“It’s not foolish. It’s proven to work on a lot of different things, and Dr. Hopkins thought I should at least give it a try.”
“And have you?”
He nodded. “It did bring some relief, so I’m going to keep doing it every day and see how it goes.”
Ada clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “I can’t believe you’d actually try something like that! Sounds like a bunch of hooey to me, and it might even border on superstition.”
“It’s not superstition! I thought you’d be glad to know that I’ve had less pain.”
“I am glad about that, but—”
“What was it you wanted to talk to me about?” Wayne asked, feeling the need for a change of subject.
Ada’s eyes narrowed into tiny slits. “Before I left Shipshewana around noon, I decided to get some lunch at the Wana Cup Restaurant. You’ll never guess who I saw there.”
“Who was it?”
“Loraine and Jake Beechy—sitting at the same table together!”
“Why would I care about that? Loraine has a right to have lunch with anyone she pleases.” Wayne’s face reddened. “I broke up with her, remember?”
She nodded. “I just thought you’d like to know how fickle she is. Couldn’t even wait a week before she took up with her old boyfriend.”
“Like I said, she has the right to see Jake if she wants to. In fact, it’s probably for the best. Since Loraine and I won’t be getting married, she needs to move on with her life.”
“Do you truly mean that?”
He gave a slow nod.
“I’m real glad to hear it.” Ada smiled and touched his shoulder. “Since I didn’t eat lunch in Shipshewana after all, I’m going into the house to fix myself something to eat. If you haven’t eaten already, I’d be happy to fix something for you, too.”
“No thanks. Pop and I had a ham sandwich about an hour ago.”
“Wouldn’t you at least like to come inside and keep me company?”
He shook his head. “You go ahead. I’m gonna stay out here with Tripod awhile longer.”
“All right then.” Ada patted the top of Wayne’s head and left the barn, wearing a satisfied smile. It looked like she wouldn’t have to do a thing to see that Wayne didn’t marry Loraine. He’d taken care of that himself, and she was pleased that he seemed to have accepted the fact that he was better off without Loraine. She just wished there was some way to get him back with his old girlfriend again. Too bad Fern and her family had moved to Ohio.
***
As Loraine pedaled her bicycle home from work that afternoon, she allowed her thoughts to wander. She had enjoyed being with Jake today. Sitting in Wana Cup, eating a juicy burger, had brought back memories of the days they’d been dating. Jake was fun to be with, and his lighthearted attitude made him easy to talk to.
Of course, she reasoned, Wayne was easy to talk to before the accident. Now I feel like I’m talking to the barn wall whenever I visit with him. If he’d only take down the barrier he’s erected and let me get close to him again.
She blinked against stinging tears, remembering how peaceful and content she used to feel when she and Wayne were together. Now she felt as if she was skating on thin ice. Every time she opened her mouth, she was afraid she’d say the wrong thing. She thought about the verse of scripture that Ella had attached to the loaf of friendship bread she’d given her a few weeks ago. She wondered if she would ever really have the desires of her heart that Psalm 37:4 spoke of.
Of course, she thought, I’m not sure what my desires are anymore. A few months ago, Loraine had known exactly what she wanted and had looked forward to the future with gladness. Now she just felt confused and frustrated.
Wayne and I will never get back together if we don’t see each other. I’ve got to go over to his place and check on him from time to time, even though he asked me not to. I’ll just have to be careful what I say when I’m near him and make sure I don’t bring up the subject of marriage.
Loraine turned her bike up the road leading to the Lambrights’ place. She would stop there right now and say hello to Wayne before she went home.
She left the bike around the back of the house, stepped onto the porch, and knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Ada answered her knock.
“I came by to see how Wayne’s doing,” Loraine said. “Is he at home?”
“He is, but he doesn’t want to see you.” Ada’s tone was about as cold as a block of ice. There wasn’t even a hint of a smile on her face.
