“There’s nothing that will keep my mind occupied right now,” Hannah said through clenched teeth.
“It will soon be over,” the midwife said. “And you will remember this no more, like the Good Book says.”
“That’s right,” Betty said from the doorway. “I forgot my pain as soon as my babies came, so keep your spirits up.”
“What about Jake?” Hannah asked.
“He’s not coming in here,” Betty said. “It’s not decent, and he can’t handle it.”
The midwife laughed softly. “I think it should be up to Hannah whether she wants Jake present. Do you want him in here, Hannah?”
“I don’t know,” Hannah said as the pain came again.
“That’s all the answer I need,” Betty said. “He’s not coming in, and let’s hear no more about it.”
“I’m here,” Miriam whispered from the other side of the bed, holding her sister’s hand.
Hannah turned her head to smile weakly at her.
The minutes settled into an hour of pain…then a second hour passed with only brief respites in between contractions. Hannah saw Jake’s face frequently at the bedroom door, but Betty always pounced on him with vigor.
“At least tell him what’s going on,” Hannah whispered.
“We are telling him, dear,” Mattie said. “There’s nothing going on. We’re just waiting.”
“Is there a problem?” Hannah asked.
“No,” the midwife said. “Everything’s fine, and it will be time soon. It looks to me like you will have a dawn baby.”
“Dr. Lisa said we could call her if we need to,” Hannah reminded her.
“I know,” Mattie said. “And I would call if there were any danger, but there isn’t. Just take courage. It won’t be long now.”
“I want him to come now!” Hannah said.
“So you still think it’s a boy?” Mattie asked.
“Jah,” Hannah said. “It’s got to be a boy. Jake needs a boy.”
“I think Jake will be happy either way,” Mattie replied.
“He’d better be,” Betty said. “Or I’ll whack him over the head myself.”
After another brief look at Hannah, Mattie said, “I think it’s about time. In a few minutes, I’ll tell you to push and when I do, that’s your signal to give it all you’ve got. And then when I tell you to relax, you can stop pushing until I say push again. Are you ready?”
Hannah nodded as vigorously as she could muster while Betty watched nervously by the door and Miriam clutched Hannah’s hand.
Several minutes later, with the first light of day sneaking over the mountain peaks, Hannah lay back on her pillow listening to the silence of the room. Miriam still had her hand in a firm grip. Betty and Mattie’s forms moved rapidly about at the foot of the bed.
“Why isn’t he crying?” Hannah whispered to Miriam.
“I don’t know,” Miriam said, squeezing her sister’s hand.
Hannah tried to sit up, but she couldn’t find the strength.
Miriam stroked her hand, a worried look on her face. Hannah struggled to rise again just as a piercing cry rent the room, followed by Miriam’s sigh of relief.
“Is it…?” Hannah began.
“It’s a boy!” Mattie said. “How did you know?”
Hannah didn’t answer, letting her body go limp on the bed. The tears of joy came.
“There, there,” the midwife’s voice roused her as she wrapped the baby and then carefully placed him beside Hannah with the words, “I think this little fellow wants his mother.”
Hannah turned toward the baby, emotion overflowing. “Tell Jake to come,” she said.
Betty grunted from the foot of the bed but promptly bustled out. Moments later she returned with Jake following hesitantly.
“Come!” Hannah said, raising the baby blanket slightly. “I have something for you.”
Jake moved slowly, coming to stand with his hands on the bed, his eyes on Hannah.
“Are you okay?” Jake asked.
Hannah nodded and Jake’s eyes turned to the baby.
“Hold him,” Hannah said. “And see what you want to call him.”
“It’s a boy?” he said, a broad smile spreading over his face. He lifted the baby carefully, cradling him tightly to his chest. The light of the dawn played on Jake’s face and beard as he studied the baby.
“David,” Jake said finally, turning to Hannah. “We will call him David, for he is a very special child. Do you like that?”
“Jah,” Hannah said. “David is a gut name.”
“Now let’s get you out of here,” Betty said, pulling on Jake’s sleeve. “I don’t care if you are a preacher. Hannah needs her rest.”
Hannah watched as Jake’s eyes lingered on the baby’s face as he gently slid little David back onto the bed.
“You are wonderful,” Jake said, turning to brush his hand across Hannah’s forehead.
“That’s enough,” Betty snapped. “I said out of here, and out of here it will be.”
Hannah laughed softly, joy filling every fiber of her being.
Forty-Four
Hannah lay on the couch looking out through the cabin window with baby David cradled in her arms. Miriam was cleaning up the breakfast dishes in the kitchen, her buggy still parked in front of the barn. Jake was home today, waving his arms around out in the open field as he directed the Englisha backhoe driver who was digging the footers for their new log home.
“Can I get you anything?” Miriam asked, her face appearing in the kitchen doorway.
“No. I just had to get out of bed and on my feet a little.”
“Don’t overdo it. It’s not even been a week yet,” Miriam said as she disappeared again.
Hannah’s gaze fell to baby David’s face, still wrinkled, but filling out more each day. He struggled to open his eyes, squinting up at her face and flexing the fingers on one hand. Soft black hair covered his head, reaching almost to his ears.
