For all her weeping and wailing, Becky came through like a champ. She pushed when Sarah said to push and panted when Sarah said to pant. Now, holding two swaddled infants, she looked perfectly content. Rosanna couldn’t help but wonder how the young parents, who were barely more than kinner themselves, would cope with two hungry, crying infants in the middle of the night. A single newborn was ever so much work. Becky would have that work times two.
“I’ve lined up some women to help you out, Becky, if that’s okay with you,” Sarah said.
The relief on the girl’s face was almost comical. “That’s fine with me.” Menno immediately nodded in agreement.
“Since we’ve cleaned up here, Mamm, I think I’ll walk over to check on Mollie. You can stay with Becky as long as you like. I can probably get Mary to take us home.”
“It’s awfully cold to walk, Rosanna. Look at how those trees are swaying. The wind must have picked up.”
Rosanna followed her mudder’s gaze out the window, where big oak and maple trees scratched the sky with their naked branches.
“Why don’t you take the buggy and pick me up later?”
Before Rosanna could answer, a voice called out from downstairs. “Hello! It’s Mary. Is everything all right?”
Rosanna ran to the door and out into the hallway. “Hello, Mary. All is well. How is Mollie?”
“She’s fine.” A deep voice, definitely not Mary’s, answered.
Maybe Reuben had taken a break and driven over with his fraa. But the voice, though quite similar, didn’t sound exactly like Reuben’s. Two sets of footsteps approached the stairs.
Mary paused at the bottom step with her hand on the banister as if unsure whether she should ascend. Three seconds later, Paul joined his mudder with a swaddled infant in his arms.
“Ach, Paul, you have Mollie?” Rosanna couldn’t believe he was carrying the boppli. He looked perfectly calm and natural, not one bit nervous, like poor Menno, who held his own twins as if they were made of glass.
“I sure do. She’s been as gut as gold. Well, that’s what Mamm said. I only went inside the house to eat.”
“And you stayed to play with the boppli, too. Tell the truth.” Mary grinned up at the son towering over her.
“I couldn’t really play with her, but I talked to her and held her. I hope that’s okay, Rosanna.”
“Of course.” Rosanna couldn’t have been more surprised. Well, maybe she would have been if it had been Henry holding Mollie instead of Paul. She had trouble imagining that scene at the moment. She returned Paul’s smile.
“Mary,” Sarah called from upstairs. “Becky asked if you would like to meet her twins.”
“They’re here already? I’d love to meet them.” Mary scooted past Rosanna and hurried up the stairs.
“I was just on my way over to pick up Mollie,” Rosanna said. Paul didn’t look like he was in a rush to relinquish the infant.
“Great minds think alike. Isn’t that what they say?” His smile lit his face and made his eyes sparkle. Today they looked green with flecks of gold. It was amazing how they changed colors.
“I-I guess so.” Funny she hadn’t taken much notice of his eyes until recently.
“Do you want to sit for a few minutes while our mudders are occupied? You must be tired.”
“Sure, let’s have a seat, but first I should check to see if the stove needs wood.” Rosanna started for the kitchen.
“I thought you meant have a seat in the living room. I put wood in that stove when Mamm and I arrived.”
Rosanna thumped her own head. She must be more exhausted than she realized. “I did, but I was also thinking of fixing some tea and cookies for Menno and Becky. The two thoughts sort of collided.” She shook her head.
Paul chuckled. He shifted Mollie to one arm with the ease of someone who had been used to caring for infants. With his free hand, he grasped her upper arm. “The kitchen will probably be warmer since it’s smaller than the living room.” He led her into the room and to a big oak chair at the table. “Sit and rest a minute. You hold Mollie, and I’ll check the stove.”
Rosanna dropped onto the chair with a sigh. The strength left her legs, and her back ached with a vengeance. How gut it felt to sit! She reached out her arms for her boppli.
Paul gently lowered Mollie into her arms. “I’ll add wood to this stove and check the other one again. Then I’ll fix tea for everyone.”
“You’ll fix tea?”
