The Restoration (26 page)

Cora moved slowly toward the couch, resisting the urge to grab each of the girls in a hug. She didn’t want to frighten them. “It’s nice to meet all of you.” She tried to wet her lips as her mouth went suddenly dry.

“Would you like something to drink?” Leah offered.

“Yes, please,” was all Cora could get out. Her throat felt so tight she could barely swallow, let alone speak.

“I know you,” Linda spoke up. “You talked to us near the schoolhouse, asking for eggs.”

Cora nodded.

“Carrie, you met Cora once when we went to the clinic because you’d been stung so many times,” Leah interjected before heading to the kitchen.

Carrie bobbed her head.

“Ich hot sie net gekennt.”
Cora was glad she’d found her voice again.

The girls’ eyes widened.

“You speak our language?” Amy questioned, apparently quite surprised that Cora had said in Pennsylvania Dutch, “I did not know her then.”

Cora smiled. “I grew up in an Amish home.” Cora hoped they wouldn’t pursue this topic. How would they understand her reason for leaving? She wasn’t proud of what she’d done back then. If the girls had any knowledge of how selfish she’d been, they’d want nothing to do with her.

Cora took a seat on the sofa between Carrie and Linda, sitting quietly as she relished this special feeling.
If only Mary could be here to see me sitting with her daughters.

When Leah returned a short time later, she gave everyone a bowl of popcorn as well as a glass of apple cider.

While they enjoyed the treat, Cora questioned the girls about school and their favorite things to do. If she kept them busy talking about themselves, maybe they wouldn’t ask her too many personal questions.

“If you’re really our grandma, how come we never met you before?” Linda tipped her head, innocently looking at Cora.

“She lived in a different state than us,” Adam responded. Cora was glad he’d spoken up.

The child seemed to accept his answer and continued to munch on popcorn.

“If you grew up in an Amish home, how come you’re not wearin’ Amish clothes?” Amy questioned.

Cora drew in a deep breath. This was a question she’d hoped she wouldn’t be asked. But then why wouldn’t one of the girls ask about the way she was dressed? Most women who spoke the native dialect of the Amish didn’t wear burgundy-colored dress slacks and a matching blazer. “Well, I’m not Amish anymore.” She hoped her simple answer would be good enough.

Seemingly satisfied, Amy looked at Leah and said, “Is there any more popcorn?”

Leah smiled and patted Amy’s head. “Of course. I’ll bring another batch out, and you can refill your bowl.”

“Me, too.” Carrie clapped her hands. “I love popcorn!”

Adam chuckled. “You’re not the only one, Carrie. It’s always been my favorite snack.”

Cora swallowed hard as the memory of her little boy eating a bowl of popcorn flashed into her head. Whenever Adam’s bowl emptied, he would snitch some of his sister’s popcorn.

“Do you girls have any pets?” Cora asked.

“Just Coal, but he’s really Uncle Adam’s dog,” Linda responded.

“He’s everyone’s dog,” Adam said. “That mutt is a real people-person.” He winked at Linda. “I mean people-dog.”

Everyone laughed, including Cora. It was nice to see this humorous side of Adam. He seemed relaxed with the girls and would certainly make a good father if he and Leah ever had children of their own.

As the evening progressed, Cora completely relaxed. When she rose to go, she told the girls she would be back soon for another visit. “Next time I come, I’ll bring my son Jared with me. He’s your uncle, too.”

C
ora’s visit with the girls went well, don’t you think?” Leah asked Adam after the children had gone to bed.

Adam nodded. “I was glad they didn’t ask a lot of personal questions, like why Cora left the Amish faith. Eventually they might, and it won’t be easy to explain.”

Leah moved a bit closer to Adam on the couch and clasped his hand. “God will give you the right words if they do ask more questions.”

“I hope so. I’m also hoping things go well when Cora—I mean, when my mother—brings Jared to meet the girls.”

“It may seem strained at first, but after they get to know one another, everything will be fine.”

“Life is full of changes, isn’t it?” Gently, Adam stroked her fingers. “Some good, some not so good.”

“You’re right, and it’s how we handle those changes that can make the difference in our attitudes and the example we set for others.”

“I hope my mother gets home okay.” Adam had been worried since it started snowing.

“I’m sure Cora will be fine. Remember, she lived in Chicago and had plenty of practice with winter weather, pretty much like ours,” Leah assured him. “It’s nice to know you’re concerned about her.”

“You’re right on both counts.” Adam reached over and placed his other hand on Leah’s stomach. “How have you been feeling today? Any morning sickness?”

She shook her head. “Not today, thankfully. The herbal tea I’ve been drinking has actually helped.”

“I’m glad.” Adam knew it would be difficult for Leah to fulfill all her responsibilities if she kept feeling nauseous. If that turned out to be the case, he would have to hire someone to help out.

They sat in silence, until Leah squeezed his fingers and said, “Do you think we should tell the girls about the boppli soon, before I start showing?”

“Jah, I believe we should.”

“Sure is nice to be with you tonight.” Elam moved closer to Priscilla and took her hand. He’d been invited to her house for supper, and her parents had gone to bed a short time ago. Elam wondered if Iva and Daniel were tired, or if they had simply wanted to give him and Priscilla some time alone. Whatever the reason, he was glad for this opportunity to be with the woman he loved—especially since, thanks to him working two jobs, they didn’t get to see each other as often as he liked.

Priscilla turned her head and smiled at him. It was such a sweet smile it took all Elam’s determination not to blurt out a marriage proposal. “I’m enjoying this evening, too.”

