Relief surged through Annie, and she felt faint with it.
“I do recommend she stay in bed a few days. Should stabilize her a bit.”
“Jah, jah, of course. I’ll keep her in bed.” Annie reached out and grasped Ida’s hand. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“You’re the sister?”
“I’m Annie.”
Ida nodded. Her narrow eyes probed Annie. “You’re taking care of her?”
“Jah.”
Ida gave a small snort, and Annie couldn’t imagine what she was thinking. Then the older woman leaned across the table. “Don’t ignore your own care, young lady.”
Annie drew back, confused. “I was just worried. I’m fine, really.”
Ida nodded slowly, her eyes still on Annie. “Honey girl, you need your rest, too.”
Annie frowned. “All right. But truly, I’m fine.”
Ida chuckled then and stood. Andrew stepped into the room, carrying Ida’s cape. “I’ll take you home now, Aenti.”
Ida took the cape and wrapped it snugly about her neck. Isabel voiced her thanks, and Ida and Andrew went to the door. Andrew opened it and a blast of cold air swirled through the room.
Ida gave another parting glance at Annie, a smile on her face.
Annie stood and watched the door close behind them. Isabel walked across the room and put her hands on the wood panel of the door. “The woman is wonderful,” she said. “She birthed all my girls, and she’ll come no matter what time of day or night.”
“Seems that way.”
Isabel glanced at Annie. “She’ll deliver Sarah’s baby for her.”
Annie nodded. She felt unnerved by Ida’s piercing gaze, almost as if the woman had seen right through her. She shivered. Her emotions were getting the best of her.
“Thank you, cousin. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go back up and check on Sarah.”
“Go on. Let me know if you need something.”
Annie took the stairs two at a time and hurried into Sarah’s room. Sarah was tucked in with the quilt up to her chin. Her eyes were closed, and she wasn’t moving. Annie tiptoed over and bent her head close to Sarah’s. She was breathing deeply and evenly, fast asleep. Annie kissed Sarah’s cheek and then going to the dresser, she picked up the lantern and went into her own room.
She felt thoroughly chilled now and couldn’t wait to climb back into bed. The flannel sheets, though soft and fuzzy, were cold. She snuggled down, pulling up the quilts. It shouldn’t take long to get warmed back up. She missed Amos. With a smile, she thought about how he would squawk and complain when she put her cold feet on his legs, but he would still allow it. And with his body warmth, she’d warm up right quick. But now, Amos wasn’t there. She was alone. The double bed felt vacant and lonely. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself to go to sleep.
Chapter Three
The next morning, Annie dressed hurriedly and bustled straight into Sarah’s room. Sarah was sitting on the side of her bed, her legs dangling over the side.
“Sarah, you’re awake.”
Sarah rubbed her eyes and gazed at Annie. “I’m awake.”
“Aenti Ida says you need to stay in bed a few days.”
Sarah scratched her head. Her lovely chestnut hair fell in tangled curls about her shoulders. “She told me.”
Annie sat on the bed beside her. “You gave us a scare last night.”
Sarah nodded, and Annie could see tears in her eyes. “I know. Sorry.”
“No need to be sorry. I’m just glad you’re all right.”
“I thought I was losing the baby.”
“So did I.”
They looked at each other and an understanding passed between them. Annie’s heart grew quiet, and a blanket of peace covered her. “You’re okay with it now,” she whispered.
Sarah nodded. “I’m okay with it.”
“We’ll tell the little one,” Annie said. “When she’s old enough to understand. We’ll tell the little one that you’re her mother.”
Sarah shook her head. “Nee. The baby will hate me.”
“The baby will not hate you. The baby will love you for your courageous decision.”
Sarah laid her head on Annie’s shoulder. “I’ve made a right mess of things.”
Annie put her arm around Sarah’s thin shoulders. “Gott can bring good to anything.”
Sarah straightened back up and looked into Annie’s eyes. Annie winced at the pain she saw there. “But Gott won’t forgive me,” Sarah said.
