Gordonville
Hallich gebottsdaag, Mom.” Herschel handed Vera a bouquet of red roses and gave her a hug. Jesse had given her a box of pretty notepaper with matching envelopes, but it paled in comparison to the roses.
“Danki, Son, for the birthday wishes and lovely gift.” She placed the flowers in a vase and set it in the center of the dining-room table. “You went all out getting me twelve roses. I’m sure it was expensive.”
“Not too bad. I bought them at the flower shop in Strasburg, and the nice woman who owns the place gave me a good deal.” He puffed out his chest a bit. “Besides, you’re worth it.”
Vera’s cheeks reddened as she flapped her hand at him. “Go on with you now. I don’t need any praise.”
Jesse, who’d been sitting in a rocking chair holding Cindy, thought it was time for him to speak up. “Herschel is right, Vera. You’ve done a lot to help out with Cindy since I moved here, and I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
She shrugged. “It’s nothing, really. I enjoy helping others whenever I can.”
“Even so, I’m still on the lookout for someone else to watch Cindy while I’m at work. I’ve asked around, but all the young Amish women in my area are either married with families of their own to care for, or they already have a job.” Jesse stroked his daughter’s soft cheek as she nestled against his chest.
Vera took a seat on the couch next to her husband. “There’s no hurry for you to find someone else, Jesse. I am willing to do it for as long as you need me.”
Milton snorted, turning to face her. “You’d work yourself right into the grave if someone didn’t stop you.” He looked at Jesse. “My fraa means well, but it’s hard for her to say no, even when she’s tired, stressed, or in physical pain. So my advice to you, young man, is if you can’t find a maud, then look for a wife.”
Milton’s bluntness caused Jesse’s skin to tingle. He’d never expected such a bold statement. “I—I’m not ready to get married again,” he mumbled, keeping his focus on Cindy. “But I will keep looking for a maid to watch my baby girl and keep the house running while I’m at work.”
Herschel sauntered over and stood beside Jesse’s chair. “Why don’t you leave Cindy with my mamm right now and come outside with me for a bit? There’s something I’d like to show you.” He looked at his mother. “Would that be okay with you?”
“Of course.” She held out her arms.
Although a bit hesitant after Milton’s previous remark, Jesse stood and placed Cindy in Vera’s lap. Then he followed Herschel out the front door.
Outside, Herschel led the way to the barn. Jesse had no idea what could be in there that Vera’s son wanted him to see, but he went willingly.
Once inside the building, Herschel pointed to a pair of wooden stools sitting close to one wall. “Go ahead and take a seat.”
Once again, Jesse obliged. “What did you want to show me?”
“Nothing in particular. I wanted to talk to you in private.”
“About what?”
“My daed’s offhanded remark.” Herschel folded his arms and leaned against the wooden planks. “He’s worried about my mamm, but that didn’t justify his suggestion that you find a new wife.”
“It’s okay. I’m sure he didn’t realize how impossible that would be.”
“You still love your fraa, jah?”
Jesse nodded. “What Esther and I had was special. I don’t think I’ll ever stop loving her.”
“I understand. My heart still lies with Mattie, which is why I never remarried.”
“It’s too bad you don’t have any kinner. Cindy is the joy of my heart. Every day I am reminded how blessed I am to have her.”
Herschel rubbed a hand across the middle of his chest. “Mattie and I wanted children, and she gave birth to a son a few years after we got married.” His posture slumped as he paused and cleared his throat. “I would have given most anything to be a father, but I guess it wasn’t meant to be, ’cause our boppli died a few hours after he was born.” He heaved a sigh. “Mattie was never able to conceive after that.”
Jesse stood and put his hand on Herschel’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss,” he said gently.
“Danki. Even after all these years I still think about it. I’m not one to easily let go of things that have touched me on a deep emotional level.”
Remembering the conversation he’d had with Herschel a few weeks ago, Jesse realized that it must have been the memory of losing his child that caused Herschel to say he’d suffered a loss twice. No wonder the poor man always seemed so withdrawn. After all these years, he still grieved for what he’d lost.
Jesse closed his eyes briefly. I am ever so grateful for the privilege of raising my precious daughter. The memory of my dear Esther will never die, because Cindy is a part of her. I’ll cherish every day we have together, and if by some chance I do end up getting married again, I’ll make sure Cindy knows all about her mother.
