“Too many,” Jill said as she walked into the small kitchenette and joined them. “I wish we could go into every house in the area and inspect them.”
Rob pushed his empty plate away. “That’s probably a good idea. I bet a lot of people would be happy for us to do that.”
Jill shrugged. “Yeah. Maybe. But of course there’s going to be just that many people who tell us to stay out of their house and their business.”
Trent whistled softly. “Boy, somebody’s grumpy today.”
Sitting down with a large serving of lasagna that the captain’s wife had brought by a few hours ago, Jill grimaced. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s my daughter’s birthday today and I’ve been feeling pretty guilty about not being with her.”
Often, things at the firehouse were so busy, all they talked about was work. Because of that, sometimes Rob forgot just how much the other members of his squad gave up for their jobs. “How old is your daughter?”
“Lacey is seven.” She smiled tiredly. “I don’t know why I’m feeling so guilty. Her daddy is taking her out to a special dinner and then I’m taking her out for ice cream and cake tomorrow. Lace keeps telling me that she’s lucky because she gets to have a two-day birthday.”
“It’s still hard not being there, though,” Rob said.
“It is.” After taking another bite of the lasagna, she said, “I know you don’t have any kids. Who are you missing?”
Hannah. “A woman I’ve been seeing.”
“The Amish girl?”
“Yeah. Her name’s Hannah.”
“Wait,” Trent interrupted. “Is that the girl you rescued?”
“Yep.”
“Wow, you work fast.”
“It’s not like that. I’ve known her for a while. She’s my neighbors’ nanny.”
“Are you dating?”
“Yes. I mean, we’re seeing each other.”
“But how is that possible? I mean, I’m surprised that she’d even give you the time of day, what with her being Amish and you not.”
“That’s usually how it would be, I guess. But there’s something there, you know?”
Jill smiled. “I like that idea. That love can’t be stopped, no matter what the obstacles.”
Trent groaned. “Don’t get mushy on us, Greer. I was just starting to think of you as one of the guys.”
“Sorry. I may be able to carry a hundred pounds up a ladder, but I’m still a softie at heart.” Looking just beyond their door, her eyes lit up. “Speaking of which . . . ”
Rob turned around, wondering what she was pointing out. And then jumped to his feet. “Hannah?”
Hannah, looking very festive and sweet in a cranberry red dress with an open black wool cloak over it, smiled. “Hi, Rob. And, um, everyone.”
While the other members of his team called out greetings, he walked to her side. “What brings you here?”
She held out the plate of cookies in her hands. “York is driving me over to see my family today. When Melissa mentioned that they sometimes bring the crew on duty snacks, I decided to make you some cookies.” She looked worriedly at the others. “I hope that is okay?”
“It’s better than okay,” Jill said. “Thank you so much.”
“Yeah, thanks a lot,” Trent said as he took the cookies and set them on the table. Eyeing them appreciatively, he said, “What kind are they?”
“They’re cranberry oatmeal with some white chocolate chips added. And you’re welcome,” she said with a smile.
“Why don’t you go take five, Rob?” Trent suggested.
“Thanks.” He hesitated, then went ahead and took Hannah’s arm as he led her to a corner of the firehouse. “It’s good to see you. Really good.”
“I debated whether to stop by, but York said your captain doesn’t mind your getting visitors if they don’t stay long.”
“I would never mind you visiting me, Hannah,” he murmured. “Now, tell me how you decided to see your parents.”
“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things. Mainly that I don’t want to be so angry with them.”
“I’m glad.” He hated how he was already thinking of the worst, but he said, “I’ll be home in the morning. After I sleep for a bit, how about Daisy and I stop by?”
“I’d like that.” Her face shined up into his. Easing his worries.
He wanted nothing more than to kiss her. But this wasn’t the place and it certainly wasn’t the time. “Let me walk you out.”
“There’s no need. York is right outside.”
Just as he was about to tell her that he didn’t mind, the alarm rang through the house. “I’ve got to go.”
“Rob?” Worry filled her expression.
Unable to help himself, he leaned down and gently kissed her lips. “I’ll be all right. Bye.”
He turned away to put on his turnout gear, firmly putting all thoughts of Hannah to one side. There was no way he could start thinking about her while he was working.
That would be a recipe for disaster.
Chapter 14
Hannah had been a little worried about how she would be received when she went home. But from the moment her little brother met her with a big grin, she realized she shouldn’t have worried so much.
Yes, things were different, but her siblings were still her siblings. That hadn’t changed one bit.
“Hey, Hannah!” Calvin called out from the porch. “I didn’t think you were supposed to be out in the cold.”
“I’m recovering from an accident, not the flu.” Noticing that he wasn’t wearing a coat and there were five or six inches of snow on the ground, she said, “Besides, one of us isn’t dressed for the weather at all. Why don’t you have a coat on?”
“I’ve been chopping wood.” Picking up three logs from the neat pile on the side, he said, “Come on in, Sister. We’ll sit in front of the fire and get warm together.”
