The Healing Read online

  “That would be fine with me.” Bonnie smiled. “And if you stayed there, you’d be close to the house here, which would make it easier for you to help me prepare breakfast for my guests and get the rooms serviced.”

  “Would it be possible to remove the wiring in the guest house so I could live in it without breaking any of our church rules?”

  “I don’t think that would be a problem at all. I can speak to Allen’s electrician about it. The guest house is pretty small, but with some elbow grease I think we could make it quite livable.”

  “That’d be great,” Esther said. “I’ll talk to Samuel soon about the possibility of him renting my folk’s house.”

  A knock sounded on the door just then.

  “That must be one of my guests.” Bonnie hurried into the living room to answer the door. She returned a few minutes later with Suzanne at her side.

  “You’re not one of the B&B guests,” Esther said when Suzanne set a paper sack on the table.

  Suzanne chuckled. “No, I’m sure not. I came over to give you this.” She reached into the paper sack and handed Esther a wrapped present. “Hallich gebottsdaag.“

  Esther smiled. “I didn’t think you remembered that today was my birthday.”

  “Of course I remembered. I could never forget my best friend’s birthday.” Suzanne gave Esther a hug.

  Esther unwrapped the present and was surprised when she discovered a leather journal inside the box.

  “I know you have one already,” Suzanne said, “but you write in it so much, I figured you’d probably be needing a new one soon.”

  Esther smiled. “You’re right about that.”

  “There’s also a Walmart gift certificate in there.”

  Esther reached into the box again and pulled the certificate out. It was for twenty-five dollars. “Danki, Suzanne. I’m sure I can put this to good use.”

  Bonnie stepped forward then. “Happy birthday, Esther. If I’d known today was your birthday I’d have baked you a cake or taken you out somewhere special to eat.”

  “It’s okay,” Esther said. “I don’t need a cake or supper out. I’m just happy to be here with good friends like the both of you.”

  CHAPTER 30

  Any word on Allen?” Esther asked the following morning when she entered Titus’s house and found Samuel in the living room putting on his work boots.

  He shook his head. “But Titus and I have a driver coming to pick us up soon so we can go to the hospital to see Allen.”

  “You’re going this morning?”

  “Jah. Figured we’d go before we started work for the day, because with the job I’m on I’ll probably be working late, and then Titus can watch the kinner this evening while you’re at the B&B, helping Bonnie.”

  Titus entered the living room just then. “With all the practice I’m getting watching my nieces and nephews, I ought to be pretty good at bein’ a daed by the time Suzanne and I have kinner.”

  Esther nodded and smiled. Then she looked at Samuel and said, “There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

  “What’s that?” he asked.

  “I’ve been thinking about moving out of my house and staying in the guest house on Bonnie’s property.”

  “Why would you want to do that?”

  “For one thing, there’s just one of me roaming around in that big old house, and I think the place would be better for someone with a family. I thought maybe you and the kinner would like to live there. I’ve already spoken to my folks about it, and they’re fine with the idea. The rent they would charge wouldn’t be too much either.”

  Samuel scratched the side of his head. “Well, I don’t know….”

  “It sounds like a good idea to me,” Titus chimed in. “I think it’d be better for you and the kinner than staying here with me where there’s not nearly as much room.”

  Samuel’s forehead wrinkled. “Are you trying to get rid of me, Titus?”

  “’Course not, but wouldn’t you like to have a place of your own?”

  “It wouldn’t be mine,” Samuel said with a shake of his head. “I’d only be renting the house, remember?” He looked over at Esther and frowned. “Did you come up with this idea for my benefit or yours?”

  “Wh–what do you mean?” she stammered.

  “Figured maybe you needed the rent money. Am I not paying you enough to watch the kinner?”

  She shook her head. “That’s not it. I just thought …”

  “And why would you want to stay in that little guest house when you can have a big house all to yourself?”

  “I’ve only been sleeping at home. Quite often I eat supper with Bonnie, and then I go home, only to sleep, feed my horse, and do a few chores. If you and the kinner were living in my folks’ house, I could come over there to watch them and make sure the house is clean, and I can even see that your laundry is done.”

  “That’s a lot more work than you’re doin’ right now,” Samuel said. “You’re gonna wear yourself out if you’re not careful.”

  Esther looked at Titus, hoping he’d speak on her behalf. To her relief he did.

  “I really do think it’s a good idea, Samuel, and I don’t think Esther will have any more work than she does now. Maybe less, since she won’t have to come over here every day and keep this place clean, too.”

  A horn honked, and Samuel went to the window. “Our driver’s here. We’d better go.”

  “Will you at least give the idea of renting Esther’s folks’ house some thought?” Titus asked.

  Samuel nodded and hurried out the door.

  “It’ll work out; you’ll see,” Titus said to Esther before he followed Samuel outside.

  Esther hoped she hadn’t made a mistake suggesting that Samuel rent the house. He was obviously not too thrilled about the idea.

  She turned toward the kitchen to start breakfast for the children and was surprised to see Leon already sitting at the table with a bowl of cold cereal.

  “How long have you been up?” Esther asked.

