by Diane Craver
Amos cleared his throat. “Priscilla gets her love of painting from me. I used to paint, and whenever I look at her canvases, it reminds me of how much I loved painting. I quit because my dat hated my talent. My mother painted in secret because their district frowned greatly on it. Then she completely stopped painting when my dat told me to quit. I figured he hadn’t told her to stop because she was a woman and she never sold her work. He told me that it wasn’t manly for me to enjoy painting.”
“I don’t understand what the big deal is now that you have your own home,” Luke said. “You should’ve gone back to doing what you enjoyed.” Confusion appeared in his eyes. “It’s wunderbaar-gut you and Priscilla both have the same talent.”
“I saw a couple of his paintings,” Lillian said. “I loved them. His mother saved a couple of them before they all burned.” She touched Amos’s arm. “You should paint again.”
Amos shook his head. “I don’t want to. I don’t have time for it.”
“Are you really okay with your decision?” Lillian asked. “Time can be made for your talent.”
“Ya. I want to use my talent to serve God by being a good bishop for our district. It’s important I have time for our family, farming, and our church community.” Amos stiffened his back. “Serving others is the only important gift or talent to me.”
“Daed, God gave you this talent,” Luke said. “You should use it like Priscilla does. Her paintings sell well and help our medical fund.”
Molly gave Amos a thoughtful look. “Maybe you could even serve better if you painted. I know sometimes the stress gets to you. If you paint, that might release some of your anxiety in a positive way. You’ll be able to feel more relaxed when being a bishop feels overwhelming.”
“I get rid of stress or any church things that come up by praying,” Amos said.
“I seem to recall a verse in Peter from a recent sermon of yours.” Beth sat up straighter. “ ‘Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,’ and painting is a gift that serves others. Even if a painting isn’t sold, the beauty of the colors on the canvas touch our souls.”
“Ya, that is a good verse,” Amos said. “The rest of the tenth verse is ‘as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’ My main gift is teaching and leading our people.”
“We each have a gift or talent from God and should use it to glorify Him and to serve others.” Lillian paused for a moment, then continued, “You’re a wonderful bishop, husband, father, and grandfather, but I’d love for you to use your art talent again. It could be a blessing for all of us and for others.”
“You look sad sometimes.” Sadie stood and walked over to his chair. She kissed his cheek and said, “You should paint again.”
“I agree.” Anna giggled. “Especially with three single daughters at home. You need an outlet. Priscilla isn’t home right now, but she will be again.”
Amos hoped with his whole heart that Anna was correct in assuming Priscilla would come back home. What if she likes being on the beach so much that she doesn’t return? “I hope you are right. Maybe I’ve made a mistake in not telling her about my past. I suppose I should share more with you. My father burned my paintings. Something died inside me when he destroyed something I had created from the beauty I saw around me.”
“I’m sorry he did that, and it was wrong of him,” Luke said. “I hate to say this, but Daadi has always been harsh.” He stroked his brown beard. “I’m glad you are not like him.”
“Do you still have the two that were saved by your mother?” Jonathan asked.
“Ya, I do. I have them hidden in the attic.” Amos frowned. “Even though I didn’t burn Priscilla’s paintings, I wish I hadn’t told her to quit painting for a couple of months. Maybe she would have stayed instead of going to work for Madison. I survived without using my talent, but I can see now she’s not me.”
“I think Priscilla has another talent,” Beth said. “Her letter said a lot in a meaningful way. It is a touching expression of who she is.”
“Absolutely. When I read her letter, her words spoke to my heart.” Lillian stood and said in her schoolteacher voice, “Okay, we covered a lot this evening. I’m thankful to the Lord for each of you and we shared what needed to be said. Now—”
“Sorry to interrupt you,” Luke said, “but Violet and I have an announcement to make. We are expecting a baby.”
Amos saw the pure joy on his son’s face. Although he was elated for them, he was also relieved to have a new topic. His art had been discussed enough. “Congratulations,” he said among others making similar comments.
