The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth 1) (8 page)

He handed off two small pumpkins and continued down the row. He had more cut when she returned from relaying the others to Levi.

Her expression strained as she went to pick up a large pumpkin.

Andrew helped her lift it and gently released his hold. “Too heavy?”

She jostled it in her hands. “
Nay
, I can manage.” She glanced over her shoulder at Martha and Levi talking.

Andrew paused to watch Judith teeter down the dirt row and pass the pumpkin to Levi. Martha went to receive the pumpkin and, with a wink at Levi, planted her hands on top of his.

Judith snapped around, her smile gone. She grasped the back of her neck, kneading the muscles. He’d seen that gesture before—she probably didn’t even realize she was doing it.

This current handoff arrangement wasn’t going to work.

Andrew knelt and cut a few more pumpkins. “You all right?” he asked when she returned.

“
Jah
, why do you ask?” She fiddled with the ties of her head covering.

He supported the pumpkin on his knee. “You keep turning the strings like that, you might choke.”

“If only I could.”

Her words were spoken under her breath, but he smiled.

She released the ties. “Sorry, I didn’t mean for you to hear that.”

“You don’t have to silence your words around me.” He understood how Martha and Levi’s exchange would have annoyed her.

“My mouth has already gotten me into trouble today.” She pointed to his knee. “Are you going to hand me that?”

He nodded, held up the pumpkin, then, taking her hint, returned to cutting vines. “We should have the wagon loaded shortly.”

“Jah
,
”
Judith said, but her attention was back on Martha and Levi.

Andrew cut another pumpkin. “You want me to suggest changing places? We could break them up.”

“
Nay
.” Judith turned back to Andrew. “Martha’s young and just acting out.”

That might be Martha’s issue, but Levi was twenty and old enough to avoid such forwardness from a girl. But Andrew kept those thoughts to himself. It wasn’t his concern anyway. He was there to help harvest the crop before a heavy frost destroyed the produce. He didn’t intend to interfere in his cousin’s affairs.

Another handoff, and Levi landed his hands atop Martha’s. The games continued for several more passes. Judith didn’t respond to it, pretending either not to see it or not to care about their lack of discretion.

Andrew carried the last pumpkin to the wagon himself.

Levi latched the wooden tailgate. “Martha wants to see Samuel.” He faced Judith. “I thought maybe the four of us could drive into the hospital. I haven’t seen him yet.” He looked over his shoulder at Andrew. “Have you?”

“Nay.”
Andrew turned to Judith. “I’m willing, if you think Samuel would like that.”

Judith smiled. “
Jah
, he’d be happy for the visit.”

“Let’s go, then,” Levi said.

Martha looked at her dirt-covered hands. “We’d better wash up first.”

They all agreed and headed for the pump. Judith and Martha went first as Andrew pumped the handle. When Levi took a turn, he cupped his hands to collect water and tossed some playfully at Judith, bringing a wide smile to her face. Her eyes darted nervously as Levi came up beside her and dabbed his wet hand over a smudge mark on her cheek.

Then Martha’s heavy sigh summoned his attention. He grabbed her wrists and played like he planned to drag her under the spigot.

Andrew stopped pumping.

“Whose side are you on, Bishop Junior?”

Andrew gazed at Judith, the trusting soul. If he had to choose sides, he’d take hers. His cousin’s actions were shameful. Before Esther died, Andrew wouldn’t have dared be playful with anyone but her.

“I’ll harness Patsy,” he said and walked toward the corral where the horses grazed.

“And leave me two against one?”

Andrew shrugged. His thoughts shifted to Samuel, wondering if the boy would feel up to having company and whether he knew his condition was permanent. Andrew coaxed Patsy to the fence with a handful of grain he’d taken from the barn. He took his time harnessing the horse.

Judith came to the buggy first with a baggie of cookies in her hand. “Samuel’s favorite,” she said.

“You’re a thoughtful sister.”

“Would you like one?”

