As Cora continued down the road, she caught sight of a group of Amish children trudging through the snow along the shoulder of the road. As she drew closer, Cora’s breath caught in her throat when she got a look at one of the girls. Even though the child was bundled up, Cora recognized her from the wedding. She’s my granddaughter. I bet the girl walking closest to the road is her older sister.
Cora fought the urge to stop and talk to them. But what would she say? She certainly couldn’t announce she was their grandmother who used to be Amish. Cora wondered if Adam or Mary had even told the girls about her. Surely they must have asked questions about their maternal grandmother: who she was, where she lived, and why they’d never met her. Oh, Mary, if only you were still alive and I could apologize for walking away from you and your brother. I should have been content to be an Amish wife and mother who practiced reflexology, instead of giving up my family so I could become a nurse. Tears sprang to Cora’s eyes. I was immature and selfish. What I did can never be undone.
Waving at the girls, Cora moved on. She needed to get to the house and see if Jared was home from school yet. When Jared was born, at least she’d been offered a chance to be a better mother. Cora had learned a hard lesson, and from the beginning she’d vowed not to mess up his life.
An image of Jared came to mind—tall and lanky with jet-black hair like his father’s and deep blue eyes like Cora’s.
Cora bit her lip and winced when she tasted blood. She still hadn’t told Jared about his half brother or admitted she used to be Amish. She’d have to find a way to tell her son soon, before he found out from someone else. She was sure Leah, and maybe Adam, had already told a few others about her.
CHAPTER 7
How’s it going?” Adam Beachy asked when he entered his store Saturday morning and found Ben Otto behind the counter. Normally, Adam liked to get there before his employees, but this morning he’d dropped the girls off at Leah’s parents’, and due to traffic moving slow because of fresh-fallen snow, he was running later than usual.
“No customers so far. But then it’s only been fifteen minutes since I put the OPEN sign in the window.” Ben smiled. “Scott got here soon after I did. I got him started stocking the shelves in the birdseed aisle. If today ends up like yesterday, I’m sure there’ll be plenty of people coming in to buy seed, bags of ice melt, and pellets. Hope it was okay I got Scott started with the birdseed.”
Nodding his approval, Adam removed his stocking cap and jacket. “It’s chilly out there. If we keep getting snow like this, we’ll have a white Christmas for sure.”
Ben glanced out the front window. “Seems to be comin’ down harder now than when I left home. This weather might keep some folks from going out today.”
“Guess we’ll have to wait and see how it goes.” Adam turned in the direction of his office. “I’m going to get some paperwork done. Give a holler if things get busy and you need my help waiting on customers.”
“I will. With Henry off this week because of his wife’s shoulder surgery, things have gotten kind of crazy around here.”
“That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to give me a shout.”
When Adam reached his office, he hung up his jacket and cap then took a seat at the desk. Opening the Thermos of hot coffee Leah had made for him this morning, he poured a cup. Somehow while preparing breakfast, she had squeezed in time to make brownies, one of his favorite desserts. Even before he’d entered the kitchen, Adam had smelled them baking.
He picked up his lunch pail and peeked inside. In addition to the egg-salad sandwich Leah had made, the apple and brownies looked appetizing, too.
“Should have never looked at my lunch,” Adam mumbled. He’d only arrived a few minutes ago, but the chocolate delights were tempting.
Then Adam noticed a small slip of paper wedged between the sandwich and brownies. Pulling it out, he read: “I hope you have a nice day.” The simple message made him smile.
Leah’s a thoughtful wife, he mused. Always thinking of others and so good with the girls. I made the right choice in asking her to marry me, even if at first we weren’t in love with each other.
As Adam drank his coffee he reflected on how things had changed between him and Leah. It hadn’t taken long before he’d come to love and respect her. Adam looked forward to the future and hoped someday they might have children of their own.
