Paul had always been considerate and kind and totally selfless. He did make her smile, and he was wunderbaar with Mollie. Could he be the one for her? Could their feelings grow in time? Did she have to make a decision immediately, or could she take the time to let things take their course naturally?
“Is there a special reason you’re asking these questions today?”
“Just curious, that’s all.”
Sarah cupped a hand under Rosanna’s chin, forcing her to look up. “Are you sure?”
Rosanna met her mamm’s inquiring eyes briefly before dropping her gaze to the counter. “Jah.”
Sarah lowered her hand. “You aren’t still thinking of Henry Zook, are you?” She lifted the heavy cast-iron skillet and handed it to Rosanna.
“Henry? Nee. He and I definitely were not right for each other.” Rosanna plunged the skillet into the water.
“It’s best to know that early on.”
“For sure.”
“Do you have your sights on someone else?”
Rosanna shook her head but felt heat creep into her cheeks. “Not yet.” She focused on the skillet and scrubbed it with all her might.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Rosanna laughed as she tried to capture Mollie’s wiggling arms and legs to wrap her in a warm blanket. The boppli had sure grown. She constantly exhibited new skills that Rosanna marveled over. It hardly seemed possible that two weeks had passed and church day had rolled around again.
She hadn’t heard a word from Kandi Kottyn but did not let down her guard. It could be that the woman was away on some acting or dancing job and would pursue custody when she returned. Rosanna still held her breath whenever she pulled the mail from the big metal box at the end of the driveway. Her heart pounded as she riffled through the envelopes in search of some official-looking one.
Rosanna hadn’t heard from Paul during the past two weeks, either. She didn’t know if he had been busy or if he’d been giving her time to think or if he had changed his mind altogether. That last thought brought a tinge of sadness. She would be disappointed if he’d decided taking on a girl with a boppli would be too hard, especially with a possible forthcoming legal battle. It wasn’t their way to become involved in lawsuits and legal matters, but Rosanna would do whatever she had to in order to keep Mollie.
She finally succeeded in securing all four limbs in the blanket and gathered the bundled infant in her arms. “You’re such a squirmy little thing. And you’re growing up so fast.” Rosanna had learned to make sure she was completely ready first so she wouldn’t have to lay Mollie down and risk all her efforts coming undone. “We’re ready.” She was certain Mamm had Katie, Sadie, and James in presentable condition by now. She hurried through the house to meet up with the rest of the family near the back door.
Rosanna stopped short at the sight of Micah Zook, Henry’s older bruder, standing in their kitchen. He twisted his black felt hat in his hands while talking to Sarah. From the snippet of conversation Rosanna overheard, she gathered Micah’s fraa, Lydia, had gone into labor.
“Katie, run get my bag,” Sarah ordered.
“I’ll kumm with you, Mamm.” Rosanna set the diaper bag on the table.
“It’s a first boppli. It could be a false alarm.”
“Sh-she’s having a lot of pain. A-and the pains are happening faster.”
Poor Micah. He was going to shred that hat. Rosanna wondered if Paul would be so nervous if she was about to give birth. Yikes! Where did that thought kumm from. “It doesn’t sound like a false alarm, Mamm.”
“What about Mollie?”
“I’ll bring her. I’m sure there will be other women around. I just need to grab extra formula and a couple more diapers. I want to help.” Rosanna glanced around. “Sadie, would you grab a few more diapers, please?” She shoved a whole can of powdered formula and an extra clean bottle into her already full diaper bag. Katie and Sadie nearly collided in their mad dash back to the kitchen.
“You girls go on to the buggy,” Sarah said. “Rosanna and I will go with Micah.”
“Who will we sit with?” Sadie tugged at her mudder’s arm.
“Your daed will decide. Behave yourselves.” Sarah gave each one a hug. She looked over their heads and rolled her eyes at Rosanna, who smiled. Her schweschders could be a handful, but they would probably be on their best behavior under Daed’s watchful eye.
Rosanna was eager to help her mamm bring a new life into the world. Yet, a pang of regret at not seeing Paul today shot through her.
* * *
Micah had gut reason to be nervous. Lydia was indeed in labor and progressing rapidly. She paced the entire upper floor of their house between contractions, and Rosanna trotted along beside her. When a pain hit, Lydia paused to grab Rosanna’s hand. When each pain subsided, she apologized for squeezing the life out of Rosanna’s fingers.
