An hour later, she pushed Marie’s bedroom door open just a little, and whispered, “Marie.”
Marie opened her eyes and managed a smile.
“Would you like anything?”
She took the wet washcloth off her head. “Can you make this cold?”
Bree stepped forward and took it from her. “Okay. Would you like any food or something to drink?”
“No.” Marie closed her eyes.
Bree wet the washcloth in the water from the outside tap, which seemed colder than the water that came to the house. Then she raced back to Marie’s room. “There you go. I hope it’s cold enough.”
“Denke,” Marie said in a quiet voice.
Bree glanced at the glass of water beside the bed. “Can you drink a little water?”
“I’ll try.” Marie pushed herself up and handed Bree back the cloth and Bree handed her the glass. She took several small sips, waited a minute and took a few more.
“I’ll fill it up and bring it back.” When Marie put her head back on the pillow, Bree spread the washcloth onto her forehead.
After she’d taken the glass of water up to Marie, she had the rest of the day stretched out before her and she wondered what to do. Cora and Marie would never have had a break; they would’ve found something to do. Bree slumped into the couch and picked up The Bulletin, which she soon found out was an Amish newspaper. Since she had nothing else to do, she read it from cover to cover. It told of births, deaths, and who had visited whom, and general information about the Amish people from different regions.
Since Joel and Andrew had a couple of big days of work ahead of them getting the house to lock-up stage, they weren’t coming home for the midday meal as they most often did.
Maybe she could cook something nice for dinner. It was the least she could do. Bree headed to the kitchen and pulled out the recipe cards from the bottom drawer. She’d seen Cora read these cards and follow the instructions.
When she had a chicken and several kinds of vegetables roasting in the oven, she remembered the letter from Ryan she had found at her parents’ home. Knowing that she’d be able to leave the cooking for a while, she hurried upstairs.
Before she walked into her room, she stuck her head into Marie’s room and saw her sound asleep.
After she grabbed the letter from under her mattress where she’d placed it the day before, she slumped onto the bed and ripped the envelope open. It was no letter. It was a wedding invitation. Then she saw Ryan’s name and the name of Prue Westfield. He was getting married to Prue Westfield? She’d never even heard of a Prue Westfield. The wedding was a whole three months away.
“Well, I hope you know what he’s like, Prue Westfield, whoever you are.” She ripped the invitation into tiny pieces and stuffed the pieces into one of the zip sections of her suitcase.
Marie was learning what a good kind girl Bree was. It was no wonder Simon had fallen in love with her. Bree kept checking on her to see that she was okay, and Marie knew her concern was genuine.
Surely there’d be a way for Bree to keep her baby. Even though Marie would’ve loved to have another child to raise, she wanted Bree to experience the joys of motherhood and not be sad every time she thought of the child she had no choice but to give to another.
Bree says she has no choice but to give her baby up, but perhaps Gott will work on her heart and she might be able to live with us. We’ll support her and Simon’s baby. Together we can be her family.
She knew her husband and her children were fond of the young woman who was carrying Simon’s baby. Bree had fit so well into their family in such a short space of time, and she wasn’t even Amish.
More than anything, Marie hoped and prayed that she’d listen to God’s call and open her heart to Him. Then all would turn out well for Bree.
It hadn’t escaped Marie’s notice that there was an attraction between Bree and her eldest son. But that wasn’t surprising since Bree had fallen in love with Andrew’s brother. Perhaps in time Bree might even open her heart to love again, and Andrew and Bree might marry. Things between them certainly seemed to be heading in that direction even if only in a small way.
Marie had kept quiet about her observations. Her husband would never have noticed anything between Bree and Andrew, and it wasn’t right to discuss anything like that with Cora. Marie was happy to quietly keep an eye on the two of them and watch what developed. Perhaps God had a grand plan in bringing Simon’s baby to them beyond them knowing their grandchild.
“Are you certain you don’t want anything else?”
Marie turned over in her bed to look at Bree. “You can come sit by me and talk if you want to.”
Bree smiled, and sat on the side of her bed. “I have the dinner cooking, but I’ve got a few minutes before I have to check on it again.”
“You don’t have to be nervous around me.”
“I always feel nervous around adults. I suppose I’m one myself, so I shouldn’t be.”
“You’re having a baby, so you are an adult,” Marie said.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“I’m truly glad you’ve come to stay with us, Bree. I was just thinking how well you fit in with our family.”
Bree’s face lit up. “Really?”
“Yes, we’re all glad you’ve come and we’re happy about Simon’s baby.”
“I’m so happy to hear it.”
“I wish there was some way for you to keep the baby, but you’ve still got time to think things through.” Marie took a deep breath. Too much talking was making her a little tired. “Don’t feel you have to leave the child with us just because you said that’s what you wanted weeks ago. Keep your mind and your heart open.”
“Thank you. I will do that. I just want to do what’s best.”
“But, you also have to do what’s best for you as well as your baby. You’re a person too you know.”
