A Cousin's Prayer

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “I’ll be fine on my own, so just go ahead to school and teach your scholars. By the time you get home, all the trees in our yard will have had a nice haircut.”

  “All right then,” Fern said with a nod, “but please be careful.”

  “I will.”

  She pushed her chair away from the table, picked up her dishes, and carried them to the sink. “Oh, I forgot to mention that I talked to Eunice the other day, and she said that since she hasn’t been able to find a job, she’s decided to start selling candles and scented soaps. I think I might book a party with her soon.”

  “That’s nice,” Freeman mumbled around a mouthful of cereal.

  Fern glanced over her shoulder. “Have you made any plans to go out with Eunice soon?”

  He shook his head. “We broke up a few weeks ago. I thought I’d told you that.”

  “You did, but I was hoping you’d change your mind and get back together with her.”

  “Nope.”

  “Why not?”

  “She’s too much of a gossip, and she’s pushing to get married.” He gulped down the rest of his juice and swiped his tongue across his lip. “I’m not ready for marriage. At least not with her.”

  Fern’s forehead wrinkled. “Are you thinking about marrying someone else?”

  “Maybe. When the time’s right.”

  “It’s not Katie Miller, I hope.”

  Freeman blew out his breath. “What have you got against Katie?”

  Fern shrugged. “I don’t have anything against her personally, but I don’t think she’s the right woman for you.” Fern glanced at the clock. “We can talk about this later. I need to go or I’ll be late for school.” She grabbed her canvas satchel and black outer bonnet then hurried out the door.

  ***

  “How are things going for you?” Dr. Coleman asked Katie as she took a chair on the other side of his desk.

  “I’ve been driving the buggy more, and I’m having fewer panic attacks.”

  “That’s good to hear. Are you going places that have caused you to feel nervous in the past?”

  Katie nodded.

  “What do you feel has helped the most in conquering your panic attacks?”

  “The tapping method, breathing exercises, and homeopathic remedy are helping me relax, and I think facing my fears and talking back to the panic attacks are keeping them from happening so often or lasting so long.” Katie clutched the folds in her dress, wondering if she should bring up the subject of moving back to Florida.

  “You look kind of thoughtful. Is there something on your mind?”

  Katie nodded. She figured she may as well tell him now. “My dad’s cousin and his wife will be moving to Florida soon, and I’m planning to go with them.”

  His eyebrows rose. “How come?”

  Katie shifted in her chair, too embarrassed to tell him the reason she was planning to move. “Well, I like it in Florida, and I think I’ll be happier there.”

  Dr. Coleman wrote something on his notepad. “Does this decision have something to do with your mother?”

  Katie blinked. “No, of course not. Why would you think that?”

  “I saw the way you responded during your first counseling session with me. It was obvious that your mother wouldn’t let you speak for yourself, and whenever you did get in a word, she kept interrupting.” He placed both hands on his desk and clasped his fingers together. “That’s why I asked her not to sit in on any future sessions.”

  “My mother is overprotective, but that’s not the reason I want to go back to Florida.”

  “What is the reason?”

  Katie squinted against the ray of light streaming in the window as she struggled with what she wanted to say. “There are too many things here to remind me of my past. Too many things I’d rather forget.”

  “You can’t run from your past. You’ll only take your problems with you.” He leaned forward and looked at her so intently that she squirmed in her chair. “You’re just beginning to make some progress in dealing with your panic attacks. If you move now, you might lose ground.”

  “I’ll still be able to do the things I’m doing now,” she said.

  “That may be true, but I think you’ll do better if you keep coming here awhile longer. Will you at least think about it, Katie?”

  She nodded, although as far as she was concerned, the decision had already been made. When Clarence and Mae were ready to move, Katie would be going with them.

  ***

  Later that afternoon while Katie was working in the stamp shop by herself, Ella showed up. “Is it true?” Ella asked, frowning.

  “Is what true?”

  “Are you really moving back to Florida?”

  Katie nodded. “How’d you find out?”

