A Plain and Simple Christmas

by Amy Clipston

  “Are you going to even look at me?” she asked, her voice small and quiet, squelched by the pain moving down her legs. “I’m a person. I deserve a response.”

  He met her gaze and scowled. “You’ve said your piece. Now you may leave.”

  “That’s it?” She shook her head in disbelief as angry tears splattered her cheeks. “I came out here in the blizzard to talk to you and all you can do is dismiss me?”

  He stood. “If you won’t leave, then I will.” He moved past her and marched out of the barn.

  Anna Mae covered her face with her hands and sobbed, the pain increasing in her back and abdomen. A few moments later, she heard Kellan calling her name.

  “Annie?” Kellan’s panicked voice echoed through the barn. “Where are you?”

  Anna Mae wiped her eyes. “I’m back here,” she said. “By the workshop.”

  Kellan jogged toward her. “What’s going on? I saw your dad come back into the house.”

  Sobs stole her voice.

  He pulled her into his arms. “Are you all right?”

  She buried her face in his chest as her tears fell. He rubbed her back.

  “That’s it,” he said. “We’re leaving. Now.” He took her hand and led her through the snow toward the SUV. “I’ll go in to let Kathryn know we’re going. You can call her at the bakery next week.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I want to say goodbye to them.”

  Pulling the keys from his coat pocket, he hit the unlock button. “You get in the truck, and I’ll go get them.”

  “But—”

  He opened the passenger door and gestured for her to climb in. “Please, Annie. It will be easier that way. You can say goodbye and then we’ll go to the bed and breakfast and check out.” His eyes softened. “You don’t need this nonsense from your dad. We can spend Christmas Day at home tomorrow and put this mess behind us.” He nodded toward her belly. “We have plenty of good things to look forward to, and that man is not going to steal our joy.”

  She sighed with defeat and climbed into the car, and he jogged through the blowing snow into the house.

  Kellan marched into the house, rage roaring through his veins.

  David glanced over from where he stood with Kathryn and Mary Rose, and his eyes widened. “What’s wrong?”

  “We’re leaving,” Kellan said. He jammed his thumb toward the door. “Anna’s in the car already. Henry upset her, so we’re leaving now. You can go say goodbye to Anna Mae. I need to speak with Mr. Beiler.”

  Kathryn and Mary Rose exchanged surprised expressions and then rushed out the front door.

  “Where’s your father?” Kellan asked David.

  “In the kitchen.” David followed him to the doorway.

  Kellan found Henry standing with a glass of water in his hands.

  “Mr. Beiler,” Kellan began. “I’d like to have word with you, man to man, in private.”

  Henry placed his glass on the counter and gave Kellan a cold look. “Follow me to the porch.”

  Kellan ignored David’s shocked expression and walked with Henry to the enclosed porch, shutting the door behind them.

  “What’s this about?” Henry asked, standing by the row of windows with his arms folded across his chest.

  “You’ve won,” Kellan said. “We’re leaving.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Henry said, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. “I pray that God blesses you with a safe trip home.”

  Kellan shook his head and threw his hands up. “I don’t understand you people at all. You claim to be pious Christians, but you’re nothing but a hypocrite.”

  Henry shook his head. “I claim to be nothing. We’re all sinners and can only be saved through Christ’s grace. We Amish don’t think we’re better than anyone else. We all are working toward our ultimate salvation. Only God knows what’s in your heart and if you’ve lived a life that’s worthy of salvation.”

  “If you claim that you don’t judge others, then why do you treat your sweet Anna Mae like garbage when she comes to visit you?” Kellan demanded, his voice trembling with swelling anger. “How can you consider that a Christian act that will get you salvation?”

  Henry glared at him. “You have no right to judge me.”

  “But you’re judging her!” Kellan shook his head. “You’ve got a lot to learn about what it takes to be a Christian. Your daughter is out in the car nursing a broken heart because of the way you’ve treated her. She thinks you hate her, and from the way you’ve acted, I’m not certain she’s wrong. You need to rethink your role as bishop because I wouldn’t go to any service that you led. In fact, I don’t know how you sleep at night, Henry Beiler.” Kellan turned to leave.

