In the weeks that followed, Ruth settled into a routine of going over to Abe’s place every day to care for his children, cook his meals, and clean the house, while Ivan spent the nights there. It had been Ivan’s idea to do so, saying Abe would need help during the night and that it wouldn’t be proper for Ruth to stay. Ivan had taken over the harness shop, and Gideon had been helping some. But Monday would be the first day of school, so Gideon, along with Josh, Esta, and Willis, would be gone all day, leaving Ivan to run the harness shop and Ruth to care for Abe, Owen, and Molly.
Since today was Saturday and Ivan had given Gideon the day off, the boy had taken Josh and Willis fishing at the pond behind their house. Ruth had sent the boys off with a picnic lunch an hour ago. Esta was out on the porch keeping Owen entertained with a jar of bubbles. Molly was taking a nap. That left Ruth alone in the house with Abe, who was reading his Bible on the sofa in the living room.
Deciding that Abe might like some refreshments, Ruth carried a tray into the living room and placed it on the small table near the sofa. “I brought you some milk and cookies,” she said, smiling down at him.
He set the Bible aside and sat up. “Danki. That was nice of you.”
Ruth handed him the glass. “How’s the leg feeling this afternoon?”
“Not so bad. I should be able to start working in the shop a few hours a day beginning next week.” He motioned to his leg, encased in a heavy cast. “Why don’t you sit here on the sofa so we can visit awhile?”
Ruth gulped. If I take a seat on the sofa, I’ll be sitting at Abe’s feet … almost like Ruth from the Bible.
“If you have something to do in the other room, I’ll understand,” Abe said. “But it would be nice to have the company. I get tired of sitting around when I should be out in the shop working.”
“I have the time.” Ruth lowered herself to the sofa and shifted uncomfortably when her elbow brushed the bottom of Abe’s cast. “Sorry. I hope that didn’t hurt.”
“Nope. Didn’t feel a thing.” Abe took a drink of milk. “This is refreshing. Danki.”
“You’re welcome.”
A few moments of awkward silence passed between them. Then he smiled and said, “Your help’s been appreciated. You’re not only good with the kinner, but you can cook and keep the house well—better than my sister did.”
“She was young and inexperienced.”
“You’re not so old yourself,” Abe said with a crooked grin.
Ruth’s face heated with embarrassment.
Abe took another swallow of milk. “I’m sure you still miss Martin, but a young woman like yourself ought to think about getting married again. You’d make a good helpmate.”
Ruth stared at the floor. If Abe were to marry me, I could be his kinner’s mamm. I could be his helpmate.
She lifted her gaze to meet his. “What about you, Abe? Would you think of me as an acceptable wife for you?”
“Ach, Ruth, we’re a good ten years apart. You could find a much younger man than me.”
“But I wouldn’t have anything to give a younger man.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I couldn’t give him children.” She dropped her gaze again.
“Ruth, look at me.”
She forced herself to face him, hoping he wouldn’t see the tears threatening to escape her lashes.
“I know you would make a good mudder for my kinner, and a fine fraa for me, as well, but without love, a good marriage would be impossible.”
“Are—are you saying you won’t marry me?”
He nodded. “It wouldn’t be fair to—”
“Papa! Papa, come quick!” Josh hollered as he burst into the room.
Abe’s face blanched. “What is it, boy?”
“It’s Willis! He fell in the pond when Gideon was in the woods lookin’ for me, and—” Josh gulped down a sob. “And—and Gideon drug Willis out of the water, but he won’t wake up.”
Abe grabbed his crutches and pushed himself to his feet.
Ruth stood, too, as her heart gave a lurch. “What are you planning to do?”
“I’m going to the pond.”
“But it’s too far to go there on crutches. You’re not up to walking that far. I think it would be better if you wait here and let me go.”
He shook his head and hobbled toward the door. “Josh, hitch up the pony cart. We’ll use that to get us to the pond.” His eyes were wide as he looked at Ruth. “Run down to the phone shed and call 9-1-1.”
Ruth’s heart pounded as she hurried out the door and sprinted toward the phone shed near the end of Abe’s driveway. Dear Lord, she prayed, please let Willis be okay.
“Where are you going, Papa? Why’s Ruth running down the driveway?” Esta asked as Abe hobbled toward the barn behind Josh.
“There’s been an accident at the pond. Take Owen in the house and wait there with him and Molly until we get back.”
Esta’s eyes widened, and her chin trembled like a leaf caught in a breeze. “Has—has someone been hurt? Is it one of my brieder?”
“Willis fell in the pond. I’ve got to get to him quick. Now get up to the house, schnell!”
Abe didn’t look back to see if Esta had done what he’d asked; he just kept moving toward the barn, praying with each step he took. Don’t take my boy, Lord. Don’t take my boy.
By the time Abe got to the barn door, Josh had one of their smaller horses hitched to the pony cart. “Here, take my crutches!”
Josh took the crutches and held them with one hand while keeping a tight hold on the horse’s bridle. Abe gritted his teeth and climbed into the cart; then Josh handed him the crutches and climbed in beside him.
“Papa, I’m scared,” the boy whimpered. “What if—”
“You hush now; don’t even say it. Just get us to the pond as quick as you can!”
As the horse trotted across the fields, Abe continued to plead with God for the life of his son. He’d already lost one family member; he couldn’t bear the thought of losing another.
The pond came into view a few minutes later, and Abe caught sight of Gideon bent over his little brother. “Get the horse next to them,” he told Josh. “We’ll need to put Willis in the cart.”
Josh did as he was told, and Abe climbed out of the pony cart. Ignoring his crutches, he hobbled on one foot over to Gideon. “Is your bruder breathing?”
Gideon slowly shook his head. “I don’t think so, Papa.”
Abe dropped to the ground beside Willis. The boy lay deathly still, and Abe quickly began CPR, praying with each breath he took and each breath he released into his son’s mouth.
“Papa, I’m sorry.” Gideon leaned close to Abe. “I was only away from Willis a short time.” He sniffed a couple of times. “He was playin’ in shallow water, so I don’t know what happened. I—I waded in and pulled him right out, but—”
“Stand back and give me some room!” Abe didn’t look up to see Gideon’s reaction. He just kept pushing on Willis’s chest and sharing his breath with the boy. He was tempted to put Willis into the pony cart and take him up to the house to wait for the ambulance, but with him not responding to CPR, he figured the best thing he could do was keep trying to breathe life back into his son.
After what seemed like hours, Abe heard sirens in the distance. When the ambulance arrived, Abe’s hopes were renewed. The paramedics had more training than he did, and their vehicle was full of lifesaving equipment. He hoped they could accomplish what he hadn’t been able to do.
Abe moved aside as the paramedics took over.
“How long was his head under the water?” one of the men asked.
“I don’t know.” Abe looked at Gideon, but the boy shrugged.
As the paramedics worked on Willis, Abe continued to pray. Finally, one of the men stepped up to Abe and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Wengerd, but your son is dead.”