  “My mamm said your mamm told her when they saw each other at the Kuntry Store a few days ago.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  Ella folded her arms. “How come you didn’t tell me about this, Katie?”

  Katie swallowed hard, hoping she wouldn’t cry. “I was going to tell you. I’ve just been busy and haven’t had the chance to speak with you yet.”

  “Does anyone else know?”

  “Just Mom and Dad. Of course I don’t know who else Mom might have told.”

  Ella frowned. “What would make you decide to move back to Florida? I thought things were going better for you and that you were happy living here.”

  Tears welled in Katie’s eyes, and she blinked to keep them from spilling over. “Freeman’s going to marry Eunice next spring.”

  “What’s that got to do with—” Ella’s forehead puckered. “Oh, now I get it. You’re in love with him, aren’t you?”

  Katie nodded slowly. “I ... I didn’t think I could ever love anyone but Timothy, but I feel so peaceful and content when I’m with Freeman.” She reached for a tissue from Mom’s desk and blew her nose. “At least, I used to.”

  Ella slipped her arms around Katie and gave her a hug. “I was afraid you were falling for him, and I tried to warn him not to lead you on, but—”

  Katie pulled away. “You—you’ve talked to Freeman about me?”

  “Jah. I knew he was going out with Eunice, and I was afraid if you fell in love with him, you’d end up getting hurt.”

  “What’d he say when you talked to him?”

  “That I was worried for nothing, that you and he were just friends.”

  Katie swallowed several times until the lump in her throat disappeared. “I ... I’m so embarrassed. I wish you hadn’t talked to him. He probably thinks I’m a foolish little girl who’s been trying to take him away from Eunice. I’ll bet he wishes that he’d never befriended me.” She leaned her head on Ella’s shoulder. “I wish I’d never come back to Indiana!”

  ***

  Freeman had just finished writing up an ad he planned to place in The People’s Exchange when Penny darted up to him with a ball in her mouth.

  He leaned down, grabbed the ball, and tossed it across the room. “Go get it, girl!”

  Woof! Woof! Penny raced after the ball, scooped it up in her mouth, and dashed back to Freeman. She dropped the ball in front of Freeman and looked up at him with her tail wagging and her head cocked.

  Freeman chuckled and threw the ball again. Penny darted after it.

  He was amazed at how quickly she caught on to things. He’d been able to teach her several tricks already—to fetch the ball, roll over, play dead, and sit up and beg. Besides the pleasure it had brought him to train Penny, his customers seemed to enjoy the pup’s antics, too. Freeman had begun to wonder if some people came into the shop just to play with Penny.

  Woof! Woof!

  Freeman chuckled when she dropped the ball at his feet again. “Okay, but this is the last time, girl. I’ve got to get this ad written up; then I need to get outside and trim up some trees.” Freeman tossed the ball, and Penny scampered after it.

  He hurried to finish the ad; then he put the Closed sign in the window a
nd went out the door. Penny raced out with him and found a place to sleep on one end of the porch.

  Freeman went to the barn to get the ladder and lopping shears; then he hauled them across the yard and leaned the ladder against the most overgrown tree. Holding the shears in one hand, he climbed the ladder, reached up, and cut the nearest branch. Then he trimmed two more and leaned out farther to trim a third branch.

  “Whoa!” Freeman clung to the ladder as it began to sway. He leaned to the left, trying to regain control, but it was too late. The ladder shifted again; then it toppled over. Freeman tossed the shears aside and reached for the closest branch. He missed and fell to the ground with a thud.

  A searing pain shot through his chest, and he gasped for breath. Dear God, send someone to help me, please.

  CHAPTER 42

  Eunice was not looking forward to going to the stamp shop, but that’s exactly where she was heading. She’d just come from the Lambrights’ place, where she’d delivered some candles Ada had ordered. Mama had asked her to stop by the stamp shop on her way home to pick up some cardstock and a few scrapbooking supplies. Eunice dreaded seeing Katie because she knew that Katie was in love with Freeman. She could tell by the look on Katie’s face whenever she and Freeman were together.

