CHAPTER SEVEN

Minutes later in the kitchen, Isaac’s arrival ignited a robust blast of chatter through the back door. I assumed from Nancy’s and Anna’s elevated voices speaking Pennsylvania Dutch that they were both thrilled to see him. I could understand why. Except for that funky hairdo and his clothes, he was a fine-looking man.

I decided I needed to put a stop to Nancy’s worries now. I slid my arm through Troy’s bent elbow as we stood up and walked into the kitchen. “This is for Nancy’s sake,” I whispered in his ear.

“You don’t hear me complaining, do you? But I must warn you, the Amish don’t outwardly show their affections. Dating is all very hush-hush.”

“All the better.” I retrieved my hand and glanced at Isaac, who looked surprised. But not Nancy. Exuberance fluttered through her like a spring breeze.

Isaac puffed out his chest. “Sorry, Troy, but there isn’t room for all of us in the sleigh.”

“Why don’t you just take the girls?” I sidled up to Naomi, who stood measuring out flour into a ceramic bowl. “I promised Naomi I’d help her with the cooking.”

Both Nancy and Anna grinned, but Isaac said, “You’re missing out on a chance of a lifetime.”

“You may be right. I do want a ride in a sleigh someday. But I’d better stay here to help care for Linda, too.”

“I’m so excited.” Nancy punched her fists into her coat sleeves. One step ahead of her, Anna was already buttoning her coat.

“There’s still much to get done this afternoon,” Naomi said to Anna and Nancy.

“But, Mamm, we’ll be the envy of every girl in the county.” Anna’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

Naomi’s brow furrowed. “Shush, you want your father to hear you? Eliciting envy is nothing to be proud of. Pride in itself . . . Well, you know it’s a bad thing, so I won’t give you another one of your father’s sermons.”

“No worries, Naomi, I’ll fill in for them,” I said. Not that I knew my way around a kitchen. Certainly not when it came to desserts. “Too cold out there for me anyway.”

Part of me wished I’d taken Isaac up on that ride as I listened to their laughter exiting the back door. I peeked out the window and watched as they climbed into the sleigh. The horse gathered speed, and the sleigh departed. I hoped Isaac found Nancy to his liking.

Troy said, “I’d better go help shovel my parents’ driveway, although it seems to be a never-ending battle.”

“Are you coming back later to decorate?” I didn’t want him to leave.

“Sure, I don’t want to miss out on all the fun.”

“Did I thank you for charging my phone?”

“Yes, you did. Glad to.” He turned to Naomi. “I might go outside and help Silas for a few minutes.”

“Even if he says he doesn’t need help, don’t believe him,” Naomi said. “I know he’d appreciate it, even if he doesn’t act that way.”

“Yeah, I know Silas well enough.” Troy chuckled. “My dad’s the same way.”

As he left through the back door, I was tempted to run after him and hug him good-bye, because I figured I might never see him in private again. When the snow stopped, I’d be forced to leave—not that I knew my next destination.

“Maria, would you do me a favor?” Naomi’s question yanked me into the present.

“Sure. Anything.”

“Would you please go sit with mei Schweschder? I feel uneasy about leaving Linda out there by herself. If one of the girls were home, I’d ask them.”

I would have rather stayed in the kitchen with Naomi, but I said, “Okay, if you’re sure you don’t need my help.”

“Sitting with Linda is the help I need the most. Seriously. And take your cell phone with you, just in case.” She handed me a scrap of paper. “Here’s Charlene’s telephone number.”

“But Silas made such a fuss about using the cell phone.”

She winked. “I don’t recall him telling you anything.”

“But—”

“Please encourage her to drink fluids. She has always been a strong-willed person. Well, not as a child. She was the most compliant in the house, but when she became a teenager something changed her. I have no idea what.”

As I entered the living room with more tea, I felt mean-spirited as I acknowledged I didn’t particularly like Linda, although I admired her spunk, her ability to live by herself all these years with no man to help her.

