The Deception (Lindy's Story Book 2) Read online

  The Deception

  Lindy’s Story #2

  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

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  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

  Continue Reading…

  Thank you for Reading

  More Amish Romance for You

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

  John 11:25 KJV

  Lindy bit her lip, not knowing what to say. Her sister Rachel looked at her expectantly. “Well? What did Reuben tell you?”

  “Um, he…” She hesitated. A surge of anger rose in Lindy’s chest, but she ignored it. She didn’t blame Robert for impersonating his twin brother Reuben. His motivation was pure, and she couldn’t really fault him for pretending to be his twin on his mother’s deathbed. Robert didn’t want his mother to die without seeing Reuben one last time.

  Since Reuben was being so horrid and callous about it, Robert had taken matters into his own hands. The twins were so identical that they’d pulled off the switch more than once in their lives. Yet, in the past it had always been in fun.

  This wasn’t fun.

  And Lindy didn’t want to lie to her sister about it. But she hardly felt right about revealing Robert’s duplicity. That was up to him. And since he was courting Rachel, he should tell her he was impersonating Reuben, but he wasn’t planning to tell her.

  Lindy had guessed at the ruse since she knew Reuben so well. Reuben had been courting her before he’d taken off to Ohio and ended up living fancy. She swallowed past her heartache. She and Reuben weren’t courting anymore. She could hardly have a beau who’d gone over to the Englisch world.

  “Lindy!” Rachel said sternly. “Your head’s in the clouds. You never answered me.”

  Lindy gave a start. “Sorry. Reuben said that Robert will be back soon, and then he’ll return to Ohio to help his cousin.”

  Help his cousin. In truth, it had started that way. Reuben had gone to Ohio to help Otto with his crops and the harvest. But something had gone wrong. Lindy still didn’t understand why Reuben had suddenly left Otto’s farm and gone off to get a job at a hamburger place and live in an apartment.

  It turned her stomach. And the way she was lying right then to her own sister, filled her with anguish. She wasn’t a liar. Never had been.

  “So, Robert will be back right soon.” Rachel smiled. “I’m eager for him to come home. He was supposed to give me a buggy ride.”

  “Jah. I know.”

  “Do you think he’s still mad at me?”

  “Rachel, I don’t know.” Lindy tried to hide her exasperation. Truth be told, she had a feeling that Robert was still angry at Rachel for the callous way she’d spoken about his dying mother. Not that Rachel had intended to be so harsh, but it certainly had come out that way. Rachel did have a habit of thinking only about herself at times.

  “Do you think I should write him?” Rachel asked. “You know, while he’s in Ohio.”

  “Nee,” Lindy blurted. That would never work, since Robert was at his farm down the road that very minute. Sending him a letter to Ohio would be useless.

  “Well, I don’t see why not. Unless you think the letter wouldn’t arrive before he made his way back.”

  “Jah… That’s it. I don’t think there’s time.” Goodness, but Lindy was telling layer upon layer of lies now.

  But she couldn’t betray Robert. They’d grown close over the months since she had been hired to take care of his mother. It was inevitable, she supposed, being in such close proximity to each other every day. And the truth was, she liked him, admired him. She couldn’t condone what he was doing, but she understood it. Berta was failing more and more each day, and she’d been asking for Reuben.

  “I want both my boys,” she would mumble.

  Lindy had tried to convince Reuben to come home—if only for a day or two. Robert had even gone to Ohio to fetch him, but he hadn’t come. “In a few weeks,” he’d said.

  A few weeks?

  Likely, Berta wouldn’t make it a few weeks—no matter how well Lindy cared for her.

  Rachel frowned at her sister. “What’s with you this morning?” she asked. “You’re standing right in front of me, but you’re somewhere else. Are you even listening to me?”

  Lindy sighed. “Jah, of course, I’m listening to you. But I have to go. I need to fix breakfast for Ro—” She stopped short and sucked in her breath. “I need to fix breakfast for Reuben and Berta.”

  “You shouldn’t be over there, you know,” Rachel declared. “All by yourself with your beau.”

  He’s not my beau anymore, Lindy wanted to cry. Instead, she calmly stated, “I’m not alone. Berta is there, and to be honest, she’s the one I’m putting my attention on.”

  Rachel laughed. “Perhaps. But I know you haven’t seen Reuben in a long time.”

  And I still haven’t. Lindy swallowed. “I’ll be careful,” she said.

  “Give Berta and Reuben my best,” Rachel said. She turned and left Lindy’s room, and Lindy sank to her bed.

  How long? How long was Robert going to keep this deception going? Didn’t he realize what position he’d put her in? To have to lie to her sister?

  At first, Lindy had been fooled when Robert climbed out of the hired van as Reuben. He’d been wearing Reuben’s favorite shirt, and he greeted her, pretending to be her beau. She’d been so thrilled to see him that she’d fallen right into it.

