Amish Promises (14 page)

Her face grew warm, which she hated. It would only add to Tim seeing her as a naughty teenager again. “That's not true,” she said.

“It is. You're just like Abra.”

“Why don't you ask Charlie,” Eve said, pointing past Tim. “Go over there right now and see what he says.”

Her brother's eyes narrowed.

Eve put her hands on her hips.

“Maybe I will,” Tim said.

“Please do.” She turned toward the house. “I'm going to go take a nap.” She started marching toward the house, forcing herself to calm down before she reached the kitchen. She didn't want to alarm the children. “I'm going to go rest,” she told the children. “I'll be out to fix supper when it's time.”

The three looked at her, their eyes big.

“Everything's fine,” she said. “But I'll need your help later . . . The bishop's coming by.”

Daniel groaned. “Why?”

Lila crossed her arms. “You know why.”

“What's going on?” Rose asked, her eyes darting from Lila to Daniel to Eve.

“Nothing,” Eve said. “He's coming by after supper, that's all. Just to visit.” She'd make an apple crisp while supper heated and serve him that. It wouldn't impress him—and that was fine.

As it turned out, Gideon was impressed with the crisp or at least he pretended to be. “Delicious,” he said, pushing his chair back from the table when he'd finished. Eve imagined the children and
Tim listening to every word from the living room. As Trudy began to fuss, Gideon said, “How about a walk?”

“Sure.” Eve picked up the plates and placed them in the sink, and then headed to the mud porch and pulled her cape off the peg and led the way outside. The warm day had given way to a cold evening. The moon was waning, but the night was cloudless and still bright. The acrid smell of woodsmoke filled her lungs.

Englisch children would be out trick-or-treating. She remembered that from when she was living in the apartment in town. Abra had been over and they'd been surprised when the doorbell rang. Abra realized when she answered it what was going on and had laughed out loud. “So cute,” she'd said to a girl dressed like the Little Mermaid and a boy dressed like a ninja. She'd hurried into the kitchen and came up with a nearly empty bag of peanut butter cups and gave one to each of the children.

The boy asked why she'd dressed up like a Dutchy. That made her laugh too. Then the mom had smiled and suggested they turn off the porch light to keep the trick-or-treaters away. Abra had been sad, but it was either that or go buy candy. Eve had teased her friend about her “costume.” By then Eve was wearing Englisch clothes all the time.

“You seem lost in thought,” Gideon said.

“Ach, perhaps so.” Not wanting him to ask what she'd been thinking about, she changed the subject. “The service was good today.”

“Jah,” Gideon said. “I thought so too.” They'd reached the lane, and Gideon motioned toward the left.

An owl hooted, startling Eve.

“You're jumpy.” Gideon's hand brushed against her arm. Had it been intentional? She shivered and wrapped her arms over her chest.

“How are the children doing?” he asked. All along he'd been concerned about them. She'd appreciated his attention to her nieces and nephews. She felt the bishop's example was good for Tim.

“They're still having a hard time . . .”

“Is that so.” His voice was kind.

“I think Simon getting injured made them worry again,” she added.

“Just keep reassuring them. Once Tim finds a new mother for them, they'll settle back in—or maybe sooner. Lila is getting old enough to start taking over the home.”

“She's only eleven.”

“She seems older,” Gideon said.

“She and Daniel are both eleven.”

“That's right,” Gideon said. Good for him if he'd truly forgotten Abra's shame. And her own. But Eve doubted it.

“Well, Tim's bound to get married sooner or later,” he said.

Later
was more like it.

They reached the maples along the lane. Dried leaves rustled above their heads. It wouldn't be long until the trees would be completely bare. She shivered again.

“Cold?” Gideon asked.

She shook her head. She didn't want him to feel obligated to give her his coat.

He pointed ahead. “Those lights must be from the neighbor's house.”

“That's right,” she said.

“Tell me more about Charlie,” Gideon instructed.

“I don't have much to tell,” Eve said, hoping her voice didn't give away her feelings. “I think you know him as well as I do.” The last thing she wanted was for the bishop to become concerned about her and an Englisch man. Perhaps he'd picked up on Tim's apprehension.

“He seems like an earnest fellow. As if he has a good heart.”

“He's been a good friend to the Becks.”

“The Becks?”

“Old Mr. Williams' granddaughter and her husband. Their son, Zane, was with Charlie today.”

