The Days of Redemption (60 page)

She was glad to hear that he was still committed to facing his past. And though a part of her feared that Aaron had even more secrets about his past, and what had happened the night Laura Beth and Ben died, she knew he needed to go back and finally bring some closure to that part of his life.

Of course, she needed to face her past just as much. She'd gone from being an active, social English teenager to becoming an Amish wife and mother within a span of two years.

And because her family had never understood her desire to become Amish, she'd cut ties with them instead of trying harder to make them understand why she'd chosen the life she had.

Yes, the trip was bound to be difficult. But the alternative would be even harder. If they didn't make this trip, Lovina knew they'd never completely find peace.

“You are right, Aaron,” she said quietly. “As soon as Marie gets home from the hospital, we should go.”

“It is decided.” Looking relieved, Aaron headed back to their bedroom. “We'll go and face our pasts. Together.” He hesitated, then said quietly, “And perhaps we'll even be brave enough to face our eldest daughter, too.”

Lovina heard their bedroom door click. She knew it was time to go to bed, but couldn't seem to make her body move. Instead, she stared into the fire and thought about their eldest daughter, Sara. Would she welcome them with open arms . . . or would she push them away, resenting the fact that they'd never once come to visit her in New York or when she later moved to Pennsylvania?

Now she realized that fear had played a big part in her actions. Wanting to ensure Sara would never face the pain that she had in her teens, Lovina had been firm. Judgmental. Strict. Perhaps, too strict.

Instead of offering her support and compassion, she'd offered rules and consequences.

It was no wonder her daughter had married early and moved far away.

Perhaps the real surprise was that any of her children had stayed nearby at all.

When Landon pulled away, Elsie remained at the stoop, letting the delicious warmth from his parting smile sink into her. The evening had been everything she'd ever hoped for—and so much more, too.

Only when the glow of his buggy's reflectors had faded, and the last echoes of his horse's hooves could no longer be heard did she enter the house.

Inside, the atmosphere couldn't have been more different.

Roman, Amanda, and Viola were sitting in the kitchen. Daed was there, too. Even Uncle Aden and Beth were there, sipping coffee.

It was a strange sensation.

Elsie was used to being the one waiting for information from Roman or Viola about their evenings out. When they were younger, she'd been beside herself with jealousy, sure her time was never going to come.

Now, for the first time, at the ripe age of twenty-two, she was the one who felt everyone's curious stare settling on her expectantly.

“Well?” Viola asked impatiently. “What happened?”

“I went for a ride with Landon.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “We know that. Come on, tell us more. Where did you go? What else did you do?”

“Pull up a chair,” Uncle Aden offered. “We want to hear everything.”

Elsie was getting the feeling that these questions were only the tip of the iceberg. She, for one, was in no hurry to talk about her time with Landon.

It was too special. Certainly too personal to share with the whole family. “I'm going to go upstairs,” she announced.

“Not so quick!” Viola exclaimed.

“Viola, not now.”

“Come on,” her twin cajoled, looking mildly hurt. “I'm not asking you anything you haven't asked me after a date.”

Her sister was right. They'd been in this same situation many a time. But it felt different now that their places were switched.

Moreover, she didn't have the confidence that Viola had. She felt shy about her date, and not too eager to share how special she felt. She wanted to keep that to herself, at least for a little while longer. “Landon and I went for a drive. That's all.”

“Come on, Elsie,” her cousin Beth said merrily. “Just fill us in a little bit. We've been curious, you know. Did you have fun?”

Standing awkwardly in front of them, she nodded.

Roman suddenly looked concerned. “Landon didn't try anything, did he?”

“What?” Indignation, combined with a healthy amount of embarrassment, made her voice harsh. “Of course not. Roman, I can't believe you asked such a thing!”

“Why not? We don't know him all that well . . .”

“He's spent hours helping you in the fields and in the barn,” she pointed out. “I suppose you only thought he was good enough to help you work?”

“That's not fair.” Shifting uncomfortably, he added, “And one has nothing to do with the other.”

“We're interested, not prying, Elsie,” Beth said, her tone attempting to be reassuring. “Don't you want to talk to us?”

She didn't. At least, not right at that moment. She hated the thought of her family interfering with the first date she'd ever had. Hated the thought of everyone talking about her, all trying to manage her. As if she were helpless.

So the only thing to do was to turn in. It would give her the space she needed to savor the memories of her first date, ever.

“I think I'll say good night now.” She turned and headed toward the staircase, refusing to allow anyone to stop her progress.

But as soon as she'd slipped on a nightgown and washed her face and brushed her teeth, Elsie discovered that Viola was waiting for her in their room.

“Couldn't stay away?”

