“You could go back to college and finish the courses you need to prepare for veterinary school.”
“I may consider going back in the fall.” David pushed away from the table. “In the meantime, I’ll talk to Dad about helping out at his veterinary clinic. Even if all I do is clean up the place after hours, it’ll be better than sitting around here feeling sorry for myself.” His forehead wrinkled. “I’m still not sure becoming a vet and working with Dad is what I want to do with the rest of my life. I really did like the slower pace of the Amish life.”
“Do you have to become Amish in order to slow down and enjoy the simpler things?” Mom asked.
“No, I suppose not. I just… Oh, never mind. I’ll be fine once I’ve been here awhile and figure out what I want to do.”
Arthur
No matter how hard Elam tried, he couldn’t seem to concentrate on his work. He’d gone to see Priscilla last night, but she’d barely said two words. Later, when he got ready to leave, Priscilla’s mother had whispered to Elam that her daughter had been struggling with depression.
“After what happened to her, how could she not be depressed?” Elam mumbled.
“Did you say something, son?”
Elam jumped at the sound of his dad’s deep voice. He thought he’d been working alone at the back of their bulk food store, where he’d been putting several new items on the shelves.
Elam whirled around. “Uh… guess ya caught me talkin’ to myself.”
“Don’t be doin’ too much of that, because a lot needs to be done yet today. The only good thing about talkin’ to yourself is you usually get the answer you’re looking for.” Dad studied Elam a few seconds. “You okay? You look kind of sullen.”
Elam blew out his breath. “I’m worried about Priscilla. Just can’t get her out of my mind.”
“It’s understandable, since you two have been courting so long. She’s going through a lot right now and needs all the support she can get.”
“I asked Priscilla to marry me, but she said she couldn’t give me an answer yet.” Elam bit his bottom lip so hard, he tasted blood. “If David hadn’t left Arthur, she may have chosen him instead of me. Guess I waited too long to ask her. If I hadn’t been so worried about saving up enough money for us to have a home, Priscilla and I may have been married by now.”
“I’m sure she still cares for you, Elam,” Dad said. “It’s going to be awhile before her burns have healed. She needs time to deal with things. It would be distressing for anyone to go through what she’s had to face.” He gave Elam’s shoulder a squeeze. “Try to be patient, and keep giving her your love and support. Every woman needs reassurance, whether she’s going through a traumatic event or not.”
Elam nodded. “Guess that’s all I can do. Now that David is gone, at least I have a better chance with Priscilla.” He lowered his gaze. Now if I could only come to grips with what’s happened to her.
CHAPTER 43
Days turned into weeks, and by the end of July, Priscilla felt better. The areas where she’d been burned were no longer painful or blistered. But as the skin peeled off and new skin appeared underneath, it remained red. As instructed, she’d have to stay out of the direct sun for a while. Hopefully, none of the red areas would leave a scar, but only time would tell. She’d also been getting plenty of rest and doing exercises to keep her skin supple. She didn’t want it to draw up and leave her handicapped.
As Priscilla sat in the covered area on the back porch, breathing in the warm air, she thought about David. She still hadn’t heard anything from him, and couldn’t help feeling disappointed. Elaine had assured Priscilla that she’d sent the letter. Apparently, David had chosen not to respond. She’d even tried calling his cell number, but he’d never returned any of her messages. Was David deliberately trying to avoid her? How could he say he loved her and then take off like he did and not bother to respond to her letter or phone calls? Could David have only been pretending to care about her? If so, he’d sure had her fooled.
Sure wish I could talk to him, she thought. If I saw David face-to-face, maybe I could make him understand I don’t blame him for what happened to me. If he was serious about becoming Amish, he shouldn’t have left.
“Would you like some company?” Mom took a seat on the bench beside Priscilla, halting her thoughts.
Priscilla moved her head slowly up and down. “Of course I would.”
