Abigail's New Hope (44 page)

“Don’t you want to hold him?” He didn’t wait for her response but foisted the sleeping child toward her.

“But I—” Without an option, Abby accepted the bundle, hoping he wouldn’t awaken and start to fuss. She shifted him to the crook of her arm as Nathan had done. She felt a swell of emotion gazing on the peaceful face in repose.

“He might not be here if not for you,” said Nathan with conviction.

“I don’t know about that.” Abby focused on the child instead of the
daed
.

“I know it. Your actions saved my son. If you had stood around twiddling your thumbs like the authorities would have had you do, he could have died.”

She wanted to argue, to deny his assumptions, but her throat had constricted. Finally after a long moment, she whispered. “God choose who lives and who dies.”

“That’s true, but I’m grateful for what you did. I don’t care much about English laws. I’m glad they released you to come home to your family.”

“So you know about that drug I gave her?”

“Of course I know. I’m glad you tried to save my Ruth. You did no wrong in my book. This baby was Ruth’s choice—there’s no arguing that. And everything else that happened was God’s choice.” He gently took the baby back as Abraham began to stir. “I just thought you would like to hear that from me.”

“
Danki
, Mr. Fisher. I’m grateful to hear your words and pleased to see him thriving.” Abby smiled for the first time since their arrival. “I’ll enjoy watching him grow up over the coming years. I’m sure we’ll cross paths at barn raisings and the like.” They walked toward Nathan’s buggy, where his horse stood flicking his tail and pawing at the dirt.

“Maybe not. In six months, when my farm lease is up, I intend to move back to Indiana. My parents and sisters and brothers live there, so I’ll have help tending the boy. And Abe will grow up surrounded by plenty of cousins. One of Iris’ sons plans to lease my farm after I move out. Sounds like one of her boys wants a home away from the rest of the clan.” He laughed a rich, throaty sound. This made Abraham laugh too, while he kicked his legs within the confining quilt.

Nathan strapped the boy into the car seat. “
Danki
, Mrs. Graber. I will remember you each night in my prayers for the rest of my life. And when I tell my son about his
mamm
, I’ll also tell him about you someday when he’s old enough to understand.” Then he climbed up, tipped his hat, and drove away.

Once the buggy turned the corner, Abby exhaled a sigh of relief. “Thank You, Lord, for Your gift of peace at long last.”

B
oots lifted her head from the porch boards to stare at a fat brown squirrel. The audacious rodent had the effrontery to gather acorns within twenty feet of the steps. If the dog weren’t tied up, that squirrel would be running for his life instead of gathering food for a long winter.

Isaiah smiled and patted Boots’ head. The new red collar and chain were for her benefit. Otherwise, the dog would romp and play and then end up gasping for breath. Within a few weeks, Boots would be good as new again. Isaiah’s readjustment period would take much longer, maybe even a full year. But when he returned to Shreve, Ohio, he would come back a different man.

And a beautiful, patient, kindhearted woman would be waiting for him—one who made the best banana nut bread in the county—only nobody had better tell his cousin Abby.

Catherine—
his Cat
. Each time he thought about her or saw her sweet face, he knew it would be worth any embarrassment, any discomfort he faced during the weeks ahead. He loved her and she loved him. Without means to express his heart or fully understand hers, they both just knew.

Yet he longed to communicate with a woman who seemed to enjoy communicating more than anything else. Cat liked talking better than swimming in the pond, riding horses across moonlit fields, or eating vanilla ice cream topped with fresh berries and whipped cream. Isaiah grinned as he remembered her attempts to teach him to lip-read. Every time he watched her lips, he yearned to lean over and kiss her…despite the fact that she had whacked him on the arm all three times he’d tried.

He’d hoped she might love him when their gazes met at the preaching service.

He’d figured she must love him to cull him from the herd of men gabbing outside the barn.

Then he felt certain of her love when she cried during her apology for the volleyball party. Catherine owed him no apology. She had tried to bring him back into the Amish flock with a pure heart. And for that he would be eternally grateful. Shame passed, and prideful hurt feelings faded away. Pretty soon he found himself alone with only his thoughts. Boots might be his best friend, but she made poor company asleep by the fire on long winter nights. And no man wanted to grow old by himself.

Isaiah called the dog inside, combed his still-damp hair, and put on his hat. He’d been invited to supper at Daniel and Abby’s. Together he and Cat would tell them of their plan, although he didn’t understand all the details yet himself. Catherine had found a school for those like him—who could neither hear nor talk well—a school that accepted adults. His rare if not unique situation had generated interest with people who studied such things. He would live at the facility and work in exchange for his room and board. Whatever other expenses he encountered Catherine insisted they would find a way to pay. This wouldn’t be easy. Figuring out what Cat was proposing hadn’t been easy, but she would be here when he came home. And that was all he needed to know.