  “You’re wrong,” Henry said, his voice soft. “I don’t hate my daughter.”

  “Really?” Kellan gave a sarcastic snort as he faced him. “You’ve got a real backward way of showing your love.” He paused. “I may not be Amish, but I know what it means to be a Christian,” he continued, jamming a finger in his own chest. “I live my life for the glory of God, I love my wife, and I want to raise children who will worship God too. I also know how to show my family that I love them.”

  Henry stared at him, his expression softening.

  “I’ll leave you with one thought, Mr. Beiler,” Kellan said. “You have a daughter and a future grandchild who may never know you or care to know you. How does that make you feel?”

  Turning, Kellan headed back out to the family room, where David stood with an uncomfortable expression. “We’re leaving. I’ll be in touch.” Without waiting for a response, Kellan hurried past the children standing in the family room and out the door to the car. He breathed in a ragged breath hoping to calm his trembling body. A weight had lifted from his shoulders; he’d finally told Henry Beiler what he thought of his hypocritical ways. Now he could focus on what was important: getting his precious Anna Mae home where she belonged.

  CHAPTER 11

  While she waited in the car, Anna Mae stared out the windshield and took deep breaths. The pain continued to swell, and she bit her bottom lip. She wondered if she should ask Kellan to take her to Lancaster General. However, the pain her father caused in her heart was more overwhelming. She longed to go home and curl up on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Kellan was right: they needed to put this behind them before the baby came. All that mattered was their love, not what her father thought of them.

  Coming here was a mistake.

  Why did she ever believe her father would accept her?

  I’m such a fool to think I can still be considered a part of the family without being Amish.

  The door creaked open, and Mary Rose leaned in and hugged her. “I wish you would stay,” she whispered. “I hate that you have to leave like this.” She held on for several minutes, and Anna Mae hoped she wouldn’t cry.

  Sniffing, Anna Mae forced a smile. “Maybe we’ll come back again someday.”

  “Or maybe you can come with David and me when we visit in the spring,” Kathryn said.

  “I would love that,” Mary Rose said. “Ich liebe dich, mei liewe.”

  “I love you too, Mamm.” Anna Mae squeezed her hand. “Write me.”

  Mary Rose stepped back, and Kathryn moved to the car and hugged her. “You be safe. It’s snowing pretty badly.” Kathryn kissed her head. “Call me. I’ll be at the bakery on Monday. Love you.”

  “Love you too.” Anna Mae sucked in a breath as more pain flared in her back.

  “Was iss letz?” Mary Rose asked, concern flashing in her eyes.

  “Nothing.” Anna Mae tried to force a smile, but her lips formed a grimace. “You get back inside. It’s bitter cold, and the snow is soaking your cloaks.” She squeezed their hands. “I love you both. I’ll write you as soon as we get home.”

  Kellan loped over to the car, his expression serious as if he was pondering something.

  Kathryn and Mary Rose both hugged Kellan before hurrying back through the snow. Kellan clim
bed into the driver’s seat and jammed the key into the ignition, bringing the SUV to life.

  Anna Mae turned her head and watched her mother and Kathryn disappear into the house while fresh tears filled her eyes. She hoped she would see them again soon under better circumstances.

  As the truck eased down the driveway toward the road, Anna Mae sucked in a breath. She rubbed her belly with one hand and her back with the other. The sky was pure white, and the large, fluffy flakes kept the windshield wipers working non-stop, sshhing back and forth but never making any progress keeping the windshield clear before another batch of snowflakes caked the glass.

  Driving in silence, Kellan steered onto the road and the SUV slid sideways. He eased off the gas and slowly continued down the road.

  They drove in silence for several miles, and Anna Mae closed her eyes, praying that the pain would subside. However, it increased, and she began to wonder if she was in labor. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words formed. Turning to Kellan, she found his eyes trained on the road, deep in thought.

  “When your mom gave me a hug, she whispered in my ear that I should take good care of you,” Kellan said, flipping on the defroster. “I find it truly amazing that your mom is so focused on you and so willing to accept you in her life, but your dad is all about the rules. Was he always like that when you were growing up? Was he ever warm to you?”