Of course, when they did, he’d make sure it didn’t change his relationship with his nieces. Carrie, Linda, and Amy had become orphans when Adam’s sister, Mary, and her husband, Abe, were killed because of a tragic accident. Adam had taken the girls into his home to raise as his own. He still remembered the look on Mary’s face as she lay dying in the hospital. With her last breath, she’d pleaded with Adam to look after her daughters. At the time, he’d been a bachelor, but he couldn’t say no to her request.
Having the girls to look after had been a blessing to Adam in many ways. It had taken him out of his comfort zone, and upset his normal routine, but he’d learned to put his nieces’ needs ahead of his own. Walking into an empty, quiet house was something he didn’t miss. Having the children in his home had helped Adam deal with losing his sister and had also given him something besides his grief to think about. At first, he hadn’t known what to say or do to help the girls deal with the loss of their parents, but Leah had made up for what he couldn’t do. Neither of them could take the place of the girls’ parents, but they had formed a bond with them. He was sure his nieces were aware of how much they were loved.
“Can I talk to you a minute?” Scott Ramsey asked, stepping into Adam’s office and interrupting his musings.
“Of course. What’s on your mind?”
Scott shifted his weight, leaning on Adam’s desk. The freckles normally present on the teenager’s nose had nearly faded with the cold of winter setting in. “Well, my friend Jared needs money to buy his mom a Christmas present. So I was wonderin’ if you might have something he could do to help out around here.”
Adam rubbed his hand across the growth of his new beard. “To tell you the truth, Scott, I don’t have enough work right now for you and your friend. I know you need your part-time job, and I can’t hire you both to work in the store.”
“You’re right, I do need the job, but I was hopin’ there might be something Jared could do. Business might pick up around here, since it’s only two weeks till Christmas.”
Adam’s heart had softened since Leah and the girls had come to live with him. Scott was a good kid, and he hated to disappoint him. “Guess I could let Jared do some cleaning for the next two weeks, but I can’t promise anything after that.”
Scott smiled widely. “Thanks, Adam!”
“A word of caution for you, though. You and your friend will need to work individually. There’s to be no fooling around.”
Scott shook his head. “No need to worry. We’ll both work hard and do whatever we’re told.”
Adam smiled. “Tell your friend to drop by the store so we can talk. Oh, and he’ll need a written note from one of his parents so I know it’s okay for him to work for me. Better yet, they can come to the store so I can talk with them personally.”
Scott frowned. “If his mom comes in, it won’t be a surprise he’s working for you so he can buy her a Christmas present.”
“I won’t tell her about the present, and Jared doesn’t have to, either,” Adam replied. “But if he’s worried about it, he can ask his dad to talk with me. I need to be sure one or both of his parents approves before he does any work for me.”
“It won’t be his dad.” Scott shook his head. “Jared’s folks are divorced. He lives with his mom.”
Adam grunted. “I know it can be tough. Divorce is hard on a family.”
“Yeah. Guess I should consider myself lucky my folks are still together. When my dad was out of work, he and Mom argued a lot.” Scott frowned. “A couple of times I thought they might split up, but they hung in there, and now that Dad’s workin’ again, thi
ngs are better all the way around.”
Adam wished his parents had been able to work things out, rather than Mom running off and getting a divorce. It had been hard on him and Mary, growing up without a mother. What his mom did was hard on his dad, as well. In fact, it had changed his father’s whole life, shattering all his dreams.
“Jared’s waiting outside,” Scott said, breaking into Adam’s thoughts. “I’ll go tell him what you said. Then I’ll get right back to work.”
Adam nodded. “As soon as he gets his mother’s permission, Jared can get started.”
Scott grinned. “Thanks again, Adam. You’re a nice man.”
Some folks might say otherwise, Adam thought as Scott left his office. My own mother probably thinks I’m not so nice. But then, she’s never walked in my shoes—not even a few steps.
“How did you talk Adam into letting me come to your house for a foot treatment?” Cora asked, seating herself in Leah’s recliner.
