Returning to her seat, she took out her needlepoint hoop and began to work. It didn’t require much concentration, but the repetitive motion helped to keep her mind off her unhappy situation. The thing she regretted most was bringing her uncle into her sisters’ lives again.
Lizzie with her delicate pregnancy did not need to be subjected to their uncle’s cruel verbal barbs. Betsy had become a fun-loving teenager. Even their oldest sister, Clara, had come out of her shell and gained the confidence to marry a man with three children. None of them deserved to be exposed to their uncle’s venom.
Greta’s one consolation was that he wouldn’t dare raise a hand to any of them as long as Duncan was in the house. The dog considered them part of his flock. He would lay down his life to defend them.
The miles rolled by as she worked, glancing occasionally at the other passengers. They all slept. Christmas remained quiet in her box. Greta was tempted to open the carton and check on her, but decided against it. There was no telling what the cat would do when she sensed freedom.
Sometime later, Greta was losing the light to work by when Arles pulled off the interstate and turned into the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant adjacent to a large truck stop. Toby sat up in the back and looked around. Marianne remained asleep, but Morris sat up, too. As if on cue, the cat began to meow softly. Arles turned around in his seat. “I’m going to get something to drink. Does anyone want anything?”
Greta shook her head, as did Toby. Arles left, closing his door softly. Toby came forward to his sister’s seat. Seeing her asleep, he handed Greta the pet carrier and gently lifted Marianne in his arms. Returning to the rear of the vehicle, he laid her down on the seat and covered her with his coat. She didn’t rouse.
Greta retrieved her coat and slipped it on. She opened the box and lifted the cat out. Toby came forward. “We should put the lead on her before we take her outside.” He spoke softly so as not to wake his sister.
“I was thinking the same thing. Can you get it from the box under the seat?”
He extracted the pink harness and cord. “If you hold her, I think I can get it on without too much trouble. Let’s hope she’s still groggy enough to be cooperative.”
“Be careful that she doesn’t bite or scratch you,” Greta cautioned.
“I’ll try. I’ve never harnessed a cat before.”
“Me, either,” Greta said with a smothered giggle.
Christmas allowed herself to be buckled in with a minimum of fuss. Greta looked at Toby with relief. “Open the door and let’s see how she does.”
“It’s a bunch of foolishness,” Morris said, but Greta noticed he was waiting patiently to get out.
Toby opened the door and Greta stepped down with the cat in her arms. Christmas seemed content to stay where she was.
“Goot katz,” Greta crooned, stroking the uninjured side of her neck. Morris walked past her without comment.
Toby got out and stood beside Greta. “Put her on the ground and let’s see what she does.”
Greta, holding tight to the lead, set the cat on her feet. Christmas lay down on the pavement, showing no inclination to move.
Toby folded his arms and rocked back on his heels. “I was expecting a little more action.”
“So was I. Maybe she has worn a leash before and knows how to behave on one.”
“Anything is possible. See if she will walk with you.”
Greta tugged on the lead. “Come, Christmas. Let’s go for a walk.”
Christmas refused to budge. Morris, who was standing nearby said, “Put some water where she can see it.”
“Couldn’t hurt. I’ll get some.” Toby headed toward the restaurant.
Greta was still trying unsuccessfully to coax the cat to take a few steps while her uncle walked nearby when Toby returned. He carried a plastic bowl and a bottle of water. Kneeling, he poured the water into the bowl and pushed it toward the cat. Christmas inched forward and began to lap at his offering, slowly at first, but then more eagerly. When she finished drinking her fill, she sat up and began licking her paws.
“It’s a goot sign. She’s strong,” Morris said as he got back in the van.
First, he called it foolishness to care for the cat. Then he was offering helpful suggestions. Greta wasn’t sure what to make of his comments. Was he concerned about the animal? If so, it would be the first time she had known him to show compassion toward another living creature. Was he changing? Was it possible?
She had to remember that anything was possible with God.
