Yes, he’d go to the phone shanty after breakfast. He went back to the barn to grab the bucket of chicken feed. He’d go on back to the house after tending the chickens and checking for eggs. There were still eggs left over from the day before, so Lindy should have all she needed to make breakfast. He grinned. His mouth was watering just thinking about her pancakes.
Chapter Five
Twenty minutes later, Robert was seated at the dining table, digging into a stack of pancakes. Lindy was in the front room, trying to get Berta to eat a few bites. He had planned on waiting for Lindy to eat, but she’d insisted he start without her, so he had. He was concerned, though, that the pancakes would be cold by the time Lindy came in to join him. After eating six or seven pancakes, he realized that Lindy wouldn’t be joining him at all. She was still in with his mother.
He stood and carried his dirty dishes back to the kitchen. Then he went back to the front room.
“Mamm, are you eating this morning?” he asked.
Both Lindy and Berta looked at him.
“Enough,” Berta said.
“Not enough in my book,” answered Lindy. “How about if I put another squiggle of honey on your toast. Would that help it go down?”
Berta gave a breathy chuckle. “It might at that.”
Lindy stood up to go fetch it.
“Mamm,” Robert said, “I’m going out now. I’ll be back for the noon meal.”
She nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
He followed Lindy to the kitchen. “The pancakes were real good,” he said. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” She smiled, and he wondered again how his brother could have left her.
“And thank you for all you’re doing for Mamm. She likes you, you know.”
“And I’m awful fond of her. I just wish there was more I could do.”
“You’re doing plenty.”
She was silent, and he knew she was pondering something. She looked ready to ask him a question, but then, she must have changed her mind.
“I’m going to call Reuben,” he uttered and then nearly gagged. Why was he telling her that? Didn’t it just rub in the fact that Reuben hadn’t chosen to come back?
Her face lit up. “Are you?” And then she frowned. “Call him? Did you arrange to call him from shanty to shanty at a certain time?”
Inwardly, he groaned. Now, what could he say? Tell her that Reuben was living fancy? That he had his own cell phone?
“Will you give him my greetings?” she rushed on without waiting for his answer. “And tell him that Berta isn’t doing well.”
“I will,” he said lamely. He walked away before he could open his mouth with another stupid proclamation. What was he thinking anyway?
He hustled into the wash room and grabbed his straw hat from its peg. He crammed it on his head and went outside, walking quickly toward the road. The phone shanty wasn’t far from their place, a mere five-minute walk. He hoped no one else would be using it. He didn’t much feel like waiting for his turn that morning.
When he arrived, he was relieved to see it empty. He stepped inside and checked for messages first. Maybe Reuben had already called to leave their family a message, but no such luck. He pulled a slip of paper from his waistband and dialed the number.
“Yeah?” came the response.
“Reuben?”
Silence. Then, “Robert? That you?”
“It’s me.”
“You at the phone shanty?”
Robert wanted to snap, of course, where else would I be, but he stopped himself. “Jah.”
“Uh, nice to hear from you.”
But to Robert’s ears, Reuben didn’t sound all that pleased. “Did you get my letter?” he asked.
“Jah.”
“Mamm is doing poorly, Reuben. I think you should come home.”
“I can’t just come back any old time,” Reuben said, and Robert could hear the defensiveness in his voice. “I have a job.”
“We all have jobs. We’re all busy…”
“Nee, I mean a job where I have a boss. If I don’t show up, I’ll lose it.”
Robert would like nothing better than for his brother to lose his job. Maybe then, he’d come home for good. But all he said was, “Mamm’s sick.”
“I know that.” Reuben sighed. “I read your letters, Robert. I feel bad about it.”
“She’s going to want to see you.”
“I’ll get away as soon as I can.”
“How soon is that?”
“Geez. I don’t know. As soon as I can.”
“It might not be soon enough,” Robert said, gripping the receiver harder.
“Is she on her deathbed?”
“Who knows?” Robert said. “It’s hard to tell, but she isn’t eating much.”
“Well, if she’s eating at all, it’s probably all right.”
Robert’s jaw tightened. What was the matter with Reuben? Had he turned to stone? “What am I supposed to tell her?”
“Tell her Otto really needs my help and I can’t get away yet. She likes Otto, and besides, if I delay my return, it might give her something to live for.”
“Something to live for…?” Robert repeated, incredulous. “Are you even hearing yourself?”
Reuben didn’t respond, but Robert could hear him breathing. He was sure Reuben could hear him, too, because his breath was coming fast and hard. He didn’t know when he’d been so angry with his twin. Oh, there had been times, but never like this.
“Are you finished?” Reuben finally asked.
“I guess so,” Robert said and hung up. He leaned against the shanty wall and tried to calm his racing heart. It wouldn’t do to carry this much anger around, but he wasn’t sure he could stop it. After a moment, he emerged from the shanty and headed back for home. Thanks to his big mouth, Lindy was going to ask him about the conversation, and he wasn’t of a mind to be the person to break her heart with the truth.
So, what could he tell her? He resented Reuben for putting him in such a position.