Violet grinned. “The baby is due in November . . . around Thanksgiving. I’ll take a four-month maternity leave. Then I’ll go back part-time if I can take our baby with me to work at the birthing center.”
“What about home births? Are you going to take off four months from delivering babies?” Molly asked.
Violet shrugged. “I want to take a year off from doing home births. Too many births seem to occur in the middle of the night. Ada can take my patients. When she had her last child, I did the home births, except I had Anna’s help.”
Molly frowned. “But Ada can’t deliver the babies. A doctor has to be present.”
Amos noticed Jonathan gave Molly a questioning glance. Molly shook her head. What is that about? he wondered. Is Molly in the family way too?
Lillian motioned to them to follow her. “Let’s eat dessert. The pie I have will taste even better with such happy baby news.”
“And we have chocolate chip cookies I made,” Sadie said as she stood. “Maybe I should send a box of cookies to Priscilla. She loves chocolate chip cookies.”
“I think that’s a grand idea.” Amos hugged Sadie, hoping time would slow down before his youngest daughter grew up and left home.
Chapter Ten
As Jonathan drove their buggy home from Beth and Henry’s place, the horse’s hooves clipped against the road in a gentle rhythm. Molly looked at Grace in her arms and saw she had fallen asleep. Isaac was sandwiched between her and Jonathan. When she saw his closed eyes, too, she smiled at her husband. “Both little ones are fast asleep. I’m glad we put their pajamas on before we left Beth’s house. Hopefully, we can tuck them into their beds without them waking up on us.”
Jonathan grinned at her. “If they do, I’ll use my magic touch and pat them back to sleep.”
“You do have a magic touch with our kinner.” Molly loved the interaction between Jonathan and the children. Their relationship was as strong as their biological father Caleb’s bond would have been if he hadn’t been killed.
After Caleb had died trying to save their horses, she’d been overwhelmed with grief. Having Isaac and being pregnant with Grace had forced her to move on with her life. When she fell in love with Jonathan, it’d been an unexpected blessing. She hadn’t planned on getting married again. Caleb had never told her about living as an English man and being engaged before meeting her. Finding out Caleb’s secret life after his death had hurt her deeply. She hadn’t known if she could trust a man again, but Jonathan had proved to her she could trust him.
Jonathan looked at her with a curious expression. “I thought we were going to tell everyone tonight our wunderbaar news.”
“I was going to mention it, but I planned on waiting until Daed explained why he wanted us at their house. I can’t believe everything we learned. First Priscilla, then Daed’s secret and Luke and Violet’s baby news.”
He nodded. “It was an interesting night.”
“After Luke and Violet announced their baby news, I didn’t want to say anything. It’s their first baby, and it just didn’t seem like the right time to share about my pregnancy.” Molly remembered how exciting it had been to be pregnant for the first time. It had been even more special because Isaac was the first grandchild on both sides. It wasn’t that she wasn’t thrilled about having a baby with Jonathan, but it would’ve been nice to have a bigger gap between
Grace and the new baby. Obviously, breastfeeding hadn’t spaced her babies like she wanted, but it was God’s will. Grace would be seventeen months old when she gave birth. She’d have two in diapers. How could she keep up with her quilt orders, housework, laundry, and cooking?
He raised his eyebrows. “I already called and told my parents, brother, and sister. I thought you were telling your parents this evening, so I called them before we left the house.”
“I’m glad you called them.” Although Jonathan loved Isaac and Grace as if he were their biological father, she knew he was thrilled that she was in the family way with his baby.
“Shouldn’t you schedule an appointment with Violet and Dr. Tony? I know you’re sure that you’re expecting because of the home pregnancy test, but I’d like to take you when you have your first appointment.”
