The Wonder of Your Love - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,6

on the wedding day of each of his daughters.

After he retrieved four more chairs, he met up with Elam in the living room. “David seems like a gut man, from all I’ve heard.”

Elam unfolded one of the metal chairs and placed it in a row with the others. “Ya. David is a fine fellow.”

There was nothing he could say to alleviate his cousin’s anxiety. Eli glanced up to see Katie Ann walking into the living room, and he nodded at her, knowing he was flirting, yet unable to take his gaze from her. Her deep brown eyes drew him in, but she looked away as she leaned down into a playpen and scooped up a baby.

He eased his way slowly toward her. “What a fine-looking boppli.”

Katie Ann’s face lit with pride. Her eyes softened and her cheeks glowed as she looked down on the little one. Nothing like a baby to warm a woman’s heart—or a man’s, for that matter. Every time someone commented about one of his grandchildren, Eli’s heart swelled with pride. Even though it wasn’t the Amish way, Eli was pretty sure God allowed it for grandparents.

“Danki. This is Jonas.” She twisted so that Eli could see the child she was cradling in her arms. Eli leaned closer to the baby—and to her. His arm barely brushed against hers, causing her to step back a bit, but not before the sweet smell of lavender filled his nostrils. He wasn’t sure if the scent came from her or the baby, but he drew in a deep breath as he gazed upon the child.

“He looks to be about two months, no?” Eli forced himself to stand tall and give the woman some space.

“Ya. He is two months old this week.”

Eli remembered when his first grandchild was born. His daughter-in-law, Laura Jane, had gone into labor early. Scared them all to death, but little Leah fought her way into the world at four pounds, and today she was a healthy, beautiful four-year-old. “He has the same deep brown eyes as you,” he said after a moment.

Katie Ann’s cheeks took on a pink flush. “He’s everything to me.” She eased the baby up in her arms and kissed him on the forehead.

“Your first one?”

She lifted her head to face him. “Mei only one.”

Eli nodded. “I have six . . . and one on the way.”

Katie Ann narrowed her brows as she squinted, and Eli could almost feel the prick from her piercing eyes. “Did you say . . . one on the way?”

“Ya. Due next month.”

She bit her lip. “I see.”

Eli looped his thumbs beneath his suspenders, knowing he should be carting more chairs in. He chuckled. “I’m guessing I’ll have a dozen or so more when it’s all said and done.”

Her eyes grew round as she stared at him. “Really?”

“Sure. Aren’t you hoping for lots more?” He stroked his beard as he wondered how many children she had.

She raised her chin and gave him an icy stare. “I’m quite sure this will be my only one.”

Eli scratched his forehead, unsure what to make of her comment. “Ach, you never know. We can’t control how many grandchildren we’ll end up with.”

Katie Ann gasped as she took a step back from him. “Grandchildren?”

Oops. He’d made a big mistake. He took off his hat, pressed it against his chest, and cringed for a moment. “That’s not your grandchild, is it?”

She shifted the baby in her arms and stiffened. “No. Jonas is mei boppli.” Katie Ann’s cheeks were red as her eyes avoided his.

Eli felt like a heel. “I’m sorry. I guess I just figured that—”

“—a woman my age would be a grandmother and not a new mudder?”

“Nee, nee.” Eli’s mind searched for a way to mend the situation. “Of course that’s not what I thought. I know lots of Amish women who’ve had kinner into their forties, but Elam told me that you were a widow, so I guess I just assumed the child must be a grandchild.”

She smiled politely, but the damage was done. Then Eli recalled the way the rest of the conversation had gone, and gave a laugh.

Katie Ann pulled the baby closer to her, cradling him with one arm as she cupped her free hand to her hip. “This is funny?”

“Ya. It is.” He took a deep breath. “I must have sounded ab im kopp when I said I’d probably have a dozen or so more. Of course I meant grandchildren, not children, and . . .” Eli shrugged,