10. Maverick

10

Maverick

I couldn't believe how much weight she had lost. There were dark circles under her eyes. Has she even been sleeping and resting?

I knew the answer to both questions was no. I would have to go there myself and make sure she was taking care of herself.

It had been six months since I saw Rebecca, and I ached to see her again. I couldn't wait to get home from this mission so I could check on her.

Finally, after another month, I was able to visit her. As soon as I turned down her road, I saw her pushing the plow, and I honked my horn.

Rebecca glanced at me as I stepped out of the truck. The moment she recognized me, she smiled and waved before starting across the field. I met her halfway. "Hi."

"Hi. What are you doing here?"

"I came to see you."

"I'm glad. How long do you get to stay?"

"We'll leave that open," I said, though I wanted to roar. She looked like she might collapse at any moment.

"How about I finish this, and you take a cool shower and put your feet up. I brought Chinese food for dinner. You can drive the truck back to the house, and I'll see you in a few hours."

"What if I wreck the truck?"

"The last time I was here, I showed you how to drive. You'll do fine. Just be sure to get the Chinese food out. I also got chocolates; I remember how much you like them."

"I love chocolates," she said, watching me. You look so strong and healthy," I took a step closer, and she did, too. "I'm happy you're here."

I reached for her, wrapping both arms around her waist, and pulled her close. She raised her face to me, and I leaned down and lightly kissed her. "I missed you, Rebecca, and that's all I'm going to say."

"Okay, I better get that chocolate inside before it melts," I kissed her again and then let her go. She hurried to the truck and drove away.

I turned to the horse and laughed. What was I doing here? I knew I could never be an Amish man, working in the fields from sunup to sundown. But I also knew that I loved Rebecca. I'll talk to Michael the first chance I get.

Three hours later, I walked the horse to the barn and fed him. I looked around the barn. It wasn't as big as the old one but well-built and big enough. I headed to the house and stopped when I heard a growl. It was Rhonda, and she looked ready to attack me.

"Rhonda, stop. This is Maverick. He gave you to me."

She was still growling. I put my hand out, and she licked it.

"Do you want to wash before you eat?" Rebecca asked.

"I'm taking a dip in the river. I'll get my clothes and take them with me," I explained. The water was ice cold, and my sweaty body felt good as I soaped up and washed my hair. I dried off, dressed, and walked inside.

When I saw the food on the table, I looked for Rebecca. She was sound asleep on the sofa. I put a light blanket over her and made myself a plate of food. I sat in the family room, eating while I watched Rebecca sleep.

I did the dishes and made Rebecca a plate before putting the food away. As I was wiping everything down, I knew she was watching me. I turned and looked at her. "Take a seat. I have a plate of food for you."

"Thank you. I'm sorry I fell asleep. What are you doing here?"

"I'm here because I miss you, and I wanted to make sure you are okay. I'm glad you trained Rhonda to protect you."

"She mostly taught herself. She is so smart and doesn't let anyone come around here without letting me know. I'm glad you are visiting me. I missed you too."

"You're working too hard. It took your entire family to work on this farm. I'm worried about you."

"I know I've been busy, but after planting is over, I can take a break. I'm afraid the elders will do something if I don't get the planting done.

I have stopped cleaning the house every day. So I mostly do the farm work."

I bent down in front of her and took her hands in mine. "You have to stop this, or you'll kill yourself."

She pulled her hands from mine, and I sat down. "Maverick, do you think I don't know this? What else can I do?"

"You need someone here full-time. If you can hire someone to work here, maybe some of his pay can be room and board and two meals daily."

"I tried that, and the man wanted me to go along with the deal. Now I'm scared to hire anyone else."

"Who the hell was this man?" My anger came in a flash.

"I thought he had moved to our community, but he lied about that too. Rhonda kept him out of the house when I found out what he was like.

He said the elders were talking about me marrying someone, and they said the farm was getting run down."

"Does that guy still live around here?"

"I don't know. Why are you so worried about him? The bishop fired him. He slept in the barn but would come here to eat. He's gone. Maybe you can find someone to help me before the elders do something."

"The elders are not going to do anything to you. Eat your food." I was pissed at Michael for not letting me know about any of what was going on with Rebecca.

I couldn't leave her here without help. I'll have to find someone to work the farm for her. I'll ask around, but first, I would tell Rebecca that I love her, but I wouldn't become an Amish man. I could never let anyone run over me, and not knock the hell out of them.

"Rebecca, I have to tell you something. I have loved you since I first met you, but I won't become Amish. I know this property means a lot to you. Can you ever leave this place?"

"I love you too. I know you could never become an Amish man; I would never ask that of you. I can't leave this farm because my father and my entire family died for this place."

"Sometimes, I hate this property," she said. "I don't want to work in the fields. I don't care if anything grows here, but it doesn't matter because my family died for this property. So I have to make sure it is taken care of."

"Will you marry me and move away with me? I don't like you working so hard."

Tears ran down her face. "I wish I could, but I can't."

"What do you want to do?"

"What do you want to do?" she asked instead of answering.

"I want to marry you. I'll stay here with you, but I'll still be working with the Delta Force. I need to know if marrying me is allowed if I refuse to become Amish."

"I have to talk to the bishop. Yes, I want to marry you. I love you."

I picked her up and kissed her. "Then we'll find a way for us to marry. I don't want to live without you in my life. You know I'm thirty-five, and that's many years older than you."

"I don't care how old you are. I love you. I want you to be the father of our babies. I haven't been this happy in a long time."

"Then why are you crying?"

"These are tears of happiness."

"Eat and then get some sleep. Don't worry about anything. I'm here to take care of things," I said as Rebecca headed upstairs. I called Michael.

"Hey, Michael. I'm at Rebecca's. We are going to get married."

"What? When did all of this come about? Do you love Rebecca?"

"I wouldn't marry her if I didn't love her. Can you come over in the morning and talk with us?"

"Yes, I'll be there bright and early."