Pennsylvania Patchwork (9 page)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Esther perched in the Daadi Haus on the straight-back chair next to Mamm, who sat in bed with the food tray. Mamm still wore a sling on one arm but had already warned Esther she would discard it tomorrow. A fresh Kapp hid most of her bandaged forehead, but a purplish bruise radiated down to her eyebrows. Esther was glad Mamm didn't keep a mirror nearby.

Mamm picked up the ham and cheese sandwich with her good hand and bit into it. A slice of pickle plummeted out, landing on the plate.

“Are you sure you don't need help eating?” Esther unfolded a napkin and tucked it under Mamm's chin.

“Don't treat me like a child. I can take care of myself just fine.” Mamm swallowed a mouthful. “It's you I worry about, Essie.”

Now what? Esther waited for a lecture on forcing Mamm to go to the ER, on her mediocre parenting of Holly, or on the doll and silk, or her knitting. Esther recalled Mamm never seemed satisfied with any project she'd tackled as a girl.

“I know all about Nathaniel's wife resurfacing,” Mamm said.

“Ach, you do?” Esther's cheeks stung as if she'd been slapped on the face. “What did he tell you?”

“Nathaniel hasn't said anything to me.” Mamm sipped her tea and dribbled on the napkin. “Your cousin Martha in Ohio sent me a letter about it a few days ago. And Lizzie mentioned it when she was here.”

“Why didn't you tell me sooner? I can't believe you'd keep it from me. Am I the last person on the planet to find out Nathaniel's wife might be alive?”

“Nee, don't be silly. I figure it's not true.” Mamm brought the sandwich to her mouth. “You know how folks love to blather.” She gnawed into it. A slice of cheese slipped out but she didn't notice.

“We're talking about my future husband.” Esther reached out and put the cheese on the plate. “Why didn't you tell me? I deserved to know.” She pressed her lips together to keep spiteful words from spewing forth like pesticide. She knew she shouldn't be angry with Mamm, but she was.

“I didn't want you fussing over nothing,” Mamm said.

A taste like a rusty nail flooded Esther's mouth. “What if his wife is still alive?”

“I certainly never wished the woman dead, and I don't now,” Mamm said. “That would be a sin. But in this case, her passing would make life less complicated for you.” She chewed another mouthful.

Esther decided she had nothing to hide from her mother, who obviously knew more about the situation than she did. “Nathaniel just told me,” Esther said. “I was so shocked I almost fell over. He'll search for her, once he checks the bus and train schedules, or hires a driver.”

“Or maybe Zach will take him.”

“How can Zach leave his clinic, let alone Holly?” Esther reassembled Mamm's sandwich. “Not that he hasn't made himself scarce for weeks. Why, if he doesn't shape up, someone like Larry will steal her away.”

“Larry's not such a bad man. But too fancy. I doubt he's ever milked a cow, or used a hammer and nail.”

“Not many cows in Seattle,” Esther said. “I believe Holly and Larry met at the church's singles group. That carries weight with me.”

“Unless he only attends church to meet women. I've heard of men like that.” Mamm picked a bread crumb off her quilt and set it on the tray. “I'm still placing odds on Armin. Not that I believe betting is all right. But I believe Armin's the perfect spouse for Holly once she comes 'round. I see God's orchestration at work.” She let her head fall back against the pillows. “Ach, 'tis been quite a day, with that doll arriving, and then that
unsinnich
—senseless—trip to the emergency room.”

“Mamm, ya needed eight stitches.” Esther noticed new creases around Mamm's eyes, as if she'd been squinting into the sun; her face looked weathered.

“We could have used homemade bandages right here. Or that silk scarf, then tossed it in the trash bin where it belongs.”

Esther felt her shoulders tighten. “I'm ready to rewrap the doll and send it back to that Chap McLaughlin.”

“A fine-gut idea. But I don't think your daughter will give up the doll without a fight. I heard her talkin' to the doll, asking it what she should name it.”

“Meaning she's grown attached to it.” In a way, Esther had too, but she knew its presence would build a barrier between her and Nathaniel.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Out the kitchen window, I watched Zach sulk back to his pickup. The sun had sunk behind a bank of clouds; the sky grew dark, draining the color from the barn and outbuildings.

If I wasn't mistaken, Larry muttered, “Good riddance,” under his breath. Half of me experienced the same sentiment. I mean, Zach had no right to be jealous of Larry. But on the other hand—

“I'll be right back,” I said to Larry. “Please, go ahead and eat.” Then I barged through the utility room and out the door. Zach was nearing his pickup.

