A Cousin's Prayer

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  Katie swallowed hard. Did Ella know that she was the one who’d found the baby? Should she say anything?

  “Did you read the article?” Ella asked.

  Tears welled in Katie’s eyes. She figured she may as well own up to it, because the newspaper might have given her name. “I’m the one who found the boppli,” she murmured.

  Ella gasped. “Seriously?”

  Katie nodded.

  “Tell me about it.”

  Katie quickly related the story of how she’d found little Susan and had taken care of her for several days.

  “Why’d you keep the boppli so long?”

  “I was lonely with my folks gone, and the boppli kept me company. Besides, she was so sweet, and it was hard to let her go.”

  Ella’s disapproving frown made Katie cringe. “If you were lonely, you should have let me know. You could’ve come over to our place to stay, or I could’ve stayed with you. Didn’t you realize that the sheriff needed to be told about the boppli right away?”

  Katie sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. “You don’t have to be so judgmental. Freeman understood why I kept the baby so long. He didn’t try to make me feel guilty.”

  Ella’s eyes opened wide. “Freeman knew you had the boppli, and he kept quiet about it?”

  Katie nodded once more. “He went to the store to get me some things for the boppli, and then the day Mom and Dad got home, he was going to—”

  “I can’t believe you’d do something like that, Katie. I’m really disappointed in you.”

  Katie’s throat clogged, and her eyes stung with tears. “I—I need to go.” She stepped up into the buggy, gathered the reins, and clucked to the horse. She wished she’d never run into Ella. She wished she hadn’t agreed to pick up the clock for Dad. She wished she’d told him she had a headache, because she had one now!

  ***

  JoAnn glanced out the window of the stamp shop and frowned. Katie had been gone a long time, and she was beginning to worry. What if something had happened to her as she was out running the errand for Jeremy? Ever since the accident Katie and her cousins had been involved in last fall, JoAnn had worried about Katie.

  But for the grace of God, it could have been Katie’s life that was taken that day, she thought ruefully. But the Lord had spared Katie, and even though she’d suffered from the emotional effects, she hadn’t been physically hurt. At first JoAnn had thought Katie just needed some time to get over the shock of losing Timothy. But when she’d tried to get Katie to visit Timothy’s grave and seen her reaction, she’d realized that Katie had a long way to go in overcoming her grief over losing Timothy. Now, with Katie having all sorts of physical and emotional problems, JoAnn was even more concerned. What if Katie never snapped out of it? What if she got worse instead of better?

  The clip-clop of horse’s hooves drew JoAnn’s attention to the window again. She was relieved to see Katie climb down from her buggy. Now she could stop worrying and get back to work.

  When Katie entered the stamp shop a few minutes later, JoAnn said, “That errand your daed sent you on must have taken some time.”

  “Jah, it did,” Katie said with a nod.

  “Wouldn’t have anything to do with my birthday, would it?”

  Katie grimaced as she rubbed her forehead. “I really can’t say.”

  “What’s wrong? Aren’t you feeling well?”

  “I have a koppweh. Seems like I’ve been getting a lot of them lately.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that. Why don’t you go up to the house and lie down for a while?”

  “Don’t you need my help this afternoon?”

  “Things have been slow here today, so I’m sure I can manage on my own.” JoAnn smiled and patted Katie’s arm. “Run along now, and take a couple of white willow bark capsules before you lie down.”

  Katie nodded and hurried out the door.

  ***

  When Freeman looked up from the bike he’d been working on and saw Ella enter his bicycle shop with a pinched expression on her face, he knew she must be upset about something.

  “What’s wrong? Is there a problem with your bike?” he asked, picking up the wrench lying beside the bike’s back wheel.

  She shook her head.

  “Do you need some part or new reflective tape?”

  “No.”

  “What’d you come in for then?”

  “I just came from the Kuntry Store, and while I was there, I saw Katie. She told me about the boppli.”

