Chapter 12 – Special Delivery

“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” Psalm 127:3

 

Philip had entrusted the herb shop to Danika's keeping again. It had gotten so he didn't even need to be around much when she was there, and he was able to spend more time with Naomi. Philip had taught her about each herb in the shop and its usage. They had even gone wildcrafting for fresh herbs. Danika had no idea that God had provided such a bounty for man in nature. She’d always thought the greenery growing everywhere was just weeds. Never would she have thought they could be used to heal and save lives.

The part Danika liked best about working in the herb shop was conversing with the customers. It was amazing to see how much her uncle had benefited the lives of his friends and neighbors through his knowledge of herbal medicine. Customer after customer had come in and bragged about Philip to her, and she loved hearing every word. She felt blessed to have this special knowledge and was excited that one day she might have her own herbal practice.

Naomi had been taking some herbs during her pregnancy too. Near the end of pregnancies, Philip would give expectant mothers an herbal tea blend that would help strengthen their bodies for delivery. Philip found that this tea also greatly cut down the time of labor for the women. Naomi would be going into labor someday soon, and Danika couldn't wait for the blessed event to occur. Philip said she could be in the house when the baby was born to keep an eye on the younger children.

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Danika had just served the volleyball when Isaac Fisher, neighbor to the Kings, drove up in his buggy. He had driven up to the schoolhouse like a bolt of lightning, spewing dust into the school yard. “Is Danika here?” he hollered toward the crowd of young folk.

“Jah, I'm here.” Danika emerged from the group. “Is somethin' wrong?”

“Nee, all is gut. Naomi's having her boppli!” Isaac replied excitedly. “Would ya like a ride?”

“Jah. Joanna, will you please tell Grace that I went home?” she said as she jumped into the buggy.

On the drive home, Danika sent up a silent prayer. Dear Lord, Please keep Naomi and the baby safe. Please don't let anything go wrong, and give Uncle Philip wisdom to know what to do. Amen.

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When Danika walked into the house, she expected to hear a bunch of hollering like in the movies. This was completely different. The house was pretty quiet for the most part. Rachel, Isaac's new wife, was watching the children upstairs and she could hear them playing. She only heard Philip's gentle words coming from the bedroom as he coached and comforted his delivering wife. “Push,” she heard him say about three times.

“Wh-a-a-a!” she heard a tiny voice echo through the door. She ran to the door and waited a few minutes, then asked if she could enter.

“Kumm in and meet your new baby cousin,” Philip declared joyfully. “Her name is Rebekah, in memory of your mother.”

Bittersweet tears filled her eyes. “Oh-h...” Danika cooed, as she held the small bundle in her arms. “She's so precious. And tiny, too. Look at her little nose, it looks like mine.”

“You mean mine,” Philip teased. “Okay, let's allow the little one to get to know her mamm. She's probably hungry.”

Danika handed the new precious gift to her mother. “How are ya feelin', Aunt Naomi?”

“A little tired, but I feel gut.” She smiled at her new little girl.

“I prayed for ya.” Dani smiled.

“Denki,” Naomi said, as she looked down at her suckling infant. “Gott blessed us, for sure and for certain.”

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Danika had been much happier since her new little cousin arrived – Rebekah, named after her mother and Philip's sister. School was steadily getting better too. Seeing Eli didn't hurt as much as it had, but she still wished things could be different. She was still praying for restoration between her uncle and Jacob Yoder, and she believed God would bring it about in His perfect timing.

Eli handed her an envelope during lunch and she longed to open it, but she could not disobey Uncle Philip and disappoint him again. “Please open it, Danika,” Eli softly pleaded with her.

“Aw, you know I can't, Eli.”

“It's not a letter,” he coaxed once more.

“Okay, but I hope this won't get me into trouble,” Danika warned.

She gently opened the envelope and out poured her lost necklace. She couldn't help but give him a hug out of gratitude. “Oh, Eli! How did ya find it?”

“When you gave up, I came back to the school and kept looking for it. I prayed and the Lord helped me find it. May I put it on ya?” he asked timidly, hoping she'd let him.

“Jah.”

Eli opened the clasp and gently placed the jewelry around Danika's neck. His hands lingered on her neck a moment and he fought the urge to kiss her.

“Denki, Eli. ’Tis a special thing you did for me.”

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