Two Suitors for Anna

by Molly Jebber

  He glanced out the door as if in deep thought.

  She froze. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest.

  They waited.

  Leaning back against the old oak chair, he slid his hands up and down the side arms. “Couples in our community are praying for kinner, and they haven’t been blessed to have them. Don’t you think a boppli needs a mamm and a daed?”

  Leah spoke softly. “Mamm does a wonderful job taking care of us by herself. I promise we’ll take good care of her.” She slid to the edge of the settee. She darted a glance at Anna. “Anna may marry soon, and she will take Daisy with her when she does.”

  Anna held her breath for a moment. Leah shouldn’t assume she’d wed. She wasn’t sure what the future had in store for her and the infant. She exhaled and kept silent. The bishop was a wise man. He would understand she couldn’t control the future.

  Smiling, he nodded. “I understand, but if and when she should marry, she and her new husband will need time to adjust to each other. These couples have been married more than a year, and they are ready for kinner.”

  Beth pressed her fist to her chest and looked at him with pleading eyes. “Please, Bishop Weaver, let us keep Daisy. We promise to love her with all our might. You told us God is our Heavenly Father. Even though our daed is in Heaven, we still have our Heavenly Father, who takes care of us. God must’ve thought we were best for Daisy, or He would’ve had Mrs. Cooper put her on someone else’s porch step.”

  Mamm smiled and wiped a tear. “My family and I would love to raise Daisy. Anna’s already spoken with Marlene Hochstetler about taking care of her while we’re working. She’s agreed. I hope you’ll grant us your blessing.”

  Anna exchanged an endearing look with her mamm. Her timing to chime in and agree with Anna couldn’t have been better. Beth and Leah had chosen powerful words too. Her body tensed and she stared at him with anticipation.

  Bishop Weaver rubbed his hands together. “You all present a good case. Beth, you may be the youngest, but you are not short on wisdom. God doesn’t make mistakes, and with what you’ve told me, I believe He had His hand in giving you Daisy. You have my blessing to raise Daisy and wilkom her into your family. I’ll announce how she came to you at the next service.”

  Anna’s knees weakened and her eyes dampened with tears of joy. She kissed the sleeping newborn’s tiny forehead. The boppli’s eyes opened. Her tongue moved in and out of her sweet lips. “Danki, Bishop Weaver!” She traced the child’s face with her finger. “We better get this one home. She’s getting hungry.”

  The bishop laughed and ushered them to the door. “She’s a sweetheart. She slept through our entire meeting. She’s blessed to have you in her life. I’m certain she’ll be wilkomed with opened arms by all.”

  Anna swelled with excitement looking at Daisy. “I have a feeling we’re the ones who will be blessed. We’re grateful for your blessing.”

  Anna crossed the thick, lush grass to the buggy, passed Daisy to Mamm, and untied the horse. They climbed in and went home. Happiness at the bishop’s blessing warmed Anna’s heart.

  Daisy fussed and cried, and Beth and Leah sang to soothe her.

  Rocking the boppli, Mamm snuggled her close. “Daisy needs to be changed, and she’s hungry.”

  Anna pulled in the yard and halted the horse.

  Leah jumped out. “Anna, you go inside. We’ll take care of the horse and buggy.”

  Anna marveled at how her schweschders never hesitated to support her. She took the newborn from Mamm, went inside, warmed a bottle, and filled it with milk.

  Daisy settled down and suckled the bottle.

  Beth entered, dug out a nappy from the bag Mrs. Hochstetler had given Anna, and passed the cotton cloth to her.

  Anna waited for Daisy to drain her bottle. She put the empty bottle aside, got what she needed, and changed the delightful child’s nappy.

  Beth stood close. “I’ll take the soiled cloth, rinse it, and put it in a bucket of water like Mrs. Hochstetler showed me.” She skipped away.

  Minutes later, Beth scampered into the room. “Mamm let me use the cradle we all slept in after we were born for my dolls. I removed them from the cradle, lined it with a clean sheet, and dragged it into your room, Anna.” She held up a thin yellow blanket. “We can cover her with this one. It’s hot tonight. She won’t want much on her.”

  Mamm patted Beth’s shoulder. “You’re a good little helper.” She went to the kitchen.