“Wait, Zach.” I tore down the steps and trotted over to him. “Can we talk?”

He paused, turned my way. “Looks like you've already found my replacement.” His stare cut right into me. I figured hurt feelings were ruling his words. All day he'd been pummeled by adversity. But I couldn't shake the image of Justin's cherublike face.

“Zach,” I said, “it's been a long day for both of us.” I was afraid to ask him to stop by for lunch again. I couldn't stand another disappointment.

He took my hands. His fingers felt cool, lacking strength, as if he'd given away every ounce of energy and desperately needed rest and solitude. The temperature was dipping, and chilly air permeated my clothing, making me shiver.

“It may take months to detangle Victoria's cobweb of lies,” he said. “Do you have the patience to wait?”

“I honestly don't know.”

His fingers tightened around mine. “I'd better go,” he said, and loosened his grasp.

My arms flopped to my sides. “Okay, see ya.” I didn't ask when; I'd demeaned myself enough for one day.

He got in his pickup and drove away. As I returned to the house, I couldn't get Justin out of my mind. A multitude of questions and doubts threaded through my thoughts. If my father were alive, I'd want him to be proud of me, even if it meant sacrificing my own wishes. The young boy needed a father. Long ago, I'd concluded fathers were the most important person in a child's life.

Not fair. Mom raised me and made many sacrifices for my well-being, yet she'd neglected her own mother. I recalled my shock as Mom opened the Keds shoe box crammed with Mommy Anna's letters back in Seattle. Guess I'd never understand Mom's motivation for concealing the truth and wondered if even she knew. I hoped forgiving her meant I'd eventually be able to let go.

I scuffled back to the kitchen and saw Larry sitting at the table gobbling down a sandwich. He'd shed his tie and opened his shirt at the collar. He dabbed his mouth and hands with a napkin, rose to his feet, reached into his pocket, and held out a small blue box with a white bow. “I brought you something.”

I recognized the signature blue. From Tiffany's! I stood for a moment frozen in indecision. My mouth shaped into an O.

“Take a peek,” Larry said.

“A ring?”

“Yep. An incomparable one-carat solitaire diamond. Here, open the box.”

“Larry, you and I agreed we're friends, nothing more.” I held my hands behind my back.

“But, like I said, once you left Seattle I started to miss you big time.”

“Please don't get me wrong. You're a terrific guy.”

“That's what my mother says.” He stood taller, but was still several inches shorter than Zach, not that his height should matter in the least. “Wait until you see the ring. The salesman at Tiffany's told me no woman could resist it.”

“That's what I'm afraid of.” I felt like I was being swept out to sea on a riptide of curiosity. “I've already made enough hasty decisions for one month.”

I heard Mom coming through the sitting room, in our direction, and decided not to allow temptation to dominate my actions. She entered the kitchen carrying Mommy Anna's tray. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of the box. “I'm interrupting. Sorry.”

“No, Mom, please stay.” I budged away from Larry. “We were discussing a matter that we've decided to put on the back burner.”

“We have?” Larry's demeanor fell, the corners of his mouth dragging down. “May I still spend the night here?”

“Of course.” Mom set the tray on the counter by the sink. “I haven't properly thanked you for your help today. I'm ever so grateful you happened by when you did.”

“I didn't just happen by. I'm a man on a mission. And I'm not giving up.” He spoke to Mom as he rolled up his shirtsleeves. “I want to marry your daughter, and I'm officially asking your permission.”

Such chivalry, I thought. I had to admire him. But, alas, I didn't love Larry, and he didn't love me. I'd never felt the spark of attraction between us.

“I have little doubt you'll find a better bride in the blink of an eye,” I told him. “You're the most eligible bachelor at church.” He was never without a woman fawning over him at our singles' functions.

“And you're the most eligible bachelorette,” he said. “We'd be the perfect couple.”

“I think I'd better leave and let you two sort this out,” Mom said, back-stepping.

“No, Mom, please—”

A single rap on the back door silenced us. The knob turned slowly, and Nathaniel entered the kitchen and hung his hat on a peg. His hair was flattened on top, but he didn't rake a hand through it as he usually did when in proximity to Mom.

“Any luck finding a driver?” my mother asked in a lackluster voice.

“Nee, it looks like I'll have to use the bus. Armin can take me to the station.”

