A Cousin's Promise

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  As Loraine drew closer to the house, she saw Marge’s van parked in the driveway. Ada was obviously home from the hospital, hopefully in less pain than she’d been in yesterday.

  ***

  “Does your leg hurt much?” Wayne asked as Mom hobbled over to the sofa, using the pair of crutches she’d come home with.

  She nodded and gritted her teeth. “Never had such pain before. Even childbirth was less painful than this.”

  Wayne had no firsthand experience with the pangs of childbirth, but he was no stranger to pain. “Maybe you ought to try the tapping method I’ve used for my phantom pains,” he suggested.

  “Puh!” Mom flapped her hand like she was shooing away a pesky fly. “Like that’s going to help with anything!”

  “It might, and you’ll never know if you don’t give it a try.”

  “I won’t be doing any tapping because I’m just not interested in anything of that nature.” She collapsed against the sofa pillows, then pointed to Wayne’s empty pant leg. “I see you’re not wearing your prosthesis again. Are you still having pain?”

  “Not the phantom pain; just the spot on my stump where the prosthesis has rubbed it sore,” he replied. “When I see the doctor on Monday, he’ll probably suggest some adjustments be made to the appliance.”

  “I’m free on Monday,” Marge spoke up, “So if you need a ride, I can take you to your appointment.”

  “I appreciate that,” Wayne said, “but Jake was here earlier today, and he said he’d be glad to take me there.”

  “I can’t believe you’d go anywhere with that fellow!” Mom’s eyes narrowed. “If you ask me, Jake Beechy’s not to be trusted!”

  Before Wayne could comment, a knock sounded on the back door. “I’ll see who that is,” he said, wheeling quickly out of the room.

  When he opened the door, he found Loraine on the porch, holding a cardboard box. “I wasn’t sure what your mamm had on hand for supper, so I picked up a few things at the grocery store after I got off work.” She scurried into the kitchen and set the box on the table. “Does stew and dumplings sound good to you?”

  Wayne’s mouth watered with anticipation. “Next to baked chicken, stew and dumplings is one of my favorite meals.”

  Loraine snickered. “I can think of lots of things you’ve told me that you like to eat, so I’m sure you have more than one or two things you’d like to call your favorite meal.”

  He nodded. “I’ve gotta be careful how much I eat now, though. Since I’m not farming anymore, I don’t get the exercise I used to get, so it would be easy for me to put on some extra pounds.”

  Marge stepped into the room just then. “I’m heading for home now, Wayne. You know my number, so give me a call if you need anything.”

  “I will, thank you.”

  Marge smiled at Loraine. “Are you here to fix supper?”

  “I am, and you’re welcome to join us if you like.”

  “I appreciate the offer, but Brian should be home from work by now. I don’t think he’d be too pleased if I ate supper here and he had to fend for himself.”

  “I suppose not. Most husbands I know want their wives cooking for them when they come home from work.” Loraine glanced at Wayne, but he looked away. He couldn’t risk her seeing the look of longing he figured must be on his face.

  “I’d better go back to the living room and check on Mom,” Wayne said, wheeling quickly away. If he didn’t get out of the kitchen soon, he might say or do something he would later regret.

  “I’ll get the stew going,” he heard Loraine call over her shoulder. “Then I’ll be in to say hello to your mamm.”

  When Wayne returned to the living room, he found Mom stretched out on the sofa with her eyes closed. Figuring she needed to sleep, he started to leave, but her eyes snapped open.

  “You looked so comfortable there, I thought you might be sleeping,” he said.

  “Not yet, but I am kind of drowsy.” She yawned. “I think it must be from the pain medicine they gave me at the hospital.”

  “Maybe I should leave so you can sleep.”

  She shook her head. “No, stay and keep me company.”

  “Okay, Mom.” Wayne maneuvered his wheelchair close to the sofa and tried to relax. It was hard to think about anything other than Loraine in the next room, making supper.

  “Loraine came over. She’s making stew and dumplings for our supper.” He smiled at Mom.

  “With all this pain I’m having, I hope I can eat,” she said, making no reference to Loraine’s good deed.

