by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean; Brunstetter, Richelle
At one point, Daryl was chasing Atlee, and Atlee chased Luella, each trying their best to out weave another snowball. Short of breath and getting played out, Luella lost her footing and landed in the snow again. Atlee couldn’t stop himself in time and ended up falling next to her, with Daryl landing on top of him. Daryl was still laughing, but Atlee and Luella grew quiet when their gazes locked and their labored breath mingled.
Then with the speed of lightning, Atlee jumped up and suggested they go into the house to warm up. Looking at Luella, Atlee sobered. “Your frack is sopping wet. You need to go inside and change.” He looked at his son. “For that matter, we all need to warm up by the fire.”
“But I don’t have a dry dress.” Luella’s cheeks warmed, despite the cold.
“You can wear one of Dena’s.” As if the issue was settled, Atlee turned and headed for the house.
Luella took Daryl by the hand and followed. The idea of wearing one of his wife’s dresses made her feel a bit strange, but what other choice did she have?
When Luella entered the living room a short time later, Atlee’s breath caught in his throat. He inhaled deeply and tried to swallow. He felt a heavy sensation in his chest and limbs.
In some ways Luella reminded him of Dena, when she was a young woman and they’d been courting. She was a petite, pretty woman, with a smile that could melt anyone’s heart. Luella was like Dena in other ways, too. She could laugh at herself, had a nurturing spirit, and put other people’s needs before her own. The trouble was, she wasn’t Dena and never could replace her. No one could.
Atlee stared at the flickering flames lapping at the fireplace logs. He couldn’t deny that he’d had fun out there in snow with Luella and Daryl, but he wouldn’t let it happen again. If there was any romping in the snow to be done, it would only be with him and his son from now on.
Atlee hunkered down beside Daryl and held the boy’s hands out to the fire. It should be Dena wearing that dress, not Luella. It’s my fault for suggesting it, but I hope Luella never has occasion to wear any of my wife’s clothes again.
Luella stood near the fire, a safe distance from Atlee. As soon as she’d come into the room wearing Dena’s dress, she had sensed Atlee’s displeasure. No doubt seeing her in his wife’s dress was a painful reminder that Dena wasn’t coming back.
When I come here tomorrow, I’ll bring a few of my own dresses to have on hand in case something else unexpected happens and I need another change of clothes. I should have thought of it sooner, since my work could at any moment require me to change into something different. Atlee had been through enough, and Luella didn’t want to put him through the anguish of seeing her in Dena’s dress ever again. For that matter, frolicking in the snow with Atlee probably wasn’t a good idea, either. It had been so much fun at the time, she hadn’t given it any thought. From now on she would be more careful to keep to her place as Atlee’s employee.
CHAPTER 8
When Luella awoke the following day, it was all she could do to get out of bed. Her muscles and head ached like she’d been kicked by a mule, and the simple act of swallowing made her wince. Guess that’s what I get for romping around in the snow yesterday with Daryl and Atlee. The chill I got from wearing a wet dress probably set things in motion for me to get sick. Well, I can’t let it stop me from going to Atlee’s today. He needs me to take care of Daryl.
Plodding across the room to get out a dress, Luella inhaled deeply through her nose then exhaled from her mouth. I can do this. Atlee’s counting on me. She had to pause, letting a dizzy spell pass.
By the time Luella got dressed and made her way downstairs, spots formed before her eyes and she feared she might faint. It had been a long time since she’d felt so ill, but determination kept Luella on her feet.
“What do you need me to do?” she asked her mother.
Mom turned from her task at the stove. “Ach, Luella, your face is flushed. Are you feeling grank this morning?”
“Jah, a bit.” Feeling woozier by the minute, Luella took a seat at the table and shielded her eyes from the brightness pouring in the kitchen window.
Mom pushed the kettle of oatmeal she’d been stirring to the back of the stove and hurried over to Luella. When she placed her hand on Luella’s forehead, her eyes widened. “You have a fiewer, and you should be upstairs in bed.”
Luella shook her head. “I can’t, Mom. Atlee’s expecting me to watch Daryl today.”