  Later, he’d kissed her. On the mouth. A passionate kiss, full of longing and coming home and being together again. And still, she’d thought it was Reuben. Before he’d left for Ohio, they’d mainly kissed each other on the cheek. Once on the mouth, but it had been brief and light and sweet.

  This kiss, though, had been so full of emotion that it had left her breathless. And then, she’d found out it was Robert who had kissed her.

  He’d done it to keep up the ruse, he’d told her when she discovered the truth. But he’d looked uneasy and guilty and awkward, and he’d left her presence abruptly, clearly not wanting to talk about it further.

  Did he have feelings for her?

  Did she have feelings for him?

  She stood up and inhaled deeply. None of that mattered. Robert was courting her sister. And Berta was in pain. Lindy ne
eded to concentrate on Berta. She quickly put on her kapp and bobby-pinned it in place. She picked up her hand mirror from the top of her dresser and gave herself a quick appraisal. But then, she dropped the mirror. What was she doing? Usually, she never checked herself in the mirror.

  Why was she doing so today?

  Not letting herself answer that question, she dashed out of her bedroom and downstairs.

  * * *

  “Mamm had a gut night,” Robert said in greeting when Lindy arrived at his farm.

  Lindy got off the bicycle and leaned it against the barn wall. “I’m right glad.”

  “I see you rode the bicycle today.”

  “Dat needed the pony cart, and I don’t mind riding. It’s a beautiful day.”

  “That it is.” He smiled at her, the green of his eyes bright and warm.

  She swallowed. “Um, Robert…?”

  “What is it?”

  “Rachel is asking after you.”

  His smile faded. “Oh?”

  “And I’ve been lying to her.”

  “Ach, Lindy. I’m sorry.” He scowled. “I didn’t think this through very well. I’m sorry. And you didn’t tell her? That it is me pretending to be Reuben?”

  She shook her head. “I didn’t tell her.”

  He let out his breath in a whoosh. “This is wrong. So wrong. I’m sorry to put you in this position. I never even considered that you’d have to lie for me.”

  His fingers wrapped around the dark fabric of her sleeve. “Forgive me. And … and you can tell her the truth.”

  Her brow crinkled over her eyebrows. “But if I do that… I mean, she… Uh, sometimes Rachel can’t keep a secret well.”

  His brow rose and then his expression stiffened. “Doesn’t matter. I don’t want you to have to lie for me. This is my doing. My decision. I won’t have you compromising yourself.”

  Hearing him, she knew he was trying to do right by her. Her heart warmed with tenderness and gratitude. “Thank you,” she murmured, looking down at his hand which still grasped her arm.

  He must have noticed her gaze because he immediately dropped his hand.

  “So, your mamm had a gut night?” she asked, wanting to lessen the tension.

  He smiled, looking relieved. “Jah. She slept all the way through. I checked on her every couple of hours, and I didn’t hear any moaning. I didn’t hear anything, actually.” He blew out his breath again. “I, well, I checked to see if she was still breathing.”

  “Ach, but that must be horrible.”

  He shuddered slightly. “It’s all right. It’s just the way it is right now.”

  “I’ll run in and make breakfast. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she would eat well this morning?”

  He smiled at her. “That it would.”

  “Give me a half hour or so, and it’ll be ready.”

  “I’ll be in.”

  She turned away and hurried to the house with a lighter heart. Berta had slept well. Maybe she’d feel good enough to sit outside for a spell later that morning. Wouldn’t that be something?

  She entered through the side door and went straight through the kitchen and into the front room where Robert had set up a bed for her.

  “Berta?”

  Berta stirred. “Gut morning, Lindy.”

  Lindy went to her, all smiles. “I hear you slept well.”

  “Jah. Robert checked on me.”

  Lindy paused. “You mean, Reuben?”

  Berta nodded. “Jah. Of course. Reuben.”

  “I’m so glad. I’ll have breakfast ready in a quick minute. Do you want some oatmeal this morning? I’ll likely make pancakes for Reuben and myself, but I know they aren’t your favorite.”

  Berta pulled her thin arm from under the covers and clasped Lindy’s hand. “You don’t need to make special for me.”

  “I want to, Berta. And it’s no trouble. Do you fancy some oatmeal?”

  Berta nodded. “That’d be right nice.”

  “Gut. Give me a bit of time. Do you want some milk or water to drink?”

  Berta shook her head. “Nothing right now.”

  “All right. I’ll be back soon.” She went to the door and then turned back. “And I’ll be sure to put some honey in the oatmeal.”

  Berta smiled and nodded.

