A Man of His Word (24 page)

Moments later he felt the light touch of a hand on his arm. Opening his eyes, he looked down to see Moriah standing beside him.

“Are you okay?” Her luminous eyes, less haunted than when they had been in the emergency room, gazed up at him. Worry lines still etched her features, but she took the time to ask about his well-being. How could anyone expect him not to love such a caring woman?

“
Ya
,” he managed, slipping his black hat back on his head. “How are you doing?”

She shrugged. He noticed she hadn’t moved her hand. He hoped she never would.

“Levi will make it, Gabriel,” she said, her voice hitching slightly on the last word. “I have faith that he will.”

Unable to stop himself, Gabe covered her hand with his own, drawing strength and comfort from her touch. “Then I have faith he will too.”

Moriah touched her hand to her forehead, as if applying pressure would relieve the throbbing inside her head. Five hours had passed since they had first arrived at the hospital, and Levi was still in surgery. There had been no word about his condition, but she clung to her hope that he would pull through. She had spoken very little to Gabe and his father. All three of them had been mired in their own thoughts. She had never realized a hospital could be such a lonely place, even when you were surrounded by people. Even when you were with your family.

Finally, a doctor entered the waiting room, one she had never seen before. He wore a green short-sleeved shirt, green drawstring pants, and a white, brimless cap on his head. Striding to the reception area, he said a few words to the dark-skinned woman seated behind the desk who pointed toward Moriah. The doctor nodded, then walked over to her.

“Mrs. Miller? I’m Dr. Whitman. I’m the surgeon who operated on your husband.”

Her chest tightened as she stood. “How is he?”

“I’m happy to say he’s doing as well as can be expected. We believe the surgery to be a success. It was touch and go there for a while, but he’s a strong young man.”

Gabriel and John stood on each side of her. As the relief shot through her body, she felt limp, like a rag doll. “Can we see him now?” Gabriel asked as he put his arm around her shoulders.

Dr. Whitman shook his head. “He’s in recovery right now. It will be a couple hours before we release him to intensive care. After two or three days we hope to transfer him to a regular floor. Once he’s fully recovered, he’ll be able to go home.”

“Praise the Lord,” John whispered. “Praise the Lord.”

With a smile the doctor said, “This is the kind of news we enjoy giving. Feel free to go down to the cafeteria and grab some supper. Mr. Miller won’t be in his room until around seven.”

John reached out for the doctor’s hand. “Thank you so much, Dr. Whitman.” His voice was raspy with emotion. “Thank you, thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll go back and check on him. We can go over his progress in the morning.” He nodded and left the waiting room.

Still feeling weak, Moriah leaned against Gabriel, grateful for his strong support. Levi made it. She vowed not to leave his side until he was well enough to come home. Their home. Surely he would realize that he didn’t belong in the Yankees’ world. He belonged with his family. With her and their child.

“I don’t ever want to see this room again,” John said, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. He grinned. “Let’s go get something to eat. Suddenly, I’m starving!”

Gabriel smiled in response. “Me too.” Then he removed his arm from her shoulders and looked at her.

“You were right,” he said softly. “He’s gonna be okay.”

“Thanks to God,” Moriah said. “All thanks be to God.”

Chapter 10

M
oriah felt the touch of a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes flickered open. She shifted her body in the green vinyl-backed chair and lazily looked up. Gabriel was standing next to her, gazing down with concern. When she fully awakened, she jolted upright, remembering where she was. Levi’s intensive care room. “Is he awake?”

“
Nee
.” Gabriel dropped his hand. “The nurse said he was up a little while ago.”

“Why didn’t they wake me?” she said, dismayed.

“He wasn’t conscious for very long. Besides, they knew you needed the rest. I’m glad they let you sleep.”

She rose from her chair and smoothed her white apron. The fabric was wrinkled, as was her light-green dress. The rest of her was probably a mess too. “What time is it?”

“Almost five a.m. There’s a visitors’ waiting room down the hall.
Daed
is asleep on the couch in there. I wanted to check and see how you were doing. And Levi.”

Moriah looked down at her husband as he lay on the hospital bed. Wires, endless wires were attached to his body, which in turn were connected to blinking, illuminated machines and dangling bags of fluid and blood. He lay flat on his back, a white sheet draped over his lower body. She touched her mouth with her fingertips, trying to stem the tirade of sorrow and pity that coursed through her. His face was almost unrecognizable from the swelling around his eyes and mouth. A bandage encircled his head, covering his brow. The nurses had assured her that he wasn’t in pain; the medication pump ensured that. But she didn’t see how.

