The Quilter's Daughter (12 page)

“Sure is muggy tonight,” Fannie said, squirming restlessly, while she tried to find a comfortable position on the porch swing. At least the swelling in her legs had gone down, and she felt some
better. “It wonders me so that anyone would want to play ball in this heat.”

Abraham chuckled. “When I was a young man I could do most anything in the hot weather. Now, by midday I’m feelin’ ready for a cold shower and a tall glass of iced tea.”

She glanced over at him with sudden concern. “You doin’ okay in the fields?”

“Everything’s fine.”

“Do you ever wish you’d kept running the store?”

He nuzzled her neck. “Only when I’m missin’ you.”

She giggled, enjoying his attention and feeling like a schoolgirl again. “Need I remind you that I’m not at the quilt shop anymore? So, if you really find yourself missin’ me, you can always take a break and come up to the house.”

Abraham jiggled his bushy eyebrows. “Now there’s a pleasant thought, and I just might do it more often.” His brows drew together. “ ’Course once Naomi has her boppli, and Matthew leaves the farm to help at the store, I’ll be shorthanded in the fields. Gettin’ away for breaks will be harder then.”

“I’m sure you can find someone to fill in for Matthew.”

“Maybe so, but what if he decides to give up farmin’ altogether?”

She squeezed his arm gently. “You’ll accept his decision and be glad he’s found something he likes to do, same as you’ve done.”

“Jah.” Abraham sat there several seconds as he rested his hand on Fannie’s stomach. Suddenly, he pulled back like he’d been stung by a bee.
“Was in der welt?”

“What in the world, what?”

“Can’t ya feel that?”

“Feel what?”

“The boppli kickin’.”

Fannie chuckled. “Oh, sure. I feel it often these days. It’s normal for a baby to kick, ya know.”

“That wasn’t just any old kick. It felt like a whole baseball team trompin’ around in your belly.”

She nodded. “I think our little guy likes to kick with his feet
on one side of my stomach and punch me with his fists on the other side.”

“Hope that don’t mean he’s gonna be a rambunctious one.”

“If he is, we’ll handle it, jah?”

“Sure. Always have with my other kinner.”

“I know you’re countin’ on a boy, Abraham, but what if it’s a girl instead?”

He kissed her cheek. “I’ll love our child no matter if it’s a
bu
or a
maedel
.”

“I’m glad to hear that, because we sure can’t send it back.”

Abraham chortled. “You’re such a hoot. I surely do love you, Fannie Mae.”

“And I love you.”

His face sobered. “For a while I was worried about your health, and the boppli’s, too, but I finally committed things to God and decided to put my trust in Him.”

She gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Same here. I’ve learned that worry never solves anything. Fact is, it only makes one feel miserable.”

Abraham pulled Fannie into his arms. “You’re sure smart, ya know that?”

She smiled. “I must be, ’cause I was wise enough to marry you.”

Abby had been home from the Beechys’ for half an hour, and since she didn’t feel ready for bed yet, she took a seat in one of the wicker chairs on the front porch to watch the sun set and enjoy the fireflies as they performed their nightly dance. It was still too warm for sleeping, and she just wanted to sit here and think about Lester. After the game and time of refreshments, he had borrowed Caleb’s buggy and given her a ride home. Tomorrow would be their last day together until she returned to Ohio in early November.

Abby stood.
Maybe I’ll take a walk to the barn and see how Callie’s new kittens are doing.
She strolled through the yard, and a ray of light greeted her when she opened the barn door. She’d
thought everyone in the family had gone to bed, but someone must be inside.

She moved across the straw-covered floor until she came to the source of light. Matthew was inside one of the stalls, grooming his buggy horse. “Sorry to disturb you,” she said. “I didn’t realize you were out here.”

He held up the currycomb. “Thought I’d spend a little extra time on Bonnie tonight. And you’re not disturbing me at all.”

She smiled. “What made you choose that name for the horse?”

“Actually, it was Jake’s idea, and I went along with it so he’d quit buggin’ me.”

“There’s an English woman who comes into my quilt shop back home whose name is Bonnie.”

Matthew chuckled. “This horse likes to prance around, and Jake said she looks like one of them Irish dancers he’s seen on the neighbor’s television set. He thought Bonnie was a good Irish name for her.”

Abby rested her hands on the stall door. “I’m surprised your daed allows Jake to watch TV. Is he still going through his
rumspringa
?”

“I think my younger brother’s been going through his running-around years since he was born.” Matthew patted Bonnie’s flanks. “One of these days he’ll settle down and get baptized into the church. Maybe he’ll find a woman desperate enough to marry him, too.”

Abby smiled. “How come you’re not married yet? And don’t tell me it’s because you haven’t found a woman that desperate.”

He snickered. “Haven’t found the right one, that’s all.”

“I knew Lester was the man for me after our first date.”

He lifted his head and gave her a curious look. “You could tell so soon?”

“Jah.”

While Matthew continued to groom the horse, Abby glanced around the barn. She didn’t see any sign of Callie or her kittens. They’d been inside a small wooden box the last time she was here, but now the box was empty. “Do you know what
happened to the mama cat and her brood?”

