A Baby for Hannah (31 page)

Sharp pangs ran through her body as Hannah stood to run. But her legs wouldn’t move. Pushing with all her strength and reaching with her arms toward the open air, Hannah screamed, “Jake!”

Something grabbed her shoulder, shaking her, and she screamed again.

“Hannah! Hannah! What’s wrong?” Jake’s voice asked. “Are you dreaming?”

Her eyes flew open, taking in the moonlit room. “It was a bear, a grizzly! It was after me.”

“It was a dream,” Jake said, pulling her close to him. “There is no grizzly here.”

“It came back,” Hannah said. “It’s outside the cabin.”

“No,” Jake said. “You were dreaming.”

“The
bobli,
” Hannah whispered. “I’m going to lose the
bobli
again. That’s what the dream was about.”

Jake sat up straight in bed. “Surely not! Is something happening now? Do we need to go to the hospital?”

Hannah ran her hand across her stomach, feeling the growing roundness under her fingers. The child moved, and the pangs from the dream drifted away.

“The
bobli’s
still okay,” she said. “But I’m scared Jake. I was lost in the mountains, and I found the cabin where you lived when you worked for the Forest Service. There was no one there but the grizzly, and it came after me.”

“Come,” Jake comforted, taking Hannah in his arms. “It was a bad dream. It didn’t mean anything.”

“What’s going to happen to us, Jake?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “But
Da Hah
will take care of us. Now, go back to sleep.” With that he kissed her.

“If I can stop dreaming,” she said, moving over to her side of the bed.

Jake sighed and touched her arm for a moment. Then came the even sound of his breathing.

Trembling, Hannah waited. Did she dare fall asleep again? Would there be another bear or some other fear to haunt the night? Climbing out of bed slowly, she approached the cabin window. The moon, which hung low in the western sky, had gone behind the clouds. Dawn couldn’t be far away, and with it would come the Sunday morning service and the vote against Ben and Sylvia—and all that would surely follow.

Hannah shivered. Bishop John was no bear. No doubt her mind was playing tricks, overplaying the happenings from yesterday. Jake was
a gut
man, and he would know how to handle Bishop John.

Still, sleep was far away, and there was no sense tossing in bed. Jake would only be disturbed, and he needed his rest for the day ahead. Slowly Hannah tiptoed out of the bedroom into the living room. Finding the desk, she struck a match, and lit the kerosene lamp.

The light flickered against the cabin window. Hannah carried the lamp with her and walked into the kitchen, hunger stirring at the sight of the chocolate cake on the counter. She set the lamp on the table and removed the plastic cover on the cake and admired the uncut swirl of frosting. Would Jake mind if she ate a piece? Chocolate cake wasn’t usually her thing, but the craving was strong. She ran her hand over her stomach again. It must be the
bobli
causing these strange longings. Perhaps Jake’s baby liked the same things he did.

Hannah cut herself a large piece and sat down to eat. My, it was delicious. Jake would notice the missing piece in the morning, but she would explain. She needed to calm her nerves from the nightmare—and from her concern about the voting, now only hours away. What if Bishop John stood up in church and condemned Jake for his convictions?

Wearily Hannah finished the last bite of cake, scraping frosting from the side of the plate and licking the spoon. She realized she should get back to bed. She needed to be fully rested for the stressful day ahead.

Walking quietly Hannah returned to the bedroom. She paused to study Jake’s sleeping face. How handsome he looked. Hannah trembled suddenly at the thought. She and Jake must not become proud. Even when she gave him a son, and he grew up to sit beside Jake on the preacher’s bench on Sunday morning, they must remain humble people. Even when they had a dozen children someday, who were all grown up and still in the faith, they must not become proud. God threw proud beings out of heaven.

Tomorrow Jake would face Bishop John and say what he felt he must say, no matter what. She would be there, trembling on the church bench, fearing the worst, but knowing she must trust that it would all turn out right. Even if Bishop John got up and spoke words of rebuke to Jake, they must bear the burden. Was that not the sign of truly humble people? Speaking back was what the devil did.

