The Healing

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “Slip your arms around my neck and wrap your legs around my waist,” Esther told Penny.

  The frightened girl’s chin trembled. “I–I’m vergelschdert.”

  “I know, dear one. I’m scared, too,” Esther admitted, “but we can do this. God will help us. You’ll see.” Please, Lord, please help us.

  She thought about Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me,” and it bolstered her faith.

  Penny did as Esther had instructed, and once Esther was sure the child had a good grip on her, she slowly and carefully descended the ladder. When she reached the bottom, she set Penny on the ground. “Please don’t ever do anything like that again.”

  “Are … are you gonna punish me?”

  “No. I think you’ve learned a lesson today.” Esther gave Penny a hug, which helped her as well, because her arms and legs were shaking.

  Tears dribbling down her cheeks, Penny nodded. “Jah, and I—I won’t ever do that again.” She pointed at the cat scampering through the grass. “He wouldn’t come down when I called, and then when I went up the tree, he jumped down.”

  “You’re a dummkopp, Penny,” Leon said, stepping away from the ladder. “I told ya not to go up in that tree.”

  “I’m not a dummkopp. You’re the dummkopp,” Penny said tearfully.

  Leon wrinkled his nose. “Am not!”

  “Are so!”

  Penny shook her finger at him. “Am not!”

  Esther held up her hand. “That’s enough. Neither one of you is stupid.”

  She motioned to the ladder. “While I put this away, I want the two of you to go into the house. When I come inside, we’ll have something cold to drink.”

  The children scampered off while Esther picked up the ladder and headed for the barn. She longed to be a wife and mother, but after a day like today, she wasn’t sure she was cut out for it. At least she didn’t have any B&B guests checking in today.

  Inside the barn, Esther was greeted by Bonnie’s yappy little dog as it wagged its tail and bumped her leg with its cold, wet nose. “Not now, Cody,” she said, pushing the dog away with her hand. “I don’t have time to play.”

  Woof! Woof! Cody wiggled and continued to wag his tail.

  “I said, not now.” Esther pushed past the dog, put the ladder away, and hurried into the house. When she stepped into the kitchen, she halted. Marla sat at the table, reading Esther’s journal! Esther had been writing it in earlier and had foolishly left it on the counter, never thinking anyone might read it.

  Esther scooped up the journal and slipped it into a drawer. She hoped Marla hadn’t read anything she’d written about Samuel. “It’s not polite to read someone’s private thoughts,” she told Marla. “You should have asked me first.”

  The girl’s face reddened. “S–sorry. I didn’t know it was yours till I started reading.”

  Esther placed her hand on Marla’s shoulder. “Next time you see something you’re curious about, please ask before you touch it.”

  “I will.”

  “Where’s Jared?” Esther asked.

  “Sleepin’ on the living room floor.”

  Esther was tempted to move him to the sofa or Bonnie’s downstairs bedroom but figured he might wake up if she did. Besides, the floor was carpeted, and he was probably comfortable or he wouldn’t have fallen asleep there.

  “Have Penny and Leon come inside yet?” she asked Marla.

  Marla shook her head. “Did you get Penny out of the tree?”

  “I did, and the cat came down on its own. I told Penny and Leon to come inside so we could all have a snack, but I guess if they’re not in the house, then they didn’t listen too well.”

  “A snack sounds good ‘cause I’m hungerich,” Marla said. Apparently she didn’t care whether her brother and sister had come into the house or not.

  “I’ll fix some cheese, crackers, and lemonade as soon as your brother and sister come in. Why don’t you go outside and see what’s taking them so long?”

  “Okay.” Marla left her seat and hurried out the door.

  Esther stepped into the living room to check on Jared. He was fast asleep on the floor, sucking his thumb and holding in his other hand one of the blocks Esther had found at the yard sale.

  She smiled as she gazed at the child. What a precious little boy. How sad that he would grow up never knowing his mother. She wondered if Samuel would ever remarry, and if he did, would the children accept his wife as their new mother? Would they accept her if she was the woman Samuel chose to marry?

