He went to sit up straight, but yelled out in pain and had to lie back down.
“I’m sorry, Donovan, I was going to wait until you felt better, but the doctor said you’ll be all right to leave the hospital tomorrow or the day after; but only if you have someone to take care of you.”
Donovan put his hand to his head.
“I’ll look after you at the B&B. I would look after you at my place, but there are always people around at the guest house, so I thought that would be safer.”
“Thanks, Mom.” After a moment, he asked, “Is the coffee shop okay?”
“The coffee shop’s fine.”
Donovan’s whole body relaxed into the bed and he closed his eyes. He still had the coffee shop, and therefore he still had an income. He opened his eyes and looked at the door.
“She’s not here,” his mother said.
He frowned at his mother and she gave him a knowing look. She had to know he was looking for Claire. If he said anything, though, it would only lead to a lengthy conversation about something he did not wish to discuss. For some reason, he felt comforted when Claire was near.
When his mother left, it came back to Donovan how he’d called out to God—a God in whom he did not consciously believe. The core of him had to know of the existence of God because his cry to Him had been instinctive. Then he remembered he’d cut God a deal. He sighed. God had saved his life, and he had to keep his part of the bargain.
Donovan couldn’t recall his exact words to God, but he knew he had to honor them. He had to follow Him, and change his ways. Closing his eyes, he thought back to when he was curled up in the bathtub knowing he had moments to live. Yes, the promise had been something about finding out more about God and following His ways. Donovan knew he could not go back on his word.
“He’s going to be all right then?” Claire’s father asked her when she arrived home from visiting Donovan at the hospital.
“Jah, Dat, he’s fine. He’s got broken ribs and a serious knock on the head. The doctor said he’ll be okay if he keeps quiet and doesn’t exert himself.”
“He’s lost everything?”
Claire nodded. “Jah. Well, no, not everything. You saw his house, and he’s lost the restaurant. His mother told me he still has his coffee-shop café in town.”
“Ah.”
A couple of Amish farms had been affected by the tornado, and her bruder and vadder had spent the day helping clean up the farms. The community always helped each other when anything happened and they were already planning a barn raising in a week’s time for the neighbor who’d lost his barn. That was the worst that had happened to their community—one barn lost.
“It’s back to work for me tomorrow,” Claire said.
“You’ll get to see more of Donovan now that he’s laid up sick?”
Claire frowned at Sally and then glanced at her parents. Thankfully, they hadn’t taken notice of Sally’s question. “Not necessarily.”
It was when they were alone in the kitchen doing the after-lunch washing up that Sally said to Claire, “You can’t fool me; I know you like that man, the one in the hospital.”
“Jah, I do, but you can’t tell anyone.”
“Are you going to leave us then? He’s an Englischer. If you hadn’t noticed already.”
Claire shrugged her shoulders; she knew what her schweschder meant. Lines formed on Claire’s forehead as she wondered why Sally had to be so cruel and meddling. “Nee, I’m not going anywhere.”
Sally pressed her face a little closer to Claire’s, gave her a glare, and then walked away. Then she popped her head back into the kitchen. “You do the rest. I’m tired.”
Claire knew Sally was annoyed Claire had found a man she was fond of while Sally still had no one. So badly did Sally want to find love that it had made her bitter.
* * *
Claire had the rest of the day to fill, since she didn’t have any work. She walked into the family’s vegetable garden and set about pulling out weeds from the soft moist soil. She spent the remainder of the day in the garden. In the evening, she helped with dinner and when that was over, she climbed the steps to her room glad Donovan was still alive; he could very easily have died in the storm. Five local people had perished and he could’ve become the sixth.
Claire pulled off her prayer kapp and threw it on her nightstand. Sitting on the end of her bed, she unbraided her hair and brushed it out. She wondered why Gott had put Donovan in her path. Was He testing her? From what Jessie had said, Donovan had his share of lady friends and he was not the kind of man who’d be faithful to just one woman. There was no point wasting her time thinking about him. He wouldn’t join their community; that would be the last thing in the world a man like Donovan would do.
After she loosely braided her hair into two plaits, she changed into her nightdress and slipped beneath the covers of her bed. She blew out the candle by her bedside and wondered whether all the things Jessie had told her about Donovan were true. She’d have had no reason to lie. But people can change, can’t they?
Chapter 9
Claire went to work the next morning and as soon as she arrived Mrs. Billings called her into her office.
“Donovan will be arriving today unless his doctor changes his mind. Anyway, I’d like you to get room three ready for him.”
Claire nodded, feeling anxious because she hadn’t been shown how to get a room ready.
As though reading her mind, Mrs. Billings said, “Linda will help you and show you what to do. While he’s here, you’ll be looking after him.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Unless that’s a problem?” Mrs. Billings looked up at Claire over top of her glasses that perched on the end of her nose.
“No, it’s not, not at all.” After being given her instructions, Claire went to find Linda.
“Linda, I’ve got to prepare room three for Donovan. Mrs. Billings said he might be released today.”
Linda looked up from making the bed in room two. “Help me out here and we can do number three next.”
