“It’s all right. I’m eager to know, though. Did he take it okay?”
“Yes, and Eli even apologized and said he would try not to do it again. He also added that if he slipped and did make another comparison, I should tell him about it right away.” Loretta placed both hands against her chest. “I believe everything’s going to be all right between me and Eli.”
Heidi slipped her arm around Loretta’s waist. “Hearing that pleases me very much.”
Millersburg
Nicole handed her sister a dishcloth. “Your turn to dry.”
Heather wrinkled her nose. “Do I have to?”
“Would you rather wash the dishes?”
“No, washing’s even worse. I wish Dad would buy a dishwasher.”
“Those cost money, and Dad doesn’t have extra cash floating around, you know.” Nicole filled the sink with warm water and added a few squirts of liquid detergent. “So stop complaining and be glad for what we have.”
They did the dishes in silence. When they finished, Nicole suggested her sister go outside and ride her bike with Tony. With both kids entertained, it would give her a chance to get some sketching done. She hadn’t done any drawings for a few weeks, and it would be nice to have some quiet time to herself.
After Heather put on her hooded jacket and headed outside, Nicole went to the hall closet and took out her art supplies. “Come on, Bowser. You can stay inside for a while and keep me company.” She patted the dog’s head and laughed when his wagging tail thumped against the wall.
Nicole had just taken a seat at the table when the telephone rang. Since Dad was out in the garage, she went to answer it, with Bowser barking at her feet. “Shh … Now go lie down.” Bowser crawled under the table and let out a whiney yawn before laying his head on his front paws.
“Smith residence.”
“Nicki, is that you?”
“Yeah, it’s me.” Nicole didn’t have to ask who the caller was; she recognized her mother’s high-pitched voice.
“Is your dad at home?”
“He’s in the garage. Should I go get him?”
“In a minute. Since you answered, I’d like to say a couple of things.”
Nicole’s gaze darted around the kitchen, wishing she could flee the room. Oh, great. Here it comes. I’m about to hear the same old song and dance about how much my mother has changed.
Mom cleared her throat. “I’ll be the first to admit, I haven’t been the best mother.”
You got that right.
“But I’m really trying to clean up my life.”
“Uh-huh, I know. The last time you were here, I heard you telling Dad that you’re going to AA meetings.”
“Yes, that’s right. Why didn’t you say something, or at least show yourself?”
Nicole clenched the receiver until her fingers ached. Should she tell Mom what she thought? “I didn’t want to talk to you. I’ve been angry about the things you’ve done to our family, and what all I’ve had to go through in order to help Dad keep everything together.”
“I understand. You have every reason to be upset with me, and so do Heather and Tony.” There was a pause as Nicole’s mother drew a quick breath. Then she started to cry. “I know it’s a lot to ask, but can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”
Nicole flinched, as though Mom had reached out and touched her through the phone. She thought about the scripture written on the back of the last recipe card Heidi had given her. If I don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive me. She stood by the sink several seconds, trying to stop the flow of tears that came unexpectedly. “Yeah, Mom, I forgive you, and I hope things will go better for you from now on.”
“Thanks, Nicki—I mean, Nicole. I hope things go well for you, too.”
Dover
Lisa curled up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate. She’d been sitting here for a while, reflecting on the joy of learning she had a brother. She felt excited thinking how, in the near future, Tim could possibly be living next door. Lisa was anxious to get to know him better, as well as his wife and boys. Even if only for a short time, she was glad Dan had been able to move into the duplex. It had helped pay the bills, but it would be nice once the place was empty and she could offer it to Tim and his family, should they decide to move to Ohio. Tim was a carpenter, and his wife a nurse, so surely one or both of them could find employment in Dover or one of the nearby towns.
Sighing, Lisa’s thoughts turned to Todd. She still couldn’t get over him showing up in church today. He’d truly seemed different, and hearing him speaking to the minister caused her to wonder if Todd had been serious about the things he’d said to her. Lisa had forgiven him and offered friendship, but she felt sure he wanted more.
“I’m not ready for that,” she murmured, reaching for the Sunday paper. She needed to get her mind off Todd and onto something else.
She read the weather report and some of the local news, then turned to the classified section. Lisa needed a new dishwasher, and hoped she might find a good used one—not someone’s hand-me-down on its last legs, but a commercial dishwasher that had been reconditioned.
Seeing nothing at all, she resigned herself to the fact that she may have to let loose of her purse strings and buy a new one.
Lisa set the paper aside long enough to take a sip of her hot chocolate, which wasn’t hot anymore. She headed to the kitchen to put the mug in the microwave. While it heated, she glanced out the window. Shortly after Lance’s brother moved in, he’d asked permission to hang a feeder in the birch tree out back. Within a few hours, the birds discovered it and had been coming into the yard ever since, seeking food.
Lisa found it relaxing to watch and identify the different species. Some of the birds held fast to their perch, eating one sunflower seed after another, while others would take a single seed and fly off to a nearby branch and peck it open to eat. Since Dan’s purchase, Lisa had gone out and bought a suet cake and cage to hang in the tree. The woodpeckers were especially attracted to that.
