The Amish Bride (41 page)

“I don’t think I can take care of your dad much longer, though,” she said. “At first it was just to fix him lunch, do the housekeeping, and get dinner started. Zed would get him showered and all of that.”

“He can go up and down the stairs?” The bathroom was on the second floor.

“Oh, no,” Izzy said. “He uses the new bathroom. Downstairs.”

My eyes narrowed.

“
Ya
, the carpenters came in and did it all up. Right off Zed’s old room.”

I was sure she meant Amish carpenters. They had probably done the whole thing in a day and only charged Mom the cost of the supplies.

“Anyway,” Izzy said. “Freddy is getting weaker by the hour. And without Zed around, someone else is going to have to take care of him. Your
mamm
was going to. In fact, that’s why Lexie came out, to free up your mother to care for him.”

“Really?”

“
Ya
. Wasn’t the timing something? That she was already on her way? And now you’re here too.”

I stared straight ahead. “Mom’s trying to hire an aide to take care of him. Someone who is trained and can start right away.”

After that, Izzy put her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. It looked as though I wasn’t the only one who was exhausted.

When the driver stopped at the house, panic filled my entire body. Just getting this close to him was more than I could handle. I didn’t open the door, couldn’t open the door. One small part of me felt as if I should go in, but I just couldn’t face the thought of seeing him.

Izzy put her hand on my arm. “It will be okay,” she said.

I shook my head. “Tell my mother, when she gets home, that I’m at
Mammi
’s,” I said. I would give Mom a call once I’d calmed down. “Tell her I’ll be at the hospital tomorrow to sit with Zed.”

Izzy said she would, but her voice had an element of hurt to it. Perhaps she’d imagined me taking care of Freddy while she sat with Zed.

I concentrated on the scenery on the way to
Mammi
’s, thankful for the air-conditioning inside the car. The heat rose off the highway. Waves
of it settled over the cornfields. The cows and horses grazing in the pastures stood in the coolest spots they could find, next to ponds or under the shade of trees where they could. As much as I was trying to distract myself, I kept thinking about Freddy anyway. I regretted burning his letter. I should have saved it and read it again when I wasn’t reacting so strongly. I remembered Izzy saying Freddy was praying for Zed. I couldn’t help but be grateful for that. And impressed. Sure, I’d shot up quick prayers for Zed, but had I really come before God and taken the time to pray thoughtfully?

When the driver dropped me off, and I’d stepped back into the heat of the late afternoon, I stopped under the shade of the pine trees at the end of my aunt and uncle’s drive. With my bag in my hands, I tilted my head back and looked straight up into the tallest tree. And then I prayed. For Zed. For Mom. For me. For Freddy.

“I don’t know what You have in mind,” I said to God. “But I want to be open.”

I stepped to the walkway to Aunt Klara’s, taking in the house for just a moment. The wisteria twisted around the balcony railing, still green and lush, although the blossoms were long gone. The flowerpots on the balcony were filled with red geraniums and lobelia that trailed down the outside. The French doors that led to Ada’s old room where completely shut against the heat, and the exterior of the house was as immaculate as ever, as I knew the inside was too. I thought of all the family homes, from Abraham Sommers’ childhood home down to mine. First was the bakery in Frutigen, then Amielbach, the family estate, both in Switzerland. Then there was the Home Place in Indiana. And the dairy. And my mother’s cottage, here in Lancaster County. The cottage wasn’t much. It was small and modest and maybe even a little threadbare. Still, I longed for it. Leaving it behind today had been hard.

I trudged up to Aunt Klara’s door, finally overcome with the exhaustion that I’d been denying for the last day. I knocked once, and when no one answered, I knocked a second time, louder. I was about ready to turn around and walk around to
Mammi
’s
daadi haus
when I heard footsteps, heavy footsteps. It seemed as though it took forever, but finally the doorknob turned.

“Ella!” Ada stood in front of me, as big as a barn, her arms pulling me into an awkward hug. “
Mamm
said you were home.”

I hugged her, working around her humongous belly, but before I could say anything she pulled away and leaned against the open door.

“How is Zed?” Her face contorted as she spoke.

“He woke up for a few minutes. The doctor said the worst of it is over now, but he has a long road of recovery ahead of him.” I could give her a more detailed version later. Right now I was concerned about her. “Are you all right? I thought you’d be home in bed.”

“I’m okay.”

“Ada,” I said, my voice even. “It looks like you’re having a contraction.”

“I know.” She met my gaze with a look of concern. “I felt fine when we came over. Better than I have in a couple of months. But then the contractions started again—stronger and closer together.
Mamm
took the girls to the barn to call Lexie and Will.”

It was my turn for wide eyes. “Shouldn’t you be getting home?”

“I’m hoping Lexie can take us.”

“Good idea,” I said. She wouldn’t want to be stuck in a buggy with her girls. “But isn’t the baby early?”

“Just a couple of weeks now. We should be fine.” She wiped her face with the hem of her apron.

I followed her into the house, but before I could even drop my bag the back door slammed open and the twins, Mat and Mel, bolted into the living room.

“
Daed
’s on his way!” Mel shouted.

“Oh, no, he should stay there.”

Aunt Klara was right behind them. “He thinks you should stay here. The trip home might be too much for you.”

Ada didn’t look happy about that, but she didn’t say anything.

“Lexie said she’d be here within twenty minutes…” Aunt Klara’s voice trailed off as she saw me. “Ella.”

“Hi.”

After she gave me a hug, I told her I was hoping to stay at
Mammi
’s for a few days when I wasn’t at the hospital.

“I’m sure that’ll be fine, but why aren’t you staying at home?”

I shrugged. “It’s pretty crowded there. What with Lexie staying and all.”