“He said as long as he and the girls weren’t home, he was okay with it,” Leah replied, honestly.
“So he still hasn’t forgiven me.” Cora sighed as she slipped off her shoes and stockings. “Maybe he never will.”
“I’m sure he’s forgiven you, but forgiving and forgetting are two different things.” Leah poured massage lotion into her hands and rubbed it into the sole of Cora’s left foot. “I’ve been hoping and praying Adam would at least let you see the girls, but he’s not ready to allow it yet.”
“Will he ever be?”
Leah shrugged. “I don’t know, but it’s best we don’t push the idea right now or it might drive him further away.”
“Has Adam even told the girls about me?”
Leah shook her head. “He asked me not to say anything to them, either. Does it hurt here?” She probed Cora’s foot, hoping to change the subject. Cora and Adam’s relationship was complicated, and she didn’t like being caught in the middle of it.
“Yes, there’s a sore spot there, but it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as knowing my own granddaughters might never know me.”
“It must be painful for you, but Adam’s endured a lot of pain, too.”
Cora looked down. “If I could erase the past, I surely would. I’d go back and redo everything. How could I have been so selfishly stupid?”
Leah said nothing, just continued to massage the sore spot on Cora’s foot.
“I haven’t told Jared about Adam, either. He knows nothing about my past,” Cora gripped the armrests. “To Jared, I’ve been English all my life, and the only man I’ve ever been married to is his dad.”
Leah stopped pressure-pointing and looked at Cora. “Is it wise to withhold the information from Jared? What if he hears from someone else about you once being Amish and having two children by a previous marriage?”
Cora winced. “I know I need to tell Jared about Adam and Mary and about me being Amish, but I’m so afraid of how he will take it—especially now when things are going better between us.” Cora leaned slightly forward. “If Adam would let me back in his life, it might make things easier. At least I’d feel like I had his support.”
“It could happen someday, but you can’t depend on it.” Leah started rubbing Cora’s foot again.
“Does Adam know about Jared? Have you told him he has a half brother?”
“No. It’s not my place to mention something so personal.”
Cora pursed her lips. “You’re right, but I think Adam needs to know about Jared.”
“Then you should tell him.”
Cora grimaced. “I can’t simply waltz into his store and announce such a thing.” Tears pooled in her blue eyes. “I’m such a coward. My mother’s heart hurts more than you can ever imagine—if you can call me a mother, that is.”
Leah patted Cora’s hand, wishing she could bring this all to a head. If Adam and his mother would resolve their differences, the girls could have a relationship with their grandma. “None of us can change the past, but you’re on the right path, Cora. And you’re not a coward. Just pray about it. Pray God makes a way for you to tell Adam about Jared and Jared about Adam.”
Cora sniffed. “Danki, Leah. You’re such a good friend. I’m glad my son married you.”
“Oh no, Elam’s here,” Priscilla groaned as she looked out the kitchen window and spotted Elam’s horse and buggy coming up the driveway.
Mom joined her at the window. “I can’t believe you’re not happy to see Elam.”
“I am happy to see him, just not this way.”
Mom tipped her head. “What do you mean, ‘not this way’?”
Priscilla looked down at her soiled apron. “Look at me, Mom. We’ve been cleaning all morning. I look a mess.”
“I’m sure Elam won’t care how you look. He’s in love with you.”
Priscilla’s forehead wrinkled. “I’m not so sure. If he really loves me, wouldn’t he have proposed marriage by now?”
Mom slipped her arm around Priscilla’s waist. “Maybe he’s waiting until the time is right.”
“Right for what, Mom?” Tears sprang to Priscilla’s eyes. “Most couples who’ve been courting as long as me and Elam would at least be talking of marriage by now.”
“I know Elam must love you, Priscilla. He wouldn’t keep coming around if he didn’t. Your daed and I have seen the way he looks at you, too.”