“Nay.”
He leaned over to loop the leather strap under the horse’s girth. “Are they
kumming
?”

“Jah.”

Andrew glanced over Judith’s shoulder at Levi and Martha strolling toward them. “You’re nicer than most,” he said.

Judith looked behind her. “At least she’s smiling
nau
.” She turned back to Andrew but wouldn’t hold his gaze. Her eyes darted up to the sky, around the yard, and to the buggy. She reached for the buggy door and said, “I’ll wait inside.”

Judith took the backseat. Andrew climbed into the front. They waited silently as Levi and Martha got in.

On the ride to the hospital, Levi and Martha’s playful banter continued. Andrew focused his attention on seeing Samuel. He suspected Judith was dealing with the same dread. Then again, perhaps Judith’s silence had more to do with the way Martha giggled at every word Levi spoke.

“This is the long way into town,” Levi commented.

“
Jah
, I always go this route.” Ever since Esther passed away, Andrew had avoided the road leading to her house. The road he had traveled every day for a year. The one that led to her resting place, yet offered his soul no peace.

“This way will take another forty minutes.” Levi twisted on the seat. “Was something wrong with the other road?”

“I don’t go that direction.” Andrew hoped his cousin would remain silent for the rest of the trip, but after a long moment passed, Levi leaned closer.

“Esther?” he whispered.

“Jah
.
”
He tapped the reins, and Patsy picked up the pace.

After a few more minutes passed, Levi turned his attention back to Judith and Martha and, to Andrew’s relief, didn’t mention anything more about Esther.

Once they reached the hospital, Andrew found an area away from the traffic to tie the horse. He would use Patsy as an excuse not to stay in the room long, he decided, walking into the main lobby.

Levi pushed the elevator button. “Is this where you fainted?” he asked.

“Jah
.
”
Judith closed her eyes, either avoiding more of Levi’s questions, praying, or possibly feeling nauseated by the upward motion.

The elevator stopped, and they stepped out. The paintings on the walls drew their attention.

Judith pointed ahead. “His room is down this hall.”

Martha’s pace slowed. Her face contorted, and she sniffled as they reached the room.

Judith opened the door, and Samuel saw them enter and brightened at once.

She held up the baggie. “I brought you some cookies.” She looked at her mother sitting next to the bed. “If it’s okay with
Mamm
.”

Mrs. Fischer gave her daughter a slight smile and nodded.

As Samuel reached into the baggie to choose a cookie, Martha edged closer to the bed. He paused and raised his brows at his sister. “What’s wrong with you?”

“I was worried about you.” Martha rubbed her eyes.

Samuel’s smile widened as he withdrew a peanut butter cookie. “I get to eat in bed here.”

All of them chuckled nervously, and the tension in the room eased a bit.

“Don’t get used to that,” Mrs. Fischer warned. She looked over to Judith. “How are things at the
haus
?”

“Gut
.
”
Judith looked around the room. “Where’s
Daed
?”

“He read in the paper the
wedder
is expected to change, so he headed to David’s
haus
to ask his help to bring in the crops.”

Andrew stepped forward. “I’ll help them.”

“
Jah
, me too,” Levi added.

“
Denki
.” Mrs. Fischer gave them a weary smile. She asked about the pumpkins and thanked him and Levi for the work they’d done. She asked if Rebecca was still with Ellen and David and if Lilly was dropping by to check on them. But she didn’t mention anything regarding Samuel’s condition.

Several silent intervals passed where no one found a topic to discuss. Samuel ate his cookies, seemingly unaware of how uncomfortable everyone felt. After an hour lapsed, Andrew wasn’t sure he could bear another passage of awkward silence.

“I should check Patsy.” He tapped Samuel’s foot. Even through the covers, his foot was stiff. Cold. Andrew withdrew his hand. “You get well.”

“It’s getting late. You should all go,” Mrs. Fischer said.