  “She fixed supper for Pop and me last night, too.”

  A deep wrinkle formed above Mom’s nose as her eyebrows pulled together. “And what do you suppose her motive was for that?”

  Wayne shrugged. “Because she knew we’d be hungry?”

  “Humph! I’m guessing her coming over here to fix supper last night and then coming back again this evening has more to do with her wanting to get you to change your mind about marrying her than it does with the fact that she knew you’d be hungry.”

  Wayne’s skin prickled. He didn’t understand why Mom was always so quick to criticize Loraine. Even though he’d done what he felt was right by breaking up with Loraine, he figured her motive for helping out was pure and right.

  When Wayne looked over at Mom, prepared to tell her what he thought about her comment, he noticed that her eyes were closed again. This time, however, Mom’s heaving breathing and soft snoring indicated she’d fallen asleep.

  It’s probably for the best, he decided. If I said what I really thought, we’d only have ended up in an argument. I may as well go back to the kitchen and see if Loraine needs my help with anything. It’ll be better than sitting here, watching Mom sleep.

  Wayne wheeled into the hallway and halted just outside the kitchen door, watching as Loraine took a kettle out of the cupboard, set it on the stove, and put the meat inside. His chest tightened as he continued to watch her. He marveled at her easy, efficient movements. She was capable, intelligent, and a hard worker. She also looked pretty good in the face. He wanted to melt in the warmth of Loraine’s ebony eyes, but cold reality stabbed him before he allowed his thoughts to carry him away. He gripped the arms on his wheelchair. Loraine really would make a wonderful wife. Just not his wife.

  Loraine turned toward him just then, and the seconds ticked by as they stared at each other. What was going through her mind? Did she know what was going through his?

  “I didn’t realize you were there,” she said, touching her flushed cheeks.

  Wayne’s face heated up as well. The chemistry between them was still there, although he wished it wasn’t. “I was wondering if you needed my help with anything,” he mumbled.

  She hesitated a moment, then shook her head. “I’ve got the meat going now, and after I’ve said hello to your mamm, I’ll add in the vegetables.”

  “Mom’s asleep right now, and my daed was sleeping the last time I checked on him, too, so you’ll have to wait awhile to say hello.”

  “Oh, I see. I guess there’s really no hurry. I just wanted to see how she’s doing today.” Loraine headed for the pantry, and when she bent down and lifted the bulky sack of potatoes sitting on the floor, her face turned red and she grunted.

  Wayne grimaced. He wished he’d been able to lift the sack for her. If he had two good legs, he surely could have. If he was wearing his prosthesis, he might have been able to lift the heavy sack, too. But no, he was stuck in a wheelchair, unable to do much at all.

  “You look tired. Why don’t you go back to the living room and relax?” Loraine suggested. “I’ll call you when supper’s ready.”

  “If that’s what you’d prefer.”

  She nodded. “I think it would be best.”

  Wayne whipped the wheelchair around and rolled quickly out of the kitchen. Maybe Loraine didn’t want to be alone in the same room with him. Maybe she was sickened by seeing him in his wheelchair. She seemed to be pulling away from him more all
the time.

  Isn’t that what you were hoping for when you broke up with her?

  his conscience reminded. Jah, I just didn’t know it would hurt this much.

  ***

  Jake smiled when he pulled his horse and buggy up to the Lambrights’ barn and saw Loraine’s rig. She’d no doubt come to fix supper.

  Jake hated the inner battle he’d been fighting since he’d come home—one minute anxious to make some headway with Loraine, the next minute feeling guilty for wanting the woman who had fallen in love with and planned to marry his best friend. It gave him no pleasure to feel happy at his friend’s expense, but he felt a sense of relief and had to keep reminding himself that Wayne had given his permission for him to pursue a relationship with Loraine. That must mean Wayne actually wanted them to get back together. Or at least, it seemed that way. Maybe Wayne was hiding behind the mask of self-pity and depression he seemed so determined to wear. Maybe one of these days, he would wake up and wish he hadn’t foolishly pushed Loraine away.