“It’s okay,” Rosanna assured her. “I’m tough.” When Lydia wasn’t looking, Rosanna flexed and straightened her fingers to make sure they still functioned properly.
Sarah bustled about transforming the bedroom into a birthing room. Usually Rosanna helped with that, but Lydia had latched onto Rosanna immediately and claimed Rosanna helped her relax. Rosanna did her best to distract the laboring woman by regaling her with Mollie’s accomplishments or telling her funny stories about Katie and Sadie. “Do you and Micah have names picked out?” Rosanna mopped Lydia’s brow with a cool cloth when they stopped pacing for a moment.
“Sort of. We have names we like, but I want to see the boppli first before I make a final decision.”
“That makes sense.” Rosanna had considered several names before deciding on “Mollie.”
Suddenly Lydia sucked in a breath, held it, and grabbed Rosanna’s hand.
“Don’t hold your breath. Breathe through the contraction.” Rosanna demonstrated. She wondered if she’d remember her own advice if she ever gave birth. “Let me know whenever you want to lie down.”
Lydia nodded and squeezed harder. Rosanna hoped she’d have feeling left in her fingers later. Every few minutes, Micah hollered up the stairs, and every time Lydia replied she was fine.
“Mollie is such a gut little girl.” Lydia paused in the pacing she had resumed to gaze at Mollie sleeping on a blanket in the corner of the room. “I hope my boppli is as sweet.” She gritted her teeth. “You’re lucky to have a boppli without going through this pain.”
Rosanna laughed. “They say you forget about the pain once you hold your little one in your arms.”
“I hope that’s true.”
“It must be, or women wouldn’t long for more kinner.”
“I guess you’re right. About now, I’m thinking this one will be our only one.”
Rosanna laughed again. She heard Sarah stop humming to chuckle, too. “I’ve heard that before, Lydia. It will be over soon.”
“Not soon enough.” Lydia clenched her teeth and grabbed Rosanna’s hand again.
Rosanna clenched her own teeth. She had to figure out a way to maneuver herself to Lydia’s other side without the girl’s noticing. This poor hand needed a rest. With the pains occurring closer together and stronger, birth surely couldn’t be far off. Maybe before the church service ended. Wouldn’t it be a nice surprise to have the infant tucked in Lydia’s arms by the time people arrived to check on them?
A change in Lydia’s breathing sounded an alarm in Rosanna’s brain. “Are you feeling pressure, Lydia, like you want to bear down?”
“I-I think so.”
“It’s time to let Mamm check you. Let’s get you to the bed before the next contraction.” Rosanna slipped an arm around Lydia’s waist and guided her to the bedroom. She nodded in answer to Sarah’s unspoken question.
Sarah hurried over to help Rosanna position Lydia on the bed. “Let’s see if this wee one is getting anxious to put in an appearance.” After a brief check she instructed Lydia to push with the next contraction.
“I don’t know how.” Lydia’s breath came in little
gasps.
“Your body knows what to do.” Sarah patted Lydia’s arm before making sure all her supplies were ready.
“We’ll help you. Don’t worry.” Rosanna dipped her cloth in a bowl of water, wrung it out, and wiped Lydia’s face.
“Have your parents returned from their trip to Ohio?”
“Not yet. W-we thought we had a few more weeks.”
“I know. Sometimes bopplin have their own plans. That’s okay, though. You’re close enough.”
“I’m here! What can I do to help?” Micah’s mudder rushed into the room. “How are you doing, Lydia?”
“I-I’m okay.”
Rosanna felt Lydia tense and wondered about the relationship between the two women. “Relax,” she whispered as she pushed a damp strand of hair off Lydia’s neck.
“She’s doing just fine.” Sarah took charge. “I don’t think this infant wants to wait too long. Here, Miriam, you can help me over here.”
Lydia’s muscles relaxed when Miriam Zook hurried to do Sarah’s bidding. Rosanna knew Miriam could be a bit overbearing. Lydia had always been a quiet girl, so Miriam’s outspoken ways might very well be intimidating. And Rosanna doubted Micah stood up to his mamm. He seemed rather timid himself. From the traits Henry had displayed lately, Rosanna couldn’t imagine him not standing up to Miriam, unless he behaved totally differently at home. Maybe he was more considerate of his mamm than he was of younger women. She was suddenly thankful she hadn’t gotten any closer to joining the Zook family.