“I’ll make an appointment soon. I guess another reason I didn’t say anything was my head was reeling how I won’t have Violet delivering our baby. Our baby should be due in December, so that means I’ll have a doctor delivering our baby. I’m froh for Violet and my bruder, but sad that she won’t be able to be at my home birth.”
Jonathan turned his face away from the rural road. He studied her closely.
“It’s a good thing Ginger knows the way home.” Why did Jonathan have to look at her like he wondered why she was making a big deal out of something that wouldn’t happen for months? She felt silly that she was emotional about not having Violet to deliver their baby. She could probably have the baby by herself . . . not that she wanted to do that.
“Ginger knows where her food is.” He turned to glance at the road, then looked back at her. “Why are you crying? Are you feeling okay?”
Molly hated herself for sobbing hysterically, but she couldn’t help it. The first trimester was partly to blame, with exhaustion, nausea, and a surge of hormones, but she didn’t feel like explaining it to her husband.
Jonathan pulled on the reins and said, “Whoa, Ginger.”
He lifted her hand off Grace’s blanket and kissed it. “I’m here for you. We have a bit of a distance before we’ll be home. I don’t like to see you unhappy. What is it, sweetheart?”
“I’m tired and upset about having a baby without Violet. I don’t want to go to the birthing center. And I don’t want Ada to come, then she has to have Dr. Paul or Tony come to our house.” Another wail came out of her mouth. “You must think I’m being ridiculous.”
“Nee, I don’t think you’re being ridiculous. We’ll figure it out. Maybe we can find another nurse-midwife to deliver the baby. It’s too bad Anna isn’t also a nurse.”
“I also don’t know how I can do everything. Do you think I should quit my quilt business?” As Molly looked at Jonathan, she bit her lip. “I do have a nice nest egg from what I’ve sold. Maybe I won’t take any more orders.”
He nodded. “That sounds fine to me. I know you love having your own business, but we have enough money. I want you to take a nap in the afternoon while the kinner take theirs. Now that Priscilla isn’t around to help during the week, I can hire someone to do housework and help with Isaac and Grace.”
She sniffed and swiped her hand across her cheek. “You’re sweet, but I don’t want you to hire someone. Mamm will help, and once the first trimester passes, I won’t be as tired and emotional. I can ask Anna to help sometimes. Maybe Priscilla will decide Florida isn’t for her and will return home. I miss her already.”
“I love you, Molly.”
“I love you too. There is something nice about being due in December. I won’t be complaining about the hot summer weather like I did with Grace.” She smiled. “I remember how you brought me battery-run fans when I was miserable during the last month of pregnancy.”
“I even thought of taking you to Nicole’s, so you could be in her air-conditioned apartment.”
“That’s another person I need to tell we’re expecting. Nicole will be ecstatic. I hope she has a baby someday.” Molly glanced down at Grace’s sweet, chubby face, recalling how she named Grace after Nicole. She had been with her when Grace was born. When she had told Nicole that Grace’s middle name would be hers, her friend got tears in her eyes.
“If Perry and Nicole are like us, it might happen quickly for them. When is their wedding?”
“Soon. The end of this month. It’s such a lovely night.” The gentle, cool breeze on her face felt nice. After she gave Jonathan a broad smile, she saw his puzzled look. “What?”
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He hesitated for a moment, then continued, “I guess I’m surprised.”
“I know it’s crazy that suddenly I feel froh. Mood changes seem to happen a lot to women during the first three months. Or to me, anyhow.” Staring at her children, she said, “I’m glad my crying didn’t wake them. We better get moving again before someone comes behind us and starts honking their horn.”
“You’re right.” He grabbed the reins with both hands and flicked Ginger into action.
“There is something that bothers me.” Molly couldn’t believe that Priscilla hadn’t confided in her. After Caleb had died, Priscilla had been there for her many times. She wished Priscilla had shared her troubled feelings with her. Then there was Isaac. He loved his Aenti Cilla a lot. At age three, he had no problem saying “Priscilla,” but he stuck to using what he’d called her when his speech wasn’t as developed.