  Leah followed her. “I’ll set the table.”

  Anna marveled at her little schweschder. Beth had taken the initiative and provided what Daisy needed before Anna had time to think about a proper sleeping place for the child. Daisy would fit into their family fine, and she didn’t have to care for her alone. “Tomorrow morning, you’ll take the latest addition to our family with you to Mrs. Hochstetler’s haus.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll enjoy taking care of Daisy. She’ll be fine.”

  “I trust you, and our new addition is fortunate to have you in her life. Let’s go put her in her new bed.” She and her little schweschder went to her room and laid the infant in the maple cradle. “You did a wonderful job making her bed cozy and safe, Beth.”

  They tiptoed out, hoping Daisy wouldn’t wake, and headed for the kitchen. After they’d filled their stomachs with the food Mamm prepared, they said good night and headed for bed.

  Anna quietly changed into her nightdress, knelt, and prayed a prayer of thanks to God for Daisy. She crawled into bed and turned down her lantern. Wide awake, she tossed and turned. She had to talk to Daniel as soon as possible. She’d waited long enough. What would Daniel think of Daisy? Would it no longer matter? Had he removed himself from her life?

  * * *

  Daniel turned on his side and stared at the dark night sky through the open window. Honoring Noah’s request had been difficult. He missed Anna. Two weeks had passed since he’d been at the dry goods shop or her haus. Should he have removed himself to give her time without him around to contemplate her choice? He winced as a twinge of guilt settled in his stomach. He should’ve warned her he wouldn’t be kumming to visit her. He regretted not telling her.

  He rolled his shoulders and turned his head from side to side. Stiff and tired, he hadn’t slept through the night since the last time he’d seen her. Enough time had passed. He’d go to the shop in the morning.

  * * *

  The rooster’s crow woke Daniel and Otis at dawn on Friday morning. A gentle rain pinged the windows. He got up, dressed into his work clothes, and followed his routine of chores. A loud growl roared from his stomach. He tossed his dirty gloves on a rickety wooden table in the barn, and he and Otis strolled to the kitchen. After filling his four-legged friend’s water and food dishes, he scanned the kitchen. Pancakes sounded good. Fixing his breakfast, he wondered how Anna would receive him. Would her eyes cast downward or meet his gaze? His heart thumped wildly in his chest. Would she have an answer for him? He finished his breakfast, hurried, and dressed, taking extra care. He harnessed and secured his horse to the buggy, and went to the shop.

  Taking a deep breath, he went inside. There she stood, as beautiful and radiant as he remembered. “Anna, Leah, how are you?”

  Anna smiled a wilkom greeting. There it was. The smile he’d missed. The assurance he needed. His heart fluttered with excitement.

  “I’m glad to see you, and I’m sure Leah is too. Kumme in, stranger. I’ve been wondering where you’ve been.”

  Leah handed him a cup of hot coffee. “Anna’s right. We’ve missed you. What have you been doing?”

  “I’ve been busy, and I was giving Anna time to think.”

  Leah gave him an impish grin. “She’s had more than enough time. Why don’t you two go out back for a bit and chat? If we have customers, I’ll assist them. You speak with Anna. I’m sure you have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Anna nodded and gestured for him to follow her. They stepped outside.

  He took a few st
eps forward and stood close to the woman he loved. “Anna, I’ve missed you.”

  “Why have you stayed away?”

  The hurt expression on her face made him regret not coming sooner.

  “Noah asked me to step away for a couple of weeks. At first I didn’t want to honor his request, but later I thought better of it. I wanted to give you time to have a clear mind about all of this. I don’t want you to have any regrets. Not one.”

  “You could’ve told me your intentions. I didn’t understand why you disappeared from my life.”

  Her tone, laced with pain, struck a nerve. He didn’t want to add to her angst. “I should’ve told you what I was going to do and why. I’m sorry.” He grinned and reached for her hand. “I’m here because I couldn’t stand being away from you. I’ve been in a miserable mood the last two weeks.”

  She ran her thumb over his fingers. “Leah and I drove out to your haus and Mark King was there. I didn’t want to interrupt, so Leah and I went home. I was hoping to find out why you were avoiding me.”

