Abby Finds Her Calling (37 page)

Mamm stood up at her place, quickly swiping at her eyes. “I can’t say as I’ve ever been more pleased with my family, for the part you’ve all played in restoring the Ropps’ home. Your dat’s smiling down on you from Glory right now, kids.”

Abby blinked back tears. This first Christmas without their father had made them all more emotional, and hearing these compliments reminded her of how Mamm, especially, had seemed more cheerful of late because she’d been involved in the Ropps’ recovery. “Denki, Mamm. It’s been gut for all of us, forgiving Rudy and Adah by providing things they need,” she murmured. “Even if they don’t accept our gifts with as much appreciation as we’d like, we’ll know we did right by them.”

“Amen to that,” Sam chimed in. His grin twitched. “Knowing Rudy as we do, he’ll not enjoy being on the receiving end of Cedar Creek’s generosity, which will put a damper on it for Adah, too. But I know you’ll handle that just fine, Abby. Give them my best when you see them.”

The kitchen door swung open, admitting a little puff of snow as Zanna stuck her head inside. She was grinning, short of breath from hurrying back from the phone shanty—and from excitement, too, Abby realized.

“Jonny’s coming by for me in a few, and—well, Abby, I hope it’s all right that he and I go to the hospital, just the two of us, so we can talk about, well…
you
know.”

Abby hurried to the door to hug her sister. “You
know
I know. I’ll find another driver, Zanna.”

“Ferris North will be here in about fifteen minutes.” Zanna’s
smile said she was tickled at setting up this surprise so quickly. “Far as it is to Kirksville, I didn’t want you driving a carriage on such a cold day. He said he wanted to look in on the Ropps for a minute, and that driving you would get him out of a house crowded with his in-laws and hyper little kids.”

“That’ll be fine, Zanna, and denki for calling him.”

“Merry Christmas, big sister,” Zanna said, her eyes a-sparkle. “I’ll see you there.”

As Jonny’s red van came up the county road, Zanna stood at the end of the lane waiting, and wondering. She’d felt so excited when he agreed to go to the hospital… but what if he was only stopping by to let his mamm know he was returning to his driving business? The new house was finished, so what would keep him here in Cedar Creek? The van stopped in front of her and Jonny jumped out to open her door. His grin flickered with the same uncertainty that filled her thoughts. “Hope it’s okay that Gideon came along. I couldn’t very well leave him at the Masts’,” he said in a low voice.

Zanna’s face fell. She’d been so happy about seeing Jonny that she’d forgotten about his brother. She tried to set aside her disappointment. “Your folks will be glad to see both of you.”

“But you and I
will
talk, Zanna,” Jonny murmured as he lightly kissed her cheek. When he swung open the van’s front passenger door, warm air drifted around them. “I hope you know that this visit with Dat might either set a lot of things right, or it could go south in a hurry. If that happens, we’ll be leaving sooner rather than later.”

It struck Zanna then, how lucky she was that even when she’d had to tell Abby and Sam and Mamm about the baby, she’d never really believed they would banish her from their lives. The Lambrights had endured some difficult days after she’d canceled the wedding, but because they believed
family
was everything, they had found the faith to work out a solution they could all live with.

And if you’ll be living with them after Jonny leaves town, well… you’ll still have a home. You’ll still have a family who loves you and the baby.

Zanna nodded and climbed into the car. “Hey there, Gideon. Merry Christmas.”

“Jah, we’re hoping it will be.” He sat by the door on the driver’s side of the middle seat, wearing a down jacket and a tentative smile that looked very much like Jonny’s. Gideon was taller and blockier, built more like Rudy, while Jonny resembled their mamm. “After three weeks of Bessie Mast’s burnt biscuits and thin soup, it’s gut of you to offer us dinner.”

“We decided a few days ago to take a meal for your family,” Zanna replied, “but it was Abby’s idea to include you two, as well.”

How would Abby deal with this dark cloud the Ropp brothers were under? Her older sister was so good at dispelling doom and gloom and the apprehension that lurked behind the boys’ remarks. As Jonny pulled onto the road, Zanna smiled slyly. Maybe she could tease them into a better mood.

“Abby’s bringing ham with pineapple slices, and corn casserole and candied yams,” she said, watching Gideon’s face. “And there’s cinnamon red-hot applesauce and Barbara’s gingerbread with lemon sauce. But you’ll have to be in the room long enough to give your dat the benefit of the doubt before you get a plate.”

