Amish Promises (30 page)

Eve picked up her cape from the back of a chair.

“Take the quilt,” Shani said.

Eve grabbed the one she'd given Shani off the window seat. “It's the one I used to keep Shani and the baby warm,” she said. “While we waited for the ambulance.”

Charlie grimaced. He didn't even want to imagine that scenario. He exhaled and turned toward Shani. “Where would he go?”

Shani shook her head, her eyes hard. “I don't know. He's been just as bad as he was that night, just without the gun. Depressed. Despondent. Last night he started out negative, but during the birth he was nearly back to his old self, helping me, doing what he could. But then the fire . . . ”

“I will never leave a
fallen comrade.”
But Charlie had. He'd left Joel because the guy was mad at him, instead of coming back down and working it out.
No, God,
he prayed.
Please.
What would Joel do?

“I begged him to come with us in the ambulance—the driver said it would be okay, under the circumstances—but . . . ” Shani inhaled sharply. “Charlie, he's said several times we'd be better off without him.”

Charlie took his phone out of his pocket and dialed Joel's number again. When it went into voicemail, he said, “Hey, buddy, me again. Give me a call as soon as you get this.”

“I doubt if he has his phone. We didn't grab anything on the way out.” Shani's eyes glistened. “Please call me when you find him.”

Charlie and Eve headed straight to the emergency department. He knew the woman at the desk couldn't give him any direct information, but he spelled out his concerns and told her Shani was up on the maternity ward. He made sure she got the last name and Shani's room number, just in case Joel ended up in the ED.

Then he called the Lancaster County sheriff. After the dispatcher picked up the line, Charlie said, “I know it's too early to file a missing person report, but I need to alert you anyway.” He recited all of the pertinent information and then said, “He's an Iraq vet. Injured. Recovering. Just went through a traumatic event—a house fire that he blames himself for after his baby was born—early this morning.”

“I understand,” the man said.

Charlie left Shani's hospital phone number and his cell number, even though he didn't expect they would call him.

Then he walked Eve to the entrance to the hospital, put her in a taxi, and paid the driver. He wanted more than anything to hug her good-bye, but of course he didn't.

He drove as slowly as he could once he reached the ice storm area, peering across the other lane of traffic into the ditch. The ice was melting, dripping off the telephone wires and the trees and turning into slush on the pavement. There was no blue van anywhere that he could see.

Once he neared the farm, he turned around and took another possible route into Lancaster, but there was no blue van that way either.

Finally he decided to go back to the Lehmans' to see if perhaps Joel had returned there, but first he pulled over and called Shani's room.

“Would he go back to Philly?” he asked her.

“I don't know where to . . .”

“Would he go to his parents'?”

“Wisconsin's a really long way. I don't think he could drive that far with his bum leg.”

Charlie agreed. Besides, he didn't seem very close to his folks.
They wrote to him a few times when he was in Iraq, but neither Joel nor Shani had talked about taking a trip out there, and as far as he knew his parents hadn't come to see him since he'd been home.

“I'm going back to the Lehmans'—and then I'll check the house,” Charlie said. “Maybe he just went to the pay phone to call the insurance company.” He hoped to God that was the case.

“I was mad at him about the fire,” Shani said. “I yelled. I'd asked him to stop smoking.”

Shani had a lot to be stressed about. Giving birth in an ice storm, having to evacuate her house right afterward because of a fire, and then finding out that Zane had put the van in the ditch. Not to mention all the physiological stuff going on. She'd probably felt like a mama bear, ready to tear someone apart.

“Why didn't he go to the hospital with you?” Charlie asked.

“He said it was his responsibility to stay until the fire was out. He asked Eve to go.” Shani took a ragged breath. “What if he buys another gun? Or what if he's headed to your house to get his?”

Charlie's stomach sank. “I don't think he'd do that.” He reached for the gearshift. “After I check the Lehmans' and your house, I'll go back to Philly—just in case he headed there. I'll call as soon as I find anything out.”

 28 

E
ve thanked the taxi driver and climbed out of the back of the cab, the quilt in her arms. She'd need to wash it to get the smoke out.

There was no sign of Shani's van.

