A Hope Springs Christmas (11 page)

One male visitor was unusual. Two single men showing up at her door unannounced smacked of her aunt Emma’s matchmaking meddling.

Sarah opened the door wide. “Come in, Andy. Jacob Gingerich and I were about to have some coffee.”

She stepped aside. Andy hung up his coat and hat beside Jacob’s. The men scowled at each other briefly, but were cordial to one another.

As it turned out, it was a good thing that Andy had brought food. By suppertime, there were four sets of coats and hats lined up beside her front door. Sarah had no idea what her aunt could have said to bring so many bachelors and widowers to her door, but she planned to give her aunt a stern talking to the next time they met.

Once the sparse meal was done and the second pot of coffee had been finished, her guests still made no move to leave. It seemed that none of them wanted to be the first man out the door. They stayed until Sarah finally had to ask them to leave.

As he left, each man promised to return at a more opportune time when they could be alone. When the last one was out the door, Sarah stood on the porch and watch them disperse. She glanced toward the carriage shop and saw Levi leaning against the open door jamb. He gave her a jaunty wave.

Sarah stepped back inside the house and closed her door with a bang. She considered nailing it shut but decided moving away might be a better option. She should have known her aunt wouldn’t wait forever before deciding Sarah had been single long enough.

* * *

Levi suffered a twinge of conscience the following morning when Sarah came to work looking as if she hadn’t slept well. Her eyes were puffy and she kept yawning into her hand. He hadn’t slept that well, either. Today his throat was raw. He had a burning pain deep in his chest.

He said, “There isn’t much work today. Why don’t you go home? I’m sure you have a lot to do before your family arrives.”

“I have a lot of baking to do, that’s for sure. I had hoped to get started last evening, but that didn’t happen.”

“I noticed your party. I felt a little left out, not being invited and all.”

“I didn’t issue the invitations, but I’m surprised you didn’t get one. When I see my aunt Emma, she is going to get an earful.”

So she didn’t suspect him. That was good, but he didn’t like the idea that she was blaming someone else. Still, like the twins, she had to learn that not everyone could be manipulated for her benefit. He pulled a chair up beside her. “Why are you angry with your aunt?”

“Emma Lapp loves the idea of being a matchmaker. I’ve told her for years that I’m not ready to marry again. I reckon she decided to take matters into her own hands. Hence, half the single Amish men over twenty-five were grouped around my table last night. No doubt the rest of them will show up tonight.”

He stared at his hands. “What makes you so sure your aunt is behind it?”

“I can’t imagine who else it would be.”

“I sympathize with you, Sarah. I’ve been feeling like I’ve been put on display myself, lately.”

She frowned. “You have?”

“It’s not a comfortable feeling, as I’m sure you noticed.”

Her frown turned to a look of speculation. “Levi, do you know something about the line of men in my kitchen last night?”

He folded his arms over his chest. “About as much as you know about fishing lines.”

She had the decency to blush. “I did promise my nephew I would take him. Thanks to your help, I’m sure I won’t embarrass myself.”

“Thanks to Joann you mean. And our special thanks must also go to Sally for all her help with the inventory. Is it done?”

Sarah’s voice grew smaller. “Almost.”

“What sweet young thing can I expect to help you finish?”

“I’ll be able to manage alone,” she mumbled, her eyes downcast.

He hid a smile behind the hand he used to rub his chin. “That is
goot
.”

He heard a horse stop outside. He glanced out the window. “Ah, I see you have another visitor at your house. I believe that is Amos Fisher. He’s a long way past twenty-five, but he runs a nice hog farm. He told me yesterday that he has two hundred sows now.”

Her eyes snapped to his, shooting daggers of loathing. “I think you are a sneaky, mean man, Levi Beachy.”

He grinned. “I’m learning from the best.”

Chapter Eleven

W
hen Sarah entered the carriage shop the following morning she had every intention of giving Levi a piece of her mind. Three more suitors had darkened her door the previous evening.

