by Kelly Long
Charity and Beth followed alongside him and climbed in the wagon. She accepted Josiah from him and held him on her lap. “My sweet boy, you’re so brave.”
Beth patted her bruder’s back. “When we get home, I’ll tell you a story.”
Josiah murmured and closed his eyes.
Charity avoided touching his bandaged hand, relieved he’d fallen asleep on their way home. How would Josiah handle this change in his life? Obedient, kind, and compassionate, her boy possessed a gut nature and took things in stride. She would do all she could to make this easier for him.
The sight of the bandage sent waves of nausea to her stomach. She couldn’t expect Luke to come over each day. Mamm wasn’t well. She wouldn’t want to bother her. She’d have to muster the strength to examine the stitches and wound herself for Josiah’s sake, in order to check for infection and change the bandages. She wrinkled her forehead. This would be one of the most difficult tasks she’d ever done.
Luke glanced at her. “When I said I’d help you with Josiah’s care, I meant each day. I’ll change his bandages and train him how to use his hand.”
She put a hand to her heart. “Danki.”
He’d stepped in and handled this situation as if he were a part of their family.
“You’re kind. I’ll cook supper for you in return.” She liked having Luke’s influence in Josiah’s life. She relaxed a little. She and Josiah would benefit from Luke’s help.
Luke dismounted, tied the horse to the hitching post, and scooped Josiah from her arms. He carried him inside and lowered him to his bed. He removed his coat and shoes and then pulled the covers up to Josiah’s chin. He kissed him gently on the forehead.
Josiah moaned, but his eyes remained shut.
Charity put Josiah’s coat on a peg in his room and put his shoes by a small chair in the corner. His hat must’ve blown off his head during the incident. She’d search for it later. As she gazed at him, curled in his bed, her heart ached and she kissed his forehead. Her son had suffered such a traumatic injury.
She studied him for a moment, then tiptoed out of the room behind Luke and Beth. “Danki, Luke. There aren’t enough words to express how thankful I am for your thoughtfulness today.”
“You find me anytime you or the kinner need anything. I’ll be back tomorrow to visit Josiah. If he wakes in pain, please come and fetch me. This is traumatic for both you and him.”
She studied his face and held his gaze. Her breath caught. He reached for her cheek but then withdrew his hand.
Beth had gone to the kitchen, but she returned. “Are you leaving so soon?”
Her heart sank. Would he have touched her cheek if Beth hadn’t come in? She hoped so.
Luke dropped his hand to his side. “I’ll be back tomorrow. Your mamm’s letting me change Josiah’s dressing.”
“I’m glad you’re coming to tend to Josiah. Mamm gags if we cut ourselves. She can’t look at blood. I don’t like for Mamm to get sick if I have to show her a cut. Grossmudder has to take care of us when we get hurt, but she’s not feeling gut right now.”
Charity’s cheeks warmed. “I wish I could conquer my bad reaction to such sights.”
Luke stooped to Beth’s level. “Not everyone can handle the sight of blood and wounds. They have big hearts and don’t like to see people in pain or suffering. She loves you, and it hurts her when you or Josiah experience pain. You and I need to help her take care of Josiah, all right?”
Beth clasped her mamm’s hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”
“I accept your apology.”
She dropped her mamm’s hand and faced Luke. “What can I do to help Josiah?”
“You can be my nurse.”
“Maybe I’ll be a nurse when I grow up.”
Charity patted her dochder’s shoulder and pointed to Josiah’s room. “Take a peek at Josiah. If he’s sleeping, don’t disturb him. If not, maybe you can tell him your favorite Bible story about Moses and the burning bush.”
“Gut idea.” Beth scampered down the short hallway.
It had been a long day, but Charity wasn’t ready for Luke to leave. She had a glimmer of hope after the moment they’d shared. “Would you like some hot coffee or tea?”
He shuffled his feet. “No. I must go home to do chores and feed my animals. I’ll come by tomorrow. I’ll go to your mamm’s next door, too, introduce myself, and tell her Josiah is home.”
