The Gift (44 page)

Leah shook her head. “No, Adam, I don’t think Cora is evil. What she did was wrong, but I believe she’s truly sorry and regrets her decision to leave like that. I think she deserves another chance.”

Adam lowered his gaze. “You might be right, but I don’t think I’m ready for that. I do want you to know, however, that if you’d like to continue doing foot treatments, you have my blessing. I may even ask you to work on my feet once in a while.”

“Really, Adam? You don’t mind if I do reflexology here in this house?”

He shook his head. “As long as it doesn’t interfere with the care of the girls, you can foot doctor whenever you like.”

Leah smiled, despite her tears. “Danki, Adam. Danki for that.”

C
ora stared out the living-room window at the falling rain. It was such a dismal day, which only added to her depression over having to spend Thanksgiving alone. She’d thought about going out to dinner at one of the restaurants that were open on the holiday, but the idea of eating by herself held no appeal. So she’d stayed home and fixed a small turkey, just so she would have the leftovers for making sandwiches and soup.

Cora moved away from the window and took a seat in the rocking chair to be closer to the warmth of the fireplace.
I wonder what Adam and his family are doing today?
She squeezed her eyes tightly shut, willing herself not to cry. She’d done enough of that already, and where had it gotten her? Tears wouldn’t change the fact that she’d been dumped by Evan, nor would they bring Adam back into her life. Crying and feeling sorry for herself wouldn’t give her a good relationship with Jared, either. He’d been angry with her ever since the divorce and hated living here in Arthur.

Maybe it would be best for everyone if Jared and I did move back to Chicago. Since my house hasn’t sold, we could take it off the market and move into it. And I don’t think it would be that difficult to find a nursing job. It just won’t be at the hospital where I’d have to see Evan and Emily.

A horn tooted from outside, and Cora’s eyes snapped open. Obviously a car had pulled into the yard. Moments later, the front door opened and Jared stepped in.

“Jared! What are you doing here?” Cora asked in surprise. “I didn’t expect you to come back until Sunday.”

Jared frowned and tossed his coat on a chair. “As soon as we finished eating dinner today, I asked Dad to bring me home.”

Cora’s eyebrows rose. “How come?”
Did Jared just call this place home?

“Dad didn’t really want me there, Mom.” Jared grunted as he flopped onto the couch. “The first night I was at their house, he and Emily went to a party and left me home alone. Then on Wednesday, they both went about their business as though I wasn’t even there.” He folded his arms. “Guess they thought I could entertain myself by watching TV or playing some computer games.”

Cora frowned. “I thought he wanted to spend some quality time with you. That’s what he said when he called.” She glanced at the door. “What’d he do—just pull into the driveway and drop you off?”

Jared gave a nod. “He’s bent out of shape because I asked him to bring me home. Guess he didn’t like being pulled away from his fancy friends.”

“What friends?”

Jared shrugged. “Beats me. I can’t remember any of their names, but I think they were all doctors from the hospital. A few of them brought their wives and kids along.”

“Did Emily host the meal?”

“Nope. The dinner was held at one of the other people’s homes, but Dad pretty much ignored me the whole time. Made me feel like a stranger—even to him. To tell you the truth, Dad seems like someone I don’t know anymore.”

“I’m sorry, Jared.” Cora got up and sat on the couch beside him. “I was hoping you would have a good time.”

“Yeah, me, too.”

“Do you still want to move back to Chicago?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No way! Being around Dad, Emily, and their snooty friends made me anxious to get back here to be with you.”

Cora’s heart melted, and she gave Jared a hug. “I’m glad you’re back, because I missed you. It wasn’t Thanksgiving without you.”

“Same here.”

“If you’re hungry, I have some leftover turkey. Would you like some of that?”

Jared shook his head. “Not now, Mom. Maybe later, though.”

“Okay.” Cora smiled. Today had turned out better than she’d imagined, at least where she and Jared were concerned. She didn’t know when or if she would ever mend fences with Adam, but at least she had Jared, and for that she was thankful.

The day after Thanksgiving as Elaine stood beside Ben, along with several others who had come to the cemetery to say their final good-byes to Sara, her heart went out to Jonah. He stood beside Sara’s parents, holding little Mark, while his mother-in-law held the baby. On the other side of Jonah were his parents and his sister and her family. Obviously they were all in pain. Sara and Jean had been good friends, so Sara’s death had been a huge blow to everyone in the family.

Jonah’s drooping shoulders and dull-looking eyes let Elaine know that in addition to his grief, he hadn’t had much sleep. Losing a loved one was difficult in any situation, and an unexpected tragedy such as this had to be devastating. Elaine wished there was something she could do to ease his burden. It would be difficult for him to go on without Sara. But Jonah was strong, and Elaine felt sure he would make it through with the help of his folks and Sara’s. Others within their Amish community would be there for Jonah and his children, too.