  Ella’s word pierced Freeman like a knife, and he dropped the wrench on his toe. A shooting pain zinged up his foot, causing him to grimace. A cloud of doubt settled over him. Could Katie really be pregnant?

  “What boppli are you talking about?” he rasped.

  “The boppli Katie found on her porch.” Ella leaned against Freeman’s desk. “She said you knew about the boppli but kept quiet about it.”

  Freeman nodded, feeling a sense of relief. At least Ella wasn’t saying that Katie was pregnant. “Katie asked me not to tell anyone about the boppli she found.”

  “And you agreed to that?”

  “Jah, I did.”

  Ella’s face flamed. “What in all the world were you thinking?”

  “I wanted to help her, and I figured—”

  “What you did was wrong! You didn’t help Katie one little bit by protecting her, either.” Ella eyed him critically. “I hope you’re not leading Katie on.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Katie might think the interest you’ve taken in her goes deeper than friendship, and I don’t want her to get hurt.” Ella shook her head. “She’s already been hurt enough, and I hate to see how naerfich she’s become.”

  Freeman tapped his foot, feeling more frustrated by the minute. “I’m not leading Katie on. I just want to help her deal with her panic attacks.”

  Ella drew back like she’d been stung by a bee. “Katie’s having panic attacks?”

  A burst of heat shot up Freeman’s neck and spread quickly to his cheeks. “I—I figured from what you said about Katie being nervous that she must have told you she was having panic attacks.”

  “I knew she was nervous and had been struggling with some health issues, but I had no idea she was having panic attacks.”

  Freeman groaned. “Guess I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth.”

  “I’m glad you told me. Now that I know, maybe I can help Katie.”

  “Have you ever had a panic attack?”

  “No.”

  “Then what makes you think you can help her?”

  Ella blinked in rapid succession. “Well, I—”

  “Unless you’ve had panic attacks and have been treated for them, I doubt you could help her at all.”

  “I care about Katie, so as soon as I have the chance, I’m going over to see her, and if there’s any way I can help, I surely will.”

  Freeman knew he had to talk to Katie before Ella did. “Sorry, Ella, but I can’t talk anymore. I’ve got an errand to run.” He grabbed his hat and rushed out the door.

  ***

  As Freeman headed over to Katie’s on his bike, he rehearsed what he was going to say. He’d been wanting to see how she was doing since she’d turned the baby over to the sheriff, and now he needed to let her know that he’d blabbed to Ella about her panic attacks. It seemed that he’d been messing up a lot lately where Katie was concerned, and he needed to make things right.

  When Freeman entered the Millers’ stamp shop a short time later, he spotted JoAnn stacking some scrapbook paper on one of the shelves, but he didn’t see Katie anywhere.

  “Is Katie here?” he asked.

  “She has a headache and is up at the house resting.” JoAnn frowned deeply. “With all the problems Katie’s been having, it doesn’t surprise me that she’s been getting so many headaches lately.”

  Freeman nodded and shuffled his feet. “Would you mind giving Katie a message?”

  “Of course.”

/>   “Would you tell her that I’m sorry for blabbing to Ella about her panic attacks?”

  JoAnn tipped her head. “Ella’s having panic attacks?”

  “No, I’m talking about Katie.”

  “Katie?”

  “Jah. While you and Jeremy were gone, she told me about her panic attacks.”

  JoAnn sank into the chair at her desk. “I ... I had no idea!”

  Freeman groaned. He couldn’t believe he’d blown it again.

  CHAPTER 27

  The following day while Katie emptied the trash and rearranged some of their older stamps, JoAnn sat at her desk filling out an order for some supplies they needed. She had a hard time concentrating though. Ever since Freeman had come by and said that Katie was having panic attacks, JoAnn had been thinking about things and fretting over whether she should mention it to Katie or not. She’d planned to speak to Jeremy about the situation last night, but he’d gone back to work in his shop right after supper. By the time he’d come in, she’d fallen asleep. As soon as they had the opportunity to hash things over, she wanted to discuss it with Katie. If Katie really was having panic attacks, they needed to get her some help.

