Love Inspired June 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: The Cowboy's Homecoming\The Amish Widow's Secret\Safe in the Fireman's Arms (30 page)

Mose leaned over, cutting Beatrice's chicken, and reminded his daughter to use her napkin. He smiled at Mercy. The child banged her spoon at him, her grin growing into a drooling river of squished peas.

“Today we took Mercy to see the doctor,” Mose said, picking a quiet moment at the table to speak.

Otto's fork full of cottage fries froze halfway to his mouth.

Theda leaned forward. “You told me on the phone she'd be fine, but what else did you learn?”

Mose looked into his mother's eyes. “Mercy has an infection in her middle ear. She'll need to have tubes inserted to help drain the fluid.”

Otto finished his bite of potatoes. “Has this infection you speak of...has it damaged her hearing?”

Mose pushed his peas around the plate. “Yes, her hearing was affected, but the doctor feels the surgery will fix the problem.”

“Is the doctor sure?” Theda's gaze was glued to Mercy.

“We will ask for
Gott's
will. He loves her more than we do.” Mose looked over at his
mamm
and then to Sarah and forced a smile.

“Yes,” Otto agreed. “When is this surgery to happen?”

“Soon. Two weeks,” Mose said, looking at his father.

“
Gott
has a plan for Mercy. We must not question why this happened.” Otto continued to eat. The conversation had ended as far as his
daed
was concerned, but Mose's brows pinched with concern. He'd believed in
Gott's
will for Greta, and she had died in his arms.

Would
Gott
protect Mercy? He wasn't so sure. Mose looked at his food on his plate, his appetite gone. His thoughts swirled. Could he live with another loss?

Sarah reached across the table and grasped his hand, her eyes conveying her love for his youngest child. “She will be fine, Mose. We have to believe
Gott
knows what He's doing.”

Chapter Twelve

T
he shiny black car Mose had borrowed from his brother to run errands that morning seemed quiet without Beatrice's constant stream of questions and comments coming from the backseat. They'd dropped the girls off at their
Grandmammi
Ulla's house, and then gone for a ride through Sarasota, giving Sarah some much-needed rest and relaxation.

The sway of the automobile soothed her, as Mose drove through the streets lined in plain white houses and tidy lawns. She fought the urge to close her eyes and sleep. Florida, with its sunny beaches and tall palm trees, was so different from the rolling Lancaster farmland she was used to.

This morning she'd been glad to discover the town of Pinecraft was bigger than she'd first thought a week before. Small, brightly painted storefronts, with unique names, offered homemade goods and hot Amish meals to the constant flow of tourists invading the town in staggering numbers during the winter months. Pushing aside the damp hair that escaped her
kapp
, Sarah welcomed the cool breeze blowing in through the car window. It had rained in the early morning hours, just long enough to make the hot Florida air feel drenched with humidity.

“
Daed
said the
haus
will be ready later today. I want you to see it before I tell him we'll take it.” Traffic was brisk but Mose flashed a quick smile Sarah's way.

A small scar next to Mose's mouth came into view. She'd never noticed it before, but then, there were a lot of things about Mose she didn't know. Things she needed to know if she was going to be a good wife to him.

“That's
gut
,” she said. “The girls no longer have a place to call home. They're desperate for order in their lives. Things have been so hectic this past week and Beatrice is having a hard time.”

“If you mean she's behaving badly, I agree.” Mose drove slowly down the street just blocks from his parents' home. Every house in the neighborhood of central Pinecraft looked exactly the same. Square, white and set back from the road. Mose turned into one of the long driveways and slowed to a stop at the edge of the wide, wooden porch painted a glossy white. He jerked the keys out of the car's ignition and turned back to her.

“You sound like my
mamm
. Always making excuses for Beatrice. The time has come to get that young lady under control. I won't have her treating Mercy badly, and the way she talks to you is completely out of line.” Mose reached over and touched Sarah's hand, spreading a warm tingling sensation he'd come to enjoy. “I'm glad she has you, Sarah. You're a kind woman and wonderful
mamm
.”

“She doesn't see me as her
mamm
yet. I'm just someone who takes time away from you. Give her grace until she's adjusted.”

Otto Fischer walked out of the house and waved, beckoning them to get out of the car. Cream-colored paint dotted the navy overalls that covered his shirt and pants. His gray hair stood in spikes, as if he'd been running his fingers through the thick mop.

“Looks like
daed's
ready to get this
haus
inspection over with.”

“I've noticed your
daed's
not a man to waste time.” Sarah gazed around the front yard as she stepped out onto sparse, crispy grass that begged for a soaking from the cracked hose on the ground.

