No, please… You can’t take them! They belong here with us.”
Rolling onto his side, Lyle gently shook Heidi’s shoulder.
“Wake up, Heidi. You were talking in your sleep.”
Her eyes opened, and when she sat up in bed, Lyle noticed his wife’s nightgown was drenched in sweat.
“W–what time is it?” Heidi looked toward the window.
“It’s morning, around the time we normally get up.”
“I was dreaming.” She blinked several times. “Oh, Lyle, it was a horrible nightmare, and it seemed so real.”
He sat up next to Heidi and clasped her hand. “What was it about?”
“I dreamed some unknown relative showed up here and wanted to take Marsha and Randy from us.” Heidi paused and drew a shuddering breath. “It was dark outside, and the man or woman—I’m not sure which—pulled the kinner into their vehicle. I hollered at them to stop and to leave the children with us, but they drove away into the night.”
“It was only a dream.” Lyle spoke soothingly, hoping to alleviate her fears.
Heidi swept a hand across her forehead. “Oh, Lyle, I’m so frightened. What if someone should show up and try to take Randy and Marsha from us?” Her voice trembled. “I don’t think I could suffer another disappointment.”
Lyle slipped his arm around Heidi and pulled her close. “It was only a bad dream. Your fears are unfounded.”
“I suppose, but after Kendra decided to keep her baby and the adoption was called off, I can’t help but worry that something will happen to prevent us from adopting Randy and Marsha.”
Lightly stroking his wife’s arm, and fumbling for the right words, Lyle whispered, “We need to trust God. If it’s meant for us to raise those children, nothing will stand in our way.”
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “Danki for listening, and especially for the reminder to trust the Lord. Sometimes, I find it easier to tell others how to strengthen their faith, but it’s much harder when I’m dealing with my own problems.”
“That’s how it is with most people.” Lyle kissed her damp cheek. “Now I think we’d better both say a prayer before we get out of bed.”
Heidi bowed her head. Lyle did the same. Heavenly Father, he silently prayed, please chase away my fraa’s doubts and concerns. Help us be strong and accepting if something should go wrong and we’re not able to adopt the children.
Heidi stood in front of the kitchen sink, washing the breakfast dishes. It was hard to believe it was the middle of July and today was her fourth cooking class. She hoped the egg-salad sandwiches she would teach her young students to make would be appreciated. While some children might not care for egg salad, it had been a favorite of Heidi’s since she was a young girl. Heidi’s maternal grandma had given her the recipe she would share with the kids today. She was eager to teach the class, too, hoping it would get her mind off the horrible dream she’d had early this morning. Although she wanted to believe everything would work out, it was difficult to get rid of the niggling doubts.
“I need to trust God, like my husband said,” she murmured. “Perhaps my faith is being put to the test.”
Heidi glanced out the window and smiled when she saw Randy and Marsha feeding the chickens with Lyle. In addition to bringing both of the children much joy, their little poultry venture was giving Randy, in particular, a meaningful chore and something he looked forward to doing each day.
She hoped helping take care of the chickens was also causing Randy to draw closer to Lyle as they worked together. The boy still hadn’t called Lyle “Daadi” or her “Mammi,” but Heidi hadn’t given up hope of that happening someday. She felt certain Lyle had begun to think of Randy as his son in every way.
She smiled, watching Marsha dart away from the chicken enclosure to chase a pretty butterfly. Heidi would have been tempted to join the little girl if she didn’t need to get the dishes done before her young students arrived.
Randy and Marsha had brought them much joy. At times like this, Heidi’s heart felt like it would burst with enthusiasm and hope for the future.
“Your breakfast is sitting out, Becky,” Ellen called when she left the kitchen and stepped into the hall. “And if you don’t hurry, we’ll end up being late for the cooking class.”
“I’ll be right there!” A few minutes later, Becky entered the room. She stopped in front of the table and frowned.
“What’s wrong?”
“I thought we were having pancakes today. You mentioned it last night when you got home from the hospital, remember?”
Ellen nodded. “I had planned to make them, until I came into the kitchen and looked at the time.” She gestured to the clock above the refrigerator. “So we wouldn’t be late, I decided it would be better to have cold cereal this morning.”
Becky sat down with an undignified grunt.