  ***

  As Eunice stood at the kitchen window waiting for Freeman to pick her up for their date, a sense of excitement welled in her soul. The fact that he’d invited her out for supper gave her hope that he might be looking for more than friendship. She certainly hoped so, because she really wanted to get married.

  “Staring out the window isn’t going to bring your date here any quicker,” Mama said, joining Eunice at the window.

  Eunice smiled. “I know, but I’m anxious for Freeman to get here.”

  “You don’t want to appear too anxious.” Mama gestured to the table. “Why don’t you sit and try to relax? We can visit while you wait for Freeman.”

  Eunice took a seat. Mama was right; she was overanxious, but it was hard not to be when she wanted to be with Freeman so badly. She hadn’t had any steady boyfriends since Sam had broken up with her two years ago. Freeman was the first man who’d showed an interest in her since they’d moved to Indiana. He was nice-looking, had a pleasant personality, and owned his own business. What more could she ask for in a husband?

  “Would you like a glass of lemonade or something to snack on while you’re waiting for Freeman?” Mama asked.

  Eunice shook her head. “I’m holding out for the meal we’ll be having at the restaurant.”

  “I guess that makes sense.” Mama took a seat beside Eunice and picked up the newspaper that had been lying on the table. “Did you read the article in here about the English boppli that was left on an Amish woman’s porch?”

  “No, I didn’t. What’d it say?”

  “See for yourself.” Mama handed the paper to Eunice.

  Eunice read the article and frowned. “That’s baremlich!”

  “I think it’s terrible, too.”

  “I wonder if the family who found the boppli is anyone we know.”

  “As a matter of fact, it was Katie Miller.”

  “Seriously?”

  Mama nodded. “When I was outside the Kuntry Store yesterday, I overheard Ella and Katie talking. Katie said she’d found a boppli on her porch and had kept it several days before taking it to the sheriff.”

  Eunice sucked in her breath. “No wonder the stamp shop was closed when I went by there. Katie must have been in the house with the boppli.”

  “That’s not all,” Mama said. “Katie said that Freeman knew about it and had bought some baby items for her.”

  Anger boiled up in Eunice. “Now I know why Freeman’s been acting so secretive lately. He told me he’d gone over to check on Katie once, but I’ll bet he was going over there all the time so he could play with the boppli and hold Katie’s hand.”

  “Now you don’t know that for sure.”

  “I know he was over at Katie’s last Sunday.” Eunice ground her teeth together. “At least he admitted that much.”

  “If I were you, I wouldn’t say anything to Freeman about this,” Mama cautioned.

  “Why not?”

  “It might make him angry if he thinks you don’t trust him.”

  “Well, I don’t trust him. Not anymore.”

  “Even so, if you’re hoping for a relationship with Freeman, you ought to tread lightly, don’t you think?”

  Eunice shrugged.

  “A man doesn’t like it when a woman pushes too hard or becomes demanding. If you want to have a meaningful relationship with Freeman, you need to be careful about what you say and do.”

  “You may be right, but if I’m given the opportunity this evening, I’m going to tell Freeman that I know about the boppli Katie kept hidden.” Eunice stood and rushed to the window. “I think I hear a horse and buggy coming up the driveway. I hope it’s Freeman.”

  ***

  “Are you hungry?” Freeman asked as he and Eunice were ushered to their seats at the restaurant.

  She nodded. She’d been quiet on the way to the restaurant, trying to think of how to broach the subject of Katie. She knew she’d have to handle it tactfully so that Freeman didn’t get upset.

  “I think I’ll have the baked chicken.” Freeman licked his lips and pointed to the menu. “Maybe I’ll have some ham to go with it. What appeals to you, Eunice?”

  She studied her menu a few minutes. There were so many choices that it was hard to decide. “Guess I’ll have the turkey dinner.”