“Of course not,” Viola said. “Now that we're alone, you can tell me what really happened,” she said with a conspiring smile.

“I was telling the truth before. There isn't much to share. Landon took me for a ride and then he dropped me home.”

“And that's it?”

“
Jah
. That's it,” Elsie lied.

Viola stared at her a moment longer, then shook her head. “Um . . . I know you, Elsie. You wouldn't be so secretive if you weren't hiding something.”

Though she could feel her cheeks burn with embarrassment, she valiantly tried to cover it up. “That's ridiculous.”

Moving from her bed to Elsie's, Viola's voice turned wheedling. “Come on, twin, tell me how Landon was. Romantic? Chatty? Solemn? Do you think you're going to want to see him again?”

“I'm not going to talk about him.” She didn't know how she felt, which was why she wanted to keep it all to herself.

“But I'm your sister.”

“And you are my favorite sister, too. But I'm still not ready to tell you what I think. I want to keep the memories close to my heart for a bit.”

Though Viola had always shared openly after all of her dates, Elsie was different from her twin. She kept things to herself more and wasn't someone to just chat about everything. Viola had to understand that. Plus, Elsie liked knowing that she had something special to think about that was hers alone.

Y
ou seem happy today, Daniel said to Landon when they took a break from sanding the floors. “Every time we've stopped for a break, you've been whistling to yourself. What's going on?”

Landon's face flushed. He didn't realize his mood was so obvious. “If I told you it was because we were making good progress, would you believe me?”

“Nope.” After taking off the mask over his nose and mouth, Daniel wiped his forehead with a bandana. “You hate sanding as much as I do.”

Landon reached for his bottled water and drank thirstily. “That's true. I always feel like I inhale half of the grit that fills the air. Even though we wear masks, I always go home with a mouthful.”

Daniel held out his arm. “It's the dust that settles into my skin that gets me.” After draining half his bottle of water in one gulp, he asked, “So, since it's definitely not sanding . . . what has you so happy?”

After debating another second or two, Landon spilled the beans. “I took Elsie Keim out for a buggy ride last weekend.”

Daniel's eyes lit up. “You went calling last weekend? How come you didn't tell me what you were up to?”

“It's been kind of a sudden thing,” he said. Though of course that wasn't true. Ever since he and Elsie started talking, he'd been hoping to take her out.

As he wiped his neck with a damp bandana again, he added, “There's something about her that makes me anxious. Like if I don't try to make something happen fast, I could lose her.”

Stuffing his own bandana in a back pocket, Daniel whistled low. “Hmm.”

There were a hundred meanings in that one sound. “What?”

“I've never seen you so smitten.”

“There's something special about Elsie.” After a pause, he decided to be completely truthful. “Actually, I think there might even be something special between us. When we talk, it feels different, ya know?”

“Oh, I know.” He smirked. “Don't keep me in suspense, brother. How did it go?”

Landon debated for about a second before replying honestly. His feelings embarrassed him a bit. Never had he imagined that he'd ever feel so smitten with a woman he hardly knew.

But he trusted his brother more than anyone else in his life, so it stood to reason that Daniel could give him the best advice. “I feel like I can't wait to see her again.” He shook his head in wonder. “When I dropped her off, it was all I could do not to ask her out again.”

Daniel chuckled. “You're on your way, man. Ha, I had begun to think you were going to be an old man before you started courting.”

“I'm hardly old.”

“
Jah
, but you're determined to stick to your grand plan.”

Landon knew what his brother meant. For most of his life, he'd always claimed that sticking to his goals and plans were far more important than fostering relationships. He'd even given Daniel a little bit of a hard time when he'd been courting Edith.

Now, though, he understood. He really liked Elsie, and she was so perfect for him and his life. He felt she would make a wonderful wife for some man. She seemed so competent and calm.

“I hope I don't mess this up.”

“You won't.” As they got ready to get back to work, Daniel said, “I'm sitting here, trying to remember the last woman you were so taken with.”

“It was Tricia.”

“Ah, yes.” His gaze turned serious. “You're better off without her, for sure.”

He didn't want to think badly of Tricia, but she really had put him through the ringer. He'd been devastated when he'd realized that Tricia had been lying to him about her dreams and goals. After opening his heart and sharing his plans with her, he'd discovered that she'd never had any intention of living anywhere but in Medina. And preferably right next to her parents.

The revelation had come as something of a shock. Tricia had been quite a wild teenager and had often been in trouble when they'd first met. After they'd started seeing each other, she'd been all for his plans, and had even hinted that she would love to live in Berlin one day.

But then, just as he was about to make the offer on his land, she'd revealed that she didn't want to ever move so far from her family. Worse, she'd asked him to forget about his dream of working alongside his brother and farm in Medina instead.

