A Simple Faith: A Lancaster Crossroads Novel (24 page)

On Monday, Dat would be buried in a coffin made by Caleb and Adam King. Dat’s body lay downstairs in the back room, lovingly dressed in a white shirt and trousers sewn by Elsie and Emma. Helping to dress the body had made it very clear to Elsie that he was gone.

“Remember, man, that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return.”

It was the natural ending to life, but knowing that did not quench the sorrow that still flamed in her heart when she thought of losing Dat. Dylan had warned her that he had no magical cure for grief over a loved one.

But he had rid her mind of panic and confusion.

The horrible images of the accident.

Those angry white lights, like giant eyes.

Elsie still remembered every detail, but somehow the memories were not sharp enough to wound her anymore.

She huddled under the covers for warmth. Her bed felt deliciously soft and welcoming. Her heart still ached for Dat, and she asked that Gott bless Fanny, Caleb and Emma, Will and Beth, during this sad time. Elsie missed him already, and dear Fanny … she would have to raise her new baby without a father.

So much grief, and yet now Elsie felt ready to handle it.

That night when she closed her eyes, blessed sleep seeped in, warming her from head to toe like a fat mug of comfort. In this sleep, there was peace, calm, and a glimmer of joy.

That familiar joy that Elsie knew so well, the ability to find delight in a delicate snowflake or the smile of a child.

With her terrible burden lifted, Elsie turned her attention to her dear family. By day, many visitors filled their home as folks stopped in to pay final respects to Thomas. As was the custom, the funeral was being handled by family and friends.

Although there was much activity during the day, there was plenty of quiet time in the evening, and the family turned to knitting or working puzzles to busy the mind while they talked of Dat.

“I’m sorry he didn’t get to see any of us marry,” Emma said.

Elsie kept her eyes on her knitting, not wanting to admit the truth: It wasn’t a disappointment for her, since she would not be getting married.

“Is this your way of telling us you’re engaged to Gabe King?” Caleb asked.

Elsie blinked in wonder that her brother would mention such a thing. Emma and Gabe had kept their romance a secret for years, and though Emma had confided a few details to Elsie, she wasn’t one to talk about it much.

Emma shot Caleb a disapproving look. Though she had just turned twenty, she was wise for her years. “How can I be engaged, when Gabe isn’t even a member of our church?”

“I reckon he’ll be going to the bishop in May to prepare for baptism in the fall.” Caleb sat back in the rocker, stretching his long legs out before him. “Everyone knows that he favors you, Emma. He doesn’t keep a lid on the pot, the way you do.”

“I’ve always liked Gabe King,” Fanny said. “Look at all his family’s been through, with his parents getting killed. They pulled together, the older ones raising the young ones.”

It was Sunday night. A large bowl of popcorn was set out in the middle of the table—their light snack since the church meal had taken up their afternoon. Beth had a prominent purple mustache from drinking grape juice, and Will kept spilling popcorn on the puzzle he and Fanny were putting together.

Elsie put her knitting down to get a wet cloth. “Kumm, dear one.” She beckoned Beth, who squirmed a bit when Elsie wiped her upper lip. “That’s much better.”

Fanny turned a puzzle piece around in her hands, watching the exchange. “All that I just said about the King family? It’s going to be the same around here, I reckon. With Thomas gone, I’m going to need help with the baby. And you three already help with the housework and the little ones.”

“We’re old enough to take on the chores, and the little ones will learn soon enough.” Elsie’s needles clicked as she spoke, such a reassuring little sound.

Fanny paused to make eye contact with each of them: Caleb, Emma, and then Elsie. “I know I’m not your real mother. I’m not even old enough to be Caleb’s mother. But I feel blessed that Gott brought us together as a family. Even when money is tight and the days are full of work and disappointment, I thank the Almighty Father for our family.”

Caleb nodded, the knob on his throat moving as he swallowed.

“We will always look to you as the head of this family,” Emma said. “And I’m grateful Dat had so much love in his life.”

“You brought the light back into his eyes,” Elsie added. “Our family was heartbroken after Mamm died, but you came along and made us whole again.”

