Anne enjoyed riding beside Joseph until they reached the edge of town. Several of the women from Naomi’s widows’ group were gathered in front of the Beachy Craft Shop. Their curious looks and furious whispering made Anne realize how odd it must look for her to be riding out with Joseph only a day after Naomi and the bishop had come to call. She resisted the urge to pull her traveling bonnet low across her face.
“I should have come alone,” she muttered.
“Why?”
“People are staring at us.” It was one thing to defy Naomi’s suggestion to be more circumspect with Joseph when they were alone on their farms. It was another thing to brazenly disregard that advice in front of her church members.
“They will soon find other things to talk about.”
Anne wasn’t so sure. She may have opened herself up to criticism for no reason. Duncan was behaving perfectly. She could have handled him easily. Why hadn’t she thought about being seen with Joseph?
Because she wanted his company and that was as far ahead as she had been thinking.
Joseph glanced at her. “It will be fine. You’ll see. We will explain what happened. After everything you have done for me, it’s nice to be able to do something for you in return. Besides, it’s sort of my fault that your mare is lame.”
“How can that be?”
“Yesterday one of my goats got in with her and was chasing her. That may have been when she hurt her leg.”
Anne narrowed her eyes at him. “Let me guess. It was Chester.”
“Ja,” Joseph admitted with a hangdog expression.
“That miserable animal. I don’t know why you put up with him.”
Duncan chose that moment to shy violently as a dog ran across the road in front of them. Anne toppled into Joseph. He threw his arm around her and pulled her to his side to steady her. She looked up in gratitude. Her heart hammered in her chest, not from fear but from his nearness. “Danki.”
Another buggy topped the rise in front of them. Anne knew exactly who it was before they got close enough to see the driver. She struggled out of Joseph’s embrace, pushing his arm off her shoulder. It was the bishop’s buggy.
Joseph acknowledged him with a tip of his hat. The bishop’s countenance remained set in disapproval.
Anne wanted to sink through the seat. “Just so you know, I’m going to plant rhubarb the entire length of our property line in the spring.”
“I can’t say that I blame you.”
She could tell from the tone of his voice that he was worried now, too.
Chapter Thirteen
The road remained free of traffic for the next mile as Anne and Joseph traveled on. It should have been a pleasant morning drive through the rolling hills of Lancaster County. Autumn colors splashed the tree-covered hillsides with scarlet, golds and flaming oranges. The harvest was finished. The land and the people who worked it were ready to rest. Shocks of corn lined up like brown tepees across the fields, waiting to be used when snow covered the ground. The orchards were bare. The pasture grasses were turning brown, though the cattle and horses still foraged there.
The air had a nip to it and held the scent of wood smoke rising from the Amish farms they passed. The sun shone brightly, promising a warm afternoon. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
Joseph glanced at Anne several times, but she refused to look at him. “I will go see the bishop first thing tomorrow morning and explain that this was an unusual occurrence. I was simply doing my Christian duty by offering you assistance.”
“I should’ve had you stop at the Beachy Craft Shop. I should have asked one of the women there to take me out to the Yoder farm. I wasn’t thinking. I know what’s proper.”
“There’s no harm done. Tongues may wag about us for a day or so, but when we give them nothing else to talk about, this will be forgotten.”
Anne sat up straighter. “You’re right. We aren’t doing anything wrong. I have nothing to be ashamed of this time.”
This time? What did that mean? Had she done something to be ashamed of in the past? Sadness stole over her features as a faraway look entered her eyes.
“Is something wrong, Anne?” He wanted to help, to comfort her, but he didn’t know how.
She shook her head and the distant look disappeared. “Nothing’s wrong. About a mile farther on, you’ll cross a bridge. The Yoder home is on the south side of the road.”
They soon caught up to a wagon loaded with hay traveling in the same direction. When he could safely do so on the hilly highway, Joseph passed it, urging Duncan to a burst of speed. The moment the black horse came neck and neck with the draft horses, he broke trot and tried to gallop ahead of them.
Anne clutched Leah’s basket with white knuckles until Joseph was able to regain control. Her eyes were wide with fright. “I see what you mean about your horse being hard to handle.”
“He came from a racing farm. He does well most of the time, but now you see why I didn’t want you to drive him alone.”
“I do, and I’m grateful you insisted on coming.”
They rode in silence for a while longer. Suddenly he asked, “Do you like being a midwife?”
“I don’t like it. I love it. I love mothers and their incredible strength. I love babies and their amazing resiliency. It’s a humbling part of life and I’m blessed to play a role in it.”
“Did you have to have a lot of training?”
“I am what is known as a direct-entry midwife. I am not a nurse. I don’t have a nursing license, but I am a CPM. That stands for certified professional midwife. It means I have met the requirements for those credentials. My mother was a midwife for many years in Ohio. I apprenticed with her. After I moved here, I joined an association of midwives that work to improve the training and practice of midwifery. They hold workshops and classes several times a year. Although I do mainly home births, I can do deliveries at the birthing center attached to the hospital.”
“I don’t know much about midwives.”
