by Molly Jebber
Leah breathed deep. “Fresh night air is the best. I love summer.” She patted her schweschder’s hand. “I wish I could provide you with answers and eliminate your worry.”
Anna wasn’t so sure, but she appreciated Leah’s attempt to calm her. In her heart, she knew she was favoring Daniel. The loss of him would be painful if he’d given up on her. “I hope you’re right.” She drove down Daniel’s lane and halted the horse. “A buggy is parked in front.” Laughter rang out. She sat on the edge of the seat and poked her head out. Mark King and Daniel sat on the porch.
Turning around, she coaxed the horse into a turn. “I don’t want to interrupt his visit with Mark. He’s busy, and he doesn’t get to enjoy company too often. I’m glad they are getting better acquainted.”
Leah gripped the side of the bouncing buggy for support. “Slow down and turn this buggy around! We can visit with them, and we’ll stay until after Mark leaves. Take your time. I’ll play with Otis in the meantime.”
“It’s getting late, and I don’t think talking to Daniel with Mark there is a good idea.”
Leah growled. “You are making excuses, Anna Plank.”
“I’m not. I will talk to him. I have to find out why he’s avoiding me.”
“Noah’s buggy or wagon has been outside our place every day this week. Daniel could be passing our property and noticing the two of you together. How awkward this must be for him. No wonder he’s giving you a wide berth.”
“I’ve been foolish to assume things would go smoothly while I took so much time to contemplate what to do.”
“Noah’s got some catching up to do. He’s not giving Daniel a chance to steal a few minutes alone with you.”
Anna and Leah fed and bedded down the horse and went inside. She nodded at Beth and Mamm playing checkers. Leah sat next to Mamm. She bid them good night and went to her room. As she read the Scriptures, the words in her Bible blurred. She closed the book and slouched inside the covers. She must reach a decision soon. Daniel might be lost to her. Even if he was, she might not choose Noah in the end.
Leah knocked and opened the door. “Do you mind if I kumme in?”
Anna pulled back the covers and scooted over. “I’d love some company.”
Leah climbed in next to her. “I had a thought.”
Anna smiled at her schweschder. Leah always had a thought to share.
“What?”
“Has Noah said anything to you about asking Daniel to step aside for a while?”
Anna sat straight up. “No, but I will definitely ask him. How would he dare to make such a request without telling me?” She put a hand on her schweschder’s leg. “Danki for bringing your idea to my attention. If Noah spoke with Daniel, I’m certain it’s why he’s staying away from me.”
Leah swung her legs off the side of the bed and padded to the door. “I’m always here if you want to talk. Good night.”
“I treasure you, Leah. You always provide me with good insight. Sleep tight.” She turned down the lantern and snuggled under the sheet. Would Noah take such a liberty without asking her first? She’d learn the truth tomorrow.
* * *
Noah walked into the shop Thursday afternoon. “How’s my lovely Anna?” He wore a broad smile and moved her two chairs and table to the other side of the room, stood back, and studied them. “The furniture belongs here on the other wall to balance out the room. Don’t you agree?”
No, she didn’t agree. She had the table and chairs where she wanted them. He seemed compelled to find something wrong every time he came here, but she wouldn’t address his interference now. She had a more important issue to discuss with him. “Good morning, Noah. I’m glad you’re here.” Pulling him aside, she faced him. “Let’s talk in private. I’ve got a question for you.” She gestured for him to follow her out the back door to the sunshine. “Did you ask Daniel to avoid me to give us time to work things out?”
Color drained from Noah’s face. He hung his head. “I did.”
“You were wrong to ask Daniel such a thing without consulting me.” He shouldn’t have interfered. It wasn’t his place to ask Daniel such a thing. On the other hand, he was doing his best to win her back. Daniel shouldn’t have agreed to Noah’s request if he wanted her in his life. Had he given up on her? She needed to quit speculating. She had no idea what either of them was thinking.
“He’s a grown man. He chose to honor my request. I respect him for it.”
Leah poked her head out. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I need your help, Anna. We’ve got customers.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” She waited until Leah went back inside the shop.
