The Hearts of Middlefield Collection

by Kathleen Fuller

  “He healeth the broken hearted, and bindeth up their wounds.”

  Closing her eyes, she held the Bible against her chest, pouring her soul out to God. Her fear over letting Gabriel into her heart, despite her wanting to let him in. She beseeched the Lord to take away the loneliness and grief, her constant companions. A lump jumped in her throat. “My heart and spirit are broken, Lord,” she whispered. “Please, healeth them.”

  Chapter 18

  Moriah folded her hands across her huge belly as she listened to her brother and Rachel exchange wedding vows. Her due date was very near, and she hadn’t felt well when she’d awakened. But she wouldn’t miss Tobias’s wedding for the world.

  The entire community had been shocked when Rachel and Tobias had announced their engagement two weeks ago. Everyone but the Detweilers and the Bylers had assumed Rachel would marry Christian. To his credit, Christian didn’t say a word against Rachel or Tobias. But he wasn’t at the wedding either. Moriah didn’t blame him. While she was happy for her brother, who everyone could see was completely in love with his soon-to-be bride, listening to the service was difficult. It was nearly a year to the day she had married Levi.

  Her stomach lurched as the baby moved again, and she shifted in her chair. Then a squeezing pain seared across her abdomen. The pains had started yesterday, but they had been sporadic, more uncomfortable than anything else. But this pain was different, more intense. She glanced at her mami and daed, who were watching the service and beaming at the bride and groom. She didn’t want to do anything to disturb their happiness, or her brother’s wedding.

  Over the past couple weeks she had been engrossed in wedding details, helping her mother and Sarah prepare for today. Yet she had taken time to rest, to read the Bible, and especially to pray.

  She still didn’t know what to do about Gabriel. She had felt God nudging her to talk to him, but her fear held her back. The few times she had seen him, he had kept his distance, honoring her wishes. She had seen him walk into the Detweilers’ home earlier that day, but he had ignored her, instead walking up to Tobias and offering his congratulations right before the ceremony.

  He looked so striking in his dark trousers, crisp white shirt, and black vest. He’d removed his black hat, revealing thick locks of chestnut-colored hair. Then he laughed, his smile illuminating his entire face, causing her breath to catch in her throat. An intense longing rose within her, one she had never experienced before, not even with Levi. When he turned from her brother, she inexplicably wished he would make his way to her, just so she could be near him. But he didn’t give her a glance as he walked to the back of the room and sat down next to his daed.

  The bishop pronounced Tobias and Rachel husband and wife, and the two of them turned and faced the congregation. Her brother nearly glowed as he looked down at his beautiful bride, her hand resting lightly on the crook of his arm, a radiant smile lighting up her face. Moriah said a quick prayer of blessing for their union, then another sharp pain stabbed at her midsection. Glancing at her belly, she saw it tighten beneath her gray dress. She winced and looked around, glad no one noticed her discomfort.

  Everyone stood and started talking, anticipating the delicious meal to come. Moriah started to rise, but was assaulted by another pain, longer in duration and nearly taking her breath away. When it subsided, she tried to get up again, her protruding belly making her feel awkward and unbalanced, until she felt someone take her elbow and gently help her up.

  “Danki,” she said, then looked up and gasped.

  “You’re welcome.” Gabriel let go of her arm. “I hope you don’t mind, but you looked like you were having a bit of trouble there. Are you feeling all right?”

  His kindness amazed her. Even after she had hurt him so deeply, he still cared. “Ya,” she said. “I’m fine. The baby is very active today.”

  “How close are you to delivery?”

  “A little over a week, according to Rebekkah.”

  “I’m excited to meet my new niece or nephew.” Doubt crept into his face. “If that’s okay with you.”

  “Of course you can, Gabriel. I would never keep you from seeing the boppli.”

