The Patient One

by Shelley Shepard Gray

His face went blank. “I guess you’re right. Sorry, I wasn’t even thinking. Sometimes I completely forget you’re in that chair.”

  He would never know how much that meant to her. “No reason to apologize,” she said lightly. “I really will want to hear about how Friday night goes, though. I’ll be thinking of you.”

  “All right, next time we see each other I’ll let you know.”

  “And I’ll be sure to listen.”

  “Excuse me, miss?”

  She turned her chair toward the voice. “Yes?”

  “The manager told me that you work here.” The woman looked her up and down like she found that hard to believe. “Is that true?”

  “I work here, yes. How may I help you?”

  “I need help finding a book. But with you being handicapped, I just don’t know.”

  Her patience almost used up, Molly took a deep breath, ready to explain that she had lost the use of her legs in her accident, not her brain.

  But then Danny stepped forward. “She ain’t handicapped,” he said, his voice quiet and sure.

  The woman’s forehead wrinkled. “Pardon me, but she is in a wheelchair. I didn’t mean anything by it.”

  “What do you need, ma’am?” Molly asked quickly. What he didn’t realize was that she received comments like this at least once a day. She’d learned not to let them bother her.

  “I need a book that’s out of my reach. And no offense, but I don’t see how you can reach it either.” She blew out an irritated sigh. “I guess—”

  “I’ll help ya,” Danny interjected.

  “Oh! Well, that’s nice of you.” She pointed to the top shelf of a nearby bookshelf. “It’s right here.”

  Face void of all expression, Danny walked to where she pointed and pulled down the book she wanted and handed it to her without a word.

  “Thank you, son,” she said, her voice sweet like syrup.

  “You’re welcome, but I ain’t your son.”

  After staring at him for a moment, the woman glanced at Molly again, sighed, and walked off.

  “Uh-oh. I think you made her mad,” Molly said.

  “Good. Because she made me mad. She shouldn’t talk to you like that.”

  “I work here, Danny. It’s only right that she expects the employees’ help.”

  He shrugged, like the woman’s wants or expectations meant little to him. “She should be glad that I didn’t tell her what I thought about her rudeness. She shouldn’t be speaking to anyone that way, especially not a girl like you.”

  Molly was flummoxed. Ever since her accident and the Lord had decided that she would lose the use of her legs, she’d encountered a range of attitudes. Some talked to her in a voice full of pity. Others acted as if she’d had a brain injury instead of a leg one. They spoke in simple, short sentences, almost as if they were sure she couldn’t understand the smallest bit of instructions.

  Still others acted as if she weren’t there.

  She did have girlfriends who saw her. And her family did, too. But ever since they’d all graduated from eighth grade, she’d felt different. Her girlfriends were boy crazy and couldn’t wait for the next singing or gathering. After going to a couple last year, she’d elected to not go to any more. It had been obvious that her circumstances were too different. None of the boys saw her as a prospective sweetheart, and none of her girlfriends wanted her by their side when they got together with the boys.

  At first she’d been hurt. No, she actually was still hurt. But her sister and mom had assured her that everyone would come back once all this running around was out of their system.

  “Thanks for standing up for me,” she said at last. “It was really kind of you.”

  “I wasn’t being kind,” he said before he looked a little embarrassed himself. After running his fingers through his light blond hair, he continued. “Look, I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting with a lady about a job. But, Molly?”

  “Jah?”

  “Even though it won’t be easy, think about coming on Saturday night, okay? At the very least, you could keep me company at the corn maze.”

  “All right,” she said softly before thinking the better of it.

  After treating her to a grin, he walked away.

  Unable to stop herself, Molly watched Danny weave his way through the crowded room, all the while looking straight ahead and not seeming to notice the appreciative looks more than one girl was sending his way.

  After he disappeared from sight, Molly turned her chair and quickly wheeled down the aisle to get back on track. She had a lot of books to shelve and straighten by four o’clock, and she didn’t want Mrs. Laramie to think she was slacking off too much.

  But as she finally placed the Patterson book on the shelf before wheeling down the row to straighten an Anne Perry book, Molly couldn’t help but smile.

  What had just happened had felt like a turning point in her life. Maybe she didn’t always have to step back and say no to things that sounded like fun.

  She had a feeling that if she didn’t go to the Fall Festival she was going to miss out on something special. Oh, not hayrides and bonfires—but something more important.

  She would miss out on being like everyone else. Being a teenager having plans on a Saturday night.

  On taking a chance to be more than just Danny Eberly’s shy friend.

  And that?

  Well, that was something she wasn’t sure she could ever say no to.

  SEVEN

  “I didn’t exactly scream,” Logan interrupted. “It was more like a manly grunt.”

  “No, it was definitely a girlish cry,” John B. said. “You frightened birds overhead.”

  “I had good reason, you know.”

  Looking around the room, Katie nodded. “He did. Not only were there snakes lying about, but a great number of leeches.” Looking across the room at Marie, she added softly, “There was also an old pillowcase with a knot at the end.”

  It was becoming kind of hard for Danny Eberly to keep from smiling. The Englischer woman kept pointing out obvious things that were wrong with her sorry-looking yard and explaining in great detail what the problem was. As if anyone with two good eyes couldn’t see it for himself.

