A Daughter's Dream (7 page)

“I think he's doing okay. He seems like a new man, praise God.” With a smile, he added, “Actually, he and Hope are doing much better. From what Darla tells me, he also seems to be mending his relationship with his other siblings. He and Darla are helping each other a lot. He's also glad to be farming. Unlike your new friend Jacob, I hear he's a natural farmer.”

“Let me know if I can help in any way.”

“You already do enough.” Rocking back on his heels, he looked a bit shamefaced. “Sorry, but I left you a long list of things to do. I think Mercy left you some questions, too.”

“Sounds like I better get inside and get busy.”

“Becky, listen . . . everything doesn't have to get done today.”

“I'll do as much as I can. Don't worry.”

“Work until six, then come home, all right?”

“I can do that.”

“See you tonight,” he said before walking quickly down the sidewalk.

Rebecca watched him, his shoulders strong and proud. She couldn't help but compare him to Jacob. Where Lukas had light hair, cut short, and the faint beginnings of a beard, Jacob had Lilly's striking green eyes and dark brown hair. Jacob wasn't quite as tall and thickly muscled as Lukas, either. However, he was just as fit-looking. He was also clearly as devoted to his family as Lukas was.

And because of that, Rebecca knew she was intrigued by him. How many men would pick up their whole lives and make a go of it for a niece? Not many, she decided. While some men might even agree to raise their niece, they would have asked for the girl to join them, not the other way around.

What he was doing was really a wonderful thing.

Closing her eyes, she said a brief prayer for both of those men. For them both to find the strength they needed to help those who needed them to be strong.

And then, because she knew the Lord was always with her, she asked Him to give her a little bit of strength, too. She was going to need His help if she was going to tackle the mess that Mercy had no doubt left her.

Feeling better already, she opened the main door at last, felt the cool burst of air conditioning on her skin, and strode inside.

She was now ready to get to work and do her part for her family. At least she knew she was good at
this
job.

Wednesday, August 26

E
ven if Rachel's head wasn't exactly coming to terms with her pregnancy, her body surely was! She'd woken up nauseated for the last three days. She'd also been nauseated after dinner, after supper, and before she went to sleep. Her skin felt extra sensitive and she was tired, too.

That evening, after she'd gotten home from school, she'd chopped carrots, celery, and onions, put them in a pot with some chicken bouillon and water, and set it on the stove to boil. Now all she had to do was take out the dish of fresh chicken, cut it up, and add it to the broth so she could make chicken and dumplings for Marcus.

Unfortunately, even thinking about that raw chicken made her stomach turn to knots.

She took a seat on her favorite kitchen chair and tried to summon some of her mother's strength. She had carried five
kinner
. Surely Rachel could handle this first pregnancy!

She would handle it, too. In another minute or so. First, though, she needed to put her feet up and take a rest. Her students had been especially rambunctious today.

“Rachel?” Marcus called out. “Rachel, what in the world?”

She opened bleary eyes. Then, as reality set in, she scrambled to her feet guiltily. “Oh, Marcus. I'm sorry. I must have fallen asleep.”

“With a pot on the stove, too.”

Racing to the stove, she looked at the pot of vegetables. They didn't look too overcooked. Relief coursed through her. She must have been asleep for only a few minutes. “I'll get the chicken on.”

“I'll take care of the chicken. You go sit back down.”

Because she really, really didn't want to handle that icky wet chicken, she did as he bid. And sure enough, the moment he started cutting it up, her stomach rolled. With a groan and a cough, she rushed to the bathroom.

Two minutes later, Marcus found her sitting on the floor, her head resting against the cool tile wall. Before she knew what he was about, he slid down beside her, a warm washcloth in his hand. “Rachel, you are mighty sick.”

“It's simply morning sickness.”

“At five in the evening?” he asked as he handed her the washcloth.

After pressing the warm cloth against her mouth and cheeks, she tried to joke. “Mamm said
bopplis
don't know the difference between morning and evening.”

