Love's Abundant Harvest Page 15

  “I doubt there are any left for picking.” The tall young woman crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Lucy’s mamm, who ignored her and started cracking eggs emphatically. The sister took a step closer and held out her hand. “Hello, I’m Fannie, Lucy’s sister.” Manny wasn’t used to pumping a woman’s hand but did so anyway.

  “It’s a pleasure. You can call me Manny.” The tension was still so thick, he just had to slice it. He wasn’t used to loud, arguing tongues. Though his family sulked at times, they didn’t say hurtful words. But these were strong, outspoken women, something he wasn’t used to. It was probably what drew him to Lucy. She was one who would tell him her thoughts, but not harshly. “Is everyone all right?”

  “Actually, nee.” Fannie’s arms folded over her chest again, and her eyes moved toward Verna. “You see, my mamm and I don’t agree often, and unfortunately you got caught in the midst of one of our conversations.”

  “Well then, we’ll leave you two alone to work things out, and I’ll see if I can’t find those blueberries.” He caught Lucy’s eye and couldn’t help but grin when she stood, ready to bolt out the door. He could feel the relief he saw in her eyes. “Do you know of a good blueberry patch close by?”

  “Jah, of course. Come with me.” As she passed by her mamm and sister, Lucy grabbed a basket off the counter. Manny was glad she didn’t stop walking. It would be easy to get caught up in helping, to stay in the kitchen and cook. Not only would it be awkward to be in the middle of a family argument, but he couldn’t talk to Lucy about what was on his mind.

  When they got outside, Lucy stopped and let out a long breath. “You have the best timing, Manny!”

  “I guess so.” The women’s voices grew louder once again, so Manny started walking.

  Lucy glanced back at the door as her cheeks grew slightly pink. “They’re not always like this. It’s extra hard right now with my daed’s health and the baby coming soon. They’re both doers, and they can’t do anything right now but wait.”

  Manny nodded and kept a slow step beside her. Neither of them was in a hurry, and he was content just to be by her side. He had a lot on his mind and didn’t know whether he should share his thoughts with her now amid all the ruckus going on. As he glanced over his shoulder toward the haus, he debated whether to talk of anything serious. It might be nice to just enjoy the warm sun on their faces while picking berries together. “How are you doing?”

  “My body is ready, but not my mind. It’s overwhelming to think of raising this little one alone.” She held up a hand before he could reply. “I know you’re thinking that because I have a dozen women around me, I don’t have anything to worry about, but ultimately this is my baby, no one else’s. I’m solely responsible for the little one. Dressing, sleeping, feeding, and not to mention keeping her in good health.”

  She stopped for a moment, and he noticed her scar. He had gotten used to seeing the light pink color, but something was different about it. Was the color fading? Was the scar smaller? But when he thought about it, he wondered whether it was simply because she wasn’t trying to hide it like she used to.

  Lucy looked over at him and immediately covered her cheek when she noticed he was staring.

  “I didn’t mean to stare. But believe me, I’m used to it myself.” He pointed to his blue eye and then his brown one. “It’s funny how people stare, isn’t it?”

  She smiled and dropped her hand to her side. “You usually don’t . . . at least, not to me.”

  “It doesn’t matter to me. If anything, I think it makes you more interesting.” That was true, but he hadn’t thought he’d ever tell her and hoped he hadn’t offended her.

  “I guess we’re both misfits.” She gave him a bright smile, so he knew she was okay talking about the subject. “It’s changed over the last few months.” She wrinkled her forehead in thought. “Or so it seems, anyway.”

  “Either way, it’s what makes you special. You just don’t like to stand out for any reason.” He watched her intently to see how she was accepting his words.

  “Jah. I don’t, but it doesn’t seem as important as it used to when . . . he was around.” She looked straight ahead.

  “He still bothers you?” He was digging deep now, and maybe it was out of line, but he wanted to know what she was going through. It hadn’t been that long since he’d met her, and he was amazed at how his feelings for her had grown. The two of them had a lot in common, and she had always responded openly to him, so he thought he was safe with the question.

  “Jah, he does still bother me. Some days I expect him to walk through the back door.” She cringed and looked over at a large green bush spotted with berries. “Here’s a good blueberry bush.”

  They were almost a month too late for many of them to pick. Most were dark blue, overly ripe. He walked around to the back of the large bush where the sun was not as intense. “There are quite a few back here.” He pointed to them as she walked to where he was standing.

  “All we need is a few to put on the pancakes. This should be more than enough. If nothing else, it was a good excuse to take a walk.” She didn’t look at him as she said it, but he detected a smile before she bent down to pick some berries from near the bottom. When she tried to stand, she stopped and put down a hand to lift herself up. He grabbed her by the arm and helped her.

  “Danke, I didn’t realize how hard it’s become to stand up.”

  He chuckled. “I think you’re more pregnant than you realize. It might be time for you to just rest until the baby comes.”

