Love's Abundant Harvest (23 page)

“You don't get out much.” Caleb smiled proudly, and Manny was happy for him. He'd
be a great dad. “So are you gonna fill me in on this pregnancy stuff?”

“You make me sound like an expert, and I'm far from that.” Manny thought back to
when he'd first seen Lucy and didn't even know she was with child. She still wasn't
as big as most of the women he'd seen. Toward the end, they shut themselves up and
hibernated until the delivery day came. Most had midwives, but some with concerns
were using some doc who had started showing up around the communities nearby.

“I'm just trying to figure out what to do and say. It's starting to seem like I don't
do anything right.” Caleb's brows drew together. “Come to think of it, maybe I don't.”

Manny grinned, which just seemed to irritate Caleb even more. Manny slapped him on
the back to get him out of his daze. “I've got something to do, and I'm about to
get it done.”

Caleb snapped out of it with a shake of his head. “I'll say a prayer for ya.”

“I think I'll need more than one.” Manny walked over to the post where Sweet Pea
waited patiently. She was getting too old for many outings, but he wanted her with
him for this excursion. He waved to Caleb as he tapped the reins
on Sweet Pea's hide
and let the
clip-clop
of her hooves calm his nerves. He tried to distract himself
by looking at the weather. He said a simple prayer for wisdom and courage, but his
mind kept wandering, thinking about how he should phrase what he was about to say.

When he got to Frieda's place, he saw Lucy on the porch swing. Her head was down
as she read or prayed. Maybe she was tired. She had to be more than ready for the
baby to come. He couldn't imagine how she must be feeling about now. He didn't have
the vaguest idea how to accompany her through this pregnancy, but he would sure
give it a try if she'd let him.

He climbed out of the buggy and took his time tethering Sweet Pea to the hitching
post. Everything he had practiced in his head seeped away until he had nothing but
bits and pieces of sentences he wanted to say. He stood in place staring at the top
of Lucy's
kapp
. She must have been really distracted, because she hadn't even looked
up to see who had come driving down the lane. He took his time walking up the stairs,
hoping the sound of his boots would grab her attention. It was then he noticed her
shoulders shaking and her hands cupping her face. He knew from being around Emma
and her sisters that wasn't a good sign. She was either laughing or crying, and he
was hoping for the first of the two.

“Lucy?” He stopped, hoping she'd look at him with a smile, but he didn't think she
even knew he was there. “Luce, are you all right?”

Her head moved from side to side, and she covered her mouth. Her back straightened,
and she lifted her head. When she dropped her hands from her face, he saw the blotchy
cheeks and bloodshot eyes.

“What is it, Lucy?” A storm of ideas came to mind as he watched her rub her face
and use her apron to wipe her nose. Her shoulders shook when she took in a breath,
so he gave her another minute that seemed much longer. He shifted his feet. “Will
you please tell me what's wrong?”

“I'm sorry, Manny. I'm not good company right now.” She still hadn't looked him in
the eyes, and he started to really worry. Whatever was bothering her was more than
just the difficulties of being pregnant. He'd been around her enough to know that
this was way over the top.

“Just tell me, Lucy. I can't stand to see you like this.” He was about to plead again
when she turned his way.

“My
mamm
.” Lucy shook her head. “She's going to Tennessee, but she's back to her
old self again, so I'm glad to see her go.”

Manny jerked his head back. He and Lucy had come a long way since he'd gotten to
know her, and he'd seen great strides after the explosion. He couldn't imagine what
Verna was up to now. It wasn't right to put Lucy in a situation that had her all
upset like this. “What is it now?”

“She's playing matchmaker again.” Lucy shook her head. “She just has to stick her
nose in everything.”

Manny analyzed the situation from both sides. Besides the fact he didn't want another
suitor on the scene, he could also see Verna's intentions. She was a caretaker, used
to setting everything right and getting things in order. The hardest thing for someone
like her was to leave something undone. Little did Verna know he already had the
answer, if all went as planned.

“I might have a solution to this, Lucy. But first I have to tell you that what your
mamm
is doing is just tying up loose ends so she will know you're in good hands.”

Lucy looked straight at him. Her tired eyes and red nose warned him not to push too
hard. This was something she'd dealt with all her life, and now with everything
going on with her body, it would be enough to really set her off. “What is it, Manny?
What's your advice, right along with the rest of them?”

Manny ignored the sarcasm. That wasn't the real Lucy talking. He still wasn't sure
enough of himself to think she'd accept his offer, but at this point what did either
of them have to lose? “I have an offer.”

Lucy scoffed. “What? What is it, Manny? Just tell me and get it over with.” Her weary
eyes watered. He couldn't stand to see any more tears. But clearly she didn't seem
to believe what he had to say was worth much.

He looked down at his boots and at her face again. His black boots were the more
appealing option. “Lucy, if you'd be so inclined . . . ” He swallowed, glanced at
her, and then looked down again. Her blotchy cheeks lightened a little, and she'd
almost stopped shaking.

“Just say it, Manny.” Her voice sounded more like herself, but still with a sad
tone to it.

He let out a long breath and straightened up, looking into her blue eyes. “Lucy,
will you marry me?”

Lucy's face went white. Her breathing quickened.

Manny sat beside her and took her hand. “I should have asked you a long time ago,
after Sam died. But I didn't want to be disrespectful. Besides, I thought you'd turn
me down, and if you had, we might not be able to remain friends. And having you means
the world to me. So I let the time go, and now here we are with you ready to give
birth.”

