Promise to Cherish (26 page)

“Yes, that will be just fine,” Christine said quickly.

He jumped up and pulled a spool from a nail on a post near them. His hands quaked when he handed it to her. She took his hand instead of the twine.

“Mark David, everything’s going to be fine,” she told him, fighting against the desire to speak more formally and call him Mr. Brenneman. “But keep praying anyway.”

He nodded at her. Even though he kept his eyes on his son and didn’t say a word, Christine could feel his prayers as she wrapped the other diaper around Mark’s leg first, then bound it with twine. His eyes began diverting from Eli’s, which concerned her.

“How far is the doctor’s office from here?”

“Not far,” Mark David said.

Behind her she heard the open buggy against the gravel drive. The horse seemed as riled up as everyone else. She saw one of the brothers driving. Moses, she thought. It infuriated her that they didn’t just ask a neighbor to drive them. It seemed so much faster than the buggy would be. But in the moment, it didn’t matter. Mark just needed to get to the doctor as fast as possible.

“Can’t we get an automobile—maybe a truck with a bed in the back?” Christine suggested harshly to Eli.

“Neighbors aren’t home and none of us can drive even if there was a car or truck available,” Eli told her.

Of course she hadn’t thought of that. She couldn’t drive either, for that matter.

“Our English neighbors let us use the phone when they aren’t home as long as we write it down for them. The rest around here are Amish,” Eli said breathlessly. “This is the best we can do.”

David came, and she grabbed the blanket and draped it around Mark’s shoulders. He was limp—his weight dead in her hands.

“Lay him flat,” Christine said. “David, take Eli’s place on his side. You and your dad are going to hold hands underneath Mark’s back. Eli, come down here and wrap your arms around his legs. Lift when I say.”

The men repositioned themselves and when all of their eyes were on her, she told them to lift. The small crowd of people divided, letting them through. She guided them to the open buggy bed and climbed in. She grabbed the blankets in the corner and layered them.

“Mark, are you with me?” she said, hovering her face over his.

Mark didn’t say a word but gave her a slight nod. His teeth began to chatter and she reassured him they would be at the doctor’s office shortly.

“Sylvia, do you want to ride up front or next to Mark?”

The young woman’s eyes grew. She shook her head and stepped backward away from the open buggy.

“This is your husband. Get in.” Christine grabbed Sylvia’s arm. Eli helped Sylvia up on the bench seat. Christine grabbed another blanket and roughly handed it to the young wife who was shivering wildly from adrenaline. “Here.”

Eli told Moses to get off the bench so he could drive. As they started out the jostling made Mark call out. Christine saw that as a positive sign. He was still responsive to the pain. She kept her eyes on Mark and when he opened his eyes she spoke.

“The doctor will know exactly what to do.”

“I thank you, Christine, but don’t think this changes anything,” he said between chattering teeth. “Between Eli and me.”

She didn’t know what to say. When Mark’s well-being was on the line he chose now to still speak ill of his brother?

“If you were smart, you’d stay far away from him.”

“What?”

He winced and groaned loudly, but he wouldn’t stop talking. “Actually, when you leave, why don’t you take him with you? Nobody wants him around.”

Then he lost consciousness. The doctor ran out to the wagon when they arrived.

“His color was getting better but he just lost consciousness and he appears paler again. His pulse is stable, however. Bull accident. Deep laceration on his right leg. The bleeding appears to be slowing down.”

“Who are you?”

“My name is Christine Freeman. I’m a nurse. I’m staying at the Brenneman farm temporarily.”

“Nice to meet you, Nurse Freeman, I’m Dr. Sherman. Let’s get him inside.”

Dr. Sherman, Eli, and an attendant carried him inside and got him onto an examining table. Another nurse was there immediately, so once Christine knew Mark was safe, she backed away and sat in the waiting room. She leaned over and put her head in her hands—there was too much to take in. Eli returned from the examination room behind her.

“Where’s Sylvia?” Eli put a hand on her shoulder.

Christine looked up and around the small room. “She must still be out in the wagon.”

“I’ll go get her.” Eli walked out.