Isaiah arrived at the Graber kitchen promptly at five thirty. Catherine swept open the door looking pleased to see him. Abby joined her sister in the doorway. “Welcome,” she said. “Come in.” Abby pointed to a seat at the table, where Laura and Jake were already waiting. They waved their greeting, but Catherine’s was the most enthusiastic by far. As soon as Abby turned her back, Cat pressed a kiss to his cheek and then began carrying bowls and platters of food. Isaiah sat down, anxious for the meal to be over and eager for some private time with Cat.

Maybe they would rock in the porch swing or ride across the newly harvested fields where corn had stood tall this past summer. Or maybe they would grab the flashlight and hike to their secret garden—one even the children hadn’t discovered. Soon Daniel entered the kitchen carrying a parcel, and they all bowed their heads. Isaiah duplicated their behavior, but he didn’t know whom they talked to with their eyes closed. Sometimes he saw their lips barely moving, or they would hold their breath for a moment. Who was this God Catherine talked about? Isaiah couldn’t imagine a person no one could see or hear but could still feel His presence. And this person loved him even though he’d never met Him? How could anyone be everywhere at once and still know what goes on inside people’s hearts?

This was far more confusing than anything that had happened in school all those years ago and more bewildering than this special school in a faraway state. Yet when he’d seen the way Cat’s eyes shone every time she spoke of Him, he yearned to know more…about this God who could love even a backward man like him.

Catherine slipped into the chair next to Isaiah, grateful when Daniel came downstairs. He placed a wrapped package on the table but waited until after silent prayers to explain. “I bought something for Isaiah,” he announced, while Abby began passing the platter of meatloaf and redskin potatoes.

When five pairs of eyes focused on him, Isaiah looked at Catherine with a perplexed shrug of his shoulders.

“It’s a gift,” she mouthed. “Open the package.”

He looked nervous as he pulled off the ribbon and paper. Inside he found a brand-new Bible, which he held up for all to see. He studied the binding and cover and began leafing through it.

“It’s in English, not German, because the only words he knows are English,” declared Daniel. “I thought it was time he had his own Bible.”

“That’s a good idea, now that he’ll be coming to preaching with us,” added Abby. She placed a chicken leg on each of the
kinner
’s plates.

Catherine glanced at Isaiah. He had set the present aside, and seemed more interested in the bowl of buttered noodles. “
Jah
, that’s
gut
,” she said to Daniel. “I’m in the process of explaining about the Good Book, but it’ll take some time.” She selected a small breast and scoop of yellow beans for her own plate. “But I do have some news to report.” She waited until Isaiah looked over at her. “I told you that Isaiah agreed to attend school, even if it means being away from his cabin for many months. He understands that the other students will be deaf like him and with varying amounts of speech ability.”

Abby and Daniel paused in their suppers to give Catherine their complete attention.

“I’ve found the perfect residential school in Kentucky. It’s part of a teacher training facility connected to a large university. The program not only takes adult students, but they have accepted Isaiah into a work-study program. He can defray most of his boarding expenses by working on campus.”

Abby appeared jubilant, but Daniel’s expression turned skeptical. “I trust you have explained that Isaiah is Amish and therefore inexperienced with electric power tools and whatnot.” He cocked his head to one side. “What kind of work can he do for them?”

“He can operate gas-powered lawn mowers, weed-whackers, and rototillers,” interjected Abby. “Will he work with the landscaping department?”

Catherine forked up some yellow beans and smiled with appreciation at her
schwester
. After she thoroughly chewed and wiped her mouth, she answered her brother-in-law. “Not to worry. They understand he’s Amish. Plenty of Plain folk have moved to the state because of cheaper land prices than here in Ohio or in Pennsylvania. I think they are curious about us and want Isaiah in this federally funded program. Besides, the director said they could put him to work in the equine barns. The college is located near Lexington, in the heart of Kentucky thoroughbred country.” She picked up her piece of chicken for a bite. “I wonder if their grass really looks blue.”

“Blue grass?” Daniel looked from his wife back to her. “I suppose you told them about Isaiah’s riding abilities in your letter of application.”

“I might have mentioned it.” Catherine laughed and winked at Isaiah. The man understood he was their topic of conversation, but he contented himself with the delicious meal.

“On behalf of Isaiah, I thank you for the Bible,” Catherine said to Daniel. She placed her hand lovingly atop the book. “This is one reason why I want him to go to school. They have experts to teach the deaf lip-reading, sign language, and how to read. I’m not equipped to handle this on my own. I’ve made some progress, but I can’t teach him to read. And I can’t teach him about God until he learns to read.” She glanced from one to the other.

“Isaiah’s been away from formal education for a while,” said Daniel after a moment. “This will be a long road for him.”