Sisters of the Heart - 03 - Forgiven (4 page)

“We won’t have to delay our wedding, do you think?” Anna Metzger asked as soon as Henry joined her on the front porch of the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast. Gazing toward the horizon, where just a few miles away the Lundy farm was situated, she murmured, “Is it appropriate to say our vows with everyone still recovering from the fire?” Recalling the heartbroken expressions on Jonathan and Katie’s faces, she added, “Maybe we shouldn’t celebrate such happy things right now.”

Henry looked at her with concern. “You sound as if more is bothering you than the troubles at the Lundy farm. Is there a reason you’re asking? Do you want to delay things?”

“Not at all. We’ve already waited so long.”

“That we have.”

When Henry held out his hand, Anna took it with
pleasure. The moment his fingers curved around hers, she recalled the first time they’d held hands. A spark of awareness had run through her body, making her realize happiness might actually be possible. It had been an astonishing moment…for a time, she’d been sure happiness would never find her again.

Now, with his touch, warmth and comfort was in her life. Looking into his eyes, she shook her head. “I guess I just want everyone to be happy.”

“I want that, too.”

As they stepped down the four steps that led to the front porch, and walked along the neatly trimmed walkway to the surrounding gardens, Anna smiled. “I can’t help but be envious of Katie and Jonathan. As soon as they knew they wanted to get married, they went and said vows. It all happened within months.”

“They had different circumstances. After all, Katie already was Amish.”

“Well, I’m Amish now, too,” Anna said proudly. “And I think it is time I got married and was your wife.” After entering the garden, she stepped away from her fiancé and wandered down the rows of budding plants. This garden was a tremendous source of pride for her—until she’d come to live at the inn, she’d never tried to grow even a single tomato. Now Henry’s mother, Irene, entrusted her with much of the upkeep of the large garden.

When she stopped at a row of fresh herbs, fragrant aromas filtered around them, the smell of thyme, rosemary, mint, and parsley lighting her senses. Unable
to stop herself, she knelt down and pulled two pesky weeds. “I feel like I’ve been waiting forever.”

Maneuvering among the rows far more slowly, Henry sniffed a batch of dusky purple lavender, plucked a stray dandelion, then tossed it into her pile. When Anna looked at him approvingly, Henry chuckled. “It’s just been a little over a year, Anna.”

With a grimace, she attacked two thistles that had the misfortune of daring to bloom in the midst of three heirloom tomato plants. “Just what I said. Forever.”

“Hardly that.”

“It feels like forever when you’re in love.”

Pulling her hands back into the comfort of his own, he brushed his lips against her brow. “Oh, Anna. I love you, too. Now, don’t worry. I’ll make sure we won’t delay the wedding. Katie and Jonathan will understand.”

She loved it when he told her he loved her—she knew she’d never get tired of hearing sweet things from him, of hearing how much he cared about her. “I hope Winnie will understand, too. When Katie and I visited her, she looked to be healing, but still in some pain.”

“Jonathan saw her yesterday. He said she was sitting up in bed.”

“That’s good. She must be feeling better.”

“
Jah
—and listen to this—Samuel Miller called with news again last night. Winnie’s physicians reported last night that they will be discharging her soon. Maybe even in a day or two.” With a direct look, he said, “Then, of course, we’ll need to help her get around with that cast.
I have a feeling she’s not going to want a few injuries to slow her down.”

Just imagining Winnie attempt to do her usual routine with a cast on her foot made Anna smile. “You’re right about that. She’ll be warring with her injuries, for sure.” As Anna thought of Henry’s report, she mused, “So, Sam Miller was there again?”

“Yes.”

“It sure is nice he’s helping her so much at the hospital.”

“It is.”

Anna wished she knew more about what was going on between Winnie and Sam. When she and Katie had quizzed Winnie about him, her normally talkative friend had turned conspicuously closed-mouthed. “Have Sam and Winnie known each other a long time?”

“Yes, all of us have known each other all our lives. Samuel and I are the same age, with Winnie just a few years behind. Eli Miller is twenty-eight. Katie is a bit younger than you, just twenty.”

“What a time you all must have had.”

