Put on then, as God’s chosen ones,
holy and beloved, compassionate hearts,
kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Colossians 3:12-13
Aaron had made no secret about his disappointment in her. He hadn’t expected a woman with a child on the way, and Courtney had known that would’ve been the case. She’d hidden her pregnancy from everyone in the community with her big dresses, but Aaron had guessed right away. Possibly the people who saw her regularly didn’t take too much notice of her appearance but someone seeing her for the first time would’ve wondered. It was only fair of him to ask her right away if she were pregnant—normally an Amish man wouldn’t have inquired that of a woman, but as her employer he had a right to know.
Nervousness gnawed at her stomach as she stepped down from the buggy. Courtney was always apprehensive about meeting others for the first time. She knew she’d get along with the children just fine, but she didn’t always get along with adults. One thing she had to find out about was a midwife, and Courtney couldn’t leave it too long to inquire where the nearest one was. Today was possibly not the best time to mention her pregnancy or to ask any questions—it was clear it was already a sore topic with Aaron.
After they’d met the bishop and his wife who were extremely friendly and younger than she’d expected, Aaron made their excuses saying they had to collect the children.
Once back in the buggy he said, “My haus is only another five minutes away from my bruder’s.”
“Do you want me to come in with you?” She figured it was enough for one day just meeting the bishop and his wife.
“Jah, of course, you have to meet Heather and James.”
Courtney swallowed her nervousness and took a step forward. What if they didn’t like her? There would be nothing better than for Heather to become a good friend. She hadn’t had one of those for a long time.
Without knocking, Aaron walked through the door leaving Courtney unsure of whether she should follow behind him or wait to be asked inside.
As soon as he was inside, Aaron turned to face her. “Come along.”
She took a step into the house. After a quick look around the darkness inside, she heard laughter coming from the kitchen. Then like a tornado, three children squealed and barreled toward Aaron. Close behind them were three boys, whom Courtney guessed to be their cousins—Heather and James’ boys.
“What have I told you about running in the haus?” Aaron asked them in an angry tone.
“And screaming,” added a woman who stepped into the room. When the woman looked up at Courtney, she smiled. “Courtney, it’s so nice to meet you.”
“Denke. You’re Heather?”
“Jah, I should’ve said that,” the woman said with a grin.
Courtney studied the small happy woman, and she liked her right away. She had pale skin with a smattering of freckles over her nose and cheeks. As soon as Heather had given Courtney a big smile, Courtney knew they’d become friends.
“Now all of you listen to me. This is Miss Courtney, and you must do everything she tells you.” Heather wagged her finger at the children who were now staring at Courtney with mischievous grins on their faces.
Aaron placed his hand on top of each child’s head as he named them in turn.
“I’m very pleased to meet all of you. And are these your cousins?” She looked over at the boys who were standing next to their mother.
Jared, the oldest boy said, “They’re the cousins, Kyle, Garth, and Redman.”
“Hello.” Courtney nodded to them.
After the cousins said hello back, Heather stepped toward her. “Come and have some tea or something to eat. You must be exhausted from your long trip.”
Courtney looked at Aaron who shook his head, and said, “We must go denke, Heather. If we get home before dark, I can show Courtney around the place.”
“Jah, of course. They’ve just finished their hot chocolates, so they’re ready to go. They’ve been excitedly waiting for you, Courtney.”
“That’s gut. I’ve been waiting to meet all of you too,” Courtney said to the children.
“Come on everyone,” Aaron yelled in a loud voice that made Courtney jump.
“We’re so glad that you’ve come Courtney,” Heather said. “I’ll come and visit you soon. The schul is just up there on the hill, so when you take the children there tomorrow, you can come here and visit me.”
“Denke, and please come and visit whenever you find the time.”
The three children ran past Courtney and got into the buggy before Courtney or Aaron had a chance to get outside.
“Don’t run,” Aaron said. He turned to Courtney and shook his head. “As I said, they’re very lively.”
“I can see that, but that’s good because it shows they’re bright and healthy.”
Aaron raised his eyebrows and laughed. He turned and thanked Heather for looking after the children.
Just before Courtney walked out the door, Heather said, “I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Denke. I’m glad to be here too. I need a fresh start, and I think it’ll be a good fit for me.”
Heather leaned in and whispered, “Don’t mind Aaron, he can be gruff sometimes, but he’s really a pussycat deep down.”
“Is he?” Courtney hoped that was true.
“You’ll find that out.”
Just as Aaron was nearly at the buggy, he turned back. “Come on, Miss Courtney.”
“Come on, Miss Courtney,” one of the children echoed.
“I’m coming,” Courtney called, and then she turned back to Heather. “I’ll see you soon?”
“I’ll see you soon, Courtney.”
She headed to the buggy and laughed as she saw three heads stuck out of the buggy staring at her. After climbing into the front seat with Aaron, she turned around to talk to the children. “Jared, Ben, and Amy, is that right?”
The two younger children giggled, and Jared said, “His name is Silly-Billy, and her name is Froggy.”
“Silly-Billy and Froggy? I’ll have to remember that. Are those your nicknames or your real names?” She asked the question as seriously as she could.
The three of them giggled while their father turned the buggy around.
“Quiet down. Miss Courtney isn’t used to noisy children. Now Jared, remind Miss Courtney the real names of your bruder and schweschder.”
“Ben and Amy,” Jared answered in a small voice.
Ben poked an elbow in Jared’s side, and then Jared poked him back. The three children giggled as they continued to poke one another.
Aaron glanced behind him, shook his head, and then turned to Courtney. “I hope you’ll be happy with your cabin. I’ve made it as comfortable as I could. It’s only small so it won’t take long for the fire to warm it in the cold weather. Everything’s there for you so you’ll never have to come to the main house once the children are in bed, and you’re finished for the day.”
“Denke, I’m sure I’ll be comfortable with whatever you’ve arranged for me.”
Courtney had found the children to be delightful, but Aaron seemed to be irritated by her. That had to be due to the fact that she was pregnant and hadn’t told anyone. She would’ve told him and Bessie if she’d thought it was going to hinder her ability to be a good nanny. She’d have to have at least one day off when she was giving birth, but in his letters to Bessie, Aaron had mentioned that she’d have one day a week to herself. How hard could it be to have a baby and then look after a household and small children? She’d teach the children to help with the chores as soon as she could, that is, if Aaron hadn’t already taught them.
“Here we are,” Aaron said pointing up a long gravel road to a cottage with a small building peeking out from the rear of it. “That’s our home and next to it is your cabin, but you can’t see it too well until you’re nearly there because it’s behind the haus. The haus looks rough from the outside, and it needs some work, but your place is all new.”