by Marta Perry
“Just since worship,” Rachel pointed out.
“A few days can seem like ages.” And these days had been crowded with incidents, that was certain. “Anyway, I’m happy to see you. Can I help you find something?”
“That’s not why I’m here.” Rachel took off her bonnet. “I had to come to town anyway, so I thought I could help for a bit.”
“We won’t say no.” The thought of a few minutes of talk with Rachel was irresistible. She so seldom got away from her demanding father. “Komm to the back room and hang up your bonnet and sweater.”
With a glance at the clock to be sure they had a few minutes before the sale officially started, she led her to the back room.
“Now, then,” she said once they were alone. “How did you get away today?”
“It’s not that bad.” Rachel always defended her father and her siblings, no matter how much they took her for granted. “And I did have some shopping to do. Might as well come on sales day, ain’t so?”
“For sure.” She waited while Rachel hung up her bonnet and smoothed her hair back, not that it was ever out of place.
“There now.” Rachel turned back to her. “Has something more happened? You look as if you’ve been fretting.”
“I wish everybody would stop telling me that.” Joanna suspected she even sounded fretful. “I’m all right. It’s just been busy with the shop and trying to visit the hospital every day.”
“Ach, I’m sure it has been.” Her sweet face filled with sympathy. “Have you found out yet why that poor girl came to your door?”
“Not really.” She hesitated, but it was useless to try to hide things from one of her oldest friends. Rachel knew her too well. “It turns out that I might be related to her. It’s...upsetting.”
Rachel considered for a moment. “I don’t see why. You’ve always known you were adopted. Your birth parents had to be somebody. What does it matter if they were Englischers? You’re still you.”
“Yah, that’s true.”
And she was glad of it. But that didn’t ease her worry about her parents. If it got out that they might have broken the law by not reporting that they’d found her, what might happen? She didn’t think they could be charged with anything after all this time, but it would hurt them so in the community. Daad would probably have to resign as bishop, and that would be about the worst thing that could happen to him. He’d made a vow to serve for life. How could he break that? It would destroy them.
She hoped she hadn’t been silent too long. The easiest way out was to agree with Rachel.
“You’re right as always. Komm.” She opened the door. “Let’s get to work.”
The sale started with the slight rush that Joanna had expected, and then settled down to a steady pace as their normal customers came, shopped, snacked and chatted. Along with Aunt Jessie and Rachel, she moved from customer to customer, chatting about projects, helping them decide on fabrics and trying hard for endless patience when one old customer had nearly every bolt in the store out for comparison before finally deciding.
Aunt Jessie stopped by while Joanna was cutting the various pieces. “So, Lovina, it looks like you’re making a new quilt. Having trouble deciding?”
Lovina Fisher chuckled. “No more than usual. I must say Joanna has a good eye for matching patterns. She’s a lot more patient with me than you would be. And she’s got a lot on her mind with that Englischer and all.”
It was said kindly, and Joanna tried hard not to take offense. She couldn’t help being frustrated by the endless curiosity of everyone from the eldest Amish widow to the youngest bride. It made her feel that wherever she went and whatever she said, eyes were on her.
She handed Lovina her package and smiled. “The patient is doing much better now, and we’re wonderful glad. It’s a terrible thing to have someone injured on your property, ain’t so?”
Lovina patted her hand. “It wasn’t your fault, that’s certain sure. You’ll be happy when she’s gone off home and forgotten River Haven.”
Would she? She absently watched the door closing behind Lovina and then opening again as someone else came in. If she could be sure Meredith was going to be safe, she supposed she would, but it would haunt her to never know the answers to the questions that plagued her.
Aunt Jessie nudged her. “Is that the woman you told me about? The cousin, or whatever she is?”
Sure enough, Emily Graham stood looking at a display of quilted place mats, fingering them.
“Yah, it is. I wonder what brings her to the shop.”