  Fact was, Marie Hartman’s front yard was a weed-ridden mess in need of a good dose of weed killer, a shovel, a few yards of dirt, and a whole lot of elbow grease.

  And prayers. The yard needed lots and lots of prayers.

  At last, after teetering on the tips of her high heels for another couple of minutes, Miss Hartman walked to the sidewalk and took a breath. “So, what do you think, Danny? Can this yard be saved?”

  Since “saved” was a pretty broad description, he nodded. “I reckon so.”

  “Really?” Hope entered her expression before she looked him over again. “Now, tell me honestly, do you think you can handle this project?” Before he could answer, she added, “I mean, it’s going to be a lot of work. A ton, actually.”

  Since he was fairly sure she’d said the last part to herself, Danny rocked back on his heels and stuffed his hands in his back pockets. He’d learned from experience that doing this helped him look like he was contemplating something real seriously.

  And just like it had worked with other clients, little by little, Marie Hartman looked more at ease and like she was finally ready to listen.

  “Well now. Miss Hartman, can I be real honest with ya?”

  “Only if you call me Marie.” She smiled at him. “I’m older than you by a few years but I’m not old yet.”

  He smiled back at her. “All right then, Marie. I think all your front yard needs is some time and attention. I can do both of those things. I’ll be happy to take care of the weeds, clean out the flower beds and the thicket on the side, and plant some mums and a couple dozen perennials.”

  “You can do all that?”

  “I can. And I’ll mow the lawn for you every week until winter comes.”

  “You sound so sure about your plans.”<
br />
  “That’s ’cause I am sure.” After quickly adding up the costs, he named a price to charge.

  Her smile widened. “That is far more reasonable than I’d anticipated. I’m so glad I called you.”

  “Me, too.” Once he got rid of the weeds, it wasn’t going to take that much time and would bring in a good amount of extra money.

  “When can you start?”

  “Well, I work at Newman’s Farm most of the time, and this is the busiest weekend. It’s the harvest festival, you see.”

  “Oh! I forgot that was already.”

  “You’ve heard of the Newman’s Fall Festival?”

  “Of course! I know about the festival—I grew up here in Walnut Creek.”

  He was surprised. She looked like a city girl. “Oh. Well, then you know how busy I am right now. I’m going to be manning the corn maze booth.”

  “Boy, I haven’t been to Newman’s in ages.” Eyes sparkling, she said, “However, I do remember it being quite the spot for teenagers. Boys used to conveniently get lost with their girlfriends in the middle of the maze.” She chuckled. “Boy, I bet kids don’t do things like that anymore.”

  There was no way he was going to share that he’d “gotten lost” among the cornstalks a time or two. “I’m not sure, but I bet that happens from time to time. I guess I’ll find out when I man the ticket booth.”

  She laughed. “Good answer. Very diplomatic.”

  He wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but he figured it didn’t matter. “As far as my schedule goes, I could get started on your yard on Monday morning. Then, I’ll work on it as much as I can when I’m not at Newman’s. How does that sound?”

  “Perfect. How long do you think it will take you? A month?”

  “Nee. I’ll have the job done within two weeks.”

  Her green eyes widened. “Two weeks? Are you sure?”

  This time he didn’t even try to hide his amusement. “I’m guessin’ you haven’t been on too many Amish farms. I’m used to working hard. Mei daed wouldn’t have it no other way.”

  She blinked. Then, to his surprise, her expression warmed. Almost like she was hiding a secret or two. “Well, as a matter of fact, I actually have been to an Amish farm once or twice.”

  Thinking of some of the families in the area that catered to tourists, he said, “Did you go for a meal? Maybe some shoofly pie?” He didn’t know why, but all the tourists seemed to love that.

  “Well, as a matter of fact, I’ve never had shoofly pie.” Looking just beyond him, her voice changed tone, warming like fresh syrup on the back of his grandmother’s stove. “John B., how come you’ve never served me shoofly pie?”

  Danny turned around to see John Byler walking up Marie’s driveway. John was staring intently at Marie, like she’d just asked him something really important.

  “If I had known you wanted shoofly pie, I would’ve made sure you had it, Marie,” John said as he joined them. “You want me to bring you a pie tomorrow evening?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Definitely not. I just finished the cake you brought me.” She gestured to him. “John, have you met Danny?”

  “Jah. Danny Eberly, right? Rupert is your father?”

  Danny nodded, feeling the burst of unease whenever anyone mentioned his father. His father wasn’t a bad man, just a mighty unhappy one. “I’m his oldest.”

  “Your name sounds familiar. Do you have older siblings?”

  “Nee. Just a little broodah named Sam. But you might know my name from Molly. She and I were in shool together.”

  And just like that, John B.’s friendly gaze sharpened. “Is that right? I don’t remember her mentioning you.”

  He didn’t know what to say to that. “There were a lot of students in the school when we were there.” But even to his ears, the excuse seemed hard to believe. After all, they hadn’t gone to the public school like a lot of Amish kids in the area did. They’d gone to the Amish schoolhouse. It had been one room, with maybe forty students during its most crowded year.

