[2016] The Precious Amish Baby

by Faith Crawford

  “My, you look pretty,” she said. “I brought this over,” she continued, holding a pearl necklace. “It belonged to my grandmother and I was to pass it on to my daughter, so here you go.”

  The protests were on the tip of her tongue when Fiona realized how ungracious she would sound if she refused the gift. She stood up and embraced Aunt Meredith.

  “Now I can say that I know the feeling of having a mother,” Fiona said, tears freely flowing down her face.

  “Here, let me help you wear it,” Aunt Meredith said, and Fiona swung around.

  Aunt Meredith did not linger. She patted Fiona’s arm and exited. Five minutes later, Fiona heard Emma’s distinct steps, hurried and with her breath coming out loudly.

  “Mother!”

  Fiona froze. It was such a simple word, but so loaded with meaning.

  “Yes, Emma,” she answered.

  “We’re all ready,” she said, her words running over each other. “We’re waiting for you.”

  “Thank you, my dear. I’ll be along shortly.”

  Fiona only had eyes for her Derek as she walked between the makeshift aisle created by guests standing on either side. She could make out faces as she glided past. There was the postman, as well as Mrs. Chalmers from the boarding house.

  She reached the front, where the preacher waited and Derek immediately claimed her hand. It went too fast for Fiona. She wanted to remember every second of the ceremony. Derek squeezed her hand every so often and they exchanged loving looks throughout the ceremony.

  “And I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the preacher declared, and the guests cheered.

  It was only later, as they were greeting the guests, that Fiona realized just how many people had graced her and Derek’s wedding. She saw some friendly faces that she hoped to make acquaintance with later. People milled between the dining room, balancing plates on their hands, as the wedding breakfast was an informal one.

  She searched for Aunt Meredith, and when their eyes met they exchanged warm smiles. She already loved Aunt Meredith, Fiona thought to herself. People were so easy to love, she mused. One only had to open one’s heart and the love flowed.

  Fiona danced with each of the girls, and Derek too. They had hired a musician who now played uplifting tunes on the piano and once in a while broke into song.

  Later, well after everyone else had slept, she lay cradled in Derek’s arms. His breathing was slow and even. She lifted her head and kissed him. His arms went around her waist, but he was already asleep. She lay back down and thought back to the journey she had been on as she grew up, not knowing that it would lead to this moment.

  She marveled at the luck of being swindled, for she knew she would not have found a better husband than Derek Burk. Hers had been a story of heartbreak, but all along behind the dark cloud that had been Donald Newton there had been a silver lining.

  Her eyes grew heavy with sleep, but Fiona would not succumb to it yet. She wanted the day to last longer. The curtains were not completely shut and she caught a wisp of the star-sparkled sky. Finally, unable to fight off sleep any longer, she allowed her eyes to close and allowed herself one final thought. She would wake up as Derek’s wife and the mother of three beautiful girls.

  Epilogue

  The house was quiet as Fiona walked in, her legs tired and her back aching. She slipped into the drawing room, sat down heavily on the couch and dropped her packages beside her. As the weariness ebbed away, Fiona reveled in the feeling of a little one growing inside of her.

  The doctor had told her that she only had three more months to go. Derek was hoping for a boy, but for Fiona either gender was alright.

  “Mrs. Burk, when did you get back?”

  Fiona’s eyes popped open and she smiled at Mrs. Irwin. “Fifteen minutes ago. The doctor said all is well, I’m happy to report.”

  Mrs. Irwin snorted. “I could have told you that myself. You’re strong and young, what could be wrong?”

  Fiona chuckled at the simplicity of the cook’s reasoning. “Could I coax you into making me a cup of tea?”

  “Of course, Mrs. Burk. Isn’t that why am here?”

  Mrs. Irwin shuffled off, and before Fiona could lay her head back against the seat the voices of the girls reached her from the first floor. She could see them in her mind’s eye, bursting out of the study room, their lesson over. Their footsteps pounded the stairs and Fiona faced the door to the drawing room expectantly.

  “Mama!”

  Would she ever get used to being called Mama? Every time the girls called her that her eyes filled with tears. Emma broke into a run as soon as she saw her. Fiona opened her hands and the little girl threw herself into her arms.

  “Be careful Emma,” Emily admonished. “You don’t want to hurt the baby, do you?”

  Fiona gestured for the girls to sit by her on the couch.

  “How was the lesson?” she said.

  Emil made a face and on seeing it Harriet collapsed into giggles.

  “That bad, huh?” Fiona said, hiding her own smile. “You’ll be grateful for it when you’re all grown up.”

  “What do you have in there, mama?” Harriet asked.

  “Blankets for the baby and a few gifts for my three favorite girls.”

  Fiona watched fondly as the two younger girls rummaged into the packages. She had bought each of them an item of clothing. There was a pair of shoes for Emma, a dress for Harriet and a handbag for Emily.

  “Do you think the baby is a girl?” Harriet asked Fiona.

  “I think it’s a boy.”

  They all jumped at Derek’s booming voice which had come from nowhere.

  “Where did you come from?” Fiona asked with a laugh.

