He wasn’t going to argue with that. But the fact that at least one member of the family didn’t share in the happiness of having him home made him a little uneasy.
One day at a time. Worst-case scenario, he’d go sleep in the barn.
Chapter Three
Lydia Ann liked to think of herself as a survivor. When her mamm had been killed in an accident eight years ago, she’d leaned on Dat and her husband, Levi.
And five years ago, when Levi had succumbed to cancer, she’d gotten through it by focusing on the twins.
Standing in the rubble of what used to be her quilt shop, Lydia Ann wondered if she’d finally reached her breaking point. She’d always been careful not to question the Lord, but it was hard not to, especially after she’d been dealt yet another blow. Was her faith being tested?
“Mamm, are you sad?” Katie asked, tugging on her apron. “Your smile is turned upside down.”
She looked down at her daughter. “I’m a little bit sad. You know, your dat and I worked together to build this shop. So it makes me sad that it’s gone.” She and Levi had been so young then. He’d wanted her to have a place to display and sell her quilts. That small idea had turned into a successful business, especially in the past couple of years.
She knelt down and put an arm around each of her daughters. “But things can be replaced. People can’t.” She squeezed them tightly. “I’m just thankful no one was hurt during such an awful storm.” The Lord had been watching over them, that was for sure. Multiple funnel clouds had been spotted and several businesses and homes had sustained damage—yet there weren’t even any minor injuries. Some people might call it lucky, but Lydia Ann knew better. She called it blessed.
“As soon as the debris is cleared, we can start rebuilding.” Levi’s mamm came to stand next to them. “I’m just sorry to see all your merchandise ruined.” She patted Lydia Ann on the arm. “It’s a good thing you’re a fast quilter. And of course I’ll help however I can.”
Lydia Ann stood quietly. She’d been dreading this moment since she’d gotten off the phone with her cousin Emma earlier in the day. Levi’s parents had been so wonderful to her and the girls over the years. “That’s so sweet of you, Susanna. But I’d like to hold off on rebuilding, at least for a little while.” She cleared her throat. “I spoke to Emma this morning. They’ve invited me to bring the girls to Shipshewana for a visit.” Lydia Ann’s cousins Emma and Abby lived in Shipshewana, Indiana. Despite the distance, they were her closest friends. Not a week went by that they didn’t exchange letters. And it would be wonderful for Mary and Katie to get to know her family.
Susanna nodded. “I think that is a wonderful-gut idea. I know how you miss them.” She smiled down at Katie and Mary. “And I know two little girls who will love to go on an adventure.”
Lydia Ann breathed a sigh of relief. She’d been so afraid of hurting Susanna’s feelings. She should’ve known better. Susanna was now the closest thing she had to a mother. Of course she’d understand how a tragedy would make Lydia Ann long to be surrounded by her family.
“When are you leaving?” Susanna asked.
Lydia Ann knelt to pick up a quilt square. “Day after tomorrow. The van will pick us up at the house.”
Susanna smiled. “I’ll look after things while you’re gone.”
“Danki,” Lydia Ann said. Despite everything that had happened, she was looking forward to being with Emma and Abby. She knew they would lift her spirits. “Come on, girls.” She motioned for Mary and Katie to follow her. “There’s nothing more that can be salvaged here.” With one final glance at the rubble, she ushered the girls into the waiting buggy.
Caroline buried her head underneath her lavender-scented pillow and pretended not to hear the knocking. The persistent knocking. Between the phone ringing, the doorbell chiming, and now this, it was no wonder she couldn’t get any sleep.
“Caroline?” Robyn Wilson stuck her head into the dark bedroom. “I know you don’t want to be bothered.” She walked in and closed the door behind her. “But I want to make sure you’re okay.”
A groan escaped Caroline’s mouth and she pressed the pillow to her face. “I’m as okay as I can be.” She tossed the pillow aside and sat up, drawing her legs to her chest. “Sorry to leave you to deal with everything. I can only imagine how crazy it is out there.” Robyn had been Lance’s personal assistant for the past two years, and since the news of his death broke, she’d been working overtime. Caroline wondered briefly if Robyn had even left the house over the past few days. Not that she cared. There were so many rooms, Robyn could probably invite her whole family to stay and Caroline would never know.
