The Bishop's Daughter (31 page)

“Here’s a basket of fruit and some cookies,” Fannie said to Abraham as he stashed two fishing poles into the back of his buggy. “There’s also a thermos full of cold milk.”

He smiled gratefully and took the wicker basket from her, placing it on the front seat of the buggy. “Danki. It’s much appreciated.”

“I think it will do both you and Jacob some good to spend a few hours together,” she said.

“I hope you’re right about that. Me and the boys have been so busy in the fields lately that I haven’t had much time for socializing.” Abraham leaned down to kiss his wife on the cheek. “I’ve been lookin’ for an opportunity to be alone with Jacob, and I’m hoping during our time together he might remember something about the good times we used to have.”

She nodded. “It would be wunderbaar if he did.”

“That young English fellow from out West has been takin’ up way too much of Jacob’s time.” Abraham frowned. “I probably shouldn’t be sayin’ this, but I don’t trust Jimmy Scott any farther than I can toss a bale of hay. Maybe not even that far.”

“He seems like a nice man to me.” Fannie gave Abraham’s arm a gentle squeeze. “Maybe you should get to know him better.”

Abraham climbed into his buggy. “Not sure I want to get to know him.” He grabbed up the reins and gave them a quick snap. The horse moved forward, and he turned to offer Fannie a wave. “I’ll be home before supper.”

By the time Abraham had picked up Jacob and headed his horse and buggy in the direction of the pond, the afternoon sun had reached its hottest point. He didn’t care, for he knew they could find solace under the shade of a maple tree near the water. Besides, it would be good to spend time with his old friend again, and the heat of summer seemed like a small thing.

He glanced over at Jacob, who’d been leaning out the window and making remarks about the things he saw along the way.
Dear Lord
, Abraham prayed,
let me say or do something today that will stir some memories in my good friend’s jumbled head
.

A short time later, Abraham lounged beside Jacob on the grassy
banks near the water’s edge, both of them holding a fishing pole.

“I like to fish,” Jacob said with an eager expression, “and I’m hopin’ to get me a couple today.”

Abraham smiled. “Maybe you will.”

Jacob gripped his pole and stared at Abraham. “Mama says you’re my good friend.”

“That’s true. We’ve been friends since your folks moved to this area when you were twelve years old.”

Jacob’s forehead wrinkled, and he squinted as though he was trying to recall. “Sometimes my head hurts when I try to think about things I can’t remember.”

“That’s all right.” Abraham pointed to the water. “Let’s just fish and enjoy our time together.”

“Jah, okay.”

They sat in companionable silence for the next half hour. Then, suddenly, Jacob leaned over to Abraham and said, “Jimmy’s my friend, too, did ya know that?”

Abraham’s only reply was a brief nod. The last person he wanted to talk about was Jimmy Scott. He didn’t think Jacob needed to discuss the Englisher, either.

“Jimmy let me help him paint Mama’s kitchen. That was fun.”

Abraham clenched his teeth.

“Jimmy’s sad ’cause someone stole his kitten and he don’t know where to find it.”

“I didn’t know Jimmy had a kitten.”

“Jah. Some man came along and snatched it away, so Jimmy came here to find it. I had a kitten stolen once, but now I’ve got me a pet goat named Billy.”

Abraham groaned. All this talk about missing kittens and pet goats didn’t give him much hope that Jacob’s memory would ever return. He needed to find something they could talk about that might trigger some recent recollections.

“Ona don’t like my goat,” Jacob continued. “She thinks it’s my fault her dog got killed ’cause the goat chased it into the street.” He sniffed. “I don’t like havin’ her mad at me. I think she wishes it had been Billy who died ’stead of Cinnamon.”

The dejected look on Jacob’s face made Abraham’s heart clench. For
the first time since his friend’s accident, Abraham found himself caring less about the man’s memory returning and more about finding some way to offer comfort to one who was obviously hurting.

He pulled the wicker basket Fannie had given him between them and flipped open the lid. “How about some cookies and milk?”

Jacob nodded eagerly and smacked his lips. “Are they oatmeal cookies? Those are my favorite.”

Abraham was glad Jacob’s mood had improved so quickly. That was something to be grateful for, since they still hadn’t caught any fish. “I think my wife made both chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies,” he said with a smile.

As Leona drove home from Paradise later that day, she reflected on all that had happened since Millie’s accident. When she’d taken the little girl to her folks’ store and told them what happened, Naomi had been short with her, asking why she hadn’t been outside with her students during recess and accusing her of not watching them closely enough. Leona had tried to explain that her helper had been with the kinner, but Naomi was too upset to listen.

When Caleb and Naomi took Millie to a nearby clinic, Leona waited to find out the extent of the child’s injury and to help Naomi’s two oldest girls, who had been left to run the store by themselves. Upon the Hoffmeirs’ return, Leona was distressed to learn that Millie’s arm was broken and she would miss school until she got used to her cast and the pain had lessened. With the problem she was having in learning to read and write, missing any time from school was not a good thing.

