Betty said, “You take it, Paul. I’m afraid I’ll just start crying.”
He took a deep breath. “Sure.”
The receptionist gestured to a small cubicle. “I’ll transfer the call over there where you can have some privacy. Just pick up the receiver when the red light comes on.”
“Danki. Thank you.”
He did as she instructed. When the red light came on, he picked up the handset. “This is Paul Bowman.”
“Paul, I didn’t know you were going to be there.” It was Toby on the other end of the line.
Just the sound of the boy’s voice lifted Paul’s spirit. “How you doing, kid?”
“I’m fine. Velda Barkman makes great oatmeal-chocolate-chip cookies, and the bishop let me drive his buggy to the phone shack.”
“All by yourself?”
“He came along just to watch. How is my mamm?”
“She and Sophie are still in surgery. I haven’t seen her yet.”
“I hope Sophie doesn’t have yellow eyes anymore. Sometimes kids make fun of her and it hurts her feelings.”
“I don’t think they will make fun of her anymore.”
“I wish I could be there, too.”
He gripped the phone harder. “I know you do. I’ll tell Sophie and your mother that when I see them.”
“Okay.”
“Toby, you are the goot brother. I love you, kid.”
“Really?”
“Really and truly.”
“Danki, Paul. Love you, too. The bishop says I have to get off the phone now. Bye.” The boy hung up before Paul could say anything else. It was a good thing because he couldn’t speak past the lump in his throat. He loved Clara’s children and he loved her.
Please, Lord, give me a chance to tell her that.
Agonizingly long hours later, a young man in blue scrubs came into the waiting room. “Is there anyone here for Clara Fisher?”
Paul and Betty rose quickly to their feet. The tired-looking doctor smiled at them. “Sophie and Clara are both doing fine. They have gone into the recovery room and you will be able to see them in an hour or so.”
Betty pressed her hand to her chest. “That is wonderful news, thank you.”
Paul’s knees gave out and he dropped back into his chair. She’s doing fine. They were the most beautiful words he had ever hoped to hear. He covered his face with his hands as tears of joy ran down his cheeks.
* * *
Clara struggled to open her eyes but her eyelids weighed a hundred pounds apiece. She couldn’t lift them. A woman’s voice said, “Wake up, Clara. There is someone here to see you.”
“Are you sure she’s doing okay?”
It was Paul’s voice. How did he get here? Was she dreaming?
“She’s doing much better now.”
“Thank God for that.” Clara heard the relief ripple through Paul’s voice. Was he really here?
She tried harder to open her eyes and finally succeeded. His wonderful face swam into focus. She wanted to say hello but nothing came out of her mouth but a croaking sound.
“Try some of these ice chips,” the nurse said as she placed a plastic spoon to Clara’s lips.
Clara took the cold chunks, amazed at how wonderful they felt in her dry mouth. When they had melted away, she opened her eyes again.
Paul was bending over her. He laid a hand on her forehead and then moved to cup her cheek. “Hello, sleepyhead. It’s about time you got up.”
“How is Sophie?”
“She’s fine,” Paul assured her.
“She’s right beside you.” The nurse pointed and Clara turned her head to see her baby sleeping peacefully without the blue lights. Thank You, dear Jesus.
The nurse pumped up the blood-pressure cuff on Clara’s arm. “You are in the recovery room. We’ll be moving you to a room in the ICU in about an hour. On a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst pain you can imagine, how would you score the pain you are having now?”
Clara shifted in bed. “Five.”
“I’ll give you something to help with that.”
“Will Sophie come to the ICU with me?”
“No, she is going to the pediatric ward. But we’ll arrange for you to see each other often.”
“Sleep,” Paul said. “I’ll be right here for both of you.”
“See how well I know you already? I knew you couldn’t stay away,” Clara whispered. She smiled as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep without hearing his reply.
Sometime later, she heard Paul’s voice again. He was speaking to Sophie. “And the baby bear said, ‘Someone has been sleeping in my bed and there she is.’”
“I like this story,” Sophie said. “I have yellow hair, too. Will it change colors now that I have part of Mamm’s liver in me?”
“Nee, it will not change,” Paul said, laying a hand on her head. “You will always be my Goldilocks.”
Clara turned her head and found her mother close at hand. “May I have some more ice chips?”
“Certainly. I will tell your nurse.” Her mother rose and walked away.
A few minutes later, a nurse came in with a plastic cup full of ice and a spoon. She glanced toward Paul. “Your husband is very good with your little girl. It’s nice to see such an involved father.”
Clara didn’t correct her. She liked the idea that the woman mistook the Amish auctioneer for her husband. If only it was true.