“You two took long enough.” Otto's smile took the bite out of his words.

“
Guder mariye
to you, too,
Daed
.” Mose stepped aside and insisted Sarah go into the house first. “We had to take the
kinder
over to Ulla's, and she had much to say to me before I left.”

“How many times did she mention she hasn't seen the girls in a while? She called last night and you'd have thought it had been a year since their last visit to her
haus
.
Guder mariye
, Sarah. Did you sleep well?”

“I did,
danke
.” Sarah glanced around the large open room they'd stepped into, taking in the dark wood floors and creamy walls. She hurried over to the gleaming kitchen in the corner, drawn like a bug to a light. She touched the island's stone counter with her fingertips and marveled at the swirl of colors within the large slab of smooth granite. Making bread here would be a joy.

She took a slow turn and tried to take everything in. She'd never seen a house as big as this. Linda had told her these large, newly built homes existed on the fringe of the small Amish community of Pinecraft, but to live in one herself? Sarah was used to small, closed-in rooms. This large area glowed with early morning sunshine. She'd never seen such fancy fixtures or appliances. How would she learn to cook on this gleaming stove with five burners? The house had to use electricity. She looked up and saw the light fixture and knew these were not oil lights. Perhaps a gas generator fueled the electricity? She turned to face Mose. This was an
Englisch
house he'd brought her to. What was he thinking?

“I'll leave you two to have a look round. I'll be back inside later. I've still got to fix that sliding patio door. The thing keeps sticking.” Otto shifted the paint bucket and plastic sheeting he held in his hands. He scrubbed one paint-spattered hand down his overalls before opening the front door and letting it bang behind him.

Mose turned to Sarah. “So, is the
haus gut
enough, or do you want to look at a few more?
Daed
can rent this one to someone else. We won't hurt his feelings.”

The grin on his face told her he liked the house. Would he understand if she didn't want to live here? She wanted to please him, not be picky and difficult, but would she ever feel at home in this modern palace? “There seems to be plenty of room.”

“I hear a but on the end of that sentence.” Mose moved closer and took her right hand. His thumb rubbed her palm in a swirl of rough skin against soft. His gaze flirted with hers until she looked away, a shy smile on her lips, the room suddenly uncomfortably warm. She pulled her hand away and turned toward the window above the deep sink. Somehow Mose had gotten under her skin, made her feel things she hadn't felt since Joseph was alive. The emotions swirling in her stomach scared her. Clearing her voice, she spoke, hoping she wouldn't sound as shaky as her legs felt. “
Nee
...
nee
. I like the house. It's just more modern than I'm used to, that's all. And so large.”

“We can look at other houses.”

She turned back to Mose and silently chastised herself. Mose's father had gone to a lot of trouble to make this house nice for them. The least she could do was make a fair assessment before coming to a decision. “Please.” She forced a smile and prayed
Gott
would speak to her about what to say and do. Often she handled things wrong and she so desperately wanted to get this right. “Let's look through the rest of the house and see if we can make a home here. I'm just surprised by the extras. I'm not used to such grand living. Pinecraft is so different from Lancaster. I hope you understand.”

His grin was back, his gaze warm. He took her by the arm and playfully propelled her forward. “Let's go take a look.”

Sarah smiled and let him guide her down a long hall lined with closed doors. She enjoyed his lighthearted manner and thanked
Gott
she'd found him. Joseph had been easygoing and had often made her laugh, too. Her heart ached as soon as she thought of Joseph. She touched her stomach with the flat of her hand and felt the bump, their child growing deep inside. She had to tell Mose about the baby. There was no use putting it off. The truth had to come out.

“Look at this bedroom. It's perfect for the girls.”

Sarah realized she still stood in the hallway, her hand on her stomach, reeling with new, raw emotions. She was going to be the mother. The thought was so wonderful she had to fight not to cry.

“I'm coming,” Sarah called and entered the soft pink room. She whirled around, her long skirt fluttering about her ankles. The room had big windows and a closet large enough to hold all their clothes and then some. “What a terrible waste of space.” Shelves filled one side and two clothes bars filled the other. “Do the
Englisch
really have this many clothes?”

“I can't speak from experience but since this house was once owned by
Englisch
, I have a feeling they do.” He walked a few feet and opened a pair of double doors at the end of the hallway.

Sarah gasped as she took in the sheer size of the light tan room. Large windows and a sliding glass door allowed light to flood inside.

“It's not that big.” Mose's laughter mingled with his words.