Before Leona left the store, she’d mentioned the trouble Millie was still having in school and suggested that she give the girl some extra lessons. Naomi had taken offense to that, and Leona left the store berating herself for being an incompetent teacher.

“If only there was a way to make things better,” she murmured. “Ezra’s dead, Papa’s got amnesia, my dog is gone, and I can’t do right by my students anymore. Maybe it would be best if I quit teaching. Maybe I should get away for a while—go off someplace where I can be alone to think things through.” Leona tensed and tightened her grip on the reins.
“But where would I go, and what good would it do?” She remembered before Papa’s amnesia, when he used to say that it didn’t pay to run away from your problems. During the time when he’d actively been their bishop, he’d reminded the people to trust God in all things.

Blinking against stinging tears, she whispered a prayer for the first time in many weeks. “Lord, I need help. Please help me to believe again and to put my trust in You.”

W
hile Jim waited for Holly, he stared out the window at a curious seagull that had landed on the deck railing outside the restaurant. Holly had agreed to meet him at noon, and though it was twelve fifteen, she still hadn’t arrived. Could she have gotten caught up in heavy traffic or had trouble with her car?

He wrapped his fingers around the glass of iced tea the waitress had brought him.
Maybe Holly’s not coming. Maybe she thinks I’m a lost cause because I won’t go to church or AA meetings
. He took a drink and let the cool liquid trickle down his throat, wishing it were a bottle of beer. But he knew if Holly showed up and saw him with an alcoholic drink in his hand, she probably wouldn’t agree to help him.

The young waitress with curly red hair approached the table a second time. “Would you like to order now, sir?”

“Uh—no, I’m waiting for someone.” Jim glanced at his watch. It was now twelve thirty.

“I’ll check back with you in a few minutes.” The waitress smiled and moved away.

Jim tapped the edge of the table with his knuckles.
Why hasn’t she called? Maybe I should call her
. He pulled his cell phone from the clip on his belt and punched in the cell number she’d given him when they’d agreed to meet for lunch. After several rings, he got her voice mail and hung up. He dialed the number at the health food store, and one of the employees answered. “This is Jim Scott. Is Holly there?”

“No, Mr. Scott. She’s supposed to be having lunch with you.”

“Well, she’s not here, and I’m beginning to worry.” Jim glanced out the window again. The seagull was gone, and so was Jim’s appetite. He took another swallow of iced tea and tried to calm himself.
I’m not going to sit here all day waiting for that woman. If she’s not here in the next
five minutes, I’m leaving
.

When Jim heard footsteps approach, he mumbled, “Sorry, I’m still not ready to order.”

“You may not be, but I am.”

He looked up, and the sight of Holly standing in front of the table brought relief and a strange sense of excitement. She was wearing a jean skirt and a plain pink blouse, but he thought she looked like an angel. “I—I was worried that you wouldn’t show,” he said.

She smiled, and her matching dimples seemed to be winking at him. “Sorry I’m late, but I had to stop at a gas station because my oil light kept coming on. It was fine after I added a quart of oil. I was going to call, but I left my cell phone at home this morning.”

Jim nodded. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten my phone.” He stood and pulled out a chair for her.

Holly sat down and took a sip of water. “I hope you didn’t think I’d stood you up.”

Heat flooded his cheeks. “The thought had crossed my mind.”

“I would never do something like that, Jim. If I couldn’t make it or had changed my mind, I would have let you know.”

“I appreciate that.” He toyed with his napkin.
Should I tell her what’s on my mind, or would it be better to wait until after we’ve eaten?

“Have you heard anything from Jimmy lately?” Holly asked.

“Talked to him a few days ago.” Jim was glad for the change of subject. He guessed he wasn’t ready to put his feelings on the line or risk possible rejection by her saying no.

“How’s he doing?”

He shrugged. “He’s doesn’t call much, but I guess he’s okay.”

“Do you have relatives living in Pennsylvania, or is Jimmy taking an extended vacation?”

He grimaced.
If I told her the truth, she’d be gone in a flash
. “He—uh—recently found out he was adopted, and he’s gone on a quest to find his real family.”

“Oh, I see.”

“I’m worried he may like it in Pennsylvania and decide to stay.”

“I think all parents wish their grown kids would stick close to home.” Holly compressed her lips and stared out the window. “But since it doesn’t always work out that way, it’s best if parents allow their kids
to make their own decisions about where they will live.” Her voice had a soft quality about it, yet she spoke with assurance.

The waitress showed up then, and Jim ordered a French dip sandwich and fries. Holly asked for a shrimp salad and a cup of clam chowder. As soon as the waitress left, he looked over at Holly. “You’re probably wondering why I invited you to lunch today, so I might as well get straight to the point.”

She picked up her glass of water and took a drink. “Did you have an ulterior motive?”

“Well, I was hoping you might help me with something.”

She leaned slightly forward, an expectant look on her face. “What do you need my help with?”

“I’m—uh—” He released a groan. “I’ve been really uptight lately, and the only way I can unwind or forget about my problems is to have a few drinks.”