by Beth Wiseman
“I can show you how to do it.”
While holding Kaitlyn close to her chest, Rhoda followed Mia to the kitchen area and explained how to use the stove. Mia warmed a bottle and then gave it to Rhoda to feed Kaitlyn, giving Mia the chance to unpack kitchen supplies.
Mia had the kitchen organized and was starting on the boxes in the family room when Vera and Susannah knocked, then entered the cabin. Vera held an armload of quilts and Susannah steered a stroller filled with a snowsuit, quilts, and toys.
“Thank you so much.” A lump clogged Mia’s throat as she took the quilts from Vera. “This is too much.” She walked to the bedroom and set the quilts on the bed.
“No, it’s not.” Vera stood behind her. “By the way, the changing table we have is nothing fancy, but it has room for storage.” She pointed to a corner of the room. “It would fit there, and you can put the crib next to it.”
“Changing table? Crib?” Mia asked.
“Ya, I thought I told you we have a crib you can use too. I’ll have Adam and Joel bring everything over later when they get home from school.” Vera placed her hands on her hips. “I think it would all fit over there nicely.”
Mia blinked against threatening tears. She had the urge to laugh and cry at the same time. Why was she so emotional today? “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Vera touched her shoulder. “Susannah and I are here to help you unpack if you’d like the help. We’re caught up with our morning chores.”
“Thank you,” Mia repeated. This woman had met Mia for the first time last night but was offering to help her unpack.
Vera chuckled. “You don’t have to keep thanking me. Let’s get to work.”
Mia, Vera, and Susannah spent the next couple of hours unpacking all of Mia and Chace’s belongings and organizing the cabin. By the time they finished, the bedroom closet and bureau were full of clothes, and some of Mia’s books and photos were displayed on the small bookcase near the front door.
Rhoda put Kaitlyn down for a nap in the portable crib and soon returned to the family area. “She’s already fast asleep.” She eased the bedroom door shut.
“Thank you.” Mia placed her favorite photo on top of the bookcase. It featured Mia, Kaitlyn, and Chace posing together in their former apartment the day Kaitlyn came home from the hospital. It was their first family photo. Mia held Kaitlyn in her arms and Chace had his arms wrapped around Mia, sporting his happy grin. They were so happy that day, so certain everything would be okay.
She scanned the small cabin and sighed. This was their home now, but why didn’t it feel like a home? It just felt like a temporary place—a temporary and cold place—like a cheap hotel room someone would stay in overnight while on a journey to a more permanent and important location.
Vera surveyed their work. “The cabin looks gut.”
“Ya.” Susannah sat down on the wing chair. “It reminds me of when Mammi and Daadi lived here.”
“I agree.” Vera set a pile of empty boxes near the door. “It’s gut to have someone in this haus again.”
“How long did they live here?” Mia asked, still standing by the bookcase.
Vera was silent for a moment. “I think they were here for almost twenty years. Isaac’s mamm passed away five years ago, and then his dat passed away two years ago.”
“I miss them.” Rhoda walked over to her mother.
“I do too,” Susannah said. “I loved coming out here to visit them.”
“I know you did,” Vera responded. “I miss them too.”
A pang of envy took Mia by surprise, and she frowned. Why didn’t her parents want to be a part of their granddaughter’s life like Isaac’s parents had been? She dismissed the thought.
“Do you have anything to eat for supper?” Vera asked. “If not, I can bring something over for you.”
Mia gnawed her lower lip while debating her response. She didn’t want to lie about the meager choices she had, but they were better than nothing. “We have peanut butter, some bread, macaroni and cheese, ramen noodles, a little fruit, and a few cans of vegetables and soup. I can throw something together. We’ll be fine.” She was too humiliated to admit she had to save the peanut butter and bread for Chace to take to work for lunch.
Vera gave her a knowing expression. “I’ll have Susannah and Rhoda bring over some food. We have plenty.”
“I appreciate the offer, but you don’t have to do that,” Mia insisted. “I plan to go grocery shopping on Friday when Chace gets paid.”
“We’re happy to share our meal with you.” Vera pulled on her coat. “I need to get home to finish a sewing project I started yesterday, but we will be back. Let us know if you need anything else.”
Susannah and Rhoda followed suit, buttoning their coats.
“Thank you.” Mia suddenly remembered a question she had. “Would you show me how to use the wringer washer sometime?”
“Oh, ya,” Rhoda said as she stepped out to the small porch. “I can show you later when I bring over supper.”
Mia waved as her new friends descended the steps and walked down the rock path leading to their large farmhouse. Then she closed the door and leaned against it. Would this tiny, dreary house ever feel like a home?
ALSO BY BETH WISEMAN
THE AMISH SECRETS NOVELS
Her Brother’s Keeper
Love Bears All Things
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE PROMISE NOVELS
Plain Perfect
Plain Pursuit
Plain Promise
Plain Paradise
Plain Proposal
Plain Peace
THE LAND OF CANAAN NOVELS
Seek Me with All Your Heart
The Wonder of Your Love
His Love Endures Forever
OTHER NOVELS
Need You Now
The House that Love Built
The Promise
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
BETH WISEMAN IS THE AWARD-WINNING and bestselling author of the Daughters of the Promise, Land of Canaan, and Amish Secrets series. While she is best known for her Amish novels, Beth has also written contemporary novels including Need You Now, The House that Love Built, and The Promise.
You can read the first chapter of all of Beth’s books at:
www.bethwiseman.com