Along with the suet, Lisa found an interesting book to help determine the different types of birds. In the last few pages near the back of the book was a lot of space to log in the date and kind of birds she’d been able to identify.
As she continued to watch out the window, Lisa spotted a red-bellied woodpecker hanging on the suet cage. The basically pale bird had a brilliant red cap, black-and-white barred wings and back, and a slight tinge of red on its belly, for which it had been given its name.
Lisa grinned. I should have thought of hanging out a few feeders long ago. Who knew it would be so much fun to watch these beautiful birds? Birdwatching had become a new hobby for her, and she looked forward to seeing what birds would come into the yard when the weather turned colder and it snowed. It was a good idea to feed the birds during the frigid winter, when nature’s food for them was scarce.
Pulling her thoughts aside, Lisa realized that the microwave had beeped several minutes ago, so she hit it for thirty more seconds and continued to watch the woodpecker. When she heard another beep, she turned from the window and took the steaming cup of hot chocolate out, then returned to the living room.
After settling on the couch, she placed her mug on the coffee table and picked up the newspaper. This time, her gaze came to rest on an advertisement placed by a local photographer, Charlene Higgins. The ad stated that Charlene was available to do photo shoots for businesses that wanted to advertise their products in various ways.
“What a great idea.” Lisa grabbed a pen and piece of paper to write down the phone number listed in the ad. She would make the call first thing in the morning. Perhaps a bit more advertising was exactly what her catering business needed.
Allie felt relief when Steve’s folks arrived and took seats near her in the waiting room. She felt even better when Lori excused herself to make a few phone calls. It was hard to look at her and not feel resentment, coupled with anger. Lori had seemed genuinely concerned, but was it for Allie, or was s
he frightened for herself? If the new officer was having an affair with Steve, then her concern for his welfare was for selfish reasons.
Desperate to focus on something positive, Allie thought of happy times she and Steve had spent as a family. Would they have an opportunity to spend more time together, or was her husband’s life about to end?
She glanced over at Steve’s mother, Jeanette, clinging to her husband’s hand. Carl, Steve’s father, gave his wife’s fingers a squeeze, whispering words of hope, while trying to appear strong. They were worried, too. Steve was their only son. If he died, they’d be lost.
Allie recalled how when Steve had decided to become a policeman, Jeanette had tried to talk him out of it. “It’s a dangerous profession,” she’d said several times. “A dangerous, thankless job.” But Steve had made up his mind, and even said he felt that police work was his calling. Wanting her husband’s happiness, Allie had neither said nor done anything to stand in his way. Now, with his life possibly hanging in the balance, she wished she could go back in time, regardless of wanting to be supportive, and beg him to seek some other type of employment. Allie had so many regrets, but they got her nowhere.
Her attention was drawn to the door when a tall, dark-haired doctor stepped into the waiting room. “Mrs. Garrett?” He moved slowly across the room.
“Yes, I’m Allie Garrett. Do you have some news about my husband?”
He gave a slow nod, then took the seat beside her.
Her body felt paralyzed with fear. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. It was bad news. She felt it at the core of her being.
Steve’s parents must have felt it, too, for they left their seats and came over to stand in front of the doctor, eyes wide and biting down on their bottom lips.
“We got the bullet out, and your husband is in stable condition,” the doctor said. “His injuries aren’t life-threatening, but he will need plenty of rest. It will be several weeks before he can return to work.”
Allie pressed her palms against her eyes, sagging in her chair. Struggling to speak around her swollen throat, she rasped, “I am so relieved.”
Steve’s mother bowed her head, releasing a ragged breath, while his father made the sign of the cross.
“When can I see him?” Allie asked.
“He’s still in Recovery, but as soon as he’s settled in a room, a nurse will let you know.”
“Thank you, Doctor, for all you’ve done.”
Allie sat in Steve’s room, watching his chest rise and fall as he drifted in and out of sleep. His parents had popped in earlier and were now in the hospital cafeteria getting a bite to eat. They’d offered to bring something back for Allie, but she’d declined. Food was the last thing on her mind right now. Lori Robbins had left the hospital, after being told only Steve’s immediate family could see him today. She’d asked Allie to give him the message that she’d be praying for his full recovery.
Allie fidgeted in her chair, trying to relax, but her nervousness won out. Negative thoughts regarding the blond officer continued to haunt her. Were Lori and Steve an item? How many times had Allie asked herself that question? I need to know. I can’t go on like this, conjuring up all kinds of scenarios. How would I have felt if Steve had died, knowing Lori was the last person to be with him?
Steve’s eyelids fluttered, then opened. “Allie, I …”
She put her fingers to his lips. “Shh … don’t talk. You need to rest.”
He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Allie. So sorry.”
Her spine stiffened. This was it. Steve was about to confess. Allie couldn’t bear the thought of him admitting his love for another woman. If he asked for a divorce, she would have a meltdown, right here in his hospital room. A nurse would probably come in and ask Allie to either quiet down or leave.
Steve reached for her hand. “I’m sorry for working such long hours and not spending enough time with you and the kids.” Tears welled in his eyes. “I only did it so I could buy all of you something really special for Christmas this year. I was hoping to plan a trip to Disney World.”
