The Restoration (25 page)

“Maybe you should hold a tighter rein on the boy and check things out before you let him go running off with any of his friends.” Evan paused, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “Emily and I have talked it over. We want Jared to come live with us.”

Cora’s mouth dropped open, but before she could say a word, Jared burst into the room.

“I won’t go back to Chicago, Dad! I belong here with Mom and my brother, Adam. Mom’s right, too. I lied when I said I was gonna be with Scott, ’cause I knew she’d never let me go anywhere with Chad.”

Cora whirled around, surprised not only because Jared had overhead their conversation but also because he really didn’t want to move back to Chicago. There was a day when all Jared talked about was going back so he could be closer to his dad. It did her heart good to hear her son admit he’d lied to her, too. It took a lot for a person to acknowledge when they’d done something wrong and not try to justify their actions. She couldn’t feel any prouder of her son.

“Your brother?” Evan scoffed, pointing a finger at Jared. “You mean you’d rather hang around an Amish man who’s twice your age and whom you barely know, than live with your father?”

Jared nodded. “At least Adam came to visit regularly when I was in the hospital. How come you only came to see me once, Dad?”

Before Evan could respond, Jared continued with his tirade. “You think I’ve forgotten all about Thanksgiving, when you had no time for me? No, instead of spendin’ time with your son, you wanted to be with your friends and couldn’t have cared less if I was there or not.” He paused long enough to take a deep breath. “I couldn’t stay in Chicago another day. That’s why I asked you to bring me back to Arthur earlier than planned.”

Evan’s face colored. “I’ve been busy with my practice, or I’d have been back to see you sooner. And whether you know it or not, I did call the hospital several times to find out how you were doing.” His eyes narrowed. “As far as Thanksgiving goes, you acted in a selfish and immature manner that day. I only took you home because you insisted, and I didn’t want you to make a scene in front of my friends.”

Cora was tempted to say how a visit from Jared’s dad during his hospital stay would have meant a lot more than a phone call he knew nothing about, but she held her tongue. There was no point putting Evan on the defensive even more. Besides, Jared was starting to figure things out for himself.

Jared moved closer to Cora but kept his focus on Evan. “If you make me move back to Chicago, I’ll run away like Chad did. He was so desperate to get away from his stepdad that he chose to sleep in one of our neighbor’s barns after Mom said he couldn’t stay here.”

Cora gulped. So that’s where the boy had been hiding out between Christmas and New Year’s. She couldn’t help wondering whether he might be alive today if she’d allowed Chad to stay with them.
I can’t carry the blame for this
, she told herself.
Jared’s friend should have gone home, like I told him to.

“I’d never be happy livin’ with you and Emily, Dad,” Jared continued. “I’d come right back here to be with Mom. She needs me, Dad, and I need her.”

Evan grabbed his glass of water and took a drink. “Okay, okay, Jared. I won’t force you to leave here, but I want you to think more about my offer. If you change your mind, give me a call, and I’ll come get you. And don’t forget, you’re welcome to visit any time you want.”

“Yeah, all right, Dad.” Jared flopped into a chair and put his feet on the footstool.

Cora breathed a sigh of relief. She had no objections to Jared visiting his father, but she didn’t know what she would have done if Jared had wanted to move back to Chicago. It seemed in only a matter of weeks her son had grown up. If anything good had come from his accident, it was the relationship she’d established with both of her sons. She looked forward to meeting her granddaughters next week, too, and if all went well, she would schedule a meeting between Jared and the girls.

B
efore noon on Friday, Priscilla went by horse and buggy to pick up Elaine. They’d been invited to have lunch at Leah’s house. It had been awhile since the three of them had gotten together, so Priscilla looked forward to the occasion.

“Seems we may see more snow before the day is out,” Elaine commented after she climbed into Priscilla’s buggy.

Priscilla nodded. “I was getting used to seeing the bare ground in spots where the snow had been melting. It’s nice seeing some grass after all this time, even though it’s brown.”

Elaine sighed. “Hopefully the snow will hold off till we get back home later this afternoon.”

“I hope so, too. It’s a little scary being out with the horse and buggy when the snow’s coming down.” Priscilla frowned. “Makes it hard to see out the front window, and my hand-operated windshield wiper can’t keep up with it.”

“When the roads are bad, I don’t like being out with the horse and buggy, either.” Elaine looked over at Priscilla and smiled. “Is there anything new going on with you lately?”

“Not really—just keeping busy tutoring David so he can learn our language, and of course helping Mom around the house. David wants me to teach him how to drive the horse and buggy, but it would be safer to wait till the roads are clear of snow before I take him out.”

“I’m surprised he didn’t ask Elam to teach him. They’re good friends, too, aren’t they?”

“Jah, but maybe he feels more comfortable with me. Elam can be impatient sometimes. Plus, he’s working two jobs now, so he wouldn’t have time.”

Elaine pulled her woolen shawl up around her neck. “So David still wants to become Amish?”

“That’s right. He seems quite determined, in fact.” Priscilla held the reins steady, giving her horse the freedom to move at his own pace, but in readiness to take control should he decide to go fast. “Of course, Elam doesn’t believe David will make it.” She sighed in exasperation. “Some of the things Elam has said sound as if he’s hoping David will fail.”

“Why would he hope that?”

Priscilla shrugged.

“Could Elam be jealous?”

“What does he have to be jealous about?”

Elaine gave Priscilla’s arm a light tap. “David’s attention toward you. It doesn’t take a genius to see he’s smitten with you.”

“Oh, no, he’s not—”

“Surely you’ve noticed the way David looks at you. Ben even mentioned it to me the other day. I’m sure there are others, including Elam, who’ve seen it, as well.”

Priscilla’s brows furrowed. “You and Ben have been discussing this?”