“Ach, Sarah! You keep saying such things. Of course, He’ll forgive you.”
Tears ran down Sarah’s cheeks. “Nee. He won’t.”
Annie gathered Sarah into her arms and held her while she cried. “Hush now,” Annie murmured. “You’re getting yourself in a state.”
But Sarah didn’t hush, and Annie tightened her embrace. They sat there together, Sarah weeping in her arms, for a long time. Sarah’s sobs lessened until they became soft intermittent gasps. Annie wiggled off the bed, and maneuvered Sarah back under the covers.
“Just rest now,” she said. “I’ll bring you up something to eat.”
“I miss Eric.”
Annie’s brow furrowed.
“I miss Eric,” she repeated.
“Of course you do,” Annie said, her voice soft. “You loved him.”
“I still do.” Sarah grabbed Annie’s hand. “Do you think I’ll ever get over him?”
Annie gazed down at her hurting sister and didn’t know how to answer. Did one get over a person they loved? She had no idea, but she hoped so for Sarah’s sake.
Sarah dropped Annie’s hand and turned her face toward the window where the early morning light seeped in through the curtains. “Do you think he misses me?” Sarah’s voice was a whisper.
Annie swallowed. “I’m sure he does.”
“He didn’t want the baby.”
“I know.”
“He’s a good person, Annie.”
Annie sucked in a long breath. “If you loved him, he’d have to be.”
Sarah then gave Annie such a look of gratitude that it took her breath away. Afterward, Sarah was quiet for a long moment, and then she asked, “Did you write Mamm? Will she come do you think?”
“I didn’t write her yet. I thought I could call the Ebersol’s barn and see if they could deliver a message to her. Ask her to come soon.”
Sarah studied her hands as they clenched the top of the quilt. “I think I’ve changed my mind. Can you wait a bit?”
“But why?”
“I don’t know. Just wait a bit, okay?”
“Okay.”
“And Annie? I guess I’ll have to talk to the bishop when we go back.”
Annie tucked the blankets more snugly around Sarah’s shoulders. “Let’s not worry about that. Right now, I just want you to rest. I’ll be up in a minute with something for you to eat.”
And with that, Annie slipped from the room and hurried downstairs. She’d fix Sarah a nice plate of scrambled eggs and a thick slice of bread with jam. Sarah always loved eggs for breakfast.
The post delivered two letters that day. Isabel brought them to Annie as she sat next to the warming stove in the kitchen darning some of Andrew’s socks. With tight lips, she pressed the letters into Annie’s hand.
“Ach! A letter from Amos!” Annie said with anticipation. She looked at Isabel. “Why the dour face?”
Isabel said nothing, only nodded to the other letter in Annie’s hand. Annie gazed at the envelope, and her eyes grew wide. “It’s for Sarah?”
“Look at the return.”
And there it was in bold print: Joseph Yoder. Annie dropped the letter in her lap. “Joseph Yoder?”
She and Isabel exchanged a look. “Isn’t he the lad you said was crazy for Sarah?”
Annie nodded and picked up the envelope again. She turned it over slowly in her hands, as if expecting it to reveal its secrets.
“Why would he be writing her?” Isabel as
ked.
“He is sweet on her.”
“Does he have any idea what’s going on?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, he better learn right quick or he’s in for some real heartbreak.”
Annie clenched her jaw at Isabel’s censuring tone. “He’s a nice fellow,” she said. “He’s probably just wondering how Sarah’s getting along on her trip to Ohio.”
Isabel snorted and opened the oven to pull out a tin of muffins. “He’s going to be heartbroken,” she said.
Annie dropped her darning and pressed both envelopes to her chest. “I’m going to go read my letter and deliver Sarah’s. I’ll be back down to finish the darning in a few minutes.”
Isabel nodded and flipped the muffin tin upside down over the cutting board. The steaming muffins popped out and rolled a bit before settling onto the wood. “Take your time. Andrew’s not needing those socks today.” She gave a small laugh.
Still irritated, Annie quickly left and climbed the stairs. It was about time to check on Sarah anyway. She slipped Amos’s letter into her pocket and peered through Sarah’s door.
