“Oh Elijah, the kids are growing up so fast and you’re missing everything. Eli will be going off to college soon and I know you would be so proud. Little Eva still asks about you from time to time, which makes me happy because I was so worried she would forget you.”
I pulled a handkerchief from my apron pocket and dabbed at my tears. “What I really came here to tell you, my dear husband, is that I’m getting married. He’s a good man and he’s very good with the children. He’s the new town doctor, but he’s also my best friend from my childhood. I remember telling you about him like it was yesterday. I can’t believe so much time has passed since then.”
I mopped up my face again and caught my breath, knowing there was one more thing I needed to get off my chest. “In case I never told you often enough, I will forever be grateful for the difference you made in my life, and the sacrifices you made for me and the children. I know it wasn’t easy for you. Just because I’m moving on with my life, doesn’t mean I could ever forget you. I will forever and always be your little wild flower.”
I traced my fingers along his name on the headstone affectionately, then, breathed a heartfelt goodbye. Once I was back in the buggy, I steered the horses away from the graveyard and didn’t look back.
****
The three weeks before the wedding went by fast. All the preparations had been tended to, including reservations at Das Dutchman Essenhaus for our stay after the wedding. Penelope and Jonathon had agreed to stay with the children at the farm for the three days that we would stay at the Inn. Mam and Papa bought new bedroom furniture for us that would arrive while we would be away. I was grateful that they understood the need for the change.
****
“What do you think about foster care?” Bradley surprised me by asking one evening before returning to the room he resided in above his office.
“Do you want us to foster a child after we’re married?” I was feeling rather curious about his choice of question.
“Not just any child. Possibly for those children that are a little hard to place or might not otherwise get a chance to get adopted because they might take a little extra effort to take care of. I think it’s something we could do. And with me being a doctor, I would have a better handle on how to care for their physical needs. The only other thing they would need would be love, and I know they would get plenty of that in this house,” he said with a boyish grin. He held out his arms as though to encompass the children in his statement.
“I would be willing to think it over, but it sounds like it could work. Do you think we have the time, or the room to put any more children in this house?”
“Maybe. I think that with Eli going off to college, and Abigail courting the Beiler boy, we could end up with two extra rooms to fill in this house before long. But we could make room even before then if everyone is willing to try.”
I wasn’t sure I was ready to face the possibility of sending off two of my children so soon, but I knew it was coming. Bradley’s suggestion was a lot to think about, and I wondered if we should consult the other children first to get their opinion. It would be a wonderful opportunity to use this house for what Elijah had originally intended when he built it—to be filled with the laughter of children.
****
Before I had much time to think about it, the day of our wedding arrived with a light dusting of snow. I had been hoping for a warmer day, but the sun was shining, which lifted my mood some. Snow was never a favorite of mine, and I usually felt gloomy as winter set in. Today, however, my heart was warm enough to guard me from the cold.
Nadine and Hannah arrived before I had time to put a pot of coffee on the stove—I hadn’t even stoked the fire in the fireplace yet. My stomach was too full of butterflies to get much sleep, and I worried a little about the dark circles under my eyes. My sister, however, claimed that I was glowing, so I chose to let the compliment push aside my concern over my appearance. In a short time, I would need to get into the dress that we had worked so diligently to sew. The wedding was to be held at Nadine’s new house, which was nearly as large as my own. I felt it would be awkward to marry in the same church that Elijah and I had married in.
Eva, being an early riser, came down the stairs, pushing the sleep from her eyes while she whined about having a tummy ache. I anticipated something to go awry today, but I hoped for nothing more serious than this. I set some milk before her, hoping it would settle her stomach somewhat. I had actually wondered if I would be the one with an uneasy stomach, with the amount of fluttering I was experiencing.
Mam arrived soon after I had dressed, so she could make certain the children would ready themselves in the attire that I had set out for them. The children would all stand with me, with Eli as the best man. My oldest child would escort me to the front of the assembly in place of my father, who had given me away the first time.
****
As Bradley and I stood at the makeshift altar, I felt a peace come over my heart. Even one year ago, I would not have dreamed that I could be so happy again, let alone to be so blessed. For the first time in over a year, I had a hope for the future—the future that God would bless me with as a reward for my faith and trust in Him.
FIVE
TWO BY TWO
I rolled over and groaned, fighting the feeling I would vomit if I moved too much. I could hear Bradley breathing softly on the pillow beside me, and I was glad I hadn’t disturbed him with my tossing about the bed. I rolled back over slowly and watched my husband sleep with the assistance of the pale moonlight that filtered in through the curtains that billowed in the early spring breeze. My stomach rumbled against the child that had been growing inside me for the last four months. I knew it was time to let my husband know of my condition, but he was so excited about our final interview with the foster care agency that I just didn’t know how to break the news to him.
