The Quilter's Daughter (10 page)

Matthew removed his straw hat and fanned his face with it a couple of times. “Can’t say that I have, but then I’ve had a lot of things on my mind lately.”

“Yeah, like quittin’ work on the farm,” Abraham grumbled. “If you hate field work so much, how come you never said anything before?”

“I don’t hate it, Papa. To tell you the truth, until lately I didn’t know I wanted to do something else.”

“You think it could be runnin’ a store?”

“Not necessarily, but if I try workin’ there after Naomi has her baby, it might give me a better idea of what I want to be doing.”

“
Humph
! You sure this change of attitude doesn’t have more to do with some pretty face than it does with you not wantin’ to farm?”

Matthew’s ears turned pink, and he stared at the ground. “I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”

“Who, not what,” Abraham corrected.

Matthew made no reply, just stood there making little swirls in the dirt with the toe of his boot.

“I’ve seen the way you look at Abby when you think no one’s watchin’. You wouldn’t have a crush on her now, would ya, son?”

“ ’Course not. She’s betrothed to some fellow in Ohio.”
Matthew slapped his hat back on his head. “Guess I’d best get the other mule out, or we’ll be late gettin’ out to the fields.”

“Where are Jake and Norman? How come they’re not here helpin’?” Abraham asked.

“Norman hasn’t shown up yet, and Jake had to drive Mary Ann and Samuel to school because they spent so much time arguing this morning, it made them late.”

Matthew disappeared into the barn, and Abraham frowned.
Guess I’ll need to have a little talk with my two youngest tonight.

A buggy rolled into the yard, drawing Abraham’s attention aside. He smiled and waved when he realized it was his good friend, Jacob Weaver.

“What are you doin’ out so early?” he asked as Jacob stepped down from his buggy.

“I’m on my way to the buggy shop to see if the new rig I ordered has been finished yet.”

The mention of the buggy shop sent Abraham’s mind whizzing back to the past. It had been a sad day when Caleb had to give up buggy making because of his injury. His two younger brothers were running the place now, having become quite capable under Caleb’s tutelage. Caleb seemed content to run the general store, which he had purchased from Abraham. He could do most things there with only one good hand, and the change of occupations had allowed him to marry Abraham’s daughter. Everything had worked out for the best. At least that’s the way Abraham saw it.

“Looks like you’re headin’ to the fields,” Jacob said.

“Jah. Just waitin’ for Matthew to bring the other mule out.”

As if on cue, Matthew showed up, leading Bossy, their most headstrong mule. “Had a hard time gettin’ her out of the stall,” he complained. “I think she had her mind set on stayin’ in the barn today.”

Jacob chuckled. “Always did prefer working with horses.”

“Horses can be a mite stubborn, too,” Abraham put in. “Fact is, I’ve had some that were just plain
mehne
.”

“Jah. I’ve encountered a couple of mean ones over the years,” his friend agreed.

“Papa, if you and Jacob want to jaw awhile, I’ll head out to
the fields with these two.” Matthew nodded at Bossy and Barney.

“Sure you don’t mind?” Truthfully, Abraham did want the chance to speak with Jacob a few minutes. His friend was always full of good advice, and if anyone could get Abraham thinking straight or help strengthen his faith, it was Jacob.

“Naw. We’ll be fine, and Norman and Jake should be along shortly.” Matthew grabbed hold of the mules’ bridles and led them away.

“Want to sit a spell?” Abraham motioned to a couple of old barrels sitting near the barn.

Jacob nodded. “Jah, sounds good.”

Once they were seated, Abraham decided to share his concerns about Fannie. “I’m glad you stopped by, Jacob, because I need to talk.”

“Figured as much.” Jacob grinned. “Felt a little nudge from the Lord as I was passing by your place this morning. Thought I should drop over and see how things are with you.”

“Things are fine with me. It’s Fannie I’m worried about.”

Jacob’s bushy eyebrows lifted. “What’s the trouble?”

Abraham related his concerns about Fannie’s pregnancy, and ended it by saying, “I want to believe God will bring her through this in good shape and that our boppli will be born healthy, but I’ve got a nagging feeling that something’s not right.” He reached under his straw hat and rubbed the side of his head. “I haven’t shared this with anyone, but I’m afraid something bad is going to happen to our family again.” He paused and moistened his lips. “Don’t think I could stand it if I lost this wife or the child she’s carrying.”

Jacob sat there with his hands clasped in his lap, staring at the ground like he was mulling things over. After a few moments, he spoke. “In the book of Psalms, David went through many tribulations. Yet in chapter 31, verse 14, he was able to say this to God: ‘But I trusted in thee, O L
ORD
: I said, Thou art my God.’”

Abraham nodded. “I know I need to have more faith and learn to put my trust in God, but that’s easier said than done. Especially when things ain’t lookin’ so good.”

“Which is why you should pray every day and read God’s Word. That’s how my faith has been strengthened.” Jacob clasped Abraham’s shoulder. “Take one day at a time, my friend. Commit your wife and unborn child to God and enjoy each moment you have with your family. None of us knows when our time will come or what the future holds.”

Abraham blew out his breath. “You’re right about that. If I’d known my boy was gonna be kidnapped, I’d have stayed home from the store that day and watched his every move.” He glanced over at Jacob and smiled. “I appreciate your friendship more than you know.”

“And I appreciate yours,” his friend said with a nod.

“Hope you don’t mind me cleanin’ the living room while you rest,” Nancy said to Fannie, who reclined on the sofa.