“Maybe not to you, but to me it's the size of a barn.” Sarah tried to imagine a bed and dresser swallowed up in the expansive room. “What will we fill the room with?”

“The new king-size bed I finished just before I left for Lancaster. It's been waiting in the barn for someone to buy.” Mose grinned and disappeared through a door at the back of the room.

She'd never seen a king-size bed, but couldn't wait to see it. Several pieces of furniture in his
mamm's
house showed his fine workmanship and she grew excited.

She walked into the master closet and shook her head in disgust. Again, what a waste of space. She owned a handful of dresses and two pairs of shoes. She had no clue how many clothes Mose owned, but they'd never fill this large walk-in closet.

“The bathroom's nice.” Mose's voice echoed, bouncing off the walls.

Sarah moved toward the door he'd disappeared through and paused. Two sinks, a toilet and bathtub gleamed in the bright overhead lighting. Stepping in farther, Sarah saw her own reflection in the massive mirror over the sinks. She had no idea her hair was so bright red, or that she'd put on so much weight. What made Mose look at her as though she was a plate of iced cookies? She turned on her heel and scurried back to the kitchen.

“You don't like it, do you?” Mose's disappointment was palpable.

“I do like it. It's just not what I'm used to,” she murmured.

“We don't have to take it, Sarah. Like I said,
Daed
can easily rent it out to someone else.” He stood just inside the kitchen, his shoulder resting against a smooth wall.

“You like it, don't you?” Sarah knew his answer before he spoke. She was able to read his expressions.

“I can see the
kinder
running and playing without bumping into walls.” He grinned, adding, “We'd have lots of room for a couple more
bobbels
here.”

Sarah's tongue glued to the top of her mouth. She forced herself to look up. His smile was infectious and she returned a trembling, shy grin. They were alone. Nothing held her back from telling him her secret. She trusted him. Wanted him to know. Longed for him to be happy for them. Sarah took in a breath. “I need to talk to you about something wonderful, and I want you to hear me out before you speak.”

Mose frowned at her, his concern adding wrinkles to his forehead. “Did I upset you with the suggestion there could be more children growing up in this home?” He reached out to her.

Sarah grasped his hand in hers and smiled, strong feeling for this vibrant man building in her heart. “No, not at all. It's just the opposite. I'm having a
bobbel
, Mose. I wanted to share the news with you.”

Mose pulled her into his arms and crushed her to his chest as he murmured, “I already know.”

Sarah leaned away. Mose's smile of joy left her breathless. “You already knew?”

“Of course I knew, silly. I'm the father of two. I know when a woman is carrying a child. I've known since I met you.”

“But why didn't you say something? Why would you marry me if you knew I was pregnant?” Sarah's mind reeled, memories flashing like a slide show. She'd never known anyone as generous a Mose Fischer. He'd known all along and had never said a word, never questioned her.

“I first married you because I loved Joseph like a
bruder
. We grew up together, shared our hopes and dreams. I found his wife in need of me, and I found her fascinating. I needed a mother for my
kinder
. There was never a question of what should be done. It made perfect sense to do the right thing. Who else would love Joseph's child as much as me? I'll make a good father for him or her. I promise you.”

He pulled her closer as tears began to flow down her face. Tenderly he held her in his arms, patting her as she clung to the front of his shirt. Grief flowed out of her, and in its place came relief and gratitude. Weak with emotion, she leaned against his chest and took in gulping sobs of air laced with joy.

Joseph was gone, but Mose was here now.

“Have you seen a midwife yet?” His warm breath stirred her hair as he spoke softly in her ear.

“Not yet,” Sarah admitted, her head still pressed against his chest. She liked the feel of his arms around her, the way he tenderly kissed her cheek. “I just recently found out. But Linda says I must go to the
Englisch
doctor for a sonogram, to make sure the
bobbel
is okay.”

“We'll get an appointment for you.” Mose rubbed her back, making her warm and breathless in the cool, air-conditioned house.

Sarah was thrilled and relieved that she wasn't alone anymore. But did she truly deserve this happiness? She wasn't so sure.

* * *

A few hours later, Mose and Otto lifted out the heavy sliding glass door and together leaned it against the patio wall.

“I just need to take these old runners out and put in some new ones.” Otto glanced Mose's way. He grunted as he squatted, his old knees cracking like popcorn. It took only a moment to remove the old tracks, stuff the plastic packaging into his overall pocket and slip the new tracks in place. “I'm glad you two decided to take this place.” Otto checked the rollers and grinned in satisfaction. “I have a good feeling about this
haus
. It may be a bit fancy, but it will make a great home for the
kinder
to grow in.”