She found Levi huddled in front of the stove with his arms wrapped around his body. When he looked up, his face was pale as a sheet. There were dark circles under his eyes. He shivered so violently that he nearly fell from the small stool he was perched on. The man looked sick to death. He coughed and the deep rattle in his chest frightened her.

“Levi Beachy, I never once considered you to be a fool until this moment.” She advanced toward him.

“Go away,” he muttered in a pitifully hoarse voice.

“You are the one who is going. You’re going straight to bed. You look miserable.”

“I’m fine. I just need a minute to get warm.” He leaned closer to the fire.

Shaking her head, Sarah marched to the door and flipped the Open sign to Closed. Outside, Elam Sutter was just getting out of his buggy. At least she knew he hadn’t come to court her. He was happily married to her friend Katie.

She opened the door and called out to him, “I’m sorry Elam, but the shop is closed today. Levi is sick.”

“I’ve stopped by to pick up a part he ordered for me. I had a note in the mail that it had come in.”

“All right, I’ll find it for you, but you should stay outside. I don’t want you taking sickness home to Katie and the
kinder
.”

“
Danki,
Sarah. I’ll wait right here.”

Closing the door, she quickly checked the counter area but didn’t find anything with Elam’s name on it. She crossed the room and crouched beside Levi. He was looking worse by the minute. She touched his shoulder gently. “Levi, where is the part that came in for Eli Sutter?”

He opened bloodshot eyes. “On my desk in the back.”

“I’ll get it, and then you are going back to the house.”

“I don’t want to go to the house.”

“You sound like a pouting child. You’re going back to the house if I have to drag you by your suspenders. And don’t think for a minute that I can’t do it.”

A ragged cough followed by a weak nod was her answer. She pulled off her coat and tucked it around his shoulders. He nestled into the warmth with a grateful sigh. Leaving him sitting by the fire, Sarah quickly found the part and carried it out to Elam.

He took it from her and asked, “Is there anything I can do for you or Levi?”

“
Nee.
Rest is what he needs now.”

“My mother said a nasty flu bug has been making the rounds over in Sugarcreek. Looks like it’s come to pay Hope Springs a visit.”

“Levi got soaked yesterday and wouldn’t go home to change. I hope it’s the flu and not pneumonia. He’s too sick to work, but he won’t go to bed, either. Sometime men are more trouble than they are worth.”

Elam chuckled. “My wife would agree with you.”

“Good day, Elam. Give Katie and the children my love.”

He promised to do so and drove away. Sarah hurried back inside just as Levi was struggling to his feet. He teetered and would have fallen if she hadn’t rushed to hold him up. Staggering under his weight, she managed to keep both of them upright.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled against her
kapp
.

She had both arms around his waist. “Never mind. Let’s get you to the house. What on earth possessed you to try and work today?”

“I thought I’d feel better in the shop.”

“Why would you think that?”

“I always feel better here. Besides, I have work that must be done.”

Sarah lifted Levi’s arm and placed it around her shoulder. “The work will still be here tomorrow.”

“If I don’t get it done today, there will be twice as much work tomorrow.”

“Let the twins do some of it.”

“They’re sick. I told them to stay in bed.” So it was an illness that was going around and not because Levi had had a soaking. Still, it certainly hadn’t done him any good.

“You told the twins to stay in bed, but you couldn’t take your own advice.”

A vicious cough stole his breath and left him wheezing and unsteady. She knew if he lost his balance she wouldn’t be able to hold him up. Why had she sent Elam Sutter away? He wouldn’t have had any trouble carrying Levi.

“Come. It’s only a few steps to the house. We can get there together.”

Thankfully, they were able to manage the short trek, although several times she wondered if they would make it. They were both sweating and out of breath by the time they reached his front door.

“Danki, mie goot Sarah,”
he said as he sank in a heap on the couch.

Why did she wish she were his good Sarah? It wasn’t part of her makeup to be a loving wife. Hadn’t that been made painfully clear to her?

She unlaced Levi’s boots and pulled them off. As she had once suspected, both his socks had holes in them. She would have to have a stern talk with Grace when the girl came home. The art of good housekeeping wasn’t reserved solely for a woman’s husband.