“Aren’t we the grouchy one today? Didn’t you sleep well last night?” Ellen pulled out a chair beside Becky.
“I slept fine. Just woke up grumpy.”
“How come?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, let’s pray. Maybe you’ll feel better once you’ve had something to eat.”
They bowed their heads, and Ellen offered the prayer. “Dear Lord, please bless this food to the needs of our bodies, and give us a safe trip to Heidi’s today. Be with the others who’ll be traveling there too. Amen.”
Becky remained quiet as they ate, even when Ellen tried to make conversation. “Is something wrong? Aren’t you looking forward to the cooking class today?”
“Yeah, I guess. But I’m not lookin’ forward to going to the Firemen’s Festival with Darren and Jeremy later today.”
“Why not, for goodness’ sakes? From what Darren told me, it’ll be a fun event, and after it gets dark, there will even be fireworks.” Ellen smiled. “That should be fun, right?”
“Maybe. I just don’t understand why we have to see Jeremy and his dad twice in one day.”
Ellen picked up her coffee cup and took a drink. “The Firemen’s Festival simply happens to be on the same day as the cooking class, Becky. It’s not like Darren planned it that way.”
With only a shrug, Becky grabbed her spoon and started eating. Once more, Ellen wondered if Becky resented Darren and wanted to keep things the way they were between mother and daughter. Was there room in Becky’s heart for a stepfather and stepbrother?
Ellen shook herself mentally. Now where did that thought come from? I’m just beginning to know Darren, and there’s certainly been no mention of marriage. I need to stop thinking about something that may never happen, especially if my daughter doesn’t approve of me seeing Darren. She added a bit of cream to her cup and stirred it around. Hopefully, Darren will win Becky’s heart, the way he’s beginning to win mine.
Miranda had started clearing the breakfast table when she heard a vehicle pull into the yard.
“Bet that’s Daddy!” Kevin leaped out of his chair and raced for the back door. Debbie was right behind him.
Miranda was scheduled to work this morning, so Trent had agreed to take the kids to their cooking class again. She hoped this time he would stay with them and not go off on his own. When she got home from work this afternoon, she would quiz the kids about what went on.
Miranda placed the dishes in the dishwasher, and as she closed the door, Trent entered the kitchen, both kids clinging to his hands.
“Morning, Miranda. How’s it going?” Trent’s cheerful attitude made her wonder if he was up to something. She still hadn’t asked him about attending the marriage seminar, but she’d wait to do it until he brought the kids home this afternoon.
“It’s going,” she responded. “How are you?”
“Doin’ okay, but I’d be better if…” Trent stopped talking, let go of the kids’ hands, and moved across the room. “If you’re not doing anything this evening, I’d like to take you somewhere so we can talk.”
I bet you would. Miranda bit her lip to keep from verbalizing her thoughts. “What do you want to talk about?”
He nodded with his head in the direction of Kevin and Debbie, who had moved over to stand by the back door. No doubt, they were eager to go.
“Is there a problem?” She spoke quietly.
He shook his head. “Not really, but there are some things we need to discuss.”
I bet he wants to talk about a divorce and doesn’t want our son and daughter to hear. Miranda’s muscles tensed. “I’d need to get a sitter. Sure can’t leave the kids here alone.”
“No, of course not.” Trent fingered the top button of his pale green shirt. “If you can line someone up to stay with the kids, I’d be happy to pay the sitter.”
Miranda tilted her head from side to side, weighing her choices. If she and Trent were alone, regardless of his agenda, it would give her a chance to bring up the marriage seminar. Maybe Trent wants a divorce. If so, he’ll never agree to go to the seminar with me.
“Okay, I’ll go, but not till after the kids are in bed. I don’t want them asking a bunch of questions.”
“That’s fine. I’ll come by around nine. Will that be okay?”
She nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
When Trent went out the door with Debbie and Kevin, Miranda released a lingering sigh. I hope I made the right choice agreeing to go somewhere with Trent this evening. Maybe I should have suggested he talk to me here, after the kids have gone to bed. But then if he should bring up the topic of divorce, it’s not something I want the children to hear. They would have to be told, of course, but Miranda wanted to be the one to tell them. Hopefully, she could do it in a gentle way so they wouldn’t be too stunned and could accept it.