Strasburg
“How did you get that nasty-looking gwetsche?” Grandma pointed to the bruise on Lenore’s forearm, where she’d rolled up her dress sleeve to wash their supper dishes.
“When I put my gaul away in her stall this afternoon, one of the katze ran in front of her. Dolly got a bit frisky, tossing her head from side to side, and as I tried to calm her, I ended up bumping into the wooden post outside her stall.”
“Better watch yourself around the horses,” Grandpa mumbled from where he sat by the table in his wheelchair. “They can’t be trusted, and you never know what they’re gonna do if something spooks them.”
With eyes open wide, Lenore turned to look at him. It was the clearest he’d spoken since his stroke. Apparently the speech therapy he’d been having weekly was beginning to take effect. What a joy to see this measure of improvement. Here she’d been looking for ways to bring more happiness into his life, and today, he’d brought some unexpected cheerfulness into hers.
“Jah, Grandpa, I’ll try to be more careful.” Lenore glanced at Grandma and noticed the sweet smile on her face. No doubt, she too was pleased with Grandpa’s progress.
“Now about that bruise … Have you put anything on it?” Grandma questioned.
“Just some ice after I came in the house.”
“Arnica. That’s what you need.” Grandpa spoke again.
“He’s right.” Grandma reached for a clean dish to dry. “There’s a tube of Arnica montana lotion in the bathroom medicine chest. Apply a thin layer to the affected area three times a day, and it should help. You should also take some of the arnica tablets in my homeopathic medicine kit. Just follow the instructions on the container.”
Lenore smiled. “Danki. I will do that as soon as I’m done with the dishes.”
It seemed like Grandma had holistic remedies for a good many things. Too bad she didn’t have one to keep Grandpa from having another stroke. But hopefully with him watching his diet, taking a blood thinner, and doing everything the doctor said, it would never happen again. Lenore wanted her grandparents to be healthy and live many more years. She’d lost her mother’s parents when they were tragically killed in a buggy accident six years ago. The thought of losing either Grandpa or Grandma Lapp put a lump in her throat.
“Want to join me in a game of Scrabble?” Ezekiel asked, stepping into the kitchen where Michelle sat at the table.
“Maybe later.” She gestured to the pen and paper lying before her. “I’m working on my grocery list right now, for when I go shopping tomorrow.”
“You came in here more than thirty minutes ago to do that. Thought you’d have it done by now.”
She shook her head. “I haven’t decided what all we need.”
He moved closer to the table and looked down at the list. “We went over all the items we both need during supper, but you only have a few things written down. How come?”
“I don’t know.” Michelle didn’t look up at him.
Ezekiel pulled out a chair and sat beside her. “Okay, what’s the problem? You’re depressed about something, aren’t you?”
Slowly, she nodded.
“Is it your brothers, because you haven’t heard from them in a while?”
“No, it’s not that. In fact, I heard from Ernie a few weeks ago.”
“What then?” Ezekiel cupped Michelle’s chin with the palm of his hand, turning her head to face him.
She drew a quick breath before speaking. “I’ve been sitting here wondering why God hasn’t answered my prayers about having a baby.”
He gently stroked her arm. “We’ve had this discussion before, and I thought we’d both agreed that if it’s meant to be, you’ll get pregnant in God’s time, not ours.”
“I know, but—”
“Have you ever thought how worrying over this might be causing you stress, and that the stress could actually be keeping it from happening?”
“I have considered it.”
“Then stop fretting, try to relax, and put your focus on other things.” Ezekiel put his hand on Michelle’s shoulder. “Philippians 4:11 says, ‘I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.’”
“Danki for that reminder, Ezekiel. You’re so full of wisdom I wouldn’t be surprised if someday you get chosen by lot to become a minister.”
Ezekiel’s eyes darkened. “I hope not. A lot of responsibility is put on a man’s shoulders when he is selected to be one of the church leaders.”
“It’s not something you need to worry about, for now at least.” Michelle reached up to stroke the side of her husband’s bearded face. “I love you, Ezekiel, and I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“You’d have a lot less dishes to wash.” Grinning, Ezekiel leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Now hurry up with your grocery list so you can beat me at Scrabble.”
Michelle chuckled. Just a few words of encouragement from the wonderful man she’d married, and already she felt better. There might be times in the days ahead when she would think about her desire to have a baby, but Michelle would try to remember to be content, even if she and Ezekiel were never blessed with children.