“That’s okay.” Robyn perched on the end of the king-sized bed. “But I need your input on a few things.” Ever efficient, she whipped out her notepad. “Several members of the team have stopped by, and some of their wives as well. Greg, especially, wants to talk to you in person.” Greg Jenkins had been Lance’s closest friend. They’d come up through the minors together. “Also, I have a number of calls that you’ll need to return yourself. The lawyer. The lady from the funeral home. Lance’s agent.” She ticked them off with her fingers. “I’ve handled everything I can handle. But I’ll be glad to stay here a few more days and continue to take care of things.” Robyn met Caroline’s gaze.
“Are they still camped outside?”
Robyn nodded. “Just outside the gate. If it makes you feel any better, there aren’t as many today as there were yesterday.”
“Vultures.”
“People are concerned about you. Although this is probably not the time to tell you, your picture is on the cover of pretty much every tabloid in the country.”
Caroline rolled her eyes. “Please tell me it won’t be like this forever.”
Robyn hesitated for a moment too long. “Not forever. But for a while.” She sighed. “Lance was probably the most recognizable athlete over the past decade. And after what happened…” She trailed off. “People are curious about the private details.”
“Did you know?” Caroline leveled her gaze on Robyn. She’d wanted to ask the question for more than a week now.
“What?” Robyn asked, avoiding her eyes.
Caroline shook her head. “Did you know what was going on? About all the women?” She sighed. “I won’t be mad if you did. But I want to know the truth.”
Robyn bit her lip. “I didn’t know for sure. I mean, I suspected he might have a girlfriend, but I certainly didn’t know there were so many.”
“One in every major city.” When the story broke last week, Lance had tried to convince her that some of the women coming out of the woodwork were lying. Even if that were true, it didn’t change the fact that her husband had been a serial cheater—and she’d never had a clue.
“But I didn’t know about Valerie,” Robyn continued. “It never occurred to me that she was anything more to him than a business associate.”
Caroline snorted. “I guess that’s one way of putting it.” She leaned her head back against the headboard and shut her eyes. “How did I not see it? Valerie was the best friend I had in this town.” She sat up. “Or at least I thought she was.”
“Have you talked to her since…?” Robyn hesitated, uncertainty written all over her face. “No, I guess you wouldn’t have.” The cell phone in Robyn’s hand began to buzz. She held it up. “It’s Lance’s agent. He’s called a million times.”
The last thing Caroline wanted was to discuss the business side of Lance’s image. But she knew how persistent Mitch could be. Robyn shouldn’t have to keep putting him off. She held out her hand. “Let me get this over with.”
Mitch didn’t even bother with condolences. “I have a couple of options for you to consider,” he began. “I know you’re still reeling, but babe, you’re a hot commodity right now.”
Caroline furrowed her brow. “I’m a hot commodity?” She raised her eyebrows in question at Robyn.
The younger woman shrugged and went back to her list.
> “All the major talk shows want you. And that housewives reality show has also put out feelers. They think viewers would love to see how you’re coping.”
Had the world gone mental? Her life had fallen apart and people were looking for ways to cash in on it. “No. I’m not interested in any of it.”
“The housewives thing I get. But how do you feel about dancing on live TV? You took ballet, right?”
“Dancing with the Stars? Seriously?”
The pen Robyn was using flew out of her hand and hit the hardwood floor with a bang. “Sorry,” she whispered, scrambling to pick it up.
“I’m as serious as a heart attack. At this moment in time, you are the most fascinating woman in the world.”
“Look, Mitch. I appreciate everything you’ve done for Lance.” It was true. Lance had been one of the most marketable athletes of all time and Mitch had done a lot to see that the endorsement deals had been as sweet as possible. But this was too much. “I’m really not interested in pursuing anything that puts me in the public eye.”