Claire was relieved Linda was there to help. She knew by what Jessie had told her Mrs. Billings was most particular about everything and she’d be even more so regarding her only child. During their cleaning, Claire told Linda she’d been given the job of looking after Donovan.
Linda straightened up. “I told Jessie this, and I’ll tell you; he’s no good. He’ll break yer heart as soon as look at ya.”
“I don’t like him in that way; I mean, he seems nice enough, but I’m not interested. No, it’s nothing like that.” Claire tucked in the corner of the sheet just like she’d been shown.
“It never is.” Linda smoothed down the sheet now the ends had been tucked in.
After they had room three ready, Claire reported to Mrs. Billings, “It’s all done, Mrs. Billings. What would you have me do now?”
“I’ve rung the hospital and he’ll definitely be out today. I’ll drive him back. You help Linda until we arrive.”
“Very well.” Claire hurried back to Linda, hoping Linda wouldn’t warn her again about Donovan. If only there was an Amish man somewhere who could occupy her thoughts as fully. She’d never seriously considered Donovan as a potential boyfriend or husband. He was handsome, charming sometimes, and she could see why Jessie had liked him so much at one point. But now Jessie had Elijah, and both of them were happy.
Claire had heard one report saying the restaurant had escaped damage, but knew that was untrue because Mrs. Billings told her it was ruined. “The restaurant looks all right from the outside,” she told Linda as they both looked out the window at it.
“It might look all right, but the whole roof caved in. It’s just the walls of the building that are standing,” Linda said. “And I hear they're in need of reinforcement.”
Donovan’s loss was made easier because he had insurance. Hopefully, his insurance covered tornados. His paperwork was at his house and now it was destroyed. He’d phone the insurance company as soon
as he got to the guest house. His mother brought him clothes to change into since his own clothes had been cut off him when he was brought to the hospital and the rest were in the ruins of his house. It would be a bit before he'd know what could be salvaged from the house.
“I hope I got your sizes right.”
“Anything will do, Mother. I just want to get out of this place and get my life back together.”
“I’ve got Claire looking after you,” his mother said.
“No one needs to look after me. I’m not an invalid; I’m perfectly capable of looking after myself.”
“She’ll be there if you need anything. You know I’ve got a lot of work to do all the time. I thought you’d be pleased to have your little friend cater to your every need.”
“Thank you, Mother; that’s good of you.”
Donovan pulled on the black trousers his mother had bought him. They were a little loose, but he tightened them with the accompanying belt. He carefully pulled a white tee shirt over his head. His ribs didn’t hurt too much if he moved carefully. “Okay, I’m ready.” He flung open the curtain by his bed and winced. Whoa! No sudden moves, he reminded himself.
His mother looked at his clothes. “The pants are a bit big, and I didn't have the right shirt size, I see. I’ll have some clothes delivered for you.”
Donovan was wheeled out to Mrs. Billings’s car by a hospital worker, then he gingerly lowered himself into his mother’s car and they set off.
“Mom, I’ve been thinking about things while I’ve been in the hospital. I don’t need to work so hard.” He studied his mother’s face. There was no expression. “I’m considering not re-opening the restaurant, or maybe re-opening it and then selling it.”
“I could take it over from you.”
He frowned. “In what way?” he asked, wondering why she would take on so many problems at her age.
“I could make half of it into a couple more rooms, and then have a smaller restaurant, just for the patrons of the B&B.”
“I guess that would work. Are you sure you want to?”
“I was considering doing that before you opened the restaurant.”
He scoffed. “It gives me nothing but problems. The coffee shop’s the thing that’s going to make me the money, and it’s not got all the headaches.”
“And where does the maid come into all your new plans?”
“Claire?”
His mother smiled and nodded.
“I like her. I’ll admit that. Who wouldn’t? I doubt she’d have anything to do with someone like me.”
“Quite right. You’re way out of her league, and I do hope she realizes that before you hurt another girl who works for me. I’m counting about three now. Three I know of.”
“No, Mother, Claire is way out of my league. She’s beautiful outside and inside and she’s smart.” He chuckled. “Smart enough to keep me on my toes, I’d reckon.”
Mrs. Billings pursed her collagen-filled lips. “I suppose I owe her and her family gratitude for finding you under all the rubble.”
“When I’m able to get around on my own, I’ll pay them a visit and thank them properly.” After his mother didn’t comment, he said, “Mom, do you ever regret not having more children?”
“Donovan, not this again. Will you ever let up?”
“I haven’t mentioned anything for years. I just got to thinking if something worse had happened to me, you’d be all alone now; Dad’s been gone for years now.”
His mother laughed. “People don’t have children to keep them company in their old age.”
“Some might. It sounds like it could be an advantage. The Amish keep their old folks close to them. They even build onto their houses for their elderly relatives.”
“And how would you know?”
“I’ve had conversations with Claire.”
“You always were swayed by a pretty face. There are plenty of other girls you could turn your attention to. You don’t want to cause the young girl problems do you? You do know she has to marry her own kind, don’t you? And I don’t think her future husband would be happy if you’ve had your way with her.”