“She’s sure not from around here.” Joanna looked at her aunt in time to see a mix of emotions cross her face in quick succession. “I don’t suppose she’s making a quilt. You’d best find out what she wants.”
Nodding, Joanna came reluctantly from behind the counter. With that attitude, she certain sure couldn’t let Aunt Jessie wait on her. If indeed she’d come to shop, which she doubted. Well, if Emily was here to ask questions, she’d just politely refer her to Chief Jamison.
Managing to look unconcerned, Joanna approached her, dodging a small child whose mother was in close pursuit. She came up beside Emily, convinced the woman had seen her approaching but, for whatever reason, was pretending she hadn’t.
“Mrs. Graham. It’s nice to see you in our shop.”
Emily Graham reacted with well-simulated surprise. “Is this shop yours? That’s right, someone did tell me that, but I’d forgotten. It’s so sweet. And busy.” Emily glanced around at the seven or eight customers who were currently in the shop.
“For us it’s busy, but this afternoon is a special event. All the businesses on Main Street have special sales, and we’re serving refreshments. I hope you’ll help yourself to a homemade cookie and some lemonade.”
Aunt Jessie had insisted on lemonade rather than coffee as being less messy to set up and not so dangerous if spilled. Sticky, though. Joanna had already decided she’d have to point that out. Thank goodness it wouldn’t be their turn again until spring.
“That’s so sweet.” Emily shifted to a rack of table runners, most of which they handled on consignment. “We’re staying at that nice hotel down on the square, and I thought I’d take a look around town before we go up to visit Merry. She is doing much better, isn’t she?”
She seemed genuinely concerned, and Joanna’s heart warmed to her. “Definitely. She’s improved so much in the past few days. I pray she’ll be back to normal soon.”
But Emily didn’t seem to hear the answer, her attention distracted by a display of wall hangings.
“I intended to spend all day with Merry, but Owen said if I didn’t stop fussing over her, I’d drive her crazy. I don’t see why anyone would feel that way when I’m just showing I care, do you? But these young people think they know everything. She’d certainly rather see me than Landon Bristow. I never met anyone who was such a stuffed shirt. Now, he would drive a person crazy. Do you know him?”
Emily stopped, probably for breath, so Joanna was able to answer the question. “I met him when he came to identify Meredith. Is he here now?”
“He arrived this morning. And tried to take over right away, of course.” She sniffed. “I don’t know why he’s making such a fuss over Merry. He’s never been close to her. He’s just taking too much on himself, that’s all.”
Emily seemed to have taken offense at Meredith’s other cousin. Or maybe she’d always felt that way. Remembering her own reaction to the man, Joanna could hardly blame her.
“I’m sorry he’s upset you. What is it that he wants to do?” she asked.
“He thinks he should make all the arrangements about taking Merry home on his schedule, and he even wants to put her in some nursing home he knows about. She doesn’t need a nursing home, and I told him that. Told that policeman, too. What do you think?”
“I wouldn’t think so, eithe
r, as long as she takes it easy. But the doctor...”
“Right. That’s so silly, Landon butting in, when Owen and I had already come and made the plans ourselves. I know Meredith will be much better off in her own home. She’ll remember more easily there than in another strange place. Don’t you think so?”
Appealed to, Joanna tried to find the right answer. She agreed that Meredith would probably do better at home, but would it be safe? And what would Chief Jamison say?
Perhaps Aunt Jessie saw from her expression that she’d welcome an interruption just then. She came over to them, and Joanna grabbed a reason to change the subject.
“Mrs. Graham, I’d like to introduce you to my aunt Jessie. She’s my partner in the business.”
Emily seemed a little intimidated by Jessie’s stern face. She wasn’t the first person to react that way, and Joanna had to hide a smile.
“Aunt Jessie, this is Mrs. Emily Graham. She’s Meredith’s cousin, come all the way from Philadelphia to see her.”