“Danki. I appreciate all you’re doing for us.”
“I’m sorry you’ve had such a terrible day. Try to get some rest.”
She eyed his back as he left. She wouldn’t ask inappropriate questions, but she wanted to find out more about him. She’d asked him about Lancaster, but he refused to open up about his past. Maybe her mamm would have some suggestions.
Aaron had always been an open book. She talked to him about everything. He had been a loving husband, but he had been frail and unable to do many of the chores or tasks around the haus. She had grown weary at times, handling most of the work. Luke had already come to her rescue and eased her daily workload. She liked having a strong, able-bodied man to help her. A gut-looking man like him must’ve had plenty of available women interested in him in Lancaster. Why hadn’t he married?
Tuesday afternoon, footsteps trampled the snow outside. Charity peered out the window.
Beth and Josiah joined her. “Is Luke here?”
“Grossmudder’s next to him. He’s escorting her. She must’ve been walking over and met him coming to our porch. Mamm must be healed from her cough and sneezing.”
Beth and Josiah clapped.
Josiah took slow steps to the door and opened it. “Hello, Luke and Grossmudder.” He hugged them.
Beth reached for their coats and hats. “Grossmudder, I see you’ve met Luke. He’s our friend.”
“He stopped and introduced himself the day Josiah got hurt. He was kind enough to let me know the doctor had bandaged his wound and sent him home.” She smiled and passed Beth her coat.
Charity greeted them.
Beth clasped Luke’s hand and led him to the floor, where she had a game for them to play. Josiah sat close on his other side.
Charity kissed her mamm’s cheek. “I’m glad you’re here. Your color has returned and you’re moving around better. Your voice sounds clearer, too. Are you feeling all right?”
“I am.” She whispered, “The kinner and Luke get along well.”
“Yes, they love him.” She recounted how Josiah had hurt himself and how Luke came to their rescue. “He comes over each day and changes Josiah’s dressing and teaches him how to use his hand.”
“How’s Josiah handling the loss of his finger?”
“It’s been three days since his accident. He’s adjusting, and he does have soreness now and then. He takes less medication each day. Luke created some games to teach him how to use his hand. He’s the most patient man I’ve ever encountered. Josiah will do anything Luke tells him to do.”
Luke glanced over his shoulder. “I’m going to change the dressing now, if you’d like to go to the kitchen.”
Her mamm raised her eyebrows and leaned in close. “I take it you’ve told him about your reaction to injuries? It’s thoughtful of him to consider you.”
“Luke’s been a blessing. Would you like to join me?” Charity padded to the kitchen.
Her mamm followed and sat at the table. “I caught Luke stealing glances at you while we were talking. I’m certain he’s smitten with you and the kinner. Are you interested in him?”
Charity pulled leftover ham from the icebox and corn bread from the bread box. “He’s a smart and hardworking, God-fearing Amish man who has all the qualities I want in a husband and daed for Josiah and Beth, but he confuses me. One minute I find him gazing at me, and the next, he finds excuses to run from me. I don’t understand him.”
“What has he told you about his life in Lancaster?
“Not much.”
Her mamm had
been a great support for her and the kinner. Anytime she needed someone to mind the kinner, her mamm came to her rescue. She could talk over any subject, and Mamm listened and offered gut advice. She admired and respected the wisdom, caring attitude, and strength she showed after her daed’s death. She shivered. The idea of her mamm leaving this earth one day frightened her.
Charity put her cooking pans on the already warm stove. “I’m sorry you haven’t been able to get out of the haus for the last few weeks due to your health. I’ll fill you in on what little I do know.” She recounted the story of Luke’s acceptance in the church. “Friends and neighbors in our community have asked him to do repairs. I’ve not heard anyone say anything bad about him.”
“Why hasn’t he married?”
Charity spilled beans on the floor and stooped to clean them up. “He’s said nothing about why he’s not married. Any suggestions on how I can encourage him to open up? I sense he’s hiding something, but what?”