As Jonah stood on shaky legs, staring at Sara’s simple wooden coffin being lowered into the ground, he struggled to keep his emotions under control. For little Mark’s sake, he did not want to break down.

It still didn’t seem possible that such a tragedy had happened. Things had been going along so well, and he and Sara had been so excited about the safe arrival of their new baby girl. It grieved him to know that their precious daughter would never get to know her mother—at least not on this earth. He loved Sara and wondered how he could make it without her. For the sake of his children, though, he had to find the courage and strength to go on.

He remembered the words to Isaiah 30:15, a verse of scripture their bishop had quoted during Sara’s funeral service:
“In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.”

Jonah would need to memorize that verse and quote it many times in the days ahead, for he had never been more fully aware that he could do nothing in his own strength. He needed every bit of help he could get—from his family and friends, but most of all from God.

Leah’s heart was saddened as she stood beside Adam and recited the Lord’s Prayer along with the others in attendance. She was confident that Sara was in a better place, but she would be sorely missed by her family and friends—especially Jonah. Mark was still young, and even though he would miss his mother, in time his memory of her would fade. And the precious baby girl would have no memory of Sara at all.
What will Jonah do now?
Leah wondered.
Will he eventually remarry or simply rely on his family to help him raise Martha and Mark?

Leah knew how important the children were to Jonah. She’d been convinced that he’d married Sara mostly to be a father to Mark. That wasn’t to say that he didn’t love Sara. No, it had been quite evident from Jonah’s tender, caring ways that he was committed to Sara and their marriage and would have done most anything for her.

She glanced over at her brother, Nathan, and his wife, Jean, who stood near Jonah and his parents.
Poor Jean, seeing her brother go through something like this. It seems so unfair to all of them.

“Leah, are you ready to go?” Adam asked, placing his hand on her arm while leaning close to her.

She blinked a couple of times and slowly nodded. She’d been so immersed in her thoughts that she hadn’t even realized the service was over.

Leah followed Adam over to offer their condolences to Jonah once more. “If there’s anything you need, please let us know,” Leah said, swallowing against the sob rising in her throat.

“Jah,” Adam agreed. “We’ll do whatever we can to help.”

“Danki for your kindness.” Jonah tousled Mark’s hair. “It’s going to be tough, but with the support of family, friends, and most of all God, we’ll make it through.”

Several others came up then, so Leah moved aside and followed Adam to their horse and buggy at the hitching rack just outside the fence surrounding the cemetery. They’d left the girls with Leah’s mother today, thinking the funeral might be a harsh reminder of their own parents’ death.

Adam helped Leah into the buggy, untied his horse, and took his place in the driver’s seat. Turning to Leah, he said, “There’s something I think you should know.”

“What’s that?”

“I’ve been thinking about our marriage and how it’s only a marriage of convenience.” He clasped her hand. “What I’m trying to say is that I’ve been dead inside, but you’ve brought me back to life. I’m in love with you, Leah, and I’d like us to be married in every sense of the word.”

“I love you, too, Adam, and I love Carrie, Linda, and Amy. I’ve come to realize that you and the girls are God’s gift to me. But we need to work out some things.”

“You mean about my mother?”

Leah nodded, while squeezing his hand. “We are Christians, Adam, and God’s Word says we need to forgive others.”

“I know, and I’ve been praying about that. I’m not ready yet to establish a relationship with Cora, but God’s helping me to be able to forgive her.” Gently, he caressed Leah’s face. “You don’t have to worry about me selling out and moving, either, because we’ll be staying put.”

Tears welled in Leah’s eyes, clouding her vision. “I’m so glad.”

“I’ve been meaning to ask you something. That night when you told me about Cora, it seemed that you were going to say something else, but I cut you off. Was it important, Leah?”

“Jah, I think it was, but I didn’t say anything because it seemed as if you’d made up your mind, and I was waiting for just the right time.”

“What is it, Leah? I’m willing to listen.”

“Cora told me that awhile after she’d left you, Mary, and your daed, she’d come back to see you, but you’d moved, and no one would tell her where you had gone.”

“She really came back?”

Leah nodded. “That’s what she said.”

“Do you think she planned to stay, or was it just for a visit?”

“I’m not sure. That’s something you’d have to ask her yourself.”

“Maybe someday, I will.” Adam leaned closer and gently kissed Leah’s lips.

His words gave Leah hope. Maybe after a little more time, Adam would be willing to talk to his mother and would learn that he had a half brother. Perhaps someday soon, he’d allow Cora and Jared to be a part of their family. Now that would be the best gift of all.

1. Leah felt that her ability to help people with reflexology was a gift from God. But some people, like Adam, didn’t see it that way. Have you ever had an ability that you felt was God’s gift but others did not? How did you deal with their negative comments?

2. Since Adam’s mother had abandoned him when he was a child, he was afraid of establishing a relationship with any other woman because she might reject him. Have you or someone you know ever been in a similar situation? How did you deal with those feelings?