It was a lot of responsibility at once, but the fact we were getting an older child would help. The boy was due to arrive the following Monday, and I knew Eli, Simon, and Jakob would be happy for the extra help with the chores. As for me, I was happy that our new addition would be the same age as Simon, thinking it would be good for him since he was the only one of the children that didn’t have any friends that were his age. He often felt left out unless his cousins were around, since each of my children had a friend except Simon. With only a week to prepare for Luke’s arrival, I knew the children would be getting up early every day. While the girls and I spent our extra time making clothing, the boys and Bradley had been busy making a new bed and chest of drawers to put in Simon’s room.
Bradley stirred slightly, and I waited for him to open his eyes so I could have the talk with him before the sound of children filled the quiet house.
I nuzzled my face in his neck. “Good morning, sleepy-head.”
He drew me closer and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Is it morning already? The sun isn’t even awake yet.”
I sighed, giving away my mood. “I couldn’t sleep. Sorry if I woke you.”
“You didn’t wake me. I felt you stirring a little while ago, but couldn’t quite wake myself up until now. Is something wrong?”
I pushed away from him, feeling the need for space.
“I feel a little nauseous.”
He smiled at me. “The morning sickness should start to pass soon.”
I looked him in the eye. “Bradley Davis, you are not supposed to know about this until I tell you.”
He chuckled. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Davis, but if I waited on you to tell me, our child would be graduated from college.”
I nudged him playfully. “That’s not funny. How did you even know?”
He kissed the top of my head. “First of all, I’m a doctor. And secondly, I’m your husband, and I’ve noticed you tossing in your sleep for several weeks now.”
I felt defeated. “I guess I haven’t been able to hide the nausea very well. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, I just didn’t want to say anything unt
il after Luke got settled in with us.”
He placed a hand on my already swelling abdomen.
“You aren’t going to be able to hide it much longer. You will start to show under your dresses soon. Have you said anything to your mother or sisters, or Hannah?”
“Actually, Penelope is the only one that knows, but only because I wrote to her a week ago and told her in the letter.”
He sighed softly. “At least you were able to tell someone. I wish it would have been me, but I know you have your reasons.”
I leaned into him and kissed him. “Don’t be upset. I wanted the moment to be a perfect one when I told you, and the opportunity never presented itself. Are you disappointed?”
He pulled me close and kissed me excitedly.
“Of course not. I couldn’t be happier, but I can’t shout it from the rooftop until the children are awake. Are you happy about the pregnancy? If bringing Luke into the picture right now is too much, it’s not too late to change our minds.”
“Of course it’s too late. Don’t you remember Mrs. Hannigan telling us his parents just died in a car accident? He needs a family. Twelve is a tough enough age without losing your parents. Besides, I haven’t seen Simon so excited about anything since his papa died. The two boys have something in common because of that, and I think it will be good for both of them. I couldn’t take that away from them. We will manage with the help of family.”
He held me close. “I suppose you’re right.”
I drifted back to sleep in my husband’s arms until the faint sound of the crowing rooster stirred me from my comfortable slumber. Although I could hear the children moving about, and the smell of coffee seeped under the bedroom door, I didn’t want to get up. I was content to stay in my husband’s arms for a lazy morning of lounging, and it seemed Bradley was content to accommodate me. Being Saturday, Bradley didn’t have any morning rounds, which gave us time to dawdle. My stomach grumbled in protest, but I was determined to have a quiet morning alone with my husband.
Bradley shifted me in his arms. “Do you want breakfast? I can bring a tray up here if you’d like.”
I smiled at the thought of it. “I’ve never had breakfast in bed. We used to do that for my mother when we were kids. I think I’d like that very much. I’m sure the girls have made something simple without me to help this morning, so just bring me whatever they prepared.”
When he opened the bedroom door, the smell of freshly cooked bacon mixed with blueberry muffins drifted past my nose. A sudden wave of nausea jolted me from the bed and into the bathroom. As I sat on the edge of the bathtub, I breathed slowly, in through my nose and out through my mouth until the sensation passed. I could hear Bradley fumbling in the bedroom, then, a knock sounded at the bathroom door.
“Are you alright, Jane?”
I cleared my throat. “I got a little queasy smelling that bacon, but I think I’m fine now.”
I opened the bathroom door to find my husband waiting to escort me back to bed. Once I was settled, he offered me weak tea and a blueberry muffin. I was grateful he hadn’t brought any of the bacon to the room. With the door now closed, the smell had escaped through the open door that led outside to the balcony on the other side of my bed. The cool morning breeze blew the curtains, providing me with the fresh air I needed to feel better.
When I finished eating, Bradley placed the tray on the floor and pulled me close. I kissed him and tugged at his t-shirt, forcing it over his head. He flashed me a mischievous look before removing my nightgown, then, pulled me closer, his lips touching mine, sending shivers through me.