Disney World? Something special for Christmas? “Oh, Steve, I don’t care about any of that. All I want is you.” She sniffed, swiping at the tears rolling down her cheeks. “As much as Nola and Derek would like to go to Disney World, I’m sure they’d rather have their father, whole, and healthy, and spending quality time with them.”
His Adam’s apple bounced as he swallowed. “You and the kids are my only reason for living.”
“What about Lori?”
Steve’s brows furrowed. “Officer Robbins?”
Allie nodded slowly.
“What about her? Was she shot, too?”
“No, she’s fine.” Allie took a tissue from her purse and blew her nose. “She was here earlier and said I should let you know that she’s praying for you.”
“Then what did you mean when you asked, ‘What about Lori?’” Steve took a breath and let it out slowly.
“You two have been together so much, and I just assumed …”
He stared at her strangely for several seconds before a light seemed to dawn. “Please don’t tell me you thought something was going on between me and Lori.”
Allie dropped her gaze. “To be honest, the thought had crossed my mind. More than once, in fact.”
He coughed, then sputtered. “Oh, for goodness’ sakes. Lori is my partner—nothing else. The times we have been together were necessary.”
“What about the day I saw you two in the car at the mall?”
“We were talking about her boyfriend and the problem they were having with his folks disapproving of him dating a cop.” Steve paused and moistened his lips with his tongue. “I could totally relate, since your folks, and my parents, too, did not approve of my line of work.”
Allie released a huge breath, rocking back and forth in her chair as moisture from her eyes continued to dribble down her cheeks.
Steve brushed the tears away with his thumb in a circular motion. “I love you, Allie. You’re the woman I will always call sweetheart.”
“I love you, too.” Allie felt such relief as she watched her husband drift back to sleep. She was glad she’d been wrong about Steve and Lori, but beyond that, Allie was thrilled that Steve wanted to spend more time with her and the children. Perhaps, once Steve felt well enough, they would go to church as a family. It was the least they could do to thank God for sparing Steve’s life.
Chapter 43
Walnut Creek
Even though she’d received some good news yesterday, a sense of sadness came over Heidi as she scurried about the kitchen, preparing for her students’ arrival on this, their final cooking class. With Christmas fast approaching, she’d decided to teach them how to make a Christmas Crunch Salad. The verse she’d written on the back of their recipe cards this time was taken from Luke 18:27: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Heidi knew this scripture well and had memorized it when she was a girl. She couldn’t imagine how anyone could make it through life without knowing God personally. His presence was everywhere: in the sun, moon, and stars; on earth; throughout nature—everything was made by Him.
The good news Heidi had received was twofold—first Eli told Lyle he and Loretta were planning to be married this coming spring. Now that Loretta had been baptized and joined the Amish church, they were free to begin planning their wedding.
The second bit of news was when Kendra called and left Heidi a message early this morning. She wanted Heidi to know that her father had apologized for the way he’d treated her since first finding out she was pregnant. Heidi was thrilled with this news, and planned to call Kendra back later today. Some people might believe certain things were impossible, but God, in His infinite wisdom and mighty power, could turn even the most difficult situation into something good—something that would bring glory to His name.
Heidi paused from her introspections to separate the freshly washed broccoli, cauliflower, onions, and cherry
tomatoes into piles, placing them around the table where each of her students would sit. She would wait to set out the ingredients for the dressing until everyone arrived.
While she waited, Heidi continued working on a list she’d started for the things they would need to have on hand as foster parents: extra tissues for sniffling noses; bandages of various sizes; a variety of toys, including coloring books with crayons; and of course, plenty of healthy snack foods. There were so many things to think about. But Heidi and Lyle were eager and more than ready to begin this new adventure.
Heidi tapped her pencil along the edge of the rolltop desk. Do I need to give up teaching cooking classes now that I’ll be parenting full time? She lifted her shoulders briefly. Well, it doesn’t matter. I have other, more important things to think about now. I will make that decision when the time is right.
The sound of tires crunching on the gravel brought Heidi to her feet. One of her students had arrived. She set her notebook and pencil aside and went to open the front door, where she saw Nicole getting out of her father’s car. The next thing Heidi knew, the girl sprinted toward the house, grinning and waving a blue apron in her hand.
When Nicole stepped onto the porch, she held the item out to Heidi. “I remembered to bring it this time.”
Heidi smiled. “That’s good, because the old one I’ve let you use a few times is in the dirty laundry basket right now.”
When they entered the house, Heidi paused in the hall. “I have a few things to do yet in the kitchen, Nicole. Would you like to wait in the living room until the others arrive?”
“I’d rather go to the kitchen with you. I have something to tell you, and I’m anxious to share.”
“No problem.”
They headed to the kitchen, and while Nicole took a seat at the end of the table where there were no vegetables, Heidi took two glasses out of the cupboard. “Would you like something to drink? There’s apple cider in the refrigerator, and also some milk.”
“I’ll just have a glass of water.”
Amish Cooking Class--The Blessing Page 29