“I guess not.” After helping her to her feet, he walked her to their bed. “Come lie down.”

“I don't have time for that. I need to make you supper.”

“The chicken is cooking. I'm thinking it might be best if you stay out of the kitchen for a bit.”

“You might be right.” She did still feel a bit queasy.

He sat on the bed and took her hand. “Rachel, you being so tired and sick ain't good. Maybe we should take you to the doctor.”

“Agnes says this is normal.”

He frowned. “Agnes is as old as the hills.”

“She's not that old. Plus, she knows a lot more about being pregnant than I do. We need to trust her.”

“I haven't wanted to say anything, but I don't want her delivering our baby.”

“Why not?”

“She's got to be seventy years old.”

“That may be, but she still is capable. She delivered me and probably you, too.”

“I don't know about that. Even if she did, she delivered us years ago. I think we need to go to someone else.”

“Who?” Sure her husband wasn't thinking straight, Rachel added, “She's the
midwife
, Marcus.”

“She's not the only option. I want you to go to a real obstetrician who delivers babies at the hospital.”

“But I want to have my baby here at home. Just like my mother did.”

“It's safer to be in the hospital.”

“My mother did just fine.” Though it was a struggle, she attempted to lighten the tension between them. “I am fine, too.”

“That's not the point. We need to be prepared in case something goes wrong.” His voice was strong and deep as he continued, oblivious to the look of dismay that was written on her face.

“But I am healthy. Nothing is going to go awry.” Since he didn't look so sure, she added, “You know what, I'll ask my mother to be in the room, too.”

“My mind is made up, Rachel. This is for the best. For both you and the baby.” Before she could get in another word, he continued. “While we're talkin' about the future, I think you need to quit your job, too.”

She relaxed. This, at least, she agreed on. “Of course I will. As much as I'm going to miss being in the classroom, I know that being a mother will be my most important job after the baby is here.”

“To be sure. But it is your job now, too,
jah
? I fear it may be too tiring for ya. Rachel, dear, you need to take care of yourself.”

“Now?” She examined his face. Tried to understand what was going through his mind. Usually, Marcus was easygoing, and he seemed proud of her teaching job.

“
Jah
, now. Being around all those
kinner
can make you sick. Or you could be on your feet too much.” Sounding as if he'd just come up with the best idea ever, he said, “It's much better if you stay around here and rest.”

She shook her head. “
Nee
, Marcus. I'm going to teach as long as I can.”

“I don't want to argue with you. And I shouldn't have to. What I am saying makes sense. Ain't so?”

Actually, it didn't make any sense at all. At least not to her. Searching his face, she said, “Marcus, what is going on? Why are you so worried about my health and the baby?” Grasping at straws, she added, “Did something happen to your mother or your sister that I don't know about? Or . . . or is it about the mill? Are you thinking about the men at the mill?” She knew that
he'd been affected by both the fire and the men's deaths. Yet, while some of the employees hadn't been shy about admitting how devastating the experience had been, Marcus had always insisted that he had gotten over it.

But maybe that hadn't been the case?

He moved from her side and got to his feet. “I am not going to talk about the fire.”

“If you are still haunted by the experience, there's no shame in admitting it.” Reaching out to him, she added, “I would be more than willing to talk about what happened that day.”

“I would never burden you with such things.”

“It wouldn't be a burden.” Keeping her voice soft, she added, “It would mean that you need me as much as I need you.”

His expression softened slightly. Then he blinked and it became hard once again. “This conversation is over. You can work the rest of the week, but then I expect you to be at home taking care of yourself.”

For the first time since they'd exchanged vows, Rachel didn't intend to obey her husband. She needed to teach. It made her happy and it made her feel worthy.

Then, there was Lilly. That poor girl had already lost so much and was struggling to fit in. She'd only recently started to lose that haunted look in her eyes. What would happen to the girl if Rachel left? There was no guarantee that Rachel's replacement would treat Lilly with such care.

That settled it. Her mind was made up.