No one had any concrete details about the accident, but she didn’t really care right now. Her complete focus was on being there for her husband. If she had failed him before, she refused to fail him now, especially when he needed her so much.

“Are you hungry?” Gabriel asked. “We can go downstairs and get some breakfast.”

“I don’t want to leave him.”

“Moriah, he couldn’t be in better hands. Nothing will happen to him.” He moved to stand alongside her. “You’ve been in here all night. You need to take a break.”

She watched Levi for a moment, not moving until she detected the slight rise and fall of his chest. Gabriel was right, of course. The nurses and doctors wouldn’t let anything happen to Levi. Turning, she nodded. “Let me freshen up first.”

“I’ll meet you in the waiting room.” Gabriel took one more look at his brother, then left.

Levi’s arms lay limply against his sides. She slipped her hand in his and squeezed. “I’ll be right back,” she whispered, then reluctantly let go. Exiting his small room, she made her way to the restroom, which was just around the corner. Once she was inside the single washroom, she closed the door, then locked it.

Facing the mirror, she sighed at her reflection. Her
kapp
was askew, and there were dark circles under eyes. The inside of her mouth felt pasty, and her shoulders ached. Reaching up, she pulled the bobby pins from her
kapp
and placed it on the side of the sink. She smoothed her hair the best she could, then replaced her
kapp
, tucking the ribbons inside the front bodice of her dress. After splashing her cheeks with cold water, she felt a little better, and more fully awake.

After breakfast she would call her mother and let her know how Levi was faring. Her father had a cell phone in the woodshop, which he used only for business purposes. However, Moriah doubted he would mind if she called. She’d also see if maybe Elisabeth or one of her brothers could hire a taxi and bring her a fresh change of clothes. With Ruth being sick, she didn’t want her mother to have to make the trip, and she had no idea how long she would be at the hospital with Levi. Not that the time mattered to her. She wasn’t leaving him until he was able to come home. Everything that had happened between them—his rejection of her and his faith—none of that mattered now. Not only had she already forgiven him, she would forget. They had a second chance now, a new opportunity to work on their marriage, and soon a new baby to love and cherish. Glancing at the mirror one last time, she smiled. For the first time in what seemed like forever, she had something to look forward to.

Gabe rocked back and forth on his heels and slipped his hands in his pockets as he waited for Moriah. He considered waking his father, then decided against it. Neither of them had slept much in the waiting room. It wouldn’t hurt to let his
daed
get more rest. He’d bring him a muffin and coffee from the cafeteria when they came back.

The hallway was empty, save for the one stocky nurse wearing bright-pink pants and a multicolored top who passed by. He thought about how exhausted Moriah had looked when he had awakened her, and naturally, he was concerned. But he knew she was relieved that Levi would be okay; they were all happy about that.

But what did Moriah think would happen after his brother healed? Gabe wondered if he would come back to Middlefield. His girlfriend, Taylor, hadn’t shown up to ask about him. Granted she had been in the accident, but from the emergency room receptionist’s account, she was going to be okay. If she loved him, wouldn’t she be there for him? Like Moriah was now?

He sighed and leaned against the wall. If anything this should show Levi where his responsibility, and his life, truly was. In Middlefield, with the Amish, with his family. Gabe believed his brother and Moriah could work things out, especially knowing Moriah’s forgiving and tender nature. Hopefully his brother wouldn’t be so stupid this time.

The outer doors to the intensive care unit opened, and Moriah stepped out. Gabe’s breath hitched, as it always did when he saw her. She had straightened up her
kapp
, and her cheeks held a rosy glow, one he hadn’t seen since before Levi left. Heavens, she was beautiful, even after all she’d been through.

He suddenly had second thoughts about not asking his
daed
to join them. Being alone with Moriah, even in a public place, wasn’t a great idea right now.

But he restrained his reaction and the feelings accompanying it. He buried them deep down, further than he ever had before, keeping his injured brother at the forefront of his mind. “Ready?” he asked, glad for the noncommittal tone of his voice.

“
Ya
. I am hungry. Or should I say
mei boppli
is. I’m eating for two after all.” She gave him a sweet smile.

And, despite everything he tried to do to prevent it, he smiled back.