“Wilkom.” Aunt Jessie nodded gravely. “She is doing better, ain’t so?”
“Oh, yes, that’s what we were just talking about. I think it’s time she was in her own home, and I’d be happy to stay with her and take care of her.” A hint of her annoyance with Landon Bristow showed in her voice. “I’m sure you’d agree that a woman can handle that much better than a man.”
“No doubt about that. Can we help you with something?” Aunt Jessie’s words were an obvious hint.
Reminded, Emily hastily pulled a wall hanging from its rack. “I’ll take this one, please.”
Joanna turned her attention to the sale, relieved at seeing Emily on her way. She accepted the bills the woman held out.
“Oh, and I did want to ask Joanna if we could take her out to supper tonight. We would so like to visit with you, and I’m sure you know the best places to eat here. We’d drive you, of course. And bring you home.” She glanced at a slim gold watch on her wrist. “Goodness, I should go if I’m going to see Merry this afternoon. May I pick you up here for supper, then?”
Joanna glanced at her aunt, wondering if accepting the invitation would be wise.
But Jessie nodded. “As long as they bring you home right afterward, it’s fine, ain’t so? Anna Miller has been asking me to come by for supper, so I’ll do that.”
She couldn’t think of a reason to refuse. “Denke. Thank you. I will go up to see Meredith after we finish here, so maybe we could meet there.”
“Fine.” Emily took the bag Joanna held out to her. “We’ll pick you up at the front of the hospital at six. Is that all right?”
Joanna nodded. It seemed she was going out to supper with them. Well, she couldn’t seriously believe that Emily meant any harm to her, and they’d be in a public place. But she’d better tell Chief Jamison about it anyway.
* * *
JOANNA WALKED INTO Meredith’s room after a busy day at the shop, and the smile froze on her face. The room was empty. Fear gripped her. Where was Meredith?
Before Joanna could panic, Meredith came in with Mary Ellen holding her arm in a secure grasp.
“You’re just in time, Joanna. Look how well our patient is doing—she’ll be walking right out of the hospital before you know it.”
“Wonderful gut.” She couldn’t help beaming. “That’s amazing, Meredith.”
“I’d be proud of myself if it weren’t that my legs feel like overcooked noodles,” Meredith said. “I’m about as strong as a baby.” But her smile showed how pleased she was.
“You’ve had more than enough physical therapy for one day.” Mary Ellen steered her firmly toward the padded chair, and then hesitated. “Chair or bed?”
“Chair, please.” Meredith looked tired, but she spoke firmly. “I’ve had enough of lying around.”
“That’s what we like to hear.” Mary Ellen was probably used to being professionally cheerful, but this sounded real. “Have a chat with Joanna, and I’ll bring you some juice.”
Mary Ellen disappeared on her errand, and Meredith gave Joanna a wry smile. “She says that as if it were a real treat.”
“Maybe it is when it comes to hospitals.” Joanna pulled up a straight chair. “As well as you’re doing today, they will be kicking you out soon.”
“It’s about time.” Meredith said the words strongly, but she had let her head fall back against the cushion, and her hands lay limp on her lap.
A spasm of concern, maybe fear, ran through Joanna. Brave words. Meredith didn’t lack for spirit, but she was still so terribly weak. If she left here, how could she possibly defend herself?
“Talk to me,” Meredith prodded. “Tell me about your day.”
“Busy. We...the town merchants...always have sales one week of the month, except during the winter, when it’s awfully quiet here. This time it was our turn to have refreshments. You should hear my aunt on the idea of letting folks have food around fabric and quilts.”
Meredith’s forehead wrinkled. “Somebody said you had a quilt shop. Does your aunt help you?”
“We’re partners.” It seemed to her that Meredith was trying to orient herself to a strange place, so probably anything she said about it would help. “Our shop is right down on Main Street.” She gestured toward the one window of the room. “When you look out that window, you can see Main Street going away from you, with shops on either side. Our is on the left, about halfway down.”