  “Papa, I know it’s a girl. I prayed for a girl,” Emma said solemnly.

  “I can’t argue with that, now, can I?” Derek said, and winked at Fiona.

  He lowered himself down on the chair opposite Fiona’s. He grew more handsome every day, Fiona thought. The lines of worry which used to be around his eyes were now gone and most of the time his eyes twinkled with merriment.

  “What did the doctor have to say?” he said, a shadow crossing his eyes.

  “Everything is as it should be. The child is fine and so am I,” Fiona said softly. “He’ll be there every step of the way when the time comes.”

  Derek only nodded, but she could see that her words had reassured him a little.

  “We’ll be a big family, won’t we?” Fiona said.

  “That we will,” Derek said.

  “I’ll help with feeding the baby,” Emma said.

  “You can do the nappy changes!” Fiona teased Harriet.

  She made a face and pinched her nose. They all laughed, their voices reverberating around the house. These days, it did not seem as big as it once was. Perhaps it was the constant chatter and noise from the family. Fiona looked around her with wonder.

  Her very own family. She loved them, and they loved her in return. Her left hand fell onto her stomach. She would love the baby with all her heart, but the girls also had a special part of her heart. They were and would always be her firstborns. The ones who had taught her what immeasurable love was.

  *****

  THE END

  Bonus Book 8: A Baby at the Doctor's Ranch

  By: Faith Crawford

  Description

  An Amish girl who ran off with the wrong man, a goldminer turned ranch hand looking for a bride and a surprise that puts their love to the test.

  In the early part of the 20th century, Rebekah King is seeking a new life. Abandoned by Gregory, the man who was supposed to be taking care of her, she finds herself alone and without skills, knowledge or a job. The people in town blame her for Gregory’s deplorable behavior and shun her because of it. Knowing that she cannot return to the Amish community she left to be with Gregory, Rebekah seeks the advice of friendly Pastor Aaron.

  Aaron knows of a goldminer turned ranch hand, Andrew Cunningham, who is looking fo
r a bride on the other side of the state. He offers to take her there, giving her the opportunity of safety and security.

  But when Gregory shows up after she has settled in her new home and Rebekah discovers she is pregnant, decisions have to be made...

  Can Gregory change and become the father her child needs? Or will Rebekah stay with Andrew, the ranch hand who has shown her so much affection since her arrival?

  Chapter One

  “Ach nee! Please do not yell at me, Gregory! You are frightening me!”

  “Ach nee…” Gregory sneered, leaning over so that he was inches from Rebekah’s face. She was used to him making fun of her language. “Ach nee...why don’t you learn English, you little idiot? Why do you keep mixing up your words? You know how I hate it when you do that!”

  Rebekah’s eyes filled with tears and she shook her head. “I do not mean to annoy you, Gregory. I am just...”

  “You’re just what? Annoying? A little freakish witch? I know you’re something. I’m just not sure exactly what!”

  If he felt that way, why was he with her? Why did he keep after her if all she did was annoy him?

  “Oh, Gregory. I do try to be a gut girl for you. I do not try to bother you.”

  “You’re doing it again! If you wanna be Amish so bad, go back and join those freakish nuts! What you need to do is fix my dinner. Get in there and do it. Go on.” He pushed her across the room and she stumbled a little. She righted herself, grabbing the countertop nearby before she fell into it. She tried to keep the tears from her eyes as she moved slowly to the corn bin. She pulled out two corn cobs and set them next to her on the counter.

  “You’d better get out more than that if you plan to eat, too. And make it with the potatoes I brought back from town. Make it with the roast. I suggest you get started on it now because it’s going to take you some time to make it right.”

  “I know. I’ll get on it.”

  “I’m going out for a smoke. I’ll be at the saloon. You don’t need to come find me when dinner is done. Just make sure you have it done when I get back.”

  “How long will you be?”

  Gregory sneered. “I’ll be back when I feel like coming back.”

  She watched him stomp to the door. She jumped when he slammed it shut. For a moment, she thought the shack might fall down around her. The crash had rocked the walls. She felt immediate relief when the door closed behind him. She watched him through the window as he pulled himself up on his big horse and rode away. She breathed out a sigh. She hadn’t even realized she was holding her breath.

  As she set about the task of making dinner, she thought about how good it was going to taste. She cared less about how good he thought it was. She was just glad she could make the food she wanted to make. She was whipping up biscuit dough, too. As she waited for her food to cook, she sipped hot tea by the window, staring through the glass into the dusty air. She was hoping just a little that he wouldn’t return tonight.

  But she knew he would. And the closer it got to the time he would come home, the more her stomach tightened and hurt. She snorted. It wasn’t even a home. It was a shack that was sure to fall down at any moment. It had a leaky roof and broken windows. The wind whistled through whenever there was a heavy breeze. She was unable to get any more money from her Amish parents, who had told her that if she chose a life outside the community, she was on her own. They had been helping to support her for a short time, but when they found out who she was staying with they refused to continue. They begged her to come home and said they would pray for her salvation. They asked her to repent. They were discouraged, disappointed and unhappy with her decision and her choices.