  Despite all the misgivings running through his head, Jake knew that, if he really wanted to get back with Loraine, he’d have to get past the guilty feelings and work up the nerve to ask her to go out with him. He just hoped she wouldn’t turn him down when he finally did.

  Jake eased his horse up to the hitching rail, climbed out of the buggy, and unhitched the horse. He figured he’d probably be awhile, so it would be best to put Midnight in the corral.

  When that was done, Jake sprinted to the house and rapped on the back door.

  “We’re in the kitchen, so come on in!” Wayne called from the other side of the door.

  When Jake stepped into the room, he was surprised to see Wayne, Loraine, and Ada sitting at the table. He figured they would have been done with supper by now.

  A delicious aroma filled the room, and Jake sniffed deeply.

  “Did I interrupt your supper?” he asked.

  Wayne waved a hand. “Not so much.”

  “If you want to tell me what chores need to be done, I’ll just head back outside and let you eat your meal in peace.”

  “No, no. Why don’t you join us?” Wayne motioned to the large bowl of stew sitting on the table. “Loraine made plenty, and I’m sure you’ll work a lot harder if your belly’s full.”

  Jake chuckled and rubbed his chin. “You’ve got a good point there.” He looked over at Loraine and grinned. “That stew does smell mighty gut.”

  Her cheeks reddened. “It’s just an ordinary stew; nothing fancy, that’s for sure.”

  “Stew always sounds good to me—especially on a chilly evening such as this.” Jake pulled out the chair next to Wayne and sat down.

  When Jake had finished his silent prayer, Loraine passed him a bowl of stew, topped with two plump dumplings. He smacked his lips and took a bite. “Mmm, this is sure tasty.”

  “Danki,” she said, without glancing his way. He wondered if having him here made her nervous. Maybe she felt uncomfortable eating supper with her two ex-boyfriends. Come to think of it, she’d seemed a lot more relaxed this morning. But then, Wayne’s mother hadn’t been sitting at the table with them.

  “I was sorry to hear about your broken leg,” Jake said, looking over at Ada. “Is it causing you much pain?”

  Ada nodded and reached for her glass of water. “I never knew anything could hurt so bad. The doctor gave me something for the throbbing, but it doesn’t help that much.”

  “I’m sure in a few days you’ll be feeling better,” Loraine spoke up.

  Ada shot her a look of obvious displeasure. “How would you know that? Have you ever broken a bone?”

  Loraine slowly shook her head.

  “I didn’t think so.”

  The room got deathly quiet. Jake didn’t care for the serious expressions he was seeing. He figured it was time to ease the awkward tension, so he quickly launched into the talking hound-dog story he’d told during breakfast, hoping he might get at least one smile from someone around the table.

  When Jake finished the story, Ada sat, stony-faced, without uttering a word. To Jake’s surprise, however, Wayne leaned his head back and roared. “Ha! Ha! Ha! That sure was a good one, Jake! It was even funnier hearing it tonight than when you told it this morning. You’re sure good at making people laugh, and you’re such a hard-working fellow. I’ll bet you’ll make a good daed someday.”

  Now where did that come from? Jake wondered. Is Wayne trying to make a point, or is he just making polite conversation, hoping to take his mother’s mind off the pain in her leg?

  “Speaking of daeds, how’s your daed feeling?” Jake asked, looking at Wayne.

  “Crist’s throat has improved some from what it was two days ago,” Ada said before Wayne could even open his mouth. “But he’s still hurting and doesn’t feel up to being out of bed much yet.”

  “Sorry to hear that.” Jake reached for a hunk of celery from the vegetable platter and took a bite. He was beginning to think Wayne had done Loraine a favor by breaking their engagement. Putting up with an irritable busybody like Ada Lambright would have been hard on Loraine and probably wrecked havoc on her and Wayne’s marriage.

  They ate in silence for a time; then Jake, unable to stand the quiet, spoke again.

  “I told Wayne that I’d help out for as long as it’s needed,” he said, looking at Ada, “so Crist won’t need to be in a hurry to get back to his chores.”