Don’t judge a book by its cover, I kept reminding myself as I set the tea down on the table.

Linda lay sprawled on the couch, her face buried in a pillow. Her shoulders shook.

“Linda? Are you all right? Is there anything I can do?”

“I’m fine,” she croaked, dabbing at her cheeks with her handkerchief. “Just feeling sorry for myself, which is a sin.”

“I feel sorry for myself all the time,” I said in an attempt to elevate her mood. “At least recently.” Now what should I do? “Are you sure you’re feeling all right physically? I can call Charlene.”

“No, don’t.” Her voice was barely a squeak. “I deserve to die. God is punishing me, as He did before when He kept me barren and then took my husband away.”

“But why?”

Her words were too slurred for me to understand.

I felt her forehead. Her skin seemed warm. “Naomi,” I called. “Please come in here.”

She hustled into the living room. “Did she pass out?”

“I don’t know. She was talking just a minute ago.” I decided not to reveal the subject of our conversation. “Do you think we should call Charlene?”

She glanced toward the kitchen. “Yes, go ahead.”

“But what about Silas?”

“He’s out in the barn . . . Never mind.” She took the phone from me and tapped in Charlene’s number. She and Charlene had a short conversation, then Naomi said, “Hold on,” and set the phone aside without hanging up.

“Linda?” Naomi shook Linda’s shoulders gently. “Can you hear me?”

Linda’s eyes opened halfway. “I guess I fell asleep.”

I had a difficult time believing anyone could fall asleep that quickly, even if they were ill, but maybe I was being overly critical. I recalled my mother accusing me of playing possum when I was a child.

Naomi spoke into the cell phone. “Hi, Char. Linda’s awake. What do you think? Give her another couple of hours to rest?” A long pause ensued. “Okay, if she’s not better by tomorrow then I’ll ask Troy to take her to the urgent care clinic.”

Naomi hung up and gave the phone back to me. “Charlene said to keep watch on her. She said to let Linda sleep. When Silas comes back in the house, we’ll put her to bed.”

An hour later, Silas and Bart carried Linda to one of the first-floor bedrooms, then sat at the kitchen table, enjoying hot chocolate. Isaac returned with Nancy and Anna. Jubilation and laughter filled the room as they described their ride.

“Everyone stared at us,” Nancy said, removing her bonnet and wriggling out of her coat. “Not that we were trying to make anyone jealous, Dat.”

Troy appeared at the back door, carrying a platter of assorted cookies and candies. I felt a wave of giddiness traveling through me.

“Take these plates into the living room and bring out the board games.” Naomi seemed as excited as the girls. Maybe she really was happy to have extra people over on Christmas Eve. She must miss her sons and grandchildren.

After supper, Nancy, Anna, Isaac, Troy, Bart, and I played Monopoly, Chutes and Ladders, and other board games from my childhood. We laughed and joked, and I forgot my troubles.

During a lull, while Nancy cooked more popcorn, I stepped out into the utility room with my cell phone to call my sister. She’d been worried about me but was excited to share her updates about her wedding ceremony to her longtime boyfriend, who had a job waiting for him in Texas. I told her I’d be delighted to be her maid of honor, all the while thinking how much I would miss her when she left. We assured each other that we would keep in touch, but of course I knew it wouldn’t be the same. I was both happy for her and forlorn at the same time.

Back in the living room, we played more games, decorated with the greenery, and nibbled on snacks until ten. Bart fell asleep on the couch. I recalled my childhood fantasy that Santa Claus would arrive at midnight with a bag full of presents, knowing ahead of time exactly what each child would want. I realized I’d have to be content not receiving my most treasured gift, and I asked God to give me peace.

As Troy and Isaac prepared to leave, Troy took my hand for a moment. I felt like sinking into his arms and relying on his support. I wasn’t strong enough to make it on my own anymore.