The Healing (35 page)

“You’re right about them both liking to fish,” Esther agreed. “From the eager expression I saw on Leon’s face when his daed baited his hook, I’d say he likes to fish equally well.”

“Everyone seems quite happy today.” Suzanne motioned to Marla and Penny, who were giggling and taking turns throwing a stick for Lucky to fetch.

Esther leaned back on her elbows and sighed. “I can’t believe Samuel and I are actually courting.”

“Speaking of courting, how was your visit to the Jefferson Davis Monument a couple of weeks ago?”

“It was okay. I forced myself to go up inside, but I got dizzy and was glad that we didn’t stay there long.”

“Does Samuel know about your fear of heights?” Suzanne questioned.

“I think he does because Marla mentioned it to him that day when I rescued Penny from the tree. I made myself go up in the monument because I didn’t want Samuel to think I’m afraid of every little thing, or he might stop courting me the way Titus did.”

Suzanne’s brows puckered. “I thought when you and Titus stopped courting it was a mutual agreement. You said you weren’t seriously interested in him.”

Feeling the need to reassure her friend, Esther shook her head and said, “I knew after we’d gone a few places together that we weren’t meant for each other, but I think Titus knew it the day I wouldn’t go up into the monument with him.”

“Well, if Samuel really cares for you, I don’t think he’ll stop courting you because you’re afraid of heights.”

Esther shrugged. “Maybe not, but I didn’t want to disappoint him by waiting below on a bench.”

Suzanne squeezed Esther’s arm. “I think it was good for you to meet your fear head-on. Maybe each time you force yourself to go somewhere that’s up high, your fear will lessen.”

“Maybe so, but I hope I’m not faced with challenges like the monument too often.” Esther placed Jared on the blanket. The little guy had fallen asleep and was getting heavy in her lap. “Are you excited about your wedding?” she asked Suzanne.

Suzanne bobbed her head. “I can’t believe it’s only two months away. Summer has gone by so quickly, and there’s so much to do yet before the wedding.”

“You’ve finished sewing your dress though, haven’t you?”

“Jah, but lots of other things need to be done—especially during the weeks right before the wedding.”

“I’ll be happy to help with anything you need,” Esther offered.

“That’s nice of you, but between watching Samuel’s kinner and helping Bonnie at the B&B, you’ve got your hands full.”

“I don’t work at the B&B when we don’t have guests, and most Saturdays, Samuel doesn’t work, so that gives me some time to do other things.”

“But don’t you want to keep your Saturdays free for times like this, when you can be with Samuel doing something fun?”

“I do enjoy being with him, but we’re not together every Saturday, and since you’re my good friend and I’m going to be one of your attendants, I want to help with the wedding preparations.”

The sunlight glistened in Suzanne’s auburn hair as she smiled and said, “I appreciate that, and when it’s time to start cleaning before our guests arrive, your help will be needed and appreciated.”

“Do you know how many of Titus’s family members will be coming?”

“I’m not sure, but I know his folks and his twin brother will be coming, because Titus talked to them both earlier this week. While Titus wants all his brothers and sisters and their families to come, he’s a little worried about where they’ll stay, because his place only has three bedrooms.”

“Some of them will no doubt stay with Samuel. My folks’ house is big enough to put up several people.”

“Even so, if everyone who receives an invitation comes, we’ll need to look for more places for them to stay.”

“What about the B&B? I’m sure Bonnie would give them a discount on any of her rooms. Would you like me to speak to her about it?”

“That’s a good idea. Let us know what she says, and then Titus can talk to his folks about it so they can spread the word.” Suzanne nudged Esther and motioned toward the pond. “Looks like Samuel’s heading this way. Maybe he’s caught his limit of fish for the day.”

“Think I’ve done enough fishing for today,” Samuel said, kneeling on the grass in front of Esther. “How would you like to go for a walk in the woods with me? If we’re lucky, we might see some interesting wildlife along the way.”