A few minutes later Sylvia came in with the blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Her face was still blank with shock. Christine didn’t often deal with the family of her patients since so few
families visited the hospital. She stood and put an arm around her, deciding she needed to relate to her as a woman rather than as a nurse.

“Come, sit with me.” She guided Sylvia to a nearby seat and they sat together quietly.

After more than an hour the doctor came out. He nodded and smiled at Christine. “I think you might have saved Mark’s life. I was away when my wife got the call and just returned. He might’ve bled to death by the time I got out there without your quick action. It is a very deep wound, and wide. Nice job, Nurse Freeman.”

Christine sighed and pursed her lips. Maybe she could ask about working for him. She needed to do something besides baking terrible pies.

“I think anyone would’ve done what I did.”

“Sometimes when it’s a family member, it’s difficult to keep calm. Well done.” He nodded and offered his hand.

“Thank you, Doc,” she responded and shook his hand. Though it had only been mere weeks since she was fired, being recognized as a nurse and providing help brought a sense of self-worth to her.

Eli put an arm around Christine’s shoulder then wrapped her in his arms for a few brief moments until Christine pulled away, feeling uncomfortable.

“Thank you,” he said, looking into her eyes.

“I’m going to check on Sylvia. She’s had such a shock.” She walked away from Eli.

Christine sat next to the young wife as the doctor told her that he needed to keep Mark overnight. Sylvia had a hard time leaving Mark but the doctor reminded her she could come tomorrow. Christine put an arm around Sylvia’s shoulders as they walked back to the buggy. The two women’s eyes met; a bond was forming.

As they sat in the back of the buggy while Eli drove them home Christine realized that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. With her adrenaline now gone she suddenly grew so hungry she couldn’t control her shaking.

“Are you all right?” Sylvia asked her.

“I’m just hungry,” she said simply.

“I’m sure Sarah will have food ready for us when we get back.”

Sylvia’s brow knitted together but neither of them spoke again until they reached the farm.

“Thank you, Christine.” Sylvia’s eyes were puffy from crying. She put her hand out.

Christine took the young wife’s hand and shook it. It wasn’t like the handshakes she had gotten up until now. This one was gentle and friendly.

Sylvia smiled at Christine and let go of her hand then scooted off the bed of the buggy and straight into a hug from her mother-in-law.

Everyone rushed out of the house and barns, wanting news. They all turned to Christine for information. Christine told them everything the doctor had said. She’d assumed that on a farm they would have experienced wounds like this in the past, but apparently they’d been spared such injuries. Christine made sure to explain that as long as there was no infection he shouldn’t lose his leg and he would be just fine—but he wouldn’t be on his feet for weeks.

“Christine saved his life,” Eli added.

Christine hesitated to accept the compliment, embarrassed at the attention, but she didn’t know what more to say. She lowered her eyes to her feet. First, Mark David went to her with his hand out to her and said thank you. Then followed Sarah and the rest of the family. While the simple act of shaking her hand didn’t seem like such an outpouring of thanks to those in the
outside world, it was to this family and also to Christine. Annie skipped the handshake and pulled her in for a hug. Her heart swelled and she found herself desiring their acceptance more than ever. Even Enos, with a toothless grin, shook her hand and said something in Dutch.

Everyone laughed.

“What did he say?” She looked at Eli.

“He said he’s never seen a girl run as fast as you did.” Eli smiled and winked at her. “Come on, let’s get something to eat.”

Somehow the terrible accident had broken the ice with the family and even though it was well past lunch and not quite supper, they all sat for a meal. During the silent prayer Christine knew what was on the hearts of everyone around the table. For the first time since her arrival she joined in. Today, she thanked God for showing her how to help Mark and for the beginning of a friendship with Sylvia, who she kept an eye on throughout the night, given the shock she had experienced.

After another few hours Eli ran to the neighbors and called the doctor. Mark was doing well. Christine accompanied Eli as he went out with his brothers to do chores. They even spoke in English for her sake. When Enos asked Eli what
real-life crazy people
looked like, she burst into laughter.

Later Eli walked her home. Annie had gone home earlier. Sarah gave Christine a coat to wear since it had cooled off quite a bit. The bulkiness of the coat was awkward but the gesture warmed her more than the quilted denim coat did.