“I-I think I have to push.” Lydia tensed, and a panic-stricken look crossed her face. “Help me.”
“You can do this, girl. Buck up and bear down.” Miriam’s gruff voice traveled across the room.
Lydia’s eyes filled with tears. She reached for Rosanna’s hand again. “Breathe.” Rosanna demonstrated regular breaths.
“Just do what kumms naturally, girl. Women have been giving birth since Eve. And she didn’t have anybody to coach her through it.” Miriam didn’t seem to have a sympathetic bone in her body.
“Miriam, would you mind checking on Mollie? She’s waking up, and I need Rosanna’s help.” Sarah nodded to the corner, where Mollie was gurgling.
Rosanna knew her mamm was trying to get Miriam away from the frightened young woman, but she wasn’t sure she wanted the grumpy woman caring for Mollie. Miriam certainly didn’t display any gentle, motherly traits.
“You probably got here just in time,” Sarah called. Rosanna knew her mudder wanted to ask why the woman hadn’t been here immediately for the birth of her first grandchild.
“First bopplin usually take a long time. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that,” Miriam snapped.
Rosanna cringed when Miriam lifted Mollie none too gently. The poor little girl looked so startled that she puckered up her face. Miriam seemed not to notice or care. She ignored Mollie and continued her conversation. “Besides, how was I to know it wasn’t a false alarm? Lydia wouldn’t know if she was in labor or not.”
“I told you it sure seemed like the real thing. Lydia would know how the pain felt.” Micah must have heard the exchange and finally came to the defense of his fraa.
“Your daed is outside. Why don’t you go out with him?” Miriam shouted back. Her tone and volume caused Mollie to whimper. Rosanna wanted to rush to her little girl, but Lydia needed her right now.
“I’m staying right here, Mamm.” Micah stamped a foot and resumed his pacing.
Gut for you, Micah Zook. You stick up for yourself and your fraa!
“Hmpf!” Miriam sniffed and gave Mollie a little bounce.
Sarah wiggled her eyebrows at Rosanna, who smiled in return. She had a hard time keeping one eye on Mollie and one on Lydia. She hoped Lydia’s little one arrived soon.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“Hello!” a cheerful voice called out.
Rosanna sighed in relief. She could relax more now and focus on Lydia. Mary Hertzler had arrived. She would happily relieve Miriam of caring for Mollie. The boppli would be happier, too, for sure. Mollie knew Mary and was used to the woman’s gentle ways. Miriam was a stranger to her and did not appear to be particularly gifted with youngsters. Maybe she communicated better with older kinner, but Rosanna had doubts about that.
“How’s our soon-to-be new mudder?” Mary poked her head into the room.
“She’s whining, like this one.” Miriam shot a disgusted glance first at Lydia and then at Mollie.
“She’s doing fine.” Sarah’s firm voice matched the look she turned on Miriam.
“Is there anything I can do for any of you?”
“I believe everything is under control here, Mary, but danki.” Sarah turned her attention back to Lydia.
“Well, then, I’ll just steal this beautiful little girl from you, Miriam.” Mary didn’t get any protest from Miriam when she reached to take Mollie into her arms. “I’ve missed you, precious one,” Mary cooed. She snatched the diaper bag off a chair and started for the door. She looked over her shoulder to smile and wink at Rosanna. “We’ll go for a little walk and then I’ll feed her. She’ll be fine, Rosanna.”
“Danki.” Rosanna wanted to say how relieved she was that Mary would care for Mollie, but she believed Mary already knew that.
“Well, if you don’t need me in here, I’ll go downstairs to prepare food for later. I hope Lydia has food in the house.” Miriam spun about to leave the room.
“Don’t you want to see . . .” Rosanna stopped in mid-sentence when she caught Sarah’s subtle head shake.
“Let her go,” Sarah whispered when Miriam was out of earshot. “She might feel more comfortable in the kitchen. I’m pretty sure Lydia will be more comfortable.”
“I. Do. Have. Food. In. The. House!”