“I’m so upset with you, Noah.”
“Have you considered he has let you go? You and he had a much shorter time together than you and I.”
“He may have, but you overstepped your bounds by asking him to back away from me.”
“Anna, don’t be upset. He chose to remove himself. No one is forcing him to ignore you.”
“Noah, don’t tell me how to feel, and please don’t discuss me with Daniel again.”
“I’m sorry.” He gently lifted her chin enough to meet his gaze. “Can we put this argument behind us?”
She melted at his lopsided grin. “I forgive you, but I shouldn’t be away from the shop. Leah needs help. We’ll talk again.”
She and Noah went inside.
Leah held her hands up. “The store cleared out in a hurry. Neither customer who came in bought anything. I’m sorry I bothered you.”
An Englischer with her golden hair in ringlets pulled back in a silk bow strolled in. She had a fitted print dress with a small belt at the waist. She was stunning with her sky-blue eyes and dainty features. “Good morning. Do you have any patchwork baby quilts in stock?”
Leah whispered to Anna. “I’ll help her. You and Noah go to the back room and finish your conversation.” She grinned at the Englischer. “I have three stacked on the shelf on the left. I’ll be happy to show them to you.”
“My friend is expecting her third child, and I want to give her one for a gift. I bought quilts for her two other children, and she loved them.”
Anna grinned as she walked with Noah to the back room. She would leave the door open to watch for customers. “I’m looking forward to having at least three bopplin someday.”
His smile faded. “I haven’t changed my mind on having more than one. If we have more kinner, we won’t have as much time to spend together. I don’t have any siblings, and I turned out fine.”
Stunned, Anna held her breath. She’d hoped he’d altered his thinking on this subject, since he knew she wanted more kinner. She had assumed wrong. “Would you reconsider?”
“Maybe we could compromise and have two.” He raised his eyebrows.
She sucked in her upper lip. She wanted three or more kinner. Her desire had always been to have a big family. Noah’s pained expression sent chills through her.
Two more customers sauntered in. Noah glanced in their direction. “I should let you get back to work. Don’t worry. We’ll reach a mutual understanding about this when the time kummes.” He hurried out the door.
He may not have realized it, but he had put even more distance between them. She had more reasons even before this news not to choose him, so what was she waiting for? She had to put her uncertainties aside and concentrate on the elderly patron approaching her. She forced a smile and turned to the woman. “How may I assist you today?”
Two hours later, the shopper finally purchased a red linen tablecloth and left. Anna slumped in a chair. “The woman fingered every tablecloth we have in the shop. I’m surprised she finally bought one.” She pressed her fingertips to her temples. “Listen to me. I’m in a terrible mood and talking ill about our customers. God must be disappointed with me.”
“We all have our bad days.” Leah sighed and leaned against the counter.
They tidied the shop, grabbed their bags when the clock struck five, and headed
for their wagon at the livery.
Mamm met them halfway. “Ready to go home?”
Anna and Leah nodded.
On the way home, Anna drowned out Leah and Mamm’s chatter about what to have for supper. She couldn’t take her mind off Noah and Daniel. She’d been leaning more toward Daniel. She still had to speak with him. To find out what he was thinking.
Whaaaa!
A boppli is crying!
Anna ran on Mamm’s heels to a basket on the porch.
Leah tied the leads to the hitching post and joined them.
Anna peeled the blanket back, and hazel eyes met hers. “How long has this infant been on the porch? Who would do such a thing?” She lifted an envelope tucked inside the basket. She removed two pieces of paper and read the signature. “Here’s a letter from Mrs. Cooper, April’s grossmudder.”
“What’s does it say?” Leah knelt beside the infant and lifted the newborn out of the basket.
Mamm fluttered her hands. “I can’t believe the woman would leave the newborn alone! She must have good reason. Read what she has to say!”
Beth ran from Mrs. Hochstetler’s yard to them with Cotton in her arms. She stared wide-eyed at the newborn. “Who does the wee one belong to? Where is the little one’s mamm?”