****
I rolled over onto Bradley’s pillow before I realized he wasn’t in bed with me. The sun shone through the curtains, and I could hear the children playing in the yard. Remembering it was Saturday, I stretched then, cradled my husband’s pillow under my head.
“Glad to see you up, sleepy-head.”
Bradley sat on the edge of the bed and placed a kiss on my forehead. “You want coffee?”
I smiled as I shook my head. I hadn’t had much coffee since I’d found out about the pregnancy, and the lack of it caused me to feel more tired than usual. Nadine had read in a book recently that caffeine wasn’t good in large quantities during pregnancy, so I was trying to cut down. In the last few days, I’d been happy to sneak in an afternoon nap while the kids were at school. Luckily, Eva would be in school by the time the baby was born, so I wouldn’t have her underfoot. I knew Abigail would be done with school by then, which eased my worries some, even though I feared she may want to rush things with Josiah Beiler once she finished school.
I stretched and yawned. “What time is it?”
Bradley looked at the watch on his wrist. “It’s only eight-thirty, but the boys and I need to get to work on the last drawer of Luke’s dresser. Today is our last day to get things prepared before he gets here Monday.”
“Oh, I forgot we’re supposed to have dinner with my family after church tomorrow. I better get busy and finish the quilt for his bed. Abigail and I have five more squares to stitch before it’s done.”
“Your father is bringing over the mattress for the bed later this afternoon. We should have everything set up by dinner tonight.”
I smiled as he cupped his hand in mine.
“I’m so happy we decided to open this house for foster care. But I have to admit, I’m a little nervous.”
He squeezed my hand. “You will be just fine. I bet he fits in right away. I’m sure that by dinnertime Monday night he will be just like one of the family.”
I laid my head on Bradley’s lap. “I hope you’re right.”
He smoothed my hair. “Don’t worry. Everything is going to be just fine.”
****
Monday morning, I woke earlier than usual. I was too anxious to sleep, so I crept quietly down the stairs and started breakfast. The children would be up soon, and I wanted to get breakfast over and the kitchen cleaned before the new member of our family would arrive. Just as I suspected, Simon came into the kitchen first, followed by Eva and Elizabeth.
Abigail walked in just then. “Why didn’t you wake me, Mam? I wanted to help you this morning so we would be ready when Luke got here.”
I patted her on the arm. “Not to worry, I’ll have plenty for you to do this morning. Since Bradley and I will be meeting with Mrs. Hannigan, I’ll need you to take over the laundry chore when she gets here.”
Simon went to the barn to get some milk from Daisy, while Elizabeth ran out to fetch the eggs from the hen-house. In the meantime, Abigail started a pot of coffee while I cut strips of bacon and placed them on the skillet. It was nice that everyone pitched in to do their part, and I hoped that Luke would find his place in the family quickly. I had already decided that I would assign him the task of feeding the dog, Bingo, since Mrs. Hannigan had told us he was fond of dogs. I hoped he would accept the task and bond with dog since I knew it would be good for him.
When Jakob came down the stairs, he grumbled at everyone for getting up so early.
I nudged his ribs with my elbow, noticing he was suddenly the same height as me. “I’m not sure I like this grown-up crabby Jakob. Can I have my sweet little boy back?”
He yawned. “I’m sorry, Mam.”
I handed him the plates and shooed him with my hand toward the dining room. He set the plates down at each place without saying another word, while Eva grabbed the silverware and helped set the table. Bradley entered the kitchen freshly shaved and asking if he could help. He was still getting used to our morning routine, and often stood by with a look of awe in his eyes while the children and I each took part in preparing the meals. I felt bad that he seemed to feel he was in the way most of the time, but felt guilty for asking him to help. He worked hard on the farm and as a doctor to his patients, and I didn’t want him feeling he had to do more. We’d talked about it a few times, but each time, he stated he only wanted to do his part to help make the family run smoothly. He was a very generous
man, and I admired his patience with me.
When all was prepared, Bradley said a short prayer before the children nearly devoured every bit of food on the table. My boys ate so much; I wondered what another twelve-year-old boy would do to our food preparations in the morning. I was sure we would have to get our routine in place before school started or they would be late every day.
****
Promptly at eleven-thirty, a knock sounded at the door. I opened the door to a thirty-something woman with two children standing shyly behind her. Before I could say a word, she introduced herself as Mrs. Albertson from the foster care office.
I opened the door wider and welcomed the woman and children inside. “I was expecting Mrs. Hannigan, but do come in. I’m Jane Davis. My husband, Bradley, should be along any minute.”
The Taming of a Wild Flower: Book Three (Amish Fiction/Romance, Christian Romance) Page 5