Finding Her Amish Love

by Rebecca Kertz

  “Don’t. I can stand.”

  Leah laughed as she studied the sleeping little dog and got down anyway. “I may need a hand getting back up.”

  “Why aren’t you home resting?”

  “I wanted to see you. What with all my doctor’s appointments, we’ve barely had time to talk.”

  The little dog opened his eyes and perked up at the sound of Leah’s voice. He swung his head, saw Leah and sprang from Emma’s lap to greet her. Jeremiah stared at Leah’s belly and hesitated as if he’d realized there was no room for him on her lap. Leah laughed, a melodious sound that spoke of joy as the Amish woman patted her side in invitation.

  Emma watched with a smile as Jeremiah cuddled against Leah’s side, enjoying the fingers that rubbed through the fur on his neck.

  Emma saw Leah grimace. “Are you in pain?”

  Leah smiled. “I’m fine. Just Braxton-Hicks contractions. My doctor warned me about them.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Ja.” She smiled and appeared to relax. She resumed stroking Jeremiah’s head and neck. Suddenly the little dog stood, trembled and stared at Leah.

  “It looks like he wants something.” Emma checked his water bowl. “He has plenty of water.” She frowned as she eyed the dog. “What’s wrong, boy?”

  Suddenly, Leah gasped and cupped her belly. She tried to stand, and Emma immediately reached to help her. Her friend gave her a trembling smile. “I think I may be in labor.”

  Emma swallowed hard. “Where’s Henry?”

  “Up at the house.”

  “Stay here,” Emma urged. “I’ll get him.” She stopped. “Is it oll recht to leave you alone for a minute?”

  Leah nodded. “I’m fine.” But she looked a bit shaky and a lot scared.

  “It’s not too early, is it?”

  “Not for twins.”

  Emma drew a sharp breath. “Do you need a chair? Do you want me to help you outside?”

  “Nay, just get Henry.”

  She nodded and raced to the house, bursting in through the kitchen to a number of startled gazes. “Leah is having twins!” she gasped.

  Missy glanced at her with a smile. “Ja, we know.”

  “Nay! Now! She’s in labor! Where’s Henry?” Emma looked around the room frantically.

  Having heard the commotion, Henry came rushing into the kitchen from another room. “What’s going on?”

  “Henry, you have to come now! Leah is in the barn and she’s in labor!”

  Henry paled and ran from the house.

  Emma turned to see Missy following Henry. She wondered what she should do. Boil water? Get blankets? She wasn’t a member of the family. She didn’t have the right to interfere. But Leah is my friend.

  Daniel entered the house a moment later. He walked in casually, clearly unware of what was happening. “Where is everyone?”

  “In the barn,” Emma said, overcome with a sudden dizziness.

  Suddenly, Daniel was by her side. He placed his hand lightly on her shoulder and slipped his other arm about her waist. “Don’t faint on me.”

  She shook her head. “I won’t. I’m fine.” She gave in to the sensation of having him near, then promptly pulled away. “But Leah isn’t,” she gasped. “She’s in the barn and she’s in labor. Leah is about to give birth! I need to check on her.” She pulled from the circle of Daniel’s arms and ran from the house and sprinted toward the barn. Suddenly scared, she paused midway to catch her breath and stared at the outbuilding. Leah was inside. She desperately wanted to help her friend.

  To her shock, Daniel was suddenly beside her. He captured her hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Leah will be fine. She’s strong.”

  Emma nodded as she met his gaze. “What do we do?” She bit her lip. “Why are you here?”

  “I wanted to see you,” he said. “We have a few things to discuss. Arlin has been taking you to work. I want to give you a ride in the morning again. Joseph wants to bring you home, but I want to take you home, too.”

  “But Daniel, your work...”

  “’Tis fine.” He nodded. “I’ll not be working there for much longer.”

  Henry and Missy came out of the barn holding Leah up between them. “I’m fine, Henry,” Leah insisted. “Don’t baby me!”