When he'd told her that he simply couldn't do that, she moved on with lightning speed to another man in their church district.

Just as if what they'd shared had meant nothing.

He'd been hurt and confused. And had been determined not to even think about women for years.

But then he'd spied Elsie and everything had changed in an instant.

“No matter what happens with Elsie, I'll be grateful to her for making you think of something besides work and your grand plans.”

“I hear you,” Landon said sheepishly. Even his parents had mentioned that his focus on his future had been exasperating. He'd spent too long ignoring the gifts of the present because he'd been so determined to have the future he was sure he needed.

Now, at long last, he could finally relax and enjoy the moment. Elsie was going to make all the waiting and hardship and doing without worth it.

The Lord had definitely been looking out for him when He'd put Elsie in his life. Carefully, Landon covered his mouth and nose with the mask again. “Break's over. The sooner we get back to work, the sooner the sanding will be over.”

Daniel nodded, checked the generator, then turned the sander back on. “That, at least, is something we agree on.”

Further talking was prevented by the drone of the machine and the diligent concentration that was required to complete this part of the job.

In the dim light of the hospital room, Peter once again found himself pouring his heart out to his sleeping wife.

“And so that is yet another reason why we really need you to get better, Marie,” he murmured. “I'm at a loss for what to do about Elsie. Every time I try to talk to her about her eyes, she redirects the conversation. And Viola has even shared that she thinks Elsie is hiding the true extent of her vision problems.”

He paused for breath, remembering the frustrating conversations he'd had with Elsie recently.

And he wasn't the only one concerned about the way she'd been ignoring their cautions and bits of advice. Honestly, it was like all of a sudden his agreeable, biddable daughter had been replaced with a new, far more stubborn woman.

Gently caressing the soft skin of Marie's hand, he sighed. “I'm tempted to make the doctor's appointment for her myself, but she's a grown woman. That don't seem right. I mean, her twin sister is planning her wedding and preparing to be a missionary's wife in a foreign country. Elsie needs to be the one making this decision. Ain't so?”

He waited a heartbeat, halfheartedly hoping she'd suddenly answer him. But of course she remained asleep.

“Ah, Marie,” he said, caressing her hand again. “I do worry about you. Please come back to us. You're my wife, my best friend. I want to take care of you, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to help you get better.” He lowered his voice. “Just meet me partway, Marie. If you do that, then I'll do the rest. I want you in my life. I want you back.”

Pausing for breath, he scanned Marie's face again, preparing himself to see the same thing he saw yesterday and the day before, and the day before that: his lovely wife sleeping.

But now her eyes were open.

He was so surprised, he was sure his mouth was hanging open. With a shake of his head, he leaned closer. “Marie? Marie,
mein lieb
, are you awake?”

When she merely stared at him, her blue eyes looking vacant, panic set in. Had her terrible fever injured her mind?

“Marie, do you know where you are? Can you understand me?”

After a clumsy attempt to form words, she nodded.

“Oh, praise God!” After glancing through the windows but seeing no one to gesture to, he reached for the call button. “Marie, I am so, so glad to see your lovely blue eyes.”

Just like that, her gaze softened, bringing the compassion and love into her expression that had always been his refuge.

“Elsie?” she said after a bit more of a struggle.

“
Jah
. I was speaking of Elsie. But not to worry. She's all right. I mean, she will be. It is you who we've all been worried about.” Unable to stop himself, he bent down and pressed his lips to her brow. “Marie, I've been so worried. So worried.”

“Peter,” she rasped, then curved her lips slightly.

And that half smile felt like it illuminated the whole room.

At last, he rang for the nurse. “My Marie is awake,” he announced, his voice loud and joyful. After the nurses told him they'd be right in, he turned back to Marie. “They'll be right here, dear,” he said. “How are you feeling? Are you in pain?”

A line formed between her brows. “You've been here, haven't you?”

Her voice sounded as if it was filled with wonder, as if she couldn't believe that he would be sitting by her side as much as possible.

“
Jah
. I have,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “For days and days I've been here. We've all been here—Roman and Viola and Elsie. Lorene and Aden. My parents.”

“Aden is in Ohio?” She shifted, looking like she was struggling to sit up.

To stop her, Peter laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Easy, Marie. You've been mighty sick,” he murmured. “But yes, Aden is here. Judith, too. As is their daughter Beth. Sam and Mary Beth have been coming up to the hospital as often as they can. Even Jacob and Martha have been calling regularly to check your progress. We've all been worried about you. Frankly, Marie, I—”

His next words were cut off by the rush of nurses and the doctor. As they crowded around Marie, he stepped to the side, allowing them to check her vitals, to do their jobs.