  She started shaking her head before he could finish the sentence. “That would make the time go too slowly. And besides, I couldn’t let everyone wait on me day and night.”

  He shook his head. As meek as Lucy was, she was just as stubborn. “Then you leave me no choice.”

  “And what’s that?” She stopped picking and put one fist on her hip.

  “To be your personal escort.” The adrenaline began to flow just thinking about what he had planned to say to her. Excuses started springing up before he could stop and think through a single one.

  “Manny?”

  Her sweet voice broke the string of words bouncing around in his mind, and he let out a long cleansing breath.

  “Are you all right?”

  He wiped the sweat from his brow and nodded. “I’m . . . fine.” With the moment gone, he decided it must not be the right time. Nothing good could come from the anxiety he’d just felt. It had to be Gott’s time, and he would have to wait. To distract her from his strange behavior, he took a few steps away and grabbed a handful of lilac. He came back and handed them to her. “I get a little out of sorts when I’m around you.”

  She had taken a long whiff of the purple flowers and now looked up at him. “What do you mean?” Her face tightened as if concerned.

  “Not in a bad way. I’m not sure what I feel.” His eyes met hers. “What about you?” There it was, out there, at least a little something to find out how they felt about each other. But her expression concerned him. Either he had taken her off guard or she didn’t like the question.

  “I like to be with you, Manny.” She opened her mouth but then shut it as if she’d bitten her tongue.

  That was a good start but not quite what he wanted to hear. On the other hand, he wasn’t giving any better answers.

  “I do too.” He was relieved when she smi
led and took in another deep smell of the flowers. Then she started for the haus.

  He took their basket and followed her, not sure whether there was anything else he could say at this point. His original reason for visiting her this morning was to talk about the future, but her hands were full, and her mind was on the baby, as it should be. He could wait.

  When they got closer to the haus, the voices of her mamm and sister were still raised but not quite as badly as before. “What are they upset about?”

  “Mamm is in torn between my daed and me. Fannie is upset that mamm doesn’t think she can take care of me while she goes home to take care of Daed.”

  “So what’s the answer?”

  “My daed’s a gentle man, but if he were here, he would put a stop to their bickering and tell them what was to be done, and that would be it.” She sighed. “I wish he was here right now.”

  The wheels started turning, and Manny justified getting a little outside help. “Would a phone call suffice?”

  Lucy lifted her brows and nodded once. “Jah, if the bishop agrees.”

  Manny wasn’t particularly looking forward to asking permission for Lucy to use the phone, but technically Deacon Ruben could give him the nod. Manny knew from personal experience that the bishop doesn’t easily bend the rules. Even when Glenda’s life was at stake, the bishop wouldn’t bend the rules to accept the Englischer’s way of treating cancer. It was probably futile now for Manny to think that yet another round of chemo would have saved Glenda’s life, but he felt the decision should have been his and no one else’s. In the end the doctor confirmed that chemo would not have helped, but the bishop’s reaction was still something Manny struggled to forgive.

  “All right, then, I’ll talk to the deacon.” He watched as her eyes filled with tears.

  She wiped them away as quickly as they came. “Danke, Manny.” She pressed her lips together as if to keep more words unsaid.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you.” He let Lucy get herself together. “Even if it is for a good reason, I don’t want to be known for making a pregnant woman cry.” He grinned.

  She laughed through the tears and nodded. “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” Then she put a hand on his shoulder. “It would mean a lot to me to hear my daed’s voice about now. I haven’t talked to him in weeks. And the letters are sparse, with him feeling poorly.”

  “Well, it’s time to talk to him again then. It’ll be good for all of you.” He started walking, holding onto her elbow. She was out of sorts, and he didn’t want her to stumble. “As a matter of fact, after I walk you to the haus, I’ll head over to Deacon Ruben’s.”

  She nodded, seemingly overwhelmed by the sequence of events that had just taken place. The unusual small talk between them helped make the walk back seem a little shorter. But when they got to the haus, Verna was flipping pancakes so furiously, it was a sure bet she and Fannie had gone head-to-head again. Before anyone got a word in edgewise, Manny announced he was going to set up their use of the phone.

  “Fannie and I had just decided the same thing.” Verna wiped her hands on her apron and turned off the stove. She stormed out with Manny and Lucy following. When they got to the barn, Fannie had the buggy hitched up and was about to take the driver’s seat. Verna grunted and got in the back with Lucy.

  Manny wasn’t about to sit shotgun. There were some things he wouldn’t do, and this was one of them. Fannie and he stood staring at each other until she let out a sigh and moved over. He climbed in, and they were on their way. The drive wasn’t far, but it seemed longer due to the tension between Verna and Fannie. Manny knew not to ask, and Lucy didn’t utter a peep.

  “Here we are, ladies.” He set the brake and hopped out to help Lucy, and then took the lead up to Ruben’s haus. “How was the ride?” he asked as Verna and Fannie started in again.

  “We don’t all need to be here,” Fannie said offhandedly but directing the comment to her mamm.