“I see,” Klara answered. I was sure she did.

“I’ll go out to the
daadi haus
now,” I said. I felt like the biggest intruder ever.

“Actually, would you be willing to help us out with the girls? In case Lexie doesn’t let me go home?” Ada had her hand against her belly. “Christy’s over at Lydia’s parents’ for the day. I thought I still had a week or two.”

I nodded. I knew Lydia’s family did everything they could to stay connected to the girls. I thought it was nice that Christy was having some time with her maternal grandparents alone, without the twins.

“I’ll just take my things out and say hello to
Mammi
. Maybe grab a quick shower, if you don’t mind? I’ve been on a bus…”

Ada smiled. “Of course. Take a shower.” Pinching her nose, she added, “
Please
take a shower.”

We both chuckled.

I hoped Lexie would say Ada was fine to travel back home because I knew she would rather have her baby there. Besides, not to be selfish, but if her labor and delivery lasted a long time, that meant I would be going without much sleep for the third night in a row.

Mammi
was sitting in her chair reading when I walked into her little house.

She squinted, as if it was hard to see at first.

“It’s me,
Mammi.
Ella,” I said, dropping my bag and hurrying forward to see her.

As she peered over her reading glasses, she broke into a big smile. Her face looked thinner, but her coloring was good. She put her book on the table beside her chair, and pressed down, making the recliner slip into the upright position. By the time I reached her, she was struggling to her feet. I helped her up and then hugged her. When I let go, she stood steady.

“Is your balance better?” I held onto her shoulders.

“I believe it is,” she said.

I told her Ada thought she might be in labor, and that I was going to go help with the girls.

“I’ll go too,” she said. “They can sit and do a puzzle with me.”

I wanted to show her the painting and ask her more about Sarah, but it wouldn’t be worth it to upset her before we were going over to help with the twins. Regardless of my plans, she broached the subject of Sarah’s book.

“Tell me what you’ve discovered about the code,” she said, her voice full of enthusiasm.

“Nothing.”

Her face fell.

“I’m sorry,
Mammi
. I’ve tried.”

She swallowed and then said, “No matter. At least you gave it your best shot, eh?”

I nodded. “We can talk about it more later and take a look at the book together again.”

“I’d like that.”

I would also show her the painting. At least I had that to give her.

I took a quick shower and changed my clothes, and then
Mammi
and I went over to the big house together. When we came inside, Aunt Klara told us that Lexie had arrived and was upstairs with Ada, checking to see how far along she was in labor.

Before
Mammi
even suggested a puzzle, Mel went over to the bookcase on the other side of the fireplace and picked one out. Mat was sitting at the table, ready, by the time
Mammi
settled into the head chair. “Which one did you pick?”

“The ponies!” Mel called out.

“Isn’t that more than a hundred pieces?”
Mammi
’s voice was full of mock surprise.

“
Ya
!” Mat answered, her hand flying up into the air.

I settled down on the couch and without intending to, dozed until I heard the sputter of a motorcycle outside the house. In a daze, thinking perhaps I’d dreamed it, I rose to my feet and shuffled to the window. Sure enough, Ezra was climbing off his bike, swooping off his helmet at the same time. Will, no helmet in sight, was already halfway up the steps. In a second he burst into the house.

“Ada!” he called out.

“Upstairs,” I said. “With Lexie.”

He didn’t say hello to me or acknowledge his girls or
Mammi
. His steps sounded like a derailing train as he hurried up the stairs.

I went to the door and stood on the porch. Ezra was stepping away from his bike.

“I thought you’d sold it.”

He grinned. “The buyer backed out. Good thing I just got it again, huh? Will was beside himself as it was, fretting he wouldn’t get here in time in the buggy. Can’t imagine what he would have done if I couldn’t have given him a ride.”

“Have you looked for another buyer?”

Ezra shrugged as he bounded up the steps. “I’ve been meaning to do that.” He reached out for me, taking my arm. “Want to go for a ride?” he whispered.

“Not really,” I lied. In fact, I desperately wanted to. “Come on in the house.”

He looked from me to the motorcycle and then back at me again, a grin on his face. “Come on,” he said, reaching for my hand.

“Maybe later,” I teased, pulling him toward the door.

Will was coming down the stairs as we came through the door.

“We’re staying,” he said. “Lexie said it’s not safe for Ada to go home.” He was more flustered than I’d ever seen him. I wondered if he’d been this way when Lydia had been in labor, but then, feeling like a fool, I realized why he was unsettled. The last birth he’d been to had ended with the deaths of both his wife and son.

I sank down onto the couch. Ezra sat beside me.

“We’re not needed here,” he said, quietly. “Come with me. We can go to a friend’s place.”

I shook my head. “I want to stay.” I wanted to know that Ada was okay. I wanted to be able to help with the twins. I wanted to be able to help Aunt Klara—The ringing of my disposable cell interrupted my thoughts.

I answered it quickly.

“I know you don’t want to do this.” It was Mom. “But I really need your help. Izzy isn’t feeling well and needs to go home. But Zed is fully awake now—”

I knew what she was going to ask me.

“I’ll go,” I said, remembering my prayer under the pines as I looked at Ezra. “I can get a ride. Tell me what I need to do.”

“Oh, thank you, Ella.” At that my stoic, nonemotional mother began to cry.

“Mom?”

“I’m sorry,” she gasped. “Give me a sec.”

“Are you okay?”

Another sob racked her, but then she managed to say, “Yes.” There was another pause and then she said, “Thank you. Freddy will tell you what he needs. All of his meds are on the counter with a chart. Izzy can show that to you. I have an aide lined up for tomorrow. Call me if you have any questions.”