  Esther shook her head. I shouldn’t allow myself to even think such thoughts. Especially when Samuel has given no indication that he has any interest in me. I’m still worried that he might be interested in Bonnie, but I don’t have the nerve to ask.

  She moved back to the kitchen and had just taken a brick of cheese from the refrigerator when the back door swung open and Marla stepped into the room, followed by Leon and Penny.

  “I found these two in the chicken coop,” Marla announced. “They were lookin’ for eggs.”

  “Did you find any?” Esther asked, directing her question to Leon.

  Leon shook his head. “Nope, and I was hopin’ there’d be some green ones today.”

  “Maybe tomorrow.” Esther motioned to the bathroom down the hall. “If you three will go wash your hands, I’ll get our snack ready to eat.”

  The children didn’t have to be asked twice. They rushed out of the kitchen, tickling each other and giggling all the way.

  By the time they returned, Esther had a plate of crackers and cheese on the table and was pouring the lemonade she’d made earlier.

  “Can we go outside on the porch to eat our snack?” Leon asked. “That way we can watch for Daadi.”

  “I suppose that will be all right,” Esther said. “I’ll leave the door open so I can hear if Jared wakes up.”

  Esther handed the crackers to Marla and the plate full of cheese to Leon and told them to go outside and wait for her on the porch.

  The children filed out of the house, and Esther came behind him with a tray that held the pitcher of lemonade and glasses. They’d just seated themselves around the table on the porch, when Samuel’s horse and buggy pulled into the yard.

  “Daadi’s here!” Leon leaped off the porch and raced across the lawn. Penny and Marla followed. It did Esther’s heart good to see the children so excited about seeing their father.

  She watched as Samuel tied his horse to the hitching rail and headed to the house with the children. He walked with an easy gait and seemed to be more relaxed than usual. It was good to see him pick Penny up and laugh as he swung her onto his shoulders. When he’d first come to Kentucky, he hardly looked at the kids. Now it seemed he couldn’t get enough of them. Maybe the pain of losing his wife is lessening, Esther thought. Maybe Samuel’s heart is finally healing.

  When Samuel and the children stepped onto the porch, Marla pointed to the table. “Esther fixed us a snack, Daadi. Will you sit with us and eat some, too?”

  Samuel looked at Esther, as though seeking her approval.

  She smiled and said, “There’s plenty, and you’re more than welcome to join us.”

  Samuel put Penny in a chair and took the seat beside Esther. “How’d things go here today?” he asked.

  “Esther rescued me from a tree,” Penny said before Esther could respond.

  Samuel squinted at Penny. “What were you doing in a tree?”

  “She went up after a dumb old katz,” Leon spoke up. “I told her not to, but she wouldn’t listen.”

  Marla looked at Esther and smiled. “Even though Esther’s afraid of high places, she was brave and climbed the ladder to get Penny down.”

  Esther’s face heated. Marla must have read the part in her journal where she’d mentioned being afraid of heights. If she’d read that, what else might the girl have read?

  Making no comment on Esther’s fear of heights, Samuel looked at Penny and fro
wned. “You ought to know better than to climb into a tree. If you’d fallen, you could have been hurt.” He looked over at Esther. “I appreciate you going up after her, and I’m sorry for the trouble she caused.”

  “It was no trouble,” Esther said. “I’m just glad she wasn’t hurt.”

  “The katz’s okay, too, Daadi.” Penny grinned widely. “He leaped outa that old tree and landed right on his feet.”

  “Just like I told ya he’d do,” Leon said with a smirk. “You shoulda listened to me.”

  Fearful that the children might start an argument, Esther quickly handed each of them a glass of lemonade, along with some crackers and cheese. Then she passed the plate to Samuel and gave him some lemonade, too.

  He took a drink and smacked his lips. “Umm … This sure hits the spot on a warm day such as this. Danki, Esther.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Esther’s a real good cook,” Marla said. She reached for a cracker and put a piece of cheese on top. “Tell Daadi about the raisin bread you made this mornin’, Esther. He likes raisin bread a lot.”

  “There’s still some left, if you’d like a piece,” Esther offered.