  “Leah,” her mother said patiently, “you need to be inside the haus,” her mother said.

  “Nay, I need to be at home.” Leah turned her gaze up to her husband’s. “Please, Henry, I want our babies to be born at our home.”

  Henry eyed his wife with concern. “Leah—”

  Leah clutched at his arm. “Please, husband.”

  He nodded his head. He didn’t look happy about it, but Emma knew that he would do what he could to please his wife.

  Emma approached as Henry carefully eased Leah into their family buggy. His movements were loving, tender, and Emma felt a lump rise to her throat. She shuddered out a sigh and was surprised when Daniel put his arm around her. “Wouldn’t it be better if we called a driver?”

  She felt Daniel stiffen. “’Tis fine. They don’t live far,” he said crisply.

  She met his gaze. “It’s just...the road bumps might...”

  His gaze softened. “I understand.”

  Emma wondered what would happen now. She’d promised Daniel that she would stay until Leah gave birth. Did that mean he wanted her to go before her eighteenth birthday? Or would Henry want her to run the store during Leah’s recovery? She hoped so. She didn’t want to leave yet. She wasn’t eighteen, and the danger of being reunited with the Turners still loomed. But as painful as it would be, she desperately wanted a little more time with Daniel.

  Missy approached her. “I’m going to follow them to the haus,” she said. “Do you want to come with me?”

  Surprise flared inside her, surprise and joy that Missy had included her as family by asking her to go. She flashed Daniel a glance to see that his expression was unreadable. Did he matter? She wanted to be there for Leah whether she had his support or not. But he didn’t argue against her going, so maybe he didn’t mind.

  Everyone had come out into the yard to see Henry and Leah off. Missy murmured something to her daughters, and soon Missy and Emma were in a separate buggy following Henry and Leah with other family members bringing up the rear. As Missy steered the horse away from the house, Emma glanced back at Daniel. His features were taut with concern. For Leah? Or for her?

  They arrived at Yoder’s Country Crafts and General Store. Henry steered the carriage close to the house behind the store, and Missy parked beside him. She and Emma jumped out of their vehicle and followed the couple into the house.

  “I’m fine,” Leah assured them. “I can’t be in labor.”

  “Your water broke. You will be feeling those pains within the next twenty-four hours,” Missy said.

  Emma watched as Henry pulled a chair from the kitchen table before he gently helped his wife to sit. “What can I do?” she asked.

  Leah smiled at her. “You can sit and keep me company.”

  Henry and Missy nodded their approval, and Emma sat. “I’m sorry I’m not much help.”

  Leah scowled at her. “How can you say that? You ran for Henry.”

  “I shouldn’t have left you,” Emma insisted.

  “Nonsense! And if you did, then where would I be? Giving birth in a barn.”

  “It wouldn’t be the first baby born in a barn,” Henry said softly.

  Emma understood immediately and nodded. He was referring to the baby who was born in a manger when there was no room at the inn.

  The back door opened behind them, and Leah’s sisters spilled into the kitchen. They had left their husbands back at the house. The men had told their wives that they would follow soon. The women were there for Leah. The men would come to support Henry.

 
; “I’m hungry,” Leah complained.

  “Nay, dochter,” Missy said. “’Tis better if you wait until after the babies are born. Eat now and you’ll get sick to your stomach.”

  Leah looked at her mother with horror. “And if they stay inside me for another week? I’ll starve!”

  Leah’s sisters laughed. Emma cracked a smile, because if the situation was amusing to the Stoltzfus sisters, then it meant that Leah would be fine.

  The women spent the afternoon with Leah. There were no additional signs of labor. Finally, Leah told everyone to go home. “Doesn’t look like it will happen anytime soon. Mam, I’d appreciate it if you’d stop by to tell Mary Smith, our midwife, then she’ll be ready when we need her.”

  Missy looked as if she would refuse to leave. “We’ll go now, but I’ll be back later.”

  Leah nodded. Her gaze softened as it settled on Emma. “Danki, Emma.”