“Ach, that's right. I'd forgotten the last name.”

Eve stopped walking. They were only fifty feet from Shani's house. Eve didn't want to go any closer. Gideon took her elbow,
steering her around toward him just as the front door opened. Someone stepped out onto the porch.

Gideon let go of her elbow.

It was Charlie coming down the steps. Eve took a deep breath.

“Hallo!” Gideon called out.

Eve couldn't make out Charlie's face, but he hesitated and then started toward them. “Is that you, Gideon?”

“Jah,” he answered. “With Eve. We're out for a walk.”

As Charlie kept coming toward them, Eve took a step backward and then another one. Her right foot landed in a rut. She stumbled, rolling her ankle. The pain shot up her leg. She hopped but then touched the ground with the toe of her shoe, not wanting to land in another rut.

Gideon hadn't noticed—he strode toward Charlie.

But Charlie called out, “Are you okay?” He started to jog toward her.

“I'm fine,” Eve said. She hobbled a step. At least she thought she was fine.

Gideon turned. “What happened?”

“I twisted my ankle, is all.” How could she have been so clumsy? “I'm sure it's fine.”

Gideon offered her his arm.

She took it and said, “We should head back.” But as she tried to pivot around she gasped.

“I'll go get my buggy,” Gideon said.

“I can take you both in my truck,” Charlie responded. “I just need to get my key.”

Eve started to say there was no need, but Gideon said, “I think that would be best.”

“It's unlocked,” Charlie said. Gideon helped her to the backseat door and opened it, but as she started to climb up, Shani yelled “Hello” and started toward them.

Then Charlie called out to Gideon, saying, “Come on up and meet Joel.” In a quieter voice, but one she could still hear, he said to Shani, “Would you check Eve's ankle?”

Gideon helped her up onto the seat and then started toward the porch, stopping to introduce himself to Shani, and then continuing on.

Shani wore her hair piled on top of her head again and an oversized sweatshirt that nearly hid her pregnancy. “What did you do?” she asked Eve as she approached.

“Tried to pirouette,” she answered.

“Now that's an image. But you forgot your tutu.” Shani laughed. “Let me take a look.”

Eve tucked her skirt under her legs, turned toward Shani, took off her shoe, and pulled her sock down.

“No, really,” Shani said, peering down at Eve's ankle by the light of the interior lamp. “What happened?”

“I twisted it. It's not that big of a deal—although the thought of hopping home did seem a little daunting.”

Shani put her hands on Eve's ankle and moved them up and then down. “Could you bear weight on it just now?”

“A little.”

Shani pressed against a bone. “Is it more painful here?”

Eve shook her head.

She pressed against another one. “How about here?”

Eve shook her head again.

“It's swelling already. It's probably a sprain. I'll go get some ice.”

Eve glanced toward the house. Joel was in the doorway in his chair with his cast propped up, and Gideon and Charlie stood on either side of him. Zane squeezed around his dad and bolted halfway down the ramp.

“Are you all right?” he called out to Eve.

“I'm fine,” she said. “Just embarrassed.”

Shani asked Zane to get the ice.

He took off up the ramp. Shani stepped back to the truck, leaned close, and asked, her eyes sparkling, “So are you and Gideon dating?”

Eve smiled. “You mean courting?”

Shani nodded.

“No,” Eve answered.

“Are you sure that's what
he'd
say?” Shani directed her attention back to the men. Gideon walked toward them, Charlie close behind him.

Eve didn't answer.

“Well,” Shani said, “maybe you should be courting him. He seems to be
the
man.”

Eve knew exactly what she meant. He was a born leader. The lot had chosen well when it picked Gideon to be the bishop. He had a confidence and air of authority about him. He wasn't arrogant—just capable.

As Gideon approached, Shani said, “I don't work tomorrow. I'll come by in the morning to see how you're doing. I can help with the baby.” Then she playfully pushed against Eve's shoulder and whispered, “Make room for your beau.”

Eve exhaled, hoping Gideon, who was waiting for Shani to move, didn't hear. It wasn't as if he'd sit in the back with her anyway. He'd sit up front with Charlie.

“Nice to meet you,” Shani said, turning toward him, as Zane ran back down the ramp. “I'm sure we'll be seeing you around.”

Zane handed the ice to Shani, who handed it to Eve. Gideon told Shani a pleasant good-bye and then climbed up front. Eve propped up her foot and placed the ice on her ankle.