Bree rubbed the back of her neck, and then stood up. “I know. I better go back to the kitchen. I don’t want anything to boil over on the stove.”
Marie watched Bree rush out of the room. She hoped she’d given Bree something to think on. There were so many things Marie wanted to ask about Simon, but she didn’t want to upset Bree by doing so. In time, she hoped Bree might be able to answer all the questions she had.
Cora had arrived home in time to help with serving the evening meal that night. It pleased Bree that everyone had complemented her cooking. Perhaps she could cook again, since it tasted okay and no one had suffered from food poisoning.
Marie had managed to eat a little food, but still hadn’t come out of her room.
When Bree went to bed, she thought long and hard about what Marie had said to her. It had never occurred to her to take into consideration any feelings of her own. Marie was right; she was a person too. But if she had to choose between her wellbeing and her baby’s, she had to choose her baby’s.
Simon’s parents had made an impression on her and she was glad she hadn’t reacted to how standoffish they’d appeared at first. Now she knew that Simon was right about how wonderful they were. The only thing was, it made the selfish lie that she was telling them all the more dreadful. Andrew knowing her lie was most likely the only thing that kept her continuing with her horrid deception. If he saw that her lie was worth it, he would most likely be right. After all, Simon’s parents would have a baby to raise. Was it that important that the baby wasn’t really Simon’s?
Chapter 15
For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.
Philippians 1:29
* * *
Andrew parked the buggy along with all the other buggies at the back of the auction grounds.
“Come on; we’ve got to find a good one before the auction starts.”
“Okay you lead the way. Where do we go?” Bree was growing fonder of Andrew every day. She was certain he felt the same. He sought out her company whenever he could.
/> “All the horses are in the white building, and then they’re paraded down there and through to the auction ring when they’re coming up for sale.”
Bree nodded. “So we’re allowed to go in and see them?”
He gave a laugh. “Yes. We need to have a look at them up close.”
She hurried to keep up with him as he went on to explain, “They have all their details written next to their stall, their age and whether they’re broken to harness or not, things like that. And we can look at their teeth and look at their legs up close.”
“Do you get a chance to try them out?”
“You mean like a trial period? Take them for a couple of weeks?”
Bree nodded.
“No, but that sounds like a good idea.”
“I don't see why you can't do that. How do you know if the one you choose is not lame or something?”
“You can tell that, if you’re experienced, by the way they walk and carry themselves.”
“I didn't know there would be so much to it.”
“It’s not that hard. It’s fairly straight forward,” he said as they stepped into the building where all the horses were.
The smell of musty hay and horse manure wafted under Bree’s nose. “Oh, it doesn’t smell good in here.”
“I’d have to disagree. I think it smells good. I love the smell of fresh sweet hay, and the horses smell good too. They do to me, anyway.” After he glanced at Bree’s face, he said, “Do you want to wait outside, or will you be okay?”
“I’m okay.” Bree liked how attentive Andrew was toward her. He was always asking how she was and making sure she was all right. “Are you looking for a particular color?”
“No. I don't care what color.”
“I’m just asking because all the horses you've got are bay, aren’t they?”
“That’s right, but it wasn’t planned that way. I guess that seems to be the most popular color for Standardbreds, which is what the buggy horses mostly are.”
They wandered down the rows of horses and every now and again Andrew stopped to read the description when a horse caught his eye.
“Have you got a favorite yet?” Bree asked.
“Not yet. What about you?”
“I’m sorry to say I’m no judge of horses.”
“It takes time, the same as anything. Once you’ve been around them for a while you’ll know what to look for in a horse.”
After they wandered around looking at all the horses, they took a seat and watched the auction take place. Andrew hadn’t picked a horse that he liked at all, which made Bree wonder if he’d only asked her there as an excuse to spend time with her.
They made a game of guessing how much each horse was going to sell for and Bree surprised herself by being more accurate than Andrew.
“I just let you win,” he said when the auction was over.
“No you didn’t. I won fair and square. And that means you have to be my servant for a week.”
He laughed. “We made no arrangement like that beforehand.”
“The winner chooses what they want.”
“Ah, you’re making up the rules as you go along.”
Bree laughed. “I would like you to do something for me.”
“Seems I’m always doing things for you. Covering up your secrets, and taking you places. What would you have me do now?”
“Would you take me to see my doctor next week? We’d have to go by taxi. I’m just too nervous to go on my own.” Bree cringed hoping he’d say he’d go with her.
“Of course, I’ll go with you. Not into the room with the doctor, though.”
Bree laughed. “No. You can wait in the waiting room.”
“Sounds easy to me.”
“Then, you’ll do it?”
“I will. Let’s go.” He took her hand and pulled her to her feet.
Bree knew she was falling for Andrew, but if her feelings got stronger how would she be able to walk away? It was hard enough to walk away from her baby, but at least she’d know her baby would have a good life. Maybe Marie was right; she shouldn’t make up her mind so rigidly about things. Even after weeks with a Godly family she still didn’t know if their beliefs were founded in fact or fiction. If only it were true that there was a God who cared. It certainly sounded too good to be true.
