Cora smiled and nodded. “Back to our topic. I was surprised when I learned that the doctors at the clinic where I work often suggest natural methods as an option if the patients prefer to use them rather than conventional ones.”
“Yes, in our community it’s important to have a doctor who isn’t opposed to other methods, and it’s the reason we go there when the need arises.” Leah poured more lotion on Cora’s feet. “I’m glad you have an open mind about this, too.”
As Leah worked on Cora’s feet, they talked about other things—Leah’s pregnancy, the warm spring weather, and Cora’s precious granddaughters.
“Maybe you’ll have a boy.” Cora spoke in a bubbly tone. “I’ll bet Adam would enjoy having a son.”
“I’m sure he would. However, he’s already made it clear he’ll be happy with a boy or a girl.” Leah grinned. “To tell you the truth, I get the feeling Amy’s eager for the boppli to be born so she can fuss over it and pretend she’s a little mother.”
“Either way, we will all be happy once the baby comes. Even Jared is excited about it.”
“How’s he doing these days?”
“Quite well. I don’t think he’s completely gotten over Chad’s death, but he spends a lot of time outdoors at our new place. His friend Scott comes over every chance he gets.”
“Friends are so important. I can’t tell you how many times my good friends Elaine and Priscilla have always been there for me, and I want to be there for them, too.”
“How is Priscilla doing?” Elaine asked when Iva let her into the house the following day.
“As well as can be expected—maybe a little better than normal.” Iva’s lips compressed. “Since we started using the B&W ointment, her pain is less, but she’s verleed.
“Is she depressed because she can’t do much of anything right now?”
“Being immobile is part of it, but she’s still worried about the prospect of permanent scarring.”
“Many people who have used B&W end up with little or no scarring at all. The stories I’ve heard about its effectiveness are amazing.”
Iva nodded. “I am doing everything the way I was shown by a natural healer in our area, so I’m hoping for a good outcome.” She gestured to the living-room entrance. “Priscilla’s in there. Why don’t you go on in? While you two visit, I’ll fix a snack.”
As Iva headed to the kitchen, Elaine went to the living room. She found Priscilla stretched out on the couch, her hands, arms, and what she could see of her chest and shoulders had been covered with burdock leaves, wrapped with gauze. She looked miserable.
Elaine took a seat in the chair closest to Priscilla, reaching over to gently stroke her friend’s forehead. “How are you feeling? Is there anything I can do for you right now?”
Priscilla shook her head. “Just sit and visit awhile. It might help take my mind off the predicament I’m in.”
“I’m sorry you have to go through this. I can’t imagine how hard it must be not to be able to use your hands.”
Priscilla sighed. “I feel so nixnutzich right now.”
“You’re not worthless at all. Once your hands heal, you’ll be able to do things again.”
“If they heal.” Priscilla frowned. “I even have burns between my fingers. That’s the reason Mom has them straightened like this.” She glanced toward the window. “Look how nice it is outside. I can think of a hundred things I could be doing in the yard if I wasn’t in this predicament. But no, I can’t do any of it right now.”
“Try not to think about all the things you’d like to do. You need to rest and concentrate on healing.”
“Now, Elaine, you’re starting to talk like my mamm.”
“I care about you.” Elaine smiled. “After the burns on your fingers begin to heal, you’ll have to exercise them. Otherwise, they could become stiff, and you sure don’t want that. And don’t forget, I’ll need your help hosting dinners.”
Priscilla stared at her hands. “I won’t be doing anything like that for quite a while. I can’t even feed myself right now, let alone cook or wash the dishes. You’ll need to find someone else to help you with the dinners.”
“I already have. Sylvia and Roseann Helmuth came to help me with the dinner I hosted last night, but it took both of them to equal one of you.”
“Puh! You’re just trying to make me feel better.”
Elaine shook her head. “It’s true. They were more than willing to help, but neither of them was as fast as you. I had to keep reminding them what to do.”