  “Got up when Daadi did.” He shoveled a spoonful of cereal into his mouth. “We sleep in the same room, and once he starts movin’ around, I wake up.”

  “I’ll bet you’d like to have a room of your own, wouldn’t you?” she asked.

  He bobbed his head. “Used to have one when we lived in Pennsylvania.”

  Maybe I should have mentioned to Samuel that my house has five bedrooms, she thought. That might have given him more incentive to move there.

  “I’m hungerich,” Penny said when she and Jared bounced into the kitchen a few minutes later. “What’s for breakfast?”

  Esther motioned to Leon. “Your bruder’s having cold cereal. Would you like that, too, or should I fix you an egg?”

  “I want pannekuche!” Penny announced.

  Esther smiled. “I think that’s a good idea. In fact, I didn’t have much for breakfast this morning, so I might have a couple of pancakes, too.”

  Marla entered the room just then, yawning and rubbing her eyes.

  “Would you like to help me make some pannekuche?” Esther asked.

  Marla grinned and rubbed her stomach. “I sure would! Our mamm used to make pannekuche, and they were real good.”

  I wonder what it would be like if I were these children’s mother, Esther thought as she went to the cupboard to get out the flour and other dry ingredients. I wonder how it would be if I were Samuel’s wife.

  “Did ya hear what I said?” Marla tugged on Esther’s apron, pushing her foolish thoughts aside. Marrying Samuel and becoming these children’s mother were nothing but silly dreams.

  Soon after Bonnie’s B&B guests left the house to do some touring of the area, she decided to head for Hopkinsville and see how Allen was doing. By going early in the day, she would have time to do some shopping and get back to the B&B before her guests returned this afternoon.

  As Bonnie pulled her car out of the driveway and headed in the direction of Hopkinsville, she th
ought about the pot of pansies she’d put in the backseat and wondered if Allen would like them. He’d worked hard helping Samuel get the repairs and remodeling done on the B&B, so going to see him and taking a little get-well gift was the least she could do. Allen seemed like a nice man who cared about others and wanted the best for everyone. It was too bad he’d injured his back. She was sure he was anxious to start working again. If she were in his place, she certainly would be.

  It seemed odd that a man as attractive as Allen wasn’t married. As far as Bonnie knew, he didn’t even have a girlfriend. If he did, he’d never mentioned it, although they’d talked about lots of other things when he’d been helping remodel her grandparents’ house.

  Of course, she reasoned, I never said anything to him about why I’m still single. Would someone like Allen show an interest in me if he knew what I’d done in the past? Would I even want him to?

  She gave the steering wheel a tap. The best thing I can do is just concentrate on my new business and forget about love and marriage, because I decided a long time ago that I would never get married.

  Hopkinsville, Kentucky

  “How are you feeling this morning?” Samuel asked when he and Titus entered Allen’s room.

  Allen groaned. It was nice to see his friends, but he wasn’t sure they’d enjoy his company much. He’d been irritable ever since the accident happened—partly from the pain, but mostly because he didn’t like being laid up. “I’ve been better,” he mumbled.

  “Any idea how long you’ll have to be here?” Titus asked.

  “Nope, but since I’m in no shape to go home yet, I may as well accept the fact that I’m here, albeit against my will.”

  Samuel took a seat in one of the chairs beside Allen’s bed, and Titus sat in the other chair. “Is there anything we can do for you?” Titus asked.

  “Not unless you can figure out a way to take charge of all the jobs I’ve got going right now.” Allen winced as a spasm of pain shot through his back. “I should have been watching what I was doing yesterday. Just one false step, and wham!” He winced again. “Don’t know what I’ll do if I can’t get back to working soon.”

  “I’ll do whatever I can to help out, but what about one of the English fellows you have working for you?” Samuel asked. “Can’t one of ‘em take over till you’re back on your feet?”

  “Maybe Ron. I called him last night, and he said he’d come here sometime today to talk about it.”

  “If there’s anything I can do, let me know, too,” Titus added.

  “Thanks, I appreciate both of your offers.”

  The door to Allen’s room opened just then, and Bonnie entered. “How are you feeling?” she asked, stepping up to Allen’s bed.

  “I’ve been better, but I guess I’ll live.”

  “I was sorry to hear about your accident.” She lifted the pot of pansies she held. “I thought maybe these might cheer you up a bit, and they’ll certainly add some color to the room.”

  “Thanks. That was nice of you.” Allen motioned to his bedside table. “You can put them over there.”

  Bonnie set the pansies on the table, and Samuel offered her his chair.

  “I assume Esther’s watching the kinner today,” she said, taking a seat and directing her question to Samuel.

  He nodded. “She got there a few minutes before our driver showed up.”

  Bonnie looked back at Allen and said, “Any idea how long you’ll be in the hospital?”

  “My muscles are really in spasm, so I’ll probably be here a few more days.” He frowned. “I’m not sure how well I’ll do on my own after they let me out of here though. With all this pain, I can barely think, let alone fend for myself.”

  “Do you know someone you could ask to come in and help out?” she questioned.