Hannah held her breath in awe. He was so perfect, so breakable, and yet so boyish—and all hers and Jake’s. Tears welled up in her eyes as unspeakable joy rose up inside of her. How could Da Hah make something so wonderful? He had, but how was it possible?
“You’re all mine,” Hannah whispered. “And Jake’s, but especially mine.”
Would there be more children? Hopefully, but there would never be another moment like this one, when she held her first child in her arms. “I can’t believe you’re finally here,” Hannah said, running her fingers over his soft cheeks. David opened his mouth, trying to follow the flow of motion across his skin. His eyes focused, blinking slowly, and then drifted off again.
“Do you want a glass of orange juice?” Miriam asked from the kitchen door.
Hannah nodded but said nothing.
“Is something wrong?” Miriam asked, noticing the tears spilling down her sister’s cheeks.
Hannah shook her head. “No, I’m just enjoying David and watching his dad work outside.”
“But you’re crying.”
“It’s my first baby, Miriam. Of course I’m crying. You’ll cry too.”
“Oh, Hannah, he’s so cute. David is truly the most wonderful baby I’ve ever seen.”
“You have to say that. You’re his aunt,” Hannah said with a weak laugh.
“No, I mean it. He has to be the most wonderful baby ever born.”
“Whatever you say,” Hannah said, brushing the tears away. She glanced out the window at Jake. He had paused and was looking toward the main road. What he saw, Hannah couldn’t see, but most likely it was a delivery of job materials.
Miriam handed Hannah the orange juice and asked, “Do you want anything else?”
Hannah laughed. “Let me think about it. I’m not used to being served hand and foot.”
“Well, relax and enjoy it. Before long you’ll be on your feet and back to work as hard as ever.”
“I suppose you should go home soon,” Hannah said. “It really worries me that you’re away from D
ennis so long. I mean, I know you promised me, but you haven’t been married that long.”
“Kendra’s coming over to be with you tonight,” Miriam said. “Betty insisted and I accepted because I miss Dennis. But I promise I’ll be back bright and early tomorrow morning. Even before the sun comes up.”
“I’m not complaining. I feel very pampered and spoiled.”
“Look who’s here!” Miriam said, pointing out the window. “Mr. Brunson and Mary. They must have come to see the baby.”
“Oh, Miriam,” Hannah gasped. “I don’t look decent, and I don’t have my head covering on. Do something quick. I wasn’t expecting visitors.”
“Relax,” Miriam ordered, removing a shawl from the hall closet and draping it over Hannah’s shoulders. “That’s all you need. You look fine.”
Hannah clutched the shawl with both hands, balancing David on her knees as Miriam went to open the door. Mary came rushing inside with Mr. Brunson right behind her. He took his green John Deere cap off, his face grinning from ear to ear.
“Well, what have we here?” Mr. Brunson’s voice boomed. “A baby I do declare, and a Byler baby at that.”
Mary bent down to give Hannah a hug. “I was so glad to hear that everything went well. Were you able to use the phone okay?”
“Jah,” Hannah said. “Jake got the call through just fine. Thank you so much.”
“Motherhood is so wonderful, isn’t it?” Mary said, turning to coo at baby David. “What sweet little things they are.”
“Jah,” Hannah said. “He couldn’t be any sweeter.”
“A right handsome fellow,” Mr. Brunson said, standing sideways over the couch to get a better view. “And I can see Jake all over him, so I’d say he’s off to a good start.”
Hannah ran her hand lightly over her son’s hair.
“Has he been sleeping well?” Mary asked.
Hannah nodded, not trusting her voice.
“Well,” Mr. Brunson boomed. “I think I’ve seen the baby, so I’ll go out to see Jake, if you ladies don’t mind.”
“Thanks for coming,” Hannah said, wiping a tear from her cheek. “It’s so good to see both of you.”
“You too. Take care now, you hear?” Mr. Brunson said and then disappeared out the door.
“Mary, may I get you a glass of orange juice?” Miriam asked.
“Sure,” Mary said, taking a seat at the other end of the couch. “That would be wonderful.”
“I’ll be right back.” Miriam jumped up and headed into the kitchen.
“So how have things been going?” Mary asked, reaching over to pick up David from Hannah’s lap. Carefully she cradled the baby, laughing softly in his face. David opened his mouth and slowly waved one hand aimlessly.
“I think he likes you,” Hannah said with a smile.
“I sure hope so!” Mary said as Miriam brought in the glass of orange juice, setting it beside the couch within Mary’s reach.
“And how about you, Hannah? How are you doing?” Mary asked.
“I’m tired all the time and want to sleep, but hopefully that’s normal.”
“It’s very normal, but it won’t be long now before you’re back up and full of energy,” Mary encouraged.
“How are you and Mr. Brunson doing?” Hannah asked.
“Hannah, it’s just wonderful! We’re enjoying each other to the fullest. Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe that Da Hah allowed it to happen again—that I found another wonderful man, but He did.”
“We sure miss Mr. Brunson. It gets kind of lonesome around here.”
