Unforeseeable

by Nancy Mehl

  When we reached the house, Noah got out and helped me from the truck. I worried about leaning on him too much.

  “You’re still recovering too,” I said when he wrapped his arm around my waist. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said. “I’m doing much better. There’s very little pain now.”

  I wasn’t sure if I believed him, but I decided to accept his offer of help since I didn’t have much of a choice. There was no way I could make it up the stairs and into the house by myself. When we got up the steps, I was happy and surprised to see Hope holding the door open for us.

  “I didn’t know you’d be here,” I said with a smile. “I’m so glad.”

  “I am too,” she replied. “I closed the quilt store this morning so I could stay with you.”

  “Oh, Hope. I hate for you to do that.”

  She laughed. It was a light, uplifting sound. “I’m thrilled to spend some time with you. I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”

  “You’re so sweet.” I could feel myself getting emotional. There’d been a lot of that lately. “Thank you. I owe everyone so much.”

  Noah got me to the couch. “You don’t owe anyone anything,” he said. “Like I already told you, we’re family, Callie. It’s what family does.”

  “I guess so.” I took a sharp intake of breath as Noah helped me take off my coat.

  “Did I hurt you?” he asked, concern in his voice.

  “It’s not you. I’ll just have to get used to moving slower until I’m better.”

  “Here,” Hope said. “Let me put some pillows down to support your back.” She took two pillows from a nearby chair and positioned them against the arm of the couch. Then she and Noah lowered me gently down onto the cushions. Once I was seated, Noah swung my legs carefully around until I was comfortable. Hope took the quilt off the back of the couch and put it over me. It was a gorgeous Lone Star pattern with deep purples and violets.

  “Oh my,” I said. “This is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I don’t remember Lizzie having a quilt like this.” I smiled at Hope. “Purple is my favorite color.”

  “I know that,” Hope said, smoothing the fabric with her hand. “That’s why I made it for you.”

  “What? What are you talking about?”

  She grinned. “It was supposed to be for your wedding, but when I heard about the accident I decided to give it to you now. An early wedding gift.”

  “Oh, Hope.” I couldn’t hold back my tears.

  Noah looked decidedly uncomfortable. “I think I’ll get going,” he said. “I need to get Charity to school, and Lizzie needs my help at the restaurant. Besides, there’s been way too much crying lately. It’s starting to get to me.”

  Hope and I laughed.

  “I’ve seen you pretty misty-eyed,” I said. “I’m not sure you have any right to complain.”

  “That’s just it,” he said with a grin. “It’s time I reestablished my masculinity.” He looked at Hope. “Lizzie told you where everything is, didn’t she?”

  She nodded. “I’ve got it all figured out.”

  “Bud will be here sometime around noon to work,” Noah said to me. “He’s offered to stay until I get home with Charity. Is that okay with you, Callie?”

  “Of course, but won’t you need to go back to the restaurant tonight?”

  Noah shook his head. “Lizzie’s mother is going to help her this evening. Anna’s worked in the restaurant many times and really enjoys it.”

  “Do you feel uncomfortable being here alone with Bud?” Hope asked, frowning. “I wish I could stay the rest of the day, but I have a quilting class this afternoon.”

  “No. I like Bud. But what if I need to . . . you know . . .”

  “Go upstairs?” Hope said.

  I nodded.

  “Why don’t I stay until one o’clock?” she said. “My class doesn’t start until two. That way, you’ll be here with him only a couple of hours. I’ll make sure to get you upstairs and back before I leave.”

  “That sounds great.”

  “Callie, I want you to know,” Noah said in a serious tone, “that this should be the only time you’ll be alone in the house with a man. Lizzie and I have a schedule set up for your care, but we couldn’t fill this one short time period. I ran it by the elders and they approved it.”

  I smiled. “It’s fine. I don’t think anyone will believe Bud and I were up to anything inappropriate.”

  He laughed. “No, I think you’re safe there. Charity and I will get home as quickly as we can.”