Her mamm stood, raised a pitcher, and poured water into a glass. “Ask appropriate questions, be attentive and listen to his answers, but don’t pry into his personal life. Pray and ask God for guidance. God will work this out for you if it’s meant for you and Luke to grow close.”
“He plays games, puts together puzzles, and patiently answers the kinner’s questions. He listens to what they have to say, no matter how long they prattle on to tell their stories.”
“He sounds a lot like your daed.”
Charity missed her daed. They’d had a close daed and dochder relationship. Her daed and Luke were so much alike. Both were physically strong, Amish law–abiding men who were loving and kind. Her husband had been a kind soul, but frail and weak, not able to play or interact with the kinner like Luke could.
Her daed had loved her mamm, and it showed by the way he gazed at her, helped her, and talked to her about everything. She’d had a marriage like theirs once, and she wanted to experience it again one day. “Josiah and Beth obey and respect Luke like they did their daed. I would like to have a husband and daed in our lives again someday.”
“Maybe Luke will be the one God has planned for you.” She gently tapped Charity’s nose. “Like I’ve told you several times throughout your life, be patient.”
She groaned. “Patience isn’t my best quality. I’m not getting any younger.” She eyed Luke coming in the room and paused.
Luke sat at the table. “Josiah’s injury has no sign of infection. It’s healing as it should.”
Her mamm crossed the room, lifted plates and utensils, and began to set the table. “Luke, it’s nice of you to help my dochder and the kinner. I appreciate it.”
“I’m happy to do it. Charity repays me with her gut cooking, and I get to play my favorite games with the kinner. I’ve never outgrown playing tiddledywinks or tic-tac-toe.”
They laughed.
Charity eyed Luke sitting and chatting to her mamm. He fit into her family like her favorite warm, cozy, and comfortable quilt. Did he dread going home to an empty haus?
CHAPTER 3
A week and a half later, Luke finished cutting wood and hung his ax in the barn. He snapped his fingers. He had an idea and strode to Charity’s haus. He rapped on the door.
Beth answered and waved him in. “Are you gonna have time to piece together a puzzle?”
“I’ll make time.” He approached Josiah. “How’s the hand?”
“It doesn’t hurt.”
Charity adjusted her apron. “Would you like some hot tea?”
“No. I came to take Josiah to Dr. Harris to have his stitches removed. He had said to bring Josiah in about this time.”
“I had planned to take him tomorrow, but today would be fine.” She untied her apron. “I should go, too.”
“You’re wilkom to go, but it’s not necessary. We’ll be back in no time. Josiah, would it be all right if I took you to Dr. Harris to have your stitches removed?”
“Yes. Mamm better stay here. It might make her sick if she goes.”
Beth grabbed her coat. “I wanna go.”
Josiah clasped Luke’s hand. “No, this is a boy’s trip. Right, Luke?”
Charity put her hands on Beth’s shoulders. “You can make bread pudding. I’ll lay out the ingredients for you.”
“I like making bread pudding. All right, I’ll stay here.”
Luke swiped his forehead. “You saved me from an awkward moment. Danki.”
They chuckled.
Luke and Josiah bid Charity and Beth farewell, went outside, and climbed in the wagon. He chuckled as Josiah prattled on about his day at school. Pulling in front of Dr. Harris’s office, Josiah stopped talking. “Are you all right?” Luke asked.
Josiah’s lips quivered. “I’m scared.”
“Let’s pray.” He bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, please protect Josiah as Dr. Harris removes his stitches. Comfort and strengthen him during this time. Amen.
“Are you ready?”
Josiah threw back his shoulders. “Ready.”
He loved the child as if he were his own son. Josiah had compassion and strength like his mamm. They walked inside. Dr. Harris sat at his desk.
“We’re here to get Josiah’s stitches removed.”
Dr. Harris stood and pushed his spectacles up his nose. “Very well, come with me.” He waved them toward the exam room.
Luke followed. He was determined to stay next to Josiah this time.
Dr. Harris glanced over his shoulder and stared at him for a moment.
Luke darted his eyes away from Dr. Harris and helped Josiah onto the table. He kept his hand on his shoulder. “I’m right here.”