Arles came out of the restaurant with a soft drink in his hand. “Let’s go, folks. We’ll be stopping in Upper Sandusky for the night. It’s only an hour from here.”
Christmas went back into her box without protest. They were soon on the road. It was full dark by the time they entered the outskirts of the city. Toby spoke for the first time since leaving Beaverdam. “Greta, can Marianne room with you tonight?”
“Of course.”
“Danki. I don’t like the idea of her staying in a room by herself even if I am next door.”
“I understand.” She glanced forward.
“Do you think your uncle would mind sharing a room with me?” Toby asked.
“I was hoping you would offer. I don’t like the idea of him staying alone, either, but I have no idea how he will feel about it.”
“Perhaps he won’t mind when I mention splitting the cost of the room.”
“Knowing my uncle, that will appeal to him.”
“It won’t hurt to ask.” Toby moved to the front of the van and sat down beside Morris.
As it turned out, Greta was right. Morris agreed to share a room and split the cost. Knowing there would be someone close by if her uncle had difficulty would make it much easier for her to face the coming night.
When Toby returned to sit by her, she gave him the list of medicines the nurse had shared with her and told him which ones Morris needed to take before bed and in the morning. Then, she explained how he was to use the nitro pills. “Is this too much of a burden?” she asked.
“I can manage. If not, you will be close by.”
“That’s true.”
As they rolled through the city, Greta gazed out the window in wonder, feeling like a kid again. Christmas lights and decorations adorned houses and businesses. Everywhere, colored lights painted the night with red, green, gold and blue hues.
Marianne woke when they stopped at a traffic light. Sitting up, she looked around. “Where are we? Where is Christmas?”
The child’s voice was a little stronger. Greta patted the box. “She’s right here with me. She has been sleeping, too. We are in Upper Sandusky. This is where we’re stopping for the night. Look at all the decorations. See the snowflakes hanging over the street. Aren’t they beautiful?”
“Ah, they are wunderbarr.”
“I think so, too,” Toby said.
The child pressed her face to the window. “The Englisch sure like to fancy things up.”
“Indeed they do,” Greta agreed, sharing a grin with Toby.
Arles pulled into the parking lot of a motel and went inside to arrange for their rooms. Greta gathered her things and the cat carrier.
“Are you hungry?” Toby asked after they got out of the vehicle.
“A little,” Marianne replied.
“I see a pizza place across the street. What kind would you like?”
“Pepperoni.”
He smiled at her. “I should have remembered. Greta, what about you?”
“The same, only with extra cheese.”
“Morris, would you like to share a pizza pie with us?”
“Not unless you want to kill me. I’m supposed to watch my diet carefully. Pizza is not on it.”
Greta wanted to shake him for being rude, but she quelled the urge. “What would you like to eat, Onkel?”
“I’d like a thick juicy steak, but my doctor says I must eat more salads.”
Toby said, “That should be
easy enough. The sign says they have a salad bar. Once we get checked in, I’ll go get our supper and we can eat in our rooms. How does that sound?”
“Fine as long as I can lie down. Greta, fetch my bags.” He walked toward the motel lobby.
Greta closed her eyes and clamped her jaws together.
“Take a deep breath,” Toby said softly in her ear.
She blew out a long breath. “I prayed for patience. I guess the Lord thinks I need more practice using what little I have.”
“I can get his bags.”
“Danki, but I can manage them.” They walked to the rear of the van, and Toby opened the compartment for her. She pulled out her uncle’s suitcases and her own small bag. Toby took the suitcases from her.
Arles came out of the lobby and stopped beside them. “I’m sorry folks, but I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news.”
Chapter Nine
“What sort of bad news?” Greta asked.
Arles, looking apologetic, addressed Marianne. “I’m sorry, honey, this motel doesn’t allow pets in the rooms. I didn’t know we would have a cat with us when I made the reservation. I’m afraid she’ll have to stay in the van tonight or we will have to find another motel. I checked us in, but if you want to try somewhere else, they’ll give us a refund.”