After getting the door for him, she followed Calvin into the house and was immediately greeted by the scent of peppermint and cranberry. “Mamm’s been busy.”
“Jah. She’s been making candles for all our neighbors.” He pointed to a neat row of twenty jelly jars filled with red wax. In the middle of each was a long string that still needed to be trimmed. Also on the counter was a spool of burlap ribbon.
“These are going to be such pretty gifts.” Their mother really had a way with arts and crafts.
“You know Mamm—she loves Christmas.”
Hannah smiled as she sat down in one of the cushy chairs situated in front of the fireplace. “I think we all do.”
Calvin added a log to the fire, neatly stacked the other logs, and then sat down next to her in his chair. “We can’t help it, I guess. Christmas in this house is a good time of year.”
It really was. And back before Paul had died, she’d been much like their mother, eager for the holiday and determined to fill everyone’s life with merriment and joy. For the last two years, she’d been adrift, but of late she seemed to have come into her own again. Maybe she’d needed to lose everything in order to find herself once more.
“You seem different,” Calvin murmured, still looking at her closely. “Better.”
“I think I am.”
“How come? Is it because you’re back with Rob?”
“I don’t know if that’s the whole reason, but he does have something to do with my mood, I guess. I feel better.”
He relaxed. “I’m glad.”
“Me, too.”
“Hannah?” her mother called out as she entered the room, an armful of neatly folded laundry in her arms. “I didn’t know you were here.”
“I stopped by the firehouse to see Rob and decided to come over to see everyone.”
“I’m glad you did.” Looking tentative, she added, “Would you like some kaffi or tea?”
“Hot tea sounds gut.”
“Malinda, come help!” Mamm called out. “Hannah’s here!”
“Hannah, hiya,” Malinda said with a
smile as she went to put on the kettle—just as their father joined the group.
Ten minutes later, the five of them were all sipping hot tea in the house’s great room, just like old times. There was a fire crackling in the fireplace, and the scent of cookies and candles in the air. Malinda was telling a story about two of her girlfriends and their mother was keeping her hands busy by tying bows on the jars and trimming wicks.
It felt just like it used to. They were a family again. Sharing stories and making plans. Hannah almost forgot just how much she had loved these moments.
When there was a break in the conversation, Daed said, “You know, I never thought I’d say this, but I wish Daisy was here.”
“If you never thought you’d say it, I never thought I’d hear it!” Hannah teased. “You always complained about all of her fur.”
“Even though she never shed that much,” Calvin interjected.
“Well, she did save your life,” Daed remarked. “I decided that more than made up for her fur.” Sharing a look with Hannah’s mamm, he added, “Your almost dying made us rethink a lot of things.”
“Like what?”
“Like the way we might have pushed you in the wrong direction nine months ago,” he said quietly.
She was shocked. Treading carefully, she murmured, “I love you all, but I need to follow my own path, I think.”
Looking serious, her mother nodded. “Jah. I agree.”
Taking the plunge, she looked around the table. “Mamm, Daed, I am not going to be baptized in our church.” She held her breath, ready to hear whatever recriminations they dished out.
But though they looked worried, both of her parents simply nodded. Calvin and Malinda didn’t look surprised at all. In fact, Calvin even smiled.
“I figured as much,” Daed said.
“I’m sorry for telling this to you.”
He shook his head. “Don’t apologize for speaking the truth.”
“So . . . things with Rob are still gut?” Mamm asked.
“Jah.” She took a deep breath. “I used to think I was falling in love with him, but now I know I have.”
“Have you told him this?” Malinda asked.
“Not in so many words. But I will.”
“What’s been holding you back?”
“I wanted to talk to you about my decision . . . and fear, I guess.”
Her father eyed her closely. “What have you been afraid of?”
“Of changing. And of disappointing all of you.”
“Why would we be disappointed in you?” Calvin asked.
“Because I would be different.”
Malinda tilted her head to one side. “Hannah, if you weren’t Amish anymore, would you still believe in God?”
“Of course I would. I’m just saying that I wouldn’t be baptized.”
“Oh, Hannah,” Malinda chided. “You didn’t really think we believed you were going to eventually marry one of our Amish neighbors, did you?”
“Wait, you weren’t hoping for that?”
“Nee. I hoped for you to be happy,” Mamm said. “That’s what we all want.”
“I know Rob is going to make me happy.”
“Then you need to embrace that,” Daed said. “Nee, we all need to follow that advice. For too long, all of us have been wishing things were different instead of being grateful for how things are. If you have found love again, you need to embrace it.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“That’s because it is. After all, not everyone can get a second chance at love.”
He was right. She had been given a second chance. Now all she had to do was move forward. Smiling brightly, she said, “Danke. I don’t think I realized how much I needed to hear that.”
“We all need each other, dear,” Mamm said. “Don’t forget that. Not for one minute.”
Just as she stood up to give her mother a hug, there was a loud knock at the door.
They all turned to watch Daed open it.
Hannah felt dizzy when she realized who had arrived. “York?”