Rosanna patted Lydia’s arm. If the girl hadn’t been panting for breath, she would have probably shouted those words.
“I know you do, dear.” Sarah’s voice could soothe any ruffled feathers. “Don’t concern yourself with her. Think of the little one you will hold very soon.”
Lydia tried to nod but grunted instead. “I have to push!”
“Let’s go to work, then!” Rosanna supported Lydia’s head and shoulders so she could put all her effort into bearing down. This would be hard work for the young woman, but the end of the ordeal was now in sight.
Rosanna only vaguely heard footsteps and new voices downstairs. She didn’t detect any crying so assumed Mollie was content with Mary. She focused on Lydia and the miracle of birth. Since she might never experience such an event firsthand, helping other women bring their infants into the world was the next best thing. And Mamm always taught her something new. Each birth was unique.
Miriam should have been here, Rosanna thought an unbelievably short time later. She would have gained a whole new respect for her son’s fraa. Lydia faced and discarded her fears, summoned up all the power and strength she possessed, and gave birth after five mighty pushes. Rosanna’s tears rivaled those of the new mudder.
“We did it! Danki!” Lydia squeezed Rosanna’s hand, but not nearly as hard as she had done all morning.
“You did it, Lydia. You were totally amazing.” Rosanna squeezed back.
Sarah smiled as she dried and swaddled the newborn. “Your boppli is just fine. Ten fingers and ten toes. A perfect little girl.”
Lydia squealed and held out her arms. “A girl. I know most want a bu to carry on the name and such, but I’m ever so glad to have a girl.”
An ally. Rosanna figured poor Lydia needed one with Miriam around. Who knows? Maybe a little girl would soften Miriam’s gruffness.
Sarah tucked the red-faced infant into Lydia’s arms. “Let’s get you started nursing while your little one is wide awake. Pretty soon she’ll be all tuckered out from this big transition she’s made, and she’ll sleep deeply.”
Rosanna plumped up the pillows behind Lydia. “You need to get comfortable so you don’t have to bend forward and get a crick in your neck.”
“Okay, but I’m not sure what to do.”
“I’ll help you.” Rosanna helped Lydia get started nursing, the same as she helped other women they attended. “Look, she knows what to do all on her own.”
“I-it isn’t very comfortable. Ow!”
“Here, let’s adjust things a bit.” Rosanna offered all the knowledge and pointers she had gleaned until Lydia and newborn were comfortable and happy. “That’s gut. I think you’ve got the hang of this.” Rosanna’s eyes filled with tears. The sight of a new mudder nursing her boppli always filled her with awe and longing. Would she ever nurse an infant of her own? Thank the Lord she had Mollie.
Sarah had the room looking like a bedroom again in record time. Rosanna helped her remove soiled linens from the bed without disturbing Lydia and her little one. “I’ll go fetch Micah and check on Mollie.” Rosanna couldn’t wait to gather her own boppli in her arms.
She bounded down the stairs with renewed energy. Micah sped around the corner and nearly collided with her. “Ach, Micah!” Rosanna grabbed the banister to keep her balance.
“Lydia?”
Rosanna grinned. “Lydia is fine. Go up and meet your dochder.”
“A girl? I have a little girl? Great!” Micah took the stairs two at a time.
“Don’t fall and break your neck, Micah. They aren’t going anywhere.” Rosanna chuckled as she went in search of Mary and Mollie. She needed to let Miriam know about the birth, too, but she wanted to give the new parents time alone with their newborn. Knowing Miriam, she’d charge up the stairs, offer some criticism, and totally destroy the new little family’s happiness. Rosanna prayed Miriam would fall in love with the boppli and that love would sweeten her sour disposition.
Rosanna peeked into the living room to see if Mary had taken Mollie there. Her mouth opened in a surprised O at the sight of Paul rocking Mollie in the scarred old rocker next to the stove. Man and infant seemed totally absorbed in each other. Rosanna held her breath, afraid any sound would interrupt the sweet scene. Paul talked to Mollie, who watched his face as if she understood every word he said to her. When he sang a soft, slow melody in his rich, deep voice, Rosanna’s eyes filled with tears. Her heart filled with . . . what? Joy? Peace? Love? Nee, not love. Well, love for Mollie, for sure. But love for Paul? Of that she wasn’t sure.
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