Michael knew that talking about his feelings wasn’t easy for Phillip, but he was glad his brother had shared them.
Phillip pulled underneath the hospital awning. “Now go find her. I’ll park the truck and meet you inside.”
Michael jumped out of the truck and said a prayer as he ran inside. Please let her be okay.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Simon climbed down from the buggy and hurried inside Jeremiah’s store.
“Good afternoon, Simon,” Jeremiah said from behind the counter. “We’re about to close for the day, but you can go ahead and make your purchases.”
Simon looked down the aisle. Katie and Mary were taking turns walking a leashed Bandit. He breathed a sigh of relief. Lydia Ann must be in the back.
“Can I see Lydia Ann?” he asked.
Jeremiah drew his brows together. “That’s not possible,” he began.
Simon saw movement from the corner of his eyes. He glanced up in shock. “Caroline? I’m so glad to see you.”
She gave him a tense smile. “Why?”
“Philip came to the barn a few minutes ago and told us you’d been in a car accident. But it must’ve just been a car that looked like yours.”
All the color drained from Caroline’s face. “An accident?” she whispered. “Oh no.” She turned to Jeremiah. “Did you hear what he said?”
Jeremiah grasped the counter, terror showing on his face.
Simon looked from one to the other. “What am I missing?”
“Lydia Ann. She was in my car.”
The words took time to register. “You’re saying Lydia Ann was the one in the car accident?”
“If Phillip saw my car in a wreck, then yes, it was Lydia Ann,” Caroline said.
“Simon, can you take us to the hospital?” Jeremiah asked. “Leah can take Mary and Katie home in our buggy.”
Simon nodded. “Let’s go.” His hands shook, but this time it had nothing to do with his health. His heart ached at the thought of Lydia Ann believing that he didn’t care for her. That he didn’t see a future with her. What if she were seriously injured—or worse?
He prayed it wasn’t too late to tell her the truth.
Michael stopped at the hospital desk. “I need to check on a young woman who was brought in here earlier. She was involved in a car accident. Goes by the name of Caroline Jennings.” He paused. “Or Caroline DeMarco.”
The receptionist looked at him suspiciously. “Are you family?”
“I’m the closest thing to family that she has.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Well, sir, you seem to be misinformed. No one by that name has been brought in here today.”
He raked his fingers through his hair. Maybe she’d given a fake name. Or maybe she’d been unconscious and hadn’t been able to give a name at all. At this thought, his body went icy cold.
Phillip walked over to stand next to him. “Well? Any news?”
“She says Caroline didn’t come in here.” He looked at Phillip. “Do you think they would’ve taken her somewhere else?”
“Ma’am,” Phillip said, leaning over the counter, “can you check again? A young blond-haired woman was in a car accident about thirty minutes ago near the intersection of Hartman Bridge Road and Lincoln Highway. They loaded her into an ambulance, and I think they brought her here.”
The woman stared at Phillip. “I can check. Just a minute.” She hurried down the hallway.
Michael managed a grin. “You always did have a way with the ladies. Especially the old ladies.”
Phillip clapped him on the back. “Careful, little brother.” He patted him on the back a couple of times. “Why don’t you go sit down? I’ll find out what’s going on. And try not to worry.”
Michael nodded and walked over to a row of uncomfortable-looking chairs. He sank into a seat and buried his head in his hands. Prayer was the only thing that could help him now.
“Michael?” Phillip said. “You’re not going to believe this.”
He gritted his teeth, preparing for the worst.
“Michael!” a voice yelled from the hospital entrance. He looked up and saw Caroline running toward him. Simon and Jeremiah followed behind her.
He jumped up. “Caroline.” He pulled her to him in a tight embrace, not caring about their audience. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”
She pulled back. “I am. But Lydia Ann…how is she?”
Michael drew his brows together. “Lydia Ann? I don’t understand.”
“She’s in with the doctor now,” Phillip said quietly. “They’re running some tests. They’ll come out as soon as there is news.”
“But she’s…” Simon trailed off.
Phillip nodded. “She’s alive. And the man who was driving Caroline’s car is fine. He needed a few stitches, but that’s it.”
“The driver was Tom Smucker,” Jeremiah said. “He’s usually who we hire when we need to go out of town.” He nodded in Phillip’s direction. “Can you make sure his wife knows about the accident? And that he’s okay?”
Phillip nodded and hurried off to the desk.
Michael shot Caroline a questioning look. He didn’t quite understand exactly what had happened.
“We called Mr. Smucker to drive her,” Caroline explained. “She wanted to drive herself, but I didn’t think it was a good idea. She was wearing my clothes, though, so all the reporters would believe it was me.” She shook her head. “Lydia Ann wanted to do something to help me have a moment’s peace.” She looked into Michael’s eyes. “And so I could talk to you before I left for Atlanta tonight.”
He’d totally forgotten about her trip. “You’re not still going, are you?”
She shook her head. “I canceled my flight. I just feel awful that everything happened like this.”