He stroked her hand with his thumb. “Valentine’s Day is coming up soon. Should we eat supper at Yoder’s Kitchen that evening? I can never get enough of their good food.”

Tiny wrinkles formed across Priscilla’s forehead. “I wish I could, Elam, but remember, I’ll be helping Elaine host another dinner that night.”

“Oh, that’s right. Guess you did mention it.” Elam was sorely disappointed.

“What about the day after Valentine’s? Could we go out then?” Priscilla asked.

“Guess it would be okay.” Elam would much rather go out on Valentine’s Day, but he understood Priscilla had to keep her promise to help Elaine with the dinner. There might be fewer people going out the night after Valentine’s Day, too.

Elam leaned closer and was about to kiss Priscilla, when he heard a car pull into the yard. Priscilla must have heard it, too, for she left her seat and went to the window to look out.

“If I’m not mistaken, that’s David’s grandfather’s car,” Priscilla said. “But it’s hard to tell, since it’s dark outside.” She hurried to the front door.

A few minutes later, Priscilla returned to the living room. David was with her.

Oh, great
, Elam groaned inwardly. The last thing he needed was David interrupting his evening with Priscilla. It seemed like this fellow had a knack for showing up at the wrong time.

“Look who dropped by with an apple pie.” Priscilla’s smile stretched across her face.

Wearing an eager expression, David bobbed his head. “Gram made it.”

“How nice. Please tell Letty I said thank you.” Priscilla took the pie. “I’ll take this to the kitchen and cut us each a piece.”

David nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

When Priscilla left the room, David moved to the couch and took a seat beside Elam. “How’s it going with your new job?”

“Fine. Between that and working for my dad, I’m keeping plenty busy.” Elam gritted his teeth. Apparently David hadn’t stopped by just to drop off the pie. He planned on staying. Elam wished now he’d taken Priscilla out to a restaurant for supper this evening instead of coming here.

“Gramps has been teaching me some things about woodworking. It won’t be long before I can look for a job in that trade.”

Elam grunted. “Bet that’s something you never learned in college.”

David chuckled. “You’re right.”

“So what else can you do?”

“Before starting college, I worked part-time at my dad’s veterinary clinic. Haven’t had a job since then, though. There was no need to, since my folks paid for my schooling and gave me spending money.” David pulled on his chin, like Elam’s dad did when he tugged on his full beard. “Oh, and I had a paper route when I was fifteen, but I didn’t make much money doing that.”

Elam resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He thought David was a spoiled Englisher whose parents gave him everything. Elam didn’t see how David could ever fit into the Amish way of life. Especially since he could barely stay awake during church.

“I’ll go see if Priscilla needs any help.” Elam jumped up and hurried into the kitchen.

“How are we gonna get rid of David?” Elam whispered to Priscilla as she placed pie and coffee for the three of them on a serving tray.

Her mouth puckered. “David’s our friend. Why would we want to get rid of him? I can’t believe you even suggested it, Elam.”

“This is supposed to be our night. I was hoping we could be alone.”

“I wanted it, too, but it would be rude if we asked David to leave. We are the only real friends he has in this community.”

Elam couldn’t argue the point, but he wasn’t sure how much he considered David a friend anymore. If David was really his friend, he wouldn’t try to move in on his girl.
Of course
, Elam reasoned,
he may just be lonely and finds Priscilla’s company fills that void. Could be he doesn’t have a romantic interest in her at all.

“Would you mind carrying this tray to the living room?” Priscilla asked. “While you’re doing that, I’ll make a batch of popcorn.”

“Okay, sounds good.” Elam preferred popcorn over apple pie anyway, and Priscilla knew that. If the pie David brought had been cherry or banana cream, it would have been different: those were two of his favorites.

When Elam returned to the living room, he set the tray on the coffee table.

“Where’s Priscilla?” David asked.

“She’s making popcorn.” Elam sat on the couch beside David. He figured when Priscilla came in, she’d sit on the other side of him, and David wouldn’t talk to her so much. Maybe after David ate his pie, he’d take the hint that Elam wanted to be alone with Priscilla and decide to go back to his grandparents’ house.

“I’ve been wondering about something.” Elam turned to face David.

David reached for a piece of pie and took a bite. “What about?”

“How come you only wear Amish clothes when you go to church and not for every day?” Elam gestured to David’s blue jeans and plaid shirt.

“Since I’m not officially Amish yet, I didn’t think it would matter that much.” David smacked his lips. “This is sure good pie. You’d better eat yours soon or it might disappear.”

“You can have my piece if you want.” Elam glanced toward the kitchen, sniffing the air as a buttery aroma drifted into the living room. “Priscilla knows I prefer popcorn.”

“I like popcorn, too, so maybe I’ll have some of that as well.”

Elam tapped his foot impatiently, wishing once again David would leave. At the rate things were going, the night would be over and he’d never get to give Priscilla a kiss.

David might be dumb about certain things pertaining to the Amish, but he wasn’t stupid when it came to knowing someone didn’t want him around. He’d been here less than an hour—long enough to eat two pieces of pie and a bowl of popcorn, but in all that time the only thing Elam said to him were questions that made him look foolish. Just now, Elam looked right at David and said, “How’s it going with your language lessons?”

“So-so.”

“Do you know what the word
hochmut
means?”

David had to admit he wasn’t familiar with the word. Learning a new language was proving to be a challenge. “Sorry, but I don’t.”