“I’m sure they’ll get the hang of it after they’ve helped with a few more dinners.”
“Maybe, but I’ll only use their help until you get better.”
“Okay, but if you change your mind and decide to keep them working for you, it’s fine with me.” Priscilla closed her eyes, drawing in a deep breath, then she opened them again. “I need you to do something for me, Elaine.”
“Anything. Just tell me what.”
“Would you write a letter for me?” Wincing, Priscilla lifted her hands. “I’d do it myself, but as you can see, it will be some time before I can do much of anything with these.”
“Of course. Who’s the letter going to?”
“David.”
Elaine’s eyebrows puckered. “Why would you write to David when he lives right here in our town?”
Priscilla shook her head. “Not anymore. He left a note in our mailbox, saying he was going back to Chicago.”
“How come?”
“He blames himself for my accident, so he left.” Tears formed in Priscilla’s eyes and ran down her cheeks.
Elaine wiped Priscilla’s face with a tissue. “I’m sorry. I know you think a lot of David.”
“Jah. He’s a good friend.”
“Okay, tell me what to say, and I’ll write the letter.”
After Priscilla had told Elaine what to say to David, she felt a bit better. She hoped once David read her letter he would return to Arthur. Even if nothing serious came from their relationship, at least they could still be friends. “Why should David give up his plans of becoming Amish because he forgot to turn off the stove?” she murmured. “It’s ridiculous!”
“If David comes back, then what?” Elaine asked.
“Hopefully things will go back to the way they were. He’ll take classes and continue to learn what he needs to about our ways, and this fall he can join the Amish church.”
Elaine tipped her head, looking at Priscilla dubiously. “Mind if I ask you a personal question?”
“Course not. You can ask me anything.”
“Are you in love with David?”
“I’m not sure. He’s kind and gentle, and he treats me like I’m special.”
Elaine’s eyebrows squeezed together. “What about Elam? I thought you were in love with him.”
“I am. I’ve loved Elam for a long time.”
Elaine shook her head. “You can’t love two men at the same time, Priscilla.”
“I never thought I could, either, but after spending time with David…” Priscilla’s voice trailed off. “It doesn’t matter anyway. If David doesn’t come back, there’s no chance of us having a future together.”
Priscilla was on the verge of telling Elaine about Elam’s marriage proposal but changed her mind. This was something she had to think about and work through on her own. She’d waited a long time for Elam to propose, and now that he finally had, she wasn’t ready to give him an answer.
“How’s it going, son?” Jonah’s dad asked when he entered the buggy shop after running some errands.
“Things got busy after you left. Two people came by with new buggy orders, and three others had buggies needing to be repaired.” Jonah motioned toward the back of the shop. “Timothy’s started on one of those, while I’ve been trying to get caught up on some paperwork.”
Dad pulled out a chair beside Jonah’s desk and sat. “I’ll chip in and help as soon as I get the things I bought in town for your mamm unloaded at the house. She
needed a few things for the boppli, and I also picked up some groceries she asked me to get.”
“I appreciate you taking care of all those things.” Jonah smiled. “You and Mom have been a big help since Sara died. Don’t know what I’d do without you. Makes me glad you left Pennsylvania and moved here to be my partner.”
Dad put his hand on Jonah’s shoulder. “We’re glad to be here, too—not just to help out in your time of need, but because we enjoy being with you. It’s good for us to be working together again, too.”
“Jah,” Jonah agreed. “When I first moved to Arthur, I thought I could manage on my own, but even with young Timothy’s help, I’d get way behind if you weren’t working in the buggy shop, too.”
“Changing the subject, I assume you’ve heard about Priscilla Herschberger getting burned?”
Jonah nodded. “I learned about the accident from Adam when he stopped yesterday to get a new wheel for his market buggy. I was sorry to hear such terrible news, but it could have been a lot worse for Priscilla if David and Elam hadn’t been there to care for her and call for help.”
