The Gift (13 page)

She climbed down from the buggy, secured her horse, and picked up the cardboard box she’d placed on the floor of the passenger’s side. Dodging puddles and the relentless raindrops, she hurried toward the house, trying not to lose her balance.

When Leah stepped onto the porch, the Lab ambled up to her, let out a pathetic whine, and then flopped down on the porch again. That’s when she noticed a plate sitting near the dog, full of what looked like burned pancakes. She could only assume that was Adam’s attempt at making the girls’ breakfast, which seemed to have not gone so well. Even the dog wouldn’t eat the burnt-looking, flat pancakes. The poor pooch didn’t look too happy, either.

Leah knocked on the door. A few seconds later, Adam opened it. “Oh, it’s you,” he said, mouth open wide. “I… I wasn’t expecting company right now.” Leah couldn’t help noticing that his shirt was not tucked into his trousers, his hair looked like he hadn’t taken the time to comb it this morning, and his eyes were bloodshot, probably from lack of sleep. The poor man looked so disheveled her heart went out to him.

Leah looked down at the box. “I brought a casserole dish and some kichlin,” she said.

Adam rubbed his forehead. “Actually, the girls are just having breakfast.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she apologized, watching as the dog, nose in the air, sauntered over to her, trying to get a whiff of the food she held. “I brought the cookies for the girls, and my mamm made the chicken casserole. She thought you might like to reheat it for supper this evening.”

“Danki, that was thoughtful of you both.” He took the box and stepped outside. “Coal, go lay down. You have food in your dish.”

“I think he’s trying to tell you something.” Leah grinned, looking from the dog to Adam. “Perhaps he doesn’t like pancakes. They are pancakes, right?”

Adam looked at her, showing no emotion, then shrugged his shoulders.

I shouldn’t have said that,
Leah scolded herself. “I didn’t know you had a dog,” she said, trying to lighten the conversation.

“Didn’t. Until recently, that is,” Adam responded.

“He’s a beautiful Lab. How long have you had him?”

“Not long. The mutt came into my store one day and followed me home. I tried to shoo him away several times, but he kept coming back. When I had no luck finding his owner, I took the critter in.”

“I’ve seen the Lab at the end of your driveway, and he wandered over to our place once, but I wasn’t sure whose dog he was. If I’d have known he was yours, I would have brought something over for him to eat, too.” Leah was relieved when a hint of a smile formed on Adam’s lips.

“Truth is, I’m not much of a cook, which even the dog can attest to.” His voice lowered as he leaned closer to Leah. “I just never expected it would be this hard to have three little girls in my house. They miss their mamm and daed something awful, and I’m grieving myself. I don’t know what to do to help them through this.”

“I know it must be difficult, but remember, Adam, those in our church district, as well as others in the community, will help out wherever and whenever it’s needed. All you have to do is ask, and I’m sure that many will help without being asked.”

“Jah, I know.” Adam’s eyes brightened a little. “Since you’re here, if you’re not busy the rest of the morning, I do have a favor to ask.”

“What is it?”

“Would you be able to keep an eye on the girls so I can go to the hardware store and check on things? I’ll only be gone a few hours.”

Leah smiled. “I’d be happy to do that.”

Adam blew out his breath. “Danki. I sure do appreciate it.” He leaned against the door. “Say, you wouldn’t be available to watch the girls while I’m at work every day, would you? I’d pay you, of course.”

Leah shook her head. “I might be able to on some days, but not every day, since I often have people scheduled for reflexology treatments.”

Adam frowned. “Oh yeah, that.”

“I could ask my mamm if she’d be free to watch the girls,” Leah was quick to say.

Adam’s face relaxed a bit. “That’d be great. If she’s agreeable, make sure you tell her that she’ll be paid for her services.” He opened the door. “Come in. I’ll introduce you to the girls and let ’em know that you’ll be with them for a few hours while I’m at the store.”

I hope I didn’t overstep my bounds when I mentioned that Mom might be willing to watch Adam’s nieces,
Leah thought.
What if she doesn’t want to?

A
fter Adam left, Leah took a seat at the kitchen table to watch the girls eat their breakfast. Even though Adam had introduced her, Leah was at a loss for words. It was obvious from the girls’ grim expressions that they were in pain. Leah wished there was something she could say or do to make them feel better.

Maybe if I find something fun for them to do, it’ll help break the ice,
she decided, looking toward the window. The rain had finally subsided, and partial blue sky was visible among the slowly departing clouds.

“How would you all like to go for a walk after I wash the dishes?” Leah asked. “We’ll take Coal along. He could probably use the exercise, and I’m sure he would enjoy spending time with you.” Leah paused and waited for the girls’ response.

Amy, the oldest, shook her head. “We can’t go for a walk.”

“Why not?” Leah asked.

“Uncle Adam will be worried if he comes home and we’re not here.”

“We wouldn’t go far,” Leah assured her. “Just down the road a ways, where I saw some pretty wildflowers growing in a field.”

Amy’s nose twitched. “Can’t do that; Linda’s allergic to some flowers. She might start sneezing or wheezing.”

“Does she have asthma?”

Amy shrugged. “Don’t know. She just sneezes and can’t breathe well when she’s near some flowers.”

Leah glanced at Linda, wondering why the child didn’t speak for herself. Was she always this quiet, letting her older sister speak on her behalf?

Linda’s chin trembled. “Mama likes flowers, but she never brings ’em inside ’cause she knows they make me sneeze.”

“Mama’s gone,” Amy stated in a matter-of-fact tone. “So quit talking about her like she’s still here.”