  “I hate to be a bother,” I said.

  “We’re very glad you’re here,” he said softly. “We owe you more than we can ever repay, and we intend to make sure you’re well taken care of.”

  “I have no doubt about that. And thank you, Noah, for everything.”

  He nodded. “I know you and Levi have had a tough time lately, but I know things will work out. Just have faith, Callie.”

  “I will.”

  He said good-bye, and he and Charity left. Hope and I heard the truck engine start and listened as he drove away.

  “How about something hot to drink?” she asked.

  “About what Noah said—”

  “You don’t need to tell me anything.” Hope clasped her hands together. “If anyone understands how difficult relationships can be, it’s me. It’s a miracle from God that Ebbie and I are together.”

  I stroked the beautiful quilt. “If anything happens . . . if Levi and I don’t get married, I want you to know that I’ll give you back the quilt.”

  “Oh, Callie, don’t be silly. The quilt is yours, whether you marry Levi or not.” She put her hand under my chin and lifted my face to hers. “You’re my friend. Even more, you’re my sister. That’s not based on whether you get married or never marry. It’s because I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  She smiled. “Good. Now, do you want coffee, hot tea, or hot cider?”

  I settled on tea, since I’d had a big cup of coffee at the hospital. I snuggled under my new quilt and felt quite comfortable. Within a few minutes, Hope was back with the tea and a glass of water. She set a tray down on the coffee table that included my cup of tea, the water, and some cookies. Then she took something out of the satchel she’d brought with her.

  “Here are some magazines. I brought The Budget, a wonderful new quilt book, and a cookbook. Oh, and here are some copies of The Mennonite. It’s a wonderful magazine. Have you ever read it?”

  “Lizzie had a copy, and I really enjoyed it. Papa didn’t allow magazines in the house, so that’s the only time I’ve seen it.”

  “Well, here are six issues. I get it every month. If you want, I’ll pass them along to you when I’m done.”

  “Thanks, Hope. I’d love that.”

  “Okay.” She placed the magazines on the table next to me. “And here’s a book Lizzie told me to give you.” She picked up a large book from the other side of the table and handed it to me. Confused, I looked at the cover and laughed when I saw the title: The Complete Sherlock Holmes: All 4 Novels and 56 Short Stories.

  “I read some of it before you got here,” Hope said. “It’s really good!”

  “Why, Hope Miller, you really are a rebel.”

  She grinned, as though I’d said something funny. “You’d be surprised.” She looked around the table. “Where are your pills?”

  “Oh, they’re still in my suitcase.” I motioned toward the bag Noah had put on the floor near the stairs.

  “Do you mind if I open it?” Hope asked.

  I shook my head. “Not at all. Lizzie packed it. To be honest, I’m not sure what’s in there.”

  Hope opened the case and quickly found the bottle of pills. She put it on the tray next to my water. I saw her lift my prayer covering out of the way, but she didn’t ask why I wasn’t wearing it or why my hair was down. She simply put it back with the rest of the clothes.

&n
bsp; “What else can I do for you?” she asked.

  I smiled at her. “Nothing. Thank you.” The tea was delicious, and I drank almost half of the cup before putting it back on the tray.

  She stood up, went to the fireplace, and added another log. “Are you sleepy?” she asked.

  I shook my head. “I’ve done so much sleeping I should be able to stay awake for a week. I’d rather talk. How did you and Ebbie fare during the storm?”

  She pulled a nearby chair next to the couch and sat down. Then she filled me in on the problems they’d faced, as well as news of others in the community. Aaron Metcalf lost his electricity and had to move some of his food to a back room to keep it frozen. Ruth Fisher’s daughter, Myra, had picked her mother up from her house so she wouldn’t be alone, but Myra’s car had skidded off the road. Thankfully, they weren’t hurt and were rescued by Roger Carson, who had been in town visiting Mary’s parents.

  “How are the Yoders?” I asked.