“It started out to be a pleasantly warm day, but it’s gotten hotter now—especially in the house.” Mom sighed. “I’m glad I got all my baking done this morning, because I wouldn’t want to do it now. The kitchen would soon feel like an oven.”
The mention of the kitchen feeling like an oven caused Priscilla to shudder. She would never forget the stifling smoke and the horrific pain she’d endured from the corn popper catching fire. She felt thankful the whole kitchen hadn’t been ablaze, which it could have been if the fire on the stove hadn’t been put out. A few days after Priscilla’s accident, Dad had repainted the kitchen, which removed any signs of the smoke.
“It won’t be long and it’ll be time to pick and can our corn,” Mom said. “Your burns are healing so nicely you should be able to help with that.”
Priscilla nodded. “I’m glad Elaine came over to assist you when the strawberries were ripe, since I wasn’t able to do anything to help.”
Mom smiled. “You’re fortunate to have good friends like Elaine and Leah.”
“I know.” Priscilla drank from the glass of lemonade she’d brought outside after lunch. “Mind if I ask you something, Mom?”
“Of course not. What do you want to know?”
“Have I received any letters from David?”
“None that I know of.” Mom leaned closer to Priscilla. “I hope you don’t think I’d throw his letters away. I’d promised you before that I would never do it again.”
Priscilla took another drink and set her glass on the table near her chair. “I wonder why he hasn’t responded to my letter.”
“I didn’t even know you had written to David. How long ago was that?”
“Soon after you gave me the note he left in our mailbox. I asked Elaine to write it for me.”
“Are you sure she mailed it?”
“She said she did.” She sighed deeply. “I really expected he would have answered by now.”
“Maybe he’s been busy.”
“I can’t imagine him being too busy to write back, or at least call and leave a message for me.” Priscilla rubbed a spot on her arm that had begun to itch, being careful not to scratch. “I thought we were good friends, but friends don’t ignore each other like that.” I thought he had feelings for me that went beyond friendship, too. Of course, Priscilla didn’t voice her thoughts to her mother. Like Elam, Mom was probably glad David had gone back to Chicago and given up his plans to become Amish. It was a shame Mom hadn’t gotten to know David better. She may have seen him in a different light.
Of course, Priscilla conceded, I thought I knew him fairly well, but I guess I was wrong, for I never expected him to turn his back on me when I was going through a difficult time.
Mom looked like she might say something more to Priscilla, but a horse and buggy had just pulled up to the area near their store. “Guess I’d better see who it is and what they need to buy from our store.” Mom rose from her seat. “We’ll talk more later, Priscilla.”
After Mom left, Priscilla decided to go back inside. She was tired and thought a short nap might help, so she curled up on the couch. In no time at all she drifted off.
Elam yawned as he headed down the road in his open buggy toward the Hershbergers’ place. Turning his head from side to side, he tried to get the spasms in his neck to relax. He hadn’t slept well last night and had been plagued with the same reoccurring dream about Priscilla and David.
Maybe I should have stepped aside and let David have her. Since she still hasn’t accepted my marriage proposal, it could be a clue that she cares more for him than
me.
Frowning, he clutched the horse’s reins tighter as the troubling thoughts whirled in his head. I don’t think I can do that. I love her too much.
If Elam could clear the slate and start over with Priscilla, he surely would. If he’d proposed to her before David moved to Arthur, she’d have probably accepted, and none of this would be an issue right now. It was his fault, though, for worrying too much about having enough money to begin a life with Priscilla. He should have at least explained that he wanted to marry her but felt the need to wait until he was better prepared financially.
It didn’t do any good to fret about that now. He just hoped Priscilla would give him an answer to his proposal today. He couldn’t imagine living the rest of his life without her, but if she rejected him, he’d have to find a way to deal with it.
Elam snapped the reins to get his horse moving faster. For some reason, Gus was being a slowpoke this Saturday afternoon.
When Elam pulled his rig up to the hitching rack near the barn, he spotted Priscilla’s mother coming out of the store where she sold jams and other home-canned items. She waved, and when he approached, she smiled and said, “Wie geht’s, Elam?”