Standing against the wall, he was grateful for the few minutes of reprieve. Closing his eyes, he let tears of relief fall while he silently gave thanks and praise to the one who had healed her.

To the one who'd been so instrumental over the last few months. “
Danke
,” he whispered. It wasn't much to say, and certainly not poetic, but it was heartfelt. And because of that, Peter knew it was enough for now. The Lord knew he was grateful.

“Peter?” His parents were at the door, Roman and Lorene standing right behind them. Each looked more anxious than the next.

“Did I hear right?” his mother asked. “Is Marie awake? We just arrived to take our shift when we heard the commotion at the nurses' station.”

He stepped into the hall. “I don't know too much yet. But she is awake, and she seems to understand what is going on around her, too. It's a miracle.”

“Praise Got!” Aaron said.

Roman nodded, pure relief filling his eyes.

Wrapping an arm around his son, Peter hugged him close. “This is a wonderful day, Roman. A blessed day.”

“Indeed it is, Daed.” Feeling his son's strong arms clasp him tightly, Peter's heart lifted. Marie's recovery felt like a turning point. At last, he had hope for their future again. Hope that all of their problems were only slight glitches in the total span of their lives. That now that Marie was on her way to feeling better, everything was going to be all right.

He was out of his alcohol treatment program, Roman and Viola were in good relationships, and despite the shocking revelations over the last few months, tensions were easing with his parents.

And through it all, the Lord had been with them, keeping them company, guiding their actions.

After stepping away, Roman gestured to Marie's hospital door. It was closed. They could hear the nurses talking with Marie, but not clearly enough to discern what was being said. “Daed, when can we go see Mamm?”

“As soon as the doctors and nurses say we can.”

But the wait was longer than expected. After a few minutes, one of the nurses left. A little bit later, Marie's doctor walked out with little more than a cursory glance at the five of them waiting in the hall.

Peter's parents took two seats nearby while Roman walked to the nurses' station to use their telephone to call home.

As the minutes passed and no other doctor or nurse exited the room, some of his optimism began to fade.

As Peter glanced at his father, he saw much of the same resignation on his face.

“It's out of our hands. The Lord is in charge,” his father murmured, his voice steady and sure. Like it had always been during times of trouble. “He is holding Marie's hands now, and working through the doctor and nurses, too. We have to believe that.”

“I do,” Peter murmured before bending his head down to pray again.

Over and over he asked the Lord to help Marie, and to give them all the strength to care for her in the ways that she needed them to.

As he prayed, he was aware of Roman returning, murmuring to their father, then joining them in prayer.

Then, at last, Marie's door opened and Dr. Bolin poked his head out.

They sat up abruptly, Peter slowly getting to his feet. As he stared at the doctor, he realized he was holding his breath. Peter could feel the collective tension whipping around them as they waited for the doctor's words.

“I do believe Marie has turned the corner. With more rest, I see no reason why she won't make a complete recovery.” He smiled kindly. “Would you like to see her now?”

Feeling like he'd just gotten the wind knocked out of him, Peter continued to stare at the doctor. “Are you sure that she . . . that my Marie going to be okay?”

Dr. Bolin smiled softly. “I think so, Peter. I examined Marie and read her charts. It looks like we've finally made it through the worst of it. Marie is on her way to a recovery.”

“
Danke
,” he said to the doctor.

“You're welcome, though I think my work was only part of it. The whole staff has been monitoring her closely, you all have been here at her side the whole time . . . and we've all witnessed your prayers.” He smiled kindly. “Together, it all helped.”

After shaking the doctor's hand, Peter led the way to Marie's doorway. Inside, Marie was sitting up, dressed in a fresh hospital gown, and watching them hover with something that looked like amusement in her eyes.

One of the nurses chuckled as she saw how dumbstruck they all were. “It's okay,” she said.

Hesitantly, he stepped forward, the others at his heels. “Marie,” he said softly. “Look at you.” It was hard to believe that just a few hours ago she'd been asleep for days.

“You look much improved, daughter,” Lovina said.

“I wish I could say the same about all of you,” Marie replied. “Peter, you're so pale, you look like you've seen a ghost,” she said around a tired smile.

Peter
felt
like he was seeing a ghost.

But then Roman pushed his way forward, sat on the edge of Marie's bed, and reached for her hand. “Welcome back, Mamm,” he said with a smile. “We missed you!”

The rest of them couldn't help but chuckle. Only Roman could sound so relaxed after such a trying string of days.

Marie reached out her arms for a hug. “I missed you too,
boo
,” she whispered into his neck. “I've missed you, too.”

As Peter stood flanked by his parents, he realized that his prayers really had been answered.

And then he let the tears flow unashamedly down his cheeks.