  Samuel shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but cheese and crackers is plenty for me right now.”

  “I can send some home with you,” Esther said. “Maybe you’d like it for breakfast tomorrow morning.”

  “That’d be nice.” Samuel took another drink of lemonade. “Have you heard anything from Bonnie today?”

  “Jah.” Esther repeated all that Bonnie had told her when she’d called and ended it by saying, “So she’ll be gone at least six weeks, and I’ll be in charge of things here until she returns.”

  Samuel’s eyebrows furrowed. “That will mean a lot of extra work for you. Maybe I should try to find someone else to watch the kinner till Bonnie gets back. That way you won’t have so much to do.”

  “I’m sure I can manage.” No way was Esther going to tell Samuel about the terrible day she’d had. If he thought she couldn’t manage everything she was responsible for right now, he might look for someone to replace her. Esther loved being with Samuel’s kids and didn’t want to give that up, no matter how tired she was or how badly things might go on some days.

  Marla placed both hands on her father’s cheeks. “Please don’t get no one else to watch us, Daadi. We don’t want anyone but Esther.”

  Penny and Leon nodded in agreement.

  “All right,” Samuel said, looking at Esther. “But you must let me know if things get to be too much for you.”

  He turned back to look at the kids. “You must behave yourselves and help Esther whenever you can. And no more climbing trees, is that understood?”

  All heads bobbed in agreement.

  Esther smiled. If I can prove to Samuel how capable I am, maybe he’ll take an interest in me. Maybe someday he’ll smile at me the way he does Bonnie.

  CHAPTER 37

  For the next two weeks Esther kept busy watching Samuel’s children and running the B&B. As she developed a routine, things seemed to get easier. The best part was that Samuel had agreed to go on a picnic supper with her and the children this evening. Esther really looked forward to that. She glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. He should be here soon.

  The back door flew open, and Leon rushed into the room, carrying a wicker basket. “Look what I found,” he announced. “There was six eggs, and every one of ‘em is green!”

  Esther smiled at his exuberance. “Let’s get them washed, and then we’ll put them in the refrigerator.”

  “Can we boil some eggs and take ‘em to eat with the other things you’re fixin’ for our picnic supper?” he asked.

  She nodded. “Would you like plain boiled eggs, or should I make deviled eggs?”

  Leon’s blue eyes squinted as he looked up at Esther with a quizzical expression. “Don’t want no eggs made by the devil.”

  Esther bit back a chuckle. “Deviled eggs aren’t made by the devil, Leon.”

  “Then how come they’re called ‘deviled eggs?’ “

  “The fact that the eggs are seasoned with spice is what gives them the name ‘deviled’ eggs,” Esther said as she took some eggs from the refrigerator that had already been boiled.

  Leon just shrugged and placed the basket of eggs he’d gathered on the table.

  Esther figured he hadn’t really understood her explanation.

  Just then Marla bounded into the room. “There’s a car in the driveway, and some English folks are walkin’ up to the house.”

  Esther glanced at the calendar and groaned. In her excitement over the picnic supper, she’d forgotten about the guests who were supposed to arrive this afternoon. Well, at least she didn’t have to feed them anything until morning. She’d get them checked in, show them to their room, and then return to the kitchen to finish putting things together for their picnic.

  “Could you go check on Penny and Jared while I tend to the guests?” Esther asked Marla.

  “Jah, sure.” Marla dashed out of the room, and Esther went to the door. When she opened it, a strong wind hit her full in the face, and then she noticed it had begun to rain. She hoped it wouldn’t last, or they might have to cancel their picnic supper.

  By the time Esther had the guests settled into their room and had returned to the kitchen, the rain was coming down harder.

  “How we gonna go on a picnic when it’s rainin’ like this?” Leon frowned. “We’ll get soakin’ wet.”

  “We can eat in the house,” Marla said when she entered the room with Jared and Penny. She looked at Esther. “Isn’t that right?”

  Esther nodded. “I don’t see why not. We can have an indoor picnic right here in the kitchen.”