  Hope shook her head. “Oh, Callie. I’m so sad for them. When Mary left Kingdom, they felt they’d lost her forever. But then she began reaching out to them, thanks in no small part to Roger. It wasn’t easy at first, but they were on their way to mending their relationship. Now this.” She sighed. “We must pray for them.”

  “Losing a parent is very difficult,” I said. “But losing a child . . . I can’t imagine it.”

  “Nor I.” Hope paused and looked down at the floor. “If I tell you something, will you keep it to yourself?”

  “Of course, I will. What is it, Hope?”

  When she looked up, I could see the happiness beaming in her face. “Ebbie and I are expecting. We haven’t told everyone yet, so I must ask you to keep it to yourself.”

  I clapped my hands together. “Oh, Hope. How wonderful. I’m so happy for you!”

  She nodded, but the look on her face didn’t match her previous expression.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I . . . I’m just concerned about these murders.”

  “You mean you feel vulnerable?”

  “I guess that’s it. Kingdom should be safe, but so much has happened here. I’m not sure I believe we’re as insulated from the world as we should be.”

  “Believe me, you’re not the only person who feels that way,” I said. Suddenly a picture of the light I saw the night of the storm flashed in my mind. “You know, Hope, we shouldn’t depend so much on a place to keep us safe. Isn’t God our protection? No matter where we are or what’s going on around us?”

  She didn’t say anything for a moment. Then she smiled again. “You’re right. Thank you. I guess I forgot that Kingdom isn’t the answer. God is. I was raised to trust Him. To believe that He’s good and that He will protect us.” She shook her head, a look of contemplation on her face. “Why do I forget that sometimes?”

  “I don’t know, but I did the same thing. And not just when it came to Kingdom. In a lot of other areas in my life as well. I’m beginning to see that we can’t substitute God for certain clothes, rules, churches, or even towns. I’m not saying any of those things are bad, but I’m realizing that things and places don’t make us holy or safe. And they certainly don’t define us.”

  Hope frowned. “Sounds like you’ve been searching for answers, Callie.”

  Taking a deep breath, I filled her in on everything that had been happening. Remembering the truth about my father and finding out that Margaret Harper was really my mother. Her expression registered surprise at the latter revelation.

  “Margaret Harper is your mother?”

  I sighed. “Yes, she came to the hospital and told me who she was. Then she explained why she left us all those years ago.”

  “So will you be able to reconcile?”

  I sighed. “I don’t know. I hope so. At least now I know she didn’t leave because she didn’t love me. It’s hard, Hope. I spent years trying to forget her. Now here she is. My feelings are all jumbled up.”

  “One thing I don’t understand,” Hope said, her forehead furrowed in thought. “Why didn’t you recognize her? I mean, you were a child when she left but old enough to remember her. Is it the scar?”

  “Not just the scar. She’s changed drastically in other ways too. No one except Ruth recognized her.” I shook my head. “The truth is, somewhere inside I knew. Right after she came to town, I started feeling anxious. Even angry. I’m sure it was because I figured out who she was and couldn’t face it.”

  “Oh.”

  Hope drew out the word as if what I’d said had explained something.

  “You noticed too?”

  She gave me a small smile. “Well, yes. I could see you weren’t yourself, but I couldn’t figure out why.”

  I shook my head. “Actually, I think I was finally becoming myself.” I cleared my throat. “The problem is, I still don’t know how I’ll end up.”

  Hope reached over and put her hand on mine. “Oh, Callie. There might be some changes in the way you think, but in your heart, you’ll always be the same warm, caring, and kind person who is my dear friend.”

  “Thank you. That means the world to me.”

  Hope nodded. “Well, I hope you two work out your differences. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a mother again?”

  I took a moment to answer. “Maybe,” I said slowly. “We’ll have to see. When Levi and I get married, I won’t let her interfere or cause problems between us.”

  “I understand, and I think that’s wise, but I’ll pray that you and your mother can find a way back to each other. Her coming to Kingdom shows she cares for you. She took a big chance.”