“I can imagine that,” Mary said, laughing. “We’re trying to sell the place, but no success yet.”
“There’s no chance of the two of you moving back?”
“No, I’m afraid not,” Mary said. “We couldn’t drive over the mountains to church every Sunday.”
“Then you’ll have to visit more often.”
“I would love that. I’m sure it won’t be hard to talk Norman into it.”
After a few minutes more of visiting, Mary stood and said, “You’re tired and visitors should know when to leave. You need rest.” With that, she handed David back to Hannah and said, “Dear, you take care of yourself.” She bent over and gave Hannah another hug.
“I will,” Hannah said, her eyes on baby David as his feet moved under the blanket. As the door closed behind Mary, Hannah teared up again. She turned to Miriam and said, “I can’t seem to stop crying.”
“At least they’re happy tears,” Miriam said.
Hannah looked out the window and saw Mr. Brunson and Jake shaking hands goodbye while Mary waited at the edge of the field. When Mr. Brunson turned to leave, Jake looked toward the cabin. He stood still for a moment, his eyes on Hannah. He smiled and waved. She could feel his love reach her across the distance.
“Tears of joy, yes. That’s what they are,” Hannah said, her eyes still on Jake.
Miriam placed a hand on Hannah’s shoulder, and when she glanced up, Hannah noticed tears on Miriam’s cheeks.
“Now you’re crying!” Hannah exclaimed.
“Jah, but they’re tears of joy too.”
“We’ve both gone silly,” Hannah said with a laugh.
“I know,” Miriam said, wiping her eyes. “It’s all Montana’s fault, really, don’t you think?”
About Jerry Eicher…
As a boy, Jerry Eicher spent eight years in Honduras, where his grandfather helped found an Amish community outreach. As an adult, Jerry taught for two terms in parochial Amish and Mennonite schools in Ohio and Illinois. He has been involved in church renewal for fourteen years and has preached in churches and conducted weekend meetings of in-depth Bible teaching. Jerry lives with his wife, Tina, and their four children in Virginia.
More fine Amish fiction from Harvest House Publishers and Jerry Eicher…
The Little Valley Trilogy
A Wedding Quilt for Ella
Ella Yoder’s wedding with Aden Wengerd and the building of their dream house is set for June. But when Aden is suddenly taken from her, Ella begins to doubt God’s love.
When her family pressures her to marry the new young bishop, Ella asks for six months to heal from Aden’s death. Meanwhile, Aden’s brother, Daniel, helps Ella build her dream house based on a drawing by her sister, Clara, that is incorporated into Ella’s wedding quilt.
Can healing come through a house…a quilt…a community?
Ella’s Wish
Ella Yoder has moved into her dream home. In the stillness of the great house, Ella ponders her options. How is she to survive on her own? Will she ever get over Aden? What will happen to her?
Two would-be suitors soon make their intentions known, but Ella is unsure of her feelings. As she agrees to take care of Preacher Stutzman’s three motherless girls, Ella’s heart is touched by their love for her. Could their affection be the answer to Ella’s quest? Can God speak through the love of children?
You’ll fall in love with Ella and hope with her for the love and happiness she seeks.
Coming August 2011, book 3: Ella Finds Love Again.
The Adams County Trilogy
Rebecca’s Promise, Rebecca’s Return, and Rebecca’s Choice
Rebecca’s Promise
Rebecca Keim has just declared her love to John Miller and agreed to become his wife. But she’s haunted by her schoolgirl memories of a long-ago love—a promise made and a ring given. Is that memory a fantasy that will destroy the beautiful present…or is it real?
When Rebecca’s mother sends her back to the old home community in Milroy to be with her aunt during and after her childbirth, Rebecca determines to find answers that will resolve her conflicted feelings. Faith, love, and tradition all play a part in Rebecca’s destiny.
Rebecca’s Return
Rebecca returns to Wheat Ridge determined to make her relationship with John Miller work. But in her absence, he has become suspicious of her. When John is badly injured, their relationship hangs in the
balance.
Rebecca goes back to Milroy to aid her seriously ill Aunt Leona. While there, Rebecca visits the old covered bridge over the Flatrock River…a place of memories and a long-ago promise.
Where will Rebecca find happiness? In Wheat Ridge with John? Or should she stake her future on a memory that persists…and the ring she’s never forgotten? What is God’s perfect will?
Rebecca’s Choice
Rebecca Keim and John Miller are engaged and looking forward to married life. But when Rebecca returns to her hometown to attend a beloved teacher’s funeral, John receives a mysterious letter accusing her of marrying him for money. Fighting his past jealousies, John tries to ignore the accusation.
When Rebecca is named sole heir to her teacher’s three farms, she is shocked by the condition—she must marry an Amish man. When John confronts Rebecca, she proclaims her innocence. Then Rachel Byler, the rightful heir, arrives and seeks vengance by revealing secrets that have the entire community reeling.
Table of Contents
Readers of Amish fiction love the first two books in Jerry Eicher’s Hannah’s Heart series…
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
A Baby for Hannah (Hannah's Heart 3) Page 30