“I’m not surprised. I follow the Midwives Model of Care. That means I monitor the physical, emotional and social well-being of women during their childbearing years. I provide individualized education and prenatal care. I’m there to provide continuous hands-on assistance while a mother is in labor, during delivery and in the months after the baby is born. My goal is to help a woman understand that birth is a natural process that does not require technological intervention except in very rare cases.”
“How many babies have you delivered?”
“Thirty-six in the last three years,” she said, pleased with her success.
“That’s not so many. I was at the delivery of forty-four kids last spring alone. I’d hate to try to count the number since I raised my first goat.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “I think goats are a little different from human mothers and babies.”
“Nope. We’re more alike than you want to believe.”
She didn’t rise to his bait. He wanted to get her mind off the bishop’s disapproval, but she wouldn’t let him.
They reached the Yoder farm without further incident. Anne went inside while he waited in the buggy with Leah. The baby was still sleeping. It was warm in the sun and he wasn’t worried about her getting a chill. Silas Yoder came out of the barn. He waved when he saw Joseph and came over to speak to him. The two of them had attended all eight grades together in the one-room schoolhouse not far from the outskirts of Honeysuckle, but Silas had joined a different church district when he married Rhonda. The two men rarely saw each other now.
“Long time no see. What brings you to my place today, Joseph?”
“I brought Anne Stoltzfus to see your wife. Her horse came up lame this morning. She wanted to borrow my buggy horse so she wouldn’t be late, but Duncan is temperamental. I decided it
was safer to drive her.”
Silas winked. “As good an excuse as any to take a maidel out for a drive on a nice day. Anne is a sweet one. I’ve often wondered why she remains unwed. She’s not hard on the eyes. Who is that you have with you?” He leaned in to get a better look at the baby.
Joseph tensed. He had been dreading this. He knew he would have to introduce his niece to the community and tell her story sooner or later. He was surprised that Silas hadn’t already heard about his sister’s actions. News traveled amazingly fast among the Amish in spite of their lack of telephones. “This is Leah. She is Fannie’s daughter.”
“You don’t say? How is your sister? Has she returned?”
It had been more than three weeks since Fannie had dropped Leah in his lap and over two weeks since her only letter arrived. It should have been more than enough time for her to come to her senses and return for Leah. Or at least to write and ask how the babe was doing.
He didn’t want to believe she could abandon her child, but how much longer could he pretend she was coming back?
“My sister has left our faith. I do not know when I will see her again.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Joseph. I will pray for her. She has a pretty bubbel. I can’t believe I’m going to have one of my own in a few weeks. Do they really wake up and cry every two or three hours through the night?”
“They do. Through the day, too.”
“Every night?”
“Every night until they decide otherwise.”
Silas shook his head. “I don’t think I’m ready for this, Joseph. How can I be a vadder? I’m not a smart man, not like my daed. He knows a little about everything. There’s nothing he can’t fix. I tell you, I’m worried about bringing a child up who will embrace our faith. What if my son or daughter is as wild during their rumspringa as I was during mine?”
Joseph thought of all Anne had taught him about caring for Leah. “I reckon you must pray for guidance. You have a good wife, Silas. Listen to her. She will help you become a goot vadder. If your children give you gray hairs, it is only right. I remember how your mudder worried over you.”
Silas grinned. “She still does.
“It’s the way of the world.”
Silas glanced toward the house and his smile faded. “I’ll be glad when this pregnancy is over. Rhonda worries me more every day. She thinks something is wrong with the babe, and I can’t convince her otherwise.”
* * *
Anne could see that Rhonda wasn’t feeling well as soon as she entered the house. The young mother-to-be wore a pained expression and rubbed her stomach almost constantly. Anne sought to calm her and find out what was wrong.
It didn’t take long for Rhonda to voice her concerns. “The baby isn’t moving much. Shouldn’t the baby be more active now?”
Warning bells went off in Anne’s mind but she kept her face calm. “The quarters are getting tighter for your little one. He or she may not have as much room to wiggle. Let’s get you checked out. You may be closer to your delivery date than I thought.”
Anne weighed Rhonda on the bathroom scale she carried with her and jotted down the numbers on the record book she kept for each of her patients. She also checked her blood pressure and her pulse. It was all normal. “Your weight has stayed the same.”
“I don’t know how it can. I feel as big as a cow. I had to have Silas help me out of the bathtub the other night. It was so embarrassing.”
“I’m sure he didn’t mind.”
“Nay, he’s been a great help and so understanding. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful husband.”
Anne pulled out her stethoscope. “I agree. Lie down on the bed for me and let me take a listen to your little one.”
“Do you think it will be a boy or a girl? Mam says I’m carrying the babe low, so it will be a boy. Is that true?”
“It is about fifty percent of the time,” Anne said with a wink and a grin. She put the bell of the stethoscope to Rhonda’s belly. Her grin faded. The heartbeat she heard was much too slow. She listened in a different place and found the same results.
“Turn on your left side, Rhonda.”
“Why? What’s wrong?” She rolled over.
