Esther pushed the dog aside and quickly turned Penny over. “Ach, my!” she gasped when she saw blood oozing out of a gash in the little girl’s forehead.
Penny’s eyes opened and she looked up at Esther with a blank stare. “Wh–what happened?”
“You flew off the sled.” Esther removed the scarf she wore around her neck and wrapped it around Penny’s forehead to stop the bleeding.
“Is she okay?” Suzanne asked, kneeling on the snow beside Penny. Marla and Leon had joined them now, too, wearing worried expressions.
“There’s a nasty-looking cut on her forehead. I think she either hit the runner of the sled or the tree.” Esther felt deep concern, but she tried to remain calm for the children’s sake, as she didn’t want to frighten them. “She could have a concussion, and I’m sure she’s going to need stitches,” she whispered to Suzanne. “We need to get her back to the house right away.”
“Let’s put her on the sled, and I’ll pull it to the house. That’ll be quicker and easier than one of us trying to carry her,” Suzanne said.
Once they got Penny situated on the sled, Esther carried Jared, while Marla and Leon pulled the other two sleds, and they headed as quickly as possible for the house.
“Sure wish we didn’t have to quit sleddin’,” Leon complained as they trudged along.
“We can’t sled no more, dummkopp. Penny’s been hurt.” Marla’s chin quivered. “You don’t want her to die, like Mammi did, do ya?”
“I ain’t no dunce, and Penny ain’t gonna die,” the boy shot back.
“She might. Mammi died when she fell down the schteeg.”
Leon’s face turned white as the snow beneath their feet. “Ya really think so?”
“Your sister is not going to die,” Esther was quick to say. “She’ll be fine once we get her cleaned up and see if she’ll need to go to the doctor for stitches.”
Marla gave a nod, but Leon didn’t look one bit convinced. It was obvious that the pain of losing his mother was still very real. Esther wished there was something she could do to bring healing to Samuel’s children. Samuel, too, for that matter, but she didn’t think he’d ever let her get close enough to offer comfort. He didn’t seem to let anyone get close to him—not even his children or Titus.
Esther had a tender heart toward those who were hurting. She’d been like that since she was a child. She remembered once when her brother James had broken his arm after falling from a tree in their yard. She’d felt his pain as if it were her own. Then there was the time her dog, Rascal, had gotten hit by a car. When they’d brought Rascal home from the vet’s, she’d stayed by his side for hours on end.
“We’re almost there,” Suzanne said, pointing to the house as it came into view. “I think I see Samuel out by the barn.”
When Samuel spotted Suzanne pulling Penny on a sled, he knew something was wrong. They hadn’t been gone very long, and he was sure the kids wouldn’t have agreed to quit sledding so soon.
As the group drew closer, he noticed that Penny had a scarf wrapped around her forehead, and both Suzanne and Esther wore looks of concern.
“Was is letz do?” he asked, dropping to his knees beside the sled.
“Penny fell off the sled and cut her forehead on either the runner or a tree,” Suzanne replied, explaining what was wrong.
“Wasn’t anyone watching her?”
Esther stepped forward. “We were, but she jumped on the sled and took off down the hill, and then before we hardly realized what had happened, Lucky darted in front of the sled and Penny flew off.”
“I ought to get rid of that good-for-nothing mutt!” Samuel’s hand shook as he removed the scarf from Penny’s head. There was a fairly deep gash on her forehead, and he knew immediately it was going to need stitches. “I’ll take you into the house where it’s warm, and then I’m going to call a driver so we can go to the hospital in Hopkinsville, where you can be seen by a doctor.”
He scooped Penny into his arms and hurried into the house. When he placed her on the sofa and took a seat beside her, everyone gathered around, exchanging concerned glances.
“What’s going on?” Titus asked, stepping out of the kitchen. He halted when he looked at Penny. “What happened to her?”
Samuel repeated what Suzanne had told him about the accident, and then he added, “They weren’t watching the kinner close enough. I shouldn’t have let ‘em go sledding.”