“Jake,” she whispered as she climbed back into bed, looking over to his sleeping face. “My sweet, dear Jake. I love you so much.”

Thirty-Three

Hannah awoke with a start, turning quickly in bed. Jake was already up, his place beside her empty. Quickly she dressed. Jake would be hungry by now. Already the sun was up, and this Sunday morning especially Jake needed his breakfast on time.

Half running out the bedroom door, Hannah slowed down at the sight of Jake sitting on the living room couch reading his Bible.

“I’m sorry I overslept,” she said, trying to smile.

“It’s not late or I would have awakened you. Do you remember your nightmare?”

“Bears, but I’d rather forget that dream. I’ll get breakfast. It won’t be long.”

“
Jah,
I could use some. I’ll harness the horse while you get breakfast.”

“Do you have to preach today?”

“I don’t know. It’s my turn for the main sermon, but after Bishop John gets done chewing me out I may never get to preach again.”

“Will it be that bad? I was hoping my fears were just in my dreams. Something that would go away once the sun came up.”

“
Da Hah
will take care of us,” Jake said, smiling weakly as he put his Bible down and stood up. He opened the door and went outside.

Hannah watched through the window as Jake walked to the barn. His shoulders had a stoop this morning. Jake was way too young for that. Not even a father yet and such burdens. It wasn’t right.

With a sigh Hannah turned away and walked to the kitchen. On the table the chocolate cake sat with a large missing piece cut from one side. Pushing the pan to one side, Hannah started the fire in the old woodstove, taking a quick walk out to the springhouse for eggs and bacon. The air was cool with the mountains shrouded in fog. Loud bumps and bangs came from the direction of the barn.

Hannah paused to listen. The horses must be feeling
gut
this morning. Jake would know enough not to feed them oats. The last thing they needed was a too fast ride to church with them all landing in a ditch from a spooked horse. The bear dream from last night had been scare enough for one day.

Returning to the cabin, Hannah added another piece of wood to the stove and prepared breakfast. Jake came in before she was done and took his seat at the kitchen table.

“Hey, who ate the chocolate cake?” Jake asked with a chuckle.

“I did. The craving came over me in the middle of the night, and I couldn’t help myself.”

“It must be the
bobli.
Is everything still okay?”

“I think so. I haven’t noticed anything wrong.”

Jake stared out of the kitchen window as Hannah finished the bacon and eggs. She set the bread and butter on the table. Wiping her hands on a towel, she sat down beside Jake. Together they bowed their heads in silent prayer. After the prayer, Jake ate slowly, seemingly lost in thought, and Hannah stayed quiet. He had enough on his mind without her chatter.

Finishing his food, Jake pushed back and waited until Hannah was done before bowing his head again in prayer. In the stillness of the house, Hannah held her breath. It would have felt
gut
to hear Jake pray out loud, but he said nothing.

“We’d better get ready soon,” Jake said as he got up from his chair and took his plate to the sink.

“I’ll do the dishes and be right in,” Hannah said, hurrying to clear the rest of the table.

“Perhaps I can scrub the bacon pan,” Jake said while giving Hannah a soft smile. “You still look a little sleepy.”

“If you keep on babying me, I’ll fall asleep on my feet,” Hannah replied, attempting a laugh. “But a little help would be nice.”

Jake partially filled the sink with hot water from the stove top and began scrubbing the pan vigorously. Hannah paused to watch him for a moment. His arms were so strong! How quickly the pan became clean.

“Thanks,” Hannah whispered when he was done. “I can finish now.”

Silently Jake disappeared into the living room, his footsteps fading away toward their bedroom. With the last clean plate placed in the cupboard, Hannah joined him. Jake already had his white Sunday shirt and black pants on. He was reaching for his suit coat in the closet. He slipped it on, gave Hannah an unexpected kiss on the cheek, and went out into the living room.