The next time she opened her eyes, she saw she was in a different room. Paul sat beside her slumped in a chair. “I’m not the only sleepyhead,” she muttered. He heard her and sat up, rubbing his eyes. She wished she wasn’t so groggy.
“Can I get you anything?”
“A kiss would be nice,” she thought and then realized she’d said it out loud.
“That’s easy.” He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.
Astonished, she raised a hand to touch his face. “Why did you do that?”
“Because I love you.”
She dozed off for a second or two but forced her eyes open. “What did I just say?”
“You said you needed a kiss. I gave you one.”
“That’s what I thought. Why are you here?”
He smiled softly. “Because you needed me to be here.”
“I did. I’m very glad you came.” She reached out her hand and he clasped it between his own.
“I will always be here for you and the children for as long as God will let me.”
“What changed your mind?”
He smiled. “I can’t live without you. I tried but I can’t.”
“How is Sophie?”
“She’s doing fine. I took Toby in to visit with her for a few minutes. He told her he would feed the cat for her until she got home. I sent your mother to lie down for a while. She has been sitting with Sophie but I could see she was getting tired.”
“I can’t keep my eyes open. I’m sorry. I need to tell you something. I need to tell you...something.”
“They just gave you something for pain. Rest now and talk later. I’ll be here.”
“Danki.”
“You’re welcome, my love.”
“I like that.”
The next time Clara roused, she was in a different room. A nurse was taking her blood pressure. “I need to get your vital signs. What is your pain level?”
“I’m fine.” She ached but she didn’t want to sleep anymore. “Where am I?”
“In your room on the surgical floor.”
“Can I go see my daughter?”
“The doctor wants you on bed rest for another twelve hours. Maybe she can come down here. I’ll check with the pediatric floor.”
Paul rose from a chair in the corner of the room when the nurse left and came to the bedside. “You
look like you are feeling better.”
“Maybe a little. I’ll be better yet when I can see Sophie.”
“She was sitting up eating Jell-O when I was there a half hour ago. Your mother is staying with her. You told me once that you loved me and I told you I wasn’t the man you needed.”
“I remember?”
“I was lying to myself. I love you, Clara Fisher, more than I thought it was possible to love another human being. And I love your children, too. I want us to be a new family.”
She was afraid to hope that he meant it. “That would be the answer to my prayers.”
“I love you. Please say you will marry me.”
“Of all the ridiculous places to propose, this takes the cake, little brother.” Mark walked in with Helen by his side.
“I think it’s very romantic,” Helen said.
Paul left Clara’s side. “I don’t have an answer yet so you will have to wait outside in the hall until I get one.” He put his hand on his brother’s chest.
Mark backed up. “Okay. Okay. Clara, put this fellow out of his misery.” Paul closed the door in Mark’s face.
“I will.”
Paul spun around to face her. “You will put me out of my misery or you will marry me, which question did you answer?”
She smiled. “Both of them. Yes, I will put you out of your misery and yes, I will marry you. And yes, your brother is right—this was a terrible place to make a proposal.”
“I will ask you again when we are on a quilt under the shade of a chestnut tree watching the children play by the river.”
“That will be a much better place.”
“Only if the answer is the same.”
She smiled. “It will be. I’m never letting you off the hook.”
“Goot, because I need a strong woman to keep me in line.”
“And I need a funny husband who will make me laugh.”
“We will make a good team, won’t we?”
She nodded. “We will. I will ask for kisses and you will oblige me.”
“Absolutely, starting right now.” He bent over the hospital bed railing and brushed her lips gently with his own.
There was a knock at the door and it opened to reveal her mother pushing Sophie in a wheelchair. Her daughter’s bright smile was exactly what Clara needed to see. A group of people crowded in behind her—all the Bowman brothers and their wives, Isaac and Anna, Mark and Helen, and even Charlotte came in pulling a large suitcase on wheels.
Paul dropped to his knees beside Sophie as Clara’s mother pushed her up beside the bed. Clara reached through the rails to squeeze her daughter’s hand. “How are you?”
“I’m goot. My eyes aren’t yellow anymore.”
“I’m so glad.” Tears of joy gathered in Clara’s eyes. God was good indeed.
Paul took Sophie’s other hand. “I have a question to ask you, Goldilocks. Can I marry your mother?”
“Does that mean I can ride Gracie whenever I want?”
“No, it does not. You can only ride her when I am with you.”
Sophie gave a deep sigh. “Okay, you can marry Mamm. Will that make you my daed? Will I be a Bowman now?”
“Ja, I will be your daed and you will be a member of the Bowman family.”
Sophie gave a quick nod. “I think I’ll like that.”
Charlotte clapped her hands. “Oh, Clyde was right again. I can’t wait to tell him.”