  “I guess, but I wish she’d come to me immediately instead of hiding out and pretending to be someone else.”

  Hope picked up her cup of hot tea and stared into it. “Sometimes it’s hard to live by what we know we should do. Human beings are often led by their own fears. I imagine your mother was afraid of rejection. Afraid you would tell her to go away.”

  “Maybe so. I guess if anyone should understand that, I should.” I smiled at her. “You’re always so stable and calm, Hope. How do you do it?”

  Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Oh my. You don’t see me all the time. I’ve had moments when I thought I was coming apart at the seams. The only thing that held me together was believing that God truly has a purpose for my life. That I matter to Him. All of us need to know we’re here for a reason. What’s that Scripture verse? ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish.’ We’re not wandering generalities, Callie. Each and every one of us has a high calling. A race set before us and gifts specifically given to us so we can cross our own finish line. I believe that with all my heart.”

  We talked a bit more, and even though I had no desire to sleep, my eyes began to feel heavy. The pain pills were having more of an effect on me than I’d anticipated. I dozed for a while and woke up just as Hope was carrying in my lunch.

  After eating, she helped me upstairs to the bathroom. About halfway up the stairs, I was convinced I couldn’t make it. Hope is small and not very strong. It took us a while to complete the task and get back downstairs. By the time Hope had me settled back on the couch, it was almost one o’clock.

  “I thought Bud was supposed to be here around noon,” she said, looking at the clock. As soon as the words left her mouth, we heard a car door slam. Hope went to the window to see who it was.

  “It’s Bud,” she announced. She waited a moment and then opened the front door to greet him.

  “Why, hello there!” he announced jovially as he entered the living room. “I hear someone hasn’t been feeling up to par.” He walked around to my side of the couch. “How are you doing, young lady?”

  I smiled at him. “Getting better little by little. Sorry to make you babysit me.”

  “Oh, pshaw,” he said. “I’m happy I can help. I was going to be here anyway.”

  “I know. But I’m still grateful.”

  “Well, to be honest, bein’ around people right now is g
ood for me. Makes me get my mind off my troubles.” With a grin, he pulled out a large fluffy teddy bear from behind his back. “Wanted to get you somethin’. Stopped by a flower store, but everything looked a little puny, it bein’ winter and all. Then I saw this. Thought you might like it.”

  “Oh, Bud,” I said. “You shouldn’t have.”

  “I just wanted to make you feel better.”

  “Thank you so much. It’s wonderful.”

  I took it from his hands and set it next to me on the couch. “Now I’ll never be alone.”

  He laughed and nodded. “Guess I better get to work. Lots to do today. I’m gonna pull my van around back so my tools will be closer to the kitchen. Saves me from havin’ to make so many trips back and forth. Don’t wanna bother you.”

  The sound of another vehicle came from outside the house. It had to be Noah coming to pick up Hope. Sure enough, he opened the door and came inside. I was surprised to see Roger with him. Feeling a little self-conscious, I pulled the quilt up a little higher and patted my hair to make sure it was still in place. I’d tied it back with a ribbon. It looked okay when I checked it in the bathroom mirror while Hope and I were upstairs, but I had no idea what I looked like now. Not used to wearing my hair in any style other than a bun, I felt self-conscious.

  Roger walked over to the couch. I could see the grief in his expression, and I felt bad for him.

  “How are you doing, Callie?” he asked.

  “I’m fine, Roger. How are you?”

  “Doing better. Thanks for asking.”

  “I’m so sorry about Mary,” I said. “If I can do anything . . .”

  “There’s really nothing anyone can do,” he said sadly. “I just have to get through it. But thank you. I appreciate it.”

  I wanted to say something else. Something encouraging, but I couldn’t find the right words. Thankfully, Noah filled in the silence.

  “Roger was at the restaurant, and when he heard I was coming to see you, he wanted to ride along.”

  “That’s so sweet,” I said. “Thank you.”