Mom planted both hands against her hips. “Well, he’s either going to have to close his shop and stay home with the boy or find someone to take your place.” She pointed toward the door leading to the upstairs. “Go on back to bed now. I’ll bring you some herbal tea and a bowl of oatmeal as soon as it’s ready.”
“But what about Atlee? He’ll be expecting me.”
“I’ll call and leave him a message.” Mom pointed to the stairs once more. “Go on with you, now. Get back to bed and close your eyes. Rest and plenty of liquids are what you need today, Daughter.”
With a heavy sigh, Luella grasped the arms of her chair and pulled herself up. “You’re right, Mom. I barely have the strength to stand up, much less make it to Atlee’s house. I only hope he can find someone to watch Daryl today.”
“I’m sure he will manage until you’re back on your feet and feeling better.”
Luella shuffled out of the room and, holding on to the rail tightly, made her way upstairs. By the time she’d climbed into her bed, Luella’s ears were ringing, and the bedroom seemed to be spinning in circles. Luella pulled Dena’s quilt up to her chin. She snuggled into the warmth of the flannel sheets and closed her eyes. Oh, Dena, I’m sorry I could not take care of Daryl today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll be better.
Atlee went to the living-room window and peered out. There was no sign of Luella, and she should have been here half an hour ago. He scratched his head. She’s never been late. I wonder what could be keeping her.
He had several projects he needed to work on in the shop, but until Luella came to watch Daryl, his work would have to wait. It wasn’t a good idea to take Daryl to the shop with him, and he sure couldn’t leave the boy in the house by himself.
Atlee glanced over his shoulder, where Daryl sat on the sofa, looking at Luella’s storybook. “Luella kumme?” the boy asked, tipping his head.
“I don’t know if she’s coming, Son. She was supposed to, but maybe something happened and she couldn’t make it.” Atlee moved toward the dining room and plucked his jacket off the back of the chair where he had hung it last night after he’d done his chores. “I’m going out to the phone shed to see if she called and left me a message.” He pointed at Daryl. “I want you to stay right where you are till I get back. Understood?”
“Jah, Daadi.”
Atlee smiled. Daryl was such a good boy. He was always eager to please and usually did what he was told.
As Atlee stepped outside, a blast of frigid air hit him in the face. It seemed even colder than it had when he’d done his barn chores early this morning before Daryl was awake. Sure hope Luella didn’t decide to walk here this morning. That could be why she’s so late.
He opened the door of the phone shed and shivered when he stepped inside. It wasn’t much warmer in the small wooden building than it was outside. Atlee noticed the light flickering on the answering machine and knew he had at least one message. He clicked the button and waited for it to play. The first message was from a customer, asking about the storage shed he’d ordered. The second one was from Luella’s mother, Esther, saying Luella had come down with some kind of a virus or flu bug and wouldn’t be able to work for him today and possibly not for the rest of the week. Esther suggested Atlee find someone else to take Luella’s place until further notice.
Atlee’s brows furrowed. Luella seemed fine yesterday. I wonder what happened to cause her to get sick between then and now. He rubbed his forehead. Well, I’d better make a few calls and see if I can find someone else to fill in till she’s feeling better.
Luella lay in bed, staring at the ceiling and feeling sorry for herself. She didn’t know what made her feel worse—the pounding headache, her sore throat, or the guilt she felt for not going to help out at Atlee’s today. She would miss seeing Daryl, and Atlee, too, for that matter. Yesterday had been so much fun when they’d played in the snow together. Atlee had almost seemed like a different person when he’d been tossing snowballs and cavorting around the yard. Luella figured that was probably the way he used to be before Dena’s heart became so weak and her health declined.
Luella sat up and reached for the cup of herbal tea Mom had given her awhile ago. Although it hurt to swallow, the warm tea felt soothing as it bathed her throat. She hated being sick, and especially now, when others were dependent on her.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Luella turned her head toward the door. “Come in,” she rasped. She wondered if she might end up losing her voice. I’ll bet my sister and brother would like that.