She smiled, a little embarrassed. “Manny?”

“
Jah
, I'm here.” He watched her eyes meet his. “I'm sorry. I made things worse. I
knew you weren't well and did it anyway.”

“Did what, Manny?” She pushed herself up and turned toward him. “Ask me again.”

He didn't know if she was relieved or in shock. But he'd do what she wanted. He needed
to hear it again himself. He took one hand as the other one was shaking, holding
her up. She was so weak, he worried he'd set her off again. But this was what they
both needed to hear.

“Lucy, will you be my wife? I should have asked you a long time ago after Sam died.
But I was scared you'd turn me down, and if you had, we might not be friends. And
having you as a friend means the world to me.”

“
Jah
. . . if you are willing to raise two babies with me.”

Manny froze and stared at her. “Two?” He grinned.

She smiled meekly. It was probably the biggest effort she'd made since he arrived,
but he was sure glad to see it. He needed to know she wanted him as much as he wanted
her.

V
erna picked up the iron from the potbellied stove and dropped it down onto a blue
dress. She pushed so hard, her knuckles turned white. Lucy knew that not even the
tiniest wrinkle would remain in the little blue dress.

Lucy had mixed emotions. She was relieved to be able to tell her
mamm
that Manny
had proposed, but she was worried what her
mamm
would say and do.
Mamm
was upset
with her for refusing to meet the man who
Mamm
said just wanted to stop by for a
cup of coffee. Lucy hadn't set foot in the kitchen until he was gone, and now she
had to tell
Mamm
her news. She just hoped she would let go of her disappointment
long enough appreciate what Lucy had to tell her.

The smell of steam rising off the material filled her nostrils as she made herself
a cup of coffee. “
Mamm
, don't be upset with me.”

Mamm
pushed down harder on the iron and glanced up at her. “It's autumn. Everyone
who is getting married has their companion. I spent a good deal of time talking with
him about his farm that's a good distance away. I guess I'm not surprised you hadn't
met him.” She shook her head. “I know it's different for you, but it comes a little
harder in your condition.”

“
Ach
,
Mamm
. They probably just want the farm. There's few places as big that offer
so much land for planting.” She
sat down at the kitchen table, watching
Mamm
tackle
the poor dress yet another time.

“Well, it's not like you're the only widow with child. It just makes life easier
to have a man around. I would know after the last couple of years being nursemaid
to your
daed
.” She hadn't lifted her head, which Lucy appreciated.
Mamm
's gaze could
penetrate right through her, leaving her to feel as if she knew everything about
her just by staring at her.

“How is he,
Mamm
?” She asked each and every week, but the answer was the same. She
was glad it didn't change, although perhaps her
mamm
was keeping information from
her. Maybe she was waiting until after the babies were born, which would be soon.
Lucy almost wanted to hasten the delivery, in hopes
Daed
would know they had come.

Mamm
stared long and hard at Lucy. “He's better than you. You look tired. Maybe you're
in need of a nap.”

“I haven't been up that long. I feel lazy with all of you taking care of me.” When
she stopped and thought about it, she didn't need a single thing to get by except
the love and care of those around her. She had spent so long alone with Sam, cooking,
cleaning, and tending to him, that she hadn't gotten the precious time and care that
she had now become accustomed to here.

“Don't push yourself. Your body's working extra hard about now. Those babies are
taking everything you've got left in you.” Unlike a few minutes ago her
mamm
was
gently ironing a small black dress. Lucy wondered where the blue one had gone and
what kind of shape it was in.

It was a good time to tell her. With the focus being on the babies,
Mamm
seemed to
mellow a bit.

“
Mamm
, you don't have to worry about my raising these babies alone.” She paused to
see
Mamm
's eyes lift to hers as she set the iron up.

“Well, of course not. You have your
mammi
and the girls. And me. Once things settle
down, I'll be back. It'll be sooner than you think. And then there's Manny.” She
turned to Lucy waiting for her reply.

“
Jah
, Manny.” She couldn't keep the mist from her eyes just saying his name.

“What's got you so upset?”
Mamm
stood straight and tall with a puzzled look on her
face.

“I'm not upset.” She shut her eyes and a tear dropped. “I am very blessed to have
so many around me to go through this with me, especially Manny.” She let out a breath
of air as her
mamm
's eyes grew wide. She backtracked. Maybe it wasn't the right time
to tell her. For some reason, at this moment it didn't seem real. What she was leery
about, she didn't know, but it made her pause.

Mamm
put a hand to her chest. “
Jah
, praise
Gott
for that. I can leave here knowing
you're in good hands.” She whispered in such a soft tone Lucy's didn't think it could
possibly be coming from her
mamm
's mouth.

Lucy was glad to hear the words for more than one reason.
Mamm
approved of Manny,
although who wouldn't? Lucy also knew that if her
mamm
knew she was in good hands,
Mamm
could go home to tend to her
daed
.

“I thought you'd approve of him.” Lucy's voice was stronger than she felt. She was
confident her
mamm
would accept Manny, but she could never be sure what her
mamm
might say. Manny had wanted to be here when she told her
mamm
, but he hadn't seen
every side of
Mamm
yet, and Lucy didn't want their future to start out on a bad note.

Mamm
let out a sigh. “I've gotten to know him over the past couple of weeks. He's
a nice man. Hopefully he'll make sure you and the little ones are taken care of.
More so than Sam ever would have.”