Samuel swept his hand over the blankets, and crumbs spilled onto the floor. “Will you
kumm
back to visit me again?”

The boy’s gaze pierced Andrew’s heart. “
Jah
, soon.” He turned away the moment Mrs. Fischer stood to straighten Samuel’s bedcovers. As he headed for the door, Judith and Martha were saying their good-byes, and Mrs. Fischer was softly scolding Samuel for messing up the hospital floor with his crumbs.

Levi followed, and once they were in the hallway, he blew out a breath. “That was hard.”

“Jah,”
Andrew replied.

Judith and Martha came out, shutting the door behind them. They took a few steps away from the room before Martha broke down, sobbing.

“I can’t see him like that. He’s just a boy.” Sobbing harder, she turned into Levi’s arms and buried her face against his chest.

Levi patted her back. “It’s hard, but you need to stay strong. Do it for Samuel.”

Martha lifted her head off Levi’s chest. Still, they stayed practically nose-to-nose as they talked. “Why would God do this to a child?”

Levi guided her head back to his embrace and rested his chin on her head. “I don’t know.”

Andrew looked at Judith, standing off to his side. She too was weeping. What was he supposed to do, hold her? He should’ve checked on the horse sooner. He couldn’t comfort her, not the same way Levi had with Martha. He leaned toward Judith. “There’s a water fountain down the hall. Maybe a drink would help.”

She nodded and walked away with him.

“I’m sorry,” Andrew said.

Judith wiped her eyes. “For what?”

“Samuel.” He pointed at Levi and Martha. “Those two.”

“She’s taking it hard.”

Andrew stared at her. Was she really so blind? Levi should be comforting her, not her sister. He glanced back at the two standing close, talking. For Judith’s sake, he hoped his initial impression was wrong . . . but seeing them, he couldn’t be certain Martha hadn’t fallen into Levi’s arms for attention.

Judith pressed the fountain lever and sipped the water. When she finished, Levi and Martha were walking toward them.

Martha bent to drink from the fountain, and Levi stood with Judith.

“She’s mad at God for doing this to Samuel,” he said.

Judith sighed. “Did you talk sense into her?”

Levi shrugged. “I tried.”

Andrew tossed his head. “We need to go.”

They rode down to the bottom floor in silence and spoke little on the ride home.

Andrew stopped the buggy near the Fischers’ porch. “Tell your
daed
I’ll
kumm meiya
.”

“
Denki
,” Judith said, stepping out of the buggy. She glanced at Levi. “See you
meiya
?”

“Jah.”

Martha delayed getting out. When she did, she paused near Levi’s door opening and leaned in to whisper something Andrew couldn’t make out. He wasn’t sure he wanted to hear if he could.

Levi grinned at Martha. “Maybe so.”

Whatever words they shared caused Martha to giggle. Suddenly, she was no longer the grieving teenager seeking comfort.

Then again, maybe she was.

Chapter Six

A
t the first hint of dawn, dozens of buggies filed into the drive. Judith’s heart sank, remembering the excitement she’d felt on the morning the community arrived to build the barn. Similar chattiness carried over the air. It wasn’t the same today. But how could it be, with Samuel in the hospital?

Martha met Levi’s buggy in the drive. He glanced over her shoulder, flashed a smile to Judith along with a quick wave.

Judith’s smile widened as she waved back. Surely the day would be brighter now that Levi had arrived.

Andrew walked up behind Levi and tapped his shoulder, and the two headed toward the field.

Judith greeted Deborah as she climbed out of her parents’ buggy.

“How did your talk with Martha go?” her friend asked once they were alone.

Judith shrugged. “Martha is Martha. She blames me. She blames God. I think she’s in love with Levi. I know she’s had a crush on him probably since she turned twelve.” Judith slowly shook her head. “Lately,
Ich
don’t know what has
kumm
over her. She used to be a sweet girl.”

Deborah slid her arm under Judith’s. “It’s the world. Didn’t you say she’s been singing
Englisch
songs?”