She had no intention of quitting her job. Somehow, some way, she was simply going to have to change Marcus's mind.

Friday, August 28

I
still don't understand why you are walking with me to school, Uncle Jake,” Lilly said when they were about halfway there. “I haven't done anything wrong.”

Jacob wished Lilly was a little girl again. Or that he'd taken more time to get to know her over the years. Or that he was better with words. If he knew just the right words to say, she might actually want to talk to him about things that mattered to her.

If he'd done all that, then he would feel like he could stop walking and simply give her a hug. The poor thing was always preparing herself for the worst, and it was difficult to watch. Painful, even. It was becoming obvious that after experiencing so many upheavals, she now only expected bad news and disappointment in her future.

That was why he did his best to reassure her yet again. “I told you the truth. I promise, I did. All Mrs. Mast said was that she
wanted to speak with me. I told her mornings were best. She said that time was
gut
because you
kinner
are busy with your morning routine. That's all there was to it.”

“I understand the timing. But,
Onkle
, why did she want to see you
today
?”

“I don't know.” Looking down at his niece, who was so obviously on the verge of tears, Jacob reached out and patted her on the back. “All we can do is visit with her like she asked. Surely she'll answer all our questions then.”

“I hope so.”

“I hope so, too.” He smiled. “Now, let's try not to bring on problems. We'll deal with whatever Mrs. Mast has to say when the time comes.”

With visible effort, Lilly regained control and started walking again. She shook her head wryly. “You know, Onkle Jacob, you could have met me at school. You didn't have to walk with me the whole way.”

“What? You want me to walk by myself?” He raised his eyebrows and tried to look affronted.

His silly expression paid off. Lilly's lips twitched. “Maybe. Girls my age don't usually need grown-ups walking them places.”

“That might be so, but I'm new at this, you know. You're simply gonna have to give me time to learn how to treat teenagers.”

After she pretended to think about his words, her lips twitched again. “I suppose I can do that.”

It took everything Jacob had to not grin or throw his fist in the air. Maybe he'd finally made a breakthrough with her. If it had actually happened, he was going to owe Mrs. Mast a big thank-you.

They were just past the last bend in the road. The white one-
room schoolhouse loomed up ahead. Already several children were congregating outside. Some of the younger boys and girls were chasing each other. The oldest boys were standing off to one side talking. One girl was sitting on the steps reading.

And Rebecca Kinsinger was standing with two girls examining something in a textbook.

Just like that, his mind went blank. He couldn't explain it, but somehow whenever he saw her, he couldn't think about anything other than his need to get to know her better.

When Lilly started talking to one of the girls nearby, Jake took the opportunity to look at Rebecca, thankful that she couldn't see how intently he did so.

He supposed she looked like she always did. She had golden hair, light blue eyes, full cheeks. A winsome expression, and a loose, almost athletic build.

She reminded him of some women he'd met in Florida who were swimmers. A group of them spent a summer in one of the condo complexes he'd worked at and he'd gotten to know a couple of them. They'd be leaving for swim practice when he arrived early for work. They'd been tall, like Rebecca was. And they'd walked in such a fluid way, it had made him think that they were very comfortable with their bodies.

That was how Rebecca walked, forceful and assured. There was little hesitancy about her. In the few times their paths had crossed, he'd thought she seemed comfortable around most everyone, actually. He wondered if it was because of her job at the mill. She didn't have the usual shyness around men that most women seemed to have.

“Onkle Jacob,” Lilly called out as she approached his side again.

“Hmm?” To his surprise, she nudged him with an elbow. It
interrupted his thoughts. In confusion, he stared down at her. “What was that for?”

“You're staring!” Lilly whispered.

He supposed he was. Jacob tilted his head and wondered if Rebecca's nose freckled in the sun or if it always stayed so flawless and perfect.

“Jacob,” Lilly said a little louder. “You're staring at Miss Rebecca. She's gonna notice if you don't stop soon.”

Quickly, he averted his eyes. “It was that obvious?”