There was an awkward moment of silence and then, thankfully, Charlie asked Gideon where he got his lumber, which led to a discussion on different grades of wood. By the time Charlie turned toward the Lehmans' house, the two were talking about levels of grades of wood.

Charlie pulled up the driveway to the back steps and then, turning toward Eve, announced, “Here we are.” She couldn't help but smile at his stating the obvious.

But as he put the truck into Park and then jumped down, Eve felt a pang of sadness. Most likely, he'd head back to Philadelphia in the morning.

He opened the door behind his for her, and she scooted over.
He helped her down, gently holding on to her arm, while Gideon retrieved her shoe and sock.

“Denki,” she said.

“You're welcome,” he answered. “Take care.” He waited just long enough for Gideon to take her arm, and then Charlie jumped back in his truck and headed back toward the lane. Then he was gone.

Gideon helped her up the steps and into the kitchen. He pulled out a chair for her to sit and then another for her to prop her foot on.

“Do you need more ice before I go?” he asked.

She shook her head.

He nodded, but instead of heading toward the door he said, “The Englisch family seems nice enough. But, Eve . . .”

She braced herself.

“Tread carefully,” he said. “You were influenced once before by—”

She interrupted him. “I'm much older now.” She couldn't keep herself from bristling. “With much more to lose.”

He exhaled.

“But I appreciate your concern,” she added.

His eyes were warm, but he didn't smile. “We all make mistakes. I know that. What counts is what we learn.”

Eve nodded. She'd learned a lot.

Gideon said good-night and let himself out the back door. He was good and kind, jah. Even meek, in a confident sort of way. He'd seemed genuinely happy to see Charlie, but he must have sensed something to give her the warning, as gentle as it was.

Gideon was nothing like her father. But when she joined the church, her vow not to marry was to protect any future children. She'd decided it was better to not have them at all if she had to raise them Amish. But perhaps she'd been too rash back when she was eighteen. Not all Amish men were like her Dat and brother.

She struggled to her feet and hopped into the living room. Tim relaxed in his chair. Rose sat on the floor, reading a book, while Simon and Daniel put a puzzle together.

Lila held the baby. “Did you have fun?” her eldest niece asked.

“I twisted my ankle,” Eve answered. It didn't matter whether she'd had fun or not.

“What's the matter, Aenti?” Lila asked, alarm in her voice.

Eve wiped the hem of her apron under her eyes. “Nothing,” she answered. “Just the cold, from being outside.”

 16 

D
uring the night, Joel had thrown his arm over Shani and muttered something. She rolled toward him and tried to wake him, but he turned his head away from her. The pain meds were heavy duty, and she knew they knocked him out. But she couldn't rule out bad dreams either. Maybe from the meds. Maybe from Iraq.

After he threw his arm over her a second time and yelled, she scooted to the edge of the bed and slept on her side with her back to her husband, cradling her belly with her hands. But then he'd kicked her in the foot, hard, obviously with his good leg, the one closest to her.

She fumbled for her cell:
5:47.

At 6:30 she finally crawled out of bed and woke Zane. An hour later she yelled, “Time to go!” up the stairs.

“I can take him.” Charlie stood in the kitchen doorway, a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Thanks,” Shani answered. “But I told Eve I'd check in on her.” She also had an envelope with cash to pay Tim for helping with the ramp.

She glanced down the hall. “Joel will sleep another hour or so.”

“Take your time,” Charlie said. “I can help him. I don't need to leave until afternoon.”

“Okay. Thanks.”

Zane came thundering down the stairs and lunged toward Charlie, who raised his cup in the air. “Easy, bud,” Charlie said, wrapping one arm around Zane in a hug. The boy called out good-bye as he rushed out the door.

“See you soon,” Shani said to Charlie, heading out after her son into the misty morning. She was thankful for Zane's friendship with Charlie. It was a good thing, and in a few more years he wouldn't be as enthusiastic about another adult in his life as he was now. But it still made her ache for Joel.

Zane was fastening his seat belt by the time she reached the van. She must have forgotten to lock it again. At least she hadn't left the key in the ignition. She'd been known to do that before too. “Just over two years until I can get my permit,” Zane teased.

Shani smiled. It would be here in no time.

When they passed the driveway to the Lehman farm, Zane craned his neck.