  Ada nodded. “I’ll be sure and tell him that.” She glanced at the calendar across the wall. “Looks like Crist and I are going to be laid up on our anniversary tomorrow.”

  “When you’re both feeling better, maybe you can go to the Blue Gate or one of the other nice restaurants for a meal,” Loraine suggested.

  “We’ll have to wait and see how it goes,” Ada mumbled around a mouthful of stew.

  “Say, Jake,” Wayne spoke up, “when Loraine’s ready to go home, would you mind following her in your rig? The last time I looked outside, it had started to rain real hard, so the roads might be kind of slippery, not to mention that it’ll be pitch dark.”

  Jake looked over at Loraine to gauge her reaction. He was relieved when she offered him a little smile and nodded.

  “Jah, sure. I’d be happy to see that Loraine gets home.”

  CHAPTER 30

  Jake squinted against the pouring rain, and turned on his battery-operated windshield wipers. If not for the flashing red lights up ahead, he wouldn’t have known Loraine’s buggy was ahead of his. He’d never cared much for rain, but since it was a common occurrence during the fall, he’d just have to deal with it. He guessed he shouldn’t complain. If he was still in Montana, he might be dealing with bitter cold, snowy weather by now.

  I wonder if Loraine will invite me in when we get to her house. That would be nice, but if her folks are around, it won’t give us the chance to be alone. Jake had been hoping for the opportunity to ask her out and thought maybe tonight would work out.

  Swish! Swish! The noise of the wiper blades pulled Jake’s thoughts aside. It was raining harder, and he squinted to see out the window.

  Blink ... blink. Blink ... blink ... At least he could still see the lights on Loraine’s buggy up ahead.

  When the headlights of a car that had decided to pass shone on Loraine’s buggy, Jake noticed that one of the back wheels on her rig was wobbling. After making sure that no other cars were coming, he eased his horse into the other lane, passed her buggy, and pulled onto the shoulder of the road. As soon as she pulled in behind him, he hopped out and sprinted around to the driver’s side of her rig.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked when he opened her door. “Why’d you pass me like that?”

  “Your left back wheel seems to be loose. It’s been wobbling really bad.”

  “I did notice the buggy bumping, but I thought it was just the rough road.”

  Jake shook his head as he swiped at the raindrops splashing on his face. “It’s the wheel all right, and if I don’t fix it now, you�
��ll never make it home.”

  “Oh, okay.” She stepped out of the buggy. “What can I do to help?”

  “I don’t know yet. Let me get a flashlight, and then I’ll take a look and see whether a nut fell out or if something might have broken.”

  Jake sprinted back to his buggy and got a flashlight, then he handed it to Loraine. “Shine it right there,” he said, pointing to the hub of the wheel.

  She did as he asked, and he squatted down to inspect things. “The wheel nut’s missing all right, and—”

  Whack! They bumped heads as he stood.

  “Are you okay?” A jolt of electricity shot through Jake’s fingers as he reached out and touched Loraine’s forehead.

  “I’m fine. How about you?” Loraine’s voice trembled, and Jake wondered if she’d felt the same connection between them as he’d felt.

  “I’m okay.” He laughed. “Don’t think any permanent damage was done.”

  “None for me, either.”

  They stood staring at each other for several seconds. Jake was on the verge of taking Loraine in his arms and kissing her, when she turned her head away. “If the nut’s missing, how are we going to fix my wheel?”

  “I could look for it along the road, but since we don’t know when or where it fell off, that wouldn’t make much sense. Especially since it’s dark and raining.” Jake motioned to his own rig. “I’ve got some extra wheel nuts in my toolbox.”

  “I guess you’ll need this then.” She handed him the flashlight.

  Jake hesitated a minute, then ran back to his rig. A few minutes later, he was back with the nut and necessary tools.

  Loraine held the flashlight while Jake worked, and in short order he had it fixed. “There you go; it’s good as new.”

  “Danki, Jake.”

  He smiled. “You’re welcome.” Should I ask her out now? Would this be a good time?

  “Well, we’d better get going. It’s raining harder, and I’m really getting wet standing out here like this.”