  Eunice had hoped that after she’d told Katie that she and Freeman planned to be married, it would discourage her from hanging around Freeman so much. What Eunice hadn’t expected was that Freeman would break up with her that very same night. She hoped she could get him to change his mind, but in the meantime, she was worried that Freeman might start going out with Katie.

  When Eunice entered the stamp shop, JoAnn was busy waiting on an English woman, but there no sign of Katie. That was a relief. Maybe Katie wasn’t working today. Maybe she wouldn’t have to speak to Katie at all.

  Anxious to be on her way, she hurried over to the scrapbooking supplies and picked out what Mama needed; then she grabbed a package of cardstock. As soon as the English woman left, Eunice placed the items on the counter.

  JoAnn smiled. “Looks like you’re going to be busy for a while.”

  “These aren’t for me,” Eunice said. “They’re for my mamm.”

  “Oh, I see.” JoAnn placed everything in a plastic bag. “Is there anything else you need?”

  “No, but I was wondering where Katie is. Isn’t she working here today?”

  JoAnn shook her head. “Katie’s up at the house, packing her suitcase.”

  “Is she going on a trip?”

  “No, she’ll be moving back to Florida tomorrow morning.”

  “Now that’s sure a surprise.”

  “It was to us, too. She’ll be living with Jeremy’s cousin and his wife until she finds a job.”

  Eunice smiled to herself. With Katie out of the picture, Freeman was bound to take her back.

  ***

  Slurp! Slurp! Slurp!

  Freeman moaned as Penny continued to lick his face. He tried to sit up, but the burning pain in his chest wouldn’t allow him to move. He tried to talk, but he could barely breathe. All he could do was lie on the ground and pray.

  Clip-clop. Clip-clop. Someone was coming up the lane. Clip-clop. Clip-clop. The sound of horse’s hooves drew closer.

  Freeman gritted his teeth and tried to get up, but it was no use.

  Woof! Woof! Penny darted away.

  Freeman lay there helplessly as Penny continued to bark. Even if he’d been able to holler for help, no one could have heard him with the dog yapping like that. Well, at least she’d quit licking his face.

  Several minutes went by; then someone shouted his name.

  “Oh, Freeman, what happened to you?” Eunice dropped to her knees beside him, her eyes wide with fear.

  “F–fell,” he rasped.

  Eunice stared at him with a blank expression for several seconds. Then she pointed to the ladder nearby. “Did you fall from that?”

  He managed a slow nod. “C–can’t breathe.”

  “I’m going to the phone shed to call for help!” Eunice leaped to her feet and hurried away.

  Penny flopped down beside Freeman, whimpered, and licked his nose.

  Freeman closed his eyes and said a prayer. Thank You, Lord, for sending help.

  Several minutes went by; then Eunice knelt beside him again. “I called 911, and an ambulance is on the way.” She took hold of Freeman’s hand. “I was heading to your bike shop to tell you something, but Penny kept barking and looking up this way, so I decided I’d better see if something was wrong.”

  Freeman’s chest hurt so bad, he could only nod in reply. He was relieved when he heard the wail of a siren.

  “I’d better go to the schoolhouse and let Fern know what’s happened,” Eunice said after the ambulance arrived.

  Freeman nodded and closed his eyes, thankful to God that Eunice had come along when she did.

  CHAPTER 43

  “Would you like another pillow?” Fern asked as Freeman settled himself on the sofa.

  He winced as he shook his head. “One’s enough.”

  “Are you in pain?”

  “A little.”

  “Should I get you some water and a pain pill?”

  “Not right now. I had a pill before we left the hospital.”

  Slurp! Slurp! Penny, who’d been lying on the floor in front of the sofa, lifted her head and swiped her tongue across Freeman’s hand.

  “You’re a good girl,” Freeman mumbled.

  Fern took a seat in the rocking chair across from him. “I’m so thankful that Eunice found you when she did. No telling what would have happened if she hadn’t come along.”