“Do you see anyone?” she asked.

He shook his head. “They don't leave for school until eight thirty. Eve takes them in the buggy.”

“Oh.” Shani had imagined Eve at the house by herself, with just the baby. With Lila there, she wouldn't need Shani's help.

She turned onto the highway and then pulled over to wait for the bus. A few other kids had already gathered.

“You don't have to stay,” Zane said.

“But I want to,” she answered.

“Mom.” He opened the door. One of the girls waved at him. She didn't look like a seventh grader, not even an eighth grader. Her skirt was short and her jacket unzipped, revealing a tight T-shirt. Shani thought of Lila and her cape dress and cap, and the contrast between Zane's two worlds.

Zane climbed down from the van and stepped into the middle of
the group. He'd always had an easy time making friends. It looked like this new school was no exception.

She drove to the next lane and turned around to go to the Lehmans' place. She pulled the van down the driveway, squinting against the morning sun. Dew sparkled in the field and on the lawn too. A cat ran toward the barn. Surely milking was long done. Thankfully Zane was still allowed to do the chores in the afternoon. She knew it was the highlight of his day.

Once she'd parked the car and turned off the ignition, she gripped the steering wheel, aware of her baby's kick. A movement caught her eye. Lila hurried toward the house, carrying a basket. She wore a cape and a black bonnet over her cap. The girl waved.

Shani climbed from the car and called out a hello. “How's Eve's ankle?”

“It's swollen,” Lila answered as she reached the steps. “She won't admit it, but I think it really hurts.”

A sprain could be more painful than a break. “Does she need anything? I'm going to the store later.”

Lila motioned toward the back door. “Come on in and ask her.”

Shani followed the girl. By the time she reached the kitchen, Lila had the basket full of eggs on the counter. Eve sat at the table and fed the baby, who sat in her high chair. Rose brushed her own hair.

“Hi, Shani.” An expression of relief spread over Eve's face.

“Lila said your ankle hurts.” Shani stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.

Eve bit her lip and then said, “Jah.” She nodded toward Rose. “Could you help her?”

Shani put her purse down on the end of the table as Rose extended the hairbrush to her, a smile on her face.

“How do you want it?” Shani asked, sitting down in the chair across from Eve and positioning Rose in front of her.

“In a bun, like Lila's.”

“Or braids would be fine,” Eve said.

“I can do a bun,” Shani said. “Do you have bobby pins?”

Rose opened her hand to reveal them.

Shani brushed out the girl's hair, twisted it into a bun, and then pinned it. Rose felt the bun and then smiled in approval.

“Is Daniel getting the buggy?” Eve asked Lila as she gave the baby the last bite of food.

“Jah. Simon's helping him. They should be coming around with it any minute.”

Shani was surprised Simon was going to school but didn't say anything.

“Go tell your father it's time to leave,” Eve said. “He's working on the fence. Take the lunchbox along with you.”

Lila grabbed a small cooler from the counter, motioned to Rose, and headed out the door. The little girl frowned. “Why aren't you taking us?” Rose had put her cap on her head and was pinning it in place.

“It's hard for me to get in and out of the buggy.” Eve put the cereal bowl on the table. “Give me a hug,” she said to Rose.

The little girl obeyed.

“Now grab your cape and go on out with Lila. If your Dat asks why Shani's here, tell him she's just checking on my ankle.”

Rose shuffled toward the back door.

“Hurry along,” Eve said. “It wouldn't be right to make the others wait for you.”

The little girl grabbed her cape and a book bag and closed the door behind her.

Eve let out a sigh, pushed herself up, and reached for the baby.

“I'll get her.” Shani stood. “Sit back down and elevate your ankle.”

She obeyed.

“Have you wrapped it?” Shani asked, wiping the baby's mouth with her bib and then lifting her from the high chair.

Eve shook her head.

Shani smiled at the baby. “Do you have an Ace bandage around?” she asked Eve.

“I don't think so.”

Outside, Tim yelled something. The baby began to fuss. Eve wrinkled her nose. “I just hope none of them comes back inside.”

“Rough morning?” Shani patted the baby's back.

“Jah,” Eve said. “They're a challenge without a sprained ankle. Nearly impossible with.”

“I can help for a little while.”

“I don't want to impose,” Eve said. “It's easier now that it's just Trudy and me.”

