by Brunstetter, Wanda E. ; Brunstetter, Jean; Brunstetter, Richelle
A shock of realization hit Atlee. He didn’t know exactly when or how it had happened, but like Daryl, Atlee loved Luella—but in a much different way.
Lord, help me, he silently prayed. I never should have let this happen, but it has, and I’m begging You not to take her from me.
CHAPTER 11
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Atlee sat in one of the hospital waiting-room chairs, twisting the brim of his hat. Luella had been in the examining room over an hour, and still no word on her condition. Her parents had been notified, but they were down the hall filling out paperwork. He was thankful an English driver had come along soon after he’d arrived at the accident, and gone to a local business to make the call for help. After the ambulance came and transported Luella to the hospital, Atlee took his horse and buggy home and called one of his drivers. Then, not wanting to upset his son any further, he’d asked the driver to drop Daryl off at Mary Jane’s house so she could watch him until Atlee came home from the hospital. The boy had been in tears when he’d seen Luella’s buggy on its side in the ditch. Now all Atlee could do was sit here by himself and pray.
Atlee had known for several weeks that his affection for Luella was growing, but he’d been fighting it, even to the point of trying to avoid her as much as he could. Some days he would take his lunch in the shop so he’d have an excuse not to visit with her. But after seeing her today, lying in her buggy unconscious, Atlee could not deny his feelings any longer. He had no idea how Luella felt about him, but if she recovered from her injuries, he planned to open up to her and express his feelings. The worst that could happen would be rejection on her part. He placed his hat over one knee and clasped his hands together. Living with Luella’s rejection would be better than losing her altogether. He could endure that, as long as God allowed her to live.
Atlee’s attention was drawn to the door when Luella’s father entered the room. Seeing her father’s placid expression, it was hard to tell if he had good news or bad. As Owen approached, Atlee got out of his chair. “Any word on Luella yet?”
Owen shook his head. “Nothing definite. They are still running tests to see if she has a concussion or any broken bones.” He motioned for Atlee to sit, and he took the chair beside him. “Sure wish we knew what caused the accident. My daughter’s gaul is usually easygoing, and Luella’s a good driver. It doesn’t make sense that the buggy tipped over and went into a ditch.” He frowned. “The shaft was broken in two, and we found Dixie down the road. If only she could talk to us, we’d know for sure how the accident happened.”
“Luella can tell us when she wakes up.” Atlee’s throat constricted. She has to wake up. Dear Lord, please let her wake up.
A few minutes later, Luella’s mother entered the room and rushed over to Owen. “I just spoke with the doctor, and our daughter has a slight concussion, some bruises, and a nasty cut on one hand, but otherwise, she’s going to be okay.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Atlee bowed his head. Thank You, Lord.
“When can we see her?” Owen rose to his feet.
Esther placed her hand on his arm. “She’s being admitted and will soon be taken to a room. Once she’s settled we can see her.”
Owen’s forehead wrinkled. “But if she isn’t seriously hurt, why can’t we take her home with us?”
“Since she was unconscious for a while, the doctor wants to keep her overnight for observation,” Esther explained. She looked over at Atlee. “We appreciate you being here, but there’s really no reason for you to stay. I’m sure you would rather be home with your boy.”
“Actually, Daryl’s with Mary Jane and her family, and I’d rather stay awhile so I can see for myself how Luella’s doing.”
Esther glanced at Owen then back at Atlee. “We’re glad you came along when you did. No telling how long our daughter would have been trapped in her buggy if you hadn’t found her.”
“I was sure glad an English driver came along and went to call for help.” Atlee sagged against the back of his chair, pressing his elbows into his sides. “It nearly scared the life out of me when I came upon her rig in the ditch. Your dochder means a lot to me.” His mouth felt dry and he swallowed a couple of times. “Truth is, I’m in love with Luella.”
Owen’s eyes widened, and Esther touched her throat as she let out a little gasp. “You can’t be serious,” she said with a shake of her head.
