A Life of Joy (30 page)

“It’s not my business, but are you seeing a doctor?”

“
Ya
, I am. In fact, I have an appointment tomorrow.”

“I hope that you’re feeling better soon.”

“Danki.”
Rebecca couldn’t help but think Matthew was a nice young man. She hoped his friendship with Lindsay lasted a long time.

He studied his hat, and she wondered what he was hesitant to say.

“Would you like a drink?” she asked in order to break the awkward silence.

“No,
danki
.” He looked up and cleared his throat. “I was wondering if you knew how Lindsay was doing.”

She smiled. His adoration for her niece was written all over his young face.

“I spoke to her a few days ago and also received a letter. She said that she was doing quite well,” Rebecca said.

“I’ve been hoping she was doing well,” he said, leaning back on the wooden chair. “Katie mentioned that she received a letter from Lindsay yesterday, and she was enjoying her time in Virginia. I just hope she isn’t getting too accustomed to the English life again.”

“I’ve had the same thought, but I have a feeling that her heart is here.”

“I hope so.” He glanced off toward the pasture.

Rebecca studied his expression, trying to figure out what he was thinking about her niece. “You know, Matthew, I think Lindsay would be delighted to hear from you.”

He met her gaze and raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that she gets lonely sometimes and would be very happy to hear from her friends back home.” She slowly pushed herself up from the swing, trying in vain to ignore the aches and pains radiating through her abdomen and legs. “I’ll go get her address and phone number for you.”

“Oh no.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”

“Don’t be
gegisch
.” She made her way to the back door. “I’ll be right back.”

Rebecca found Lindsay’s address and phone number on the counter and copied it onto a blank page in a little notepad she kept handy for shopping lists. She then poured him a glass of tea and brought them both out to Matthew.

“Danki,”
he said, taking the paper and the drink. “You really didn’t have to get this for me.”

“It was no trouble at all,” she said, gingerly sinking back into the swing.

He grimaced. “The truth is, I wouldn’t know what to say if I called her or wrote her.”

Rebecca smiled. “Tell her what’s happening at singings and at work. You could tell her how you feel. Tell her you miss her or that you want her to come back soon.”

She could’ve sworn his cheeks blushed a light pink.

He folded up the piece of paper and stuck it into the pocket of his trousers. “I’ll think about it.
Danki
for the information.”

“
Gern gschehne
. How’s your sister doing?” she asked.

They talked about his sister and her family for a few minutes. While they were talking, the back door opened, and Daniel stepped out onto the porch.

“Matthew,” Daniel said. “What brings you out here today?”

“I was concerned when I didn’t see you at service today,” Matthew said. “Rebecca was telling me she wasn’t feeling well.”

Daniel rubbed his chin. “
Ya
, she had a rough morning.” He turned to her. “I think you should head up to bed. You need your rest.”

“
Ya
, you should go rest,” Matthew echoed. “I can visit with Daniel for a while.”

“That’s a
gut
idea,” Daniel said, holding out his hand to her.

Rebecca took his hand, and he helped her stand.
“Danki,”
she
said. She faced Matthew. “It was
gut
seeing you. Please give my regards to your sister and her family.”

“I will,” Matthew said. “You take care of yourself.”

Stepping into the kitchen, Rebecca hoped that Matthew would write or call Lindsay and remind her of what awaited her back in Lancaster County.

17

D
r. Fitzgerald frowned, and Rebecca held her breath. The hand on her shoulder gave little comfort. She glanced up and found Daniel staring down at her, his eyes full of the worry she felt in her heart.

“Mrs. Kauffman,” Dr. Fitzgerald began, removing his glasses. “I’m very concerned about your blood pressure. The aches and pains are normal, but the rise in blood pressure gives me pause.”

“Is the baby going to be all right?” Rebecca’s voice was a trembling whisper.

“The ultrasound shows that the baby is growing as it should, but the swelling in your legs and feet and the blood pressure could lead to serious complications,” Dr. Fitzgerald said. “I would like you to rest more. You need to stay off your feet as much as possible. Can you possibly find someone to help you with the children during the day?”

Daniel cleared his throat. “My niece has been helping Rebecca during the past week.”

“Good. She needs to come over every day and do as much around the house as possible. I want Mrs. Kauffman to stay in bed or even on the sofa with her feet up.” He wrote in the medical chart. “I would like to see you back here in two weeks. If there is any change at all that concerns you, please call as soon as possible. You can’t ever be too cautious.”

Daniel squeezed Rebecca’s shoulder. “I’ll keep a good eye on her, Doctor. I’ll be sure to call if we have any worries.”

“Good.” The doctor shook Daniel’s hand. “I’ll see you back here in two weeks.” He met Rebecca’s stare. “Take good care of yourself, Mrs. Kauffman.”

Rebecca stared out the window during the ride home. Her mind raced with questions about the pregnancy. The worry she saw in the doctor’s and Daniel’s eyes filled her with dread. She prayed that the baby would continue to develop normally and that she wouldn’t be sentenced to bed rest for the next several months. However, she was willing to follow the doctor’s orders if it meant the baby’s health.

