Love Inspired June 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: The Cowboy's Homecoming\The Amish Widow's Secret\Safe in the Fireman's Arms (28 page)

Chapter Ten

B
efore leaving Lapp's restaurant, located a few miles from the edge of Sarasota and the tiny town of Pinecraft, Sarah watched as Mose paid their bill and shifted Beatrice in his arms as he slipped the change into his pocket.

Sarah's hands shook as she placed Mercy's empty formula bottle on top of the restaurant counter. She used a clean napkin to wipe the milk ring from Mercy's lips and smiled when Mose glanced her way.

“I want cookies,” Beatrice demanded. Determined to grab the plate of plastic-wrapped chocolate chip cookies on the counter, she began to squirm in her father's arms, her arm stretching out.

“You ate enough food for two.” Mose patted his daughter's stomach. “No cookies for you this time, young one.” Her golden ringlets danced as she shook her head in disagreement. They headed out the door, following after Kurt and Linda.

Dusk had fallen and Sarah marveled at the glorious sunset. She drew in a long breath, taking in the smell of the sea. She kissed Mercy on the crown of her head and followed close behind Mose.

“Why don't Sarah and I go over to the pharmacy across the street? I need to pick up a few things before we go home.” Linda told the lie with a big grin.

Kurt smiled down at his petite wife, oblivious to the prearranged plan. “Sure. You ladies take your time. Mose and I will strap the kids in and enjoy the last of the sunset.”

Sarah was surprised at how normal Linda's voice had sounded as she'd lied and how easily she'd manipulated her husband.

Mose looked Sarah's way and dug into his pant pocket. “You might need some money.” She held out her hand and he slipped two twenty-dollar bills onto her palm. “Enjoy.” He smiled.

Sarah pulled on her prayer
kapp
ribbon. “I will.
Danke
.” She waited until he turned toward the van before she picked up her long skirt and ran, finally catching up to Linda just as she opened the store's glass door.

“You could have waited for me,” Sarah scolded, and then became speechless as she took in the big, bright store with shelves full of things she'd never laid eyes on before.
What do the Englisch need with all these things?

“Over here.” Linda grabbed Sarah's wrist. “I see makeup. The tests should be somewhere close to that section.”

“Where are the tests?” Sarah glanced around. “I don't see them.” These mood swings concerned her. She hadn't meant to bark at Linda.

“Don't snap,
liebling
. You're stressed out. It won't take a moment to find them, and then we'll know for sure if you're with child.” Linda's head twisted back and forth as she looked up and down the aisles.

Sarah tapped her on the shoulder. “Shh. Someone might overhear you.”

“And who would hear?” Linda snapped back. “Kurt and Mose are in the car.” She led Sarah in a different direction, then pointed to a brightly lit ceiling sign. “The pharmacist can tell us where the tests are located. Come on. Time's wasting.”

Linda rushed off and Sarah struggled to keep up. A large-boned woman with kind eyes and a friendly smile spoke to Linda in a quiet voice from behind the shiny counter. Linda handed the woman money and Sarah heard Linda say,
“Danke.”

The lady smiled. “Good luck. Hope you get the answer you want.”

Sarah backed up as if the package Linda carried would jump out and bite her like a snake.

“Come on. This way.” Linda grabbed Sarah's wrist as she flew past.

A shiver rippled through Sarah as she rushed forward, her feet heavy.

Linda pulled the box out of the flimsy bag and extended it toward Sarah. “Read the back carefully and then pray before you...ah...you know. The lady said this test is a good one and only takes about thirty seconds to show results.”

“But...”

“You need to know, Sarah. This is no time to be stubborn. Take the test, find out if you are carrying Joseph's baby or not. You have to get on with your life. Mose deserves more than a nervous woman for a wife.”

Linda's simple words reached her. The package in her hands felt light as a feather. This test kit would tell her all she needed to know. She had to take it. Heading toward the door marked Women, Sarah turned back. “I know you're right. I'll be out in a minute.”