“Good day,” he replied. Glancing past Iva, his gaze came to rest on a ruby-red cardinal that had landed in the tree nearby. “I’m doing okay. How ‘bout you?”
“I’m fine, but I’d be better if it hadn’t turned out so hot and muggy today.” She lifted a corner of her apron and fanned her face with it. “It was much cooler this morning when Priscilla and I sat on the porch visiting.”
Elam glanced toward the house. “Speaking of Priscilla, is she inside right now?”
Iva nodded. “But I just checked on her a few minutes ago, and she was sleeping.”
“Oh, I see. Guess I’d better not disturb her then.” Elam’s gaze dropped to the ground. He couldn’t hide his disappointment. He’d really wanted—no needed—to see her today.
“You can wait till she wakes up if you want to.” Iva bent down and pulled a handful of weeds from the flower bed close to the house.
“I’d better not. She might be asleep for a while, and I need to get back to the store soon to help my daed with an afternoon delivery that’s supposed to come.”
“I’ll tell Priscilla you were here. She’ll be sorry she missed you.”
“Will she be at church tomorrow?” Elam asked. Priscilla hadn’t been there at all since her accident. At first it was because of her pain, but then later she’d mentioned that she didn’t want people making a fuss over her, or worse yet, staring at her hands and arms with pity.
“I believe she will go.” Iva reached for another clump of weeds. “If you don’t get to visit with her after church, we’d love to have you come by here tomorrow evening for a meal.”
Elam smiled. “That’d be nice. Mom’s been wanting to have Priscilla to our place for a meal, too, but we can do that some other time.” He turned to go, calling over his shoulder. “Tell Priscilla I’ll see her tomorrow morning.”
As Iva watched Elam’s horse and buggy pull out, she couldn’t help thinking something about him had changed. Ever since Priscilla’s accident he’d acted a bit strange. Today she’d noticed he seemed to have trouble making eye contact with her. Elam had dark circles under his eyes, too. No doubt from lack of sleep.
I wonder if Elam fears Priscilla won’t marry him if she ends up with scars from her burns. Surely she knows he’s not concerned with how she looks. Maybe I should talk with her about it.
Iva arched her back, hoping to get the kinks out. She’d done enough weeding for one day and had some more things she needed to get done in the store. The weeding could wait for another day. If she kept at it now, she’d probably end up at the chiropractor’s or seeing Leah for a foot treatment.
Iva had just started walking toward the store when Elaine rode in on her bike. She parked it near the house and joined Iva on the lawn.
“I just dropped by Adam’s store to give Ben a fawn rock I’d made for him and decided to come by here to see how Priscilla is doing.” Elaine smiled. “I’ve been wondering how long it’ll be before she can help me host the dinners again.”
“She’s napping right now, but I can already tell you she won’t be up to helping you for several more weeks.” Iva brushed some dirt off her hands. She’d need to wash them when she went in the store.
“I was hoping it might be sooner. The two young women I hired to take her place have a wedding to attend next weekend, and I have a dinner scheduled for the same Friday evening.” Elaine stared across the yard. “Guess I’ll try to manage it myself, but things would go much easier if I had some help.”
Iva tapped her chin, contemplating things. “Say, I wonder if Adam’s oldest niece, Amy, would be of any help to you. She’s almost twelve years old. Leah’s told Priscilla that Amy’s a big help around the house.”
Elaine smiled. “You know, I’ve never even thought about asking Amy. Danki for the suggestion. Since Priscilla’s sleeping, I don’t want to bother her, so I think I’ll head over to the Beachys’ place right now and ask.”
Elaine mounted her bike, and as she pedaled down the driveway, Iva stepped into her store. It seemed like things were working out for many in their community these days. Now if only everything went well for Priscilla in the days ahead, Iva would be happy.
As Elaine headed down the road in the direction of Leah’s, her thoughts turned to Jonah. Truth was, she seemed to be thinking about him a lot lately.