“I am completely serious. In fact, if she’ll have me, I’d like to marry Luella.”
Before Esther could respond, Owen asked, “Does Luella know how you feel about her?”
“No, not yet. I am hoping she feels the same way about me.” Atlee breathed deeply and lifted his chin, trying to gain a sense of calm. His declaration of love for Luella had no doubt shocked her parents, but it actually felt good to admit the truth.
Esther brought a shaky hand to her forehead. “Do you realize that our daughter is only twenty-two?”
Atlee nodded.
“And that doesn’t bother you?” Esther’s voice rose.
“Well, it did at first, but a couple’s age difference shouldn’t matter if there is love between them.”
Esther folded her arms, staring hard at Atlee. “Luella is almost young enough to be your daughter. What in all the world are you thinking, Atlee? If you must replace your wife, don’t you at least have the decency to find someone closer to your age?”
“I understand your concerns, Esther, but—”
Owen held up his hand. “I think we should put this discussion on hold. Now’s not the time or place to be talkin’ about this.” He looked at his wife. “Don’t you agree?”
Pressing her lips together she slowly nodded.
“Good. Then we can talk about this some other time.”
Atlee had a feeling that no matter when the discussion came up again, he wasn’t going to win Esther over. But before he even tried, the first order of business would be to speak to Luella.
As Esther made her way down the hospital corridor toward Luella’s room, her stomach quivered. Her suspicions about Atlee were not unfounded. She had every right to be concerned. She wished now that Luella had never accepted Atlee’s invitation to take care of his wife or to keep working for him after Dena died. It was not a good situation. Luella was young and impressionable. She was probably flattered by an older man’s attention.
I wish my husband would have put that man in his place, once and for all. Atlee has no right to expect our daughter to become his wife. Doesn’t he care what a sacrifice she would be making?
Esther was glad Atlee had gone home without seeing Luella today. Just waking up and finding out she was in an accident would be enough for her to handle, and she didn’t need Atlee going into her room and proclaiming his love.
Esther bit her lip so hard she tasted blood. If he truly feels love for my daughter. Most likely Atlee wants a young wife so she can keep up with all the cooking, cleaning, and taking care of his son—all the things that an older woman might not be able to handle.
As Esther approached Luella’s door, she paused to take a deep breath and collect her thoughts. One thing was certain: she was not about to mention what Atlee had said to her and Owen. With any luck, her husband could talk Atlee out of the silly notion of asking Luella to marry him, and then Luella would be none the wiser.
Squaring her shoulders, Esther opened the hospital-room door and stepped in. Luella was lying in the bed with her eyes closed.
Esther took a seat in the chair near the bed and reached out to touch Luella’s hand. “Daughter, are you awake?”
Luella opened her eyes slowly, blinking as she looked at Esther. “Where am I, Mama, and why does my head hurt so much?”
“You’re in the hospital. Atlee found your buggy on its side in a ditch.”
“Atlee?” Luella rubbed her eyes. “I don’t remember seeing his horse and buggy.” Her chin quivered. “I’m sorry, Mama. I never got to run any of your errands.”
Esther shook her head. �
�Never mind about that. Your daed and I are just glad you weren’t seriously injured.”
“Where is Dad?”
“He’s in the waiting room. Said I should come in and see you first and then he’d take his turn.” Esther patted Luella’s uninjured hand. “You have a nasty cut on your other hand, as well as a slight concussion. So the doctor wants to keep you overnight, and then tomorrow you can go home.”
Luella rubbed her temples and winced. “No wonder I have such a horrible koppweh. It feels like my head’s going to explode.”
“Hopefully the pain will subside soon. Do you remember how the accident happened, Luella?”
“Jah. A truck blew its horn and passed a little too close. Dixie got spooked, probably because the horn was extra loud. The next thing I knew, she was running down the road for all she was worth, zigzagging from one side of the road to the other.”
“Do you remember the buggy flipping onto its side?”
