Susie was still sleeping, but Amy knew Mavis would be eager to see her. Should she wake her up? Or just take Mavis up to the nursery? She wasn’t sure what to do.
“I see you’re gawking at them,” Beulah said at her elbow.
Amy gave a start. “You scared me.”
“I think the bigger scare is out there,” Beulah said matter-of-factly, gesturing through the window with a nod of her head.
“Beulah, please behave,” Amy pleaded, already nervous enough.
Beulah snorted. “Don’t worry. I’ll be on my best behavior.” She gazed out the window with Amy. “Here they come. Brace yourself.”
Amy hurried to the front screen and opened it.
“Amy,” Mavis said. “Where’s that boppli of ours?”
“Hello, Amy,” Bart said, following Mavis inside. “It’s gut to see you.”
“Hello, Bart.”
“Thank you for all you’ve—”
“The boppli?” Mavis interrupted, already heading for the stairs. “Is she up in the nursery?”
Amy hurried after her. “Jah. She’s asleep. I’ll show you up.”
“I know the way, Amy.”
Amy took a deep breath. “Of course, you do,” she said, trying to keep her voice pleasant. “But I’ll go up with you anyway.”
Amy didn’t look back to see what Andrew was thinking, she just scurried up the stairs after Mavis. Mavis pushed through the door into the nursery. She went to the cradle and stood, gazing down at the baby. Amy stayed back a few steps, not wanting to be too intrusive, but still wanting to be there if Susie woke up. It wouldn’t do to have a stranger there to pick her up.
“She’s … she’s beautiful,” Mavis whispered with tears in her voice. She reached out and caressed Susie’s cheek. “She looks just like… just like… Grace.” Her voice caught when she spoke Grace’s name.
“That she does,” Amy said softly from behind her.
Mavis turned to her. “Thank you for caring for her.”
Amy’s eyes filled with tears. “I wanted to do it,” she said softly. “For Grace. I love Susie. She’s such a sweet boppli.”
Mavis had turned back to gaze at Susie again. Amy saw her shoulders shaking, and she knew Mavis was weeping.
“She’ll be awake soon,” Amy said gently. “I’ve got a bottle ready. You can feed her if you like.”
Mavis took a step back and faced Amy again. “Of course, I’ll feed her. I’ll be taking over the complete care of Susie from now on. I assumed you understood that.”
Amy winced at her words. She didn’t need to be told. Did Mavis think she had to stake her claim or something? “I-I know,” she said. “Susie’s blessed to have her mammi here.”
Mavis looked momentarily annoyed, but she smoothed her expression. “I would have come sooner,” she said, straightening her spine. “My dat’s just died.”
Amy felt scolded. But in truth, she had forgotten just now that Mavis was grieving two members of her family.
“I’m so sorry about your dat,” she said. “How’s your mamm doing?”
Mavis drew in a deep breath. “Not gut. Not gut at all. But I couldn’t put off coming back a moment longer.”
Amy nodded her head.
“And now I’m here,” she said curtly. She looked at Susie. “When will she be waking up?”
“Anytime, really. Although, sometimes she naps a gut long time.”
“And at night?”
“I’ve been getting up twice to feed her. Sometimes only once.”
Mavis nodded and then glanced about the room. “You’ve been sleeping in here?”
“Beulah and I’ve been sleeping in the room next door. But sometimes, I do sleep in here if Susie is restless.”
“I see. And you and Beulah will be going home this evening?”
Amy couldn’t help but hear the command behind her question. “Um, jah. Andrew will take us.”
Mavis sniffed. “Bart will take you,” she said. “I’m sure Andrew has been doing enough.”
Amy bristled. What exactly was that supposed to mean? That Amy hadn’t been taking care of things well? That Andrew had been forced to pick up the slack? Remember, remember, remember, she’s grieving two losses…
“That will be fine,” Amy said. “Are you hungry? Beulah and I have made supper.”
Mavis’s brow rose. “Have you? I’m not very hungry.”
Amy’s jaw tightened. She and Beulah had worked most of the day preparing a special meal for them. “All right,” she said. “I’ll go ask Bart if he’d like to eat something.”