Loraine’s jaw clenched. “I know what he said, but I thought—”
“I saw you with Jake Beechy at the Wana Cup Restaurant today.” Ada’s lips compressed tightly together. “Are you two dating again?”
“No, of course not. I was taking my lunch break when I ran into Jake. He asked if he could join me.”
Ada folded her arms and leaned against the doorjamb. “Humph! You could have said no.”
Irritation bubbled in Loraine’s soul. “I didn’t want to be rude. I thought—”
“What’s going on?” Wayne asked as he wheeled up to the door.
Loraine smiled, feeling a sense of relief. “I’m glad to see you, Wayne. I came by to see how you’re doing and ask if there’s anything I can to do to help.”
“We’re getting along just fine,” Ada said in a none-too-friendly tone.
Wayne looked up at his mother. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to talk to Loraine for a few minutes alone.”
Ada’s face blanched. “But you said you didn’t want her coming over here again.”
“I know what I said, but I want to talk to Loraine alone.”
Loraine held her breath and waited for Ada’s response.
After several seconds ticked by, Ada gave a muffled grunt, spun around on her heel, and marched into the house.
Wayne motioned to the wicker chair on one end of the porch. “Would you like to take a seat?”
“Okay.” Loraine lowered herself into the chair, and Wayne maneuvered his wheelchair next to her.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Wayne said. “After what I told you last week, I didn’t think you’d come over again.”
She shook her head. “I can’t stop coming to see you, Wayne. I care for you too much.”
“Guess I can’t stop you from coming over, but you need to know that we can never be more than friends.”
“I wish you wouldn’t say that. I wish—”
“I heard you had lunch with Jake today.”
She nodded slowly, as a rush of heat cascaded up her neck and onto her cheeks. “I guess your mamm couldn’t wait to tell you that she saw us at the restaurant, huh?”
“She did mention it.”
“I hope you know there’s nothing going on between me and Jake.”
He shrugged. “Since we’re no longer engaged, I have nothing to say about it. You have the right to see anyone you choose.”
Loraine fought the temptation to say more on the subject but remembered her decision not to push Wayne or bring up marriage. “How are you feeling?” she asked. “Are you still having that phantom pain?”
He shook his head. “Not so much this week as I did before.”
“That’s good to hear. I guess the pain medicine must be helping.”
He shrugged. “It’s helped some, but I’ve had even less pain since I started using a new technique.”
“What technique is that?”
“It involves tapping on various acupuncture points in the body.”
Loraine listened with rapt attention as Wayne explained the principles of the tapping method he’d been shown and said his chiropractor had suggested that he give it a try.
“Then, too,” he added, “I’ve been keeping busy taking care of Tripod, so that has helped to take my mind off my own problems for a while.”
“Tripod?”
“She’s one of our young ewes. Got her left front leg stepped on by one of our horses, and the vet had to take it off
.” He glanced at the place where his own leg had been. “My daed wanted to put her down, but I talked him out of it.” He paused and stared off into space. Then he turned to look at her again. “Tripod and I have one thing in common.”
“What’s that?”
“We’ve both lost a leg and will have to learn how to walk all over again.”
“Does that mean you’ve decided to get a prosthesis?”
“Haven’t made up my mind yet. Those things are expensive. I was told they can run anywhere from three thousand dollars all the way up to fifteen thousand for the really fancy ones.”
“I’m sure our community will help with your expenses. In fact, my daed mentioned the other night that some folks are making plans to hold a benefit auction to help with the medical bills for everyone who was involved in the accident.” She smiled. “If you had a prosthesis, you might be able to farm again.”
Deep creases formed across Wayne’s forehead. “A lot of good that would do me, since Pop’s already leased out our land.”
“I’m sure you can find something else to do—something that’s not as physical as farming. Or maybe you can farm for someone else.”
“I don’t know about that. Pop wants me to learn taxidermy, but I’m not so sure that kind of work’s for me, either.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose and grimaced. “I’ll have to find something to do, though. Sure can’t expect my folks to support me for the rest of my life. They won’t be around forever.”