“Don’t blame Esther or Suzanne,” Titus said. “It sounds like Lucky was the cause of the accident, and I’m sure he didn’t run into the sled on purpose.”
Samuel grunted. “I realize that, but it wouldn’t have happened if they’d been watching Penny closer. She’s too young to ride on the sled alone.” He stood. “I’m going out to the phone shanty to call one of your drivers so I can take Penny to the emergency room at the hospital.” Samuel turned and rushed out the door.
He was almost to the phone shanty when Allen’s truck pulled into the yard. Allen waved at Samuel and called, “I was at Bonnie’s doing some work for her and decided to stop by here on my way home to see how everyone’s doing.”
Samuel raced over to Allen. “Penny cut her head on the sled, and I need someone to take us to the hospital. Would you be able to do that?”
Allen hopped out of the truck. “Of course I can.”
“Thank you,” Samuel said, relieved that Allen had shown up when he did. “I’ll get Penny and meet you in the truck.”
Esther glanced at the clock on the wall in Titus’s kitchen, where she and Suzanne had begun making lunch while Titus kept the children entertained in the living room. “Samuel and Penny have been gone two hours already. I wonder what’s taking so long.”
Suzanne shrugged. “Maybe they had to wait awhile in the emergency room. This time of the year, more people seem to get sick.”
Esther frowned. “I’m afraid Samuel thinks I’m not a responsible person. I’d be really disappointed if he won’t let me watch his kinner anymore because of this.”
“I don’t think you have to worry about that. Samuel was just upset when he saw the gash on Penny’s forehead, and he needed someone to blame.” Suzanne placed a loaf of bread on the counter. “One good thing came from Penny’s accident though.”
“What’s that?”
“Samuel pulled out of his depression long enough to focus on something other than his own pain.”
“I suppose that’s true, but it’s too bad it took Penny getting hurt to get his attention.”
“Is lunch ready yet?” Titus asked, poking his head into the room. “The kinner say they’re feeling hungerich.” He thumped his stomach. “To tell you the truth, I’m kind of hungry myself.”
Suzanne laughed. “You’re always hungry, so what else is new?”
“Guess you’re right about that,” he said with a grin, and they all laughed even harder when his stomach let out a growl of protest.
“We’ll call you as soon as we have everything on the table,” Suzanne said after their laughter died down.
When Titus returned to the living room, Esther and Suzanne finished making tuna fish sandwiches. They’d just called everyone to eat when Samuel returned home with Penny. Allen was with them.
“How’s Penny?” Esther asked before anyone else could voice the question.
“She doesn’t have a concussion, but she did need several stitches.” Samuel pointed to the bandage on Penny’s forehead. “She was a brave little maedel.”
“They gave me a lollipop,” Penny said with a nod. “So I didn’t cry no more after that.”
Esther was relieved to hear that Penny was okay. She left her chair and bent to give the sweet little girl a hug; then she motioned to the table. “We were just about to eat some lunch, so why don’t you both take a seat and join us?”
“No thanks. I’m not hungry.” Samuel barely glanced at Esther before hurrying out of the room, but Penny didn’t hesitate to find a chair.
Esther grimaced as she gripped the ed
ge of her apron. He’s obviously upset, and I’m sure he still blames me for Penny’s accident. Everything had been going so well, and the kinner were having some much-needed fun this morning. Now I wish we’d never gone sledding.
CHAPTER 14
Don’t forget about the birthday supper I’m fixing for Marla tomorrow evening,” Esther said as she and Bonnie sat at the kitchen table, having a cup of tea in Bonnie’s kitchen.
“Thanks for the reminder,” Bonnie said, watching the steam rise from her cup. “I’ve been so busy with things around here all week that I’d almost forgotten about the birthday supper. I’ll have to go shopping tomorrow morning and see what I can find to give Marla for a present.” She lifted her teacup and took a drink. “Do you know what she might like?”
Esther blotted her lips with a napkin. “I’m giving Marla a drawing tablet and some colored pencils. Suzanne said she’d bought a couple of puzzles, and I think Titus is giving her a sled, which I know she really wants. I’m not sure what, if anything, Samuel will give her.”
