“Does this mean you’ll still be here during auction time?” Elizabeth asked as she pulled out a chair and took the seat opposite Abby.
Abby nodded. “If you don’t mind me staying that long.”
Elizabeth waved her hand “Not at all. In fact, I’d enjoy the company as well as the help.”
“I’ll be happy to help you and the other ladies in the community fix the meal that you’ll be serving to those who attend the auction, but I’d rather not have anything to do with the quilts,” Abby said with a lift of her chin.
Elizabeth shrugged her slim shoulders and smiled. “I wouldn’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
“Danki.”
“So, now,” Elizabeth said, pushing away from the table. “What should we have for lunch? I can get started on it while you write your letter.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind? I can help with lunch and write to Mom later on.”
“Don’t mind a bit. You keep on writing ’til you’re done.” Elizabeth grinned. “I thought, maybe, later this afternoon we could take a bike ride over to the Lehmans’ place. Myra and you seemed to get along pretty well the other day, and I’m thinkin’ the two of you might like the chance to get better acquainted.”
“That sounds nice, but I haven’t been on a bicycle since I was a young girl. I doubt I could still ride.”
“Oh, sure you can. Once you’ve learned how to ride a bike, you never forget.” Elizabeth stared across the room with a faraway look in her eyes. “I remember how my little brother and I used to ride our bikes back in Indiana where we grew up. We had some of our best visits when we rode into town to do errands.” She smiled. “I think next to walking, riding a bike is the best way to travel, because you’re able to see more scenery along the way. In a buggy you have to keep the horse in line and make sure you stay on your own side of the road.”
“Do you have more than one bike?” Abby asked.
Elizabeth nodded. “I’ve got my own, plus the one my husband used to ride. I’ll let you take mine, since you haven’t ridden in a while. You might have trouble with the bar in the middle of the man’s bicycle.”
“That’s nice of you, but—”
“Now, I insist.”
“Jah, okay. I’ll give it a try.”
Naomi had just gotten her girls down for a nap and was planning to go over the receipt ledger when Lydia Weaver and her youngest daughter, Leona, entered the store.
“Wie geht’s?” Naomi asked.
“Doin’ fine, and you?”
“Other than being awfully tired, I can’t complain.”
“I’ve got some finished quilts out in my buggy,” Lydia said, her blue eyes twinkling. “Me and my two oldest daughters recently finished several, so they’re ready to sell in Fannie’s quilt shop.” She glanced around the room. “Thought maybe if Caleb or Matthew was here, I could talk ’em into bringing the boxes inside the shop for me.”
“Caleb’s getting one of our horses shoed, and Matthew’s laboring at home in his woodworking shop.”
“Guess I can manage on my own then.” Lydia chuckled and pushed a strand of light brown hair back into her bun. “I loaded the quilts by myself, since Jacob and Arthur had already left for their paint job before I decided to come into town. So, if I could get the boxes into the buggy, I’m sure I can get ’em back out.”
“I’d be happy to unload them for you,” Naomi offered. She stepped down from her wooden stool and started for the front door, but the sound of her youngest daughter’s wail halted her footsteps. “Ach! There goes Susan. I hope she doesn’t wake her sister.”
“Can I play with the boppli?” Leona asked. “I could keep her company while you and Mama bring in the quilts.”
“I guess that would be all right.” Naomi glanced at Lydia for her approval. Leona was almost ten years old and seemed quite capable.
Lydia nodded and headed for the door.
Naomi reached under the counter and handed Leona a small faceless doll. “If you give this to Susan, I’m sure she’ll settle right down.”
Leona took the doll and scampered off toward the back room.
“Be careful you don’t wake Sarah,” the child’s mother called after her.
“I won’t.”
Naomi and Lydia stepped onto the front porch and down the steps. A few minutes later, they stood at the back of Jacob Weaver’s market buggy.
“Have you heard anything from Abby lately?” Lydia asked, shielding her eyes from the sun.