Esther motioned toward sleeping Jared. “If we all go for a walk, we’ll have to disturb this little guy.”

“I wasn’t figuring on taking the kinner,” Samuel said. “Thought it could be just you and me.”

“Oh, I see.” A blotch of red erupted on Esther’s cheeks, but he was glad when she rose to her feet and didn’t say no.

“Would you mind keeping an eye on the kinner for me?” he asked Suzanne. “I don’t think we’ll be gone too long.”

“I don’t mind one bit. After all, in just two more months, these sweet kinner will be my nieces and nephews.” Suzanne smiled up at Samuel. “You and Esther enjoy your walk, and don’t feel like you have to hurry back. Take your time, because we’ll be fine here.”

“I appreciate that. Oh, and make sure Lucky doesn’t follow us. I don’t want him scaring off any wildlife we might see.” Samuel bent down and grabbed a bottle of water and a bag of pretzels from the box of snacks they’d brought along. “In case we get hungry or thirsty,” he said, smiling at Esther.

She returned his smile and gave a little nod.

The birds chirped happily in the trees overhead as Samuel and Esther started walking along the trail near the water.

When they stepped into a clearing a short time later, Samuel pointed to a tall wooden structure that had been built for hunters to sit and watch for deer. “I’ll bet if we climbed up there, we’d have a good vantage point and could keep an eye out for deer or any other critters, and they won’t even know we’re here.”

Esther’s eyes widened as she halted her steps. “You … you want me to climb up there?”

He gave a nod.

“How do you know that ladder’s safe to climb? It looks pretty old.”

“Esther, are you scared?”

“A little,” she admitted.

“You climbed the ladder at the B&B to get Penny down from a tree.”

“That was different. Penny’s life was at stake, and the ladder I used was in good shape.”

“I really don’t think the tree stand’s that old,” Samuel said, “but I’ll go up first and test the ladder. If I don’t fall and break my neck, I’ll come back and get you.”

She swatted his arm playfully. “That’s nothing to kid about, Samuel.”

“Sorry.” Samuel gave Esther’s arm a reassuring squeeze and handed her the bag of pretzels and bottle of water. “I’ll be fine. You’ll see.”

Slowly and carefully, Samuel ascended the ladder until he was standing inside the tree stand. He glanced down and saw Esther looking up at him. “The ladder’s sturdy,” he called, “and the view from here is really good. I’m coming back down to get you.”

Samuel climbed down the ladder, took the water and pretzels from Esther, and tucked them both under one arm. “You go first, and I’ll be right behind you,” he said.

She hesitated but finally started up the ladder. Samuel followed, guiding her verbally with each step. When she reached the top, she drew in a sharp breath. “Ach, my! It’s higher than I thought it would be.”

“It’s not that high,” Samuel said, joining her on the wooden platform. “Compared to the Jefferson Davis Monument, this is nothing.”

She inched away from the edge and closer to Samuel. “It is to me. I’m afraid of anyplace that’s high up and have been since I was a kinner.”

Samuel set the pretzels and water on the wooden floor and slipped his arms around Esther’s waist. “You’re safe with me, so don’t be afraid,” he murmured, leaning his head close to her ear. He felt her relax against him and was confident that her fear was abating.

They stood like that for several minutes, until Samuel spotted two doe nibbling on the leaves of some brush. “Look there,” he whispered. “Do you see the deer?”

“Jah. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”

“They sure are.” But not near as beautiful as you, he thought
.

Samuel kept his arms around Esther’s waist as they continued to watch the deer. Then, when he was sure Esther was fully relaxed, he turned her to face him. “If you’re afraid of heights, how come you went to the top of the monument with us that day?”

“I thought it would be good for me to face my fear, and I didn’t want to disappoint you.”

“It wouldn’t have, Esther. I would have understood.” He gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Are you afraid right now?”

“I was at first, but not anymore.”

