A Man of His Word (30 page)

“Moriah.”

Feeling the pressure of someone touching her shoulder, her eyes flew open.

“We’re here,” Gabriel said.

“Already?” She tried to stifle a yawn, but didn’t quite succeed.

“
Ya
, sleepyhead.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Since I pulled out of the driveway.” He smiled.

“Really?” She opened the buggy door, and he was at her side before she could step on the ground.
Danki
,” she said, then yawned again. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m so tired.”

“My guess is you’re working too hard.”

She ignored his words. “Come on inside. I’ll get
Daed
or one of my brothers to drive you back home.”

“
Nee
. I’ll walk. It’s not that far.”

“It’s too dark to walk.”

He stuck his hand in his coat pocket and pulled out a flashlight. “I always come prepared.”

She grinned. “Why am I not surprised?”

“Go on in the house. I’ll put up your horse.”

“Are you sure?”

“
Ya
. Just promise me one thing?”

“What’s that?”

“You’ll tell the midwife about these pains you’re having.”

“Don’t worry. I will.”

“Oh, and one other thing.” He looked at her intently and took a step forward. “Consider this fair warning. I’ll be checking in on you—whether you like it or not. And don’t think it’s because I have to. Remember, I want to.” He gazed at her for a moment, then nodded. With that he stepped away and led the horse toward the barn.

She had half a mind to go after him and tell him not to bother, but she was too tired. Although he kept insisting he wanted to see her, she wished he wouldn’t, and somehow she had to convince him not to. The last thing she wanted to be was a burden on him. He already had plenty of those to bear.

“I can’t see that anything’s wrong.” Rebekkah Fisher, Moriah’s midwife, lifted her hands from Moriah’s slightly protruding abdomen. Her mother had insisted on fetching her when Moriah told her about the pains she’d been having. “How often have you felt the pain?”

“Just a few times. Twice the other day, in the morning when I was at Mary’s fabric store, and in the evening at the Millers’. Then once yesterday. I haven’t had any today.”

Rebekkah rubbed one of her chubby fingers across her lips. “Hmm. You’re perfectly healthy, except you look tired. Are you getting enough rest?”

Moriah sat up in her bed and nodded, cringing inwardly for being untruthful. She clasped her hands together and put them in her lap. She hadn’t had a good night’s sleep in a very long time, despite her fatigue. Working hard during the day hadn’t made sleeping any easier.

Rebekkah eyed her skeptically. “I guess I’ll have to take your word for it. Are you napping at all?”

“
Nee
.”

“Then I’m prescribing at least one nap a day. If you can’t sleep, then just lie down and relax. Thirty minutes every day. I also want you to lie down if you feel any pain.”

“I’ll make sure she does,” Emma chimed in, moving to stand next to the midwife. She looked at her daughter. “I’m not one to say I told you so—”

“Since when?”

Emma smirked. “Very funny,
dochder
. Hopefully you’ll listen to your midwife. You haven’t listened to me very well. I’ve only had six children, you know.”

“I know.” Moriah rose from her bed. “
Danki
to you both for caring. I really appreciate it. But I’m okay, really.” She went to her closet and pulled out one of her long white aprons, then slipped it over her head, making sure she didn’t disturb her
kapp
.

“I’m glad you’re feeling
gut
.” Rebekkah gathered her black leather satchel and slung the strap over her plump shoulder. She gave Moriah a stern look. “I’ll be back in a couple of weeks for another checkup. However, if the pains become worse or more frequent, let me know. God forbid, but it could be something serious, and we’ll have to take care of it right away. In the meantime, get some rest.”

“I will.”

“Would you like to stay for some coffee?” Emma offered.

“I’d love to, but I have another appointment.”

“All right then. Let me see you out.”

When Emma and Rebekkah disappeared downstairs, Moriah went over to the window and looked outside. The sun was trying its best to pierce through the stubborn cloud cover, casting thin beams of light before disappearing completely behind a blanket of gray. Rain threatened, filling the air with sticky humidity. She glanced down at the ground below and looked at the vegetable garden situated in front of the house. Along with her mother and sisters she had planted several rows of tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, carrots, sweet peppers, and green beans. Yesterday she had pulled every weed out of the soft dirt. Today she would turn her attention to the flower beds that bordered the house, and planned to work outside as long as the rain held off.

Outside Rebekkah steered her buggy out of the Byler’s driveway. Just has she left, another buggy drove up, slowed, and turned in. She immediately recognized the driver.

Gabriel.

Her hand went to her
kapp
, making sure it was secure and no loose strands of hair had released from it. She also glanced down at her dress and made sure her apron was straight.

Suddenly she stopped her movements. Why did she care what she looked like in front of Gabriel? Especially when she needed to tell him she didn’t want him stopping by anymore.