Matthew shrugged. “Beats me. She probably got tired of Mary Ann and Samuel messin’ with ’em and carted the kittens off to some other spot.”

“That could be.” Abby sighed. “That’s why I came out here. . .to check on the kittens.”

“Didn’t figure you’d come out just to chew the fat with me.”

Her only response was a self-conscious giggle. She was glad Matthew was her stepbrother. He was different than Harold, who hardly ever kidded around. Of course, Abby’s brother had many other fine qualities.

“Don’t believe I’ve told you this before, but I think it was real nice of you to leave your shop in Berlin and come here to help Fannie. You’re a kind and caring woman, just like your mamm.”

Abby’s throat constricted. “I love Mom very much and would do anything I could to help her.”

“Your boyfriend seems like a real nice fellow,” he said, changing the subject.

“Jah, Lester has many fine qualities.”

“Hope he knows how lucky he is to be gettin’ someone as
wunderbaar
as you.”

Abby lowered her lashes as heat flooded her face. “Danki for the kind words, Matthew, but I believe I’m the lucky one.”

O
n the last day of July, Naomi stepped out of the bathroom at the back of their store. “The boppli’s coming, so you’d better find us a ride to the hospital,” she whispered to Caleb.

He looked stunned. “You’re kidding?”

“I’m not.”

“But I thought you said your due date wasn’t until August 15.”

“Babies don’t read calendars, Caleb, and this little one’s comin’ sooner than expected, so we’d better hurry.”

“Have you been having contractions all morning and not said anything until now?”

“Just some aching in my lower back, but now my water’s broke, and I’m feeling more pain.”

“We’d better notify Abby so she can keep an eye on the store, as well as our sleeping daughter,” Caleb said, moving toward the adjoining quilt shop.

“Maybe we should close the store and take Sarah home so your mamm can watch her.”

He shook his head. “I’m expecting a supply of kerosene lamps, and if no one’s here, the UPS man won’t leave the box. Besides, driving Sarah home would take too much time.”

Naomi leaned against the edge of the counter, as a painful contraction shot through her middle. “Tell Abby what’s going on, then ask if she’s willing to watch Sarah and take her to my daed’s after work.”

“Okay.” Caleb rushed into the other room, and a few moments later he returned with Abby at his side.

“Caleb says you’ve gone into labor,” she said with a look of concern. “Do you want me to call an ambulance?”

“Maybe we should,” Caleb agreed. “That would get us to the hospital much quicker.”

“And it would cost a lot of money.” Naomi shook her head. “Just go to the gift shop down the street and see if Mary Richards is free to drive us.”

Caleb’s eyebrows drew together. “I don’t know, Naomi—”

“I’ll be fine. You’ll see.” She waved her hand. “Now
dummle
— hurry!”

Without another word, he gave her a quick hug and rushed out the door.

Abby paced in front of the store window. It had been two hours since Caleb and Naomi had left for the hospital in Mary Richards’ car. They’d promised to send word as soon as the baby was born, but that could be hours yet.
If I’m this anxious over Naomi having her baby, I can only imagine how I’ll feel when Mom’s time comes.

Abby was glad her mother had agreed to have the baby at the hospital in Lancaster rather than hiring a midwife like some Amish women chose to do. At least they would have plenty of doctors and emergency equipment available should a problem arise.

If I’m not mistaken, Mom had a doctor’s appointment today. Seems she said the doctor planned to do an ultrasound, and I’m anxious to know how that turned out.
Abby frowned.
I hope there’s not a problem with her pregnancy.

Abby’s thoughts were halted when the front door opened and Matthew walked in. “I heard you were here by yourself and figured you could use some help.” He removed his straw hat and hung it on a wall peg by the door.

“News sure travels fast. How’d you know Caleb took Naomi to the hospital?”

“Caleb called his brothers at the buggy shop, and Andy drove over to our place to give us the word.”

Abby was about to comment, when she heard a muffled cry coming from the back of the room. “That must be Sarah. Can you mind the store while I get her up?”

“Sure, no problem.”

Abby found Naomi’s daughter standing in her playpen, tears streaming down her flushed cheeks and her golden curls in a tangled mass. She bent over and lifted Sarah into her arms. “Let’s change your
windles
, and then you can go see Uncle Matthew.”

A short time later, Abby carried the little girl up front and found Matthew sweeping the floor. When he spotted his niece, he set the broom aside and reached for her. “If Naomi has her boppli before the day’s out, we can spread the news tomorrow at church,” he said, glancing at Abby.

“That would save a lot of time in the telling,” she agreed.

Sarah nuzzled Matthew’s clean-shaven cheek, and he patted her back in a fatherly fashion.

Such a shame he’s not married and raising his own family,
Abby thought.
Naomi told me that Matthew’s shy around women, but he doesn’t seem so whenever he’s with me.

An idea popped into Abby’s head. Why not invite her friend Rachel to come for a visit? Rachel had told her many times that she was looking for the right man. Maybe she and Matthew would hit it off.
That’s exactly what I’m going to do. I’ll write Rachel a letter and invite her to spend some time with me here.