“Well, Ben brought it up after our last church service.”

“What exactly did he say?”

“He could tell after talking to David awhile, as well as watching his expression whenever you’re around, that he’s interested in you.”

Here we go again
, Priscilla thought. “David and I are just good friends.”
How many times have I said that recently?
Priscilla concentrated on the road while listening to everything Elaine said.

“While that may be true, it seems as if David might want your friendship to be more.”

“David knows Elam is courting me.” Priscilla couldn’t accept what her friend was saying. She was certain David had no thoughts of horning in on her relationship with Elam.

“Some men become bold if they love a woman.”

Priscilla’s fingers tightened on the reins. If she were being honest, she’d have to admit she had wondered a few times if David might see her as more than a friend. Truth was, with Elam dragging his feet on a proposal, she’d found herself thinking a lot about David—even wondering if what she felt for him was more than friendship. She’d dismissed the idea, however. It was just a silly notion because she’d been courted so long without even a hint of marriage from Elam.

“Is the dinner you’re planning to host on Valentine’s Day still going to happen?” Priscilla asked, feeling the need for a change of subject.

Elaine nodded. “Are you still available to help out?”

“Of course. You certainly can’t do it alone.”

“I thought you might have plans to spend Valentine’s Day with Elam.” Elaine paused. “Or even David.”

“No plans have been made with anyone. Even if Elam had asked, I would have told him I’d be helping you on the fourteenth. If he wants to do something, maybe we can get together the evening after Valentine’s Day.” Priscilla chose not to comment on what David might be planning for that day. Since he knew she and Elam were courting, surely he wouldn’t expect to spend Valentine’s Day with her.

“What about you and Ben?” Priscilla glanced at Elaine. “Has he asked you to do anything with him that day?”

Elaine shook her head. “But then I’d already mentioned my plans to host a dinner, and Ben seemed to understand.”

“I like Ben. He’s so easygoing. Will you give him an answer to his proposal soon?”

Elaine nodded. “By the way, did I mention the dinner on Valentine’s Day will be another family group?”

“I don’t believe you did.”

“The parents of this group have four grown daughters. Each of them got married on Valentine’s Day, but in different years. When the mother called to make the reservation, she explained how she and her husband were also married on Valentine’s Day. That’s why their daughters chose the same date for their weddings. So this is going to be a big anniversary dinner for all of them.”

“Sounds nice.” Priscilla tried to sound enthusiastic. She was reminded once again how she was the only sibling in her family not married yet. Of course, her four brothers were older than she. Even though they never teased her about it, she was sure they all wondered why Elam hadn’t popped the question to their little sister yet.

They rode in silence until Priscilla guided the horse and buggy into Adam and Leah’s yard. A short time later, they sat at Leah’s table eating chicken noodle soup, with homemade wheat bread and the strawberry jam Priscilla had brought along.

Little Carrie sat beside Leah, chattering away and giggling when some of the jam stuck to her nose.

Priscilla noticed how patient Leah was with the child. And the look of adoration on Carrie’s face said it all—she loved Leah beyond measure.

When they finished their meal, Carrie went to the living room to play, while Priscilla and Elaine helped Leah wash and dry the dishes.

“I have some news I want to share,” Leah said once the dishes were done.

“Is it good news or bad?” Priscilla asked.

“Adam and I think it’s good news.” Leah placed her hand on her stomach and smiled. “I’m expecting a boppli.”

“Oh my! This is wunderbaar! I’m so happy for you.” Elaine hugged Leah and was quickly joined by Priscilla.

“When is the baby due?” Priscilla questioned.

“Late August or early September.” Leah glanced toward the door leading to the living room. “The girls don’t know yet. Adam and I decided to wait a bit longer to tell them, but it’ll probably be soon.”

Elaine smiled. “I’m sure they’ll be excited about it.”

“I hope so.” Leah went on to say that Adam’s mother was coming over to meet her granddaughters that evening. “I’m hoping it goes well.”

“It’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Elaine gave Leah another hug. “Does Cora know you’re expecting a baby?”

Leah shook her head. “Not yet, but my guess is she’ll be pleased to have another grandchild.”

As Priscilla listened to Leah talk more about the baby and the future of her little family, she struggled with feelings of envy. It was wrong to be envious of her friend, but oh, how she wanted to get married and have a family of her own. At the rate things were going, it was doubtful she’d get married any time soon.

Cora’s heart pounded as she drove to Leah and Adam’s place. She was finally going to meet her granddaughters, but she had no idea what to say. Would they accept her as their grandmother? Would they be too shy to talk to her? She was, after all, a stranger to them.

Cora’s thoughts took her back to the day Leah had brought Carrie into the clinic with bee stings. The child had responded well to Cora then. And when Cora spoke to the two older girls near the schoolhouse several weeks ago, neither of them had seemed standoffish.

“Maybe I’m worried for nothing.” Cora rolled down her window and breathed in the fresh air, which helped her relax and think more clearly.
Lord, please give me the right words when I talk to the girls.

A short time later, Cora pulled her vehicle into Adam’s yard. When she stepped out and approached the house, her palms grew sweaty, and her feet felt like lead. Just when she’d thought she was beginning to relax, her nerves had taken over again.

Breathe deeply
, she told herself as she knocked on the door.
Breathe deeply and think only positive thoughts.

Leah answered the door and gave Cora a hug, inviting her into the living room. “Relax. It’ll be fine,” she whispered, as if reading Cora’s mind.

When she entered the room, three beautiful little girls sat on the couch, looking curiously at her. Adam had been sitting in his recliner, but he rose to his feet as soon as he saw her. “We’re glad you’re here. I’ve told the girls about you, and they’ve been waiting for your arrival.” He motioned to the children. “Cora, this is Carrie, Linda, and Amy.”