Maybe, he could avoid her. Go straight out to the field. And then, by the noon meal, she might have forgotten about the phone call. He scoffed. He was dreaming, and he knew it.
The moment he turned into the drive, Lindy flew out of the house to meet him. Her face was lit up with expectation, and she looked so breathless and rosy-cheeked, he wanted to turn from her and run.
“Did you talk to him?” she asked, stopping in a rush.
“I did.”
“What did he say? Is he coming back?”
“He said to tell Mamm that Otto can’t spare him right now.” This wasn’t really a lie; Rueben had said that; however, it wasn’t true. Robert hated himself for telling her that.
Lindy’s expression fell. “I see. Maybe, he can come later. Did you tell him how ill your mother is?”
“I did. He’ll come soon,” he said, praying it was so.
“How was he?” Lindy asked. “Is he doing well?”
“He seems happy enough…”
“Gut. I’m sure Otto appreciates his help so much. But what about you, Robert? How are you doing without Reuben’s help?”
“I’m all right,” he said. “I could use his help, but I’m doing okay. When harvest comes, I’ll likely hire one of the local lads.”
“Reuben might be back by then, ain’t so?”
“Jah. I pray Reuben will be back by then.”
She nodded slowly, and then gave him a smile. “I’ll have the noon meal ready for you,” she said.
“I know. Thanks, Lindy.”
She turned and headed back to the house and he watched her go, a sinking feeling crawling around in his stomach.
Chapter Six
That afternoon, after Berta had managed to eat her complete helping of mashed potatoes, she lay in her bed, exhausted. Lindy fussed a bit with the pillows behind her head.
“Are you comfortable, Bertha? Ready for a short nap?”
Berta shook her head. “Don’t
want to sleep all my days away,” she said, her voice slow and weary. “If I do, might as well die now.”
“Ach, but don’t say that,” Lindy said, fighting the tears that sprang to her eyes.
“I want to see my boy,” Berta said.
“Robert will be back come suppertime,” Lindy said, knowing full well Berta wasn’t referring to Robert.
“Nee.” The older woman shook her head. “Reuben. I want to see my Reuben.”
Lindy’s throat tightened.
“Get some paper, would you, Lindy?”
Lindy straightened. “Of course. What do you want to do?” But she knew that, too.
“I’m going to write him and tell him to come home.”
Lindy walked to the bureau and rustled through the top drawer until she found a tablet and a pen. She went back to Berta’s bed, pulled a rocker close to it, and sat down.
“All right. I have paper and pen.”
Berta closed her eyes and folded her hands on top of her chest. Lindy wanted to cry out in protest and rearrange the woman’s hands. She looked as if she were already in her casket.
“Dear Reuben,” she started.
Lindy wrote.
“I am right proud of you for helping your dear cousin…” She paused and took a shallow breath. “But I’m wonderin’ if you might come home.”
Another pause. Another breath.
“I’m feeling a bit poorly and would like to see you.” Berta reached out and grabbed Lindy’s arm. “Do you think I should tell him I’m dying?”
Lindy swallowed past the rapidly growing lump in her throat. “He-he already knows…” she murmured and then gasped. Why in the world had she told Berta that? If Reuben already knew, then why hadn’t he come home? “I-I mean… Nee,” she stammered. “I don’t think he does know. Uh, go ahead if you want to tell him…”
Berta shook her head. “I think I’ve got some days left in me,” she said, and then made an effort to laugh. “Ach, but I’m tired. We’ll… We’ll finish later.”
“Of course,” Lindy said. “You sleep now. And when you wake up, I’ll make a nice fresh pot of tea. How’s that?”
But Berta had already closed her eyes. Her breathing was shallow and jagged, but Lindy could tell she was already asleep. She stared down at the half-written letter, and anger surged through her. What was the matter with Reuben? Why was he not coming?
She stood and quietly left the room, heading for the dining table. She sat down and started a letter of her own.
Dear Reuben,
I know that you talked with Robert this morning. He said you weren’t coming home straight away. Perhaps Robert didn’t explain things properly…
But Lindy was certain that Robert had been quite clear. Painfully clear.
Your mamm isn’t doing well. She’s asking for you to come home. Please come.
Is everything all right, Reuben? Is there something you’re not telling me?
Lindy felt sick to her stomach. She couldn’t ask him that. And how presumptuous of her to think Reuben should tell her everything. But still… He was keeping something from her. He’d changed.
He didn’t like her anymore. He didn’t want to court her anymore. It was the only conclusion she could draw.
Reuben, in truth, this has nothing to do with you and me. Just please come home. See your mamm before it’s too late.
Lindy
She stood up and tip-toed back into the front room to fetch an envelope and stamp. She didn’t figure Robert would mind if she used one of his stamps. Before she could change her mind, she addressed the envelope and ran outside and down the drive to the mailbox on the road. She slipped the letter inside and raised the red flag. Reuben should get the letter in two days. Maybe even tomorrow, since the mailman hadn’t come yet.
She walked back to the house, slowly this time. Please come, Reuben, she thought. Please come before it’s too late.
* * *
Reuben turned the key and dug into the tiny mail compartment in the entryway to his apartment complex. He pulled out Lindy’s letter and sighed. He wasn’t ready to read it.