  Leon wrinkled his nose. “It won’t be as much fun if we hafta eat in here. Me and Daadi was gonna do some fishin’ if we went to the pond.”

  “We can go there some other time,” Esther said. “That is, if your daed’s willing to go,” she quickly added.

  “I’m sure he will be,” Marla said. “Daadi likes to fish.”

  “He likes it when someone else does the cookin’, too,” Penny added.

  Esther smiled. If she couldn’t get through to Samuel any other way, maybe her cooking skills would reach him.

  Samuel grimaced as he guided his horse and buggy down the road toward the bed-and-breakfast. Shortly before he’d gotten off work today, he’d developed a headache. He could usually tell when he got one of these headaches that rain was on the way—his sinuses started to plug up on him, and the headache followed. He’d been right, because it was not only raining like crazy, but his head felt like someone had been smacking it with a hammer all day.

  When Samuel had arrived home from work, he’d taken some aspirin before showering and changing his clothes, but the headache hadn’t let up. Now, thanks to the rain beating down, he was having a hard time seeing out the front window of the buggy. He hoped the kids were ready to go when he got there, because he was anxious to get back home. Due to the nasty weather, he knew they wouldn’t be having a picnic supper this evening and was sure the kids would be disappointed, same as him. He’d begun to realize why his kids liked Esther so much. She was sweet, even-tempered, and real smart, too. And she cared about them as if they were her own. He’d been fortunate to have found someone like her to oversee the children when he was at work.

  Samuel’s stomach rumbled noisily, and he pressed his hand against it. “Sure wish I didn’t have to fix supper tonight,” he mumbled, taking his thoughts in a different direction. It wasn’t easy working all day and then going home and having to cook a meal—especially when he wasn’t that great of a cook. Maybe we’ll just settle for sandwiches, he decided.

  When Samuel pulled into Bonnie’s yard, he was greeted by her yappy little dog. “Don’t you have the good sense to get in out of the rain?” Samuel muttered when Cody started running back and forth, barking at his horse and leaping into the air like he was half crazy. The mu
tt sure had a lot of energy, and he liked to bark at nearly everything he saw. Samuel was surprised Bonnie didn’t get rid of the dog. For that matter, he wondered what had possessed her to even take the stray in. Well, he guessed it was none of his business. He had enough to deal with when it came to Lucky.

  Samuel climbed out of his buggy and hollered at Cody to get in the barn. It took several more times of him ordering the dog to go, but when the critter finally did as he was told, Samuel secured his horse to the hitching rail and hurried across the yard.

  “Daadi, guess what?” Marla said excitedly when Samuel entered the house.

  He bent down to give her a hug. “What?”

  “Since it’s raining, Esther said we could have our picnic supper in the kitchen.”

  “Is that a fact?”

  She bobbed her head. “Please say we can stay, Daadi, ‘cause she’s fixed lots of good food, and I’m hungerich.”

  Samuel smiled despite his throbbing headache. “I guess we’d better stay then, ‘cause I wouldn’t want any of my kinner to starve to death, and I’m sure that whatever Esther’s fixed for supper will be a whole lot better than the cold sandwiches I was going to make if we went home and ate.”

  “I get sick of sandwiches, so I’m glad we’re not goin’ home to eat.” Marla tugged on Samuel’s hand. “Esther’s got everything ready now. Let’s go in the kitchen so we can eat.”

  Esther smiled when Samuel entered the room holding Marla’s hand, and she was pleased to see that Marla was smiling, too. “Since it’s raining, I thought we could have our picnic in here.” She motioned to the table, which was fully set.

  He gave a nod. “So I’ve been told.”

  Everyone took their seats, and after the silent prayer had been said, Esther passed the food around. There was chicken, fried golden brown; tangy potato salad; carrot and celery sticks; savory, maple-flavored baked beans; and spicy deviled eggs. She’d even thought to cover the table with a red-and-white-checkered tablecloth, so it seemed more like they were having a picnic. It did her heart good to see the children’s smiling faces. This might not be the picnic they’d planned, but at least they were all together, and she was glad Samuel had agreed to stay. She hoped they’d have time after the meal to sit and visit while the children played.