Sarah was propped up against the head of the bed, a pillow behind her. “Oh Annie, I’m glad you came up. I’m going crazy with boredom. I feel fine. Can’t I get up for a while?”
“You heard what Aenti said. It won’t be long. Another day or so.” She went to sit on the edge of the bed. “You got a letter.”
Sarah’s face came alive. “Is it from Eric?” she asked, almost breathless.
Annie tensed at Sarah’s excitement. “Nee.” She laid the letter on the bed. “Joseph Yoder.”
Sarah’s face registered her surprise. “Joseph? Are you sure?”
Annie picked the letter back up and held it in front of Sarah. “Look. There’s his name.”
Sarah took it and looked up at Annie, dread covering her face. She slipped her finger under the flap and flicked it open. Then she took the letter out and unfolded it. “I’m afraid to read it.”
“Why?”
“Do you think he knows?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
Sarah thrust the letter into Annie’s hands. “You read it.”
Annie took the letter and cleared her throat. “Dear Sarah, How are you doing there in Ohio? I have asked Amos, but he doesn’t tell me much. Amos says he might be going to Ohio to visit Annie. I’m of a mind to accompany him.”
Annie gazed up. Sarah clasped her hand to her stomach. “Coming here?” she asked. “Surely Amos will stop him.”
Annie continued reading. “I know you might not be disposed to having company right now. I understand. But, Sarah, I feel a burning need to see you. I haven’t spoken to you much lately. I was waiting for your rumspringa time to end and for you to join church. But you must know how I feel about you.”
Annie’s heart went out to him. He was brave to reveal himself in such a way. She glanced at Sarah, who was now staring out the window, her face fixed hard.
“There’s more,” Annie said. “Please allow me to visit you. I won’t put any pressure on you at all. Amos says that you and Annie could be there for months. I don’t want to wait that long. Please write me back and tell me I may come. Your friend, Joseph.”
Annie dropped her hands and the letter fluttered to her lap. “What are you going to do?” she asked gently.
Tears were rolling down Sarah’s cheeks.
“Don’t cry, our Sarah! He doesn’t have to come. I can write and tell him not to.”
Sarah shook her head. “Nee. Nee.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes. “That’s not why I’m crying.”
“Then what is it?”
She took a gasping breath. “It’s Eric. Why hasn’t he written me?”
Seeing her sister’s anguish, Annie nearly began weeping herself. “I don’t know,” she finally said. “I don’t know why he hasn’t written.”
“I guess it isn’t just the baby he doesn’t want.”
Annie clutched Sarah’s arm. “It wouldn’t work anyway. He’s not our kind.”
Sarah shook off Annie’s hand. “I know that!” she snapped with fire in her eyes. “Don’t you think I know that?”
Annie flinched at her sister’s outburst. It had been a while since she’d shown her quick temper. “I’m sorry, Sarah. Of course, you know that.”
Sarah blew out her breath. “And I’m sorry, too. It’s not your fault.” She wiggled from the bed and stood.
“Sarah, you’re not to be up!”
“For two seconds, okay?” Sarah walked to the dresser and removed a pad of paper and pencil from the top drawer. She returned to the bed and sat down, throwing the quilts over her legs.
“What are you going to do?” Annie asked.
“I’m going to write him back.”
“But what will you say?”
Sarah didn’t answer. She began to write. Annie watched her but made no effort to read over her shoulder. She simply waited, knowing Sarah would share if she wanted to. It didn’t take long before Sarah was finished. She ripped the sheet of paper from the tablet and held it out for Annie to read.
Dear Joseph,
Thank you for writing. It wouldn’t do for you to come. There are things you don’t know. I am also very busy here.
Sarah
“That’s enough, isn’t it? Enough to keep him from coming?” Sarah’s voice was anxious.
“I believe so. Besides, I don’t think Amos would let him come.”
“Annie?”
“Jah.”
“Why do I care? Why do I care whether Joseph knows about the baby or not? What difference should it make to me?”