Sarah pulled a folded quilt from the back of a rocker and spread it across Levi. She coaxed him to give up her coat and then tucked the quilt around his shoulders. She pressed her palm to his forehead. He was burning up.

“If I make you some hot tea will you be able to keep it down?” she asked.

“I think so.”

“When was the last time you had something to eat?”

“I’m not hungry. I just want to sleep.”

“Not until I get some fluids in you. I’m going to check on the twins.”

When Levi didn’t respond, Sarah took it as his consent. She quickly put the kettle on and made her way up the narrow stairs to the upper story of the house. The first room she looked into belonged to Grace. It was painted a lovely shade of lavender with a large throw rug on the floor and a beautiful lavender-and-white quilt on the bed.

The next door she opened was to Levi’s room. It was tidy and clean. The walls were a pale gray. His bed had a simple dark blue blanket as a spread. He was a tidy man.

The last room she looked in was not neat at all. There were clothes strewn on the floor, shoes had been tossed aside and lay where they’d fallen and numerous books and magazines lay helter-skelter around the room. From a set of twin beds, one bleary-eyed and one bright-eyed boy looked at her in astonishment. She marched to the bed closest to the door and laid her hand on Atlee’s brow.

He was hot, but his fever wasn’t as high as Levi’s.

Moses drew his covers up to his chin when she came toward him. “What are you doing in here?”

“I’m seeing who is sick and how sick they are.” She clapped a hand on his forehead. He was cool to the touch. His eyes were bright, his lips weren’t cracked.

She fisted her hands on her hips and glared at him. “You aren’t sick.”

“I am. I ache all over. My stomach is churning. I feel terrible,” he insisted.

“You’ll feel better when you’re done helping me.”

“Helping you do what?”

“Levi is downstairs and he is very sick. I don’t think I can get him up to his room by myself. You have five minutes to get dressed, and then I’m coming up here with a pail of cold water. If you’re in this bed when I get back, you’ll get a bath.”

“You wouldn’t?”

“Trust me, I would.”

She turned to leave. Stopping by Atlee, she straightened his covers and said, “I’ll bring you some hot tea with honey in a few minutes. Do you think you can eat something?”

“Maybe some toast if you don’t mind making it.” He coughed harshly.

“I don’t mind a bit. Try and get some rest.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He closed his red-rimmed eyes with a sigh.

Downstairs, she found the kettle starting to whistle. She took it off the heat and filled two big mugs with the steaming liquid. She added tea bags and honey, and then set two slices of bread in the oven.

She checked on Levi. He was curled up on the sofa with the quilt pulled tight around his neck.

The poor man, he looked miserable, but there wasn’t much she could do for him. “Levi, can you drink some of this?”

He shook his head and burrowed deeper under the quilt. Giving up, she carried the mug back in the kitchen.

Sarah glanced at the clock. When the five minutes was up, she found a saucepan and filled it with cool water. She flipped a towel over her shoulder and set the pan, the tea-filled mug and a plate with the toast on a tray. She carried it all up the stairs. As she suspected, Moses was still in bed, trying to look as if he belonged there.

Setting the tray down on Atlee’s nightstand, she helped him sit up in bed by arranging his pillows at his back and gave him the mug of tea. He wrapped his hands around it and took a sip. “
Ach,
that’s
wunderbaar,
Sarah.
Danki
.”

“You’re welcome.” Taking the pan, she walked around his bed and threw the water on Moses.

He came out of the covers yowling like a scalded cat. He stood in his pajamas, glaring at her while water dripped from his hair. She took the towel from her shoulder and held it out. “I couldn’t find a pail. You’re lucky all I found was a small sauce pan.”

He snatched the towel from her. “I’ll catch my death for sure now.”

“I doubt I’ll be so lucky. Get dried off, get changed, strip your bed and clean up this mess. All of this mess.” She indicated the rest of the room.

Without waiting for him to reply, she turned toward the door. Atlee sat in his bed with a stunned expression of disbelief on his face. She said gently, “Finish your tea, dear. It will help bring the fever down.”

