The Healing (22 page)

“Jah. An employee at the Walmart in Hopkinsville found Leon in the men’s room last night.”

“That’s sure good news. What was he doing there, anyway?”

Titus gave Suzanne the details on Leon’s adventure, and ended by saying, “It was close to midnight when the sheriff brought him home.”

“I’m sure Samuel was very relieved.”

“We all were.” Titus shuffled his feet a few times. “There’s something I need to say to you, and I think I’d better say it before we go to church this morning.”

“What’s that?”

“I’m sorry for the disagreement we had yesterday. You were right. I’ve been neglecting you lately, and I’ll try to do better from now on.” Titus took a step toward her. “Am I forgiven?”

Suzanne nodded. “I’m sorry for my part in the argument as well. I should be more understanding of Samuel’s situation, because I know he is relying on you and really has no other place to go right now.”

“What do you think about me hiring a driver so we can go to Ryan’s Steakhouse in Hopkinsville for supper one evening?”

“That’d be nice. When did you want to go?”

“How about this coming Saturday? We can go in a little early and do some shopping and then eat supper around five.”

“What about Samuel and the kinner? If we’re having supper at the steakhouse, who’ll fix their supper at home?”

“Samuel’s planning to take them to the pond near my place this Saturday so they can do some fishing and have a picnic supper.”

“Won’t he expect you to fix the food for their picnic?” she asked.

“Nope. Samuel said he’s gonna ask Esther to fix the meal.”

“Oh. Well he won’t be sorry about that, because Esther’s a wonderful good cook. If it weren’t for her teaching me how to cook, I wouldn’t have agreed to marry you this fall.”

His forehead wrinkled as he stared at her with a look of confusion. “Is the only reason you said yes to my proposal because you know how to cook?”

She swatted his arm playfully. “Of course not, silly. I said yes because I love you and want to be your wife, but if I hadn’t learned to cook, I wouldn’t make a good wife, and you deserve to be fed well after we’re married.”

Titus moved closer and put his arms around her waist. “I’d marry you even if you didn’t know how to boil water and I had to do all the cooking myself.”

Since no one else was outside and could witness their display of affection, Suzanne melted into his embrace, thankful that everything was all right between them again.

Paradise, Pennsylvania

“Our prayers have been answered,” Abraham said when he entered the kitchen where Fannie stood at the stove, stirring a kettle of oatmeal.

She whirled around. “Was there a message about Leon?”

A wide smile stretched across his bearded face. “Titus left a message saying the boy’s been found and is back with Samuel again.”

Fannie crossed both hands over her chest and looked upward with gratitude. “Thank You, Lord!”

“It’s not good that he ran away, but it’s a relief to know he wasn’t kidnapped.” Abraham slowly shook his head. “I’d never want anyone to go through the misery I went through after Zach was stolen. There were times when the pain was almost unbearable. I always wondered where he was and whether he was okay or not. Until he came home to us, I was never completely at peace.”

Fannie gave Abraham a hug. “I know what a terrible time that was for you. I, too, am relieved that Leon’s been found.” She pulled back slightly. “Where was he, anyway?”

Abraham told Fannie everything Titus had said. “I’m sure the boy was pretty scared out there on his own.”

Fannie clucked her tongue. “Things must be really bad between Samuel and Leon if he was so upset that he decided to run away.”

Abraham’s face sobered. “Titus said Leon had been trying to come here.”

“What?” Fannie’s mouth opened wide. “How did he think he was going to get here?”

Abraham shrugged his broad shoulders. “From what Titus said, Leon had Samuel’s wallet, and I believe he thought he could either catch a bus or hire a driver to bring him here.”

Fannie sank into a seat at the table. “I think Samuel ought to move back to Pennsylvania so we can help with the kinner like we did before.”

“That’s not the answer, Fannie. What the kinner need is Samuel’s attention. Those kids suffered a great loss when their mamm died, and they need their daed now more than ever.” Abraham joined her at the table. “From what Titus said in a previous phone conversation, Samuel’s been so immersed in his own pain that he hasn’t paid much attention to the needs of his kinner. He even blamed Suzanne and her friend Esther when Penny got hurt on the sled awhile back.”

“Which is exactly why he needs to be living closer to us—so he can be sure they’re getting the proper attention.”

“He’ll be fine, Fannie. This thing with Leon really gave him a scare, and Titus said that Samuel’s planning to spend more time with the kinner from now on. Fact is, he’s taking them fishing and on a picnic this Saturday.”

“That’s good, but it’s just one day of fun. The kinner need someone with them all the time—someone who’ll give them every bit of the love that they need.”

“They have Esther to care for them,” he reminded.

Fannie brushed his words aside. “That’s not the same as having someone in their family with them. Besides, if Esther’s doing such a good job, then why’d Leon run away?”

“I told you before. He was upset with Samuel, and Esther wasn’t even watching the kinner that day; Titus was in charge of them.”

Before Fannie could comment, the back door opened and Timothy entered the kitchen. “Since it’s our in-between Sunday and there’s no church in our district today, Hannah and I thought we’d visit at her brother’s church,” he said, looking at Abraham. “Just wondered if you and Mom would like to go with us.”

“Not today,” Abraham said. “Your mamm and I didn’t get much sleep last night on account of Samuel’s Leon.”

Timothy’s eyebrows drew together. “What’s wrong with Leon? Is he sick?”

“He went missing yesterday,” Abraham replied. “We left a message on your voice mail last evening. Didn’t you get it?”