She exhaled a long breath as she saw him get out of the buggy and head toward the house, taking long, confident strides. From the vantage point of her bedroom, his face was obscured by his straw hat, but she could make out his broad shoulders, his muscled arms straining against the sleeves of his shirt. Her belly started swirling, and she placed a hand against it. Something other than the baby had caused the sensation. She chalked it up to nerves, even though she’d never been nervous around Gabriel. Confused, yes. But not anxious. Yet she’d never been in this situation with him before.

“Moriah!” Emma called from downstairs. “You have a visitor.”

She took another deep breath, then went downstairs and entered the front room. He was standing by the sofa next to the window. Quickly he removed his hat and held it in his hands. “Hi, Moriah,” he said softly.

Again, the tickle appeared in her belly.

“Would you care for something to drink?” Emma walked into the room. “I’ve just made some lemonade. It’s refreshing on such a sticky day.”

“
Nee
,” Moriah said.

“
Ya
,” Gabriel said at the same time. He glanced at Moriah, wariness creeping into his eyes.

Emma looked at both of them, then said, “One lemonade it is. Please, Gabriel. Feel free to sit down.” She shot Moriah a perplexed look before retreating into the kitchen.

Gabriel didn’t move. “Do you want me to sit down?”

“Gabriel, I . . . listen, I don’t mind if you stay. But I was serious about you not needing to come by so often.”

“I know.”

His answer surprised her. “Then why did you come?”

“Because I told you I would.”

“Moriah!” Emma’s voice sounded from the kitchen. “Tell Gabriel I made fresh apple cake! Come in here and I’ll cut you both a piece.”

“Apple cake?” His eyebrow lifted. “Now, how can I resist an offer like that?”

As Gabe followed Moriah to the Bylers’ kitchen, he inhaled the sweet cinnamon scent of Emma’s apple cake. And while he was more than happy to partake of the delicious dessert, having the opportunity to spend more time with Moriah was a thousand times more satisfying.

“
Willkum
,” Emma said, gesturing to an empty seat at the table. “I’m glad you could stay.”

He glanced at Moriah and wondered if she would add anything to her mother’s statement. She didn’t, so he waited as her mother slid a fork beneath a plump slice of the cake and lifted it from the baking pan. A fat layer of white frosting topped the piece that Emma placed on a dish.

He accepted it with a smile, but he kept his emotions in check. He found it easier to do than in the past, mostly because they didn’t torture him as much. He’d come to a decision about Moriah. Even though she seemed resistant, he would continue to check in on her, to make sure she was all right. He would also find opportunities to spend time with her, like they did the other night and were currently doing. They had been good friends in the past, and he wanted to renew that friendship. And who knew, maybe the friendship would turn into something more, and he could fulfill his brother’s dying wish to care for Moriah.

Which was also Gabe’s deepest desire.

“So how is your
daed
doing, Gabe?” Moriah asked.

“His recovery is slow, but he’s going to be okay. I still think he should see a doctor, but he won’t listen to me.”

“Recovery?” Emma asked.

“Didn’t Moriah tell you? He burned his hand on the forge yesterday. She took great care of him.”

“Rachel Detweiler was there too,” Moriah interjected. “And we didn’t do much, just bandaged his hand. Then we poured tea for him and made some apple brown betty. That’s his favorite dessert.”

“Good thing she was there.
Daed
can be stubborn, and I don’t do well with medical stuff. I faint at the sight of blood.”

She turned to him, surprise registering on her face. “You do not. I know this for a fact.”

He looked at her. “How?”

“First grade. I cut my finger on one of those sharp rocks in the school yard. You took a handkerchief out of your pocket and wrapped it around my finger to stop the bleeding while Levi ran and got the teacher.”

“I didn’t know about this,” Emma said. “Dear me, I hope it was clean.”

“Don’t worry,
Mami
, it was.” She directed her attention back to Gabe. “You didn’t pass out then, and I doubt you’d pass out now.”

“I’m surprised you remembered that,” he said. He had forgotten all about the incident.

“How could I forget? The teacher didn’t have any bandages, so I had to spend the rest of the day with a huge white finger. You must have wrapped that thing around it about five times.” She laughed. “Even then you were a nice guy.”

Gabe smiled. She’d never complimented him before, not in any meaningful way. To hear her words and to see her laugh were like a warm balm on his heart.

“I think I’ll take the rest of the cake out to the men.” Emma rose from her chair. “Those four have the biggest appetites I’ve ever seen. Gabriel, can I get you anything else?”

“
Nee
,” he said. “I’m fine. The cake is delicious,
Frau
Byler.”

“
Danki
, Gabriel. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Moriah, I’m going to Mary’s fabric store after I give this to your father and brothers. Do you need anything?”

“
Nee
. I was just there the other day.”

After Emma left, Gabe looked at Moriah, who had grown serious again. She picked at her cake, lifting a bit of frosting on the tine of her fork. “You’re not hungry?” he asked.

“Not too much.”