“Kind of.” For the first time all morning, Lilly smiled broadly. “You looked like you were mooning over her.”

That was probably because he was. “Huh. I hope she didn't notice.”

“I don't think so. She's still looking at the history book with Martha. Martha keeps getting the dates of the Civil War mixed up.” She shook her head. “Martha can't remember anything that doesn't have to do with her farm. She's raising goats.”

“Why does she need to know the dates?”

Lilly shrugged. “I don't know. It's not like any of us Amish girls are ever gonna start telling the corn all about the Battle of Gettysburg.”

“You might,” he teased. “If you thought it might help ya get a better crop.”

In true thirteen-year-old fashion, she rolled her eyes. “I love you, Onkle Jake, but you tell the worst jokes.”

Figuring she might be right, he turned his attention back to Rebecca and Martha. “Martha looks about your age.”

“She is.”

“Then how come she's studying with Rebecca? Do you have a history test today?”

“Jah.”

“You do? Did you study?”

“I didn't need to.”

“Of course you do. Studying is important.” He was starting to have a good idea of why Lilly's teacher wanted to talk to him.

“Unlike Martha, I know the Battle of Gettysburg was in 1863.”

“Huh.” Jake didn't get much of a chance to ask more questions because they were now in the middle of the playground. A couple of the kids watched them approach.

When Jacob noticed a few teenagers around Lilly's age look at him curiously, he said, “You don't have to stay with me, Lilly. Have a good day.”

She practically sighed in relief. “You too, Onkle.” She paused. “Hey, Onkle Jacob?”

“Hmm?”

“If Mrs. Mast tells you something bad, let me know right away, wouldja?”

“I will, honey. Try not to worry, okay?”

After nodding, Lilly turned away and approached a couple of kids her age. Jacob was happy to see that all the kids greeted her with smiles. Maybe she was making friends after all.

Just then the front door of the school opened, and Mrs. Mast came out. She rang a bell and ushered the kids inside.

Instead of going in right away, Rebecca turned to him. “Hi, Jacob.”

“Hi. It's
gut
to see you.” There, he sounded completely normal. Not moony at all. “I didn't know you were going to be volunteering here today.”

Stepping closer, her expression warmed. “Rachel told me that
you had a meeting with her this morning. I thought I'd come help her so she wouldn't keep getting interrupted.”

“That's nice of ya.”

She looked embarrassed. “It was nothing.”

He disagreed, but he didn't want to embarrass her further. “So . . . do you know what the meeting is about?”

“I think so.”

Now something bright shone in her blue eyes. It made him feel moderately relieved. Maybe this wasn't going to be the crisis he had imagined. “Care to share? Worrying about this meeting kept me up all night. Lilly's worried, too.”

“I'm sorry you couldn't sleep, but you're going to have to wait for Rachel to get your answers.”

“Sure?”

“Positive. I don't want to overstep things, you see.” She smiled.

“Of course not.” He smiled back. And as he did so, it occurred to him then that they were flirting. Nothing too overt or intense, but there was something new flowing between them. Part of him was relieved that the attraction he'd felt for her wasn't one-sided.

The other part hated the timing. His life was currently a mess. He was in a new place, living with his parents, and attempting to gain the trust of a niece he barely knew.

As they started walking up the stairs into the building, he said, “Listen, before I forget, I wanted to thank your brother for what he said. It's good to know that I could work at the mill if things don't work out on the farm.”

“Things still aren't working out?” she asked gently.

“So far they aren't. I keep thinking that I'm going to get the hang of farming, but right now it seems like a lost cause.”

“I bet it's not quite that bad.”

“
Nee
, it is. The other day I broke the plow.” Though it was embarrassing, he forced himself to continue. “I also put weed killer on some crops and used too much of the wrong type of fertilizer on the vegetable garden.”

Her eyes widened. “You did not.”

“I did. I had no idea that my father favored special fertilizer on his tomatoes. I thought he was going to kill me.”