  Her soft voice and her sad facial features pained his heart. He gently squeezed her hand. “I wish you hadn’t left.” He gazed into her hazel eyes. “Anna, I’m in love with you, but the longer you take to clear your mind, the more confused I am.”

  Her eyes sparkled and her face beamed. “I love you, Daniel, and I’m not in love with Noah. I’m clear about where I stand with him, but I’d rather we had this serious discussion tonight at home. Seeing you, I couldn’t wait a minute longer to tell you how much I love you, and only you.”

  Her words sent his heart soaring, but the overwhelming relief and excitement didn’t kumme as anticipated. She’d hurt him. He loved her with all his heart, but her indecision about Noah had blemished their happiness together. In spite of his muddled mind, he could hardly stifle the urge to wrap his arms around her waist and hold her. “Anna, I’m so happy we can move on with our lives. Your committing to me makes me so happy, but we do need to talk. I’ll kumme over later after work, and we’ll settle this.”

  “Oh, Daniel, I can’t wait to plan our future!” She pushed two chairs together. “Sit. Something exciting has happened while we’ve been apart.”

  “What?”

  She reminded him about April and Mrs. Cooper shopping in the store and her giving April quilting pointers and told him of April’s tragic death and Daisy. “Daniel, I can’t wait for you to hold her.”

  “What a sad story! I’m so sorry this poor young woman didn’t have a chance to raise her child, but I am anxious to hold the boppli.” He was amazed how she had accepted the responsibility of raising Daisy without reservation. She had such a nurturing personality with her mamm and schweschders. She’d be a caring and loving mamm. The kind of woman he wanted for his kinner. Sorry for April’s passing, he wasn’t surprised the love of his life had a deep compassion for the woman and her infant. He loved kinner and would wilkom being a daed to Daisy one day soon, and he hoped he and Anna had many more kinner together.

  Anna beamed. “I fell in love with her right away. I have taken on the role of her mamm. Do you have any objections? Would Daisy alter your desire to marry me?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “I’m relieved. I doubt many men would be so amenable.”

  “I wouldn’t turn away a child in need.”

  “One more reason to love you.”

  Leah joined them. “When are you going to bring Otis to visit us?”

  He grinned. “So Otis is the one you miss, not me.”

  The three of them laughed. Leah took his empty cup. “We miss both of you.”

  “I invited Daniel to meet Daisy this evening.”

  Bouncing on her toes, Leah grinned. “I couldn’t wait for Anna to tell you about her. I’ve been bursting to tell you about our new little addition. You’ll take one look at her and fall in love with the tiny darling. If you didn’t know the truth about Daisy, you’d think she was Anna’s. Daisy has her same hair and eyes.”

  Anna hadn’t mentioned Noah. Had she told Noah about Daisy or her revelation she wasn’t in love with him? What was his reaction to her raising the boppli? He’d find out more this evening. “I’d better get going. I should let you get back to work. What time would you like me to kumme to your haus?”

  “Six is good.”

  * * *

  Daniel traveled to three different barns, hammered and nailed more boards than he would have liked to repair roofs and porches, and headed home to change. The clock’s hands hadn’t moved fast enough to reach six. He hurried to wash and dress into a crisp clean shirt and black pants. He snapped his suspenders over his shoulders and set his hat on his head.

  On his way to Anna’s, he flicked the leads for his horse to trot faster. He wouldn’t take his time and view the gardens, sunflowers, lilacs, and honeysuckle today. Cows and horses grazed on the thick green pastures.

  Otis panted next to him on the bench, seeming to sense where they were headed.

  The rain had cleared and the sun dried the wet grass. Clothes hung on the Mast family’s line and flapped in the gentle breeze. A red fox ran in front of his horse and hid in the thick woods. Honeysuckle scented the air. He hummed a tune, anxious to meet Daisy as he turned down the lane to the Planks’ haus.

  Anna was in a rocker on the porch, holding the boppli. He waved, tied the horse to the hitching post, and headed for them.

  Otis ran to Cotton, who was sitting under a big maple tree.

  He reached Anna and peeked at the round, pinked cheeks. “She’s pretty.”

