Joyful (25 page)

“I hope so. I love him.”

As an awkward silence settled in, Bernie saved the day. “Remember, everyone, nothing is going to be settled today. All this is, is a chance for some of James's relatives to meet him, and to meet the folks who've been his foster parents.”

Emma and Katherine nodded, but Judith could tell they were still awkwardly processing everything that they'd been observing.

But then the girls came in and drinks and cookies were served. Slowly everyone began talking. Joshua and his father told them about the Graber Country Store. Katherine's husband revealed that he was a doctor. Emma and Patrick talked about their own children.

At last, James settled down enough to let his aunts hold him. When Judith saw him in their arms, she felt a sense of loss but not the extreme dismay she had been expecting.

When he fell sound asleep, Katherine and Emma went with Judith to James's room. When they saw his cozy crib, the quilt-covered rocking chair, and the assortment of toys in a basket, they smiled.

When it was almost time to go, Emma said, “You know it's funny. I was really nervous about meeting all of you. I never met any Amish before. I thought you would be really backward. Or at least really different.”

Bernie raised her brows. “The Grabers are good people, aren't they?”

“They are.” Chuckling, Brendan said, “Next time we meet I'm going to ask for a buggy ride.”

After glancing at their mom, Anson popped up on his feet. “We have something for you in the back of one of the buggies. Would you like to meet our new horse, Pam?”

“Its name is Pam?”

Anson shrugged. “She can't help her name, but she's making the best of it, I think.”

Brendan nudged his wife. “Are you listening, dear? Anson is right.”

When Brendan and Patrick went to go see the horse, Tim, Clara, and Judith's
daed
went out, too.

Rebecca and Gretta took the youngest kids into the kitchen, leaving Katherine, Emma, Bernie, Judith, and Ben in the room.

Bernie looked at the group assembled around her. “Perhaps we should talk a bit about what is going to happen next. Katherine and Emma, you asked for this meeting. You told me you wished to see where James has been in order to make the best decision about who should raise him.”

She slipped on her glasses before turning to Judith and Ben. “As we said earlier, you did meet with Kendra and she had started to fill out the paperwork naming you two as James's parents before she passed away.”

Judith clasped her hands on her lap. “I am glad we met. From the moment we met James, he's had my heart. But he's a
wonderful-gut
boy. I can understand wanting to be a part of his life, too.”

Katherine leaned back. “You know, I've been living with regrets, regrets for my relationship with my sister, and for being too stubborn and prideful. Emma might feel differently, but after being here, I realize that James already has a family who loves him. He's happy here. He has a mom, and it's you. I can't be the person to take him away from that. He's already lost one mother, even though he doesn't know it yet.”

Bernie leaned forward. “So you are saying that you would like for James to continue living here?”

Katherine nodded. “Yes. Permanently. But if you don't mind too much, I'd like him to know us, too.”

“I'd like that, too,” Judith murmured. “I want him to know you all.”

Bernie opened up her notebook and wrote down some notes. “Emma, do you have any questions?”

She shook her head slowly. “Yesterday I realized that I already have my hands full with my own children. I was willing to take in James, but right now I'm thinking the same thing that my sister is. But it would be a further tragedy if I pulled him from here. I want to know him. I want to get to know all of you. But I don't want to raise him if he's happiest here.”

Eyes twinkling, Bernie turned to Judith and Ben. “Now it's your turn. Mr. and Mrs. Graber, would you like to begin the formal process to make James your son?”

Judith could hardly swallow for the lump in her throat. Only when Ben clasped his hand over hers was she able to reply. “Yes, we would.”

“And would you be willing to let James get to know his aunts, perhaps even spend time with them when he is older?”

“We would,” Ben said. “Family is wonderful. I want him to know his real mother's family. I want him to know that many, many people love him.”

Bernie clapped her hands together. “I couldn't be happier with how today's visit turned out. Ben and Judith, congratulations, it looks like you now have a son.”