  Relief washed over his features. “Danki. ”

  His gentleness increased her remorse. She really had been horrible to make him doubt whether he would be a part of Levi’s baby’s life. She remembered those dark hours when she thought she had been protecting herself from pain. In reality she had not only perpetuated it, but she had spread it on Gabriel too. She had to let him know how sorry she was. “Gabriel, I—”

  Her hand went to her belly as another burning wave tore through her. Fortunately this one had been brief, but it had brought tears to her eyes.

  “Moriah, something’s wrong.” Gabriel moved closer to her. “Let me get your mami.”

  “Nee, she’s busy with the meal. I’ll be all right.”

  “I don’t think so. You’re as white as a sheet.”

  Perspiration broke out on her upper lip. “I don’t want to worry my family. This is Tobias’s day.” She couldn’t stand to ruin his wedding.

  “Then let me take you home. I’ll run and fetch Rebekkah afterward.”

  Moriah nodded. “All right.”

  “Where’s your cloak?”

  She told him where he could find her wrap, and he dashed off to retrieve it. The pain had subsided to nothing, but she was still worried. Her due date was a week away. Certainly she wasn’t going into labor now.

  Gabriel returned and helped her slip into her cloak. By this time most everyone had moved outside. The day was unusually warm for November, and at the last minute they had moved the meal outdoors. No one had noticed that she and Gabriel had stayed behind, and when he escorted her out to his buggy, she was relieved to see the guests involved in their own activities.

  As he helped her into the buggy, another contraction came. He put his arm around her shoulders and she leaned against him, gritting her teeth against the pain. When it subsided, she took a deep breath. “Ach. That one hurt.”

  “What do you need me to do?” he asked, still holding on to her.

  “Just take me home.”

  He assisted her into the seat, then dashed around to the other side of the buggy and jumped in. “Hang on, Moriah. We’ll be home in no time.”

  She nodded, grateful the pain had gone away.

  “Do you think you’re in labor?”

  “Ya.” She clutched her belly and exhaled, trying to calm the terror rising inside her. “I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered.

  Gabriel’s hand slipped inside hers. He squeezed it lightly. “You can, Moriah.”

  Tears fell out of the corners of her eyes. “I’m scared, Gabriel.”

  “I know you are. But you’ll be fine. In a little while you’ll have a beautiful boppli.” His words and touch comforted her.

  They made it to her house in quick time. When he pulled into the driveway, another contraction hit, and she waited for it to pass before she got out of the buggy.

  Gabriel put his arm around her waist this time and helped her to the house. When she reached the front porch, her water broke.

  “Gabriel!” she exclaimed, clutching his reck.

  He glanced at the ground, unfazed. “It’s all right, Moriah. Let’s get in the house.”

  A few moments later he led her to her parents’ bedroom, which was the only bedroom on the first floor. She sat down while another contraction, this time stronger, seared through her. Letting out a cry of agony she screamed, “Help me!”

  With each of Moriah’s cries, Gabriel’s anxiety increased. He tried to remain calm for her sake, but inside he could barely keep it together. He hated seeing her like this, consumed with agony as the contractions became stronger and more frequent. When she was able, he laid her back on her parents’ bed and brushed her damp brow with the back of his hand.

  “I’m going to fetch Rebekkah,” he said, amazed by the steadiness of his voice. “I’ll be right
back.”

  She clamped her fingers down on his arm. “Nee!” He held his breath as another contraction came and went. “Don’t leave me, Gabriel. I can’t do this alone.”

  “You won’t. Rebekkah will be here to help.”

  “There’s no time.” Her gaze bored into his, her eyes holding a desperate combination of pain and fear. “You have to help me.”

  Gabriel’s birthing experience was limited at best. He’d helped a neighbor deliver a calf when he was a teenager, but that in no way compared with this situation. Yet he knew she was right; the speed and the intensity of the contractions filled him with stark panic. He couldn’t leave her to have this baby alone.

  Yanking off his reck, he asked, “What should I do?”

  She gripped the sheets as another contraction came. “I don’t know!”

  That wasn’t what he wanted to hear. He flipped off his hat and rolled up his sleeves, his mind frantic. His mouth turned to cotton as he tried to figure out what to do. The next contraction forced her to a halfway sitting position. He could see her knees drop open to the sides underneath her dress. Dear God in heaven, help me!