“Don’t look so shocked.” He laughed at her raised eyebrows. “I know my way around a kitchen. Without any schweschders, my bruders and I took turns helping Mamm from time to time. I think I can brew tea and round up some cookies.”
“That would be wunderbaar!” She almost told him he was wunderbaar, but that wouldn’t have sounded right. Her cheeks warmed, so she quickly lowered her gaze to the infant in her arms. Immediately she began cooing to Mollie, who opened one blue eye. Rosanna rocked the infant and softly sang until the little eye closed again.
“You have a nice voice.”
Rosanna hadn’t heard Paul return to the kitchen. Her cheeks most likely glowed as bright as the neon sign outside of the Gas and Go. “Danki,” she murmured.
“I, uh, we missed you at the last singing.”
“I . . .”
“I understand you wanted to be with Mollie. If you want to attend sometime, I’m sure Mamm would be happy to watch Mollie if your mudder was busy.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Mary sure loves bopplin.”
“That she does. And they seem to take to her, too.”
“She’ll make a great grossmammi one day.” Little prickles danced up and down Rosanna’s arms. She knew Paul was staring at her. She didn’t dare raise her eyes to meet his.
Chapter Eight
Paul opened cupboard doors until he found mugs. Then he searched for tea bags. Finally successful, he pulled out a box, removed tea bags, and plopped one into each mug he’d lined up on the counter. “It’s just regular tea. Is that all right?”
“That’s fine. I filled the kettle with water earlier, so it should be plenty hot, if it hasn’t completely boiled away.” Rosanna continued to sway even though Mollie had returned to a sound sleep. The rocking motion must be some innate trait of females that surfaced whenever they held an infant in their arms.
Steam rose from the mugs as Paul poured water over the tea bags. “Should I add honey or sugar or put them on a tray to take upstairs as they are?”
“You could take the honey and the sugar. I’m not sure which Becky and Menno would prefer. I’ll take sugar in mine.”
“I like sugar better, too.” Paul added two teaspoons of sugar each to two of the mugs and set the sugar bowl, the honey jar, spoons, and the other mugs on a tray he found on the kitchen counter. “Now for some cookies. I’m guessing they would be in that cookie jar near the stove.”
“That would be my guess.” Rosanna smiled. Paul did seem at ease in the kitchen. She could just imagine Tobias preparing tea. He’d probably sustain a third-degree burn on his hand from boiling water that sloshed over the sides of the cup.
“Gut thing Mamm brought some extra cookies,” Paul said after lifting the lid off the ceramic cookie jar. “And she brought enough supper to feed half the community, too.”
“If there are oatmeal cookies in there, take those up to Becky.” Rosanna knew oats were supposed to help nursing mudders. She wasn’t sure if oatmeal cookies provided the same benefits, but it couldn’t hurt to try.
“Jah, there are oatmeal raisin cookies in here—what’s left of them, anyway. Menno must have had the munchies.”
“That’s entirely possible. The poor guy paced enough to work up a ferocious appetite.”
Paul laughed. “Typical nervous new daed?”
“Most men are nervous when their fraas are giving birth, especially first-time daeds.”
Paul plunked some cookies on a small plate and added it to the tray. “I’ll take this upstairs. You rest.” He
was gone before Rosanna could protest.
A soft sigh escaped after Rosanna swallowed her first sip of tea. She closed her eyes as the liquid traveled down and warmed her from the inside. If she wasn’t careful, she’d nod into slumber like Mollie. She needed to stay awake, though. She couldn’t risk dropping the boppli on the floor. She opened her eyes when Paul reentered the kitchen.
“Here. I saved out a few cookies for you.” He laid two fat cookies on a napkin and slid them over to Rosanna.
“I’ll share.” She held one out for Paul.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. I’m more tired than hungry. Please, go ahead.” She pinched off a bite of cookie and popped it into her mouth. She watched Paul take a big bite of his cookie.
“Ah! That hit the spot.” Paul patted his stomach after swallowing his last bite. “I can take you home if your mamm needs to stay longer and then swing back by here to pick up my mamm.”