As he'd hoped, she giggled. “He wouldn't have done that. But you do sound rather hopeless.”

Lowering his voice, he said, “I canna even believe I'm telling you this, but I hate it, too. I want to learn to be a
gut
farmer, but it's a hard road. Every hour seems to pass like it's two days long.”

“I know the feeling,” she murmured as they walked inside.

Immediately, Jacob felt like he was in the middle of an intricate timepiece. Each of the children seemed to be doing his or her own assignment. They were working separately but in tandem, too. Some were talking quietly with each other, others were working intently on whatever task was at hand.

“Hi, Jacob,” Rachel Mast said as she approached. “It's good to see ya.
Danke
for meeting me early this morning.”

Her casualness made him feel even more at ease. “Thanks for allowing me to visit.”

“It wasn't any trouble. Besides, Rebecca here volunteered to help out.” Looking at her fondly, Rachel said, “She's been a lifesaver.”

“I've been glad to lend a hand,” Rebecca said. “It not only helps you but gives me practice.”

“I'm going to take Jacob outside. Let them have about another ten minutes to do their morning chores, then give the spelling test, okay?”

“Got it,” Rebecca replied as she turned back to the children. “All right, everyone. We all have work to do. Let's see who can get it done first.”

As Rachel led the way outside, she chuckled.

“Something funny?” Jacob asked.

“
Nee
. I just can't help but wonder how Rebecca will be when she gets her own classroom. She reminds me a bit of her bulldog puppy, Oscar.”

Jacob thought that was an odd comparison. “Oh?”

“She approaches things head-on, without any doubts. When she stumbles, she simply gets right up and continues on.”

“I'm beginning to think that is an apt description. She's seems exuberant.”

“Oh, she is. I'm learning a lot from her.” Looking around, she said, “Let's go sit over at the picnic table. I promise, I won't keep you long.”

As they sat down, Jacob realized that he was nervous. Ready to get to the heart of the matter, he looked at her directly. “Mrs. Mast, what did you want to talk with me about?”

She raised her hands as if to calm him down. “It's nothing bad. Actually, it's something good.”

Her expression looked the complete opposite of her words. She looked a bit worried. “I would be more reassured if you looked happier about that.”

“I am happy, Jacob. I just . . . Well, I guess I'm procrastinating. I don't want to say the wrong thing.”

“What is it? Is Lilly making friends?”

“She is. Not a lot, but that's okay. She's kind of a quiet girl. My impression is that she doesn't need or want to be in the middle of every conversation or group.”

“That sounds about right. Lilly is kind of a self-contained sort of person.”

“It takes all kinds of people to make a community, I think. Of course, I am just getting to know her, but my sense is that she's still grieving and a little bit wary of getting too close to anyone, given her circumstances. That said, she is doing fine socially.”

“So, if it's not her friends, what is wrong?”

“She's smart.”

Jacob raised his eyebrows. “Mrs. Mast, I'm still not following you. I've always thought being smart was a
gut
thing.”

She chuckled. “Please, call me Rachel. And being smart is
gut
. What I'm trying to say is that your Lilly isn't just bright, she's really smart. Gifted.”

“Gifted?” He was trying to keep up, but he felt a bit like she was speaking another language.

“At first, I thought that she was simply ahead of us. But when I questioned her about the things she'd been learning in Berlin, they didn't sound all that different from the curriculum here. So, I talked to her old teacher.”

“Miss Wallace?”

“Yes. I talked to her a couple of days ago. And listening to her answered a lot of questions. She'd noticed how well Lilly read and wrote, too. And how inquisitive she was.” Bracing her hands on the bench on either side of her light blue dress, she added in a dry tone, “And, how skilled she was in math.”

“All of that?”

“Jah.”
She chuckled. “I'm not exaggerating, Jacob. Actually, I think Lilly might be the smartest girl I've ever taught.”

“That's
gut
, right?”

“It's good for me, but the reason I wanted to talk to you is that I think we need to make sure she gets some extra help.”