She unzipped her suitcase and Clyde stuck his head out. Charlotte grasped his face between her hands. “Did your big ears hear that? These two are going to get married, just as you predicted. You are such a smart dog.”
The door opened behind the crowd. “I’m sorry, folks, but only four visitors at a time. Some of you will have to leave now,” an annoyed nurse said but Clara couldn’t see her.
Charlotte pushed Clyde’s head back in the suitcase and folded in his ears before zipping it shut. “We’re leaving,” she said as she made her way through the group. It wasn’t until Clara saw the back of the suitcase that she noticed it was full of holes. Charlotte had discovered a way to sneak her beloved dog in after all.
“We’ll see you later,” Anna said and pulled Isaac toward the door. One by one the Bowmans all wished her well.
From her bed, Clara surveyed the people who had come to mean so much to her and her children. When they left, she gazed at Paul with all the love in her heart. “I’m going to enjoy being part of the Bowman family.”
“Not as much as I will enjoy having you and the children as my family.”
“Could I have another kiss?”
“Yes, my love, you may. All the kisses you want.” He leaned over the bed rail and tenderly kissed her forehead and her cheeks, then settled on her lips. When he drew away he smiled at her. “I’m the most blessed man in the world.”
* * * * *
If you enjoyed this story, look for the other books
in the AMISH BACHELORS series:
AN AMISH HARVEST
AN AMISH NOEL
HIS AMISH TEACHER
THEIR PRETEND AMISH COURTSHIP
AMISH CHRISTMAS TWINS
AN UNEXPECTED AMISH ROMANCE
Keep reading for an excerpt from HER FORGIVING AMISH HEART by Rebecca Kertz.
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Dear Reader,
I was sorry to say goodbye to the folks of Bowmans Crossing. Each time I create a new community, it comes alive for me with houses and stores, people and pets, bridges and rivers. It’s a joy to recreate in some simple way the glory that God has placed in front of our eyes every day.
I fell in love with Clyde. I must admit I’m a dog person. In a few years, I may be as devious and ditzy as Charlotte. She was way too much fun to write. She will remain one of my most endearing characters. I wish I had thought of her sooner. I could have used her in all six of the Bachelor books. Oh well.
Everyone who has been in love knows the path it leads us down isn’t smooth. It can be a great trip or it can be a trial, but I am a firm believer that love prevails. I guess that’s why I write romance books.
So what’s next for me? I’m happy to say I’m off to create a new Amish community, where love always wins and kindness is the order of the day.
Blessings to all,
Patricia Davids
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Her Forgiving Amish Heart
by Rebecca Kertz
Chapter One
Late spring, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
She felt the first drops of rain as
she steered her horse-drawn open wagon home after a visit to her friend Mary. Leah Stoltzfus sighed as she reached under the carriage seat for her umbrella. She probably should have headed home hours ago, but it had been so nice to spend time with Mary, who’d fallen in love and married Ethan Bontrager before moving into the house her husband owned in New Holland two years ago.
The light drizzle turned into a shower as Leah pushed open the umbrella while she continued to steer her horse. The patter of rain on fabric was soothing, and she smiled as she made a left turn. She was still miles away from home, but the downpour didn’t bother her. Until suddenly the wind picked up, so strong that it turned the umbrella inside out, ruining her rain covering beyond hope. She cried out when a gust tore off her prayer kapp. She tried to catch it, but it was a lost cause. When a sharp clap of thunder followed a bright flash of lightning, she knew she was in trouble. She needed to find a safe place to wait out the storm. She sent up a silent prayer that the Lord help her to find shelter soon. She had been terrified of thunderstorms since being caught in a severe one as a young child.
Yoder’s General Store loomed ahead as if the Lord had provided in Leah’s time of need. Relieved, she pulled into the parking lot and tied up her horse before she ran to the front entrance. Thunder rattled the building’s windows as she tugged to open the door, but it wouldn’t budge.
Locked! A flash of lightning made her flinch. The rain spilled down in buckets now, and the air temperature dropped quickly. Soaked, she hugged herself with her arms as she tried to keep calm. The wind gusted and blew the rain sideways while lightning continued to flash and was followed by horrific crashes of thunder.
Feeling desperate, Leah leaned her face against the window to peer inside and caught a tiny flicker of light from the back room. Thanks be to God! She hurried around to the rear entrance and hammered on the door with her fist. She waited for someone to come, her heart racing wildly as she tried not to shrink with fear every time there was lightning and thunder. She pounded again. Please, Lord. Please, Lord.
What was she going to do? Worried about her horse, she turned to leave.
The door flew open behind her. “Leah?” a male voice roared above the wind. “Is that you?”
His New Amish Family Page 18