A Cousin's Prayer Page 10

  Soon the Bontragers’ place came into view, and she breathed a sigh of relief. She turned up the driveway, drove past the phone shed and the bike shop, and halted the horse near the barn. Then she climbed out of the buggy, unhitched the horse, and put him in the corral.

  Returning to the buggy, she grabbed the plastic container with her pie inside and sprinted for the house.

  When she stepped inside, she was greeted by Fern.

  “It’s good to see you; you’re right on time,” Fern said, glancing at the clock on the kitchen wall.

  Eunice smiled and handed her the container. “I brought a strawberry-rhubarb pie for dessert.”

  “Umm ... that sounds good. Strawberry-rhubarb’s one of Freeman’s favorites. It’s also one of mine.”

  Eunice glanced around. “Where is Freeman? I didn’t see any light coming from his shop, so I figured he must have quit working and was here at the house.”

  “He was here, but he went out to the phone shed to make a few calls.” Fern’s forehead wrinkled as she looked at the clock again. “That was quite awhile ago. He should have been back by now.”

  “Maybe he went out to his shop after he made the phone calls.”

  “That could be.”

  “Want me to go check?”

  “If you don’t mind going back outside. It’s raining pretty hard out there.”

  “It started coming down soon after I left home.” Eunice motioned to her rain-soaked dress. “I’m already wet, so I guess a little more rain won’t matter.”

  “There’s an umbrella hanging on the wall peg by the back door,” Fern said. “You can borrow that if you like.”

  “Danki.” Eunice grabbed the umbrella and scooted out the door.

  She’d only made it halfway to the bike shop when a gust of wind came up and turned the umbrella inside-out.

  “I don’t need this kind of trouble,” she mumbled as she hurried along.

  Her feet slipped on the wet grass, and she went down on her knees. With a sense of determination, she scrambled to her feet. When she finally reached the bicycle shop, she discovered that the door was locked. Freeman was obviously not inside.

  He must still be in the phone shed. Eunice quickened her steps and headed in that direction.

  ***

  Freeman lifted his head from the table and stared at the phone, wondering if he should make another call. He was sure someone would eventually hear one of the messages he’d left, but in the meantime, his rumbling stomach kept reminding him that it was time for supper.

  I wonder if Eunice has arrived yet. He hadn’t heard her horse and buggy come up the driveway, but then the wind and rain were making so much noise, he probably couldn’t have heard a dump truck if it had roared past the shed.

  A knock on the door pulled Freeman’s thoughts aside. “Are you in there, Freeman?”

  Freeman was relieved to hear Eunice’s voice. “Jah, I’m here. The doorknob came off, and I’m trapped.”

  He heard a rattling noise; then a few seconds later, the door opened. When Eunice stepped inside, he noticed that her dress was sopping wet and her kapp had gone limp from the rain. Even so, he thought she looked like an angel.

  “How long have you been in here?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Too long. I don’t like small places.”

  She motioned to the phone. “Why didn’t you call someone for help?”

  “I did, but all I got were folks’ answering machines or voice mails.” Freeman groaned. “I was beginning to think I’d have to spend the night out here.”

  She snickered. “I’m sure your sister would have eventually come looking for you.”

  “Jah, I suppose.”

  “We’d better get up to the house right away, or she’ll probably come looking for both of us.”

  Freeman pointed to the doorknob lying on the phone table. “Guess I’ll worry about fixing that later. It’s not likely that anyone will come by wanting to use the phone shed in this crummy weather.”

  As they stepped outside, Freeman wrapped his hand around hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “Danki, for coming to my rescue, Eunice.”

  “You’re welcome,” she said smiling up at him sweetly.

  They hurried across the yard, and when they entered the house, Fern gave Eunice one of her dresses to change into.

  While Eunice changed clothes, Freeman told Fern about his ordeal in the phone shed.

  “I had no idea you were trapped in there. I wondered why it was taking so long for you to make a few calls.” Fern touched his shoulder. “Did it bother you being stuck in that small shed?”

