “Gut morning, Berta,” she said cheerily.

  Berta stirred and raised herself onto her elbow. Her coloring wasn’t too bad that morning. At least, there appeared to be a little pink to her pasty complexion. Her watery gray eyes crinkled at the corners when she saw Lindy.

  “Morning.”

  “It’s a beautiful day today. I don’t think it’s going to be too hot, either. How about later this
morning, we get you set up on the porch.”

  “I’d like that,” Berta said. Her voice sounded stronger that morning, too.

  Lindy breathed easier. She must have had a decent night, then. Lindy remembered when she first took this position. When Berta sounded stronger, Lindy had always believed that maybe she was getting better. Maybe the doctor had been wrong. But she quickly learned it wasn’t so. Still, she rejoiced anyway, knowing Berta wasn’t so uncomfortable after sleeping better.

  “I’ll get breakfast right away. How do pancakes sound?”

  Berta shook her head. “That boy of mine has been in there. I’m sorry, Lindy. It’s going to be a mess. I smelled something burning, too.”

  Lindy laughed. “He told me he tried to make pancakes.”

  “I don’t know why he keeps trying…”

  “An optimist, I s’pose,” Lindy said. “Don’t you worry. I’ll have it put to rights quick-like. So, do you want pancakes?”

  Berta sighed. “Don’t feel too hungry, truth be told.”

  “You have to eat something. Just a few bites anyway. Or would you rather have eggs?”

  Berta scowled, thinking. “Jah. Maybe I could eat a fried egg.”

  “Coming right up,” Lindy said. Before going into the kitchen, she fluffed up Berta’s pillows and got her more settled. “I see you still have some water left in your glass. Want a sip?”

  Berta patted Lindy’s hand. “I can get a sip of water by myself, child. Now, you go on.”

  “All right. Holler if you need anything,” Lindy said and left the room.

  She walked into the kitchen and groaned. It truly was a mess in there, but she couldn’t help but smile. By looking from the dusting of flour on the counter to the egg shells to the blob of blackened batter in the griddle, she could retrace Robert’s every step. He’d cleaned part of the mess, albeit not very well. His heart was in the right place anyway.