The Gift (17 page)

“Each of them seems to be dealing with it in her own way, but they all have insecurities and behavioral issues.”

“Such as?”

“Carrie, the youngest, clings to me most of the day. When Mom was watching them, she said Carrie did that with her, as well.”

“It’s understandable. Carrie’s still very young and misses her mamm.”

Leah probed another spot on Sara’s foot. “Linda’s the middle child, and she’s full of nervous energy. She also has a bit of a temper.”

Sara’s forehead creased. “That can be difficult to deal with. I get stressed out whenever Mark throws a temper tantrum.”

“Then there’s the oldest, Amy. She tries to act grown up and tends to boss her sisters around, but she’s still a little girl and needs to be loved and nurtured as much as the other two. I know she’s still hurting, but she holds it in. I figure she uses her bossiness to cover up her pain. Even though Amy trusted me enough to use reflexology to get rid of her headache, she keeps her distance.” Leah saw no point in mentioning Adam’s reaction to her working on the girls’ feet.

“Maybe Amy just needs a little more attention. Jonah and I have recently come to realize that we need to spend more time with Mark. Once the boppli comes, he will require it even more, so he doesn’t feel left out.”

“I agree. In fact, I think all three of Adam’s nieces need more love and attention. I’ve actually been thinking of a fun thing I might do that could help them focus on something other than their grief,” Leah said.

“What’s that?” Sara murmured, now appearing to be even more relaxed.

“As you know, we have a lot of hummingbirds in our yard. Watching them around the feeders each day has made me think that the girls might enjoy having a feeder in Adam’s backyard.”

“That’s a good idea.” Sara yawned. “It would certainly give them something to look forward to.”

“That’s what I was thinking. You’d be surprised to see what a little chipmunk has done to give Linda and Carrie some enjoyment. Adam told me that he heard them talking about it the other day.” Leah smiled. “Think I’ll take one of my unused feeders over there, and if he has no objections, I’ll find a place to hang it where the girls can easily watch the hummers feed.”

“Next time I come here I’ll be anxious to hear how it worked out.”

Leah’s excitement mounted. “When my neighbor comes over to band the hummingbirds in my yard, I might see if Adam’s okay with me bringing the girls over so they get to see how the procedure is done. It might be one more thing to bring a little joy into their lives.”

“That sounds interesting,” Sara said. “I’ll bet Mark would enjoy watching that, too.”

“Feel free to bring him. The girls would probably have fun getting acquainted with your cute little guy.”

Sara smiled. “You know, I think we will come over that day. Just let me know when.”

“Jah, I will.” Leah looked forward to seeing the girls tomorrow and hopefully setting up the feeder. She had so much love to give Adam’s nieces and wanted to share the enjoyment she got out of something as simple as watching the tiny birds that had brought her so much pleasure over the years. If she ever had any children of her own, she would try to instill in them a love for all things found in nature. But until that time came, if it did, she would enjoy spending time with Adam’s nieces, for they clearly needed her love and attention. She just wished Adam wasn’t so against her practicing reflexology on the girls. He ought to at least give her the chance to prove that it wasn’t hocus-pocus.

Adam yawned as he stood in front of the stove, trying to make supper. He’d been tempted to ask Leah if she could stay awhile longer and fix the meal for him and the girls but figured she’d be anxious to get home and prepare supper for herself and her dad. Besides, things had been strained between them since Tuesday, when he’d forbidden her to massage the girls’ feet, even though he had apologized to everyone for being so harsh.

He reached for a package of macaroni and added the contents to the kettle of boiling water on the stove.
Leah may think I’m being impossible, but she doesn’t understand the reason behind my opposition to reflexology.
Adam shook his head.
And what’s the point of telling her? What happened in my past doesn’t concern her, and it’s really none of her business.

Adam grimaced when he glanced at Amy, whom he’d asked to set the table. She ambled from the silverware drawer to the table, dragging her feet as she carried one item at a time and then placed it haphazardly on the table. It was as though she were moving in slow motion. Was she doing it on purpose, just to irritate him, or did Amy’s placid expression and lack of interest mean that her heart wasn’t in this chore because of her sadness? She was certainly detached, and Adam wished there was something that would bring her out of it.

He had considered setting the girls down and having a talk with them about their folks—maybe try to get them to open up and express their feelings.
Would it help for them to know I’m hurting, too?
he wondered. But Adam hadn’t followed through on that, because he wasn’t sure what to say. The simple truth was that the girls didn’t relate well to him, and frankly, the feeling was mutual. It wasn’t that Adam didn’t love his nieces; he just didn’t feel comfortable in his new role as their guardian. If he were married and had children of his own, he’d have experience as a father and would understand the girls’ needs a little better.

Well, I can learn,
he told himself.
It would just be nice if I had a wife to help me through this process.
Adam slapped the side of his head.
What am I thinking? I don’t want a wife. And even if I did, who would it be? Certainly not Leah—although I find myself fighting an attraction to her.

Pushing the conflicting thoughts to the back of his mind, Adam concentrated on getting the macaroni and cheese finished. Maybe he’d toss in some cut-up hot dogs with it. The girls would probably like that. Then after they ate their meal and cleaned up the dishes, he’d suggest they all go outside and look at the bright, full moon. Maybe that would have a calming effect on everyone and let the girls know that he was trying a little harder to take an interest in them.