Rosanna considered the offer. “Mamm and I usually stay until we’re sure everything is okay, but we don’t usually have a boppli of our own with us. With twins, though, she’ll probably stay a bit longer.” What should she do? Maybe she’d check with Mamm.
“I know my mudder would be happy to help out here—or she’ll keep Mollie longer if you want to stay.”
Rosanna still hesitated. She’d really like to get Mollie home. And to be completely truthful, she’d love to crawl into her own bed once she’d bathed and fed Mollie. But she always stayed after tending births to help the new parents or to tidy up the house or to prepare a meal. But Mary had brought supper, so she wouldn’t have to prepare a meal. Other women would be dropping by with casseroles and vegetables and desserts for the next few days. Becky was going to need a lot of help, and the other women of the community would be more than willing to provide that.
“I’ll check with Mamm and see what she’d prefer me to do.” Rosanna scooted her chair back slowly so she wouldn’t disturb Mollie.
“Finish your tea.”
Rosanna took a gulp. “I’ll need to wash the dishes when everyone else is done eating.”
“I believe my mamm knows how to wash dishes, Rosanna. You look about done in.”
“He’s right.”
Rosanna jumped, causing Mollie to startle but not awaken. She hadn’t heard Mary’s approach.
“I mean, you look fine, dear—tired, but fine. Paul is right that I certainly know how to clean up a kitchen.” Mary crossed the room and slid the cookie jar forward. “That Menno could eat nonstop. He must have burned off a lot of nervous energy.” Mary reached into the cookie jar and pulled out two cookies. “It’s a gut thing I brought cookies.”
“That’s what I said,” Paul mumbled.
“Is everything okay upstairs?” Rosanna couldn’t help her concern.
“Becky nursed both bopplin with Sarah’s help, and now all three are resting. Menno ate his food and half of Becky’s. He seems to be a little more at ease now. At least he holds the twins with a firmer grip, so I guess he’s not afraid he will break them anymore.”
“I hope he won’t be too nervous to help Becky. She is going to need lots of support with two infants to care for.”
“I think he’ll get the hang of it. They will learn together how to establish a routine. How is this precious little one doing?” Mary inched closer to the table to look at the boppli snuggled in Rosanna’s arms.
“She’s been sleeping.”
“I’m sure you’d like to get her home. Or if you want me to keep her a while longer, I can certainly do that.”
Paul quickly told Mary his idea for getting Rosanna and Mollie home.
“That’s fine with me. I’ll heat up supper here and clean up afterward so you can go home, Rosanna. I don’t mind one bit.”
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Sarah bustled into the kitchen, carrying the tray with empty mugs. “In fact, I can drop Mary off at home when we’re through here so Paul won’t have to circle back.”
How did her mamm still look so energetic? Rosanna felt like she’d been run over by the workhorse and plow. Sarah looked as calm and collected as ever.
“Go ahead and take Mollie home, Rosanna. You did a fine job here, but you must be exhausted. You get up throughout the night for feedings while I’m sleeping, so I’m sure you are ready to drop. You know, you really should let me take turns with you at night so you can get some sleep.”
“That’s okay, Mamm, but if you’re sure you don’t need me here, I’ll go on home.”
“Mary and I can handle things here.”
* * *
The late afternoon air seemed colder, or maybe it was because Rosanna had grown so warm in the kitchen that it seemed chillier than before. She shivered and hugged Mollie closer as she hurried to the Hertzler buggy. Paul gently lifted Mollie from her arms so she could climb in. He held her in one arm, as if he’d cared for infants all his life, and took Rosanna’s arm with his free hand to help her.
“Danki.” What a gentleman! Rosanna reached out to retrieve Mollie.
Paul raced around to jump into the buggy and pulled out a blanket. He carefully spread it over Rosanna and the infant. “This should help warm you up a bit. Your teeth were starting to chatter.”
“I think the temperature change from the house to outside gave me a chill. The blanket should definitely help.”