“Lydia Ann was doing what she does best,” Jeremiah said. “Trying to be of help.”
Michael’s eyes went to Simon. He’d been silent during the entire exchange. The panicked expression on Simon’s face worried him. “Sit down.” He led Simon to the waiting area. “Let me get you some water.”
Simon shook his head. “I need to speak to Lydia Ann.”
“Let the doctors do their job,” Jeremiah said. “All we can do is ask the good Lord to watch over her.” He began to pace the corridor next to the waiting area.
Michael glanced at Caroline. “Can I talk to you? Privately?”
She shook her head. “Not now. Not until we’re sure she’s okay.” She sank into the seat next to Simon. “Are you okay?” she asked Simon. “You look really pale.”
Simon shook his head. “How could I have been so stupid? I never should have told her there wasn’t a future for us.”
Michael sat down on the other side of Simon. “You were only doing what you thought was best for her.”
Caroline wrinkled her forehead. “How could telling her you didn’t see a future together be best for her? She’s been so upset.”
Simon sank into the depths of the chair. He glanced at Michael with haunted eyes. “I guess you didn’t tell her.”
“I did just as you asked.”
Michael listened as Simon explained the situation to Caroline.
“But Lydia Ann would want to know what’s going on. Don’t you think it’s a little unfair for you to make a decision that impacts both of you without even consulting her?” Caroline asked.
Simon nodded. “I’ve wanted to tell her so many times.” He shook his head. “But I didn’t want to put a hardship on her.”
Michael patted his friend on the back. “It seems like this situation is going to give you another chance to decide whether to share your illness with her. I know what I would do if I were you.”
Chapter Fifty
Lydia Ann leaned her head against the cool pillow, fighting against a wave of nausea. It could’ve been worse. So much worse. When that car had come careening through the intersection and plowed into them, she’d been afraid for her life.
The sickening crunc
h of metal on metal had been followed by darkness. The next thing she’d known, she was being lifted onto a stretcher. And now she was lying in a hospital bed, a little groggy, but thankful to be alive.
“Ms. Raber?” the nurse said. “Do you feel like having some company? There are an awful lot of people waiting to see you.”
She tried to sit up, but her pounding head wouldn’t allow it. “Jah. Please let them in.”
“One at a time,” the nurse said.
Dat walked inside slowly. “Lydia Ann,” he said, tears streaming down his face. “I was so worried when I heard the news.” He came to her bedside and took her hand. “I’m thankful you’re okay.”
At the sight of his tears, her own eyes grew wet. The only other time she’d seen Dat cry was when Mamm died. “The doctor says I’ll be fine. He wants to keep me overnight, though. I have a concussion and some broken ribs.” She managed a weak smile. “But I’m okay.”
He sat down in the chair next to her bed, still holding her hand. “Lydia Ann, I can’t tell you how much it means that you’ve spent time here this summer. I’ve missed you so.”
She looked at his weathered face. “I’ve missed you too.” She bit her lip. “I think I owe you an apology.”
He drew his brows together. “An apology? For what?”
She sighed. “I should’ve come to visit you sooner. It was hard for me to accept when you decided to marry Leah. I didn’t understand how you could love someone else after Mamm died.”
He rose from the chair and kissed her on the forehead. “You don’t need to apologize. I should’ve handled things differently, I guess. Given you more time to get to know her.”
Lydia Ann smiled. “She’s a wonderful person. And I can see how happy she makes you.” She grew quiet. “I guess it took me awhile to learn that just because you moved on with your life, that doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten Mamm.”
He shook his head. “I loved Clara so much. Still do. But I know she wouldn’t want me to spend the rest of my life alone. She would want me to find happiness.” He patted her hand. “And your Levi would want the same for you.”
She gave him a weak smile. “It’s been a hard lesson. I’ve wrestled with it and fought against it. But I know you’re right. I’ve been happier this summer than I have in a long time.”
“It’s a blessing for a father to see his child happy.”
“Leah and I have talked about the possibility of the girls and me staying here.” She eyed him. “For good.”
Tears filled his eyes again. “I will support whatever decision you make. But the thought of my daughter and my granddaughters around my table brings me a lot of joy.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Now, I think there’s someone else wantin’ to talk to you. That young man has been falling apart in the waiting room.”
Simon stood gingerly in the doorway and looked at Lydia Ann’s still figure in the hospital bed. He gently tapped against the door.
She turned her head toward him, and her face broke into a smile.
In that moment, he couldn’t help but consider what he almost lost. Not only in the accident, but to his own stupidity. He walked over to her side. “I’m so thankful you’re okay.”
She blinked. “The Lord was watching over me.”
“That He was.” He sat down in the chair next to her bed. “Lydia Ann, I need to tell you something.”
She held a hand up. “Please let me go first.” She gave him a tiny grin. “Since I’m the one all banged up and all.”
He returned her smile. “Go ahead.”
She cleared her throat. “I’ve decided to move to Lancaster County anyway. As much as I will miss my old life, I have missed Dat more. I truly believe I belong here now.” She smiled. “I hope you and I can remain friends.”