Gideon pressed his lips into a thin line. He looked out the window as though he saw no humor in her remark.

Jonny, too, was awfully quiet. He watched the winding road, lost in his own thoughts—or maybe he didn’t want to talk about the baby and his plans in front of his brother. Zanna sighed. This wasn’t the happy atmosphere she’d hoped for when Jonny had agreed to pick her up, but she didn’t feel like being the only one to make pleasant conversation.

Once they turned onto Highway 63, the main route to Kirksville, Jonny went a ways past Queen City and then turned onto a
road Zanna wasn’t familiar with. She wasn’t concerned—Jonny drove folks to this hospital all the time—but she wondered if Abby might already be in Rudy’s room, wondering where on earth they were.

“You’re stallin’, little brother,” Gideon remarked.

Jonny smiled ruefully at Zanna. “Sorry. Hospitals aren’t my thing. All the bad smells and the moaning you hear—”

“But Dat’s out of bed now. Mamm and the girls will be there, too,” Gideon said, sounding more positive now. “And with Abby bringing in dinner, the folks will have other things to talk about besides what you and I are doing here, little brother… and how long we intend to stick around.”

As Jonny followed the narrow country road around modest farms blanketed in snow, Zanna realized that Rudy and Adah had no idea their two sons had been in Cedar Creek helping to build their new home. No one from around town would have thought it was their place to tell them, and they obviously hadn’t spoken to one another. It was a sad reflection on the emotional state of the Ropp family. But maybe this surprise visit would patch up some damaged relationships.
Lord, help me shine with Your light
, Zanna prayed as she took in the pastures and snow-laced evergreens they passed.

In another few miles they spotted the hospital. Jonny pulled into the visitors’ parking lot and circled the first row of parking spaces even though there were plenty of empty ones to choose from on this Christmas afternoon. He finally pulled in and shut off the engine.

“Not trying to be a wet blanket,” he said, “but if Dat starts up with his name-calling and finger-pointing, I’m hitting the road.” He looked at Gideon in the rearview mirror, and then focused on Zanna. “That’s not how I want this visit to go, understand. But if it comes to us leaving that way, you can either ride with us or hitch in with Abby and I’ll catch up to you later. All right?”

What could she do except nod? Maybe she should have come with Abby…

Gideon threw open his door. “Okay, we’re going in now,” he said, forcing good cheer into his voice. “We’re doing this for Mamm, remember. The sooner we get in there, the sooner we get out.”

Once they stepped through the hospital door and told the volunteer at the information desk who they’d come to see, her face brightened. “Oh, you’ll be pleased to see how your father’s improved! Such a sweet man, too.” She directed them to the skilled nursing ward.

Sweet?
Zanna bit back a smile. No one had ever said that about Rudy Ropp! As they approached the room, the door was open and familiar voices drifted out. They heard silverware scraping against plates. “Awful nice of you to bring Christmas dinner,” Adah said. “Be sure to pass along our compliments to Barbara and your mother until I can thank them myself.”

“Jah, best ham I’ve had in a long while,” Rudy chimed in. “And with the candied yams and the pink applesauce, why—it’s a feast! Can’t thank you enough for comin’ today, Abby.”

Zanna made out Becky and Maggie’s softer voices talking in the background, but she couldn’t distinguish what they said. It seemed they were all having a cozy Christmas Day visit, but when she started for the door Jonny grabbed her hand.

“Let’s listen a bit. Get the lay of the land,” he whispered. Gideon nodded beside him.

Zanna’s brows rose. Were the boys thinking they would slip on out if the conversation didn’t sound promising?

“If I could see that my cows are all right, knew where we’d be livin’ when I get dismissed tomorrow, I’d be a happy man.” Rudy let out a short laugh. “The bishop and Preacher Abe have been tellin’ me not to worry about that—that it’s been in God’s hands and everything’s taken care of. But that’s easier said than done,” he said matter-of-factly. “I… I can’t recall much about the fire, or collapsing in the barn. And maybe that part’s a blessing.”

Was that Rudy Ropp talking? Zanna wondered. Since when had he spoken about being happy, or mentioned blessings? When Gideon
stepped closer to the door, Jonny stuck his arm in front of his brother to keep him from peering into the room.