“I’ll need to get her something different than the others, then. Any suggestions at all?” Bonnie asked.
“She might like a doll or a game.”
Bonnie gave a nod. “I’ll drive to Hopkinsville in the morning and see what I can find.”
“The party’s a surprise, so I haven’t said anything about it to any of Samuel’s kids, because they’d probably tell Marla.”
“I assume Samuel knows though.”
“I hope so. Titus was supposed to tell him.” Esther’s furrowed brows showed her obvious concern. “Samuel seems to be living in a world of his own most of the time, so it’s hard to say whether he’ll remember his daughter’s birthday or not.”
“I think the grief he feels over his wife’s death has taken a toll on him.” Bonnie finished her tea and set the cup down. “I can understand that, because when my mother died from a brain tumor, my father sank into depression, and I don’t think he’s ever fully recovered. I believe he may have felt guilty because they argued so much when she was alive.”
“I’m sorry about your mother.” Esther placed her hand on Bonnie’s arm and gave it a couple of soft pats. “It must have been hard on you to lose your mother, too.”
Bonnie gave a slow nod. “I was only thirteen, and it was rough going through my teen years with only a father who barely knew I was alive. At least Samuel has the support of Titus, as well as his family in Pennsylvania. My dad’s an only child, and he really had no one after Mom died; although I’m sure my grandparents would have offered him support if he’d let them.” She pushed away from the table and stood. “That’s enough talk about death for one day. Shall we get started on my baking lesson?”
“I’m ready if you are.” Esther stood, too. “Would you like to make Marla’s birthday cake?”
Bonnie nibbled on her bottom lip as she contemplated the idea. “I’d better not. It would probably turn out to be a flop.”
Esther went to the cupboard and took down a sack of flour. “I don’t think it will be a flop, and you’ll never learn to bake a cake unless you try.”
Bonnie smiled. “With your help, I’ll give it a try.”
The following evening as Esther set the table in Titus’s kitchen, she hummed softly. The chicken and potatoes baking in the oven were almost done; a tossed green salad was chilling in the refrigerator, along with some cut-up pickles and carrots sticks; and a kettle of creamed corn simmered on the stove. Marla and Leon had been home from school for about an hour, and as soon as Suzanne, Titus, Bonnie, and Samuel got here, they could eat.
“Somethin’ smells really good in here.” Marla sniffed the air as she entered the kitchen. “How come you’re cookin’ supper, Esther? Uncle Titus usually does that.”
“I thought your uncle deserved a little break tonight,” Esther replied.
“How come you’re puttin’ so many plates on the table?”
Esther smiled, watching the youngster’s expression. “Because I’m staying for supper, and a few others are coming to join us.”
“Who’s coming?” Marla questioned.
“Bonnie Taylor and Suzanne.”
“Are they comin’ because it’s my birthday?”
“Jah.”
The little girl’s eyes lit up, and her face broke into a wide smile. “I got a couple of cards in the mail yesterday, but I didn’t think anyone was gonna do anything special for my birthday. Last year Mammi made a chocolate cake with vanilla icing, and all my cousins came over for my birthday.” Her face sobered. “Since Mammi’s gone and we’ve moved here, I guess there won’t be no more parties like that anymore.”
Esther’s heart clenched. One minute Marla had seemed so happy, and the next minute her joy had turned to sorrow. Samuel wasn’t the only one who missed Elsie. His children were still grieving, and he was too immersed in his own pain to see theirs.
“I know you must miss your mamm a lot, and I’m sure it’s been hard for you to move away from all your family and friends in Pennsylvania.” Esther bent down and gave Marla a hug. “I know I can’t take the place of your mudder, but I would like to be your friend, and I want to make your birthday a special one.”
Tears welled in Marla’s eyes, and she sniffed a couple of times. “Danki, Esther.”
The back door opened just then, and Titus entered the kitchen, along with Suzanne.
“Umm … Something smells real good in here,” Titus said, sniffing the air. Then he leaned over and gave Marla a hug. “Happy birthday, Marla.”