  She hadn’t spoken to them in the last four months. She missed them. But there was no way she could go back now.

  ***

  When Gregory returned later that evening, the food had been ready for some time. The potatoes and vegetables were warm and the roast was still fairly hot, but the biscuits were cold. She hoped that wouldn’t cause another argument. He was drunk and stumbled in as he usually did. He didn’t say much to her and she was grateful for it. In fact, they ate in silence. He could barely get his fork to his mouth. She watched him, trying to hide her disgust.

  When the meal was over, he seemed to have sobered up some. She watched him as he stood up and came around the table to her. He bent down and breathed in her face. She closed her eyes.

  “I’m sorry I was mean to you earlier, Rebekah. You know how I get when you talk like that. You know I don’t like it. I wish you’d stop talking like you’re from that farm.”

  “But, Gregory, I am from that farm.”

  “Well, if you want to stay with me, you have to work on getting rid of that talking. You gotta talk like the rest of us. You know the English language. You gotta start using it.”

  She didn’t point out his slurs or his slang. She wasn’t sure the way he talked was quite proper, either. But she didn’t say anything. She didn’t need to hear more arguing. And she didn’t want to start any, either.

  “Come on. I want you to show me how much you care about me.”

  “Oh, Gregory. Aren’t you tired?” As soon as she said it, she regretted it. The last thing she needed was to make him upset.

  “I want you to come with me. Now.”

  He yanked on her arm and pulled her up out of her chair. She let him drag her to the bedroom without another word. She didn’t want to continue fighting. She didn’t want him to touch her either. But this was the bed she had made. She was going to be forced to lie in it.

  ***

  When Rebekah woke up the next morning, she was glad to see that Gregory had already left. She slid out of bed, her young bones aching. She scanned her body for new bruises. It was a warm day and she would be wearing a short sleeve dress until she had to go into town. If she felt the need to go anywhere she would be seen, she would have to cover herself with a sweater.

  She didn’t want to look at them all day, so she pulled a small bottle of pale cosmetic foundation from one of the drawers she used and dabbed it on the bruises to cover them up. It didn’t cover them enough for people not to notice them but at least they wouldn’t be glaring at her as she worked around the house. She wanted to clean up as much as she could before Gregory returned. It might put him in a better mood.

  As she worked around the house, the silence gave her some comfort. She had been raised in a home where there was a lot of action and movement. The Amish community she came from was tight-knit and filled with God-fearing people. She herself had four sisters and two brothers. One of her sisters had come to the town with her for Rumspringa, a time when the teenagers were allowed to roam outside the community and decide if they wanted to stay within the Amish faith or not. She had fallen for Gregory, who had charmed her on her second day in town. Against the wishes of her sister and her family, she’d decided to stay in town and see if she could make a go of it.

  She hadn’t known he was a brutal abuser until a few months in. He had been sweet at first, telling her that she was very pretty despite the fact that she never wore makeup or did her hair or had nice clothes. All she wore was the traditional Amish clothing, a kapp covered by a black bonnet for town visits, a passel of purple dresses with white aprons. When she had decided to stay with Gregory, he’d insisted on buying her some second-hand clothes from a trade cart that regularly passed through town.

  She found herself wishing he wouldn’t come back at all. She should pack her things. She should try to go back to her community where she was safe, where the only bruises she got were from doing hard work on God’s land.

  After sweeping the house and the porch, cleaning up any dishes that Gregory had left behind from breakfast and dusting the entire house, she took a cup of hot tea to the porch and sat down for a break. She wouldn’t actually need to pack anything if she decided to leave and go back to the Amish community she had come from. She wondered if they would accept her back. She would be shunned for a while, she knew. Unt
il they thought she was worthy of speaking to again.

  The thought made her stomach turn even more than the thought of Gregory coming home. She cared about Gregory. Sometimes he made her feel special and beautiful. He was always sorry after he had hurt her. Even when he yelled at her.

  She didn’t want to be shunned. She wanted to be cared for. When he cared about her, Gregory was always nice, exactly how she wanted him to be. But when he didn’t care, he could be one of the worst men on the planet. Not that she knew that many men on the planet.

  She wondered what she would make for their dinner that night. She ran through the meat they had stored in the icebox and what vegetables she still had ready to go. She could go to the garden and do some work. It was a small garden and she didn’t think anything was ready for harvesting except the beans. There were always plenty of beans, though the garden was fairly small. Gregory had said he would bring home the seeds for more food but he hadn’t.

  She wondered if he would today.

  She rested for an hour before going back in the house. She pulled on a pair of boots and changed into her gardening dress. Sometimes she missed her Amish garments. They were made of a softer material, were always clean and fresh and were perfect for working, no matter where she was or what she was doing.

  She headed out behind the small house, glancing back at the roof to see if there was any damage from the recent high winds and storms. She was afraid there would be because she knew that Gregory would never get around to fixing it. He made a lot of promises he never kept. He always said that he would repair this or that but never did. He was not very good at keeping his word. She wondered how he managed to keep working when he couldn’t manage to keep up with anything around the small house. He had the motivation of a sloth.