Ice dropped from the trees on the south side of the house. The day was finally warming. Still, she carefully climbed the steps, not wanting to fall. She yawned as she opened the back door and stepped onto the mud porch, placing the quilt on the top shelf of the cupboard, kicking off her boots, and then taking off her cape. The house was cozy warm, and something smelled good. Really good.

Apple strudel.

She shuffled into the kitchen, yawning again, as Monika hurried into the room with Trudy. “You're back,” she said to Eve.

“Jah, what are you doing here?”

“Helping.” She grinned. “Tim called Gideon . . .”

Which meant the bishop knew she'd been at the hospital with Shani. “Thank you,” Eve said to her friend.

Trudy gurgled at Eve but seemed content with Monika. After Eve
updated her on Shani and the baby, she asked, “How is everyone here?”

“
Gut
. Tim's resting, and Zane's still asleep on the couch,” Monika said.

“How about Lila?”

“She and Jenny helped me with the strudel, but now they're playing a game in Lila's room. She'll probably be asleep soon.” The woman smiled. “She certainly is capable.”

Eve nodded. She was—but she was also still a girl.

“You should go sleep,” Monika said. “While you can.”

Eve nodded. “I'll get something to eat first.”

Monika's eyes lit up. “I was just going to take the strudel out.” She stepped closer. “Take the baby.”

Eve reached for her, but Trudy ducked, making them laugh.

“You know how to make a woman feel needed, don't you,” Monika said, kissing the top of the baby's head and then scooting her into Eve's arms.

As Monika grabbed the potholders and opened the oven, she said, “I was tidying up and saw the note to you from Abra.”

Eve's heart stopped for a moment. “What note?”

“It was between the refrigerator and the counter. It looked like it had fallen there.”

Eve shook her head. “I don't know what you're talking about.”

Monika took the pan of strudel out of the oven, placed it on top of the stove, and then took a piece of paper out of her apron pocket. “Here,” she said.

It looked like the piece of paper Tim had in his hand when he left to call the ambulance. Eve took it, holding it away from Trudy. Monika put her hands out to the baby, who fell back into her arms, and Eve unfolded the piece of paper. It was dated May 1, 2004. The night before Abra passed. She was in the hospital, and Eve had been home with the children.

Dear Eve . . .
It was written in Abra's schoolgirl hand, but shaky, like an old person's. Eve was amazed her friend could write at all at that point.

Please forgive me. I shouldn't have asked you to promise to care for my children.

I have to trust God for that. And trust him with you too.

My prayer is that God will bring you a husband who follows Christ and loves you. And a houseful of your own babies. I know you will always love mine—that's all I can ask.

Tears filled Eve's eyes, but she continued.

Another thing I regret is not talking about my love for Tim with you. At first I struggled, as you know. And then later, when we found our way, it seemed too private to talk about. Rough at times, true, clear to the end. But he's been good to me, as much as he was able. And I love him. God has assured me that he'll find his way in caring for our children—God will provide.

You have been more than a sister to me. I'm sad to leave all of you but ready for heaven. Please assure my children of my love for them.

My greatest privilege was being their mother, Tim's wife, and your friend.

Love,
Abra

Eve swiped at her eyes as she raised her head.

“Did you read it?” she asked Monika.

The woman blushed. “Yah. I didn't . . . ”

“No, it's fine.” It wouldn't have been if it was anyone but Monika, but Eve trusted the woman. She folded the paper. No wonder Tim had been inspired to call for the ambulance and then call Charlie in the middle of the night. He'd just read about Abra's love for him. Perhaps it had helped him love his neighbors.

Eve swiped at her eyes. Abra had released her from her promise.

How had she missed the note all these months? The nurses had probably packed it in with Abra's things, and it had simply been overlooked.

“Are you all right?” Monika put her arm around Eve.

She nodded.

Monika squeezed Eve's shoulder. “You're free to marry Gideon now.”

Eve nearly laughed. That wasn't what she'd been thinking at all.

Monika added, “I'm sure Abra would agree that Gideon is a fine man.”

She held the note up. “Denki,” she said and slipped it into the pocket of her apron. “I think I'll take a shower and then get something to eat.”