  Emma jerked with surprise. “Why are you thanking me?”

  “Because you were there for me.”

  She leaned toward Leah. “You’ve always been there for me, Leah. I’d do anything for you.” She paused. “Do you understand?”

  Leah smiled. “Ja, I understand. Now go home and get some rest.” Her gaze turned to encompass every woman in the room. “All of you. I may need you later.”

  Emma shot Henry a worried glance before she followed the women outside. Henry seemed composed, but in that quick look she noticed a flicker of anxiety in his blue gaze. Her belly fluttered with nerves as she climbed into the buggy beside Missy.

  “Henry is scared,” Emma said.

  “We won’t stay gone long. He’s going to need us.” Missy pulled into the paved driveway of a small house. “I won’t be but a minute.”

  “The midwife’s?”

  “Ja,” the older woman said with a smile. She was back within seconds. “Mary has all the details. She’ll stop by later in an hour or so to check on Leah. We’ll head back as soon as we can.”

  Emma thought about Daniel and her longing to stay in Happiness and be his wife. She wondered how it would feel to be in Leah’s shoes with Daniel as her loving husband and she soon to give birth to his child. Would he be frightened or calm when she went into labor? Would he gaze at her lovingly after she gave birth, look forward to raising their baby together?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Less than two hours later, Emma waited with Leah’s family in the Yoder house. Missy excused herself to check on Leah. The women were in the kitchen. There was excitement in the air, as Leah’s sisters were excited for the birth of their sister’s twin babies. Ellie and her husband Reuben with their son Ethan were the first to arrive. Nell and James arrived minutes later. The men immediately went outside to chat after exacting a promise from their wives to keep them up to date on the babies’ progress.

  Daniel with his parents and siblings arrived next. Emma caught sight of him and longed to go to him. He had a way of making her see things clearly, and right now she was confused and felt like a mess.

  Meg came with Peter and their son Timothy. The sisters greeted Meg and urged Reuben to join the men outside.

  “Reuben is nervous about Leah’s babies,” Ellie murmured quietly. “His first wife, Susanna, died after giving birth to Ethan.” She smiled and touched her belly. “He’s going to have to get used to it. I’m with child.”

  Everyone beamed at her. Emma smiled. “Congratulations.”

  Missy had returned and eyed Ellie with joy. “You’ll take care of yourself, and Reuben won’t have anything to worry about.” Her daughter agreed. “I think I should go check on Leah.”

  Missy came back immediately. “It will happen soon. The midwife should be here any minute.”

  Mary Smith, the midwife, arrived, and after a quick hello she headed upstairs to see Leah. The women decided to put food on the table to distract themselves, and because the men were probably hungry. Ellie went to get the husbands, and they filed in, eager to eat.

  There were muffins and biscuits and fresh bread. Everyone dug in. They were worried about Leah but eager to put their minds elsewhere even for just a few moments. The men filled up their plates and retreated into the great room.

  Emma sat with the women at the kitchen table and reached for a chocolate chip muffin. The breakfast treat had become a favorite after Missy had made them during her first week with them.

  The midwife appeared in the doorway. “She’s in labor now.”

  Missy nodded and stood. “Emma,” she said, “Come with me.”

  Wide-eyed and heart beating wildly, Emma followed Missy up the stairs. When she entered the room, she found Leah in bed, propped up on pillows.

  Leah smiled at her mother and Emma when she caught sight of them. “’Tis starting now, Mam.”

  Her mother smiled back. “It will be fine, dochter. I can’t say I’m not surprised they’re coming a little early. Twins usually come before they are due. You’ve carried them long enough. They should be fine.”

  “Ja, and you kept your doctor’s appointments, took prenatal vitamins and had plenty of rest in the afternoons,” Emma pointed out. “You will soon have two beautiful, healthy babies.”

  Leah’s gaze went soft. “That’s what Mary said.” She shifted on the bed pillows. “Who’s here?”