  Anna flipped the blanket back and he got a good look. “She’s got long legs.”

  He gasped. “She’s exquisite.”

  Handing her to him, Anna smiled. “She’s a contented child. She cries when she’s hungry, tired, or needs a fresh nappy. Otherwise, she’s an angel.”

  Daisy captured Daniel’s heart. Her warm body wrapped in the soft blanket fit perfectly into his arms. He was meant to be a daed.

  Daisy sneezed and jerked.

  They laughed at her scrunched face and wide-eyed expression. She stared directly into his eyes.

  His heart melted. “She’s captivating.”

  “And irresistible. I can hardly put her down.” She hugged his arm. “You aren’t a bit nervous with her, are you?”

  “No. I’ve always been comfortable around bopplin and kinner. The boppli are warm and soft, and the kinner are energetic and full of curiosity, and they ask the most innocent and humorous questions. They’re full of wonder.”

  “Kinner add so much to our lives. Beth is still innocent, but she’s growing into a young lady. I’m delighted we’ll have a little one to dote over again.”

  “Getting up at night for feedings and changing nappies will have you dragging some days. Do you have someone in mind to care for her while you’re at work?”

  “Our neighbor, Marlene Hochstetler, has already agreed to care for her. Beth stays with her in the summer and after school. She’s a wonderful, caring woman. Beth loves her.”

  “You’re blessed to have everything work out so well for you with Daisy.”

  She gazed at him. “I’m relieved you’re willing to raise her with me if we marry.”

  “Did you tell Noah about Daisy?”

  “Not yet.” She sighed. “I also haven’t told him what we had together belongs in the past and there is no future for us, but I will soon.”

  “I don’t take pleasure in his being hurt, but I’m glad you’ve concluded you’re in love with me.” He caressed her cheek. Now wasn’t the time for him to tell her about his wounded heart. She was so enthused to have this beautiful little one. He didn’t want to spoil her memorable day. He’d tell her later. “Tell me more about your plans for Daisy.”

  She told him the bishop’s response and how they’d quickly made arrangements for Daisy’s comfort. “Daisy has inherited the cradle Mamm used for me, Leah, and Beth.”

  The peaceful infant slept in his arms. He’d held her the enti
re time they’d been together, and cradling her felt like the most natural thing in the world. He didn’t want to part from her.

  Beth came outside. “Daniel, I didn’t hear you pull in.” She pointed to Otis and Cotton chasing each other across the yard. “Cotton’s happy Otis is here. It’s about time the two of you showed up.” She peered at Daisy. “Isn’t she precious?”

  “I missed you too, Beth.” He clasped Daisy’s tiny hand. “She is beautiful.”

  “I hope you’re hungry. We have enough to feed the neighborhood. Time to sit for supper.”

  They rose and went inside.

  Leah reached for Daisy. “Daniel, I’m so glad you’re joining us. What do you think of our new addition?”

  “She’s a very good boppli. I don’t want to give her up.”

  “She’s a sweetheart.” She kissed the sleeping child’s nose. “I’ll put her in her bed. We’ll feed her when she wakes.”

  Mamm carried a bowl of boiled potatoes slathered with melted butter to the center of the table. “Daniel, we’ve missed you. Have a seat, son.”

  His heart warmed. She called him “son.” He hoped to hear her endearment over and over in the years to kumme. “Danki for having me. This table is as pretty as a picture decorated with colorful food. Would you like me to pray?”

  “Please do.”

  Waiting until everyone was seated and holding hands, Daniel closed his eyes and bowed his head. “Dear Heavenly Father, danki for the food You’ve provided to nourish our bodies and bless these women for their hard work in preparing the meal. Danki for bringing Daisy into this loving family, and please watch over her. Amen.”

  Anna smiled. “Your prayer was lovely.” She passed him the plate of sliced roast beef.

  The women nodded in agreement.

  “Yes, son, that was a very nice blessing,” Mrs. Plank said.

  He delighted in being back in the bosom of this gracious family again. They didn’t hold back on their sentiment. Their openness was one of the things he held dear about them. “It’s a pleasure to be here and praying with you again. Danki.” He took two slices of meat and put them on his plate. “Here you go, Leah.” He passed the platter to her.