“They like you,” Eli said, nudging her shoulder as they walked side by side.

“Hmm.” She agreed nearly silently and decided to take in the sunset ahead of them. “Do you think you could drive me out to Dr. Sherman’s soon so I can ask about a job? Or maybe a neighbor with a car could take me?”

“But why? We can take care of you.”

“Not forever. I’m not used to not working. I’ve been working since I was fourteen. And, maybe . . .” Christine wasn’t sure she could finish her thought. Getting a job meant she’d have some freedom to care for herself and a child. But who would take care of the baby while she worked?

“If you want, I’ll help you.” His brow furrowed and his hand went to her arm.

Eli’s touch was so warm and suddenly, more than anything, she wanted to throw herself into his arms. She looked up into his eyes and his intensity startled her.

She slowly pulled her arm away. Nothing could happen between them. She would ruin his life like Jack ruined hers.

“Good night.”

Christine didn’t look back until she reached her new bedroom; there she watched him through the slit of the curtain. He still stood there, then kicked the dirt beneath his feet and walked away. Her eyes followed his silhouette until she couldn’t see anything but the darkness that consumed the night.

That night she wrote a letter to Dr. Sherman, asking for a job. She couldn’t remember the last time she was excited about something in her life. Though she didn’t know what to do about the baby she carried, if she could continue as a nurse she would at least feel like a valuable member of the community. This could be a new start for her.

CHAPTER 21

B
y the time Sunday came rumors were going wild about the new girl. Eli was not surprised that people were more curious about meeting her than welcoming him home. After Mark’s accident his parents had warmed up to Christine. Sylvia seemed especially friendly with her, but not toward Eli. He didn’t blame her. While everyone was getting used to one another, he was still the outcast. Hadn’t they worked as a team with Mark’s wound? Hadn’t he been attentive and sensitive toward Mark?

Mark came home the day after the accident and had been on bed rest ever since. His wound was going to take quite a few weeks to heal. Dr. Sherman told him if his leg wasn’t taken care of and he got an infection he could lose it. All of this didn’t just mean that Mark would be bedridden through the spring, but also that their house wouldn’t get built until he was on his feet again. Eli would be stuck in the loft even longer.

He hitched up a horse on the Dearborn instead of his own buggy that he’d let Moses borrow while he was away. The Dearborn was big enough to take two additional people, Christine and Annie, to church, whereas his two-person buggy was not.
Annie and Christine were waiting for him as he pulled up, and he took in the view. His small aunt wore heavy Amish clothing next to Christine’s light spring dress. Christine’s hair glowed in the morning sun and her lips, though not red this time, still shone brightly.

For a moment Eli wished Aunt Annie had her own way to church so he could steal a few moments alone with Christine. He watched her as she walked out the door. She seemed completely unaware of how pretty she was. He leaned over to help his aunt up and she sat on the second bench. He was surprised how spry she was. He helped Christine next and she bounced up, better than the first time just over a week ago. Had it only been a week since they’d arrived back in Sunrise? Just over two weeks ago he was still an attendant in a mental asylum. It had been like a completely different life and if it weren’t for Christine being with him here in his small community, it would have almost seemed that it never happened.

Christine wrung her purse with her hands. He wanted to hold her hand and put her at ease. He winced at the thought. He pushed it away and tried to think about something unimportant to talk about.

“You look nice in your suit,” Aunt Annie said. “Good thing you’re growing a beard. In Ohio you might get away without one for a spell, but not here.”

He rubbed his jaw.

“Any young man who is a member of the church is supposed to grow a beard,” he said to Christine, leaning toward her.

“Then why didn’t you have one while you were at the hospital?”

He chuckled.

“Don’t you like it?” he asked.

Christine shrugged. “It doesn’t matter what I think, only what the church thinks.”

Then she dismissed him and she spoke to Annie, asking her why things were different in Ohio. Annie explained to her how each district was similar but still had their own set of standards. Some were more lenient in some areas and stricter in others. Christine didn’t talk to him the rest of the way to church but chewed at the side of her mouth and pushed her glasses up every few minutes.