Anne listened again. The heartbeat was a shade faster, but not normal. “Stay on your side for a few minutes.”
“Something is wrong. I can see it on your face. What is it? Tell me!” Tears welled up in Rhonda’s eyes.
Anne knew that overwhelming sense of panic and fear as well as she knew her own name. She drew a deep breath. “You must keep calm. It’s important. The baby’s heart rate is slow.”
“But it’s there?”
“Ja, it’s there. It gets better when you are on your side. I want you to stay this way while I talk to Silas. I’m going to suggest that you go to the hospital.”
“But I want my baby born at home,” she wailed.
Anne grasped Rhonda’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I know you do and going to the hospital now doesn’t mean that can’t happen. But I’m concerned. I think you should see a doctor. He can take a look at the baby with an ultrasound and see what is causing the problem.”
“Talk to Silas. We can’t afford a hospital bill. Is Gott taking my baby away?”
“I pray that is not His plan.” She didn’t want any young mother to suffer the pain of a stillborn child.
“You know I can’t make this decision, Anne. I must be obedient to my husband.”
“I understand. I’ll be right back. Okay?”
Rhonda nodded and Anne hurried outside.
This can’t be happening. Please, God, don’t let this baby die. Not the way my baby did.
She saw Silas talking to Joseph and rushed to him. She hated to frighten the young man, but she had no choice. “Silas, I must speak with you.”
He grew instantly somber. “What is it?”
She had to keep calm. Everyone was depending on her. She prayed for strength. “I have examined Rhonda, and I discovered that your baby’s heartbeat is slower than normal.”
“What does that mean?” Worry filled his eyes.
“It means the baby is in distress. Something isn’t right. I’m going to urge you to take Rhonda to the hospital.”
“Is she losing our baby?” Fear replaced the worry on his face.
“I can’t say for sure, but that may happen.”
He pulled off his hat and raked a hand through his hair. “If it is Gottes will to take my child back to Heaven, I must accept His will. Gott help me to be strong.”
She clutched his arm. “Silas, listen to me. Every minute counts. If it is Gottes will to call your babe home, nothing we do will change that. But Gott in His wisdom brought me here today for a reason. Maybe that reason was to see the danger and send you both to the hospital. I need your permission to call the ambulance. The church will help with the hospital bills. You know that.”
“I don’t care about the money. Call the ambulance.” He ran toward the house.
Anne staggered toward the buggy and felt her knees give way.
* * *
Joseph jumped down in time to catch Anne as she slumped against him. “Are you all right?”
She nodded but didn’t speak as she clutched his arms.
“Tell me what you need me to do. How can I help?”
She focused on his face. “I’m so frightened for them.”
“Gott is with us all. We can bear what must be borne. Rhonda and Silas, too.”
“I know.” She drew several deep breaths.
“Shall I call for the ambulance?”
She shook her head. “I can do that. I need you to go out to the highway and direct them here when they arrive.”
He leaned forward to peer into her eyes. “Are you sure you
don’t need me here?”
She managed a wan smile. “I’m okay now. I have a patient to take care of.”
“Goot girl. Make the call. I’ll go out to the highway as soon as I know they are on their way.”
Leah woke and began to fuss. Joseph picked her up to quiet her. Anne pulled a cell phone from her apron pocket and flipped it open to dial 911. When the dispatcher answered, she explained the situation and gave concise medical information about Rhonda, answered the dispatcher’s questions and provided directions. When she was finished, she closed the phone. “I’m going back inside. The ambulance should be here in ten minutes.”
“Then I’m on my way. I will keep Leah with me so you are free to do what you need.”
“Bless you, Joseph. I’m so glad you are here.”
“I wish I could do more.” He settled Leah in her Moses basket again, climbed in beside her and slapped the reins against Duncan’s back. The horse jumped forward and Joseph guided him down the road to the highway. After that, he had to sit and wait. Thankfully, Anne had packed a bottle for Leah and he was able to feed the baby. She was almost finished when he heard the sound of a siren in the distance. He climbed out of the buggy, then walked to the edge of the roadway and began waving his arm when he saw the flashing lights crest the hill.
The ambulance slowed. He motioned toward the Yoder farm. The ambulance driver nodded that he understood and turned onto the dirt track. Joseph got back in his buggy and followed them.
The paramedics were already pulling a gurney from the back of the ambulance when he arrived. Knowing he could help by staying out of the way, he waited and prayed for everyone in the farmhouse. Twenty minutes later the paramedics brought Rhonda out on a gurney and loaded her into the ambulance. She lay on her side. Her face was pale and streaked with tears. She had a green oxygen mask over her nose and mouth. Silas was at her side holding her hand. He looked every bit as pale and shaken as she did. He climbed in the ambulance when they had her loaded, and the doors were closed.
Three additional buggies drove into the yard. Joseph wasn’t surprised. The unusual sound of an ambulance in the normally quiet farm country would bring neighbors hurrying to see if they could help.
The Amish Midwife (The Amish Bachelors 2; Lancaster Courtships 3) Page 12