“I do, but that’s the last thing I remember. What about Dixie?” Luella closed her eyes and winced. “Is she okay?”
“Dixie is fine. She’s at a farm near where we found her.” Esther gave her daughter’s hand another gentle pat. “We’ll get her on the way home.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” Luella sighed. “I’m glad she wasn’t hurt.”
Esther didn’t want to, but the words came flowing out. “So you don’t have any recollection of Atlee showing up?”
“No, none at all. Is he here now?”
Esther shook her head. “He was for a little while, but he went home after we learned that you were going to be okay.”
“I wish he could have stayed. I would like to thank him.”
“Your daed and I told Atlee we appreciated him finding you.”
Luella smiled, although Esther could tell her daughter was in pain.
“I’ll tell Atlee thank you when I go to work for him tomorrow.”
“I don’t think so.” Esther put both hands on her hips. “Remember I just said the doctor won’t release you until tomorrow, and when he does, you’ll be doing nothing but resting for at least a week or so. Even if you didn’t have a concussion, with the cut on your hand, it would be difficult to do any chores.”
Groaning, Luella lifted her arm and looked at the large bandage on her hand. “I lost a lot of time not going to Atlee’s during the days I was sick with the flu, and I sure don’t want to lose any more. Daryl would miss me, and I’d be yearning to see him, too.”
“What about Atlee? Would you miss him also?” Esther couldn’t help herself. She needed to know how Luella felt about Atlee, and she couldn’t wait to find out.
“Jah. The truth is… Well, Mama, I… I’m in love with Atlee, but please don’t say anything, because he doesn’t know.” Luella grimaced. “It would be embarrassing for him to find out. I’m almost certain he doesn’t have such feelings for me.”
Esther sat quietly. She was tempted to tell Luella what Atlee had said and caution her against accepting a marriage proposal from him, but that could wait until Luella felt better. This was not a good time to say anything that might upset her daughter. Esther squeezed her eyes shut. I just hope when she does find out, I can talk her out of accepting his marriage proposal.
CHAPTER 12
Bird-in-Hand
I don’t think you should go to work for Atlee today.”
Forehead wrinkling, Luella looked across the breakfast table at her mother. “Why not, Mom? It’s been a whole week since my accident, and I’m feeling fine.” She lifted her hand, where only a small bandage remained. “Even my cut doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Mom glanced at Dad, as though hoping he might say something, but he merely shrugged and picked up his cup of coffee.
“What’s going on here?” Luella touched her mother’s arm. “Don’t you realize I’m needed at Atlee’s?”
Mom blew out a quick breath. “I think it would be best if you quit working for him.”
“You mean for always?” Luella could hardly believe her mother would suggest such a thing.
“Jah.”
“But why?” Luella’s neck bent forward.
“This is not the time to be talking about this,” Dad spoke up. “It can wait until the kinner have gone to school.”
Luella glanced at her younger sister and brother; they both sat staring at her. “But, Dad, if we wait till then, I’ll be late getting to Atlee’s to fix his and Daryl’s breakfast.”
“I’m sure Atlee can manage the meal without you,” Mom interjected. “After all, he does so on the weekends when you’re not working for him.”
Luella could see by the stubborn set of her father’s jaw, and the way Mom’s lips were pressed together, that they were determined to discuss this with her, but not in front of Sara and Samuel. Not wishing to create a scene or disrespect her parents’ wishes, she slowly nodded. She would head for Atlee’s place as soon as they talked this out.
Atlee glanced at the battery-operated clock on the kitchen wall, wondering what could be keeping Luella. She should have been here an hour ago. When he’d spoken to her after church yesterday, she had assured him she would be here this morning at the usual time. He’d been relieved to see that the cut on her hand was healing nicely. When Luella said she felt well enough to return to work, Atlee had been pleased. He hadn’t said anything to her yesterday, with all the other people around, but today, if he could work up the courage, he planned to tell Luella that he’d fallen in love with her.