“Had a letter from her a few days ago, and she seems to be doin’ okay.”
“When’s she planning to come home?”
Naomi shrugged. “Don’t know. Fannie seems to think she’ll stay on at least until June, which is when the Amish community near Rexford holds its annual auction.”
Lydia reached into the buggy and picked up the first box, and Naomi lifted the second one out.
“Sure would be nice if Abby decided to run the quilt shop for Fannie when she gets home,” Lydia commented as they started for the store.
“I’m not sure Abby will ever work around quilts again. She’s still grieving for Lester and the loss of her quilt shop. So far, nobody’s been able to get through to her.”
Lydia clicked her tongue. “It’s such a shame when someone as young as Abby loses a loved one and can’t come to grips with it.” Her forehead creased as she shifted the cardboard box in her hands. “ ’Course, I’m no expert on the subject of grief, since life has been pretty good to me and Jacob these twenty-two years we’ve been married.”
“Guess nobody knows how they would handle things until it happens,” Naomi said.
“That’s for certain sure.”
They were on the porch now, and Naomi leaned one edge of the box against the side of the store as she reached out to grab the handle on the screen door. She held it for Lydia, but the woman nodded for her to go ahead. Naomi had only taken a few steps when she halted. “Was in der welt—what in the world?”
In the middle of the floor sat two little girls with chocolate on their faces and various size candy wrappers surrounding them. It was a comical scene, and Naomi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Ach, Leona,” Lydia scolded, “I thought I could trust you not to get the baby up, and what’s all this with the candy now?”
The child stared up her mother, and tears quickly filled her green eyes. “I couldn’t get Susan to quiet down, and when Sarah woke up, she asked for some candy.”
“Jah, well, that didn’t give you the right to give her any, and especially not the boppli. She’s too young to be fed chocolate.”
“I figured she was hungry.”
Naomi bent down and scooped Susan into her arms, then she grabbed hold of Sarah’s hand. “I’d better take these two into the other room and get them cleaned up. When I come back, we can see about setting out those quilts.”
“Jah, okay.”
I sure hope the rest of this week goes better than today, Naomi thought as she and the girls headed to the back of the store. For I surely don’t have the energy to deal with much more.
Abby couldn’t believe how well she had adapted to riding a bicycle again. For the past two months she’d been pedaling all over the area, visiting her new friend Myra, making trips to the country store, and going for rides simply for the enjoyment of spending time alone in the beautiful woods. Her depression had lifted some, but she still blamed herself for Lester’s death, and even though Elizabeth kept coaxing Abby to make a quilt, she flatly refused.
“I can’t believe the auction is only two days away,” Abby said to Elizabeth as they rolled out pastry dough for some of the pies that would be sold to those attending the big event. “Don’t know where the time has gone since I first came here to visit.”
“Time does seem to move along rather quickly.” Elizabeth smiled. “I’ve enjoyed your company and will miss you when you’re gone.”
Abby stared at the floor. She wasn’t su
re she wanted to return home. Being in this small Amish community was like a quiet respite.
“You’re welcome to stay on even after the auction,” Elizabeth was quick to say. “I’m sure I speak for others in our community when I say we’d be glad to have you stay here permanently.”
Abby smiled. “That’s nice to know, but it wouldn’t be fair to my mamm.”
“If you returned home, would it only be to please her?”
Abby pondered Elizabeth’s question before she answered. Truth be told, she had spent most of her life trying to please her mamm, especially after Dad’s death. It wasn’t that Mom had asked Abby to make sacrifices. The two of them had always been close, but Abby had felt a sense of obligation to her mother that went beyond simple respect or willingness to help out. She’d been trying to fulfill her promise to her daed and had given up a lot in the process of trying to please Mom and see that her needs were met. Even now Abby wondered if she’d been selfish for staying here so long. Her mother had told her several months ago that Dad’s request didn’t mean Abby should be so self-sacrificing and put her own needs on hold. She’d also been reminded that since Mom was married to Abraham now, it was his job to look out for her.