As Samuel enjoyed the quiet of the moment, he felt that with Esther by his side, he was right where he wanted to be. Giving in to his impulse to kiss her, he slowly lowered his head. Their lips were almost touching when—
Woof! Woof! Woof!—
Lucky bounded out of the woods and chased away the deer.

“Stupid hund,” Samuel muttered. “I shoulda left him at home. Guess I’d better go get him or he’ll be running through the woods chasin’ some poor animal for the rest of the day.”

With a feeling of regret, Samuel climbed down the ladder, guiding Esther’s footsteps as she followed. Maybe it was too soon for him to be kissing her anyway. He didn’t want her to think he was too forward. If he could resist the temptation, he’d wait until they’d been courting longer to try and kiss her again. Until that day came, he thought it might be best if he made sure they were never alone.

Y
ou’d better hurry and start packing if we’re gonna be ready to leave on time in the morning,” Timothy said to Hannah after he’d put his own clothes into a suitcase. They’d hired four drivers with big, fifteen-passenger vans to transport the more than fifty relatives that would be going to Kentucky for Titus and Suzanne’s wedding. Anxious to see Titus and Samuel, as well as the lay of the land in Kentucky, Timothy could hardly wait to get there.

“I’ve decided not to go,” Hannah said, as she removed the pins from her hair and picked up the brush from her dresser.

Titus whirled around to face her. “Just when did you decide that?”

“This morning when I found out that my mamm hurt her ankle.”

“I’m sorry about that, but it’s only a sprain, so I don’t see why that should keep you from going to the wedding.”

“My mamm’s in a lot of pain, and she can barely put any weight on her leg, so she’s going to need some help for the next several days.”

Titus ground his teeth together. Not this again. Was Hannah looking for an excuse not to go to the wedding, or had she once more latched on to her mother’s apron strings?

“Look,” Titus said, trying to keep from raising his voice, “it’s not like you’re the only person who can help your mamm. She can call on one of her daughters-in-law if she really needs some help.”

Hannah shook her long, silky brown tresses. “My brother’s wives are all busy caring for their kinner. As you well know, Mahon and Betsy have five kinner, all under the age of ten, and my brother Paul and his wife, Sarah, have four kinner, two of them still in diapers. And of course my other brothers, Stephen and Clarence, live in New York, so their wives aren’t available to help.”

“Okay, so none of them are free to give your mamm a hand, but she has friends in our community. I’m sure she could ask one of them to help out.”

Hannah shrugged. “Maybe they could, but Mom wants me. We do many things alike, so she’ll know whatever I do for her is done right.”

Timothy grunted. “If you want my opinion, your mamm’s too picky about things, and she shouldn’t expect you to stay home from my bruder’s wedding to take care of her when she could ask one of her friends.”

Hannah frowned as she set her brush down and turned to face him directly. “Are you forbidding me to stay here and help my mamm? Are you going to force me to go to the wedding with you, even though you know I won’t have a good time because I’d be worried about Mom the whole time we’re gone?”

Timothy shook his head. “I’m not saying that at all. I just think …” He lifted his hands in defeat. “All right then, you can stay home and take care of your mamm, and I’ll take our
dochder
to Kentucky with me.”

Hannah shook her head vigorously. “Mindy needs to be here with me.”

“But you’ll be busy helping your mamm, and Mindy will be underfoot.”

“No she won’t. I’ll take plenty of things to keep her busy while I’m at Mom and Dad’s house.” Hannah’s face softened as she placed her hand on Timothy’s shoulder. “You know how frustrated you become whenever Mindy cries and you can’t get her to settle down. I’m usually the only one who can make her stop crying and go to sleep.”

“That’s true.” Timothy hated to give in, but Hannah was right—it would be hard for him to handle Mindy on his own. She’d probably wake up during the night, realize that her mother wasn’t there, and start howling. Most likely, he’d be up all night trying to settle her down.

“Okay,” he finally conceded. “You and Mindy can stay home, and I’ll go to the wedding alone, but I really feel like you will be hurting Titus and Suzanne’s feelings by not showing up at their wedding.”