When the van steered into the driveway at the house, Rebecca stared at the back door. She knew she would have to tell Katie why she was resting, and she hoped that her niece would honor their wishes and keep the secret to herself. Rebecca worried that if Katie’s mother, Sadie, found out, then the news would spread quickly through their church district.

The van stopped at the back door and Daniel turned to Mike, the driver. “I’ll just be a moment,” he said before jumping from the van and opening the back door for Rebecca. He took her hand and helped her out of the van and then guided her up the porch steps.

When they reached the back door, she stopped him by gently nudging his arm.

“
Was
iss letz
?” His eyes were full of worry again.

“Do you think the
boppli
is going to be okay?” she asked, praying his answer would be positive.

He touched her cheek. “
Ya
, I do, but you’re going to have to follow the doctor’s orders. I don’t want anything to happen to you or the
boppli
.”

She squeezed his arm. “I promise I will, but we’re going to
have to trust Katie with the secret. It won’t make sense to her if I have to remain on bed rest for a stomach flu.”

He touched his beard, considering her suggestion. “That’s true. I think she can keep a secret. She’s a
gut
girl.” He squeezed her hand. “I have to get to work. Do you need me to walk in with you?”

Rebecca shook her head. “I’m fine. You have a
gut
day.”

“You too. Take it easy, just like the doctor ordered.” He jogged down the steps and climbed into the van.

Rebecca opened the back door as the van sped down the driveway toward the main road. The sweet smell of baking cookies filled Rebecca’s senses, causing her to smile. She spotted a batch of chocolate chip cookies cooling on a rack on the counter. Her niece was so thoughtful to mix up some cookies for the children.

She found Katie in the family room reading to the children.

Katie looked up at Rebecca as Emma and Junior rushed toward her.

Rebecca sat on the sofa and hugged the children. They returned to the floor, playing with a set of blocks in the middle of the room.

“What did the doctor say?” Katie asked.

“I have to rest as much as possible.” Rebecca lifted her feet onto the sofa and leaned back against the arm. “My blood pressure is up, causing my legs and feet to swell.”

Katie’s eyes rounded. “Are you going to be all right?”

“
Ya
, I am, but I have to be very careful.”

Katie crossed the room and stood over Rebecca, her eyes flashing with concern. “
Was
iss letz?
Is it serious?”

Rebecca glanced at the children and then back at Katie.

“Oh,” Katie whispered. “You don’t want the
kinner
to hear. Do you want me to ask them to go to the kitchen for a cookie and then I’ll come back and talk to you?”

Rebecca shook her head. “No, I’ll tell you, but you have to keep it to yourself.”

“Of course.” Katie nodded, her expression grave.

She motioned for Katie to come in closer and then she leaned up to Katie’s ear. “I’m expecting a
boppli
.”

Katie gasped, cupping her hand to her mouth.

Engrossed in their playtime, the children never looked up.

“Now, you can’t tell anyone.”

Katie grinned, her head bobbing excitement. “I won’t. I promise,
Aenti
Rebecca.” She leaned down and hugged her. “I’m so
froh
for you. When are you due?”

“January eleventh.”

“That’s
wunderbaar
.” She stood up. “Why do you have to be on bed rest? You said your blood pressure is up high?”

Frowning, Rebecca nodded. “
Ya
. The doctor is concerned about my blood pressure and the swelling in my legs and feet. He said I must call him if something changes or I start feeling worse.”

Katie took Rebecca’s hand in hers. “I promise I’ll run like the wind to the phone shanty if you need me to.” She bit her lower lip. “I think my
mamm
had problems with her blood pressure when she was pregnant with my brother Aaron and everything turned out fine. I’m certain the doctor will take
gut
care of you.”

Rebecca gave a sad smile. “I hope so, Katie.”

“Does Lindsay know about the
boppli?
”

“
Ya
, but you mustn’t tell Lindsay that I need to rest all the time. I don’t want her to be so worried that she changes her plans and rushes back here. I want her to enjoy Virginia without any guilt about my condition. Understand?”

Katie gave a serious expression. “
Ya
, I promise I won’t tell her anything, but you have to promise to follow the doctor’s orders and let me take
gut
care of you.”

Rebecca couldn’t stop her smile. “You’re a
gut maedel
, Katie.”

“Danki.”
Katie grinned. “You’re a
gut aenti
.”

As Katie hugged her again, Rebecca closed her eyes and silently
thanked God for her family, and also prayed that Katie was right about the pregnancy being healthy despite the worrisome complications.

Later that evening, Katie climbed the stairs toward her bedroom. All day long she’d been thinking of Rebecca and worrying about her condition. While she’d been following the doctor’s orders, Katie couldn’t stop herself from worrying that Rebecca was more ill than she’d ever seen her mother. She was concerned that Lindsay would be upset if she didn’t know just how sick their aunt was, and she needed someone’s advice on what to do.

Although she longed to tell her mother, she also was aware that her mother was known for having a loose tongue. Her mother had a good heart, but she didn’t always use caution when sharing information. Katie had once confided in her mother about a girl at school who had kissed a boy behind the outhouse. Instead of keeping the information to herself, Sadie told the girl’s mother, and the girl never spoke to Katie again.

Katie knew that if she told her mother about Rebecca and the news was shared, Rebecca would never trust Katie again.