“I’m sure he’ll want to get you home right away.” Mavis stood with her feet apart as if bracing for a fight.
What was this? Did Mavis consider Amy her foe? Did she think Amy was going to fight her every step of the way?
“Um… That would be fine, I s’pose, but first, Beulah and I will serve the meal. Feel free to come down if you get hungry.” Amy turned to leave.
“Amy?”
“Jah?”
“Please don’t tell me what I can feel free to do. This is my daughter’s house. My little Susie’s home. I belong here.”
Amy’s eyes widened. What in the world had she done to cause Mavis to be so caustic with her? They’d used to get along just fine. In fact, before Grace was married, Amy had spent plenty of time at the Hershberger’s house, baking and chatting and just being there.
“Mavis, I… Well, of course, you—”
“Ach, I’m sorry,” Mavis said, but in truth, she didn’t sound sorry. “Go on down. I might join you in a bit.”
“Of course,” Amy murmured and left the room.
She couldn’t get down the stairs fast enough. She knew Mavis could be difficult; in fact, she’d expected it. But this? This was a whole different level.
Chapter Nine
Andrew was at the base of the stairs when she went down. He took one look at her face and frowned.
“What is it? What’s happened? Is Susie all right?”
“Susie’s still asleep…” Amy said, keeping her voice calm.
“You look upset.”
Amy quickly shook her head. “Nee. I’m fine.”
He gave her a questioning look.
“Beulah and I will put the supper on the table. And then, we’ll need a ride home.”
“What? You’ll eat with us, of course.”
“I think it might be better if we left. I’m sorry. It means either you or Bart will be late for the meal.”
Andrew looked thoroughly confused. “Amy, this makes no sense. You and Beulah will eat with us, and then I’ll take you home.”
“Bart can take us…”
“Bart?” Andrew stared at her. Then he took her arm and pulled her into the sewing room right off the dining area. “What is going on?”’
“Nothing…” Amy was barely keeping herself from bursting into tears.
“You’ll stay and eat and then I’ll take you home. It’s the least I can do after the weeks of help you’ve given me.”
Amy shook her head. “Better if Bart takes us…”
A look of dawning came over Andrew’s face. “What did Mavis say to you?”
“Nothing. Well, I mean, she simply suggested that Bart take us home right away.”
Andrew’s jaw clenched. “You’ll stay for dinner,” he said tersely. “After you eat, I’ll take you and your sister home.”
Amy wanted to sink through the floor. She didn’t want to be the cause of discord. Ach, but this was terrible. Andrew let go of her arm and left the room. She slowly followed, going into the kitchen to help Beulah, but Beulah wasn’t there. She hesitated and then heard her sister in the front room, taking with Bart.
She took the roast out of the oven and took it to the dining table. She’d cooked the potatoes and carrots with it, so the main part of the meal was ready. She’d planned to make gravy, but right then, her heart wasn’t in it. The sooner this meal was over, the better. And making gravy would add minutes she’d
just as soon avoid. She took in a plate of freshly sliced bread, a bowl of pickles, and the gelatin salad.
She gazed at the table. It was a lovely meal. Too bad she wasn’t going to enjoy it. She moved to the front room.
“Supper is ready,” she said.
Andrew had gone into the front room, too, and now he jumped right up. “Shall we go in?” he said to Bart and Beulah.
They all went into the dining room and sat down. Andrew led them in silent prayer, and then Amy passed all the dishes around the table.
“This ain’t no regular supper,” Bart said with appreciation. “This is a real feast.” He smiled at Amy and Beulah. “Thank you for preparing it.”
“You’re welcome,” Beulah chirped. “Although, truth be told, Amy did the lion’s share of the work. I did make the bread and the salad, though.”
Bart laughed, evidently not used to Beulah’s forthright manner of chatter. Amy could feel Andrew’s eyes on her more than once. She pushed the food around her plate, attempting to look like she was eating, but in truth, her appetite was gone, and now she couldn’t wait to leave the house.
“We have apple pie for dessert,” Beulah announced.
From upstairs, they heard a wail.
“Susie’s awake,” Beulah said.