She'd towel dried her hair as best she could, twisted it into a bun, put on a fresh Kapp, and then returned to the kitchen just as a knock fell on the back door. She hurried to it, swinging the door open to Charlie—all alone.

“You haven't found him?”

Charlie shook his head. “I'm going to head to my place in case he's there.”

“Come in and get something to eat first,” Eve said.

He shook his head.

“At least a cup of coffee.”

He shook his head again.

She smiled. “Tim's asleep, but Monika is here.”

“In that case,” he said. “I really could use a cup of coffee.”

Monika, with Trudy still on her hip, gave him a hug as he stepped into the kitchen, and then directed him to the table. She served him coffee and strudel. “You sit too,” she said to Eve.

“Tim said he'd get a crew—an Amish crew—to fix the house,” Monika said to Charlie as she put a piece of strudel down in front of Eve.

“You're kidding,” Charlie said, glancing at Eve as he took a bite of the strudel.

Eve smiled. “They'll get it done in no time. Probably next weekend.” It didn't surprise her that Tim planned to do that.

“So has he had a change of heart?” Charlie asked.

Eve shrugged. “He's good in a crisis, and we grow up being taught to help when things get bad.” She didn't want to tell Charlie about the note from Abra in front of Monika. She'd give too much away.

But then the baby began to fuss and Monika headed down the hall with her.

Charlie took the last bite of his strudel and asked quietly, “Where are things at with you and Gideon?” There was a hint of bitterness in his voice. The last two months had worn on him too.

“I told Gideon I can't court him.” She hesitated. “I don't love him.”

Relief filled his eyes but then he asked, “And he believed you?”

She shrugged. “He said he'd give me more time.” She took the note from her pocket then but didn't risk handing it to him in case Tim or Monika came into the room. “Tim found this last night. It's from Abra to me, before she died, releasing me from my promise to care for the children. He didn't tell me about it, but Monika found it and gave it to me. Tim must have left it on the counter.”

Charlie leaned toward her. “What are you going to do?”

“For now?”

He nodded.

“Care for the children. And pray.” She swallowed hard and slipped the note back into her pocket.

“I'll pray too,” he said.

“Denki,” she answered.

He met her gaze. “When I saw the smoke and then the house, I . . . Well, I was terrified for everyone, really, but . . . ” He placed his hand, palm down, on the table. “If anything had happened to you.”

“None of us were in danger,” she said, although she felt shaky thinking about it.

“You could have been,” he said, leaning forward. “I want you to know that I'll wait for you, for as long as it takes. For as long as you need. I know you only wanted for us to be friendly with each other—but we became friends anyway.” His eyes glistened. “And I want to be your friend, but more than that too, if you'll have me.”

“Denki,” she whispered.

“I've fallen in love with you,” he said.

Her heart constricted. “Shhh,” she said as Monika bustled back into the kitchen with Trudy. The woman didn't say anything, but she stood for a moment and then grabbed the coffeepot and said, “How about some more?”

Charlie exhaled sharply. “I need to get going. I'm headed to Philly to try to find Joel.”

“Does he have a key to your place?” Eve asked.

Charlie shook his head. “But he knows where I keep the spare.” He took a last drink of the coffee and then said, “Is it okay if Zane stays here?”

“Of course,” Eve said.

“When I come back—when
we
come back—I'll get a hotel room. Zane can stay with us.”

Monika shook her head. “You can all stay at my house,” she said.

“Wouldn't that be frowned on?” Charlie asked.

Monika smiled, slightly. “I'm on the other side of middle-aged. No one's going to make a fuss about it. Shani and the baby can stay too once they're out, until you and the other men can get that house fixed.”

“Thank you,” Charlie said to Monika.

Eve stood and walked him to the door, trying her hardest to treat him as she would anyone else as she said good-bye. She must have failed though because as she turned back toward the kitchen, a concerned look passed over Monika's face.

Patting her pocket, Eve said, “I'm going to go try to get some sleep. Thank you again for everything.”

She wouldn't talk with Tim about the note from Abra. Not yet. Not when he was doing his best to help the neighbors.