Morris pounded his cane on the pavement. “I’m tired. I want to go to my room. The rest of you can go somewhere else, but I’m not letting that stupid cat keep me up any longer. Bunch of nonsense bringing that thing along, anyway.”
Marianne huddled against Greta’s side. “Christmas won’t like staying in the van alone. She’ll be scared.”
“We don’t have a choice,” Toby said.
“You don’t like her because she’s ugly.” Marianne buried her face in Greta’s skirt.
Greta cupped the back of her head. “That’s not true and you know it. Your brother is right. We can’t take Christmas into our room. She will have to stay out here.”
“Nee. She can’t. I don’t want her to be afraid.”
Greta lifted Marianne’s chin so the frowning girl would look at her. “Until today, Christmas was sleeping in alleys and under porches. I’m sure she will be happy to be safe and warm in the van.”
Marianne’s scowl faded. “I didn’t think of that.”
“In an alley is where she belongs,” Morris grumped.
Ignoring him, Toby knelt beside Marianne. “I’ll come out and check on her during the night to make sure she’s okay.”
Marianne looked doubtful. “You promise?”
“I promise. Let’s get you settled, and then I’ll fix up a place in the back of the van for Christmas to sleep.”
“Your rooms are down this way. I got them next to each other.” Arles said. Marianne and Morris followed him leaving Greta and Toby to deal with the luggage.
“Crisis averted.” Toby hefted his duffel bag and Morris’s suitcases.
“For now,” Greta agreed.
Arles unlocked the door and said, “This one is for you and Marianne, Greta. I hope it’s okay.” There were two full-size beds in the room along with a dresser and a television.
“It looks fine.” Greta walked in and put her suitcase down. Arles walked on and unlocked the next door. Morris went inside without a word.
Toby waited for Marianne to object to the arrangements. She was used to having him sleep in the same room while she was in the hospital. He put his duffel bag on the bed and pulled out her things.
Marianne looked around the room. She walked close to his side and whispered, “Where are you going to sleep?”
“Where do you think?” He waited for her to make the connection. She knew. She just didn’t like the idea.
“You can’t sleep in here. There’s no bed for you.”
“That’s right. Now that you are out of the hospital, I won’t be sharing your room anymore. I’ll be right next door, though. You and Greta get to share tonight. She has agreed to keep an eye on you, and I have agreed to keep an eye on her uncle. He’s been sick, too and he needs someone to look after him.”
“What if I get scared?”
“Honey, Greta will be with you.”
Marianne clenched her hands together. “What if I need you?”
“If you need me, I want you to knock on the wall like this.” He rapped the wall over her headboard three times. “I’ll come right over.”
“I guess that will be okay.”
“What a brave girl you are. Greta, take good care of her.”
“Don’t worry, I will.” She closed the door behind him, and smiled at Marianne. “Now it’s time for some girl fun. This is like having a sleepover.”
After settling in the small but clean motel room, Greta unpacked her night things. Even though they were inside, Marianne didn’t remove her oversize black bonnet. Greta decided not to push the issue knowing when Marianne felt comfortable with her, she would. Toby delivered the pizza thirty minutes later. After Greta closed the door behind him again, she turned to Marianne. “Shall we watch television while we eat?”
Marianne’s mouth dropped open. “Can we?”
Since neither of them were baptized members of the faith, Greta knew it wasn’t strictly forbidden, just frowned upon. She would make sure they watched something appropriate for a child of ten. “I won’t tell if you won’t tell.”
Eyes round as silver dollars, Marianne said, “I won’t.”
Greta turned to the black box on the dresser and realized she was at a disadvantage. She looked at Marianne. “Do you know how to turn it on?”
“Sure. The nurses at the hospital showed me. Find the remote.”
They opened drawers until they discovered the device and then sat cross-legged on the bed with the pizza box between them. They giggled together at the silly commercials, sat aghast at some of the others and thoroughly enjoyed a movie about a young girl and her horse. For Greta, being with Marianne was a lot like being with her sisters. It made her miss them. She would be happy to reach home tomorrow.