“I think winter is settling in, for sure.” Paul clucked to his horse and got them moving. “I’m glad I came with Mamm so I can get you and Mollie home. I happened to be at the right place at the right time, I’m thinking.”
“I’m grateful for the ride home. It’s been a long day.” Rosanna sighed and smiled up at Paul.
“I’m glad I could help.” He smiled back and patted Mollie in her little cocoon of blankets.
“They must be cold.” Rosanna nodded at the approaching open buggy. The woman’s black bonnet nearly touched the man’s shoulder. They were probably huddled close together for warmth. She sucked in a breath and shrank back into the shadows as recognition dawned. Even though his black hat was pulled low, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt who drove that buggy. If the woman would raise her head a tiny bit, she’d probably be able to identify her, too. Maybe it was Henry’s mudder. Right!
“Henry Zook. Who has he got with him?” Paul spoke Rosanna’s thoughts aloud.
She didn’t want Henry to think she was with Paul. Well, she was with Paul, but not courting. Henry would never pay any attention to her if he thought she was stepping out with Paul. She gasped again when the waning sun glinted off something in Henry’s buggy. Glasses. The person with him wore glasses.
“Ach! It’s Frannie Hostetler.” Paul waved as the buggies drew closer to each other. He read Rosanna’s mind and voiced her thoughts, so she didn’t need to say a word.
Rosanna’s stomach lurched. It was a very gut thing she’d only had a few bites of a cookie and hot tea. Anything more would surely be traveling upward about now. Frannie certainly hadn’t wasted any time worming her way into Henry’s life. Rosanna hadn’t so much as stepped a foot into Henry’s buggy. She hadn’t even been able to coax an invitation from his lips. And yet, there sat Frannie all snuggled up beside Henry as if she belonged there!
Rosanna didn’t know if she felt more hurt or angry. What was wrong with her that Henry wouldn’t ask her to ride home with him when she gave him opportunities galore? She always smiled and asked Henry about himself and tried to be as pleasant as she knew how to be. All for naught. She’d thrown out the bait, but Henry had never so much as nibbled at it. Maybe she should have been more direct, but that simply wasn’t her way.
Frannie, on the other hand, must not have had any problem being direct. Either that, or she had turned on charm Rosanna hadn’t been aware the other girl possessed. Stop it, Rosanna. That wasn’t nice. Apparently something clicked between Henry and Frannie. Maybe by talking to him after singings she’d kept him from seeking out Frannie. A little dart pierced her heart. Seeing Frannie smilin
g and waving at Paul didn’t help matters any.
Rosanna scrunched farther into the corner of the buggy and ducked her head. She hoped the occupants of the other buggy would not see her at all. Why did it take forever for them to pass by? She knew she should have stayed to help Mamm. Then she wouldn’t have witnessed this painful event. Most likely, though, Frannie would accidentally on purpose mention her ride with Henry the next time she saw her. Oops! That wasn’t nice, either. This whole situation was bringing out the worst in her.
“I’m sorry, Rosanna.”
“Huh?” Paul had spoken so softly she wasn’t sure he’d actually spoken.
“I mean, uh, I know, uh, well, I’ve seen you talking to Henry after singings. I thought, uh, you cared for him.” The last few words tumbled over one another as if in a hurry to jump off his tongue. If his face flushed any brighter, it would burst into flames.
Gauging from the heat she felt in her own cheeks, they must be glowing nearly as red. “W-we weren’t, uh, we haven’t, uh, we’re not a couple.”
“Oh.”
“From the looks of things, though, Henry and Frannie are getting along quite well.”
“I’m sorry if that makes you sad.”
Rosanna shrugged her shoulders and dragged in a deep breath. She forced a cheerfulness she didn’t feel into her voice. “I’m not sad. I’ve got a beautiful boppli that I adore. I am truly blessed.”
Chapter Nine
Paul could have gnawed his tongue completely off. Why in the world did he say anything about Rosanna and Henry? He should have left that topic alone. Now he’d made them both uncomfortable. He wished they hadn’t passed another living soul on the way to Rosanna’s house. But if they did have to meet someone, why did it have to be Henry Zook?
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