Moments later she held the plastic device out in front of her, waiting for something to happen. Sarah picked up the box off the edge of the sink and reread the instructions just to be sure she'd done everything right. Time seemed to stand still. The music playing overhead grew silent. A line formed. She was pregnant. She didn't realize she was crying until tears began to hit the box in her hand.

With a shove to the door she exited the bathroom and smiled at Linda, their secret a strong bond between the two women. She gushed, “I'm pregnant.”

“How far along do you think you are?” Linda called out as they'd darted across the street.

“I have to be at least six months. How can it be? Why didn't I know, Linda? Am I simple-minded?”

Stopping, she hugged Sarah. “
Nee
. It's your first pregnancy, silly. You were in a state of shock after Joseph died. It's no wonder you didn't notice the changes in your body. You'll have to go see the
Englisch
doctor for a sonogram.” Linda turned toward the parked van. “You didn't take care of yourself or see a doctor. Something could be wrong and you wouldn't know it.

Sarah digested Linda's words. She would have to see a proper doctor. She owed it to the baby and to Joseph. “I will go as soon as I tell Mose.”

“Don't take too long, Sarah.”

“I promise I won't.”

Moments later Sarah and Linda entered the van and settled down for the short drive to Mose's mother's house. Nervous that Linda might blurt out something, Sarah pulled at her prayer
kapp
ribbons. A sign on the side of the highway declared Sarasota was just three miles ahead.

Mose turned on an overhead light and glanced back at her and then the girls. “Everything good back there?” His tone was calm but his face appeared tense, his brow furrowed. Was he having second thoughts? Did he regret marrying her? Was he concerned how his family would react to her now that they were almost there?

“Everyone's good,” Linda chimed in, grinning.

The light went out and Sarah breathed in. She had to stop holding her breath.

“I'm hungry,” Beatrice spoke in the darkness, drawing Sarah's attention.

“I'll find you a snack,” Sarah said, rummaging through the diaper bag. Her fingers hit the pregnancy test tucked deep at the bottom of the bag and she froze. Had Mose seen the box when he'd grabbed Mercy's bottle moments before they'd driven off?

She found the plastic container of cheese crackers and handed several to Beatrice. “These ought to tide you over until we get to your
grandmammi
Theda's house, sweetheart.” She closed her eyes and prayed, determined in her heart to be a good wife and mother.

She'd dozed off, and then someone said, “Sarah. It's time to wake up.”

Sarah blinked and looked directly into kind blue eyes. It was Mose. Reality rushed in and she struggled to wake up completely. “I'm sorry. I must have dozed off.” She blinked and looked around. It was growing dark outside, the small van light shining overhead. Her prayer
kapp
lay in her hand. With care she searched for her pins and put the wrinkled covering back on her head.

“It's been a long and tiring trip. I'm not surprised you nodded off.”

Her body felt sore from sitting still for so long. She struggled to step out of the van. Mose offered his hand and she grasped it, noticing the roughness of his warm palms. “Where are we?” She looked into the creeping darkness shrouding the last rays of sunlight. Rows of wood-framed white houses lined the short street, the van parked in a long gravel driveway. The flat yard, filled with sand, grass and palm trees, was illuminated by a tall black gas lantern positioned at the front of the box-shaped white house trimmed with black storm shutters.

“This is my mother and father's home. We'll be staying with them for a few days. Just until we can move into a home of our own,” he reassured her.

“Yes. You did tell me that on the train.” She shook out her skirt and fussed with her
kapp
, making sure it was pinned in the right places.

Mose held her arm for support until she started moving toward the door. Thick grass underfoot made walking difficult. She almost fell. Mose grabbed her around the waist, stabilized her and then took his arm away from her midsection. “You okay now?”

It had been a long time since she'd been held so close. His hand felt natural. It was as if he belonged with her. She pushed the thought away. Mose was in love with his dead wife. They had an arrangement. Nothing more. She stepped on the wide porch step. The wood creaked underfoot. A line of white rockers with colorful cushions welcomed her. A bright electric bulb attached to the door frame washed the big porch in artificial daylight.