Later, after saying their prayers, Greta was prepared to turn out the lights when she noticed that Marianne still hadn’t removed her bonnet. Greta flipped the switch and lay down. Although she was tired, she found she wasn’t sleepy. Apparently, Marianne wasn’t either after her long nap.
“Are you afraid of the dark?” Marianne asked.
Greta detected an edge of fear in the child’s voice. “Nee, I’m not. The Lord tells us not to be afraid for He is always with us. I’m sure that means even in the dark. I remember how my sisters and I would often exchange confidences in our bedroom at night. Being in the dark somehow made it easier to talk about the boy I liked or about something that happened at school. Do you like school?”
“I liked school in Pennsylvania. I didn’t like it in Indiana.”
“I imagine that’s because all your friends were in Pennsylvania. Did you make new friends in Indiana?”
“Only one. Her name was Mary Beth. She came to see me in the hospital.”
“That was kind of her.”
“It was the first day they took off my bandages. She cried when she saw what I looked like.”
“That must have been very hard for you.”
“I told her not to come back. She didn’t.”
“I’m sorry. But your brother stayed with you. Did that make you feel better?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Should she let it go, or press the issue? Greta decided to press gently. “Talking about things can help us feel better.”
“Toby cried sometimes, too. He thinks I’m ugly the same way Mary Beth did.”
“He doesn’t. He loves you, and he sees your good heart.”
There was a long pause. Greta thought Marianne might have fallen asleep, but she finally spoke. “I wish he hadn’t made us move to Indiana.”
“My goodness, however did he do that?”
“He kept telling Daed about all the jobs that were there. He talked about the money t
hey could make together. Mamm and I didn’t want to go, but Toby talked Daed into it. If we had stayed in Pennsylvania, they would still be alive.”
“I can see why you feel that way.”
“You can?” Marianne sounded surprised.
“Of course. One thing led to the other, didn’t it? Do you think Toby wanted your parents to die?”
“Nee!”
Greta heard the shock in Marianne’s tone and she knew she was making her point. “I don’t think so, either. Do you think he knew when he talked about better wages that it would lead to their deaths?”
“Nee, but we should have stayed where we were. We were happy there.”
“Your father couldn’t find work. Did that make him happy?”
“He worried a lot about it. He didn’t like asking the church for help although Mamm said he should.”
“It sounds to me like your brother and your father were a lot alike. Marianne, God chose to bring your mother and father to heaven. Toby had nothing to do with it. I know this has been a very sad time for you, but you do understand that, don’t you?”
When the child didn’t answer, Greta said, “Good night, Marianne. Sleep well.”
Several more minutes of silence passed until Marianne said, “I knocked over the lamp that started the fire.”
Oh, you poor child.
Greta slipped out of bed, sat beside Marianne and took hold of her hand. “It was an accident. You didn’t mean for something bad to happen. It wasn’t your fault any more than it was Toby’s fault.”
“I couldn’t get out. I screamed for Daed to come get me.”
“Someone got you out. Was it your brother?”
“My clothes were on fire. Daed broke down the door. He threw a blanket over me and carried me outside. Then he ran back to get Mamm and Toby. I screamed and screamed but they never came out. I was all alone. The house fell down, and they still didn’t come.”
No wonder she was fearful of having her brother out of her sight. Greta lifted the child in her arms. “God was with you. He was with your mother and father, too. We are never alone. It’s okay to be sad and scared. God understands. The wonderful thing about God’s plan for us is that we are only on earth for a little time. Once we reach heaven, we will spend an eternity with the ones we love in everlasting joy. Every tear we cried will be wiped away. So we must live a good life and keep God in our thoughts always so we can join Him there.”
Love Inspired December 2014 - Box Set 1 of 2: A Rancher for ChristmasHer Montana ChristmasAn Amish Christmas JourneyYuletide Baby Page 44