Footsteps fell on the back porch and the door swung open. Tim filled the doorway. “I'm going by Gideon's on the way home and then to the feed store. I'll be gone most of the morning.”

“All right,” Eve said.

The man frowned at Shani but then gave her a nod.

She responded with a cheery “Good morning.” She took the envelope out of her purse and extended it to him. “Thank you for your help on the ramp.”

He grunted something—probably “Denki”—and took the money. Then he turned and left.

“I hope he asks Gideon about his old job,” Eve said.

Shani raised her eyebrows, surprised Tim had worked anywhere besides the farm.

“He used to work part time at the lumberyard. Gideon wouldn't let him continue after Abra was diagnosed. He said he was needed here.”

“Oh,” Shani said, wanting to ask Eve if Tim could take the baby with him so she could rest, but she thought she knew the answer. However, she could take the baby home with her.

“You go in the living room and prop your ankle up on the couch. I can take Trudy home with me for a couple of hours.”

“But you have Joel to care for.”

“Charlie's still at the house. He'll help.” It was a good thing he hadn't left yet.

Eve chuckled. “With the baby?”

“Charlie is a man of many talents.” Shani meant it as a joke but when Eve nodded, she smiled. Charlie could probably calm a baby just as he seemed to manage to calm everyone else.

“Take some ibuprofen,” Shani said to Eve.

“I just did. And in the middle of the night too.” Eve stood and began to hobble into the living room as Shani scanned the kitchen, thinking she'd do up the dishes before she left, but Lila must have done them earlier. Except for the eggs, the counters were bare.

Shani called out, “Should I put the eggs in the fridge?”

“Don't bother,” Eve responded, already in the living room. “Lila will take care of them.”

“Won't they go bad?”

Eve laughed. “You really are a city girl, aren't you? If you don't wash them they'll stay fresh for weeks. They have a protective coating.”

“Oh.” Shani only bought grocery store eggs—washed ones, it seemed. She glanced at the baby, who contently mashed the toast against her face.

Shani followed Eve. Her friend sat on the edge of the couch, reaching for her knitting bag.

“You could just rest,” Shani said.

“Knitting
is
resting.” She nodded toward the hall. “Trudy's diaper bag is in my room. Her car seat is in there too. And grab a bottle out of the fridge on your way out. Lila mixed them up this morning.”

The other time Shani had been in the baby's room, it had been dark with only a little light from the lamp in the hall. Now the curtain on the window was pulled back and light flooded the room. A twin bed with a smaller version of the quilt Eve had given to Shani was against one wall and the crib against the other. On the bureau sat a Bible, a hairbrush, and a bottle of lotion. Several dresses hung in a small closet with no door. Two pairs of shoes, running shoes and dress boots, were lined up on the floor of the closet.

Next to the crib was the car seat with the diaper bag in it. Underneath it was a baby blanket and a little jacket.

As Shani picked up the car seat and headed down the hall, a wave of empathy rolled through her. Eve had given up everything for her brother, nephews, and nieces. She was a woman, in the prime of her life, with nothing of her own.

Marrying Gideon Byler was a grand idea. Eve deserved some happiness, and the man was both handsome and kind. And well respected. Charlie had said so. Gideon was older, but probably only in his mid, maybe late, forties. He could easily have a second family with Eve.

Eve had her foot propped up on the couch cushions and was knitting when Shani stepped into the living room. “I'll bring Trudy back after I go to the store, before noon,” she said.

Trudy fussed as Shani pulled her arm through the sleeve of her little jacket. “I should have thought to bring an Ace bandage over to wrap your ankle,” she said to Eve.

“Just bring it when you come back.”

“Rest, ice, compress, and elevate,” Shani said, getting the baby's arm through the second sleeve. “RICE. Icing it more will help the pain but not the swelling. However, wrapping it will still help.” She put Trudy into the car seat and strapped her in. “I'll send Charlie back with the bandage.”

Eve shifted on the couch, looking uncomfortable.

“You okay?” Shani asked.

The woman blushed. “I'm fine. Thank you for your help.”

Shani grabbed a bottle from the fridge, put it in the side pocket of the diaper bag, told Eve good-bye, and lugged the car seat and baby out the door. After she buckled Trudy into the van, she tickled her under her chin.

Trudy smiled and then laughed, her blue eyes sparkling. Shani looked forward to spending the morning with the little one—she hoped Joel would feel the same.