T
he following day, as Adam watched the girls eat their cereal and toast, he reflected on how things had gone last night when he’d showed them the beautiful full moon. The two younger ones had seemed quite interested, especially when Adam gave them the binoculars to get a closer look. They’d gasped at how big and orange it was when it first crested the horizon. Then as the moon went higher, it turned its typical white color, with the craters becoming more visible.

But Amy acted bored with it all. She’d said that she didn’t see what was so special about the moon. It was just a big round ball of nighttime light.

Later, Amy had asked if she could sleep in her own room, across the hall from her sisters. Adam could tell she wanted to be more independent and keep to herself, so he agreed that she could have her own room. He hoped Amy’s indifference wouldn’t affect her ability to do well in school, which would be starting in two weeks. Both Amy and Linda would be attending, which meant Carrie might be lonely without her sisters all day.

I hope Leah will continue to watch Carrie. The other girls will need someone here with them when they get home from school, too.
Adam supposed he could offer to bring Carrie over to Leah’s house each morning, after he’d taken Linda and Amy to school, but having her come here was much more convenient. Besides, his home was more familiar, and right now, Adam thought that was important for the girls.

Guess I’d better talk to Leah about this,
he decided.
I’ll mention it as soon as she gets here this morning.

Adam finished his bowl of cereal and was putting his dishes in the sink when Leah showed up. This time she arrived by horse and buggy.

He watched out the kitchen window as she unhitched her horse, Sugar. He could see she was talking to the mare, while gently rubbing Sugar’s neck. She was as gentle with animals as she was with children. He’d noticed this when Coal ran out to greet her every morning. The dog would sit patiently, after running circles around her, accustomed to the special treat she often brought him.

Adam continued to watch Leah as she put Sugar in the corral and took a small box out of the buggy. He waited until she reached the porch, then he opened the back door.

“Guder mariye,” they said in unison.

“What have you got in there?” he asked, looking curiously at the box Leah held as she stepped into the utility room.

“It’s a hummingbird feeder.” Leah smiled. “Unless you have some objection, I thought I’d fill it with nectar and hang it somewhere in your yard. The hummers won’t be around too many more weeks, but I think the girls would enjoy watching them drink from the feeder until the hummers head south for the winter. Right now, the little birds are quite active, migrating down from the northern states, so I’m sure it won’t be long before they discover this new feeder.”

“I don’t object at all, and I think the girls might like that. At least Linda and Carrie will.” Adam lowered his voice. “I’m not sure about Amy. She doesn’t seem to be interested in much of anything other than telling her sisters what to do.”

“Well, you never know; watching the hummers might catch Amy’s attention. She also might find it fascinating to see how those little birds are just as curious about us as we are about them.” Leah paused, pushing the sleeves on her dress up a little. “You know, Adam, I’m surprised you haven’t figured it out yet.”

He tipped his head. “Figured what out?”

“I think Amy is bossy because she’s covering up her true feelings. She’s trying to be strong for her sisters and doesn’t want to appear weak in front of them. Since Amy is the oldest, she probably feels that she’s the only mother her sisters have now, even though she’s only ten.

Adam nodded slowly. What Leah had said made sense.

“Oh, and there’s one more thing I wanted to talk to you about,” Leah said.

“What’s that?”

“Next Wednesday morning one of my neighbors will be coming over to our place to band the hummingbirds that flock around my feeders every day. Would it be all right if I take the girls over there so they can watch the procedure?”

Adam shrugged. “Sure. It sounds interesting. Maybe I’ll go into work a little later that day so I can watch the banding, too.”

Leah blinked, and her mouth opened slightly. “Oh, I didn’t realize that would be something you’d be interested in.”

He nodded. “I may be tied up with my store a good deal of the time, but I do enjoy all things related to nature. I find watching God’s critters to be relaxing.”

“Same here; and you’re more than welcome to join us that day. I’m sure it’ll be a learning experience for all of us.”

Adam hadn’t been sure how Leah would feel about him inviting himself to the banding session, but he was glad he’d mentioned it. Right now, he couldn’t seem to take his eyes away from Leah’s as he noticed how easily she blushed.

When Leah broke eye contact and started for the kitchen, he touched her shoulder. “Now there’s something I need to ask you.”

She halted and turned to face him. “What is it, Adam?”

“As I’m sure you’re aware, school will be starting the week after next, and even though Amy and Linda will be in school most of the day, Carrie will still need a sitter. So I was wondering…”

“If I would continue watching her?”

“Jah.”

“Of course, I will, Adam. I enjoy being with the girls, and since I’m seeing people for foot treatments in the evening hours, that leaves me free during the daytime.”

“Are you sure? I could ask around and see if there’s someone else willing to watch Carrie and be here after Linda and Amy get home from school.”

Leah shook her head. “No, really, I’m fine with the way things are now. The schedule I’m on has been going fairly well for me.”

Adam breathed in a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear. Jah, real good.”

“So, girls, how would you like to help me with something?” Leah asked after Adam left for work.