“Daadi, I’m hungerich.” Daryl pointed to the back door. “Where’s Luella? You said she’d come today and would fix our breakfast.”
“I know, Son, and I’m sure she’s still coming. Something probably came up to cause her to be late.” Atlee took out a bowl and a box of cold cereal and placed them on the table. “I’ll fix your breakfast, and then when Luella gets here, she’ll have one less thing to do.”
Daryl made a face. “I don’t want cereal. I want pannekuche.”
“I’m not good at making pancakes.” Atlee poured cereal into the boy’s bowl and added some milk. “Now eat your breakfast. Maybe by the time Luella gets here you’ll be done and ready for her to read your favorite story.” He tweaked Daryl’s nose. “And I’m sure if you ask her nicely, Luella might make those pannekuche for your lunch. Nothing says pancakes can only be eaten at breakfast. Right?”
“Right!” Daryl grabbed his spoon and started eating.
Atlee smiled. My son is just as excited to see Luella this morning as I am.
As soon as Samuel and Sara were out the door, Luella turned to her mother. “Can we finish our conversation from earlier now? Atlee and Daryl probably think I’m not coming.”
Dad went over to the stove and retrieved the coffeepot. “Let’s us three sit at the table and drink some hot kaffi while we discuss a few things.”
“I’ll listen to whatever you and Mom have to say, but I don’t care for any coffee.” Luella took a seat and waited for Dad and Mom to join her at the table. Absentmindedly, she rubbed the bandage that covered the cut on her hand. It sure was itchy, and Luella couldn’t wait to have the dressing off for good.
Once they were both seated, Mom was the first to speak. “Your daed and I think it’s time for you to stop working for Atlee. It’s not a good situation, and people are beginning to talk.”
Luella shifted in her chair. “But, Mom, I—”
“You may think you’re in love with Atlee,” Mom interrupted, “but it’s just a silly infatuation. You are way too young for him, and it would never work out between you.”
“I don’t expect anything to work out.” Luella’s gaze darted to her father then back to her mother. “Although I am in love with Atlee, he’s never said anything about loving me, so you and Dad have nothing to worry about. I’ll go on working for Atlee and taking care of Daryl, and Atlee will never know the way I feel about him.”
Dad shook his head. “It’s too late for that.”
“What do you mean?” Luella
looked at her father again and waited while he took a sip of coffee.
“When you were in the hospital and your mamm and I were sitting in the waiting room with Atlee, he confessed that he’s fallen in love with you.”
Barely able to comprehend what her father had said, Luella’s fingers touched her parted lips. “Atlee really told you that?”
“Jah, and I don’t think it’ll be long till he tells you the same thing.”
“Ach, my!” Luella clasped her hands to her chest, barely able to remain in her chair. “This is certainly a surprise. I never dreamed Atlee felt the same way about me.”
Mom leaned forward, looking right at Luella. “Do you understand now why we want you to quit working for him?”
Luella shook her head vigorously. “No, I don’t. I love Atlee, and if he loves me, then I would think you would be happy for both of us—Daryl, too, for that matter. The boy needs a mother, and I’ve grown very fond of him. In fact I love Atlee’s child as if he were my own.”
“While that may be true, it doesn’t make up for the fact that you and Atlee are sixteen years apart. Compared to you, he’s an old man.” Dad took another drink of coffee and set his cup down so hard some spilled out on the table. He turned to face Luella. “You’re too young to know what you’re doing, and Atlee’s old enough to know better.”
Tears sprang to Luella’s eyes. Didn’t her parents even care how she felt? Couldn’t they remember what it was like to be in love? Didn’t Luella’s happiness mean anything to them?
She pushed her chair back and stood. “I promised Atlee when I spoke to him after church yesterday that I’d be at his house this morning, and I can’t go back on my word.”
“All right.” Mom gave a slow nod. “But please think about all that we’ve said, and don’t let your emotions overshadow good common sense.”