Henry treated Anna to a rare smile. “We sure did. We were constantly running through chores to play kickball or some such.” He paused. “Lately, though, few of us have seen Samuel. He moved on, you know. Though we have lots in common, Samuel chose a different path.” A dab of worry appeared between his brows. “I always thought he was happy to be living among the English. I hope Winnie isn’t finding his views too strange.”

“Well, it’s certainly nice he’s been so attentive. I know it’s eased both Katie and Jonathan’s minds to have him nearby.”

“Like I said, he’s known Winnie for many years.”

“But they haven’t seen each other much since Sam left the order. Why is he being so attentive? It seems out of place for him to be so concerned with Winnie’s health.”

“I don’t think so. Katie’s worrying about Mary and Hannah, Jonathan’s got his work at the lumberyard and the cleanup at his place, and Eli’s got Caleb and spring plowing,” Henry pointed out practically. “Samuel, on the other hand, is right there. Even if he’s not Amish, I’m sure he feels just as strongly as he ever did about being near family.”

“Well, I’m probably reading too much into things. But I couldn’t ignore how Winnie reacted when we brought up how much Sam was visiting. What if something wonderful was happening? What if they’re falling in love? Winnie’s had such heartache, not being able to find her right partner…”

Henry stopped tugging on a dandelion and frowned. “
Lieb?
Between Samuel and Winnie?”

“Don’t act so surprised!”

Henry looked at her sharply. “I think smelling all this peppermint has gotten to you. They wouldn’t be in love. They couldn’t. Samuel’s no longer a part of our world and…”

“Sure, they could,” she interrupted. “Stranger things have happened. Look at you and me.”

“I don’t fancy being thought of as strange.”

Anna looked at him sharply, then grinned as she caught his joke. Feeling better, she continued with her dreams. “I don’t know, Henry. Just think, there’s poor Winnie, stuck in the hospital with nothing to do. And Sam visits her all the time. Seems like the perfect time to grow a friendship.”

“It’s the perfect time to wish there was somethin’ else to do besides sit in a drab hospital room, mark my words about that.”

“Maybe…but maybe not.”

“Ach. You have your head in the clouds, Anna Metzger. You need to be thinking about your wedding and our life together. Not Winnie and Samuel.”

“But what if—”

“Nope. It won’t.”

As he leaned close to kiss her, Anna smiled. Well, Henry could deny it all he wanted, but Anna knew there was more on Winnie’s mind than just injuries.

“Anna?” Henry whispered as his lips brushed her jaw.

“Mmm-hum?”

“Stop thinking and kiss me back.”

That, at least, was something she was very sure she could do.

Now that the pain from the burns was subsiding, Winnie felt more at ease. Not only had it been hard to focus on anything other than finding relief, but the enforced time lying on her back had made the hours go by so slowly. She’d also hated being connected to so many tubes. It
was embarrassing to have to ask the nurses for help to do most anything.

It had been difficult, feeling so terribly vulnerable.

Now that she wasn’t on so many pain medications and her head was clear, Winnie’s mood had brightened considerably. She could visit with whoever stopped by in her usual manner.

That was a good thing. She liked feeling in control and being aware of her surroundings, especially in an unfamiliar situation like the one she was in now.

Hospitals most certainly were not the place for her, though everyone had been as attentive as possible. The constant noise outside her door was jarring, as was the pungent smell of disinfectant. In addition, someone came to see her at least once an hour, to check her vital signs or to give her medicine.

At least the people who worked there were nice. The doctor, Dr. Sullivan, was mighty kind, too. He seemed to understand how scared she was, and he not only checked her injuries but stayed an extra moment or two and talked about things.

Now Winnie knew all about Dr. Sullivan’s two grandchildren and his love for hiking. They’d begun to talk hiking trails around the area. Winnie had even promised to write him a list of her favorite spots up near Lake Erie. All of this had been much to his assistant’s annoyance, Winnie was afraid. The younger Dr. Merchek was a man who kept a strict schedule and doled out smiles like expensive rewards.

Though the other patients she’d talked with com
plained bitterly about a constant stream of visitors, Winnie had become appreciative of it. Otherwise, she knew she would have caught herself worrying about Jonathan, Katie, and the girls, or wishing she could do something—anything—to try and help them out.