“Oh, honey girl, it’s Gott’s love that makes a family whole,” Fanny said. “It’s Gott’s love that has us here today. Heartbroken again; I know that. But still, we are a family.”

It dawned on Elsie that Fanny had been through this before;
she’d lost her first husband not long after they married. And after all that, to lose Tom! Elsie marveled at the strength of her faith. Fanny was a tall tree, able to bend in the wind, but still standing tall.

Elsie put her knitting aside and went over to put her arms around Fanny. “Don’t you worry about the little ones. Or the baby. Or the household finances. We’re all here to help.”

Fanny blinked back tears and took a deep breath. “Denki.”

Will looked up from the puzzle. “Now can we stop talking and finish this border, Mamm?”

Everyone chuckled.

“It’s good that you’re a hard worker, my boy,” Fanny said. “Just like your father.”

It was a Plain funeral. The partitions had been removed from the house so that the ministers could be seen from any of the three main rooms. When Elsie saw the crowd of guests seated on the benches, she guessed that there were two hundred people, maybe more. There were ministers visiting from nearby communities, and the town mayor, Nancy Briggs. Rachel sat with her family, but Elsie knew that James would not be here, as he was still in the hospital. George Dornbecker stood at the back beside a woman who Elsie guessed was his wife. Haley was on a bench next to Dylan Monroe, and for a glimmer of a moment Elsie thought what a fine couple they would make. Maybe there was some matchmaking to be done in the future.

The bishop removed his hat—a cue for all the other men to do the same. The solemn mood of the room was comforting somehow. It was as if all the people here cushioned Elsie and her family from the bumpy road ahead of them.

“Our departed brother Thomas left us very suddenly.” Samuel’s
eyes appeared owlish behind his glasses. “His bed is empty. His voice will not be heard in this house. He was needed here in our community, but Gott needs good men, too. We cannot wish him back. Instead, we must prepare to follow him.”

As the bishop began to talk about the sin of Adam and Eve, Elsie thought of Mamm. Had Dat joined her in heaven? It hadn’t occurred to her before, but somehow it eased her heart to think of her parents together once again, at least in spirit.

That was the last time this house had seen a funeral—when Mamm died.
And we sat in this same spot
, Elsie thought. Back then, Bishop Samuel had frightened her, but then she had been only a six-year-old girl, who kept thinking that she would wake up and find Mamm back in the kitchen again. Ya, in her six-year-old way, she had wanted it all to be a bad dream.

But Samuel didn’t scare her anymore. Truly, now that she had gotten back on balance with some good sleep and a calm heart, the fear was fading from her heart.

“Fear not, for I am with thee.”
Gott’s promise from the Bible brought her peace. As long as she had faith, she had nothing to fear.

PART TWO
The
Long Way Home

Ye shall be sorrowful
,
But your sorrow shall be turned into joy
.
—J
OHN 16:20

28

I
n the days and weeks that followed the accident, Haley’s skills blossomed like a winter lily. Maybe it was just a matter of repetition mixed with confidence inspired by the accident, but when Haley was working at the hospital, things fell into place. She learned to balance therapeutic communication with clinical care. She figured out a way to stay on top of her scut work and get her reports done. And Swanson had given her extra credit for using her nursing skills in a trauma situation.

“I’ve seen a marked improvement in the quality and volume of work that you’ve done,” Dr. Swanson had told her during her most recent evaluation. “Honestly, I didn’t think you had it in you, but you’ve brought your grade up to an A.”

“I’m thrilled about the grade,” Haley had told her instructor. “But mostly, I’m excited that I realized nursing is where I want to be. Where I belong.” She rapped a fist against her chest. “I know it
in here, and it’s a strong feeling. Did you ever feel that way, Dr. Swanson?”

The older woman touched her chin, eyeing Haley with a look of regret. “Honestly, I still feel that way.”

“Really?”

“Every day.” Dr. Swanson rose from the table and gathered her clipboard. “When that feeling goes away, I’m taking my retirement and moving to Palm Springs. Till then, it’s good to know I’m in the right profession. And I’m happy for you, Haley. That gem of self-discovery is something that can’t be taught by an instructor. Be grateful for it, and enjoy every moment.”