When Mark’s Englisch girlfriend, Natalie Perry, had come begging for a word with him, Miriam had been only too happy to inform her Mark wasn’t home. When the tearful girl explained that her parents were making her leave town the following evening, Miriam had been relieved. It was God’s will. Without this woman’s influence, her brother would give up worldly things and be baptized into the faith. Miriam had given up Nick’s love for her faith. She had passed that test. Mark would, too.
Natalie had scrawled a note and pressed it into
Miriam’s hand, pleading with her to give it to Mark as soon as possible. At the time, Miriam had no idea what the note contained, but she didn’t give it to Mark until late the next day. Only afterward did she understand what harm she had caused.
Mark had flown out of the house, stolen a car and tried to reach his love before it was too late. Nick had stopped him, and Miriam never had the chance to beg her brother’s forgiveness.
The front door opened, and Nick came in looking as if he expected a frying pan to come sailing at his head. The idea of doing something so outrageous made her feel better. Slightly.
When he saw that he didn’t need to defend himself, he said, “Ada, is there anything you need me to do before I leave? I can chop some kindling if you need it.”
“Nee, I reckon we’ll be fine.”
He nodded. “You let me know if you hear anything from the baby’s family.”
Ada nodded toward the baby sleeping in the newly washed bassinet. “Do not worry, Nicolas. The mother, she will come for her babe.”
“I pray you are right. Miriam, I’d appreciate knowing what the doctor has to say about Hannah.”
He waited, as if he expected Miriam to say something. When she didn’t, he nodded in her direction. “Okay, I’ve got to get back to town.”
When the door closed behind him, Miriam took the first deep breath she managed to draw all morning. “I thought he would never leave.”
“It was goot to see him again. I remember him as such a nice boy.”
“It’s too bad he turned out to be a murderer.”
“Do not say such a thing, Miriam!” Her mother rounded on her with such intensity that Miriam was left speechless.
Ada shook her finger at her daughter. “You are not the only one who has suffered, but you are the only one who has not forgiven. The more you pick at a wound, the longer it takes to heal. I don’t know why you refuse to see that. I’m tired of your selfish attitude. Maybe it is best that you go back to your Englisch home.”
Dumbfounded, Miriam stared at her mother in shock. Not once in her life had her mother raised her voice in such a manner.
Miriam struggled to muster her indignation. “That man caused the death of your only son. Have you
really forgiven him for that?”
“It was Gottes wille that Mark died. I can’t pretend to understand why such a thing had to happen, or why your father was taken before me, too. I can only try to live a good life and know that I will be with them when it is my time.” Ada turned her back on her daughter and began to wash the coffee cups in the sink.
Miriam’s anger slipped away. She wanted to punish Nick, but she’d wound up hurting her mother instead. “Do you really want me to leave?”
Her mother seemed to shrink before her eyes. Ada heaved a deep sigh. “I want what I cannot have. I’m tired. I’m going to lie down for a while. Can you watch the baby?”
“Of course.” Miriam fetched her mother’s cane from beside the table and watched her head toward the hallway. Ada moved slowly, leaning heavily on her cane for support.
Overcome with guilt, Miriam said, “I’m sorry if I upset you.”
Her mother paused at the doorway and looked over her shoulder. “I forgave you the moment you spoke. We will talk no more about your stubborn, willful ways and the bitterness you carry. I leave it up to Gott to change your heart.”
After her mother disappeared into her room Miriam sat down beside Hannah. Bella had staked out her new territory beneath the crib. She looked up at Miriam with soulful eyes and gave a halfhearted wag of her tail.
Miriam leaned down to pet her. “You love me no matter what I do or say. Thank you. That’s why I have a dog.”
* * *
The following morning, Miriam sat in the waiting room of the Hope Springs Medical clinic with Hannah in her borrowed car seat on the floor beside her. They were waiting to be seen for Hannah’s first well-baby appointment.
Miriam was starting to wonder if she was a well baby. How soon did colic set in? If Hannah wasn’t sick, she was certainly a fussy baby. It had been a long night for both of them. Miriam’s eyes burned with lack of sleep. A headache nagged at the base of her neck. The baby had fallen asleep in the car on the way to the clinic, but she was starting to fidget now that the car ride was over.
“The doctor will be with you shortly. Would you like some tea or coffee while you wait?” Wilma Nolan, the elderly receptionist asked with an encouraging smile.
Miriam shook her head. What she wanted was a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. The outside door opened. She looked over and saw Nick walk in.
He was out of uniform this morning. He’d traded his dark blues for worn, faded jeans, Western boots and a wool sweater in a soft taupe color that made his tan look even deeper. No one could deny he was a good-looking man. She struggled to ignore the sudden jump in her pulse.
The elderly receptionist behind the counter sat up straight and smiled. “Sheriff, how nice to see you. I’m afraid you will have quite a wait if you need to see the doctor this morning. Dr. White isn’t feeling well, and Dr. Zook is the only one seeing patients.”
“Not to worry, Wilma, I’m not sick. I just came to check on Ms. Kauffman and...the baby.”
Wilma’s eyebrows shot up a good two inches as she glanced between Miriam and Nick. “I see. Is this official business?”