  Anna Mae took short, ragged breaths as more pain surged through her. Suddenly, she felt wetness between her legs, and she gasped.

  “Annie?” Kellan jammed on the brakes, and the SUV slid sideways down the road, slamming into a snowbank, throwing Anna Mae forward in the seat.

  “Oh no,” he said. “This can’t be happening. Not now.” He put the SUV in reverse, spinning the tires. The vehicle didn’t move. Muttering under his breath, he tried again, then he turned to her. “I’m sorry, honey, but we’re stuck.” He unfastened his seatbelt and leaned over her. “Annie? Are you all right?”

  Anna Mae shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I think my water just broke, and I’m in pain,” she whispered. “Horrible pain. You were right. I guess we should’ve gone to the hospital earlier, but I—” She slammed her eyes shut as another contraction gripped her, stealing her voice.

  “Oh, no.” Kellan took her hand and she squeezed it with all her might. “Oh, Annie. I’m so sorry. This is a nightmare.”

  Once the contraction stopped she opened her eyes and breathed in and out slowly. “I need to get to the hospital. Kellan, I think I’m really in labor. I need a doctor now.”

  He fished his phone from his pocket. Holding it up, he groaned. “No! Not now!” He waved it around, reading the screen. “Stupid cell phone. I thought this company had the best network.”

  He turned back to her. “You stay in the car. I’m going to see if I can get a signal outside. If not, then I’m going to start banging on doors and get you some help.”

  “Be careful,” she mumbled, sinking back into the seat.

  As Kellan climbed from the car, Anna Mae closed her eyes and rubbed her belly, praying that God would grant her a safe delivery for her precious baby.

  After they returned to the house, Kathryn followed Mary Rose into the kitchen. “Can I speak with you alone?” she asked.

  “Ya.” Mary Rose wiped her eyes. “Let’s go into the pantry.”

  Once in the pantry, Kathryn shut the door. “I can’t believe Anna Mae left.”

  “I wish she’d stayed.” Mary Rose sniffed. “I feel terrible that it ended so quickly. Last night I prayed that I’d get some time to really visit with her. I even dreamed about it.”

  “Kellan said Henry really upset her.” Kathryn shook her head. “I’d hoped for better. I thought that God would open Henry’s heart and mind and inspire him to accept Anna Mae and Kellan’s life.”

  Mary Rose sighed. “Ya, me too. But Henry is still the same stubborn old man he was yesterday.” She wiped her eyes. “It was like a cruel prank that I spent less than a day with her after all this time. We should’ve had at least a few days.”

  “I know.” Kathryn gave a sad smile.

  “But maybe we can go visit her in the spring. I’d love to see my new kinskind.” Mary Rose smiled.

  Kathryn frowned. “I have a bad feeling that they shouldn’t have driven out into that blizzard. The snow is blowing very heavily. When I glanced out the window in the living room, I couldn’t see the trees down by the road.”

  Mary Rose nodded, her eyes brimming with fresh tears. “I agree. It’s too dangerous to be on the road. I’m going to worry all night about them.”

  “I think she may be in labor too.” Kathryn folded her arms. “She said she was having back pain and that’s what I had with Amanda. My back hurt so badly that it was as if our horse had kicked me.”

  Mary Rose gasped and cupped her hand to her mouth. “Oh no. I never thought of that. This could be bad.”

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.” Kathryn took Mary Rose’s hand in her hands. “But I can’t shake the feeling that she may need to get to a doctor. I feel like we should do something to help them.”

  “You’re right.” Mary Rose nodded. “But what can we do?”

  Kathryn wracked her brain and then snapped her fingers. “David can take me to the phone shanty. I have Kellan’s cell phone number. I can give them a call and make sure they’re okay.”

  “That’s a great idea.” Mary Rose smiled. “You’re always thinking.”

  Kathryn chuckled. “That’s what David says. I think too much.” She opened the door to the pantry. “I’ll go talk to David.”

  Kathryn located David looking at a book with Ruthie and Lizzie in the enclosed porch. He met her gaze and smiled, and she motioned for him to join her in the doorway.