“I know you’ve been dealt a blow here, but—”
“No buts. I’m really not interested.”
She tossed the phone onto the bed. “I’m not news. I don’t get it.”
Robyn scratched her head. “Your wedding pictures were in People. That kind of makes you news. No matter what the reason, people have always identified with your story.”
Caroline clicked on the TV.
“The Weather Channel?”
“It’s the only channel I can be sure won’t talk about me or Lance. The day Jim Cantore starts rambling about my life instead of a natural disaster is the day I cancel my cable. Besides, there’s something soothing about it. It helps me fall asleep.”
“Beats sleeping pills,” Robyn admitted.
“See, this is news.” Caroline pointed to the screen. The pictures that flashed across the screen showed the aftermath of a tornado.
“The tiny Amish town of Charm, Ohio, saw tornadic activity earlier in the week,” the reporter said as the camera panned the area. “Despite the forceful winds, only a handful of homes and businesses reported any damage. Residents are thankful there were no injuries.”
“Didn’t you visit there last year?” Robyn asked.
Caroline nodded. “That was the last trip I took with Mama. She’d always wanted to visit Ohio’s Amish Country. We had such a wonderful time. The food was delicious…the shops were neat… And the people—so kind. Mama and I had the best time.” She smiled at the memory. “We’d planned to take a trip this summer to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.” Caroline shrugged. She’d give anything to go back in time and take her mama to all the places she’d hoped to see someday. It was too late now, though.
“Members of the tightly knit community have spent the days since the storm lending a hand to those in need,” the reporter said as the camera panned images of neighbors helping neighbors.
“Looks like they’ve really got things figured out,” Robyn said, her eyes glued to the screen.
Caroline climbed out of bed and flung open the doors to her massive closet. She emerged with a suitcase. “And you know what? I think I’ve got things figured out too.” She smiled broadly. “There’s somewhere I need to go.” For the first time in a week—no, for the first time in years—Caroline finally had some direction.
Chapter Four
Lydia Ann sat on a porch swing, sandwiched between her cousins. Emma Weaver and Abby Yoder might be sisters, but they were total opposites all the way down to the color of their hair. Emma’s dark auburn hair and olive complexion contrasted Abby’s blond hair and fair skin.
“I can’t believe the two of you work together now.”
Abby giggled. “Mamm was a little skeptical at first too. But it works very well.”
“We’re good at different things, so we’re able to split up the duties,” Emma explained. “We sell a little bit of everything—quilts, baked goods, even books.” She smiled. “And Noah’s paintings, of course.”
Lydia Ann returned her cousin’s smile. She remembered the day two years ago when she’d introduced Emma to Noah Weaver. Noah and Lydia Ann’s late husband, Levi, had been cousins. She’d seen the spark between Emma and Noah immediately, although it had taken them a little longer to realize it. “I’m so glad he’s still painting.” Noah’s paintings depicting the town of Charm had been very popular in Lydia Ann’s own shop back home. At the thought of her store, now in rubble, she grew somber.
Abby reached over and patted Lydia Ann’s hand. “I see that look on your face. Tell us how you’re holding up.” One of Abby’s special gifts was empathy. Even when they were small children, it had always been Abby who’d tried to make everyone feel better.
Lydia Ann forced a smile. “I know not to store up treasures on earth. And I know this is probably going to sound silly.” She looked from Abby to Emma. “But I feel like losing the shop means I lost my last connection to Levi.” She shook her head. “Besides the girls, I mean.” She thanked God daily for Mary and Katie. Besides reminding her of Levi, they brought such joy to her life.
“I think it’s only natural for you to feel that way,” Emma said.
Abby nodded. “Jah, she’s right.” She smiled. “And didn’t you say Levi’s parents would help you rebuild the shop quickly?”
Lydia Ann nodded. “Rebuilding isn’t the problem. My friends and neighbors will have the building up in no time.” She sighed. “It’s just that I’m not sure I even want to rebuild.”