The front door flew open and Beatrice came racing out. A smaller, dark-haired girl followed close behind.

“Where are you going, young lady?” Mose asked and grabbed his daughter by the sleeve.

“To
Grandmammi
Ulla's. She has candy for me.” A layer of thick chocolate candy smeared a dark circle around Beatrice's mouth.

“I think asking permission to go out is in order, don't you?” Mose used the palm of his hand to turn and lead Beatrice back into the house. Her little friend followed meekly behind.

Beatrice's outburst of tears came instantly. Mose moved through a small group of welcoming people and headed to the back of the house. A dining-room table burdened with food blocked his path. Plain men and women sat at the table together, something Sarah had never seen before. Old Order Amish folk ate separately, the men always first while the women were busy feeding the
kinder
.

Beatrice tried to run off, but Mose caught her by the collar of her dress. “I think some time in the back bedroom is the answer to all this commotion.”

An older woman, her gray hair wrapped in a tight bun and covered with a perfectly positioned prayer
kapp
, lifted her portly body to her feet. Her blue eyes flashed fire. “You've upset her now. It will take me hours to calm her down. Why don't you let me take care of this and you find yourself a spot at the table?”

Sarah stood just inside the great room's door watching the scene play out across the room. “I could...” she began, only to be cut off by Mose.

“
Danke
, Sarah, but I think I can manage this young rebel without anyone's help.”

The woman turned in Sarah's direction and glared at her with a hard stare that twisted her features. “Who is this woman and why is she here, Mose?”

“This is none of your concern, Ulla. As Greta's mother, I'm sure you only want what's best for Beatrice and meant no harm, but babying the
kinder
only makes her moods worse.”

Mose turned toward Sarah, Beatrice still in tow. He motioned for Sarah to join him and then put his arm around her waist as they walked toward the dining-room table at the back of the room. “
Mamm
,
Daed
, let me introduce you to someone very special. This is Sarah, my new
frau
. We met in Lancaster and married there. I hope you will make her feel
willkummed
in your
haus
.”

Sarah didn't know what to do or say. She stood stone still next to Mose, watching the tiny woman who birthed Mose smile at her in bemusement from across the table.
How could such a small woman have given birth to someone as large as Mose?
His
mamm
looked to be in her late sixties. Even dressed in Amish clothes, she looked more
Englisch
than plain because of her wild shock of red hair. Thick locks pushed at her prayer
kapp
from every angle and left it tilted in disarray.

His father, an older version of Mose, wore his blunt cut, blondish-gray hair to his ears. His beard reached his shirt front. Impressive gray streaks blended in with wiry red and blond strands, making him look distinguished.

She waited for their reaction to Mose's declaration.
Let this go well.
Linda came over and put her arm around Sarah's shoulders in a show of solidarity.

Mose's mother looked at her husband in confusion, as if someone had just said the moon was made of green cheese. His father, clear-eyed and alert, was the first to come to grips with Mose's words. “
Willkumm
! Congratulations, my son and new daughter. This is
gut
news. It's time you found a woman, Mose. Come, Sarah. Sit with us, and eat. You have to be tired from your long journey.”

The look on Mose's father's face told her he knew who she was. He'd grown up with Bishop Miller. Mose had told her they were still friends. He must have heard everything by now. News traveled fast in their world. He restrained himself as he spoke words of welcome he might not feel. “I'm sure you will make my son very happy.
Bitte
, sit. Its humble food we offer, but I'm sure you're used to eating this plain way.”

Several people rose from the table and took their plates to the front of the house, making room for them at the long table. Sarah and Linda chose a spot next to each other. Sarah's stomach roiled, the meal's aroma so strong she thought she might be ill. “
Danke
for your warm
willkumm
.” She struggled to smile. “I'm sure my arrival has come as quite a surprise to you all.”

A loud voice rang out in the great room. “I will not be hushed. Mose had no right. No right. Greta is barely cold in the grave and he marries this woman. I will not have it, do you hear.” The front door slammed shut. Silence screamed through the house.