Anna scanned both documents. “We’re about to find out.” She read the letter to them. “ ‘Dear Anna, I’m sorry to inform you, April passed away giving birth to Daisy. I’m not able to live alone, and I’ve left to reside with my elderly sister. Neither of us is in good enough health to care for her. I don’t have anyone willing to raise Daisy.
“‘I’m sorry to burden you with her, but I have no choice. I wrote to the baby’s father, and he sent me a legal document giving me custody of her and a note stating he wants nothing to do with his daughter. I had an attorney draw up another document giving you custody of Daisy. Both documents are enclosed. Blessings, Rosetta Cooper.’”
They gasped. Anna’s eyes pooled with tears. She met Leah’s eyes. “Poor April. She was such a sweet young woman.”
Leah hugged her and swiped a tear from her cheek. “Her passing is so tragic. She was looking forward to becoming a mamm.”
Beth frowned. “I remember you telling us about her. You must be sad she died.”
Mamm stood next to Anna. “I’m sorry she passed, but we must find out more information. Check the other papers. Does Daisy’s daed state he wants nothing to do with her?”
Anna read the documents. “His signature is on this one, and Mrs. Cooper signed away her rights to Daisy to me on the other one. A judge’s signature is on both papers. Everything looks in order.”
Leah blew out a breath. “We don’t have to worry about anyone claiming Daisy later. Do we have to inform the bishop about taking Daisy in to live with us?”
Beth kissed the boppli’s cheek. “Poor little orphan. She’s alone, except for us.” She brightened. “She’s got beautiful hazel eyes and the daintiest little nose like Anna’s.” She chuckled. “Her silky brown hair is standing on end as if someone scared her.” She put her finger in the boppli’s tiny palm. “Look at her curl her pretty little fingers around mine!”
Leah’s eyes filled with tears. “April was such a sweet woman. I can’t believe she’s passed.”
Anna reached for the little maedel. Her tears dripped onto her apron. She searched Mamm’s distressed face. “We must keep her. I’ll take responsibility for her. I want to raise her for April. She stole my heart as soon as I beheld her.”
“How would Daniel or Noah react to raising another man’s dochder?”
Panic rose within her. She didn’t have any idea how Noah or Daniel would react to her caring for another man’s child. She hoped they would wilkom her with open arms and share her enthusiasm to raise Daisy.
Leah rocked the child in her arms. “I’ll help you.”
“Me too,” Beth chirped.
Mamm nodded with resignation. “We’ll have to inform Bishop Weaver.”
Would he have any objection to their raising an Englischer’s boppli? He had shown compassion with Leah. Anna couldn’t bear to hand off Daisy to anyone. Everyone had abandoned her, but she refused to do so. April and Mrs. Cooper had trusted her with Daisy. She couldn’t let her go. The minute she cradled her, she connected with the child. “When?”
Leah and Beth stared at Mamm.
Mamm raised her hands. “Who will care for her while we’re working?”
Beth pointed at her own chest. “I will, and Marlene Hochstetler loves kinner. She says she can never have enough little ones to care for in her haus.”
“We could ask her.” Leah shrugged.
Anna had to put a plan in place, and she didn’t have time to wait. “I’m going to Marlene’s. I’ll ask her if she’s willing to care for her while we’re working.” She carried her new little bundle close to her chest as she walked to the neighbor’s haus. She stepped onto the porch and knocked on the front door.
Marlene Hochstetler opened the door wide. “Anna, what a pleasant surprise to find you here.” The woman stood tall, and her round middle and big smile were inviting. She had a singsong tone to her voice and a sparkle in her eyes. She reached for Daisy. “Oh, how sweet. Are you caring for someone’s boppli?”
Passing her to the woman, Anna beamed. “Meet Daisy. To answer your question, Leah and I met a young Englisch woman and her grossmudder in our shop several weeks ago. Leah and I taught her a few sewing lessons, and we got better acquainted with her. The daed of her expected boppli fled when she told him she was with child. The grossmudder left Daisy on our doorstep in a basket today with a note tucked inside saying April died birthing Daisy. She’s aged and in poor health and unable to care for her. With no relatives to hand Daisy off to, she brought her to us hoping we’d take her in.”