  “Moriah?”

  Gabe breathed with relief when he heard Lukas’s voice coming from the front room. “In here!” he yelled.

  Lukas poked his head in the doorway. “Daed saw you two leave and he sent me to find out what’s going on.” His gaze darted from Moriah to Gabe. The color drained from the seventeen-year-old’s face. “Is she having the boppli ?”

  “Go get Rebekkah Fisher! Hurry!”

  Lukas ran out of the room, and Gabriel continued to hold Moriah’s hand. “Rebekkah will be here soon,” he said.

  She gripped his hand, her face dripping with sweat and red from the pain. “Don’t leave me,” she said, gasping. “Don’t ever leave me, Gabriel.”

  Without thinking, he lifted her hand to his lips and planted a kiss on the knuckles. “I won’t.” Her words sparked a tiny flame of hope inside him that she meant something other than him seeing her through the birth. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  “She’s beautiful.”

  Moriah’s eyelids opened at the sound of her mother’s voice. She smiled as she saw her baby cradled in Emma’s arms, only the very top of her head and face visible underneath the light yellow receiving blanket.

  Every fiber of her being hurt, but the dull throb was nothing compared to the relentless pain she’d gone through giving birth. Exhausted, she had fallen asleep soon after she held her new daughter, barely remembering Rebekkah taking the baby out of her arms to wash her tiny body and wrap her in the blanket.

  “Perfect in every way.” Rebekkah’s voice reached Moriah’s ears, and she turned to see the midwife standing over her. “You didn’t sleep for very long.” She smiled. “Would you like to sit up and hold your boppli ?”

  Moriah nodded and allowed Rebekkah to help her to a seated position. The midwife propped pillows behind her back. A clean blanket lay across her lap, and her kapp had been removed at some point. The pain of childbirth had been so consuming that she barely remembered what had happened until she’d heard her baby’s cry after the final push. Now her arms ached to hold the child she’d been anxious to meet for so long.

  “Here she is.” Tears welled in Emma’s eyes as she passed the swaddled bundle to Moriah. “You should be proud of yourself, dochder.”

  “Ya,” Rebekkah added. “You made my job very easy. By the time I got here the boppli was already crowning.”

  Moriah gazed down into her daughter’s face. Her eyes were barely open, but she could make out their bluish-gray color. Her cheeks were round and pink, and her lips were full. Downy brown hair covered her head, the same shade as her father’s.

  “Do you have a name for the boppli ?” Rebekkah asked.

  “Velda,” Moriah replied without hesitation.

  Emma put her fingers to her lips. “After Levi and Gabriel’s mudder?”

  She nodded and looked up at her mother. “Velda Anne.”

  “After my mudder.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Danki, Moriah. And danki for my beautiful grossdochder.”

  Moriah smiled. “Where’s Gabriel?”

  “He’s in the front room.” Rebekkah chuckled. “I think you scared about ten years off that man. I’d never come across anyone so happy to see me in my life.”

  “I couldn’t tell.” Then again, she had been more than a little preoccupied. Things were starting to come back to her now, and she remembered how he had stayed by her side, holding her hand, giving her words of encouragement until Velda Anne was born. He had still been next to her when she’d fallen asleep. “Has he held the baby yet?”

  “Nee.” Rebekkah looked at her. “Would you like him to?”

  She nodded. “Please. Tell him I want to see him.”

  Emma went to get Gabriel while Rebekkah made sure Moriah was completely covered. Then she said, “I’ll leave you all alone for a few minutes. Velda’s asleep, but if she gets cranky, let me know and I’ll help you get her fed.” She left the room.

  Moriah leaned back against the pillow, her baby tucked in her arms. A perfect miracle, she was a gift from God. As she marveled at her daughter, she realized that God had been with her through everything. She had questioned His plan for her life, especially after Levi’s betrayal. But now she could see how going through the pain had made her stronger. Over the past few weeks, she had asked the Lord to heal her heart. He had done that not only through her child but through Gabriel as well. Even after she had hurt him, he stood by her.

