Gordonville
Throughout the Sunday service, and even during lunch, Jesse thought about his encounter with Lenore the day before. Now that he and Cindy were at Vera and Milton’s house, it was time to tell Vera of his decision about his daughter.
Cindy had fallen asleep and lay curled up on the living-room floor on a thick blanket, while Milton slept in his recliner nearby. Since Vera had gone to the kitchen to make coffee, Jesse determined this was a good time to speak with her.
When he entered the kitchen, the spicy aroma of gingerbread made his mouth water. A plate filled with several pieces of the thickly cut bread had been placed on the table.
Vera smiled at him and gestured to the plate. “I thought you and Milton might like a treat to go with your kaffi.”
Jesse smacked his lips. “A cup of coffee sounds good, and that gingerbread looks awfully tempting, but your husband is sleeping as soundly as my little maedel right now.”
“He can have some when he wakes up.” Vera pulled out a chair at the table. “Pour yourself a cup of kaffi and take a seat.”
Jesse obliged, and after she joined him, he jumped right into the topic on his mind. “I’ve found someone else to watch Cindy while I’m at work.”
Vera blinked rapidly. “Oh? Who is she?”
“Her name is Lenore Lapp, and—”
“Where is she from? Does she live here in Gordonville, or someplace closer to you?”
“Lenore lives in Strasburg, and she’s a schoolteacher. But she’s not working right now and has agreed to watch Cindy until she starts back to school toward the end of August.”
Vera rested both arms on the table, looking at him intently. “If she can only care for your daughter a short time, what’s the point? I mean, what is the reason you chose her?”
“Lenore is good with kinner. In fact, when I had no success getting Cindy to quiet down at the restaurant yesterday, Lenore got my little girl to stop crying almost as soon as she picked her up.”
“She’s never cried much for me.” The wrinkles around Vera’s mouth deepened as she pursed her lips. “And I told you before that I don’t mind watching her.”
Jesse squirmed in his chair. Although he didn’t want to offend Vera, Jesse felt his decision was best, not only for Cindy, but for Vera as well. He hoped he could make her understand and that there would be no hard feelings.
“You’re right—you are good with Cindy, and I appreciate all you have done to help out. But you need a break and more time to do some of the things you like. Caring for a young child is a full-time job.”
She nodded slowly. “All right, I accept your decision, but once Lenore returns to teaching, if you need me to watch Cindy again, I’m willing.”
“I appreciate that, but maybe by then I will have a full-time maud.”
Vera’s eyes twinkled as she pointed at him. “Or a fraa.”
He shook his head. “That’s not going to happen.”
“Never say never, Jesse.” Vera snapped her fingers. “Say, I have an idea. Why don’t you ask Lenore Lapp out for supper some evening and see where things go from there?” She gave him a toothy grin. “You can’t be sure till you get to know the young woman, but Lenore might be the one for you.”
“No, I don’t think—”
“If she handles your daughter well, she might make a good mudder, and good mothers are usually good wives.”
Jesse fought the urge to roll his eyes. “I appreciate your concern, Vera, but I’m not planning to get married again.” He quickly reached for a piece of bread and took a bite. No woman except Esther is the one for me. But God took her to heaven and left me and Cindy alone, so I guess that’s how it’s meant to be. Jesse would say no more to Vera on this topic. He preferred to keep his thoughts to himself.
Strasburg
Mary Ruth sat on the couch, watching Willis sleep in his favorite reclining chair. She tried not to worry about him, but sometimes her thoughts ran amuck. If her dear husband had another stroke—or even a heart attack as their doctor had warned—she didn’t know what she would do. In less than two months Lenore would resume her teaching duties, and Mary Ruth would be left alone all day to care for Willis and do all the chores around the house.
Maybe we should have taken Ivan up on his offer to move in with him and Yvonne. Of course, with them both working at his general store, I’d still be alone with Willis all day. But at least they’d be close enough to come home for lunch and check on us. Mary Ruth shifted on her chair, sucking in a breath. She knew what Willis would say if she again suggested moving to Paradise to live with Ivan and his family. His response would be a resounding no.
It’s best if I don’t dwell on this too much, Mary Ruth admonished herself. Even though I’m not as young as I used to be, as long as Willis doesn’t get any worse, I’m sure I can manage when Lenore is not at home.
Lenore sat on the edge of her bed, thinking about Jesse and his baby girl. Holding the child yesterday had felt so good, and the fact that Lenore had easily calmed Cindy down surprised her as much as it apparently had the baby’s father.
She hadn’t told her grandparents yet that she’d agreed to watch Cindy during the days her father worked. She hoped they wouldn’t object.
Lenore tapped her chin. I should have asked them first before agreeing to Jesse’s request. If either Grandma or Grandpa has any qualms, I’ll have to let Jesse know right away so he can find someone else.
She got up and moved over to the window to watch several birds carrying on in the trees closest to the house. It was hard to stay focused on the birds, though, when her mind was somewhere else. Having a baby in the home might be too much for Grandpa. If Cindy gets fussy, it might disrupt Grandpa’s peace and quiet.
Lenore moved away from the window, walked over to the bed, then paced back again. This is what I get for being so impulsive. The decision I made yesterday at the restaurant was hasty, and I didn’t think things through well enough.
A soft knock sounded on the door, diverting Lenore’s attention. “Come in,” she called.
Grandma entered the room and joined Lenore at the window. “You’ve been up here since you got home from church. I thought you might be napping.”
“No, just thinking.”
Grandma took a seat on Lenore’s bed and patted the quilted cover. It was a simple nine-patch quilt like the one Grandma had taught Lenore and Sara to make some time ago. “Why don’t you sit here and tell me what’s on your mind?”
Lenore sank to the bed. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Grandma’s eyes darkened. “You look so serious. Is there a problem?”
“No. Yes. Well, I guess there could be. I agreed to do something without checking with you first.”
“What do you mean?”
Staring at her hands folded in her lap, Lenore explained about Jesse’s request for her to watch Cindy here at the house. “I shouldn’t have agreed to it without getting your approval, but I got caught up in the moment of holding the adorable child, and then before I knew it, the word yes came out of my mouth.”
“It’s okay, dear one.” Grandma clasped Lenore’s hand. “It might be kind of nice to have a little one around for a while. Things have been way too serious here at the house since your grossdaadi’s stroke. A sweet little boppli, no doubt full of lots of cute antics, might be just what we all need to bring some joy and laughter into our home again.”
Lenore leaned close and gave her grandmother a hug. “Danki for being so understanding. But I want you to know, if it doesn’t work out and the boppli gets on Grandpa’s nerves, I’ll ask Jesse to make some other arrangements for his daughter.”
Grandma gave Lenore’s back a few gentle pats. “Not to worry. I’m sure it’ll be just fine.”
Lenore hoped the babysitting would go well, because she looked forward to watching Cindy. Getting to know the baby’s father a little better would be nice too. No doubt he’d been lonely since his wife died. Perhaps there would be some evenings when he could join them for supper. Lenore was almost sure her hospitable grandma would extend some meal invitations.