  They placed their orders with the waitress then bowed their heads for silent prayer.

  When Eunice opened her eyes, she found Freeman staring at her.

  “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked.

  “I was just thinking what pretty blue eyes you have.”

  “Danki.” Eunice smiled as her face warmed. Freeman had never given her such a nice compliment before. She felt like she was floating on a cloud. Maybe he does care for me, she thought. He might have been helping Katie with the baby only because he felt sorry for her.

  “The weather was much cooler today than it has been lately.” Eunice continued to smile at Freeman. “Maybe we’ll get some rain.”

  He nodded. “We could probably use some, all right.”

  While they waited for their food, they talked about the weather, Freeman’s bike shop, and Eunice’s inability to find a job.

  “I’m thinking I might try selling candles and scented soaps,” she said. “Maybe I can get some of the women in our community to host some parties in their homes.”

  “That might be a good idea,” he said. “Guess it’s worth a try at least.”

  “That’s what I think, too.”

  Soon after the waitress brought their meal, Eunice noticed Freeman staring across the room. Her gaze followed his, and heat flushed her cheeks. Katie and her folks sat at a table on the other side of the room, and Freeman was looking at Katie!

  ***

  Katie reached for her glass of water and glanced across the room. Her hand froze in midair when she spotted Freeman sitting at a table with Eunice. A wave of envy washed over her. Freeman and Eunice were obviously on a date.

  Katie knew she had no reason to be jealous, because she had no claim on Freeman. He had every right to date Eunice or anyone else he chose, so it was useless to think about her having a relationship with Freeman. Then why does it make me feel sad to see him with her?

  “Aren’t you hungry?” Mom pointed to Katie’s plate. “You’ve hardly touched your chicken.”

  “I’ll eat it. I just need a drink of water right now.” Katie gulped down some water and set her glass on the table. Then she cut a piece of chicken and popped it into her mouth.

  “Are you enjoying your birthday supper?” Dad asked Mom.

  She nodded. “Everything’s real gut.”

  Katie glanced across the room again and was surprised when she saw Freeman heading their way. Eunice remained at their table with a glum expression on her face.

&nbs
p; “How are you doing, Katie?” Freeman asked as he strode up to her side of the table.

  “Okay.”

  “I came by the stamp shop to see you yesterday, but your mamm said you had a headache and were in the house resting. Are you feeling better now?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “How’d things go with the sheriff?”

  “He was very understanding after we explained things to him,” Mom said before Katie could respond.

  Dad nodded in agreement.

  Freeman pulled out the empty chair next to Katie and took a seat. “I also wanted to apologize to you.”

  “For what?”

  “For blurting out to your mamm that you’ve been having panic attacks. I thought your folks probably both knew by now.”

  Dad’s face turned bright red, and he looked at Katie in disbelief. “Is this true?”

  Tears sprang to Katie’s eyes as she slowly nodded.

  “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  “I ... I was afraid to.”

  “Afraid of what?”

  “Afraid you wouldn’t understand. Afraid you might think I was crazy.”

  Freeman’s face turned bright red. “I’m real sorry, Katie,” he said. “I assumed that your folks both knew by now, and after all the things you and I discussed about your panic attacks, I’m surprised you didn’t tell ’em.”

  Katie looked away. She felt betrayed by Freeman. She’d thought he was her friend, but he’d been saying and doing things lately to prove that he was anything but.

  “Will you accept my apology?” Freeman asked.

  She gave a noncommittal shrug.

  Dad cleared his throat and looked at Freeman. “I think my fraa and I need to talk to Katie alone.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  Katie felt Freeman’s eyes on her, but she refused to look at him. She didn’t want him to see the tears burning her eyes, and she didn’t want his pity. She felt relief when Freeman pushed his chair aside and stood. “I’m really sorry, Katie,” he said once more. Then he walked back to the table where Eunice waited for him.