After the briefest of pauses, he stepped forward. “Hannah, I’m sorry to tell you this, but one of Rob’s coworkers just called. There was a fire in downtown Sugarcreek and Rob got hurt.”
Dr. Ross looked so worried, so hesitant, she immediately thought the worst. “Is . . . is Rob dead?” she whispered.
York gasped. “No. No! Not at all. I think he broke his leg, but otherwise he’s fine. He’s been asking for you, though. Do you want to see him?”
“Of course.” Turning to her family, she started to say her good-byes but then realized that they were all standing right beside her.
“We’re going to the hospital, too,” Mamm said.
“But that isn’t necessary.”
“I’m thinking it definitely is,” Daed said. “If Rob is yours, then he is going to be ours one day, too. That means he needs his family around him.”
“I can’t fit everyone, but I have room for three more people,” York said.
“You two go ahead,” Daed told Calvin and Malinda. “Mamm and I will get the house put to rights and then call for a driver.”
Still, Hannah hesitated. She felt frozen. A handful of questions kept repeating themselves in her head, each one hurting her heart because she didn’t have any answers.
She couldn’t bear the thought of being without Rob Prince.
“Danke, Daed. I’ll take care of Hannah,” Calvin said. When she merely stared at him, he pulled her cloak from the set of hooks by the door. “Come on, Sissy. Put on your cloak.”
“What?”
He thrust the garment into her hands before reaching for his own coat and hat. “Put it on. Now. We need to go.”
“Jah. All right.”
With fumbling fingers, she fastened her cloak around her shoulders. Then, after her mother gave her an encouraging nod, Hannah pulled herself together and followed Calvin, York, and Malinda out the door.
She wasn’t alone. Her family was supporting her and helping her.
Even though she was worried about Rob, her spirits began to lift.
Here was what she’d been needing all along. Support and love and hope.
At last she had all three in abundance.
Chapter 15
The first thing Rob learned when he woke up was that Hannah had cried when she’d first seen him. Then, right before everyone’s eyes, she pulled herself together and positioned herself by his side and refused to leave him. Later, it had taken his mother, Melissa Ross, and her mother to cajole her to get some rest.
Every time he thought about that scene, Rob felt like shaking his head in amazement. That must have been a sight to see—three such different women all working together to try to convince one petite Amish girl to do their bidding.
If he’d been awake, he would have told them all that it was a mistake to underestimate Hannah Eicher. She was far tougher than most people realized.
Though he would have said such a thing, he also knew that he would have apologized to Hannah the moment he could. She’d already buried one fiancé; she didn’t need to be frightened about the second.
Just as he smiled, he realized that he hadn’t actually proposed yet. He’d wanted to. He’d been meaning to—he just hadn’t found the right moment.
Boy, he needed to stop being frightened, too.
He was saved from more self-recriminations when his hospital room door opened and his parents walked in.
“Oh good,” his dad said. “You’re awake.”
“Hi, Dad. Hey, Mom.”
His mother walked over to his side and kissed his brow. “How are you feeling?”
He shrugged. “Kind of like I fell about fifteen feet last night.”
She visibly winced. “That isn’t funny.”
“But it’s true. I’m okay, though.”
His father approached his other side and placed a hand on the side of his neck. “The doctor said that you are a lucky man. All you have is a bro
ken leg and a couple of cuts and bruises.”
“And burns, Ted.” His mom pointed to his bandaged forearms. “Don’t forget the burns.”
“Right.” Looking even more worried, his father gazed at Rob’s bandages. “Our boy has got his fair share of burns.”
“No, Dad was right in the first place, Mom. It could have been a lot worse. I’m lucky. I guess the Lord was looking out for me.”
Her expression softened. “I know He was, in more ways than one. He gave you Hannah.”
He couldn’t resist smiling, even though he probably looked like a besotted fool. “A nurse this morning told me that you met Hannah last night.”
“We sure did,” his father said. “She is really something, isn’t she?” he asked with a grin. “She looks so meek and mild, but she’s tough as nails. She didn’t want to leave your side, not even for a few minutes.”
“That sounds like Hannah.”
“She’s really lovely, Rob,” his mother added.
Rob peered at the open door. “Where is she now? Did she go home to sleep?”
“I think so. Your neighbors took her home.”
“Melissa and York?” he asked, just to be sure.
“Yep,” his dad answered. “She didn’t want to go, but your mom, Hannah’s mother, and Melissa ganged up against her.” He visibly shuddered. “I tell ya what, I don’t know of anyone who would’ve won that fight.”
“I like her, Rob,” his mother said softly. “She’s everything you said she was and then some.”
Though he didn’t need his parents’ approval, it was great to have. “I told you she was special.”
“I know. But it was still a surprise. I certainly didn’t want to like her after she broke your heart.”
His body was hurting and his mind was still a little fuzzy, but he was clearheaded enough to defend Hannah. “Everything about us was new and different for her. I don’t think we can blame her for being cautious. Now I realize that it just wasn’t the right time.”
“What are you going to do now?”
“Ask her to marry me.”
His parents gaped at him.
His dad recovered first. “And when are you going to do this?”
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