  “It did at first, but I worked through it okay.”

  Fern smiled. “And then Eunice came along and rescued you.” “That’s right, and I’m grateful she did.”

  Fern gestured to the stove. “Supper’s ready now, so as soon as Eunice comes out of the bathroom we can eat.”

  ***

  Freeman stared into his nearly empty glass. Throughout the meal he’d become acutely aware that Fern approved of Eunice and was making every effort to get them together. No doubt that was the reason she’d invited Eunice to join them for supper this evening. Well, that was okay with Freeman. He could enjoy Eunice’s company, even though he had no plans to settle down to marriage for a good long while.

  “Now it’s time for us to eat the dessert I brought.” Eunice smiled at Freeman, her eyes sparkling in the light of the gas lamp hanging above the table.

  He patted his full stomach and groaned. “I ate so much supper, I’m not sure I have any room for dessert.”

  Eunice’s chin jutted out, and her nose crinkled. “You have to try some of my strawberry-rhubarb pie. I baked it just for you.”

  Freeman smiled. “That’s my favorite kind of pie, so I guess I can’t say no.”

  ***

  “You ought to see how hard the wind’s whipping the trees in our backyard,” Katie’s mother said, staring out the kitchen window. “I hope your daed’s not having any trouble getting the horses put in the barn.”

  Katie stepped up beside Mom and peered out the window. It was hard to believe the warm weather they’d been having had changed so drastically and in such a short time.

  She caught sight of Dad struggling to get one of their horses into the barn. If Katie’s four brothers weren’t married and still lived at home, they’d be outside helping him right now.

  Maybe I should go out and help. Katie hurried across the room and plucked her jacket off the wall peg near the back door. “I’m going out to help Dad,” she called to Mom before she rushed out the door.

  Katie fought against the harsh wind as she made her way to the corral. Two of Dad’s newer horses that weren’t fully trained hadn’t gone into the barn yet. They stamped their hooves, reared up, and kicked out their back legs, obviously frightened by the howling wind.

  Dad had a rope and was trying to fasten it around one horse’s halter, while the second horse ran around the corral in circles.

  Katie darted into the buggy shed and grabbed a buggy whip. Dad never used a whip on any of his horses unless it was absolutely necessary. Katie figured she could put the whip to good use without hitting the horse, so she snapped it behind the horse a couple of times, and that did the trick.

  By the time they got both horses into the barn, Katie was out of breath, and her dress was soaking wet from the rain.

  “Danki for your help.” Dad gave Katie an appreciative smile. “I think those two were really spooked by this nasty weather.”

  Katie nodded. “The wind and rain are enough to spook anyone.”

  “I’d better get the door shut or we’ll have rain and wind in here.” Dad grabbed the handle of the barn door and gave it a tug. He almost had it closed when a gust of wind whipped against the door, and it slammed shut, smacking him in the head.

  Dad let out a moan and crumpled to the floor.

  CHAPTER 16

  “I wish I could stay and visit awhile longer,” Eunice said,
rising from the sofa. “But since there’s a break in the rain, I’d better get home before it starts up again.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. I’ll get the rest of your pie for you to take home,” Fern said, heading for the kitchen.

  “No, that’s okay. You can keep what’s left of the pie.” Eunice looked over at Freeman and smiled. “Maybe I’ll bake another pie when you come over for supper on Saturday.”

  “That’d be nice.”

  Eunice started for the door but turned back around. “Oh, I almost forgot ... I left my dress hanging in the bathroom. I’d better check and see if it’s dry so I can give you back your dress, Eunice.”

  “It’s probably still wet, but you can wear my dress home. I’ll get it from you later in the week.” Fern gave Eunice a hug. “I’m glad you were able to join us for supper.”

  “Me, too. Well, I’ll get my dress and put it in a plastic bag, then I’ll be on my way.” Eunice hurried down the hall to the bathroom.