“I’m feeling confused about things,” Abby admitted. “I miss my family and want to be near them, but I’ve enjoyed being here with you, too.”
Elizabeth nodded and measured out some lard as she prepared to make another batch of dough. “For now let’s concentrate on gettin’ ready for the auction. When that’s behind us, you’ll have time to decide what you want to do.”
“That’s true, and we do have a lot to get done before Saturday morning.”
“I’m thinking about putting that small quilt I found awhile back into the auction,” Elizabeth said, taking their conversation in a different direction. “There’s not much point in me hanging on to it, because unless God brings another man into my life soon, it’s not likely I’ll have the need for a baby covering. I’m not gettin’ any younger, ya know.”
Abby grinned. “You never know how things will go. Look at my mamm. None of us expected her to marry again, much less become the mother of twin boys at her age.”
Elizabeth clucked her tongue. “Poor Fannie. I can’t imagine raisin’ a couple of zwilling at any age.”
“The twins can be quite the handful, but they’re sure cute little fellows.”
“I’m sure they are.”
Abby sobered. “I hope Mom is managing okay without my help. She relied on me pretty heavily for a time.”
“What do her letters say about how she’s gettin’ along in your absence?”
Abby grabbed the rolling pin and flattened the mound of pie dough in front of her. “Says she’s doing fine, but then my mamm’s never been one to complain.”
“And how’s your stepsister these days? Didn’t you mention that she said in her last letter that she’s pregnant?”
Abby nodded. “Naomi and Caleb have two little girls, and I think they’re hopin’ for a boy this time.”
“Say, I’ve got an idea,” Elizabeth said excitedly. “Why don’t I give you the baby covering? You can present it to Naomi, if you like. I’m quite certain it’s an Amish quilt, and I’d like to see it go to someone who would appreciate it.”
“I suppose I could take it to her, and I’d be happy to pay you for it.”
“I wouldn’t think of takin’ your money,” Elizabeth said with a wave of her hand. A dusting of flour from her fingers drifted to the countertop, and she chuckled. “It’ll be my gift to your new niece or nephew.”
Abby smiled. “All right then. I’ll take the quilt to Naomi whenever I decide to go home.”
Linda walked slowly down the hospital corridor, feeling as though a hive of bees had taken up residence in her stomach. She’d discovered a breast lump last week and had gone to the doctor for a thorough exam. This morning she’d received a mammogram in the hospital’s diagnostic lab. Depending on the results, she might be faced with a biopsy. Oh, Lord, she prayed, please don’t let this be cancer.
Linda thought about Jimmy and how much he needed her. He’d turned seven two months ago and wasn’t ready to be without his mother. She thought about Jim and how it might affect their marriage if the lump was cancerous. He had so little patience with her anymore, especially when she was sick or emotionally wrought. Would he want to be saddled with a wife who had serious health problems? And what if I were to die before Jim finds the Lord as his Savior? I want our son to grow up knowing Jesus, and if Jim remains set against religion, he probably won’t see that Jimmy goes to church or receives any religious training.
Linda drew in a deep breath and tried to relax. She knew she was worrying about things that hadn’t even happened yet. Please calm my heart, Lord, and if this does turn out to be cancer, then all of us will need Your help in the days ahead.
“You’re lookin’ awful tired these days,” Fannie said, when she discovered Naomi bent over an empty shelf in the store, swishing a dust rag back and forth.
Naomi looked up and wiped the perspiration from her forehead. “I do seem to tire more easily with this pregnancy than I did with my other two. Guess it’s because I have a lot more to do now than I did before.”
Fannie gave Naomi a hug. She had come to care deeply for the young woman and hated to see her working so hard when she obviously didn’t feel well. “Why don’t you bring the girls over to our place each morning on your way to work? That way you won’t have so much responsibility here at the store.”
Naomi smiled but shook her head. “I couldn’t ask you to watch my kinner. You’ve got your hands full takin’ care of your own two active boys.”