Linda glared at her sister as a few tears escaped and rolled down her cheeks.

In an effort to smooth things over between the girls, Leah said, “Would anyone like to dry the dishes after they’re washed?”

No one responded.

“I know it’s a bit early to have a snack, but I brought some peanut butter kichlin with me today. After the dishes are done, I thought maybe we could all have a few cookies with milk.”

Carrie, the youngest, who hadn’t said a word so far, climbed down from her chair and pushed it toward the sink.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Amy called.

“I’m gonna dry dishes,” Carrie replied.

“You can’t dry the dishes,” Amy argued. “You’re too little for that.”

Carrie shook her head determinedly. “Mama lets me dry the plastic things, so why can’t I here?”

“Let’s give Carrie a chance,” Leah spoke up. “She can dry a few of the dishes, and then you and Linda can dry the rest.”

“I don’t wanna dry the dishes.” Linda pushed her cereal bowl aside.

“Then how about this,” Leah said patiently. “After we do the dishes, why don’t we all go outside and pick up those branches that have fallen from the trees in your uncle’s yard? I’m sure he would appreciate that.”

“The grass is wet, and we’ll get dirty picking up sticks.” Amy lifted her chin, looking right into Leah’s eyes.

Leah clenched her teeth.
Oh, boy. Looks like I have my work cut out for me this morning. I sure hope Adam won’t be gone too long.

When Adam entered his store, he noticed Henry behind the counter, waiting on a customer. Then he spotted Ben, standing off to one side, talking to Elaine.

Irritation welled in Adam’s soul. He was still frustrated from this morning’s happenings, and now this? Well, at least the rain had finally quit.

With no regard for who might hear, or how it could look to anyone who was in the store, he stepped up to Ben and said, “I’m paying you to work, not take time out from your duties to visit with your aldi.”

Ben jumped back, as though startled, and blinked a couple times. “I wasn’t shirking my duties, Adam. Henry only has one customer at the checkout, and Elaine came here to get some fertilizer for her garden. She was just asking me what kind I thought was best for her roses.”

Elaine nodded. “That’s right; Ben’s telling the truth.”

Adam’s face heated; he felt like a fool. “I—I’m sorry for snapping at you, Ben. I’ve been under a lot a stress since Mary and Amos died, but I realize that’s no excuse.”

“It’s all right.” Ben clasped Adam’s shoulder. “I understand. It’s not an easy time for you right now.”

“That’s partly right; having lost Mary, and now having the responsibility of raising her children makes it hard for me to cope. But it’s not all right that I barked at you like that.” Adam shook his head. “I appreciate you and Henry taking charge of things at the store during my absence. Don’t know what I’d do without you both.”

Ben smiled. “We’re glad to do it.”

“Did you bring your nieces home with you?” Elaine asked.

Adam nodded. “I almost brought them to the store this morning, but Leah dropped by and agreed to stay with ’em till I get home.”

Elaine smiled. “That was nice of her. Will she be watching the girls every day while you’re here at the store?”

“Afraid not. Since she has her ‘patients’ to treat, she’s tied up most days. She did say she would talk to her mamm, and see if she might be willing to watch the girls.”

“I hope it works out,” Elaine said. “Leah’s mamm has such a sweet personality. I’m sure your nieces will take right to her.”

“That’d be good if Dianna can help.” Adam groaned. “Because they’re sure not taking to me very well.”

“I know how hard it is to lose both parents at a young age. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

“Danki, I will.”

Leah’s suggestion of picking up sticks in the yard must have appealed to Carrie and Linda, for without complaint, they walked around the yard with her, gathering the smaller branches that had fallen. For the time being, at least the two younger ones had something to keep them occupied. Amy, however, would have no part of it as she sat on the porch steps, watching. The sun shone through the clouds, and a gentle, warm breeze wafted around them. With each drift of air that stirred, it almost sounded like rain falling again, as water dripped from the still-wet leaves. “I’ll pick up the bigger branches.” Leah pointed to the pile she’d started.

With all the rain recently, nature had a way of trimming the trees, bringing down dead branches and waterlogged limbs that could no longer hold on. Leah had always found that whenever she felt sad, working outside or even watching the hummingbirds that came into her yard helped to lift her spirits. She hoped it would do the same for Adam’s nieces, especially Amy, who seemed to be carrying the weight of the world on her small shoulders. Leah figured that if Amy watched her sisters, she would see how much fun they were having and take part. But so far, she kept to the porch, staring absently at her bare feet.

“Look how many I got.” Carrie smiled, taking her small bundle over to the stack of branches. “This is
schpass.
”

“You’re right,” Leah agreed. “It is fun.”

“I got a lot, too.” Linda joined in, looking pleased with what she’d collected.

“That’s wonderful, girls.” Leah was glad they were both cooperating. “Keep up the good work. I’m sure your uncle will be pleased when he sees what you have accomplished. He’ll probably wonder where that stack of branches came from.”

Both girls bobbed their heads in agreement.

Leah looked back at Amy and wished once more that she would join them. But Amy just sat staring off into space. Hopefully in her own good time, the girl would come around.

“Look! Look!” Carrie squealed, pointing at the woodpile as Leah ran over to see what had excited her.

“It’s a little chipmunk.” Linda smiled, standing next to her sister. “Ain’t it cute?”

Carrie nodded and grinned back at her.

Leah was tempted to correct Linda’s English but decided not to make a big deal out of it. Glancing back at the woodpile, she figured the chipmunk must have discovered the stack of wood and come out to investigate as more sticks were being added to the top. The cute little critter sat quietly, watching them, then quickly scampered under the pile.