Love's Abundant Harvest (6 page)

He was so hospitable. Unfamiliar emotions started to well up inside. She choked them
back and let out a long breath.

“Are you all right?” He squatted down. It was nice she didn't have to look up. But
at the moment she didn't want him to see her face with the heat rising up her neck.

“Just a little warm.” She rubbed her belly. “This little one creates a lot of heat.”
Then she felt embarrassed for talking about the baby. It wasn't common to mention,
but it was so obvious, it seemed silly to ignore it.

“I'll get that water.” He touched her hand. “I'll be right back.” He slowly walked
away, not looking back until he was at the door.

She scanned his farm, which was smaller than but just as well-kept as Sam's. It seemed
quaint and inviting, more like a home than a business. She sat up to look closer.
That was the difference. Sam ran his farm like a business. Manny's was a home first,
then it provided a living. Sweet Pea was relaxed, with her head down and eyes closed,
unlike at Sam's where she was jittery. The calming atmosphere seemed to affect them
in the same way, confirming that the tension was a reality at the place she called
home.

“You two taking a nap?” Manny's voice floated toward her as her eyelids lifted.

“Just resting my eyes,” she said, although she might have had a wink or two.

He handed her the water and smiled. “I have trouble with that too when I'm rocking
under that big oak tree.” He squatted down by her and looked up. “Nice day.”

She took a moment to admire the blue sky with white clouds rolling by slowly in the
slight wind. She hadn't felt this serene since . . . she didn't know when. And there
was something definitely soothing about Manny . . . but maybe it just seemed that
way to her since she lived with someone so opposite.

Lucy suddenly felt uncomfortable enjoying herself when there was dinner to make.
“
Danke
for your hospitality, Manny. I should go.”

He stood and offered his hand. She accepted with a smile of appreciation and started
for her buggy. He helped get her up and settled, as the lump in her throat swelled
again. But there was no appropriate way to express her feelings other than a simple
danke
.

“If you ever want to talk, feel free to stop by.”

What a lovely thought, but it would never happen. “I bet you're a good listener.”

He grinned. “Actually, Sweet Pea is better than me.”

Lucy chuckled, picturing him talking to the horse the same way she just had, and
she didn't feel quite so foolish. She grinned at Manny. “
Jah
, I know.”

M
anny sat up in his bed and looked out at the dark sky. It would be a long day of
threshing wheat. It was time-consuming and hot this time of year, but the flour would
last through the winter and then some for all the baking the women did.

He glanced at the empty side of his bed. “Not that I need as much as most now.”

But his cousin, Emma, would be sure to come over and make him his favorites—cherry
pie and peach cobbler.

He dressed and took slow steps down the stairs to the kitchen to fix some coffee.
Rummaging through the pantry to find the coffee beans to grind, he came up short.
One more grocery item he had forgotten at the store. He bent his head and placed
his palms on either side of the door. Even the littlest of things seemed to keep
popping up, showing him another chore Glenda had done that he took for granted. The
canister of the herbal tea she liked was almost full. He eyed it before shrugging.
It wasn't the same as a strong cup of coffee.

He looked out the window over at the tall cluster of trees that blocked any view
of Lucy's
haus
. As he tapped his fingers on the counter, he could almost smell the
roasted beans being ground. He was in need of coffee, but wouldn't it also be neighborly
to stop over at her place just to say
hallo
? He had to admit he worried about her.
Not that it was his place to. There was just something that didn't sit right.

He tried to push aside his worries about Lucy and headed outside to get started on
his morning chores. But once the cows were milked, his thoughts drifted once again,
and he decided he needed coffee, which would give him a good excuse to check in on
Lucy. The rest of the chores could wait. He swallowed his pride and got up his nerve
to face Sam as he started down the lane to the main dirt road that led to their place.
He stopped at the driveway. Somehow their place always seemed darker. Maybe it was
the tall, thick trees that surrounded the
haus
. Or maybe it was just Manny feeling
uncomfortable being there.

He stood at the back screen door, savoring the smell of the coffee and bacon. Maybe
some eggs too . . . or was that his imagination, dreaming about them. Standing under
the window, he heard Abner's voice and took a step back, listening, not wanting to
intrude. Abner walked in from the mudroom and seemed to be talking slower today.
Manny glanced through the window and noticed he held a letter against his chest as
if it was made of gold.

Lucy walked over to the stove and stirred up something that sizzled. “Good to see
you, Abner.” When Abner didn't respond, she took a closer look at him. His pinched
forehead and the way he averted his eyes worried Manny. “Are you feeling all right?”

Abner rubbed his hand over his wrinkled face. “
Nee
. I'm not.”

She waited, and watched him stroke his beard. “Why don't you take a load off and
have a seat.” Lucy motioned toward a kitchen chair.

He sat down heavily. “
Nee
. I need to get something off
my chest. That's what needs
to be done.” He scratched his thinning gray hair and let out a breath.

Manny was eavesdropping, but at this point, he was as concerned as Lucy appeared
to be and needed to know what was on poor old Abner's mind. He made himself visible,
taking a step forward, but couldn't get himself to go any farther and interrupt the
conversation.

“What in the world's got you so upset?” Lucy rested her hands on her belly and waited,
shifting her weight.

Abner's eyes went to her hands that cradled her stomach. “I just have to say this
once and for all.” He glanced outside, and she followed his gaze out the window to
a tree stump where Sam chopped wood. “Do you know why I bring you the mail?”

She shook her head and scooped the eggs out of the pan.