Timothy scratched his head. “I haven’t checked for messages since yesterday morning.” He took the cup of coffee Fannie offered him. “Danki, Mom.”

“You’re welcome.”

“So tell me about Leon. Is he still missing?”

Abraham shook his head. “Thank the good Lord, Leon is back where he belongs, and I think things are going to be better between him and his daed from now on.”

“Well, I think we ought to plan another trip to Kentucky soon, even though our grandson is home safe and sound,” Fannie said. “I want to see for myself if things are any better.”

Abraham shook his head. “Timothy and I are too busy planting the fields for me to go anywhere right now.”

“But you were all set to go when you first heard Leon was missing.”

“That was different. It was an emergency.”

She frowned. “If you won’t go to Kentucky now, then how are we supposed to help Samuel with the kinner?”

“We can pray for them.” Abraham gave Fannie’s arm a gentle pat.

Pembroke, Kentucky

Anxious to know if there had been any word on Leon, Esther decided to stop by Titus’s place before going to church. She figured if Leon hadn’t been found, everyone would be in a state of grief—especially Samuel, who she knew blamed himself for Leon’s disappearance. If only there was something she could do to make Samuel and the children feel better, but she realized that no one in Samuel’s family would ever feel better until Leon had been found.

Esther stepped onto Titus’s porch, and was about to knock, when the door opened and Samuel appeared.

“Esther, I—I didn’t know you were here.” His face turned red, and he looked a bit befuddled.

“I came by on my way to church to see if there’s been any word on Leon.”

Samuel smiled widely. It was the first time Esther had seen him smile like that—at least when he’d been looking at her. “The sheriff brought Leon home last night.”

Esther appreciated the way Samuel’s appearance changed when he allowed himself to smile. “Where was he?” she asked.

“At Walmart.” Samuel gave Esther the details of Leon’s disappearance. “I’m ever so thankful my boy’s okay. Don’t know what I’d do if I lost another member of my family right now.”

Esther reached out her hand to offer comfort, but when he stepped back, she quickly pulled it away. “I’m glad Leon’s okay,” she murmured.

He gave a slow nod. “Me, too.”

“Will you be going to church today?” she asked.

“Jah. Wouldn’t feel right about staying home. Especially after God answered my prayers and brought Leon home.”

She smiled. “I understand. It was an answer to all our prayers.”

“The whole ordeal left me pretty shook up, and it’s made me realize that I need to spend more time with my kinner.” Samuel folded his arms and leaned against the door. “I’ve decided to take the kinner on a picnic supper at the pond this Saturday, and while we’re there we’ll do a little fishing.”

“That sounds like fun. I’m sure you will all enjoy the day.”

Samuel shifted his weight slightly. “Say, I … uh … was wondering. I’m not much of a cook, so would you be willing to fix us something we could take along to eat?”

“You want me to make your picnic supper?”

“Jah, if you don’t mind.”

“I’d be happy to do that, Samuel.” Esther smiled. She figured if Samuel was asking her to fix the food for the picnic supper, he probably meant for her to go along. She hoped so, anyway, because a picnic with Samuel and his children would certainly be fun.

O
n Saturday afternoon, Esther arrived at Titus’s house, filled with anticipation. She’d fixed a nice picnic supper for Samuel and his children—fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, dill pickles, and carrot sticks. For dessert she’d made a pan of brownies and two dozen of her favorite boyfriend cookies. Knowing how much Samuel’s children yearned to spend time with him, she figured they were probably looking forward to today even more than she was.

Esther reached into the back of her buggy to get the box of food she’d prepared just as Titus stepped out of the barn.

“Need some help?” he asked.

“I’d appreciate it.”

He sniffed the box. “Whatever’s in here sure smells
gut.”

“Samuel asked me to fix the food for their picnic, and I hope they’ll all think it’s good. You’re a pretty good cook yourself,” she added. “I’m surprised he didn’t ask you to make the picnic supper.”

“I’m taking Suzanne out for supper this evening, so that’s why he didn’t ask me.” Titus picked up the box and started walking toward the house. Esther followed.

“I’m glad you and Suzanne are going out,” she said. “It’s been awhile since the two of you went anywhere alone.”

He nodded. “After what happened with Leon, I think Samuel plans to spend more time with the kinner and keep his focus on them instead of allowing himself to be so consumed with grief over losing Elsie.”

“I’m glad to hear he wants to spend more time with the kinner. I’ve tried to give them lots of attention, but it’s not the same as spending time with their daed.” Esther smiled. “I’m also glad things are better between you and Suzanne. I’ve been worried about you two.”

“No need to worry,” he said. “I think everything with us is back on track.”

Esther opened the door for Titus, and when they entered the house, Titus took the box of food to the kitchen. Esther found Samuel sitting on the living room sofa, with all four of his children gathered around.

“Wie geht’s?” she asked.

Samuel looked up. “We’re doing good now that Leon’s back home. Everyone’s looking forward to going to the pond today.”

The children bobbed their heads in agreement.

“I brought the food for your picnic supper,” she said.

Samuel smiled. “We appreciate that.”

Penny looked up at her father. “Is Esther goin’ with us, Daadi?”

Samuel’s face turned bright pink. “Well, I … uh … thought it would be good for us to spend some time alone together.”

Esther placed her hand on Penny’s shoulder. “I’ll be with you on Monday.” She hoped the disappointment she felt about not being included in their plans didn’t show on her face.