Using one corner of her apron, Priscilla dried her eyes. “Then you must see something I don’t see, because I’m not sure how Elam feels about me anymore. All this time we’ve been doing things together, I’ve never gotten a hint of him wanting to take me as his wife.”
“How do you feel about him?”
“Mom, don’t be silly. I would have broken up with Elam by now if I didn’t care deeply for him.”
“Caring for Elam and being in love are two different things.”
Priscilla faced her mother. “I love Elam, and if he asked me to marry him tomorrow, I’d say yes, for sure.”
Mom placed her hands against Priscilla’s hot cheeks. “Then bide your time and try to be patient. Good things come to those who wait.”
Priscilla didn’t argue. She appreciated Mom’s advice. But as each month went by, the waiting became harder. She couldn’t wait indefinitely, or she’d end up an old maid.
CHAPTER 8
Hey, Mom, I need to ask ya something,” Jared hollered when he entered the kitchen Monday morning.
Cora placed two bowls of steaming oatmeal on the table. “You can ask your question while you eat, because if you don’t hurry you’ll be late for the bus.”
Jared glanced at the clock above the refrigerator before sitting. “There’s still plenty of time.”
Cora took a seat across from him. “Now what did you want to ask me?”
He spooned some brown sugar on his oatmeal and poured milk over the top. “Is it okay if I go over to Scott’s after school? We need to work on a science project. It’ll probably take this week and next.”
Cora took a sip of coffee. “Christmas break is next week, Jared. Wouldn’t you have to turn your assignment in by this Friday?”
Jared gulped down some milk and wiped his mouth with the back of hand. “Actually, it’s not due till we go back to school after our winter break, but we wanna get it done before Christmas so we can relax and enjoy our time off from school.”
Cora handed Jared a napkin. “Use this to wipe your face, please. I’ve taught you better than that.” Would her son’s table manners ever improve? “It’s good you’re planning ahead. It shows you’re being responsible, rather than waiting until the last minute.”
“So you’re okay with me going there after school?” Jared asked around a mouthful of oatmeal.
“Please don’t talk when there’s food in your mouth,” she admonished.
“Sorry,” he mumbled after he’d finished chewing. “So is it okay if I go over to Scott’s?”
Cora nodded. “Just don’t stay too late. You need to be home in time for supper, and don’t
forget your chores.” Cora had insisted on one thing when she’d rented this house: Jared had to pick up after himself. A place this small could become overrun with clutter if things didn’t get put away.
“No problem, Mom. I’ll be home in plenty of time.”
Cora smiled. It was nice to see her son in such a good mood.
Adam pulled out his pocket watch and whistled. Where had the day gone? In two-and-a-half hours it would be time to close the store. He looked forward to locking up, knowing Leah would have supper ready and he could find out about her day. He was anxious to see the girls and talk about their day at school, as well. Going home after work was so different now that he had a family. Adam wouldn’t trade it for anything. No matter how tired he was after a busy day at the store, seeing his family brought a smile to his lips. I’m blessed, he thought, moving toward the front of the store to see if Ben needed help with customers.
Approaching the counter, Adam saw Scott enter the store with his friend. Adam had met Jared a few times when he’d come by to visit Scott. The first few times, the boy had carried an attitude, but the last time Jared had stopped by to see Scott, he seemed more settled.
“You here to work?” Adam asked Scott.
The teen nodded. “So is Jared. He brought a note from his mother.”
Jared handed a piece of paper to Adam. “My mom said it was okay for me to work here, and I appreciate the job.”
Adam read the note:
Dear Mr. Beachy:
My son, Jared, has my permission to work at your store after school and on Saturdays. Thank you for giving him this opportunity.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Finley
Adam lowered the paper. “Since your mom approves, I’m okay with it, but you’ll have to work hard. And there’s to be no fooling around or visiting with Scott during work hours.”
“No problem, sir. I’ll do everything I’m told.”
The Restoration Page 5