  “I need to talk to you,” she said as he approached.

  He looked concerned. “Was iss letz?”

  “I’m worried about Anna Mae and Kellan traveling in the snow.” She nodded toward the window, where the snow blew in waves through the trees. She couldn’t see beyond the fence around the pasture. “She was in pain and I’m worried she’s in labor. I’m afraid they’ll wind up stuck somewhere or get in an accident.”

  Rubbing his beard, he glanced out the window. “It is bad out there. I’m not sure what you want me to do about it, though.”

  She gripped his arm. “We need to check on them. I have Kellan’s cell phone number. We can go to the phone shanty at the corner and call. Maybe we can convince them to come back here and stay the night. It would be safer to leave after the plows have cleared the road.” She gave him a pleading look. “Please, David. It would be terrible if something happened to them. I need to know they’re okay or I’ll go crazy with worry.”

  He sighed. “You’re right. I’ll take Junior and go.”

  “No.” She shook her head. “Take me. I need to hear it for myself.”

  He raised an eyebrow in question. “Are you certain?”

  “Ya.” She took his hand and pulled him toward the door. “Kumm. Let’s go before the storm gets any worse.” Kathryn pulled David toward the back door and found Mary Rose and Henry standing near it.

  Mary Rose wore a deep frown while Henry gave her a hard expression. She grabbed Kathryn’s arm. “Are you going to call them?” Her eyes were full of hope.

  “Ya,” Kathryn said with a nod. “We’re hoping we can reach Kellan in time to stop them from leaving. Maybe they’ll come back and wait out the storm. If Anna Mae will agree to come back.” She looked at Henry, who quickly cut his eyes toward the window.

  David fetched his coat from the hook and pulled it on. “We better go before they get too far from the house.” He pulled on his gloves and then handed Kathryn her cloak, helping her wrap it around her body. “Do you have Kellan’s number on you?”

  Kathryn pulled it from her apron pocket. “I stuck it in there when she sent it to me.”

  David turned to the door. “Let’s go.”

  “Be careful.” Mar
y Rose hugged David and then wrapped her arms around Kathryn. “I’ll be praying for your safe return as well as that of Anna Mae and Kellan.”

  Mary Rose sucked in a breath as Kathryn and David rushed through the snow to the barn. Turning to Henry, she narrowed her eyes. “I’m disappointed in you.”

  He kept his eyes trained on the window. “You’ve made that perfectly clear, especially by spending the night on the sofa.”

  “How could you let Kathryn go out in that snow with David?” she asked. “You should be the one heading out into that storm to check on our dochder.”

  To her surprise, Henry’s expression softened slightly, but he remained silent. He looked at her, and her bottom lip trembled.

  “I’m worried about Anna Mae,” Mary Rose said. “I think you’re afraid too, but you just won’t admit it to me.”

  Henry turned back to the window, and Mary Rose silently prayed that God would protect Anna Mae and Kellan and also work on Henry’s heart.

  CHAPTER 12

  Anna Mae bit her lip and tried in vain to stop the tears spurting from her eyes while the pain increased. She practiced the breathing techniques her Lamaze teacher had preached during their classes, but nothing stopped the intense cramping from stealing her breath.

  When the passenger door flew open, hope swelled within her.

  “Did you call the paramedics?” she asked, gripping Kellan’s cold hand.

  His brown hair had patches of wet peppered with snow, and his teeth chattered beneath his bluish lips.

  “No.” He shivered. “I can’t get a signal out here.” He nodded across the street. “I found a house over there. You can’t see it beyond the snow. I banged on the front door, but there was no answer.” His eyes filled with concern. “How are you?”

  “I’m in pain. The contractions are getting harder and closer together.” Her tears started again. “I’m scared. What should we do? I may deliver here in the car.” She glanced out the back window. “How close are we to my mamm’s house? Maybe we can walk back there and she can help me. She’s had five babies of her own and helped to deliver many more.” The pain started again, and she sucked in a breath and gripped Kellan’s cold hands. Closing her eyes, she tried concentrating on something else, but the cramps burned through her mind and white-hot pain ran through her entire body.