Marlene snatched a nappy off a nearby table and changed the little one. “How tragic for the boppli to have no parents. What may I do to help you?” She picked her up and cradled her. “Daisy has worn herself out. She’s fast asleep.”
“She’s been through a lot today. Danki for changing her wet nappy for me. I’ll have to bring some nappies home from the shop. Would you take care of her for us during the day while we’re working in the store? Beth volunteered to help you.”
“I’d be thrilled to have her with me to cuddle and fuss over. Beth will be a big help. She does a lot to assist me with the little ones already.” Marlene stood, opened a drawer, grabbed clean cotton nappies, and handed them to Anna. “You’ll need them for tonight. From time to time, I take care of infants for young mamms after they’ve given birth and need to rest. Wait here.” She went to the kitchen and returned. “Here are some empty bottles. I don’t need them back. I’ve got plenty.” She took the nappies from Anna and added them to the bag of empty bottles. “Here are a few more.”
Anna accepted the bag and gently squeezed the woman’s arm. “Danki. I’ll make good use of these tonight.” She laughed.
“She’s an angel. I haven’t heard a peep out of her while you’ve been here.”
“I’m thankful we didn’t stop anywhere on the way home. I’m worried she’s been left here for hours.”
“God had His eye on her, and you must’ve made quite an impression on the grossmudder for her to leave her in your care.”
“We liked them even though we hardly knew them. Sad, but the woman had no alternative. She mentioned having no living relatives other than her elderly schweschder.”
“I’m pleased to have her each day. Beth and I will enjoy her.”
“Danki again, Marlene. You’re a good friend.” Anna bid her good evening and crossed the yard. Why were her mamm and schweschders standing by the buggy?
Mamm met her and reached for Daisy and the bag. “We should go to the bishop’s place. I’ll hold Daisy, and you can drive.”
Anna shivered and passed the bag Marlene had given her to Beth. “Would you mind running these nappies and bottles inside?”
Beth nodded and
did as Anna asked. She returned and climbed in the buggy along with the rest of them.
Anna had wanted to feed the newborn a bottle, but she didn’t want to argue with Mamm. The infant was resting comfortably. She handed the little one to Mamm and accepted the reins. She drove to the bishop’s haus. Would the bishop suggest Daisy needed a mamm and a daed? There were barren couples in their community who wanted kinner. They’d been praying for them. Would Bishop Weaver advise her to hand Daisy over to one of those couples?
Chapter Eleven
Quiet on the ride there, she whispered her favorite verse from Philippians, Chapter Four, Verse Thirteen. The promise calmed the sea of turmoil engulfing her. “‘I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.’” Was she being selfish if the bishop strongly suggested she hand Daisy to an Amish couple? She would provide her a good home and love her. She planned to marry one day.
At Bishop Weaver’s haus, she climbed out and tied the horse to the weathered white hitching post. She accepted the boppli from Mamm and headed for the door with her loved ones.
Bishop Weaver came to the open door and jerked his head back in surprise. “Who do you have in your arms, Anna?” He waved them in. “Have a seat.”
Anna told him about meeting April and her grossmudder and finding Daisy on her doorstep. She passed him the legal papers she’d found in the basket. “They are signed by the grossmudder and Daisy’s daed and a judge. Mrs. Cooper states in her letter there are no other living relatives to give Daisy a home. She’s in bad health and moving in with her aged schweschder. She gave custody to me. I want to keep her, Bishop Weaver. My family and I will take care of her together.” She darted her eyes to her family.
They nodded in agreement.
Bishop Weaver scanned their faces. He finally spoke. “I’m afraid the daed will change his mind as he matures. I don’t want any trouble from the outside world.”
Anna cradled the warm, helpless, and precious boppli in her arms. She couldn’t think of anything else but her strong desire to keep Daisy. She had to convince him Daisy was better off with her. “Please, Bishop Weaver. The daed left his unborn child and signed a document giving away his rights to her. Besides, he has no idea Mrs. Cooper left her to us. She’s safe here.”