Annie frowned. Of course, Sarah should care. She should want to keep all of this private. Annie hardly understood her asking such a thing.
“If I am sure about this baby, I shouldn’t care. Eric told me that if I was confident, what other people think shouldn’t matter.”
Annie tried to keep the dismay from her face. She’d never heard such foolishness. One didn’t go around flaunting their private business. Besides, Eric didn’t live by his own words. He obviously cared a great deal what others thought. He’d dropped Sarah fast enough when he didn’t want the baby. Annie balked inwardly. She knew she was stretching her logic and her judgment with such thoughts. Perhaps she couldn’t think straight when it came to her sister and her precious boppli.
“Maybe you care because Joseph is your friend. Perhaps you don’t want to disappoint him.” It was the only answer Annie could come up with.
Sarah gazed up at the ceiling. “Maybe.” She wiggled until she was lying back down. “If he knew, he’d run from me faster than a lightning bolt streaks across the sky.”
Annie bit her bottom lip and visualized Joseph. She saw his kind eyes and his solid build, and found she didn’t agree with her sister. “Maybe he would, and maybe he wouldn’t.”
Sarah’s eyes darted to hers. “Really? I hardly think any of the young men in Hollybrook would give me a second glance.”
“You don’t know that, Sarah.”
“Jah, I do.” And with that, she turned her back on Annie and pulled the covers up to her nose.
Annie rose from the bed and went into her own bedroom to read Amos’s letter. She was so eager, that she nearly ripped the corner off of it when she pulled it from the envelope. She gave a shaky laugh and took a deep breath to calm herself.
Dearest Annie,
How I’m missing you. The daadi haus rings empty as a hollow barrel without you here with me. But I thank you. I thank you for caring for your sister and our baby. I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through. I can’t imagine how scared you were when Sarah went missing. I’m grateful to Gott that she came back.
Joseph was asking after her. I was careful not to give much information. But Annie, there was a look in his eyes. I think he knows—
Annie stopped reading, her breath frozen. Joseph knew? She swallowed and continued.
I don’t know how
, I never said a word. But there was an awareness, and he didn’t press me for more information. Which makes me think he already knows. He’s wanting to accompany me to Ohio when I come to visit.
I did tell you I was visiting, didn’t I? I want to finish up my present furniture order, which will take another few weeks. Then I can get away for a few days. Will you ask your cousin if it’s all right that I come and stay a bit?
I will discourage Joseph from coming with me. Truth be told, it wouldn’t look good if he did come? Although, much of the community already knows he is sweet on our Sarah.
If for some reason, your cousin doesn’t want me to come, you’ll have to call the Ebersol’s barn. They will get the message to me. Otherwise, look for me in a few weeks.
Your loving husband,
Amos
Annie pressed the letter against her heart. He was coming. Just a few more weeks. She walked to her bed and sank down on the quilt. Cousin Isabel wouldn’t mind if he came. Of course, she wouldn’t. And to have Amos there with her, even if only for a few days… Annie closed her eyes and breathed deeply. She missed him more than she thought it possible to miss anyone.
She lay the letter on the bed and got up to go to the window. She gazed out on the frozen ground and thought about the following spring. By then, she’d be back in Hollybrook caring for a boppli. Her boppli. Hers and Amos’s. And Sarah would be involved. She could help care for the little one if she wished. It might ease her heart some. And when the time was right, and the baby was old enough, she and Amos would tell the child the truth.
A sudden wave of nausea swept through Annie, and she grabbed the curtains at the side of the window. She swallowed hard and steadied herself by leaning against the wall. Was it always to be this way? Was she always to become so emotional when thinking and planning about the baby? Was she so upset about telling the child the truth? But he or she had a right to know. However, it could make things difficult for Sarah, and the last thing she wanted was for her sister to suffer any further.
She’d gone through enough.
Little Mary pushed through her bedroom door. “Annie? Want to come downstairs now? Want to play games with my sisters and me?”
Amish Romance: Annie's Story: Three Book Box Set Page 14