  “How well did you know her?”

  “John, what does it matter?” Marie asked, breaking the tension that was starting to simmer in the air. “And why would you expect your sister to tell you everything? I mean, I certainly didn’t come home every day with stories about all of my classmates.”

  “Molly tells me all sorts of things.”

  “She doesn’t tell you everything. I can assure you that.”

  After staring hard at Danny again, John B. blinked. “It doesn’t really matter,” he said as he turned to Marie again. “I’m just glad I found you here at home.”

  “I told you last night that I’d be home right after work.”

  John stepped closer to Marie. “And so you did.”

  As Danny watched Marie smile softly at him, he realized two things. One was that they were sweet on each other.

  And the second? His presence was definitely not wanted or needed any longer.

  “I’m going to go ahead and leave, Marie.”

  She turned to him in surprise, like she’d forgotten he was there. “Oh? Okay. I’ll see you on Monday, Danny. I mean I will if you’re still here when I come home.”

  “If you’re not, maybe I’ll see you the next day.”

  “That sounds real good. Thanks,” she murmured, looking back at John B. again.

  Feeling like the air was practically alive, the sparks passing between the two were so strong, Danny started walking. He’d just about made it to the street when he heard John B. call his name again.

  “Danny?”

  “Jah?”

  “Are you good friends with my little sister now?” John was looking at him intently.

  “Jah.” He certainly intended to be.

  “Then I expect we’ll be seeing each other again.”

  “For sure.” He smiled and waved a hand goodbye before he started walking again. Thinking all the while that it was mighty coincidental that he would have conversations with both Molly Byler and her big brother all in the same day.

  And since he was planning to be spending more time in Marie’s front yard, he had a feeling that one day he and John were going to have more to say to each other.

  EIGHT

  “None of us wanted to find out what was inside that pillowcase. But all of us also knew that we had to do the right thing.”

  Marie didn’t even try to hide her amusement. John B. had come over to visit again. Moreover, he was all cleaned up, and he didn’t look surprised to see her still in her suit from work. No, it was like he knew when she’d be coming home and had been waiting for her to arrive.

  That was interesting.

  What was surprising, though, was that John did not look pleased to see her standing in the front yard with Danny. Actually, she would bet the day’s deposit at the bank that his glower wasn’t just about Danny’s friendship with his little sister. It seemed a lot more personal, maybe he was even jealous.

  But maybe she was imagining things?

  Maybe . . . or maybe not. All she knew was that even the thought of John Byler acting like a possessive boyfriend was pretty amusing.

  Once Danny was firmly out of sight, and out of earshot, she giggled.

  John folded his arms across his chest and glared at her. “What is so funny, Marie?”

  “Oh, nothing. I’m just surprised to see you.”

  “Surely you aren’t that surprised. I’ve stopped by before.”

  “That’s true.” But only once before. This time, however, he looked a little more polished. He’d taken time to put on a fresh shirt. And he was freshly shaved, too.

  Still looking irritated, he said, “You know what? It’s gut I came by. You didn’t need to ask that kid to do work around here.”

  Looking pointedly at the proliferation of weeds surrounding her feet, she said, “Um, yes I did. It needs a lot of help, and I have my hands full with the inside of the house.” There was also the fact that she liked flowers but definitely did not en
joy the hard work that went into planting them.

  “I don’t remember you telling me you were upset about the yard.”

  “I thought it was a given. I mean, it’s all weeds. I doubt anyone has spent any time on it in years.”

  She was starting to feel like he was trying to pick a fight. Maybe it was better to go inside and get him a drink to cool off. “John B., what’s going on?” she asked as she approached the front door.

  “Nothing.” Before she could touch the handle, he turned the knob and guided her inside. Their clothes brushed as she stepped beside him.

  Taken by surprise, she inhaled sharply then called herself ten times the fool for being caught off guard by something she shouldn’t have noticed in the first place.

  But, judging by the way John had stilled, she knew she wasn’t the only one to be aware that things between them were different than how they used to be. His expression was strained as he closed her door firmly and locked it.

  Focusing on that action, Marie began to wonder if John was upset with her—or maybe one of their friends? “John B., talk to me.” When still he hesitated, she smiled. “Come on. This is me you’re talking to.”

  Hazel eyes met hers before looking away quickly. “That’s the point.”

  The point of what? “You’re speaking in riddles.”

  “Not so much. I would think it would be pretty obvious. You are a gut freind of mine and need a helping hand. You shouldn’t have to pay some stranger to help you out. You should have asked me.”

  “First, I’m a grown woman. I can hire someone to work for me if I want to.”

  His voice softened. “Marie, of course I know you can do just about anything you want. All I’m thinking of is your safety.”

  “I promise I’m going to be safe around Danny. He’s a friend of Molly’s, after all.”

  “Maybe he is. I’ll have to ask her about that.”

  Unable to help herself, she started giggling. “Boy, you’re in a crabby mood!”

  “Is that some kind of grass and lawn joke?”

  It took her a second to realize he was referring to crabgrass. Not wanting to touch that one, she said lightly, “John, how about something to drink?”