  Chapter Two

  Reuben put down his razor and stared at himself in the mirror. So, Robert had done it. In fact, he was still doing it—pretending to be him. Reuben ran his fingers through his shaggy hair. He needed a haircut, and he hardly had money for that. Mamm always cut his hair. And now, after all these months without a haircut, he was starting to look wild.

  At his job, they already made him wear a hairnet under his silly work cap. But then, he supposed it was a rule or something for people who worked in fast food joints.

  Maybe Ariel would cut his hair for him. He’d ask her later.

  He brushed his teeth and tried not to think about home. His sick mamm. His brother. Lindy.

  And Lindy knew… Knew that Robert was pretending to be him. Which meant that she had to keep up the charade, too. Which meant that his brother would have to pretend he was courting Lindy. Reuben spit out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth.

  Just what was Robert doing with Lindy? Wait. If Lindy knew, then Robert wouldn’t have to do anything to pretend with her, would he? But had anything happened before she guessed it was Robert instead of him? A sick feeling wormed its way up his throat, and he clenched his fists. Had Robert taken advantage of the situation? Had he?

  No. No. Robert wouldn’t do that. Would he?

  Reuben tossed his toothbrush onto the counter and stalked into the living room. A deep restlessness moved through him and he began pacing. He should go home to Hollybrook. He hadn’t talked to his supervisor yet about taking a few days off. He was avoiding it.

  He didn’t want to go home. Didn’t want to see his mother in such bad shape. Didn’t want to face Lindy—look into her eyes and while knowing what he was doing with Ariel.

  Not that Lindy would even glance at him. They were over. That was quite clear. She was angry with him, and with cause, he supposed.

  Today, he thought. Today, I’ll ask for a few days off. I won’t put if off any longer.

  Feeling somewhat better, he stopped pacing and picked up his phone from the rickety coffee table and pushed a button. He listened to the ringing.

  “Hey, Rueben,” came Ariel’s soft voice. He grinned when he heard the pleasure in her voice.

  “Hey back.”

  “You getting ready for work? We have the same shift today, which is way cool.”

  “Yeah, we do. And yeah, I am getting ready for work.”

  “So, I’ll be seeing you soon.”

  “You want to cut my hair afterward? I, uh, don’t have any scissors, but maybe you could bring yours?”

  “What? You want me to cut your hair?” She laughed as if he were making a joke.

  “Yeah, I do.”

  “So, you’re serious?” Her voice rose at the end of her question.

  “Serious.”

  “Well, uh, okay. I guess I could. It’s not like I’m a stylist or anything.”

  “Have you seen my hair?” he asked, laughing now. “I’m hardly into being styled.”

  She was laughing again now. “Fine. But no gripes if you don’t like it.”

  “Agreed. No gripes.”

  “Fine. I’ll bring some scissors to work, and we’ll go to your apartment afterward.”

  “Thanks, Ariel.”

  “Reuben?”

  “Yeah?”

  “What kind of person doesn’t have any scissors in their house?”

  A poor one, he wanted to answer. Instead, he just laughed. “See you soon.”

  * * *

  Work was hectic that day, but Reuben had made a promise to himself. He approached his supervisor, Myrtle Black. “Uh, Myrtle, can I talk to you?”

  Her beady eyes peered at him over the glasses clinging to the end of he
r nose. “What d’ya want? Make it quick. We’ve got a horde here today.”

  “My mamm—uh, my mother is really sick. I need to go home for a couple days. Is that all right?”

  “What? Sick? Where is she? Can’t you just see her after your shift?”

  “She’s in Indiana, remember? I told you I’m from Indiana.”

  Myrtle scowled, making her jaws puff out like a toad pulling in air. “Indiana, huh?”

  “Yes.”

  “When did you want to go? I already got the schedule worked out. This isn’t exactly convenient, Reuben.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. But she’s real sick.”

  “Two days, you say?”

  “Well, I thought maybe—”

  “Two days. That’s it. And don’t expect to make-up them days, either. Lost wages is what you’re facing. You know that, don’t you?” Her eyes darted about as she surveyed her workers from the vantage point at the back of the kitchen.

  “I know that.”

  “Fine. So, I’ll take you off the schedule this Friday and Saturday. I’ll put Ariel and Gus in.” She nodded, her glasses looking like they were going to escape from her face at any moment, but then she shoved them up a bit higher on the bridge of her nose. “Go on. Get. Those fries need to come out of the oil. Hurry up.”

  Reuben did as he was told. So. This Friday and Saturday. He’d check the bus schedule; he surely didn’t have enough money to hire a van. He glanced over to where Ariel was manning the register. She was so cute standing there, taking orders and handling the customers. He felt a pang in his chest. He liked her.

  She wasn’t for him. Not permanently. He knew that, but he liked her. He wanted to go to her right then and nuzzle her neck, kiss the soft skin behind her ear.