Manny figured Abner was either nosy or felt sorry for her, not knowing which for
sure.

“It's 'cause I worry about you.” His eyes sought and found hers.

“I'm fine, Abner, and the baby is—”

“I worry about your safety, Lucy.” His stern face was taut with red blotches. “You
know right what I'm talking about too.” His nostrils flared when she shook her head,
as if he knew what she was about to say.

Manny wanted to know what Abner had seen and heard. They were so secluded; Lucy probably
thought no one could know what went on to worry about it. Thinking of all the times
Abner must have dropped by, Manny was sure he'd seen and heard plenty. It seemed
clear that Lucy had talked herself into thinking that was just how things were.

She looked away, and Manny couldn't bear to see the
disappointment in her eyes, her
denial. “We're fine. Really we are. I appreciate your concern, Abner.”

His lips tightened. “It's bothered me too much not to finally say something.” His
hand shook as he looked out the window to see Sam stride to the stump and grab his
ax. “I know it's not common to get into another's business, but I can't help but
worry for you both.” He gestured to the unborn babe.

Lucy let out a lungful of air. “You're a sweet man, Abner. But I've learned how to
live my life. I'd hoped for different, but the Lord hasn't brought that to be. So
I'll make do with the path I'm on.”

Manny hadn't heard her say so much in one breath. She knew what Abner was saying
was right, but she was trying to keep him from carrying her burden. Manny didn't
want him to either, so he walked up to the door and knocked.

Lucy's head lifted as she caught him staring directly at her. Abner wiped his nose
with his sleeve and averted his eyes.

“Mornin'.” Manny took note of the mounting silence with each step he took into the
kitchen. He stopped within reach of Lucy but looked over at Abner.

“Good to see ya, Manny.” Abner's shoulders dropped a little, and Lucy hadn't taken
a breath, obviously uncomfortable with Manny's presence.

“Nothing will leave this room.” He looked at one and then the other, making eye contact
long enough for them to know he meant it and that he was aware of their exchange.
“Sorry for busting in on your conversation. I've been listening, not knowing when
to step in.”

The flush on Lucy's neck was spreading to her face. She
glanced out the kitchen window.
Chop, chop
. The sound of Sam's ax seemed to make the color increase.

“Has he laid a hand on you?” He hadn't taken his eyes off her until now.

Abner choked, taking a hanky to his mouth as if to stifle his discomfort with the
discussion.

Lucy jolted, obviously not expecting the question but knowing what he was most worried
about. “
Nee
.” The air pushed through her lips, and she looked through the kitchen
window in thought.

Abner grunted. “Well, thank
Gott
for that.”

Manny wasn't so quick to accept her one-word reply. “I take it that's not how you
feel about it.”

“At times, I wish he would. Words hurt worse.” She finally gained the courage to
meet his eyes. “If it wasn't for the baby, I wonder sometimes if the physical pain
would hurt less.”

“Somehow, I knew you'd say that.”

She waved a hand at him. “I can't . . . ” That was all she could say. He understood.
This was too close, and Sam was too near.

“You don't need to do anything. That's why we're here—to keep an eye out if you need
us.” He gestured to Abner. He decided he'd ask him to bow out, for his own safety.
He didn't want the kind old gentleman to get in the middle of Sam and Lucy's marital
problems any longer.

Her eyes grew round as she took in his words. Fear and anger could easily seep up
and out at them for interfering. Manny got the feeling he might have overstepped
his bounds.

“I appreciate your coming, both of you. But please go.”
She turned away, and when
neither of them moved, she walked out of the room.

“Would you mind bringing Lucy their mail?” Abner wiped his nose again and kept his
eyes averted. “As long as I know someone stops by now and again, I'd feel all right
about handing it over to you.”

“You go on now, Abner.” Manny took the letter Abner still held in his hand and dropped
it to his side. “I'll take this and all the mail from here on out.”

“
Danke
, Manny.” Abner watched Sam out the window and lifted his bottom lip. “You
know it's just a matter of time until it comes to blows, especially with the baby
on the way.” His lip trembled. “So help me
Gott
, if he ever lays a hand on her, I'll—”

“Abner.” Manny softly but firmly cut him off. “Allergies bothering you?” Manny thought
he'd save the man's dignity and the emotions that were welling up in him as well.

“Must be.” Abner nodded once and walked out the back door. When he shut it, Lucy
came back into the kitchen.

Manny held up a hand. “I'll go.” He handed her the letter. “I'm your new mailman.”
He tipped his hat and turned to leave. Then he stopped and lifted his chin toward
the letter she was tearing into. “Hope it's good news.”

Her eyes moved over the words. And then she smiled. It was as bright as a rainbow
and made him grin a little too. “Fannie's coming!”

Manny lifted his brow when Lucy giggled. He'd never seen her so happy and wondered
who this person was who made her act this way. “Who's Fannie?”

Lucy pushed a dangling strand of hair off her face. “My sister. She's coming with
my
mamm
. You'll have to be sure and meet her, Manny.”

“I'll look forward to it.” Manny wanted this high-spirited talk to continue, such
a change from the discussion they'd just had. “When will she be here?” Seeing Lucy's
face light up and her animation stirred something inside him as he saw a glimpse
of her true personality.

“Who?” Sam's voice made them both stop and stare as he kicked off his boots and walk
toward the kitchen table. “Well?”

She should have breakfast on the table. Actually, it was past breakfast. Manny had
distracted her and now felt responsible. “It's my fault, Sam. I had some mail to
give her—”