Judith felt like her heart would burst. “We are so blessed,” Judith said, trying to hold back tears. “I am the most blessed woman in the whole world right now. And the happiest.”

As she hugged her precious husband, she realized that she meant every single word. They were blessed beyond measure . . . and their hearts were so full of joy.

“Lizzie, a buggy's coming up the drive,” her grandmother announced from her rocking chair on the front porch.

Elizabeth groaned. Of course they had company. Folks always stopped by at the worst times—when she was a sweaty mess and covered with dirt, thanks to the last hour she'd spent weeding in the garden. Just one day she'd love to greet a visitor when she looked her best.

“Mommi, who is it? Can you tell?”

“Oh,
jah
, I can tell. It's Randall Beiler.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Mighty sure. There's only one horse in the area that is dapple gray. And there's only one man who holds the reins like he does.”

She winced as she realized that her dress was sticking to her back. No doubt, she smelled, too. “Mommi, see if you can stall him a moment, wouldja? I've got to go get cleaned up.”

“Don't think you'll have time for that, Lizzie. Randall is already getting out of his buggy. Oh, he's pulling something out of it. Flowers!”

Flowers? Oh, this news was getting worse and worse. Obviously, Randall was taking her up on her offer and was now determined to court her properly.

And that would have been wonderful—if she'd had any idea that he had been coming over.

“Try to stall him, Mommi!” The garden—such that it was—was a mere three yards from her back door. Eyeing it, she wondered if it would be possible to dart inside and change her dress. Looking at her dirty hands, she realized that she should wash up at the very least.

“I'll try, dear, but I don't think it's going to do much good.”

“Why is that?”

“Because I'm already here,” Randall said as he limped around the corner, one hand holding his bouquet of roses. His other hand had a sure grip on a wooden crutch.

“Look at you,” she said. “You're getting around pretty good.”

“I'm trying.” Looking a bit embarrassed, he added, “You should have seen me the first couple of times I tried to get around. I just about landed on the floor. But now I'm getting the hang of it.”

“I'll say. You are even showing up at houses unexpectedly.”

“You don't need to sound quite so excited about my visit,” he said sarcastically.

Looking into his eyes, she said, “Look at me, Randall. I'm in an old dress and covered with dirt.” She waved a hand in the air. “And you? You're all dressed up. And you're holding roses.”

He smiled, like he was glad she'd finally noticed the dozen pink roses nestled in a batch of baby's breath in his arms. “I think you look fine.”

“Would you like to come inside? I'll pour you something to drink while I get cleaned up.”

He shook his head. “Do you mind if I stay outside? It's a pretty June day. Too nice to be inside.”

“How about I'll meet you on the porch in five minutes?” Elizabeth asked as she took the bouquet from him. Unable to help herself, she inhaled the scent. “The flowers are lovely, Randall. Really beautiful.”

“I'm glad they please you.”

She blinked, realizing that he was being completely honest. He'd gone to a lot of trouble to make sure she liked the roses. “They do. I'll be right back.”

“Take your time. I'll wait.”

After sending him a weak smile, she opened the door and darted inside. Everything about him was making her feel like she was on her first date with him.

Five minutes. She had five minutes to look fresh and pretty. Darting around the corner, she practically ran into her grandmother.

She held up her hands like she was worried Elizabeth was about to run her down. “Lizzie, watch yourself!”

“Mommi, would you please put these in water? I've got to go get presentable.”

“
Jah
, dear.” Wrinkling her nose, she murmured. “I do think it would be best if you freshened up a bit. How about I take out some cookies and lemonade to the porch? That is where Randall is,
jah
?”

“That would be so great,” she called out over her shoulder as she practically scampered down the hall. “
Danke
, Mommi.”

By the time she got to her room, she had her dress halfway unpinned. In record time she put on her favorite raspberry-colored dress and then was in the bathroom carefully washing every last bit of dirt from her hands and wiping down the back of her neck and forehead.

