Daniel stood, scratching his chin. “Slipped my mind. I’ll hitch the horse and bring up the buggy.” He tipped his hat to the district members and strode away.
Abby cleaned up their mess, packed her hamper, and thanked the hostess. She bid her parents goodbye, found her kinner and sent them to the buggy, and then she went looking for her sister. She wasn’t hard to find. Catherine and Isaiah sat in the shade, where she was again trying to teach him sign language.
“Ready?” asked Abby as she approached their quilt. “It’s time to go.”
Both looked up in surprise. “What?” Catherine squawked. “It’s barely one thirty.”
“Don’t you recall? Daniel is driving you home today after dropping me off at the farm. You’re eager to return to mamm and daed’s.” Abby perched a hand on her hip.
Every drop of blood in her body seemed to have rushed to Catherine’s face. “Oh…jah. I almost forgot,” she stammered.
Abby could practically see the wheels turning in her head.
“I hate to be selfish and demanding, because I’m sure Daniel enjoys talking to the other men.” Catherine smoothed her skirt with her palms.
“You’re not demanding at all,” said Abby. “Daniel is bringing the buggy up to load at the barn. I need to leave anyway because I’m expecting a visitor this afternoon.” She stretched out her hand. “Let me help you up.”
Catherine glanced at Isaiah before accepting the hand. His head rotated from one woman to the other in confusion. “Danki,” she said. Once on her feet, she pulled Abby away from the quilt. “There’s been a change of plans,” she whispered. “I believe I will stay longer.”
“But your packed bag is sitting in the back of the buggy.”
“I know, but you’re the one who accused me of being impetuous.”
“You insisted you’d considered the matter carefully.”
“Can’t a woman change her mind?” Catherine’s whisper was close to a hiss, while she stood so that Isaiah couldn’t possibly read her lips.
“Jah, schwester, you certainly can. And a mind like yours should be changed…often.” Abby stepped back before Catherine could pinch her. “I’ll see you later. I trust you can persuade Isaiah to bring you home.”
Catherine placed both hands on her hips. “You’d better hurry along so you don’t keep Daniel waiting.”
Abby did hurry toward the buggy, chuckling all the way…until she remembered Nathan Fisher, and then her good mood vanished.
Abigail had enough time to bake brownies and brew fresh iced tea before Nathan drove into their side yard. Her kinner were taking a nap after their busy day, while Daniel tended the livestock. Upon hearing the crunch of gravel, she dried her hands on a towel and walked outdoors to meet her fate.
Mr. Fisher was leaning into his buggy from the passenger side. Abby couldn’t see what he was fussing with, but when he straightened up his arms were filled with a patchwork quilt.
“Oh, my,” she whispered, starting down the steps. “Guder nachmittag, Mr. Fisher. What have you got there?”
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Graber,” he called on his approach.
She felt apprehension ripple up her back. Fear is the handiwork of the devil, she thought and sucked in a deep, calming breath.
“I thought you might like to see little Abraham,” said Nathan. With the bundle tucked into the crook of one arm, he used his free hand to draw back one corner of the cover. “What do you think? Has he changed much since the last time you saw him?”
Memories of the worst night of her life crept from the recesses of her mind. She batted them away like thirsty mosquitoes. Rubbing her hands down her skirt, she leaned forward for a better view. The boppli had fisted one hand by his rosebud mouth, while the other gripped a small stuffed bear. Dark thick eyelashes fluttered while he slept, as though he dreamed of future summer days playing in the sun. His round cheeks were pink with vitality and dusted with a smattering of tan freckles. Abraham was the prettiest baby boy she had ever seen—except for her own Jake. “A handsome son,” she said. “Thank you for showing him to me.” She stepped back as though pressing business awaited her in the house.
“Don’t you want to hold him?” He didn’t wait for her response but foisted the sleeping child toward her.
“But I—” Without an option, Abby accepted the bundle, hoping he wouldn’t awaken and start to fuss. She shifted him to the crook of her arm as Nathan had done. She felt a swell of emotion gazing