“You’re right about that,” Dad agreed. “It’s one of many reasons it pays to have good friends.”
Jonah pulled his fingers through the back of his hair. “Life is full of ups and downs. One never knows when some tragedy will occur, and of course, we are never ready for it.”
“True, but if we put our faith and trust in God, He will see us through.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“Before I go up to the house, I heard something you should know.”
“What?”
“While I was at the grocery store, I overheard our bishop’s wife talking to one of the women in our district. She said Ben and Elaine broke up.”
“Is she sure it’s true?”
“Beats me.” Dad shrugged. “But Margaret always seems to be in the know.”
Jonah leaned his elbows on the desk. “That’s an interesting piece of news, but it doesn’t pertain to me.” He pushed back his chair and stood. “Think I’ll go see if Timothy needs any help.”
As Jonah headed toward the back of his shop, he couldn’t help wondering what had happened between Elaine and Ben to cause their breakup. From what he’d heard, Ben was pretty serious about Elaine. He’d figured it was just a matter of time before they got married.
Sure wish I knew what happened between them, he thought. Maybe Elaine did to Ben what she did to me. She may have let the poor fellow believe she loved him and then changed her mind. For Ben’s sake, I hope that wasn’t the case, because it took me some time to get over the pain of losing Elaine.
CHAPTER 42
Leah sat on the porch swing beside Carrie, watching the hummingbirds flit to and from the feeders closest to the house. She found their antics not only relaxing but sometimes humorous as they twittered and chirped, vying for their favorite feeder. Some swooped in speedily, took a quick drink, and darted away. Others weren’t about to give up their perch and remained for longer periods as they ate their share of the sweet nectar.
Farther over, near the edge of the yard and field, Leah realized the flowers she and the girls had planted toward the back of their property were blooming. Adam had built a raised flower bed, using flat rocks to form the base and a short wall. It was easy to tend, since she didn’t have to bend over or get down on her knees.
The baby kicked, and Leah’s thoughts switched gears. She placed Carrie’s small hand on her stomach. “Can you feel the little kicks, Carrie? It’s the boppli in my tummy, and he or she is going to be an active one, because there’s sure a lot of movement going on right now.”
Carrie’s eyes brightened, and she giggled when the next kick came. “Die boppli schpiele gem.”
Leah smiled. “I think you’re right, Carrie. The baby likes to play.”
Coal had been lying in one corner of the porch, and he lifted his head, looking in their direction. Then he rose and ambled over to Carrie. A few minutes of petting and the dog plodded back to the corner, plopping down again with a grunt.
When Linda and Amy came outside, Leah invited them to feel the baby’s kicks.
“When did ya say the boppli will come?” Linda grinned, holding her hand against Leah’s stomach.
“The end of August or early September,” Leah replied. “Maybe you should practice diapering some of your dolls so you can help me when the baby comes.”
Linda wrinkled her nose. “Eww. I don’t wanna change windele. It’s a smelly job.”
“I’ll change the boppli’s diapers,” Amy spoke up. “I’ll do whatever you need me to do when the baby comes.”
Leah gave Amy’s arm a gentle pat. “I’m glad you’re so willing to help.”
“I’ll help, too,” Linda interjected. “Just no dirty windele.”
“No one has to do anything they don’t want to for the baby, but I will appreciate whatever help I get.” Leah pointed to the buzzing little birds. “Right now, though, let’s enjoy watching all these cute hummers.”
Linda and Amy sat on the porch steps, staring up at the hummingbird feeders with eager expressions, while Carrie remained on the swing beside Leah.
Linda pointed toward the flower garden “Look! Look over there!”
Leah smiled. “The blumme are pretty, jah?”
“Not the flowers. Look between those two rocks.”
All heads turned in that direction. Leah didn’t see anything at first and was about to ask what Linda had seen, when Carrie squealed, “It’s Chippy! He’s back!”