“They can be a handful at times,” Fannie admitted. “As I’m sure you know, Nancy’s still working as a maad for Anna Beechy, who’s been feelin’ poorly for some time. Even though I can’t count on Nancy’s help much these days, now that Mary Ann’s out of school for the summer, she’s home most of the time. That young girl has been a big help to me lately, and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind helpin’ care for your girls.”
“You really think so?” Naomi straightened and reached around to rub her lower back.
“I do. Besides, Sarah and Susan would be good company for Timothy and Titus.” Fannie chuckled. “Might keep ’em occupied so Mary Ann and I could get more chores done around the house. I may even find more time for quilting.”
“Did you leave the twins with Mary Ann this afternoon?”
Fannie nodded. “Jah, they were both sleeping soundly when I decided to come to town, so I figured she’d have no problem with ’em while I was gone.”
“It’s good for you to get away once in a while.”
“It does feel kind of nice.” Fannie shifted from one foot to the other. “What do you think about my offer to watch the girls?”
“I’ll speak with Caleb about it as soon as he gets back from his dental appointment,” Naomi said. “If he has no objections, maybe we could bring the girls by on Monday of next week and see how it goes.”
Fannie smiled. “Sounds good.”
“Did you come by for anything in particular?” Naomi asked. “Or did you stop to check on the quilt shop?”
“Both. I need some sewing notions, but I wanted to see how many quilts are in stock right now. If we’re running low, I might have to ask a few more women to do some quilting for us.” Fannie nodded toward her shop. “Now that it’s summer, things can get busy when the tourists start comin’ in.”
“That’s true, even here in the store.” Naomi headed to the quilt shop, and Fannie followed. “Have you heard anything more from Abby?”
“I got another letter from her last week, and she mentioned that the auction will be held this Saturday. I’m guessin’ my daughter’s been helping the women in the community get the food ready that they plan to sell that day.”
“From what Abby said in her last letter to me, it sounded like they’ll have to feed at least a thousand people.”
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bsp; Fannie nodded. “I’m hopin’ once Abby sees our quilts auctioned off, she’ll be ready to come home. I miss her something awful.”
“I’m sure you do. I’ll be glad when Abby’s back in Pennsylvania, too.”
Fannie let her hand travel over a stack of queen-sized quilts. “I’m beginning to wonder if I should just sell the quilt shop and be done with it.”
Naomi frowned. “Why would you want to do that? I thought you loved quilting?”
“I do enjoy making quilts, but I have no desire to drag the boys into town every day and try to run this place by myself.”
“We need to keep praying about the matter,” Naomi said. “I’d hate to see the quilt shop close.”
Fannie shrugged. “If Abby returns and still refuses to work here, then I’ll probably be forced to sell.”
Linda glanced at Beth, who sat behind the wheel of her compact car. “Thanks for driving me to my appointment this morning. It was easier to have the biopsy done knowing you were waiting for me in the other room.”
“I was praying, too.” Beth tapped the steering wheel with her fingertips. “I still don’t understand why your husband couldn’t take time off to be with you. Surely he must realize how serious this could be.”
“Jim doesn’t care about anyone but himself,” Linda said, as the bitter taste of bile rose in her throat. I will not give in to tears. It won’t change a thing.
“I can see why you’re frustrated, but we need to be patient and let the Lord work in Jim’s life.” Beth’s voice was low and soothing, and in that moment, Linda almost believed her.
“What if this turns out to be cancer?”
“Then you’ll do whatever the doctor suggests.” Beth reached over and squeezed Linda’s hand. “Our whole church will be praying for you.”
“What scares me more than the disease is wondering what will become of Jim and Jimmy if I should die.”
“Let’s trust the Lord and take things one step at a time. The results of the biopsy could be negative, and then you will have been worried for nothing.”
Linda nodded as tears blurred her vision. “I know I should trust God more, but sometimes it’s hard, especially when I don’t get answers to my prayers.”
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