Bart looked excited. “Gut. I can’t wait to meet her. I didn’t want to disturb her sleep before.” He made to get up. “Will Mavis bring her down?” he asked.
Amy nodded. “She’ll be hungry. I’ll go warm the bottle.”
She excused herself, grateful to have a reason to get out from under Andrew’s watchful eye. She quickly heated up the bottle as she heard Susie’s crying grow more frantic. Her heart hurt, just listening to her.
She walked back out to the dining area, the bottle in her hand. Andrew looked agitated.
“I think I should go on up,” he said, rising. “Susie doesn’t sound happy.”
“She’s hungry,” Amy said.
Bart stood and went to the steps. “Mavis? You bringing the boppli down?” He looked at Amy. “I’ll take the bottle up. I can’t wait another minute to meet little Susie.”
Amy handed him the bottle, and he went on up the stairs.
“My, but Susie don’t sound a bit happy,” Beulah observed, taking a bite of potatoes.
Andrew grimaced. “I should go up…”
“She might settle down,” Amy said, staring up the steps.
“Or not,” Beulah observed.
And indeed, it sounded like Susie was becoming more and more frantic. Amy had to force herself to stay put.
“She’s likely afraid,” Andrew said, standing. He looked at Amy. “She’s used to you. She doesn’t know Mavis or Bart from beans.”
Amy swallowed.
“I’m going to go get her,” he said, now moving toward the stairs and taking them two at a time.
Beulah shook her head. “Poor little Susie. She thinks you’re her mamm.”
Amy bit her lips to keep from crying.
“You should stay,” Beulah said. “What’s the big rush to get home? Susie needs to get used to Mavis.”
Amy blinked back her tears. Beulah was right, of course. Amy should stay at least for a day or two, but how could she? Mavis didn’t want her there.
Andrew came down the stairs, carrying a screaming Susie. He gave her to Amy and immediately, Susie calmed down. She stopped sobbing, just gave soft hiccups as she caught her breath. Amy cuddled her close, whispering in her ear. She looked up and saw Mavis and Bart at the top of the stairs.
Mavis looked stricken, her eyes wide and her mouth slack. Bart hustled down the steps, carrying the bottle.
“Here you are, Amy,” he said. He gave Susie a tender smile. “She’s a cute one, and my, but she has a set of lungs on her, ain’t so?”
Amy smiled at him. “That she does.”
“I reckon she didn’t take to two strangers up there.” He patted Susie’s head. “Don’t fret, little one. You’ll get to know us right soon.”
Amy sank to the bench at the dining table to feed Susie. Susie latched right on, gulping with a desperation. Amy’s throat tightened with a lump of tears, but she made sure she didn’t cry. Poor Mavis. She was coming down the steps now, one at a time, as if her legs didn’t want to move.
She came and stood over Amy and the baby. “She’ll get used to me quick-like once you go home,” she said, her voice full of false bravado.
“It’s all right,” Andrew said quietly. “We’ll have Amy stay the night and help Susie adjust to you.
Amy’s glance flew to Andrew. He was looking at her, willing her to agree. She swallowed.
“That will be fine,” she said, her voice only slightly shaking. She looked up at Mavis and saw the consternation in her eyes. “And you’re right. She’ll get used to you right quick.”
But I don’t want her to, Amy thought miserably. I want her used to me.
Amy drew in a sharp breath and focused back down on Susie. What was she playing at? This precious baby wasn’t hers. She had no claim to her at all. She’d known from the beginning that Mavis would come and take over her care. She would have to get ahold of herself and right soon. Otherwise, there would be no end to her suffering.
Grace. Grace. Grace. Why did you have to die?
“Well, supper’s still on the table,” Beulah announced, although it was clearly evident to everyone in the room.
“Right,” Andrew said, jerking his gaze from Amy. “Let’s sit down and continue eating.”
Bart sat at the end of the table. Mavis pursed her lips and sat by his side.
Beulah chattered about the meal, warning about which dishes were hot to the touch. Amy had never in her life been so glad for her sister. Beulah was obviously pretending that there wasn’t enough tension in the room to stop time; she just kept talking and laughing.