  “I think my mom might come. I had one of the nurses call her and Dad after I got settled in here yesterday, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t catch the next plane out so Mom can take care me.”

  Bonnie nodded affirmatively. “It would be good if you had the help.”

  “I do need help,” Allen said. “What I don’t need is my mom hovering over me and telling me what to do, which I’m sure is exactly what she will do.”

  CHAPTER 31

  Allen rolled onto his side, trying to find a comfortable position on the sofa. It had been a week since he’d come home from the hospital, and his mother had been hovering over him the whole time the way she’d done when he was a boy. Dad had gone home three days ago, saying he needed to get back to work.

  Allen thought about the time last year when Titus’s folks had come to see him after he’d been hit by two men who’d broken into his house. Titus had complained that his mother hovered over him too much while they were there to help out. Allen guessed maybe that’s what most mothers did when their kids—even the grown ones—became sick or got hurt.

  “I’m going out for a while to do some shopping,” Allen’s mother said when she entered the living room. “Do you need me to do anything before I go?”

  Allen shook his head.

  “Would you like a cup of tea?”

  “No, Mom. You ought to know that I don’t drink tea.”

  “Of course I do, but this is iced tea, and since it’s such a warm day, I thought it might be refreshing.”

  “No thanks.” He nodded at the half-empty bottle of water on the coffee table. “I’m fine with that.”

  Mom pushed a wisp of graying blond hair away from her face and smiled. “You know what I think you really need, Allen?”

  “What’s that?”

  “You need a wife to take care of you.”

  Not this again. How many times had she pestered him about finding a good Christian woman and settling down? Did she really think that would make him find a wife any sooner?

  He forced a smile. “You know I have nothing against marriage, but I haven’t found the right woman yet.”

  “You’re not still grieving over Sheila’s death, are you?”

  “No, Mom.” Truth was, Allen had pined for his girlfriend long after she’d been hit by a car and killed. But he’d come to grips with it and was ready to get married, if and when he fell in love again.

  Mom’s forehead wrinkled. “You’re not interested in that Amish woman you told us about, I hope.”

  “You mean, Esther?”

  She gave a quick nod.

  “If I was interested in her, would you have any objections?” he asked.

  “From what you’ve said about her, she seems like a very nice young woman, but I can’t imagine you leaving your way of life to join the Amish faith. I wouldn’t think she’d want to leave her faith to become part of the English world either.”

  “No, I don’t suppose she would.”

  “Then you won’t pursue a serious relationship with her?”

  “There’s no need to worry about that. Esther and I are just friends.”

  “What about the woman who runs the B&B? When she stopped by here the other day, she seemed quite friendly, and she’s very pretty, too.”

  “Bonnie and I are just friends, same as me and Esther.” Allen pulled himself to a sitting position and gritted his teeth. His back still hurt whenever he moved the wrong way, but it felt stiff if he didn’t get up and walk around once in a while.

  Mom rushed forward with a look of concern. “Do you need some of your pain medicine?”

  He shook his head. “I thought you were going shopping.”

  “I am. Just want to be sure you’re okay before I leave.”

  “I’m fine. If I need anything, I can get it myself.” Allen offered her what he hoped was a reassuring smile and motioned to the front door.

  “Okay, I’m going.” She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see you later then.”

  When Mom went out the door, Allen made a trip to the kitchen to refill his water bottle and then returned to the sofa. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate all his mother had done for him. He prob
ably couldn’t have gotten through this past week if it hadn’t been for her. But he was anxious to get better so she could go home to Dad and he could get his life back as it had been before the accident.

  Pembroke, Kentucky

  “There’s a fliege in the house.” Penny pointed at the buzzing horsefly circling the kitchen. “Can you get it, Daadi?”

  “It’s not bothering anyone. Just eat your breakfast,” Samuel mumbled after he’d spooned some cold cereal into his mouth. They’d moved into Esther’s house a few days ago, and he was having a hard time coping with things by himself. He hadn’t realized how much he’d relied on Titus until they’d moved out on their own.

  “If ya don’t get the fliege, it might land in my cereal,” Penny complained.

  “If you’re that worried about it, then get the fly swatter and take care of the critter yourself,” Samuel said.

  “You’re the bug master,” Leon said. “If anyone can get that nasty old fliege, it’s you, Daadi.”

  Samuel grunted. He knew he was good at catching bugs, but did that mean he had to catch every spider and fly that came along? He had better things to do than catch a pesky old fly this morning.

  Bzz … Bzz … Bzz … The fly buzzed noisily over Samuel’s head, and then it swooped down, almost landing in his bowl of cereal. “All right, that does it!” Samuel dropped his spoon to the table, reached out, and scooped the fly into his hand.

  The children clapped. “You got that old fliege!” Penny shouted. “Are ya gonna take it outside?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m going to do.” Samuel pushed away from the table and headed for the door. He smiled to himself. It felt kind of nice hearing his children cheering him on and clapping with delight just from him catching a fly, rather than looking at him and wondering when he was going to yell next.

  Opening the door, he held his head a bit higher, and when he stepped onto the porch, he spotted Esther’s horse and buggy coming down the lane. She was here early today.