Luella’s bedroom door opened, and Mom stepped in. “How are you feeling?”
“About the same.” Luella lifted her cup. “The tea’s good, though.”
Mom gave a nod. “I wanted you to know that I’m going into town for a while. I need a few things and thought I’d stop by the pharmacy, and maybe the health food store, to pick up some items that will hopefully make you feel better—especially something to soothe your throat.”
“Okay, I appreciate that.” Luella took a drink and set her cup on the bedside table. “Did you leave a message for Atlee?”
“Jah. I suggested he find a replacement for you until further notice.”
Luella moaned. “I hope it won’t be too long. Dena asked me to take care of her family after she was gone, not someone else, so I need to get back to work as soon as I can.”
Mom pursed her lips. “I don’t think she meant forever, Luella. Eventually Atlee will take another wife, and then you’ll be free to begin a relationship with Eugene, and hopefully get married and start your own family.”
“My future may not be with Eugene, Mom.” Luella winced when she swallowed.
“What do you mean? Why, the way that fellow looks at you, I’m surprised he hasn’t already asked you to marry him.”
“It wouldn’t matter if he had. I’m not free to marry anyone right now.” Luella closed her eyes. “Can we discuss this some other time? I’m tired and it hurts to talk.”
“Of course. You get some sleep, and when I get back from town, I’ll have some throat lozenges for you to suck on, as well as a few other things.” Mom slipped quietly out of the room.
Luella rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes. Mom doesn’t understand the importance of the promise I made to Dena.
When Esther entered the pharmacy, she spotted her friend, Myrna Lapp, picking up a prescription.
“Is someone at your house sick, too?” Esther asked, joining her friend at the counter.
Myrna sighed. “Jah, my daughter, Anna. She has a sore throat, fever, and chills.”
“There must be something going around, because Luella is sick with similar symptoms.” Esther frowned.
Before Esther could add any more, Myrna relayed some things she’d heard recently. “Did you know the Beachys from our district are expecting their first child?”
“No, I hadn’t heard.”
“Jah, sometime in October the baby is due.”
“Bet her parents are happy, since this will be their first grandchild.”
“Oh, and Pauline King almost knocked me down as I was coming into the pharmacy.”
“Is that so? What was her hurry?” Esther half listened, running through her mind the items she didn’t want to forget to purchase. She really wasn’t interested in this idle chitchat.
“I did speak to her briefly, but Pauline said she was in a rush. Something about having to drop her daughter, Mary Jane, off at Atlee Zook’s to help him out and watch his son.” Myrna paused. “I didn’t see Mary Jane, though. Guess she was waiting in the buggy.”
“Since Luella is sick in bed, I’m glad to hear he found someone to watch his little boy. As you know, my dochder’s been working for Atlee and was determined to go there this morning until she admitted how bad she felt. I had a time convincing her to stay put in bed. Why, the poor thing could hardly walk up the stairs to get back to her room.”
“Sorry to hear your daughter is sick.” Myrna leaned closer to Esther and whispered, “Aren’t you a bit concerned about Luella being around Atlee so much?”
“What do you mean? She has to see him every day, since she takes care of his son and does all the cooking and cleaning for them.”
“I understand, but word has it that Luella and Atlee were seen eating together at the Bird-in-Hand Restaurant.” Myrna blinked several times. “And then my son Eugene said he was driving by Atlee’s place yesterday, on the way to pick up some supplies for his daed, when he saw Atlee in the yard, throwing snowballs at Luella. Now, I ask you, does that sound like something a grown man should be doing with his hired help? To say the least, Eugene was a bit disappointed.”
Esther cringed. Myrna is right—Atlee should not be running around like a schoolboy with my daughter. I’m just not sure what I can do about it.
It was way past lunchtime when Atlee came in to the sound of Daryl crying. He quickly washed his hands and walked into the living room, where he found his son sitting in the middle of the braided throw rug.
Hurrying across the room, Atlee picked Daryl up, took a seat on the sofa, and sat the boy on his lap. “Hey now, what has these tears falling from your eyes? And where’s Mary Jane?”
