Page 133 of Prodigal Son

Cain glanced at the female’s round cheeks and youthful face. “Who?”

“Bishop King,” Maggie greeted, rushing over to unlatch the gate. “Were we expecting you?”

Eleazar assisted Adriel down from the buggy and Christian followed. Cain hopped off the back and looked at Dane. “You just going to stand there gawking?”

He shook his head and jumped down.

“You look well, Magdalene,” Eleazar greeted. “We’ve come to visit with you and your mother. Is she about?”

Taken off guard, Maggie set the basket down and held open the gate. “Yes, of course. Come in.”

The Schrocks followed the bishop, nodding in greeting.

Maggie grabbed Cain’s arm the moment he passed. “Cain, what’s going on?”

“Nothing is amiss. We came to introduce you to our friend, Dane.”

She glanced behind him where Dane stood. “Oh.” Instantly shy, she released Cain’s sleeve and stepped out of their path.”

Elizabeth appeared on the porch, as startled by their presence as her daughter. “Bishop King?”

“Hello, Elizabeth. We only came for discourse. There is nothing amiss.”

Elizabeth nodded but looked at her daughter nervously. “Please come in.”

The house was busier than what Cain was used to. While every decoration served a purpose, the colors and patterns of such objects were hectic and distracting. Art was considered wasteful among the Amish, but the Esch females took functionality to a new extreme.

Their timekeeping pieces hid birds and cooed on the hour. The embroidered birth records hung openly with vibrant needlepoint and colorful accents. Inspirational psalms showed in canvas work throughout the house. Greeting cards clustered along the wall.

The bishop didn’t miss a stitch. His critical gaze scanned the house with tight-lipped disapproval.

Elizabeth wrung her hands. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

“Just water.”

Cain hid a chuckle. Eleazar probably feared they’d serve some new-fangled punch too progressive for his tastebuds. They sat at the long table and waited as Elizabeth and Maggie filled everyone’s glass.

Finally, Elizabeth sat and asked, “What did you want to discuss?”

“How is Magdalene different from us?”

Adriel noticeably flinched at the bishop’s lack of tact.

“Wh–what do you mean, Bishop King?”

“I apologize for placing you in an awkward position, but we seek knowledge about half-breeds.” When Elizabeth made an offended sound in the back of her throat, he quickly corrected, “My apologies. Half-immortals.”

“Maggie is just like the rest of us,” Elizabeth said. “She heals a little slower and is still aging, but her body doesn’t scar.”

“And what about her diet?”

“I couldn’t nurse her if that’s what you are asking. At least not the way our females typically do. Maggie didn’t start ingesting…” She glanced at Dane. “I don’t know you.”

“This is Dane,” Cain introduced. “He’s like Maggie.”

Elizabeth noticeably relaxed, her gaze taking Dane’s measure with instant intrigue. Maggie smiled and Dane flushed.

“You may speak truthfully in front of Dane,” the bishop assured.

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