Mortified by what she knew the receptionist was thinking, Miriam wanted to sink through the floor. Nick obviously came to the same conclusion because he quickly stuttered, “It’s...it’s personal business, Wilma.”
“Oh, of course.” A smug, knowing smile twitched on her thin lips as she blushed a bright shade of pink.
Nick took a seat beside Miriam. “Hi.”
“What are you doing here?” she snapped under her breath, keeping a bland smile on her face for Wilma’s benefit.
He leaned down to gaze at Hannah in her carrier. “I wanted to make sure she is okay. Amish babies have a higher incidence of birth defects, you know.”
“Of course I know that. I thought you were going to wait for me to call you with an update.”
“I wasn’t sure you would call me.”
He was right. She had no intention of involving him any more than she absolutely had to. “You didn’t have to come in person. You know what Mrs. Nolan is thinking, don’t you?”
“I’m not responsible for what people think.”
“‘It’s personal business, Wilma.’ Oh, you’re so going to be responsible if word gets out that we are a couple with a new baby.”
Nick shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “She’s known me for years. We go to the same church. Even if she thought it, she would never repeat it to anyone.”
“Hannah Kauffman?” A young man with thick-rimmed black glasses stood at the entrance to the hallway. He had two pens in the top pocket of his lab coat and a manila folder in his hands.
“It’s not Kauffman, Dr. Zook,” Nick stated as he picked up Hannah’s carrier and walked toward the young doctor.
Miriam took the carrier away from Nick. “It is for now.”
The doctor turned and walked down the hall ahead of them. “Let us know what you put on the birth certificate and that will be her legal name.”
“Legally, she’s a Jane Doe.” Nick stood close behind Miriam. The warmth of his breath on the back of her neck sent shivers rippling across her skin.”
Dr. Zook stopped and looked at him in surprise. “She�
�s a foundling?”
Miriam nodded. “Someone left her on my mother’s doorstep two nights ago. I caught a glimpse of a buggy going down the lane. A note said her name was Hannah, but that’s about all.”
“I see now why you are involved, Sheriff. This is very odd.”
Nick said, “I’m hoping you can help us.”
Dr. Zook’s eyes narrowed behind his glasses. “You do understand that I can’t reveal any information about my patients.”
“Even if you think you know who the mother might be?” Nick asked in a tone of voice that made Miriam glad she wasn’t the one he was questioning.
Dr. Zook drew himself up to his full height, which was a good four inches shorter than Nick’s six feet. “Not even then.”
Miriam expected this roadblock. “I’m a nurse, so I understand how it works. We won’t ask for confidential information.”
The young doctor relaxed. “Good. Let’s take a look at this little girl and make sure she is healthy.”
He held open the door to an exam room. Miriam walked in and set the carrier on the exam table. Carefully, she unlatched the harness and lifted the baby out. Hannah began fussing but soon settled back to sleep as Miriam soothed her with rocking and quiet words.
Nick took the carrier and put in on the floor, making room for Miriam to lay the baby on the exam table. She took a step to the side, but kept one hand on Hannah. Dr. Zook quietly and thoroughly went about his examination.
Miriam had met him a few times before. She preferred Dr. Harold White, but the older physician was well into his eighties. Dr. Zook had taken over a small part of Dr. White’s practice, and his involvement had grown in the past year until he oversaw almost half of the patients.
Miriam had been impressed with his handling of her mother’s health issues and had no qualms about letting him see Hannah. She said, “I’ve always meant to ask, are you related to our Bishop Zook?”
The young doctor smiled. “All Zooks are related in one way or another, but in the case of Bishop Zook and myself, it’s not a close connection. My family comes from near Reading, Pennsylvania.”
Nick spoke up. “Can you tell if Hannah has any birth defects associated with being Amish?”
“I can rule out dwarfism and Troyer Syndrome, which is a lethal microcephaly or small head, and several others diseases just by looking at her. Only blood tests or time will tell us if she suffers from any inherited metabolic defects such as glutaric aciduria, PKU, maple syrup urine disease or cystic fibrosis. I’ll draw her newborn screening blood tests today. That will check for many of the things I’ve mentioned and more. Do you want me to draw blood for DNA matching, as well?”
Nodding, Nick said, “You read my mind. If someone shows up claiming to be her parent or grandparent, I want to make sure they are related before I release her.”
Miriam said, “The mother’s note did say she would be back for Hannah, but she also said it wasn’t safe to have the baby with her. Can you think of anyone in a situation like that?”
The doctor rubbed the back of his neck. “I honestly can’t.”
Miriam laid a hand on his arm. “I know the Amish are reluctant to go to outsiders with their problems, Doctor. If you hear of anyone in a difficult situation, please let us know.”
Dr. Zook stared at her hand. She withdrew it hoping she hadn’t made a mistake.
He looked into her eyes and said, “I do understand the reluctance of the Amish to become involved with Social Services and the legal system in general. They have not always been treated fairly. I respect the way they take care of each other. I deeply admire their faith in God. I will let you know if I hear of anything like this.”
Miriam blew out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Doctor.”