“What is it?”
“I feel disappointed that Priscilla never talked to me about what to do. I can imagine why she was torn about everything. I should have tried to bring it up when Mamm and Daed said she couldn’t work at the fabric store. Maybe she felt like she was being punished coming to our house.”
“I seriously doubt she felt that way. She enjoyed being with you and the kids.” He smiled. “We had a fun evening when you invited Stephen for supper. You and Priscilla impressed him with your cooking skills.”
Quickly, Molly said, “Stephen could be why she left. She seemed to like him a lot. Maybe she felt it was her last chance to do something on her own before becoming more serious as a couple.”
Jonathan laughed. “I don’t think I’ll mention that to Stephen. He won’t appreciate hearing she might have gone away because of him. He’s crazy about Priscilla. I’m sure I’ll get an earful the next time I see him.”
Ten minutes later, they arrived home. Molly carried Grace into the house and put her in bed. Jonathan followed her up the stairs with Isaac. As she got ready for bed and slid her nightgown over her head, Molly had a strong urge to go back outside to use the phone. She wanted so much to talk to Priscilla. How troubled she must have felt with leaving home without saying goodbye to anyone. Even Stephen hadn’t known she left. How would he feel about Priscilla running away from home?
Molly glanced at the alarm clock on her nightstand. It was only nine o’clock, so maybe she could call the number that Priscilla had used when she’d left a message on the answering machine. I’m glad I thought to copy it down. Although she must’ve left early in the morning, Priscilla might have slept some in the car on the way to Florida.
The paper with the phone number was in Molly’s black purse on the dresser. After she retrieved the paper, she went downstairs and put on a pair of shoes she kept by the back door. As she walked to the barn, she had second thoughts about calling.
She saw Jonathan had given their horses water. At the sound of her footsteps, he put the bucket down, then turned to her. “Ach, this is a nice surprise. I thought you’d be in bed. I guess you missed me.”
“I did.” She decided not to say anything about calling Priscilla, closing her hand around the small piece of paper.
He pulled her into his arms and touched her hair. “You are beautiful, and there is something special about seeing your loose, vibrant hair.”
“It always feels gut to remove it from the tight bun and let it down at night.” She’d been thinking of thinning her hair, since it couldn’t be cut. Her thick hair was heavy and went past her
waist. Some Amish women thinned their hair to make it lighter.
As he fingered her hair, Jonathan said, “Your hair is soft and silky.”
His beard tickled her, and she smiled at the touch of it against the sensitive skin of her face. She was glad she hadn’t mentioned her reason to be in the barn with him. What had seemed like a good idea to call Priscilla now didn’t . . . not when she was in her husband’s strong arms.
His lips feather-touched hers with tantalizing persuasion. All thoughts of calling were shattered with the hunger of Jonathan’s kisses. She had a burning desire for more kisses, and her breath caught in her lungs. Her emotions skidded to a new high where only feelings of love for her husband existed.
Chapter Eleven
A week later at Angela’s Restaurant, Molly took a forkful of lemon pie and enjoyed the tart taste. As she gazed at Jonathan, she thought how handsome he looked in his light blue shirt. She noticed his dark brown hair was getting a little long. She should cut it sometime. It was thoughtful of him to arrange for Anna to stay with Isaac and Grace, so they could go out to eat for their evening meal. He’d even left work early and played with the children while she’d taken a nap. She felt guilty now about complaining how tired she was with this pregnancy. Maybe her tiredness was partly due to breastfeeding Grace. When she’d been pregnant with Grace, she was no longer nursing Isaac. She’d been surprised that Ella Hershberger had breastfed Elijah during her second pregnancy until he’d weaned himself a month before their new baby boy arrived.
“Danki, Jonathan. I feel special and so loved. Taking a nap this afternoon was wunderbaar.”
Jonathan grinned. “Do you feel enough love to give me a bite of your pie? It looks appeditlich.”