The dejected look on Wayne’s face was almost Loraine’s undoing. She wanted to reach out to him—wrap her arms around him and assure him that everything would work out okay. She wanted to tell him that she thought he should take his father up on his offer to become a taxidermist and then they could be married as planned. She knew that would be a mistake, though, so she kept those thoughts to herself.
Finally, Loraine rose from her chair. “I’d better get going. Mom will be starting supper soon, and I should be there to help.”
“I appreciate you coming by,” he said. “Next time you come over, maybe I can introduce you to Tripod.”
“I’d like that,” she said, smiling down at him. “Good-bye, Wayne.”
As Loraine hurried toward her bike, a renewed sense of determination welled in her soul. She could not allow her feelings for Jake to surface. She needed to concentrate on Wayne. With a little time and some patience, she was sure he would realize they were meant to be together. She hoped, however, that she wouldn’t have to wait too long, because the more time she spent with Jake, the more confused she became.
CHAPTER 18
The following day, Loraine decided to stop and see Ella on her way home from work. It had been awhile since they’d had a good chat, and she was certainly in need of one.
She found Ella in the kitchen, stirring a batter of yeasty-smelling dough.
“It’s good to see you.” Ella smiled. “Are you ready for some more friendship bread?”
“If you have some made, I could take a loaf, but I’d prefer not to take home any starter.”
Ella motioned to the stove. “There are a couple of loaves in the oven, and they should be done shortly, so I’d be glad to give you a loaf.” She glanced at the table. “If you’d like to have a seat, I’ll fix us some tea.”
“That sounds nice. I’m in need of a good visit.” Loraine pulled out a chair at the table and took a seat.
A few minutes later Ella placed a pot of tea on the table, along with two cups and a plate of ginger cookies. “Is there something specific you wanted to talk about?” she asked, seating herself in the chair beside Loraine.
Loraine nodded as she poured herself a cup of tea. “I’m really verhuddelt.”
“What are you confused about?”
“I had lunch with Jake the other day, and being with him conjured up some feelings I thought I’d forgotten.”
Ella gasped. “You’re not in love with him, I hope.”
“No, I’m not. It’s just that being with Jake makes me think about the past and how happy we used to be when we were dating.” Loraine took a sip of tea. “He’s easy to talk to and so full of life. Being with him takes my mind off my troubles, and he makes me laugh, which is something I really need right now.”
“Have you forgotten that he walked out on you so he could try out the English world and make lots of money?” Ella’s face contorted. “Have you forgotten that he quit writing after only a few letters and didn’t return home until he heard about the accident?”
“I haven’t forgotten any of that, but it’s not right to harbor resentment, and he did say he was sorry.” Loraine sighed deeply. “I think Jake and I can still be good friends, and we are moving on from the past.”
“I’m not saying you should harbor resentment. I’m reminding you not to get involved with Jake because he’ll only hurt you again.” Ella touched Loraine’s arm. “And what about Wayne? Are you just going to walk away from him now that Jake is back?”
“No, of course not.” Loraine frowned. “I went by to see Wayne after work yesterday. Would I do that if I planned to walk away?”
“I guess not.” Ella drank some tea, set the cup down, and fiddled with the handle of her spoon. It seemed like she always had to be doing something to keep her hands busy. “How’s Wayne doing? Is he still in a lot of pain?”
“He’s said his pain’s some better because of some new thing the chiropractor asked him to try, but I could tell that he’s still struggling with depression. He’s really upset because his daed leased out their land. That leaves Wayne no chance to farm even if he does get a prosthesis and learns to walk well with it.”
“Does he plan to get one?”
“I don’t know. He’s concerned about the cost, but I know it’ll be easier for him to adjust if he gets one soon.”
“Maybe after the benefit auction, he’ll have the money he needs.”