“This being Christmas, we brought along a surprise,” Abby said in a lilting voice. “It seems my write-up about the fire for the
Budget
inspired folks to send you some Christmas cards and notes. Sam opened a couple, not realizing what they were, because they’ve been coming to the mercantile while you weren’t home.”

Gideon raised his eyebrows in a question. Zanna shrugged, itching to get into the room to see what was going on. She’d apparently missed something while she was out in the phone shanty.

“Oh, my stars! Rudy, would you look at these!” Adah exclaimed. “There must be three or four dozen envelopes—”

“Now, why’d they go and send money?” Rudy demanded, sounding more like himself. “Don’t
tell
me you asked for donations, Abby. You know I’m not acceptin’ anybody’s charity.”

“I never said a word about money.” Abby’s voice carried out into the hall on a wave of pleasure that made Zanna inch toward the door. “Plain folks all over the country knew you’d be hurting after losing your home and all your belongings. It’s Christmas, and they wanted to send some peace and goodwill your way, Rudy. Sharing their blessings, they are, and thankful their own homes are still standing.”

Jonny leaned toward his brother. “If folks from all over sent Mamm and Dat money, that will help replace the savings they lost.”

“Dat will be able to hire help for the dairy,” Gideon whispered.

“And Mamm can return to the cheese factory. Life can go back to the way it was before the fire.”

With an exasperated sigh, Zanna slipped her hand from Jonny’s. She was tired of the Ropp brothers’ doubting attitude, and she wanted to watch this amazing surprise unfold—wanted to see all those cards and be a part of the Ropps’ celebration. Every issue of the
Budget
had a column for card showers and donations, but she had never known anyone who’d received such a big stack of mail from total strangers.

“Merry Christmas!” Zanna said as she entered the room. Rudy sat in a recliner beside his made-up bed, while Becky and Maggie used the opposite edge of the mattress as a table. The girls jumped up to hug her from both sides at once.

“That was the best corn casserole, Zanna,” Becky exclaimed.

“Jah, and the candied yams hit the spot, too,” Maggie added. “Better than anything on the hospital’s menu.”

Abby’s smile told Zanna her big sister had been waiting and wondering where she and Jonny had gone. And then Adah stood up beside Rudy to wave handfuls of green and red envelopes at her.

“Merry Christmas to you, Zanna! And would you look at these cards?” she crowed. Adah seemed a little older, but in a new pine green dress the girls had made her, she looked downright festive. “Who could believe such generosity? And this dinner Abby’s brought. You Lambrights have turned a quiet day into a Christmas we’ll never forget.”

“It’s a real Christmas miracle,” Zanna remarked. She peeled off her heavy black coat and removed her bonnet, raising her eyebrows at her sister. “Shall I tell them the rest of the gut news?”

Abby grinned at her and then beamed at all the Ropps in the room. “We can never hear too much gut news, ain’t so? And Christmas is a fine day for surprises.”

Zanna nodded, feeling warm all over. Being in a room that smelled like ham and warm gingerbread, where these family members looked happier than she could recall, felt so much better than hovering out in the hall. Maybe Jonny and Gideon would catch the hint… or maybe she would simply have to call their bluff.

Zanna smiled at Rudy then, as the man who most needed to hear how God had supplied for his family’s needs. “Since the day Jonny brought you to the hospital, Rudy, Amos Coblentz, the bishop, and some of the others have built you a whole new house and shed.”

Adah let out a heartrending cry. Her hand flew to her mouth as tears sprang to her eyes. Becky’s and Maggie’s mouths dropped open.

“And Abby has organized sewing frolics to make new curtains and quilts,” Zanna went on more boldly, “while James Graber has replaced your carriage and buggy, plus a couple of the wagons you lost.”

“Now, why would they do such a thing?” Rudy protested. He sat forward in his recliner, scowling. “They know full well we can’t afford to—”

“Nobody did it expecting pay.” Abby stood up, opening her arms as she continued in her low, melodious voice. “You’re one of us, Rudy Ropp. You and Adah and your kids are part of our larger family in Cedar Creek—and nobody would dream of letting
family
go homeless. Or go hungry, or without clothes.”

Zanna was nodding, thankful that Abby had such a way with words. “And the
best
part,” she added as she glanced toward the door, “is that Jonny’s been one of the building crew, putting together Adah’s new cookstove and repairing your farm equipment. And Gideon has come home to milk for you. And they’re right outside this door, waiting to see you.”