“Who’s it from?” Ariel asked, peering around him.
“Uh, no one. Well, someone from back home.”
“You never tell me anything about your home,” Ariel said, with an adorable pout on her face. “You know all about my folks and my annoying sister. I don’t even know if you have siblings.”
“One. A brother,” Reuben said, cramming Lindy’s letter into his pocket. “What do you want to do this afternoon? I got an extra shift at seven tonight, so I don’t have a lot of time.”
She raised her brow. “You’re kind of cranky today, you know that? What’s with you?”
Reuben blinked with annoyance. “Nothing is with me,” he said, hearing the petulance in his voice. He took a deep breath. “Sorry. I guess I’m tired or something.”
“And you have to work again tonight,” she said. “You should have told them you couldn’t come in.”
“Nah… It’s all right. I need the money.”
“Don’t we all?” She laughed. “Well, let’s go up to your apartment and watch something. Or… we could find other things to do.” She put her arm through his and leaned heavily on him.
He looked down into her shining blue eyes and couldn’t help but grin. He liked her. She was playful and gorgeous and when they kissed… His muscles tightened.
“Well? What do you say?” she said. “And I’m hungry. You got anything to eat up there?”
“Not much,” he admitted, leading her to the stairs. The apartment building only had three floors and no elevator. It was an old building, a run-down building. He couldn’t believe Ariel hadn’t complained about it, but she didn’t seem to mind visiting him there. He, on the other hand, was embarrassed. At times, he thought longingly about his farm back in Indiana. Everything was tidy and neat and repaired. His mother would snort at the condition of this building.
His mother. He sucked in a breath and resolutely put her from his mind. He’d deal with that whole topic later—when Ariel wasn’t with him. Because sometimes, when she was with him, he could hardly think of anything besides her in his embrace.
She squeezed his arm. “Maybe I’m not so hungry after all,” she teased. “At least, not for food.”
He swallowed. They shouldn’t be going up to his place. He should turn right around and take her back outside. To the park or down by the river. Or something.
But he didn’t. He kept climbing the stairs, with her pressed against his side, willingly climbing right along with him.
Chapter Seven
Robert saw a flash of something blue through the open door of the barn. He set down his pitchfork and walked to the wide opening. Rachel was there. He grinned. She’d ridden the bicycle over. He wondered how much Lindy knew about him and Rachel.
Did she know he was seeing Rachel? Taking her for buggy rides some evenings? He wasn’t sure. While the custom was to keep courting secret, he didn’t know how much sisters shared.
Rachel had leaned the bicycle against the railing on the porch steps. She was glancing around the place, and he was quite sure she was looking for him. He raised his hand in greeting when she caught sight of him.
“Robert!” she called, scurrying across the yard. “How are you?”
“I’m well.” He looked down into her wide brown eyes. They were so much different from Lindy’s blue ones, but the two sisters had the same oval face and rosy cheeks. Rachel was slightly taller than Lindy, but both of them were slender and shapely. He felt his cheeks go hot. Why in the world was he comparing the two?
“I-I thought I’d come check on your mamm,” Rachel said, her brow furrowing. “Lindy tells me that she has gut days and bad days.”
He nodded. “She’s right on that.”
“Is today gut or bad?”
“She ate quite well at the noon meal. Lindy does a wonderful job with her. I think Mamm ate every bite of her mashed potatoes.”
&nbs
p; Rachel’s brow rose, and he somehow felt he’d said something wrong—but what, he didn’t have the foggiest idea.
“I’m glad,” Rachel spoke. “What are you doing?”
“I was pitching hay into the horse stalls,” he said, “but I’m glad for a break.”
She smiled, her face resuming its friendly expression. “Want some help?”
He laughed. “You gonna help me pitch hay?”
“If it means I can spend time with you,” she said, and then her cheeks colored. “I mean… Well…”
He touched her arm. “Don’t fret. I know what you meant. Would you like to go riding with me later this week?”
She perked right up at that. “I would.”
“I’ll let you know which evening, all right? Some evenings, I’m not eager to leave Mamm. But if she’s resting nicely, I could get away for an hour or so.”
“Only an hour? Surely your mamm wouldn’t even know you were gone.”
He scowled, but only slightly. “But if she awakens and needs something…”
“Oh. Right.” Rachel looked about, as if wanting to change the subject, but she was quiet.
“So, I think Mamm might be sleeping right now. Lindy can tell you.”
“I’m sure she can,” Rachel said, a note of annoyance in her voice.
Goodness, but what was with Rachel that day? Was she annoyed? And why? He hadn’t much experience with girls, since his mamm had been widowed so young and hadn’t remarried and had more children. Robert would have liked to have sisters, but it wasn’t to be. He only had his mother to draw on for experience with females. And his mother was almost always in a pleasant frame of mind. She wasn’t taciturn—she was easy to read and figure out.
Completely unlike the beautiful Rachel who stood before him.
“Your brother coming back soon?” she asked.
“I wish he would, but I’m not sure.”
“But why wouldn’t he? Doesn’t he know your mamm is sick?”
The Twin (Lindy's Story Book 1) Page 3