Oh, Jonah, why can’t I get you out of my mind? In the year Jonah had been married to Sara, Elaine had managed to push her thoughts of him behind—almost like a distant dream. She’d moved on with her life, and he’d moved on with his. Why, now, did she think of him nearly every day? They were both unattached, and free to begin a romance, but she knew Jonah wasn’t seeking that.
I wonder if he knows Ben and I broke up. If Jonah has heard, does he even care? Elaine wished she felt free to tell Jonah herself that she and Ben were no longer a couple, but that would be too bold. Jonah might think she was dropping a hint she was available and interested in him courting her again.
I’m sure Jonah will eventually find out about me and Ben, so I’ll leave it in God’s hands. In the meantime, I’ll pray and seek God’s will for both me and Jonah.
CHAPTER 44
Priscilla didn’t know why, but she felt nervous this morning. It wasn’t like she’d never gone to church before. She just hadn’t gone with red blotches on her hands and arms. Her dress sleeves covered most of them, but her lower arms and hands showed, and she felt self-conscious about it.
“It’s good to see you here today,” Elaine whispered as she took a seat beside Priscilla on the women’s side of the room, waiting for the service to begin. Today church was being held in the addition Elaine’s grandfather had built many years ago for the large dinners her grandmother hosted. It looked much different now than when Elaine held the dinners. The tables she used to serve guests had been folded and put away. In their place were backless wooden benches, providing enough seating for those in attendance. A few folding chairs had also been set up for some of the older folks who couldn’t sit for a long period of time without back support.
“I’m glad to be back,” Priscilla responded. “And I’m sorry I missed seeing you yesterday. Mom said both you and Elam came by while I was napping. I wish she would have woken me up.”
Elaine shook her head. “I’m glad she didn’t. You needed your rest.”
“Seems all I’ve done since my accident is rest.” Priscilla huffed. “I’m anxious to get back to the task of living.”
“Coming here today is the first step of many.”
Priscilla glanced across at Elam and smiled when he gave her a nod. She noticed his leg twitching and then bouncing up and down, like he had a nervous tremor. What does Elam have to be jumpy about? I’m the one full of anxiety today.
It seemed strange not to see David. He’d sat on the same bench as Elam dur
ing the last church service Priscilla had attended. It really bothered her that he hadn’t called or written.
Maybe I should write to him again or try calling his cell number. Maybe that’s what I’ll do. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it till now.
Priscilla’s thoughts were redirected when everyone began singing. Their varied but blended voices bounced off the walls, lifting to the ceiling in worshipful praise to the Father. It was good to be back in church among her people. She needed to focus on that.
Elaine tried to concentrate on the song they were singing, but it was hard not to watch Jonah as he struggled to keep Mark from fidgeting. Sara had always kept him well occupied during church services. No doubt the boy still missed his mother.
I’m sure Jonah still misses Sara, too. I wonder if he loved her more than he did me. I’m sure Jonah’s feelings for me died when he married Sara. Elaine’s fingers dug into her palms. I shouldn’t be thinking such thoughts—especially not here in church.
She glanced at Leah and noticed her fanning her face with a piece of paper, while squirming on the bench. She was clearly uncomfortable today. The warmth and humidity likely played a part in that, and she was no doubt having trouble finding a comfortable position. It wouldn’t be long before Leah would be holding her baby in her arms. Elaine tried not to be envious, but having children of her own had always been a dream. It didn’t seem likely to happen, since she wouldn’t be marrying Ben, and Jonah had no interest in her. Perhaps someday she would meet someone else and fall in love, but that seemed doubtful.
Elaine drew in a quick breath, forcing her attention to the first sermon being preached.
Jonah felt relieved when his dad offered to take Mark. Due to the oppressive heat they’d been having lately, Jonah hadn’t been sleeping well, and dealing with a restless boy who was also tired caused him to feel more stressed. He couldn’t blame his son for fidgeting. Several other children in the service were fussy, too.
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