She grinned up at him, all tears forgotten. “Did Daadi come with you?”
Titus shook his head. “But I told him about your birthday supper, so I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
Just then, a knock sounded on the back door.
“Come in,” Titus said, looking to see who it was.
A few seconds later, Bonnie stepped into the room, carrying a box with Marla’s birthday cake inside. With Esther’s help, she’d made a chocolate cake with vanilla icing, and they’d decorated it with little heart-shaped candies, since tomorrow would be Valentine’s Day.
Marla seemed excited when she saw the cake and ran into the other room to get her brothers and sister. After everyone had made over the cake awhile, Esther mentioned to Suzanne that supper was ready, and she wondered if they should eat or wait for Samuel.
“I say we eat,” Titus said before Suzanne could respond. “The kinner are hungry, and there’s no point in making ‘em wait or letting this fine meal be ruined trying to keep it warm for Samuel. He can eat when he gets here.”
Esther didn’t feel right about having supper without Samuel, but Titus was right: the children needed to eat. So with the help of Suzanne and Bonnie, the food was quickly put on the table and everyone took their seats. They were almost finished with the meal when the back door opened and Samuel stepped into the kitchen.
“What’s goin’ on?” he asked, looking at the table as everyone watched him.
“We’re eating supper.” Titus’s tone sounded a bit miffed as he motioned to the platter, where only a few pieces of chicken were left. “And you’re late.”
“Uh—well—the paint job I was working on today took longer than I expected. Then my driver was late pickin’ me up,” Samuel mumbled as he set his lunch pail on the counter. “Besides, I didn’t realize we were having company for supper.”
Esther was about to say something, but Suzanne spoke first. “We’re celebrating Marla’s birthday tonight. Titus said he told you about it.”
Samuel’s face turned bright red as he looked at Marla with a guilty expression. “Happy birthday.”
She smiled, although it didn’t quite reach her eyes. Did she realize that her father had obviously forgotten about her birthday supper? It was certainly evident to Esther.
“We’re just about done here,” Esther said, “but there’s still some food left, so if you’d like to take a seat at the table, we’ll wait until you’re done eating before we cut t
he birthday cake.”
“No, that’s okay. Go ahead and serve the cake. I’m not that hungry anyway.”
“You’re gonna have a piece of birthday cake, aren’t you, Daadi?” Marla asked, turning to her father with a look of anticipation.
“Jah, sure.” Samuel took a seat and leaned his elbows on the table. He looked tired and a bit befuddled. Esther was even more sure that he’d forgotten today was Marla’s birthday.
“Bonnie made this beautiful cake,” Esther said, placing it on the table in front of Marla.
Bonnie smiled. “I couldn’t have done it without Esther’s help, and I hope it tastes as good as it looks.”
“Esther’s a great teacher, so I’m sure the cake will be delicious,” Suzanne said.
All heads bobbed in agreement. Everyone’s but Samuel’s, that is. He sat staring at the empty plate in front of him as though in deep thought.
“Now for the candles,” Esther said, placing nine candles in the center of the cake. Then Titus lit a match to light the candles, and everyone sang “Happy Birthday” while Marla beamed from ear to ear. When the singing ended, she closed her eyes and blew out the candles with one big breath.
“Did ya make a wish?” Leon asked his sister.
“I did, but it’s a secret, and I can’t tell ya what it is or it won’t come true.”
“You can’t get what you want from blowin’ out birthday candles and makin’ a wish,” Samuel mumbled. “If you could, I’d bake a cake myself and put a hundred candles on it.”
The room got deathly quiet, as all eyes became fixed on Samuel.
He lifted his shoulders in a quick shrug. “I’m just saying … I don’t believe in wishes.”
Marla’s chin trembled, and so did Penny’s. Esther figured if she didn’t do something quick, she’d have a couple of crying girls on her hands.
“Let’s cut the cake now so we can taste how good it is,” she said, taking a knife from the kitchen drawer. “Suzanne, would you get us some dessert plates?”
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