Commit thy works unto the Lord,
and thy thoughts shall be established.
Proverbs 16:3
“If you don't mind looking after the children, I'll go and collect Willa and her friend and bring them back here.”
“Okay.”
“Have you organized their bedrooms?”
“Jah, I’ve moved Ben and Amy into Jared’s room. I've made the beds up and everything is ready for them.” Courtney had been looking forward to some new female company.
“Denke, Courtney. I don't know what I would ever do without you.” He flashed her a bright smile that made her heart leap. “You were right when you said that you could do everything. You're quite a remarkable woman and you’ve been wonderful with the children.”
Courtney giggled.
“I mean it. You’ve changed my life completely. I can enjoy the children when I come home instead of doing more work. I hope you stay with us forever.”
“Forever’s a long time.” Courtney could’ve suggested a way she could stay with them forever but she didn’t. Maybe one day he’d want her to stay around for a different reason. Her secret hope was that one day they would marry and they could be a real family.
“I’ll have to find a way to make you stay. But right now I’ve got to collect Willa and her friend.”
After she stood with the children and watched Aaron drive away in his buggy, she had the children help her with getting the dinner cooked. Jared complained that he shouldn't have to do women's work and wanted to do boys’ work. Courtney explained to him that he could do both just like his father had to do both before she came along.
It was about an hour later that they heard the buggy return. The children ran from the kitchen and Courtney wasn’t far behind them. Courtney stopped at the front door and watched an attractive woman step down from the buggy. Then another woman stood alongside her. The one doing all the talking and pointing to things was obviously Willa. On closer scrutiny, Courtney saw Willa was slim with a pretty face and a slightly upturned nose.
The children were standing in a row in front of Courtney while Gabriel was fast asleep in the house.
Willa stepped forward. “Don't you remember your Aunty Willa?
“Nee,” Jared said which caused Ben and Amy to giggle.
After Willa had leaned down and hugged the three children, she looked up at Courtney. “And you must be Candice?”
“I'm Courtney,” Courtney said, accepting a warm hug from Willa while Beth giggled.
“Hello, Courtney. I’m Beth,” Beth said giving Courtney a nod.
“Hello, Beth.”
“I meant to say Courtney; those two names are so similar—both are common names.” Willa glanced over at Aaron who was tending to the horse and then looked back at Courtney. “We are quite tired and hungry from the journey. Do you have food prepared?”
“Dinner will be ready in half an hour. Would you like something before that? I can fix you some tea and something to eat right now if you're really hungry.”
“We can wait,” Willa said in a bored tone. “Can you show us where we’ll be sleeping?”
“Of course, come inside.” Once they were inside, Courtney walked down the hallway with the two women following. “Your rooms are down this way. I’ve fixed you a room each.”
“Where do the children sleep?” Willa asked.
“They’re all bunking down in Jared’s room.” Courtney pointed behind her to the enclosed porch, which was Jared’s room.
As Courtney continued to lead the way, she asked Willa. “Have you been here before?”
“Jah. I have been here many times to visit. How long have you been here?”
“I've been here for quite a few months now.”
“And where do you stay?” Beth asked.
“I'm staying in the cabin next door. It’s very close to the haus.”
“I see,” said Willa. “And Aaron tells me you have a boppli?”
“Jah, I do. He’s four months old.”
“My mudder is trying to tell Aaron to move closer to the familye. You wouldn’t try to stop him from doing that would you, Courtney?”
“Nee, of course, not. Why would I do that?”
“You must make him see that he should move back to Lancaster County to be closer to the people who care about him.”
“I can’t make him do anything. He has his own mind; I’m only the nanny.”
Willa looked her up and down. “I know that’s all you are and all you’ll ever be to him, but if you care about his kinner at all, you’ll do your best to persuade him. Don’t you want what’s best for him?”
“I do, Willa. He’s made a life for himself here and he seems to be happy.”
“He’ll be happy anywhere and the children will be happier if they have more children to play with.”
“They have their cousins just down the road and they see them nearly every day.”
“Willa’s only trying to help, Courtney,” Beth said.
Courtney stared at Beth. “I know that, but sometimes people just have to step back and trust that other people know what’s best for themselves. We can’t control others, we can only make decisions for ourselves.”
“And why are you trying to make him stay, then?” Willa asked placing her hands on her hips and tilting her chin toward the ceiling.
“I’m not making him do anything. I’ve never had one conversation with him about staying here or leaving.” Courtney bit the inside of her lip hoping that was true. In their many conversations something might have come up along those lines at some stage.
“Just by being here you’re making it easier for him to stay.”
“Before I came here, Heather was looking after them. It didn’t make him leave when he had no one living here minding the children.”
“Don’t say anymore, Willa. She doesn’t understand what you mean.”
“You’re right, Beth.” Willa stepped into the room. “Is this where I’m staying?”
“Jah, and Beth, you’re right across the hallway. The rooms aren’t big but I hope you’ll be comfortable.”
Willa spun around and stared at Courtney. “You think it’s a small haus?”
“Jah, much smaller than most of the homes in Ohio and Lancaster County.”
“Well, denke, Courtney. I’m sure we’ll be comfortable in the tiny rooms in the small haus.”
“Gut, well then, I’ll go and put the pot on for some kaffe while you both get settled in.”
“Denke, Courtney,” Willa called out before Beth echoed the same.
Courtney walked away and hurried to check how the children were getting along minding her baby whom she’d left in the kitchen in his crib.
“We’ve set the table for dinner,” Jared said pleased with himself.
“Jared, that looks wunderbaar. You’ve all done so well; you’re such good helpers.”
“Gabriel is still asleep,” Amy said as Courtney peered into the small crib.
“Denke, for watching him. He’s a blessed boppli to have all of you watching over him as he sleeps.”
Aaron walked in the back door. “Where are the visitors?” he whispered.
“They’re getting settled in their rooms.”
“Did they say how long they’re staying?”
Courtney shook her head and seeing her response, Aaron pulled a face.
“Just finish at your usual time tonight, Courtney, unless you’d like to stay here and talk with us. What I mean to say is that they’ll probably stay up late and I don’t want you to feel obligated to stay when you’ve got the boppli to look after. There’s no reason why both of us should miss out on sleep.”
“Okay, denke.” Courtney turned her back on him to check the dinner while wondering if he wanted to talk to the two women alone. Did he fancy one of them? Maybe she would be able to tell over dinner. Either way, she’d make herself scarce as soon as the children were in bed and the after-dinner cleanup was completed.
Courtney had to wake her baby up to feed him before dinner. When the baby had been fed, changed and settled back in his crib, there was still no sign of Willa or Beth. With dinner being ready, Courtney sent Jared in to fetch them.