“Mother! So crude!”
“I’m telling it like it is. Sometimes you have your head in the clouds and can’t see sense.”
Donovan was glad when they pulled into the parking lot of the guest house. He opened his door and slowly got out of the car. His mother hovered around trying to help. “I’m all right, Mother, I can walk by myself.”
“You’re staying in room three. The doctor said you need rest. Get straight into bed. I don’t have any pajamas for you yet. I’ll get those clothes delivered later today.”
“I don’t wear pajamas, Mother, and I know I need rest; you keep telling me.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’m going to get you pajamas anyway.”
Donovan opened the door of number three and climbed into bed. He had one thing on his mind, besides Claire, and that was to phone the insurance company. His phone had survived the storm, and a nurse had returned it to him with the other contents of his pockets. After a lengthy wait on hold, he found out that his insurance covered both the house and the restaurant, but he would have a wait for the insurance assessors due to the large number of claims waiting to be processed.
How would his staff get on? He called the insurance company back to see if he had taken out insurance on their behalf for loss of income. The insurance company said the insurance would’ve had to be taken out by the workers themselves.
Donovan knew his staff wouldn’t have paid for income insurance, so he made up his mind he’d keep paying them for as long as he possibly could. The old Donovan wouldn’t have done that—wouldn't have even thought of it.
The old Donovan died in the tornado.
He was determined to do things differently. He was thankful he still had the coffee shop, and after he franchised it he could live decently. There was a soft knock on his door. “Come in.”
“Hello, Donovan.” Claire walked to his bedside. “Your mother’s appointed me to look after you.”
“Then I’m a lucky man.”
Claire giggled.
“It’s good to see you, Claire. I didn’t ask you at the hospital, but was your parents’ farm damaged by the storm?”
“No, we escaped it, but two of our neighbor families had their barns destroyed. Well, one of the barns had its roof ripped off, and the other barn was flattened.”
“That’s awful. And do the Amish believe in insurance?”
Claire shook her head. “It’s not necessary; we all help each other when things like this happen. This coming Saturday, we’re having a barn raising for the Fullers. They’re the ones who lost their barn completely.”
“A real Amish barn raising?”
Claire nodded.
“Do you think I might be able to watch?”
She smiled. “I don’t see why not. Will you be well enough?”
“I’m all right, but I daren’t get out of bed for a couple of days with my mother watching over me. She seems to believe I’ve suffered a bad concussion. I’ll be able to make it Saturday.”
“Didn’t the doctor say you had a concussion?”
He chuckled. “Maybe.”
“Why are you interested in a barn raising?”
“I’m interested in all kinds of things. I’ve never seen one before, and that’s something I’d like to experience. Would you be able to make me a cup of hot tea, Claire?”
“Of course.” Claire walked over to the kettle. Each room had tea and coffee-making facilities and a small fridge. She filled up the kettle and plugged it in.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about things, Claire.”
Claire spun around. “What things?”
“Life and God.”
Claire laughed.
“What’s funny?”
“Oh, you’re serious?” Claire put her hand over her mouth. “I'm sorry.”
“Of course I’m serious. I’m even
thinking of enjoying life for a change. Maybe I won’t keep the restaurant. My mother has offered to take it over.”
“You’d do that?”
He nodded. “You were right about money not being important. I found that out when I was about to die. I had to ask myself why I had worked so hard. For what? It’s not as important as I thought it was.”
She heard the kettle boiling, turned and put a teabag in his cup. Neither said a word until she brought his hot tea to him.
“Sit down with me for a moment?” Donovan asked as Claire passed him the teacup.
She pulled up a chair and sat near his bed.
“I had an odd experience when the house was crumbling down around me.” He looked at her expectant face. No one he knew would be able to understand, no one but Claire. “I didn’t know I believed in God deep down in my heart, but I must’ve. I called out to Him when I thought I was going to die.”
Claire’s eyes grew wide. “You did?”
He chuckled. “You don’t have to be so shocked.”
“No, it’s just you seemed to … not believe in Him.”
“I suppose I surprised myself. Don’t you see, Claire? This is a turning point in my life. It can never be the same. I’m now a believer; I now believe God exists, so with that knowledge, I have to change my ways and I’m going to. I wanted to tell you at the hospital, but Mom was there, and I didn’t want to speak of it in front of her.” He did not tell Claire he had also promised God a thing or two. That part was between him and God.
Chapter 10
Donovan pulled up at Claire’s house at six o’clock on Saturday morning. After two days in bed, he’d insisted he was well enough to drive and had borrowed his mother’s car. His was still in his garage.
Claire came out to greet him. “Hello.”
“Hello yourself, jump in.”
Claire had had Donovan meet her at her house and then she would take him to the barn raising. Her family had gone on ahead.
“You’re sure it’s all right that I come?”
“Yes, it is. I asked the Fullers who own the property and they said it’ll be fine.” Claire felt good whenever she was with Donovan yet she constantly reminded herself she was just one of many girls who had the same feelings for him. She hoped she wouldn’t be judged by her friends when they saw her with him.
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