“No, no, not at all,” Fannie replied from her place on the sofa. “It is hard for me to lie here and watch you work, though.”

Nancy shrugged. “It’s nice to have your company. Edna will probably be here soon, then I’ll have to let the two of you visit while I get some bakin’ done.”

“Humph!”
Fannie scoffed. “Some company I am these days.”

“Just because you’re not able to get up and work doesn’t mean you’re not good company. I’ve always enjoyed visiting with you and hearing stories from when you were a girl.” Nancy gave the broom a couple sweeps in front of the rocking chair, and then moved over to the couch.

“It has been fun doing some reminiscing,” Fannie said with a smile.

Nancy swept under the sofa and Fannie cringed at the dust balls clinging to the broom.
I used to keep the house spotless, but Nancy probably didn’t think to clean under there before.

“Hey, what’s this?” Nancy bent down and picked up an object, which she held out to Fannie in the palm of her hand.

“Looks like a wooden block.”

Nancy squinted, and her forehead creased. “Why, I haven’t seen this in some time. Must have been stuck under the couch.”

“Whose block is it?” Fannie asked.

“It was Zach’s.” Nancy closed her fingers around it and slowly shook her head. “We’d best not let Papa see this.”

Fannie swallowed around the lump in her throat. Was Abraham still grieving for his lost son? He rarely spoke of Zach anymore. Maybe talking about his missing boy brought back too many painful memories. Fannie figured her husband would always miss Zach, and so would the rest of the family. She squeezed her eyes shut.
Oh, Lord, let this child I’m carrying heal any remaining pain in Abraham’s heart.

I
f you’re ready for lunch, maybe we can take our noon break together today.”

Abby looked up from her quilting project and smiled at Naomi, who stood inside the door that separated their store from Mom’s quilt shop. “Were you planning to go out or eat in?”

“Since Sarah’s sleeping and things are quiet in the store at the moment, Caleb said it would be okay if you and I went out someplace to eat,” Naomi replied.

“That’s fine with me. I could use some fresh air to help wake me up.”

“Didn’t you sleep well last night?”

Abby set her sewing aside and shook her head. “I had a bad dream and couldn’t get back to sleep when it woke me.”

“Sorry to hear that. Some dreams can make you feel pretty rung out.”

“Jah.” Abby was tempted to reveal the details of her reoccurring dream, but she didn’t want to bother her stepsister with it. Naomi had enough to deal with, having so much work to do at the store and another boppli coming in a few months.

“Should we go to lunch now?” Naomi asked.

“Jah, sure.”

“We shouldn’t be too long,” Naomi said when Caleb took her place behind the counter.

He gave her arm a squeeze. “No problem; take your time.”

Abby and Naomi were preparing to leave the store when the door swung open. A handsome Amish man, his wavy blond hair peeking out from under his straw hat, stepped into
the store carrying a small suitcase.

Abby’s mouth dropped open. “Lester! What are you doing here?”

“Came to see you.”

When he gave her a lopsided grin and reached for her hand, the faint smell of peppermint tickled her nose. She spied two pieces of candy sticking out of his shirt pocket. “I—I had no idea you were coming.” She stared up at him in disbelief.

“Wanted it to be a surprise.”

“And what a surprise it is. Jah, for certain sure.” Then, remembering her manners, Abby introduced Lester to Naomi and Caleb.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lester,” Naomi said. “We’ve heard a lot about you.”

Caleb’s head bobbed up and down. “Jah, Abby’s mentioned you plenty of times.”

Abby felt the heat of a blush, but she couldn’t deny it. She had missed Lester so much and often talked about the fun things they’d done during their courtship. She and Naomi had also discussed her upcoming wedding and how the Fisher family planned to go to Ohio to witness the ceremony in November.

“Abby and I were about to head out for some lunch,” Naomi commented. “But now that Lester’s here, I think it should be him and Abby going instead of me.”

“Maybe you and Caleb can join us,” Lester suggested.

Caleb nodded toward the back of the store. “Our little girl is sleepin’ in the other room, so I’d better stay put. My wife can go with you, though.”

Naomi shook her head. “I’ll stay here, and Caleb and I can eat the lunch I packed this morning.”

Abby hesitated. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. I’ll keep an eye on the quilt shop while you’re gone.”

“Danki.”

Lester pushed his suitcase off to one side, opened the front door, then motioned for Abby to step out first.

“No need to hurry back,” Naomi called.

A short time later, Abby and Lester sat at a corner table in the cozy restaurant down the street. Abby still couldn’t believe he was here, and she just sat there staring at him.

He stared back, looking pleased as a child with a new toy.

“How long are you here for, and how’d you manage to get away from the blacksmith shop to make this trip?” she asked, pulling her gaze from his handsome face to glance at the menu lying before her.

“Probably be here a couple of days. I hired on another man a few weeks ago, so I’m sure my two helpers can handle things while I’m gone.”

Abby still couldn’t believe he’d come all this way just to spend a few days with her.

“I’ve missed you, Abby.” Lester’s voice had a soft quality about it, yet he spoke with assurance, and it gladdened her heart.

“I’ve missed you, too.” She smiled. “How are things in Holmes County these days?”

“Fine. Mom sends her love and said to tell you everything’s goin’ great at the quilt shop.”

“I’m pleased to hear it. How are Lena and Harold?”

“Last I heard, Lena was feelin’ some better, but Harold still insists she stay home and not work too hard.” Lester’s eyebrows suddenly drew together, a stark contrast from his usual smiling face. “I wish I could speed up the hands of time and get that bruder or
schweschder
of yours born so you can come back to Ohio.”