Meredith nodded slowly. “I’ll look out later. Maybe I’ll see the sign.” She fell silent, seeming to expect Joanna to pick up the conversation.
“Your cousin Emily came into the shop today. She bought a wall hanging.” She smiled. “Or rather, Aunt Jessie sold her a wall hanging.”
“Good.” She was surprised at the firmness in Meredith’s voice. “The Bristow family ought to be repaying you for your kindness.”
Joanna shook her head at that. “That’s not necessary. I didn’t see Owen, though. Did you remember him yet?”
Meredith got what she could only call a mischievous look. “I did, but I pretended I didn’t this afternoon for a bit. Owen’s ego could stand being taken down a peg.”
“That’s how I feel about my little brothers sometimes. But what about your other cousin? I heard he was coming today.”
“Landon?” She made a face. “He was here, complete with lawyer, planning to arrange my life to suit himself. He wanted to shove me into a nursing home, of all things. I told him I could arrange my life by myself.”
Compelled to try to see the best in him, probably because she’d taken such an instant dislike to the man, Joanna sought for an excuse for him.
“I suppose he feels as if you depend on him, that he’s responsible for you. At least he wants to help.”
Meredith shook her head. “Not him. He’s been trying to take control ever since my grandfather died, not that I would let him. Grandfather wouldn’t have.” She stopped suddenly, looking startled.
“What is it?”
Meredith shook her head slightly. “Funny. I just realized I remembered that while I was saying it.”
“That’s a good sign, isn’t it? I wish I could understand what it must feel like. I’d like to be able to help you.”
“Maybe you can.” Her fingers moved on the arm of the chair as if searching for something. “Mary Ellen told me that you were the one who found me when I was hurt, but I don’t remember anything about it. Tell me about it. Was I shopping at your store?”
“I...I’m not sure the doctor would want—”
“It’s my memory.”
Joanna had to smile. The expression, the words, the tone—all said that she was used to people listening when she spoke. Maybe that was part of having been born with money. Or maybe it was a reminder that she wasn’t far removed from her teen years. She’d probably been rebellious.
“I’ll tell y
ou, but if it starts to upset you, that’s it. Agreed?”
Meredith wrinkled her nose, looking very young for a moment. “Okay. Agreed.”
“You weren’t exactly at the store.” She tried to think how to explain it. “It was past closing. You see, access to the store is from the street, but we have an apartment upstairs. The steps to it go up the back of the building. That’s where you were.”
“Had I been visiting you? Did we know each other?”
Joanna shook her head. “I’d never seen you before, and I wasn’t expecting anyone. I’d been out, and when I came home, it was after dark. So I started up the stairs, not bothering with a flashlight, and almost fell on you.”
Meredith seemed to ponder that for a long moment. “What was I doing there?” The question seemed addressed to herself. “Why?” Her fingers knotted on the chair arm.
Concerned that she was getting upset, Joanna tried to find a way to get Meredith off the subject, or at least to allay her frustration.
“You’ll remember eventually,” she soothed. “Probably faster if you don’t push, don’t you think so?”
That earned her a contemptuous look. “I have to know, don’t you see? I had some reason for coming to River Haven and to your home. I don’t do things without a reason.”
“I thought maybe your relatives would know, but they don’t have any idea. They didn’t know where you were.” The more she thought about it, the odder it seemed. “Emily gives the impression that she’s very close to you, but...”
“But she’s making things up.” Meredith’s voice was tart. “I don’t mean she’s lying, but she always wants to play an important role in whatever’s going on. I can just see her talking about how much she cares about me.” Her fingers moved rapidly on the chair arm.
Joanna subdued the giggle she felt coming when she remembered Emily’s fussing over her poor little cousin. “I know what you mean. It’s human nature, I guess. Some people are like that.”
“I guess. She probably means well, but a little bit of Cousin Emily goes a long way.”