Dr. Harris washed his hands and began to remove the stitches.
Josiah closed his eyes from time to time but didn’t make a sound. The boy was a brave little soul.
The doctor applied saline solution. “Your wound has healed well. You no longer need a bandage. Keep it clean. You may go.” He walked out of the room.
Luke helped Josiah off the table. He couldn’t understand why Dr. Harris had chosen this profession if he wasn’t happy talking to people. He was glad they wouldn’t have to visit him again anytime soon. “Did it hurt?”
“Not too much. God took care of me.”
He guided him out the door. “Jah, He always does.”
“Luke, danki for taking me. Your sitting next to me helped, too.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He pointed to jars sitting on the counter in the window. “Let’s buy some candy to take home. You deserve it for being such a gut boy.”
Josiah beamed.
They went inside the general store, and Josiah picked out his favorite red and orange hard candy. He picked Beth’s favorite color, green, and the store owner put the pieces in a bag and passed it to him.
Josiah held it up. “Can you put this in your pocket? I’m afraid I’ll drop it.”
Luke stuffed the bag in his pocket, and they crossed the dirt-covered road and got in their wagon to ride home.
Luke halted the horse in front of Charity’s haus. “You go inside. I’ll take care of the wagon.”
“I want to help.”
He grinned. The boy never turned down time to spend with him. His heart warmed. They secured the horse in his barn and strolled inside Charity’s haus. She stood in her flour-stained apron in the kitchen. Her kapp had shifted, and strands of blond hair hung loose. The word beautiful popped into his mind.
Josiah held up his hand. “Dr. Harris pulled out my stitches.”
Charity hugged him. “Did it hurt?”
“No.” He lifted his chin and shoulders. “Luke called me brave.”
“He held up his hand, watched the doctor, and didn’t make a sound. I doubt I would’ve been as courageous as Josiah.”
Beth rushed over to her bruder. “There’s no more blood.” Beth stretched out her hand and held it up next to Josiah’s. “I can’t imagine not having my finger.”
Charity hugged her dochd
er. “None of us ever consider that something like this will happen to us, but Josiah has taught us we can overcome anything with God’s help. Right, Josiah?”
The child nodded and grinned. “I prayed and asked God to take the pain away, and God did. Luke, you prayed I’d be able to use my hand in no time, and I can.”
Luke met Charity’s bright blue eyes. Jah, he loved her. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t stop his heart from racing at the sight of her. He had warned himself not to let it happen, but his heart wouldn’t listen. Coming to her haus each day, he’d gotten accustomed to their routine. Could he put his fears aside and trust a woman again? Not yet. The familiar ache he’d suffered when Martha left him came rushing back.
Josiah scampered to the table. “I’m hungry.”
“Danki for taking him. You made this much easier for Josiah and me.”
“I enjoyed taking him. I like helping you.”
Beth and Josiah closed their eyes and bowed their heads. Neither said a word.
Luke chuckled. He accepted the hot, steaming chicken and dumpling bowl and quilted pads from her and centered it on the table. “We have two hungry kinner on our hands.” His “we” hung in his mind. He hadn’t given it a thought, but “we” did have a nice ring to it.
They sat and she served them.
Josiah recounted his visit to Dr. Harris. “Luke bought me candy for after supper. It’s in his coat pocket.”
Beth stared at her lap.
“Don’t worry, Beth. We bought you and your mamm a bag of hard candy, too, but you must ask your mamm’s permission before you eat any of it.”
Beth softened. “Danki, Luke.”
The kinner cleaned their plates.
Josiah asked, “May we be excused and get a piece of candy?”
“Yes, you may.” Charity waited until the kinner left and then pushed her plate aside. “You don’t talk much about your past in Lancaster, Luke. Is there a reason?”
She’d finally asked him the dreaded question. He still wasn’t ready to talk about it. How embarrassing and humiliating.
His jaw clenched. Anger flashed through him as the memory popped in his mind. “The passing of my parents and some other incidents prompted me to move and start fresh here.”