Hoping she at least smelled better, she raced to the front door, just as her grandmother was walking through it.

Eyeing her, Mommi closed the door with a snap. “Stop for a moment, dear, and catch your breath. You look like you are frightened that you're going to be late for class—not about to be greeting a suitor.”

The old-fashioned advice made Elizabeth smile, but she knew there was truth to her grandmother's words. Breathing deeply, she inhaled and exhaled. Then did it again.

“That's much better. Now, off you go.”

Hoping her face wasn't as red as her dress, Elizabeth opened the door and quietly walked out.

“You didn't make it,” Randall said as she took the rocking chair next to him.

“What?”

“Fact is, I've been counting, and it's taken you almost ten minutes to come back down to me.”

“Sorry.”

“Don't be. It was worth the wait. You look much more like yourself now.” The corners of his lips turned up, as if he had a secret joke. “Though we both know I've seen you the other way a time or two.”

“Tell me why you're here, with roses no less.”

“I think we both know why. I wanted to see you. I wanted to come calling and show you that I still care about you. I was serious about my intentions, Elizabeth.”

She smiled at him, wanting to say so much but still afraid to say too much. Still guarding her heart.

Needing to say something, though, she blurted, “So, um, how are things at your
haus
?”

After looking at her for a long moment, he shrugged. “We're a mess. But I have learned to grill pork chops, so things have improved a bit.”

She smiled. “How are those baked potatoes coming along?”

“About the same.” He chuckled. “Actually, my poor skills have shamed Levi and Micah into trying their hand at other side dishes. Neil has now mastered rice. And Levi's mashed potatoes are almost edible now. And Micah has proved his fancy education is paying off. He followed the directions on a box of Jell-O the other day. It set up like a charm.”

“Impressive.” Her lips twitched as she tried to hold off a giggle. “Before you know it, you won't remember why you needed me.”

“Never,” he replied, his voice turning serious. “Now I realize why everything was so special when you were there. And though you are a wonderful cook, the food had nothing to do with it.”

“Oh?”

“It was you, Elizabeth. You lit up our house with your chatter and your smiles. The halls shone, not because you are so handy with a mop, but because you brought us all happiness. Now that you're gone, our house feels empty.”

His honesty made her want to be honest, too. “It hasn't been the same here, either. My grandmother and I have never been so unimpressed with clean countertops and organized closets.”

“When I get better, I am hoping that maybe we can go on some walks this summer. Maybe even go to the flea market a time or two.”

“Randall—”

“Or if that doesn't suit you, maybe I can take you out to eat,” he continued in a rush. “That would be nice, don't you think? Supper out so you don't have to cook?”

“That would be mighty nice, but—”

He cut her off, looking vaguely panicked. “Or, if you'd rather, I'll keep coming over. And I'll bring more flowers, too.”

“I don't need more flowers.”

“Sure you do. I need to make sure you feel special, Beth.”

She couldn't help herself. She started laughing. Then she started laughing so hard she couldn't stop.

But instead of laughing with her, Randall started looking a little green. “Are you laughing at me? Have I completely messed everything up?”

She stood up. “Not at all. What I've been trying to tell you is that I'm already yours. You don't need to do all that.”

“What are you saying?”

“Exactly what you think I am,” she replied, unable to hide another thing from him. She was sure she was positively beaming. “I still love you, Randall Beiler. And you already do make me feel special.”

Bracing a hand on the heavy table next to him, he got to his feet. “Does this mean you're still my girl?”

She nodded.

“And that one day, you'll marry me?”

“Are you asking?”

“Well, I'm trying.” Reaching out, Randall linked his fingers with hers, glancing at her face, trying to gauge if she was amused. If he was messing up this most important moment.

Maybe she had hoped for sweeter words. More romance. Maybe he should have brought along flowers
and
chocolate?