He stood. “I hope we can remain more than that.” He gathered his courage. “Before, when I told you I didn’t have feelings for you…that wasn’t the truth.” He swallowed. “I was only trying to protect you.”
She drew her brows together. “Protect me? From what?”
He sank into the chair. “I’m not well.” He met her worried gaze. “I’ve been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The doctor thinks it will be manageable, but there is a chance it will become debilitating.”
Lydia Ann gasped. “Oh, Simon, I wish you would’ve told me as soon as you learned the news.” Tears filled her eyes. “You didn’t need to try and deal with that alone.”
He shook his head. “I didn’t want you to have to bear my burden when you’ve already dealt with so much.”
She reached out and took his hand. “I won’t bear your burden. I will share your burden.” She smiled. “That is what people do who care about each other. They share one another’s burdens.”
“But there are no guarantees with this disease. I have no way of knowing how it will impact my life.” Simon couldn’t help but fear the worst. And he hated the thought of Lydia Ann being stuck in a situation that would only bring her more pain.
She motioned at the hospital bed. “There are no guarantees about anything. But I can promise you that I’ll help you deal with your diagnosis however I can.”
“Do you think you could help me deal with it…as my wife?” He smiled.
Her eyes lit up. “I can think of nothing I’d like more.”
Simon leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I believe I can face anything with you by my side. The good and the bad. We’ll handle it together.” Suddenly the prospect of his illness didn’t seem so scary. He knew that with Lydia Ann in his life, he could find the good even in the worst situation. The Lord had truly blessed him.
“I’m so thankful she’s going to be okay,” Caroline said.
“Me too. I can’t tell you how scared I was when I thought you’d been in the accident.” Michael raked his hands through his hair. “Knowing it was all my fault.”
She shook her head. “You know that isn’t true. I should’ve told you that Jenny had figured things out. That way you could’ve been on guard. And once I thought about it, I knew there was no way you’d have put my picture in the magazine on purpose.” She sighed. “It was just that split second when I saw your name on the photo credit. I was afraid I’d put my trust in the wrong man again.”
He grabbed her hand. “But because I was careless, your life has been made more difficult. She never should’ve had access to those pictures.”
“We both know that eventually the truth would’ve come out. It just happened sooner rather than later.”
Michael rubbed his jaw. “Maybe. But I’m still sorry it happened this way.”
Caroline took a breath. “I’m the one who should apologize. I chided Simon for trying to make a decision without letting Lydia Ann know all the information. And I’m guilty of the same thing.” She met his gaze. “As soon as Jenny came by, I should’ve called you and told you everything. But a tiny part of me couldn’t help but worry that she was right—that if you turned that job down, you would end up resenting me for it.”
“I know you only had my happiness in mind,” Michael said. “And that means a lot.”
She smiled. “I do want you to be happy. And if taking a job in DC makes you happy, then I will support that decision one hundred percent.”
He shook his head. “I turned down the job offer.” He grinned. “And I have no regrets about it.”
“The good news is that once Valerie’s trial is over, I won’t be news any longer.” She grinned. “I’m not saying that I’ll ever have a completely normal life, but I should at least be able to move without someone taking a picture.”
“I know that is a good thing. But I can’t say the idea makes me super happy.”
She wrinkled her brow. “What? Why?”
“Because then you won’t need to hide under the cover of Lancaster County any longer. You can go back to Atlanta and it will be like none of this ever happened.”
“Are you serious?” She pulled her hand away from his. “So you’re
saying that if you had accepted the Daily Journal job, it would’ve been like none of this ever happened?” She motioned between them. If that was really how he felt, it was better she find out now. She needed to know that she mattered to him.
Michael regarded her seriously. “Actually, I don’t know that I’ll ever recover from you. I have spent my life searching for a partner. For someone who understands me. Someone who challenges me. Someone who makes me laugh.” He pulled her into a hug. “And that person is you.” He grinned. “I turned down the DC job because that isn’t the life I want. I want a quieter life. The kind where work isn’t my focal point. Where I can do something I enjoy but still have a life outside of work.”
She nodded. “I just didn’t want you to give up your dream for me.”
“Don’t you get it? You are my dream.” He traced her jaw with his finger.
His touch made a shiver run up her spine. “I know what you mean about searching for a partner. I’ve been searching too. These past few years, I haven’t felt like I belonged anywhere. But I feel like I belong with you—and your family.” She smiled. “They’ve taken me in like I’m one of them…celebrated my success…prayed for my safety.” She shook her head. “You have no idea what that means to me.”
He leaned down and kissed her gently. “I have some idea.” He pulled back, grinning. “Does this mean you might consider making Lancaster County your home?”
She quirked her mouth into a smile. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He pulled her into an embrace. “Would it help if I told you that I love you? Is that incentive enough to change those Georgia tags for some Pennsylvania ones?”
She grinned. “It might help.”
He pulled her in for another kiss, this one more intense.
Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Page 24