“How long has it been since we last saw the little chipmunk?” Amy asked.
“It’s been awhile.” Leah hugged Carrie. She knew how much the little girl had enjoyed watching the chipmunk when it came into their yard before.
As they sat watching the critter stick its head out then disappear, suddenly another little head appeared.
“Hey, Chippy has a friend!” Amy’s eyes twinkled.
“It looks like the little chipmunks have found a good home, too,” Leah added. Chippy must have liked the rock wall Adam had built for the flower garden.
Time flew by as Leah and the girls watched the two critters venture from the rocks into the yard. They went back and forth several times, as though they had some sort of plan.
“Can we get some peanuts for Chippy and his new friend?” Carrie tugged on Leah’s sleeve.
Leah nodded. “Good idea. There’s a bag in the pantry. Let’s give him those.”
“I’ll get it!” Linda jumped up and raced into the house. When she returned with the peanuts, the three girls walked hand in hand to the flower bed. Leah watched from the porch as they dropped some of the nuts on the ground and on the row of rocks. Then they backed up and waited. Shortly, both chipmunks came out. It was cute to see Amy standing behind her younger sisters, with her arms stretched around their shoulders. The young girl was growing up so quickly. Leah couldn’t help thinking what a good mother Amy would make someday.
Linda and Carrie stood very still, with their hands over their mouths, as though holding back a squeal as the chipmunks ate the nuts. Amy turned and smiled at Leah. No words were needed as they shared their unspoken happiness.
Lord, thank You for Adam, Leah prayed, and for allowing me the privilege of helping him raise his nieces. Thank You for helping Amy overcome her initial fears about me having a baby. She placed her hand against her stomach, patting it gently. Help me to be a good mother to this little one I am carrying.
Chicago
It had been a few days since David returned home, but he felt no better about things. In fact, he felt worse. This morning he’d received a letter from Priscilla, most of which he couldn’t make out because it was smudged, making most of the words unreadable. The envelope looked like it had been dropped in a mud puddle, causing water to seep through the envelope. Well, it didn’t matter. Nothing she said would change his mind. He was not going back to Arthur or joining the Amish church.
David ru
bbed his temples as he sat at the kitchen table staring at the rumpled letter he’d been unable to fully read. He wouldn’t bother to reply to it. It’s better for everyone that I left Arthur. Priscilla’s in love with Elam, and I was wrong for trying to horn in. I’ve been selfish and inconsiderate, only thinking of what I want. Just look where it got me. I should have stuck with my plans to become a veterinarian. At least my folks would have been happy, and I do like working with animals, so maybe in the end, I’d have been happy, too.
“Are you all right, David? You look upset.” Mom put her hands on David’s shoulders.
“I am. Or as the Amish would say, ‘I’m feeling umgerennt right now.’”
“Umgerennt? What does that mean?”
“It’s the Pennsylvania Dutch word for ‘upset.’”
Mom took a seat at the kitchen table beside David. “I’ve known since you returned to Chicago that something was troubling you, son. Would you like to talk about it?”
If it had been David’s father asking the question, David would have declined, but Mom had always been more understanding. David took a deep breath and poured out his story. He ended by saying he felt guilty because Priscilla had gotten burned.
Mom sat several seconds, fingering the tablecloth. “I understand now why you came home, but you’re being too hard on yourself, David.”
David continued to rub his temples. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t purposely leave the stove on, right?”
“Course not. I thought I’d turned it off, but I’ve gone over it again and again, and now I’m not really sure.”
“I understand how that can be. I’ve done many things without realizing I’d done them.” Mom tapped his arm. “Blaming yourself for Priscilla’s accident will do no good for you or her.
What’s done is done. You need to put this all behind you and move on.”
“How am I supposed to get that awful night out of my head, Mom?” A lump crept into David’s throat, making it hard to swallow. He couldn’t get rid of the image of Priscilla on the kitchen floor, trying to put out the flames on her dress.
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