  When she returned to the living room a short time later, she was disappointed to see that Freeman wasn’t there.

  “Freeman’s outside getting your horse hitched to the buggy,” Fern said. “You might want to wait in here until it’s ready.”

  “It shouldn’t take him too long, so I’ll wait out on the porch.

  “Thanks again for supper. It was delicious.” Eunice smiled and scooted out the door.

  She was pleased when Freeman brought the horse and buggy close to the house and called, “He’s hitched up for you and ready to go!”

  Eunice left the porch and hurried up to Freeman, who stood by the horse stroking it behind the ears. “Seems like a nice mare,” he said. “What’s her name?”

  “Dolly.”

  He grinned. “Did you name her that, or did she already have the name when you got her?”

  “Dolly was her name when my daed bought her for me.” Eunice put her purse and the bag with her dress in it inside the buggy; then she turned to face Freeman. “I appreciate your getting my horse and buggy ready. Danki.”

  He pulled his fingers through the sides of his hair and gave a quick nod. “Sure, no problem.”

  She hesitated, hoping he might say something more, but he just stood, scuffing the toe of his boot on the ground.

  “Guess I’d better go.” Eunice stepped into the buggy and took up the reins.

  “I’ll see you next week,” he called as she turned toward the driveway.

  She smiled and lifted her hand with a wave.

  ***

  When Freeman returned to the house, he found Fern sitting at the kitchen table drinking a cup of tea.

  “Would you like another piece of pie?” she asked.

  He shook his head.

  “How about some tea?”

  “No thanks.”

  Fern motioned to the chair beside her. “Then have a seat, and we can visit while I drink my tea.”

  Freeman bristled. He didn’t care for her bossy tone.

  As if sensing his irritation, Fern said in a much softer tone, “Please, have a seat. I’d like to talk to you a minute.”

  The chair scraped against the linoleum as Freeman pulled it away from the table. “What’d you want to talk about?”

  “Eunice.”

  “What about her?”

  “I think she’s nice, don’t you?”

  He nodded.

  “She’s very pleasant and easy to talk to.”

  Freeman propped his elbows on the table. “Are you trying to make a point?”

  Fern took another sip of tea. “Grandma and I were talking the other day, and we’re both hoping you’ll join the church this fall.”

  “Uh-huh, I probably will.”

  “We’re also hoping that you’ll find the right girl, and that you might—”

  “Get married and settle down?”

  “Jah.”

  “Don’t tell me—you think Eunice is the girl I should marry.”

  Fern nodded. “From what I can tell, I think she’d make a good wife.”

  Irritation welled in Freeman’s chest. He didn’t appreciate his sister trying to choose a mate for him. If and when he felt ready for marriage, he’d do his own choosing.

  He glanced at the clock above the refrigerator. “It’s getting late. Shouldn’t Grandma be home by now?”

  Fern shook her head. “She told me this morning that after she was done eating supper with her widowed friends, she’d be going to Sharon Hershberger’s to spend the night.”

  “How come?”

  “Because Sharon’s feeling very lonely—it’s only been a month since her husband died. Some of Sharon’s friends and relatives have been taking turns spending the night with her. Tonight is Grandma’s turn.”

  “Oh, I see. That’s nice of her.”

  Fern nodded. “Getting back to Eunice, what did you think of her pie?”

  “It was good. If you’ll recall, I had two pieces.” Freeman pushed his chair away from the table. “I’m tired; think I’ll go on up to bed.”

  Fern opened her mouth as if to say something more, but Freeman hurried from the room.

  ***

  Katie squirmed in her chair as she sat beside her mother in a waiting area outside the emergency room at the hospital in Goshen, awaiting some news on her dad’s condition.

  Please, God, Katie prayed, don’t let my daed die.