  Freeman nodded. “I’m very grateful.”

  Fern’s nose crinkled. “When Eunice came to the schoolhouse to tell me what happened, I could see how concerned she was. It’s obvious that she cares for you, Freeman.”

  “I know.” Freeman leaned his head against the pillow and closed his eyes. “I’m really tired. Could we talk about this later?”

  A knock sounded on the door. Freeman opened his eyes and groaned. “I hope it’s not someone who went looking for me at the bike shop.”

  “I’ll see who it is.” Fern hurried from the room, and when she returned a few seconds later, Eunice was with her.

  “I was hoping you’d be home from the hospital by now,” Eunice said, moving quickly across the room.

  “I have something to do in the kitchen, so I’ll leave you alone.” Fern smiled at Eunice, and then she scurried from the room.

  “How are you feeling?” Eunice asked, stepping into Freeman’s field of vision.

  “Fair to middlin’, all things considered.”

  She took a seat on the end of the sofa by his feet. “I was really scared when I found you lying on the ground.”

  “I was scared, too.” He grimaced as he tried to find a comfortable position. “Don’t know what I’d have done if you hadn’t come along when you did.”

  She nodded. “Guess it’s a good thing Fern’s puppy was barking like that, or I might not have come up to the yard.”

  Just then Penny leaped into Eunice’s lap and swiped her tongue across Eunice’s nose.

  “Get down!” With a disgruntled look, Eunice pushed Penny to the floor.

  Freeman smiled despite the pain in his chest. “Guess I’m not the only one that pup likes to kiss.”

  They spent the next several minutes in silence. The only noise in the room was the steady tick-tock of the clock on the far wall. Freeman wondered if Eunice felt as uncomfortable as he did. Was she expecting him to say that he’d changed his mind about breaking up with her?

  Should I change my mind? he asked himself. She did come to my rescue yesterday, and she does seem to care about me. Still, I’m not sure that’s a good enough reason to keep going out with her.

  Eunice inched a little closer to Freeman. “When you’re feeling better, maybe you can come over to my place for supper again.”

  The expectant look he saw on Euni
ce’s face made him want to jump off the sofa, run out to the barn, and hide in the hayloft. But he was in no position to jump or run. “Since I’m gonna be laid up for the next several days, I probably won’t be going anyplace,” he said.

  “I meant after you’re feeling better.”

  “Maybe Fern and I can both come to supper after I catch up with things in the shop,” he said, hoping to appease her.

  Her mouth turned up at the corners. “That would be nice.”

  ***

  Loraine’s steps slowed as she neared the stamp shop. When Ella had told her that Katie was leaving for Florida tomorrow, she’d decided to come over and see if she could talk Katie out of going. She just hoped her cousin would listen to reason.

  Loraine stood on the porch a few minutes as she asked God for wisdom in knowing what to say. Drawing in a deep breath, she stepped into the stamp shop. She found Katie bent over a piece of pegboard where some scissors and paper punches hung.

  “I hear you’ll be leaving us tomorrow,” she said, stepping up to Katie.

  “That’s right,” Katie said. “Clarence and Mae are planning to leave sooner than they expected.”

  Loraine touched Katie’s shoulder. “Do you really have to go?”

  Katie nodded, and tears gathered in her eyes. “It’s the best thing for me right now.”

  “How come?”

  Katie sank into a chair at her mother’s desk. “Eunice has spread so many rumors about me, and with her and Freeman planning to get married next spring, it wouldn’t be right for me and Freeman to remain close friends.”

  Loraine’s eyebrows shot up. “Wayne and Freeman are pretty good friends, and as far as I know, Freeman hasn’t mentioned anything to Wayne about marrying Eunice.”

  Katie shrugged. “They probably won’t let too many people know until the time gets closer, but Eunice told me herself that she and Freeman would be getting married.”

  “Speaking of Freeman,” Loraine said, “did you hear that he got hurt while he was pruning some trees in their yard?”

  Katie bolted out of her chair. “When did that happen?”