Amy nearly wept with gratitude. And dear Bart played along. Mavis didn’t say a word. Amy wasn’t even sure whether she took a bite of food. Amy certainly didn’t, but she had an excuse as she was feeding Susie.
When Susie was done eating, Amy burped her and then stood. “Mavis, do you want to hold her?”
Mavis looked at Amy with something akin to a glare. She nodded and reached out for Susie. Amy put her in Mavis’s arms, praying that Susie wouldn’t throw a fit. But Susie was nearly asleep again and didn’t seem to notice who was holding her. Amy let out her breath in relief.
“Eat something, Amy,” Andrew said. “And the supper is delicious.”
She slipped back onto the bench and picked up her fork, even though the last thing she wanted to do was eat.
“So, who’s staying and who’s going?” Beulah asked. “I can stay, too, if Amy does.”
“There’s no need,” announced Mavis, looking much happier now that she was holding Susie without the child screaming. “Go on home.”
“All right, if you’re sure.” Beulah looked at Amy. “So, I’ll tell Mamm and Dat you’ll be home tomorrow?”
Amy was ready to answer yes when Andrew cut in. “We’ll see how it goes,” he said.
Mavis shot him a look of anger, but he wasn’t looking at her.
“All right.” Beulah stood. “I’ll red up the kitchen and then I’ll be ready to leave.”
Amy watched her sister, marveling at how mature and helpful she could be when she wanted to. Usually, she didn’t want to, but this was different.
Mavis got up and took Susie into the front room. Bart got up and followed her.
Andrew turned to Amy. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “Truly.”
Amy’s eyes teared up, but she blinked the tears away. “It’s all right.”
“I know you didn’t want to stay, but I’m concerned…”
“Of course, you are.”
Andrew got up. “Well, I better get in there,” he said, gesturing with his head toward the front room.
Amy nodded.
When he was out of earshot, Beulah plopped herself right down next to Amy. “G
oodness, but that was quite a show.”
Amy touched Beulah’s arm. “Thank you, Beulah.”
Beulah shrugged. “I wasn’t about to let my sister be hung out to dry with the laundry. Ach, it’s no wonder Mamm never liked that woman. I would think she’d at least be nice to you. You were Grace’s best friend. And you’ve single-handedly been raising Susie.” She shook her head and whistled. “She’s horrid, Amy.”
Amy grimaced. “Nee. She’s not horrid. I think she’s just suffering an awful lot. She lost Grace and her dat. She’s hurting.”
“Well.” Beulah sniffed. “Hurting or not, she doesn’t have to be so wicked.”
Wicked? Amy hardly thought so, but in truth, it kind of felt that way. “I appreciate your help, Beulah. Truly.”
“I know you do. Actually, I’m kind of sorry to leave. I’ve liked staying here.”
Amy studied Beulah’s expression. “Isn’t that because you’ve had a whole lot of freedom to do as you wish?”
Beulah gave her a dirty look. “Now, don’t spoil it, Amy. We were getting along right fine just now.”
Amy shivered. “You’re right. Sorry.” But still…
“And maybe you’re right.” Beulah laughed. “It has been nice to see Uriah when I want. Now, I have to go back to prison.”
“Prison?” Amy exclaimed.
“Doesn’t it feel like it, sometimes? With Mamm and Dat watching us like a pair of hawks ready to pounce?”
Amy frowned. “Not really.”
“That’s because you’re the gut daughter. I’m the rotten one.” Beulah laughed again and stood up. “When you’re done eating, will you come help in the kitchen? We have quite a mess to clean up.”
“Of course,” Amy said. She stared down at her food. It was good; she knew it was. But she didn’t have the heart to eat a bite of it. Finally, she stood up and carried her full plate into the kitchen.
Chapter Ten
That evening, Susie wouldn’t go down for anyone but Amy. After Amy got her tucked into the cradle, she hurried downstairs. Beulah was ready to leave, and she wanted to see her off. Andrew was driving her. Evidently, it was all right for Andrew to take Beulah home, even though according to Mavis, it wasn’t appropriate for Andrew to take both of them home. Interesting.
Susie's Mammi (Amy's Story Book 2) Page 4