  Tears stung her eyes, and she could barely swallow because her throat burned so much. Even though this wasn’t the same hospital she and her cousins had been taken to after their accident last fall, she felt as if she were reliving the moment. She could see herself sitting in the waiting room after she’d been given the news that Timothy was dead. She could hear Loraine’s voice as she tried talking to her, and she remembered how unresponsive she’d been.

  Katie could almost smell the hospital smells and feel the cold metal of the chair she’d been sitting in. She’d withdrawn into her own little world and hadn’t emerged until she’d move to Florida to be with Grammy and Grandpa.

  Mom touched Katie’s shoulder. “Did you hear what I said?”

  “What was that?”

  “I asked if you’d like something to drink.”

  Katie shook her head. “I just want to know how Dad is doing. I hope he’s not going to—” Her voice faltered, and she nearly choked on a sob.

  Mom grasped Katie’s hand. “We have to trust God and keep praying for your daed.”

  I prayed for Timothy, and what good did that do? Katie thought bitterly. She glanced at the clock on the far wall. It had been almost two hours since Dad had been taken in to be examined. What could be taking so long?

  At the sound of a siren approaching, Katie jumped up. She went to the window and looked out. An ambulance had pulled up to the emergency room entrance. Two paramedics rushed in, pushing a man on a gurney. He was covered in blood!

  A rush of heat flooded Katie’s face, her heart thudded, and a wave of nausea rolled through her stomach. Everything felt unreal—as if she no longer existed. She could see and hear what was going on around her, but it felt as if it were all a dream. She whirled around and raced out the door.

  Leaning heavily against the side of the building, she closed her eyes and gulped in some air. Her legs wobbled, and she felt weak and light-headed, as if she might pass out.

  The rain had stopped, and a cool breeze blew, but it didn’t help at all. She wanted to run and keep on running but didn’t know where to go.

  “Katie, are you all right?”

  Katie’s eyes snapped open, and she blinked a couple of times. She could see by the pinched expression on Mom’s face that she was worried about her.

  “I ... I’m fine. The sight of all that blood made me feel woozy.” No point in telling Mom about the feeling of unreality that had converged on her. Mom wouldn’t understand. Besides, the strange feelings Katie had experienced were too difficult to explain.

  Mom slipped her arm around Katie’s waist. “I just spoke with
one of the doctors.”

  “What’d he say?”

  “He said your daed has a mild concussion, but he’s going to be okay. The doctor wants to keep him overnight for observation, so I’ll call our driver to take us home, and then we’ll come back tomorrow to get your daed.”

  Katie nodded as a sense of relief flooded her soul. Dad wasn’t going to die. At least one of her prayers had been answered. Now if God would only answer her most recent prayer and take away the anxious feelings she’d been having since she had returned home.

  CHAPTER 17

  The month of June brought hot days and humid nights, causing Loraine to feel wet and sticky. That, coupled with nausea, made it hard not to be cross. But this morning, as she returned home from her doctor’s appointment, she felt better than she had in days. Her heart pulsed with joy as she held both hands against her stomach. She was carrying Wayne’s child. In seven months she was going to be a mother. She could hardly wait to see Wayne and share the good news.

  Loraine was tempted to go out to the taxidermy shop where Wayne was working with his dad, but she didn’t want to disturb them. Besides, what she had to say was for Wayne to hear in private. He had the right to know he was going to be a father before his parents heard the news. She hoped he’d be as happy about becoming a parent as she was but was worried that he might not feel ready to take on the responsibility. With their business slacking off some in the last few weeks, he might feel that they couldn’t afford to have a baby right now.

  Well, it’s too late for that, Loraine thought as Marge Nelson pulled up in front of the house. She paid Marge for the ride, said good-bye, and hurried up the stairs.

  When Loraine entered the kitchen, she found Ada filling a cardboard box with dishes and towels. “What are you doing?” she asked.

  Ada smiled. “Since Crist and I will be moving next week to the little house we found to rent, I figured I’d better get some things packed up.”

  “Are you getting tired of waiting for your new house to be built? Is that why you’ve decided to rent?”