  “Everyone,” Emma said with awe. “Your sisters and their families. Your cousins and aunt and uncle.”

  Emma went downstairs to leave mother, daughter and midwife alone. She immediately spied Daniel leaning against the wall near the base of the stairway. She locked gazes with him.

  “How is she?” he asked.

  “She’s doing well. The midwife thinks it won’t be long now.” She looked away. “Are you hungry?”

  “I already ate, Emma.”

  She blushed. “Ja, of course.”

  “You seem nervous.”

  “Nay, just a bit taken aback.” The evidence of Leah and Henry’s love for each other was about to make an appearance. Emma wanted that. A husband to love and his children to love and nurture. But she’d never have that, because what she wanted was here and she couldn’t stay. She didn’t deserve to stay.

  Emma peeked into the great room. Young Ethan lay on the floor close to his father’s chair. Peter Zook, Meg’s husband, held little Timothy asleep in his lap. Everywhere she looked in the room, there was evidence of love and family. Something that Emma didn’t have.

  Daniel approached. “Did you get any sleep?” he asked, studying her with his liquid brown eyes.

  “Not much,” she admitted. “I napped for fifteen minutes or so before we decided to come here.”

  “I thought as much.” His tone was gentle, his expression warm and understanding.

  She stiffened. “I look that bad?”

  He frowned. “Nay. You look...beautiful.”

  She blinked. He was so confusing. Why was he being so nice? She’d run away and come back, and it seemed as if he’d forgiven her, but did he really?

  * * *

  Time passed slowly, and the twins hadn’t arrived yet. It was now morning and close to 8:00 a.m. Emma decided that she would go open the store. Henry would want her to. Leah would be glad that she’d stepped in. And it was just for today. She had no idea what would happen tomorrow.

  She sought out Henry, who stood near his father-in-law. He was understandably tense and on edge. “Henry,” she murmured as she approached. “I thought I’d open the store. It’s almost time.” Henry blinked as if in a daze, as if he didn’t understand what she’d said. “The store,” she repeated. “I’m going to open Yoder’s for you.”

  He blinked. “You don’t mind?”

  Emma shook her head. “Nay. There are more than enough women here to help with Leah. She needs her mother and sisters with her.” She wasn’t a sister. She didn’t belong. “Where’s the key?”

 
Henry grabbed the key from a kitchen drawer and gave it to her. “You know where to find me if you need help with anything.”

  Emma left the house and walked to the store. No one noticed she’d left, but it didn’t matter. The sun lit up the morning sky, displaying autumn in its full splendor. She unlocked the back door and started the daily routine of getting ready for customers before she unlocked the front door. She doubted that anyone would come in the next hour or so, but she was prepared in case they did.

  She pulled out two loaves of bread—one of German rye and the other a loaf of sliced white bread—from the storage room in the back. She carried and stashed them with the other lunch supplies under the counter near the wall end. Then Emma put on water to heat on the single gas burner for tea. When the water was hot, she fixed a cup of tea and sipped it leisurely as she looked around the store, deciding what else she should do today.

  Her mind wandered to everyone back at the house. Would someone come tell her when Leah had her babies?

  She heard a sound as someone entered the store through the back door. Had she forgotten to lock it?

  Daniel appeared in the door opening, his gaze settling on her immediately. “I thought you might like some company.”

  “Leah hasn’t had the twins yet?”

  He shook his head.

  While she more than cared for Daniel, she didn’t trust his motives for being here. “Water still hot?” he asked. When she nodded, he went behind the counter and made himself a cup of tea.

  She wanted to spend time with him but also wondered if it wasn’t wise to put distance between them so it wouldn’t be so hard when she left.

  “Don’t you have to work today?” she asked more sharply than she’d intended.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Daniel was shocked by her attitude. “Is something wrong?”

  Emma averted her gaze. “Nay,” she said quietly. She appeared ashamed of her outburst.

  “I don’t believe you. Something is bothering you that you feel you need to take it out on me.”

  “Maybe you’re the problem.”