Emma cast a worried look at her cousin. “But you love the store. I’ve seen how much you enjoy helping your customers. And your quilts are so beautiful.”
She spoke the truth. Lydia Ann loved talking to the customers who came into her shop. Especially when they asked her advice on quilting. She’d had many customers come back to her shop weeks or months later to show her their progress. “I guess you’re right…,” she trailed off. The truth of the matter was that she’d been feeling at loose ends lately. Something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. That was part of the reason she’d been so quick to travel to Shipshewana. She hoped that spending time with Emma, Abby, and their families would help her to get back to normal. Whatever that meant. “Enough about me.” She patted Emma on the knee. “I want to hear how things are going here.”
Abby chimed in. “Oh, things are wonderful. Clara is growing like a weed.” She grinned. “But you already know that.”
Clara had been Lydia Ann’s mamm’s name, and Lydia Ann was pleased that Abby and Jacob had chosen the name for their daughter. “They do grow up fast.” She glanced at Emma. Her normally outspoken cousin was being awfully quiet. “And how about you, Emma? Anything new?”
Emma shook her head. “Nothing much. My garden is doing well. Noah has found work that he enjoys.” She smiled. “We’re planning a trip to Chicago soon. Neither of us have ever been there.”
Lydia Ann smiled. Her cousin had always loved to visit new places. She could see the excitement in Emma’s eyes. “That sounds wonderful. I’m so glad to hear that you’re happy.” Although, if she were being honest, she had to wonder if Emma and Noah were ever going to have a baby. They’d been married for two years now…but she hated to bring it up.
The sound of a buggy coming up the road broke the silence.
“It’s Dat,” Abby said. “I wonder what brings him here.”
Mose Miller was Lydia Ann’s mamm’s eldest brother. She knew her mamm had always thought highly of him.
“Lydia Ann,” he said, climbing out of the buggy, “I had a phone call for you at the store.”
She wrinkled her brow. “Is everything okay at home?” She’d given Susanna and Ben the number of the furniture store where Mose worked just in case they needed to get in touch with her.
He shook his head. “It wasn’t a call from Charm.” He came to stand on the bottom step of the porch. “It was from Jeremiah.”
She sank onto the porch swing. Her dat h
ad tracked her down. He must’ve heard about the tornado. “I didn’t think about trying to get in touch with him.”
“Oh, Lydia Ann,” Abby murmured. “He must be so worried.”
Emma shot her sister a look. “Lydia Ann has had a lot on her mind. I’m sure she just forgot.”
Two years after Mamm’s accident, Dat had remarried and moved to Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He’d come back to Charm for Levi’s funeral, but other than that, they’d had little contact. At first, he’d written her every few weeks, but the correspondence had waned. She knew that probably had something to do with how unenthusiastic she’d been about him finding love again. It just didn’t seem right to her.
“I should’ve sent him a letter. I will write one now.” She stood to go into the house.
“That won’t be necessary,” Mose said. “He’s anxious to speak to you himself. I told him I’d come and fetch you. He’ll be calling again in an hour.”
“He will?” She gripped the banister with white knuckles.
Abby gently patted her on the back. “Do you want me to go with you?”
“Jah. That would be nice.” She could use the support. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to speak to him, but she wasn’t sure what to say. And she wasn’t fond of using the telephone either, even though sometimes it was a necessity.
“I’ll stay here with baby Clara and the twins,” Emma volunteered. “Take your time.”
Lydia Ann let Abby lead her to the waiting buggy.
There was a time when she’d been so close to her father…but she couldn’t help feeling betrayed by his decision to get married and move away. She said a silent prayer that she’d be able to find the right words.
Michael hated to admit it, but he’d really enjoyed the past couple of days in his childhood home. Not that he was going to turn into one of those thirtysomething guys who lived with his parents and whose main social interaction was playing online video games. Nope. This was just a temporary stop until he figured out the next chapter in his life. Besides, he still had two years before he actually turned thirty, and there was no way he’d still be at the farm then.
Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Page 2