He nodded. She smiled and walked out the door.

Twenty minutes later, Moses came into the kitchen. He was dressed in his work clothes. He held a bundle of sheets in his arms.

She took them from him. “I’ve made some scrambled eggs and hash browns. When you’re finished with breakfast, you can help me get your brother up to his room. I may need to send you for the doctor later, so stay nearby.”

He frowned and glanced in the living room. “Is he really that sick?”

“I’m afraid he may be.” Her own father had died of pneumonia. His illness had started out the same way as Levi’s. She always thought her father’s stubborn refusal to see a doctor had contributed to his untimely death.

She wouldn’t think about another death at Christmas. God would not do that to her. Besides, she didn’t love Levi. There was no reason he might die.

She said, “I don’t know if Levi took care of the horses this morning or not. Would you please check and take care of them if he didn’t?”

“Will you pour more water on my head if I say no?”

She sighed heavily. “
Nee,
but I will be sorely disappointed for I have always thought you had the makings of a good man in you. I know Levi believes you do, and I trust his judgment.”

Moses cast her a sheepish glance and then stared at his boots. “I’ll take care of it. Keep my eggs warm, will you?”

“Of course.”

He pulled on a coat and settled his hat on his head. When he glanced back at her, she realized how much he looked like Levi. Maybe he would grow into a good man after all. She prayed it would be so.

She spent the next half hour coaxing Levi into taking the cough medicine she found in the bathroom cabinet along with a couple of aspirin and sips of warm sweet tea. She could tell it was an effort for him just to raise his head, but he managed to swallow a full cup of the liquid. She left his side feeling better about his condition. Moses came in as she put the kettle back on.

“The stock is taken care of. I’ve stoked the fire in the shop. I can finish most of the work that Levi had planned for today. How is he?”

“He took some tea. Do you think we can get him upstairs?”

“It would be easier to bring one of the cots down here and move him onto that.”

“That’s a good idea, Moses. I’ll let you do that while I get the laundry started. I need to get your sheets out on the line so you have someplace dry to sleep tonight.”

“I can always sleep in Grace’s or Levi’s room.”

“Won’t Atlee feel better knowing you’re close by?”

“I reckon you are right about that. I’ll go get the cot.”

Between the two of them, they got Levi moved to a more comfortable bed close to the fire. It didn’t make him happy. He fretted for the next hour, more concerned about Sarah than about his own comfort.

“You must go home, Sarah. I don’t want you to become ill because of me.”

She tucked his quilt more tightly around him. “I’m a grown woman. I’ll go home when I want to and not before.”

“I wondered how soon that remark would come back to haunt me.”

“Rest and don’t worry about me. I feel fine. It is up to God if I catch your flu. Now hush. I will hear no more about leaving. Atlee is sick, too. Who will take care of him with Moses in the shop all day?”

Levi said, “I will see to the boy’s needs.”

Sarah was tired of arguing with him. She stepped back and raised her hands. “Okay, I was about to take some soup up to him, but you can do it.”

“Finally, the woman is minding me. Praise the Lord.” He pushed his covers aside and sat up.

When he didn’t go any farther, Sarah said, “The soup is in the kitchen.”

He teetered on the side of the cot. Closing his eyes, he lay back with a moan. “I can’t do it.”

“I told you so.”

“You’re laughing at me. You’re always laughing at me,” he muttered wearily.

“
Nee,
I have never laughed at you, Levi.”

He opened his bloodshot eyes and stared at her. “Yes, you have.”

“When?”

He started coughing again. She brought him a drink of water. He took a sip and lay back with his eyes closed.

She should let him sleep, but his comment bothered her. “When did I laugh at you, Levi? If you thought I was, it wasn’t on purpose and I’m sorry.”

“It was on purpose. You wanted me to kiss you...and then you pushed me in the creek. Everyone saw. Everyone laughed.”

She recalled the day vividly. She was saddened to realize he thought she had acted deliberately. She reached down and brushed a lock of hair from his forehead. He needed a haircut. She was pleased to note his skin felt cooler.