  Verna glanced over her shoulder. “You don’t have to be here for this nonsense, Manny.”

  “Nee, but it turns out I’m here, so I may as well stay.” Once he knew Lucy had a moment with her daed, he’d bow out. This was too much for him and for Lucy, in his opinion.

  As soon as the deacon opened the door, Verna and Fannie started in. He held up a hand. “Ladies, please step inside.” He winked at Lucy and took her hand. “You look radiant, Lucy.”

  Lucy smiled slightly and then leaned closer to him. “I’m sorry for this. I just want a moment on the phone with my daed, is all.”

  The deacon grinned. “Then that’s what we’ll do straight away.” He nodded to Manny. “I’m so very glad you’re here, Manny. Will you distract Verna and Fannie, and I’ll take care of Lucy.”

  “Most definitely. Danke for stepping in.” He went over to the two women, who were being greeted by Ruben’s wife, and Manny joined the conversation. He watched as Ruben took Lucy by the hand and spoke briefly with her. Then he directed her to the office where he worked and gave her permission to use the phone. Time seemed to stall, which was good for Lucy, but not so much for Manny. The one good thing was that Verna and Fannie had to be polite to each other while in the deacon’s home.

  When Lucy finally came out of the office, her face was relaxed and her color was good. She walked over with ease but let Ruben do the talking.

  “He was in good spirits, but not able to talk long. He did have a question for you both.” He gestured to Fannie and Verna.”

  They both grinned, waiting.

  “What was it?” Verna asked.

  “He asked if he had to come down here in order for you two to get along.” The deacon said, waiting as they looked at each other and then back to him.

  Verna grunted. “He’s not in good enough health.” She waved a hand as if to dismiss the suggestion.

  “I believe that’s his point, Verna, Fannie.” Ruben looked from one to the other. “Did he make himself clear?”

  They both nodded like unruly schoolchildren being scolded. “Jah, he did,” Fannie said, shaking her head as if disgusted with herself.

  “Are you going to get along, ladies?” Ruben asked them as his wife walked into the room with some coffee and peach pie. They both nodded as Ruben ushered Lucy to the table and pulled out her chair. “There we are. Manny, are you hungry?”

  Manny had started grinning as soon as the deacon told them what Lucy’s daed had said. “Starving. How about you, Lucy?” He was still smiling as he sat down next to her.

  She looked over at him with wide eyes, obviously still absorbing what had just taken place. “Jah, I believe I am.”

  He squeezed her hand and then picked up his fork, looking forward to a bite of peach pie in some peace and quiet.

  If Lucy hadn’t been so uncomfortable, she wouldn’t have agreed to have the midwife come to check on her. Her belly felt stretched to the limit. The only way her mamm would leave was if she had the last word. Mamm was insulted that Fannie had asked the midwife to come, but neither was surprised that they didn’t agree. Both women had their own way of “helping” Lucy along with her pregnancy, whether Lucy liked it or not. It didn’t bother her enough to complain or add her own advice. She was just glad they were there with her.

  Rosy brought Lucy a cup of tea and sat down next to her on a kitchen chair. “Chamomile. It will help calm your nerves.”

  �
�Who says I’m nervous?” But she was. She just didn’t like admitting it, which made it seem more real. Only a few more weeks and she wouldn’t have to wake up to an uncomfortable night of sleep, backaches, and using the outhouse constantly. She felt her body had aged, worn out over the months. She couldn’t imagine how women had half-a-dozen children or more. She dropped her head and stopped complaining, thankful she wasn’t going through this with Sam. Then she added a prayer of forgiveness. He was the daed of her child after all.

  “Someone’s here.” Nellie had been watching through the window and now stood. She glanced back when Mamm walked into the kitchen. “Midwife has arrived.”

  Lucy hoped her mamm would behave herself. There were no guarantees, but it didn’t hurt to hope. Maybe this would give her mamm a little more confidence in someone other than herself, since she wouldn’t likely be here for the birth of the baby. Her daed’s unexpected spring of energy to set them all straight the other day seemed to have made everyone a little more open to suggestions. How she wished he were here with her now.

  Mamm crossed her arms over her chest with a straight face. She looked serious, but not as stricken as Lucy expected her to be. Daed giving her such a firm direction must have settled her down a bit. The last thing anyone wanted, including her, was to get him upset.

  When the door opened, Lucy leaned to one side to see who was there. To her surprise, she heard a man’s voice. Must be a neighbor, or Manny, she secretly hoped. Lucy wondered what it would be like to have a man be the one taking care of her. She didn’t think it likely—not in a world of women midwives.

  She grew more curious with each passing minute. “Who is it?” She didn’t want to get up until she had to but couldn’t abide not knowing who was there.

  A handsome, blonde-haired man walked into the kitchen. “You must be Lucy.” He glanced at her middle and then to her face. He set down his bag on the table and pulled out a stethoscope. “I’m Doctor Daniel Kauffman.” He placed the cold scope on her chest and held up a finger when she started to speak.