“Upstairs, cleanin’ my room. She told me to stay down here till she was done.” Daryl sniffed. “Daadi, I don’t like her. I want Luella back.”
“Now, now. It’s Mary Jane’s first day here, and we have to give her a chance.” Atlee tried to sooth Daryl by rubbing his back. “Did she make you some lunch?”
“Jah, she made soup, but I wanted a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.” Daryl hiccupped a few times, and just that quickly, like turning off a faucet, his hiccups subsided. “Mary Jane’s not like Luella. Luella fixes whatever I want.”
“Everyone is different, Son.” Atlee leaned back as Daryl laid against his chest. “Soup is good for a growing boy. It sticks to your ribs.” Atlee poked his son’s side and grinned when Daryl giggled.
“That tickles, Daadi.” The boy jumped off Atlee’s lap and picked up the book Luella had given him. “Would ya read this to me?”
“How ’bout we save it for this evening, after I tuck you in bed for the night?” Atlee smiled at Daryl, who now stood leaning against his leg. Then he glanced toward the stairs when he heard movement coming from his son’s room. “There’s something else I want to say before Mary Jane comes down.”
“What, Daadi?”
“Let’s try to make it work for however long she’s here. It’s only temporary, until Luella returns, and we should be grateful Mary Jane was able to come on such short notice.” Atlee ruffled Daryl’s auburn hair. “So what do you think, buddy? Is it a deal?”
“Deal.” Daryl giggled more when Atlee shook hands with him. Then he pulled him close and gave him a big hug. “I love you, Son.”
“Love you, too.” Atlee’s heart swelled when Daryl returned the hug.
“Ach, Mr. Zook! I didn’t hear you come in.” Mary Jane stammered when she came down the stairs. “I was straightening up Daryl’s room. Can I fix you something to eat? There is still some soup left from our lunch.”
“That will be fine.” Atlee stood. “Once it’s heated, I’ll eat it in here, so I can spend some time with Daryl before I go back out to work. By the way, when I came in the living room I found my son in tears. Did you know he was crying?”
Mary Jane pursed her lips. “I did, but at my house, whenever my little sister cries for no reason, my mamm lets her cry it out.”
Atlee tapped his foot. “Daryl has a good reason to cry. Losing his mamm is
still fresh in his mind, plus he misses Luella because he’s used to her caring for him.”
“I understand.” She gave a quick nod. “I have a lot of cleaning to do here today, but I’ll try to be more sensitive to his needs.”
“Danki.”
When Mary Jane retreated to the kitchen, Atlee sat back down and sighed. I hope Luella gets better soon. It surprised him how in one short day, things weren’t the same around here without Luella.
CHAPTER 9
How are you feeling now?” Atlee asked when Luella returned to work a week after she’d taken sick.
“Much better. I’ve missed being here to help out. Although I was anxious to come back, I needed to make sure I wasn’t contagious.” Luella placed her hand on top of Daryl’s head as he looked up at her with a look of adoration. “I certainly wouldn’t have wanted this little fellow, or you either, Atlee, to get what I had. For the first several days I felt miserable.”
“Well, we’re glad to have you back.” Atlee leaned closer to Luella and whispered, “My boy didn’t cooperate with Mary Jane the way he does with you. He kept asking and asking when you were coming back. But this morning, because he knew you’d be here, I had no trouble getting him out of bed.”
Luella couldn’t help but smile. It was nice to be appreciated. She’d missed Daryl and his father more than she dared to admit. During the week she’d spent recuperating from the flu, she’d come to realize how much they both meant to her. She thought about her mother’s comment this morning before she left. “Why don’t you quit working for Atlee and find another job?” Luella had reminded Mom of the promise she’d made to Dena, but even now, it bothered her to think her mother didn’t understand.
“Well, now.” Luella turned toward the kitchen. “I’d best get some breakfast made for the two of you.”
Atlee shook his head. “No need to bother with that. I fixed us some oatmeal before you got here. Figured it would be one less thing you’d have to worry about today.”