Hannah relaxed a bit as she changed into her clothes. There really was nothing to be afraid of, was there? Jake was still his friendly, smiling self this morning, albeit a bit pensive, and he was the one who had to face Bishop John and Minister Mose.

When she was ready, Hannah found Jake sitting on the couch reading his Bible again. He stood when she walked in, moved toward the door, and picked up his black hat. Hannah followed him outside and waited beside the buggy while he brought Mosey from the barn. She lifted the shafts for him and fastened the tug on her side.

Jake threw the lines into the buggy, and waited while Hannah climbed in. With a quick pull on the side of the buggy, Jake came up the step and settled into the seat beside her, taking up the lines.

“Get-up,” Jake said, slapping the reins gently against Mosey’s back.

Mosey started slowly, turning toward the main road. Jake urged him on faster when they reached the blacktop, and the rhythmic sound of his hooves on the pavement increased.

“Are we late?” Hannah asked.

Jake pulled out his pocket watch. “No, but I guess I’m hurrying because I’m a bit nervous.”

“I think I’m more than nervous,” Hannah said. “I’m a wreck.”

“You sure don’t look it. You look wonderful and composed.”

“Maybe on the outside, but then so do you.”

“I guess we don’t know how to deal with stress very well.”

“I don’t think I want to know,” Hannah said, pulling out her handkerchief and blowing her nose. “Church didn’t use to be like this.”

“I know,” Jake said, reaching around her shoulders and giving her a tight hug. “But I guess we have to be brave.”

Hannah nodded and Jake pulled his arm back to grip the lines with both hands. Ahead of them the farmhouse where church was being held came into view, the line of parked buggies already forming behind the barn.

“I thought we weren’t late,” Jake said with a quick laugh. “But it looks like half the church is here already.”

“Perhaps they’re all nervous too,” Hannah said, leaning forward on the seat.

“I hope not,” Jake said as he turned into the driveway and pulled to a stop beside the walk. “I’ll see you later,” he said, as Hannah pulled her bonnet strings tight.

“
Jah,
” she said, climbing down the buggy steps.

The buggy jerked forward, and Hannah lowered her head as she started up the walks. Why were her cheeks burning this morning? Jake had done nothing wrong, and the line of men out by the barn weren’t staring at her. None of them knew about Jake’s trouble with Bishop John—or did they?

Betty’s smiling face greeted Hannah just inside the washroom door, “Oh, it’s so
gut
to see you this morning.”

“Where’s Miriam?” Hannah asked, undoing her bonnet strings.

“I don’t know,” Betty said. “I saw her earlier this morning. It sure seems like everyone’s early today. Is there some big secret going on?”

Hannah hung her head and didn’t answer.

“Oh my, there is,” Betty said, taking Hannah’s bonnet and laying it on the table. “But honestly, I can’t see how there can be too much trouble with Jake around. Jake has always been such a blessing and has such a level head. Jake will take care of it.”

Hannah kept her head down and moved slowly toward the kitchen door. Betty would keep talking until she told her what was going on, and that couldn’t happen this morning. It would be
gut to
have someone like Betty to tell. Betty would gather her in a hug and understand as only family can.

“You really should tell me about it,” Betty said, holding onto Hannah’s arm. “There’s no one around at the moment.”

“I can’t,” Hannah whispered. “And you’ll find out soon enough.”

“Oh no!” Betty said. “Has Dennis decided to join the Mennonites? Is that what it is? I can’t believe it has come to this, Hannah, but I’ve been worried ever since Miriam told me you agreed to let her have her dates at your place on Sunday evenings. I think you should have taken a stand on the issue. Miriam is playing with fire, and you know what the Good Book says about people who take burning coals into their bosom. They get singed
gut
and hard. That Dennis and his brother are nothing but trouble. They have been nothing but trouble since the day they came down from Idaho.”