But of course, her only job was to try and get better and listen to what the doctors said.

Restlessly, she pressed the button on the television remote and watched the screen. A pair of women seated on a bright blue couch were talking about their children. One was terribly upset—it looked like no one could comfort her.

When a man in the audience yelled at them, Winnie pushed the channel changer. Oh, but she would never understand why so many people discussed their problems with strangers!

She’d just found a game show when a knock came at the door.

She looked up expectantly. Even a shot would be a welcome distraction from her boredom.

“Are you up for company right now?” came a muffled voice from behind the door.

Her heart got all fluttery. In quick order, she shut off the TV. “Sam?”

Cracking the door open, he poked his head in, his lovely light brown hair a mussed mess as usual. “Yep, it’s me again. Do you feel like some company?”

“Don’t even ask such a thing! I’ve just been sitting here wondering what to do with myself.” Quickly she
straightened the sheets around her waist, adjusted her bed a bit, and vainly wished she’d asked the morning nurse to help her smooth the hair under her
kapp
. Her hair most likely looked like a bird’s nest. “Please, come in.”

“Wondering what to do with yourself, hmm?” Kind hazel eyes looked her over and twinkled. “You must be feeling better.”

“I am. Well, I am, a bit.”

“That’s good.” He smiled as he shrugged off his tan canvas jacket and restlessly pushed back a portion of his straight brown hair that seemed to always want to cover one side of his forehead. “I see you’ve mastered the remote control. Are there any shows you like?”

Sorry that he’d guessed what she’d been doing, she pushed the black contraption farther away from her. Though he most likely wouldn’t care that she’d been watching TV, she felt ashamed that she had done so. “Not so much.” Wrinkling her nose, she added, “Much of what they talk about I don’t understand.”

“Because of the technology? I imagine information about cell phones and iMacs are hard to understand.”

“Oh, no, I understand technology. I may not use it, but I’m fairly interested in all those gadgets. No, it’s everything else that I find confusing. Yesterday I found three shows on ways to diet and exercise. Woman after woman talked about ways to change. I don’t understand why so many people are displeased with the way God made them.”

“That’s because you see things a little more clearly than most. I’ll bring you a book or some magazines next time I visit, if you’d like.”

The fact that he talked about coming again made her happy. “
Danke
. I do like magazines, especially the gardening and cooking ones.”

“I’ll bring you as many as I can hold.”

“I’d like that very much. I mean, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t. Not at all.” As he took the chair next to her, Sam said, “I spoke with the nurses before I came in. They said you are doing better.” Looking her over, he said, “Are you, really?”

“I am. Now I only have one needle in me, from this IV bag.” She held up her hands for inspection, feeling so much freer than she’d felt since she’d arrived at the hospital.

“That is a good thing.” He frowned at her arms, decorated with more than one or two purplish marks. “It’s a shame you got so bruised, though.”

“I’d rather have bruises than more bandages. They’ll fade in time.”

“Did the doctor tell you any more news?”

“Not anything of use. He reminded me of the fact that I’m going to have a difficult time walking around and doing my chores. He said the bones in my foot are going to take their time to heal.” Remembering the conversation, she added, “First I am to be in a wheelchair. Then, if I’m very good, I might get to only have crutches for five weeks.”

To her delight, Sam laughed. “I better warn Jonathan!
He already says you hate to slow down. You’ll be a dangerous woman in a wheelchair.”

“Not so much. Besides, I imagine I’ll be slow for quite a while, I’m afraid.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“Maybe.”

“It is. And, listen, you must promise to use that wheelchair as an excuse to be a lazybones.”

“Perhaps—but that’s not who I am—or who I want to be.” Winnie tried hard to not think about why she even cared about what Sam thought of her. For the last few years, she’d practically given up on love. When she was a teen, the boys used to tease her because she was so skinny and tall. Later, other boys had complained about her outspoken ways. And though she’d learned to be a bit more patient and to curb her tongue as well, there often seemed to be other areas where she had felt lacking.

All of it had taken a toll on her confidence.

Samuel shifted, propping one brown suede boot on a metal rung of her fancy electronic bed. Quietly, he murmured, “So, who do you want to be?”