“Not at all.” He was actually blushing.
Nick gave Miriam a funny look, then said, “Thanks, Doc.”
“I’ll draw some blood for those tests and I’ll have Amber follow up with this little girl just as she would one of her home deliveries. If you have any questions, feel free to call me. Day or night.”
He took a card from his pocket and scrawled a number on it. He handed it to Miriam. “This is my personal cell phone. Don’t hesitate to use it.”
She smiled at him. “I won’t hesitate for a minute.”
“Is there anything else?”
Miriam said, “She’s very fussy, Doctor, especially after she eats. I’m wondering if I should switch her to a soy-based formula.”
“You can certainly try that, but don’t make an abrupt switch. Mix the two together a few times until you gradually have all soy in her bottles.”
“All right. We’ll try that.”
“Fine. I’d like to see her again in two weeks. Sooner, if you have any concerns,” he added.
* * *
When the appointment ended, Nick scooped up Hannah’s carrier and held the door open for the doctor and Miriam to go out ahead of him. Outside the clinic, he handed the baby over to Miriam. She opened her rear car door and leaned in to secure the carrier.
He knew he shouldn’t say anything, but as usual, his good sense went missing where Miriam was concerned. “Doctor Zook seems quite taken with you.”
She popped up to gape at him. “What has that got to do with anything?”
“Nothing. It was a simple observation. I assume he isn’t married?”
“No, he isn’t, and I’m sure that is none of your business.”
He liked the way her eyes snapped when she was angry. If only her anger wasn’t always directed at him. He took a step back and raised his hands. “Don’t get all huffy.”
“I have every right to get huffy. What if I suggested Wilma had a crush on you?”
“Since she is old enough to be my grandmother, I’d say that would be weird.”
“There’s no talking to you. Now that you’ve been reassured Hannah is in good health, please go away. The less I see of you the better.”
He hid how much her words hurt and gave her an offhand salute. “As you wish.”
She rolled her eyes and turned her back on him to finish fastening Hannah’s car seat. She struggled to get the last buckle fastened.
He didn’t want to leave on a sour note, but he knew when he was butting his head against a brick wall where she was concerned. In spite of his best intentions, he couldn’t help making one parting comment. “That chip on your shoulder isn’t doing you any good, you know.”
She backed out of the car with a growl of exasperation. He nudged her aside, leaned in and deftly secured the baby. Straightening, he looked at Miriam and calmly said, “It isn’t going to do Hannah any good, either. We have a better chance of finding her mother if we work together.”
“I thought you were leaving town for a fishing trip?”
He gazed at her intently. “The fish can wait. Hannah shouldn’t have to.”
He wanted Miriam’s cooperation. He didn’t believe in coincidences, he still believed whoever left the baby with her knew she was a nurse. “Did you put together the list of families who know you’re a nurse, the way I asked?”
“Yes.” She dug into her purse and pulled out a handwritten sheet.
It was a short list. There were only seven names on it. It wouldn’t take long to interview these families. He looked at her. “I appreciate your cooperation.”
* * *
Miriam considered carefully before she spoke again. If Hannah’s mother didn’t come forward, there would be little she could do on her own to find her. Nick, on the other hand, had an entire crime-solving department at his beck and call. If he was willing to put some effort into finding the baby’s mother, Miriam shouldn’t be discouraging him. In the end, finding the young woman who needed her help took priority over her feelings for cooperating with Nick.
She said, “I have an idea how we can check lots of buggy tires in one place.”
He looked at her sharply. “How?”
“The day after tomorrow, Sunday preaching services will be held
at Bishop Zook’s farm. Every family in his congregation will be there. Including all the people on that list. The younger men usually drive separately so they can escort their special girls home afterward. Why go farm to farm when there will be dozens of buggies in one place? It’s a start.”
“A good start. Still, his isn’t the only Amish church in the area. I can think of at least five others. I can try to find out where the other congregations are meeting. Tuesday is market day. That will be another opportunity for us if she hasn’t come forward by then.”
The thought of working with Nick should have left Miriam cold, but it didn’t. Instead, a strange excitement quickened her pulse. What was she getting herself into?
“I’ll see you Sunday,” he said and walked away.
When he reached his vehicle, he glanced back. She was still standing by her car watching him. An odd look of yearning crossed his face. It was gone so quickly she wondered if she imagined it.
What was he thinking when he gazed at her like that? Was he remembering happier days? She licked her lips and tucked her hair into place behind her ear. Did he think she had changed much? Did he still find her attractive?
The absurdness of the thought startled her. Why should she care what he saw when he looked at her? Impressing him should be the last thing on her mind. She walked around her car, got in quickly and drove away.
But no matter how fast she drove, thoughts of Nick stuck in her mind. She couldn’t outrun them.
Chapter Five
Sunday morning dawned bright and clear. Miriam
knew that because her mother was clanging pots and pans around in the kitchen before any light crept through Miriam’s window. The sounds echoed up the stairwell into her room because she had the door open to hear Hannah when she cried. She needn’t have bothered. Each time the baby fussed, Bella was beside Miriam’s bed five seconds later, nosing her mistress to get up.
A Home for Hannah Page 5