  “Moriah?”

  Gabriel stood in the doorway, as if he didn’t know whether he should come in or not. His gaze went to Velda Anne, and his smile, coupled with the tenderness in his eyes, touched her.

  “Come see your niece,” she said, smiling and lifting the baby slightly toward him.

  He strode in and stood by the side of the bed, still appearing unsure. She motioned for him to sit next to her, and he did.

  “Danki,” she said, with all the sincerity and gratitude in her heart.

  “No need to thank me, I didn’t do anything.” His brown eyes softened. “You, on the other hand, were incredible.”

  She blushed, then looked down at her baby. “Do you want to hold her?” He nodded, and she placed Velda Anne in his arms.

  “She’s beautiful,” he said, staring at her. “Emma said you named her after Mami. ”

  “Ya. I think it suits her.”

  “I think you’re right.” Gabriel smiled.

  Moriah took a deep breath as an all-consuming wave of peace washed over her. As she watched Gabriel hold her daughter in his strong arms, she understood how right it all was. He had said he would love Levi’s child, and she could see that love in his eyes as he gazed at Velda Anne’s precious face. He had been by her side through everything, just as he’d promised, never asking for anything in return. He had been her rock through the dark times, and had shared the happiest moment of her life. His belief and love in her had never wavered, a shining example of God’s own devotion to His children.

  Tears filled her eyes.

  “Moriah?” his voice covered her in a gentle caress. “Why are you crying?”

  “I’m so sorry, Gabriel. I’m sorry for sending you away, for not trusting in you.” She wiped her nose with the top of her index finger.

  “Shhh,” he said, tucking Velda Anne deeper in the crook of his arm. He reached out and wiped the tears off Moriah’s cheek with this thumb. “It’s all right.”

  “Nee, it’s not.”

  “Listen to me, Moriah. I won’t let you do this. We’ve all made mistakes, but those are in the past. The time of mourning is over.” He pressed a kiss to Velda Anne’s forehead, then smiled. “The time of celebrating has begun.”

  She grinned through her tears. “You’re right. We have a lot to celebrate.” Consumed with joy, she reached out and took Gabriel’s hand.

  He squeezed it and smiled, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t
have to. She knew he understood her meaning completely.

  Chapter 19

  Rachel snuggled Moriah’s three-month-old daughter in her arms. She and Tobias were sitting on the Bylers’ sofa in the front room while everyone else had gathered in the kitchen. It was Sunday, a day of rest and, in this house, celebration.

  “Isn’t she adorable, Tobias?”

  “Ya,” he said, looking at his niece. “Cute.” He picked up a copy of Family Life magazine from the coffee table and thumbed through it.

  “That’s all you have to say?”

  He cast her a sidelong glance. “What else do you want me to say? She’s a boppli. They’re all cute.” He inclined his head and looked at Velda Anne for a moment. “Although I’ll admit, she’s prettier than most.”

  “Ya, she is. Hopefully we’ll have one of our own someday soon.”

  “Maybe.” He gave her a wicked look. “Until then, we’ll have fun trying.”

  “Tobias!” Rachel admonished him, but only halfheartedly. “Your parents could walk in here at any moment.”

  Instead of behaving himself, he scooted closer to her and nuzzled her neck.

  A chill ran through her entire body, and though she didn’t want to—she really, really didn’t want to—she pulled away. “Stop it!”

  His sly grin made her toes curl. “Only if you promise we’ll continue this later.”

  Rachel could barely breathe. Being married to Tobias had been everything she ever dreamed of—exciting, unpredictable, at times exasperating, and above all, filled with fun and love. They brought out the best in each other, and even though they hadn’t stopped being competitive—she had just beat him in a game of washers last weekend—they also didn’t mind losing, as long as it was to each other. They had also started their marriage on solid financial footing. Between what he made working for his father and her tips and pay at the restaurant, they had been able to buy a house last month.

  “Let’s get out of here,” he whispered in her ear.