Weeks had passed and Bree’s baby was only two weeks from being born. She was certain that she’d fallen in love with Andrew, but she was still confused about many things. Andrew had taken her to the doctor twice, and even though they’d been to many social events with Cora tagging along, she’d still found quiet moments when she was alone with Andrew.
Bree was beginning to think that she had been drawn to the Stauffer family for a different reason other than having Simon’s parents adopt her baby. Maybe God had brought her there to marry Andrew so they could start a family together; it seemed too good a thing to hope for. Nothing good had ever happened to her and it was silly for her to think things would suddenly start working out well for her.
“I'll get it.” Bree rose from the table and walked to the door when she heard someone knock.
Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer letting her answer the door was just a simple thing which made her feel a part of the family. She expected to see one of the Amish people she knew standing there, but she opened the door and came face-to-face with Ryan. As she covered her mouth and gasped, she took a step back.
After her initial reaction, she stepped forward hoping the family wouldn’t learn who Ryan was. “What are you doing here?” she hissed. After a quick glance over her shoulder, she stepped onto the porch and closed the door behind her.
He folded his arms over his chest and looked down at her large stomach that she couldn’t cover up. When he looked back up at her face, he said, “Your mother told me about the baby.”
“What do you care? I heard you’re going to be married soon anyway.”
“I’m going to get custody of the baby. That’s what I’m doing here. You can’t possibly raise it; you don’t even have a job.”
“Firstly my baby’s not an ‘it,’ and it’s not even yours,” she lied.
“I know the baby’s mine and I’ll order a paternity test to prove it, if I have to.”
Bree knew that he’d go to any lengths to get what he wanted.
Mr. Stauffer flung the door opened and stood there while he looked at Ryan, obviously wondering who he was and why he was there. His eyebrows pinched together as he looked at Bree. “Do you know this man?”
Bree put the palm of her hand on her forehead. She was about to be found out to be a big liar. Ryan had ruined her hopes and dreams and now Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer would lose their chance to be parents, or at least grandparents.
Before Bree could think of something to say, Ryan stared back at Mr. Stauffer. “I’m the father of the child she's carrying.”
Chapter 16
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
Psalm 71:16
* * *
Mr. Stauffer’s eyes opened wide. He looked from Ryan to Bree. “Is this true, Bree?”
Bree couldn’t speak and neither could she look at Mr. Stauffer. Before Ryan had come, her life was working perfectly. She was certain that Andrew was falling in love with her just as she was falling in love with him. Now Andrew’s parents would never trust her again. The wickedness of her lie was so great she knew the only thing left for her to do was leave the Stauffer house. She had to get out of their house quickly.
If only Andrew had been home, he would’ve known what to do and he could’ve calmed his parents.
“Bree, is this true?” Mr. Stauffer asked again.
All she could do was nod as tears flowed down her cheeks.
Ryan chimed in, “Get your stuff, Bree. You’re coming with me.”
Staring at him open-mouthed, all she could do was hurry past him and head up the stairs. What other choice did she have? She couldn’t stay t
here now that they knew the truth of her lies.
When she was halfway up the stairs, she noticed that Mrs. Stauffer and Cora were walking out of the kitchen so she climbed the stairs faster. She got into her room and threw all her belongings into her suitcase and closed it. Where are you, Andrew? You’d know what to do.
The last thing she wanted to do was face all three of them downstairs. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer and Cora all would know by now that Simon was not the father of her baby. Her lie had been well intended, but now that it was known it seemed an horrendous lie.
Bree picked up her suitcase and headed down the stairs hoping to avoid awkward questions and seeing their hurt faces.
At the bottom of the stairs Mrs. Stauffer looked at her with tears in her eyes. “Is what this man is saying true, Bree?”
All Bree wanted to do was sit down with her and explain what she’d done, and why, but guilt prevented her from doing so. “It is. I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused everyone. I wish I could explain.” She walked out the door, avoiding meeting the gaze of Cora or her father.
By this time, Ryan was at the bottom of the porch stairs. “Let’s go,” he said, as he grabbed her suitcase out of her hands.
Bree saw his red sports car and hurried over to it. She slumped down in the seat and then, when they drove away, Bree turned back to look at the house. The three of them were staring after her, Mr. and Mrs. Stauffer and Cora. When Dusty sat down next to the three of them and watched her leave, Bree covered her face with both hands and cried; she’d betrayed the trust of the only people who had ever really cared about her.
After five minutes of solid crying, she calmed down enough to speak. “How did you find me?”
“It wasn't easy; your parents had no idea where you went. I had to have a private investigator track you down.”
“How did he find me?”
“Through your phone. Apparently you were turning your phone on and off, and when you turned it on he was able to pinpoint your location. I didn’t think he was right, but here you are.” He gave her a sideways glance. “What were you doing with Amish people?”
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