As Mom and Nathaniel spoke to each other in hushed voices, I took Larry off to the side and quickly explained why Nathaniel was going to Ohio. “If his wife's still alive, Mom and Nathaniel's wedding is history,” I said.

“Couldn't he get a divorce?” Larry said in my ear.

“No, it's against the Ordnung, the code of conduct the Amish must obey. If she's alive, Nathaniel may never marry another.”

“Even if they don't live together?”

“Yup.”

“Weird.” Larry screwed up his features. “These Amish sure have a lot of rules and regulations.”

“Yes, they do.” I turned and saw my mother holding the seatback of one of the kitchen chairs like she couldn't keep herself erect.

Larry spoke to Nathaniel. “I'll drive you,” he said, his words filling the room. “I've got a GPS system in my rental, not to mention my trusty iPhone. Just give me the address and I'll get you there.”

“I couldn't trouble you.” Nathaniel looked the shell of the robust man I'd met last month. “I'm thinking it's a six-hour drive to my cousin's in Holmes County.”

“That's a long trip,” Larry said, “but I'm on a two-week vacation and have nothing else to do. I'm not ready to return to Seattle yet, and I've never been to Ohio.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yeah, it'll give Holly time to open the box and accept my proposal.”

“'Tis too much to ask.” Nathaniel shook his head; his beard swayed.

“You're in a jam and I'm up for an adventure,” Larry said. “My phone will direct us from Starbucks to Starbucks. No offense to your coffee, Esther, but I'm craving a tall triple nonfat latte.” He bounced on his toes. “I might be of some help. I'm savvy in the business world, so I figure I can communicate with the police and check their records more easily than Nathaniel, as well as use the Internet. And I'll call back here and keep you updated.”

“Larry, that's the kindest offer ever,” Mom said. “You truly are a gut man.”

“Thanks, Mrs. Fisher.”

“Please call me Esther. And we have a phone shanty not far away, so I can use that phone.”

Larry scratched his temple. “But not own one? I don't get the logic.” He glanced my way. “Want to come with us, Holly? Couldn't hurt to have an extra pair of eyes and ears.”

“You'd be welcome to,” Nathaniel said. He spoke to Mom. “I'd look after Holly like she's my own daughter. And of course she'd have her own bedroom at my cousin's house.”

“Or we could stay at a hotel, my treat,” Larry said.

The last couple of hours, Larry had shown a side of himself I'd never before seen. I wondered if men also had biological clocks that chimed at a certain age, telling them to settle down and get married. In any case, I appreciated his generosity. And he'd bought a ring! I thought even Mom was curious about the box's contents as Larry tucked it in a jacket pocket.

I was tempted to say yes to Larry's offer. To run away from this confusion with Zach, to run away from my grandma's doctor's appointment that might spell bad news.

“I can write this whole trip off as a business expense,” Larry said, lifting on his toes.

Aha. His statement reminded me that in the past money and possessions seemed to be the center of his universe. And he was a show-off. If I married him I'd serve as his arm candy.

“I'd better stick around here in case I'm needed,” I said. “If I hadn't gone for that absurd walk with Armin's dog, my grandmother might not have fallen and hit her head.” And I would still be in the dark about Zach, which I might prefer. Justin's sweet face kept crystallizing in my mind's eye.

“How will your farm stay afloat while you're gone?” Larry asked Nathaniel.

“I hire a young man six days a week to help with milking, and several neighbors have offered to stop by.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “And I have Armin, if he doesn't run out on me.”

“He wouldn't do such a thing,” I said.

“You have more faith in my little brother than you should,” Nathaniel said, using a no-nonsense tone.

I felt like informing Nathaniel he had more confidence in my mother than he should. She was, after all, the woman who still owned a house in Seattle and 51 percent of her beloved Amish Shoppe. And she'd proven herself to be capable of lying to me.

“Larry,” I said, “if I don't go with you and Nathaniel, will you fly home instead of driving him?”

“Not a chance. Granted, I'd rather you come with us.” His hand reached into his pocket, I assumed to feel the box. “Maybe you'll change your mind by tomorrow morning. In any case, I'll drive Nathaniel.” He turned to Mom. “Thanks for letting me stay here, Esther.”

“We owe you a great debt of gratitude for all you've done and plan to,” she said. “I can't thank you enough.”

Armin breezed through the back door. He winked at me as he passed, then came to a halt in front of Nathaniel and made a mock salute. “Anything else you want me to do?”

“Yeah.” Larry swaggered over to him. “You can keep away from Holly while I'm gone.”