“I hope so, but remember, whatever money’s brought in will be divided among everyone who has hospital and doctor expenses due to the accident.”
Ella nodded. “We’ll need to pray that a lot of things will be auctioned off and that there will be plenty of money in the fund.”
***
When the back door swung open, Priscilla turned from peeling carrots to see who had entered her kitchen. “Oh, it’s you, Amos. I thought it might be Loraine.”
“She’s not home from work yet?” he asked, removing his stocking cap and hanging it on a wall peg near the door.
Priscilla shook her head. “Maybe she stopped off to see Wayne on her way home from work. She went by there yesterday, you know.”
He pulled out a chair at the table and took a seat. “Speaking of Wayne, I ran into his daed when I was Topeka earlier today.”
“What’d you go to Topeka for?”
“Went to the shoe and boot store. I told you I was going there, remember?”
“Guess I must have forgotten.” She reached for another carrot to peel. “Did you take time out to visit with Crist?”
“We talked for a few minutes.” Deep wrinkles formed across Amos’s forehead. “He said something kind of disturbing to me.”
“What was that?”
“Said his wife saw Loraine having lunch with Jake Beechy yesterday.” He grunted and slapped at the dirt on the sides of his trousers. “If she’s in love with Wayne and hopin’ to marry him someday, you wouldn’t think she’d be having lunch with another man.”
Priscilla leaned against the sink as she stared out the window. “Hmm...”
“Hmm, what?”
“Maybe Loraine and Jake will get back together. She was pretty smitten with him when she was a teenager, you know.”
“Maybe so, but she promised to marry Wayne.”
“True, but he doesn’t want to marry her now, and I think it might be for the best.”
His eyebrows shot up. “How can you say that, Priscilla? I thought you liked Wayne as much as I do.”
She pursed her lips. “He’s a nice eno
ugh fellow, but he’s become awful moody since the accident. Besides, I think dealing with his handicap would be hard on Loraine.”
“Loraine’s a strong woman. I’m sure she could deal with most anything if she wanted to badly enough.”
She shrugged. “Jah, well, between you and me, I felt a sense of relief when Wayne broke things off with her.”
“I think you’re wrong, and it would be best if you kept quiet about this and let our daughter make her own decisions.” Amos pushed away from the table. “I’ll be out in the barn. Ring the dinner bell when supper’s ready.”
“Despite what you think, I do know what’s best for our daughter,” Priscilla mumbled as he rushed out of the room.
***
“This is sure not my favorite thing to do,” Jake grumbled as he laid out some horse shoeing supplies. “I’d rather be breaking horses than shoeing ’em.”
Jake knew he shouldn’t complain. For as long as he chose to live at home, he’d need to work and contribute to the family’s income. He just hadn’t expected Dad to come down with the flu this morning, leaving him stuck shoeing all the horses lined up for the day. Charlie Albright, Dad’s hired driver, would be here in a few hours to take him to several farms out of the area where horses needed to be shod. In the meantime, he had to shoe a couple of buggy horses that had been brought here to his dad’s place. Their closest neighbor, Melvin Smucker, had dropped off his son’s horse, as well as one of his own, while he ran some errands in Goshen. If Charlie arrived before Melvin got back, Jake would leave Melvin’s horses in the corral.
As Jake removed the old shoes from the first horse, he allowed his thoughts to wander. He’d enjoyed his lunch with Loraine the other day and looked forward to seeing her at church on Sunday. He’d like to have another lunch date with her or maybe take her for a ride in his buggy.
When I think the time is right and I’ve worked up my nerve, he decided, I am going to ask her out for a real date.
Years of regret tugged at Jake’s heart. He’d been a fool to leave her the way he had. Jake gritted his teeth. By staying away so long, and not keeping in touch, I opened the door for my best friend to swoop in and take my girlfriend away. Loraine’s even prettier now than she was two years ago. Jake frowned. I wonder if it’s really over between her and Wayne.
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