The boys blue eyes held a hint of panic, and he glanced toward his grandfather.
Answer your cousin, Zeb said sharply.
Thomas, he muttered, a flush mounting to his straw-colored hair. Even the tips of his ears turned red. Im Thomas.
She shouldnt have singled him out, obviously, so she just nodded and turned to the counter, lifting the tea towel from it to reveal the crumbly top of the shoofly pie perched on a covered casserole dish.
It looks wonderful. Thank you.
Ella had removed her black bonnet and sweater, revealing a pert round face and a pair of sparkling blue eyes. She, at least, didnt seem intimidated by her grandfather.
Ach, we know what its like when someones in the hospital. You dont want to be eating that cafeteria food, aint so? Ella seemed to be taking it for granted that shed spend the day at the hospital. Mamm and I stopped by to see Aunt Rebecca yesterday, but it was after youd left.
Sorry I wasnt there to speak to you. She felt obscurely guilty. I was so tired after the flight and then driving from Pittsburgh that I went to bed early.
Ach, its a long trip. I went to a wedding last year out in Indiana, and I thought wed never get there. Her cheerful face lit with the reminder. I met lots of new cousins out there.
Ella was probably a couple of years older than her brother, so she wouldnt have been born yet the summer Lainey spent here. The fact made her feel old.
Aunt Rebecca had never let anyone come in her house without offering food and drink, but Lainey had finished the coffee Jake made earlier.
Would you like to have a piece of the shoofly pie? I could make a pot of coffee. At least she hoped she could.
Ella looked about to agree, but Zeb got in first. No. Denke, he added. You will need to leave for the hospital. I chust wanted to stop. He paused, and she imagined that there was a struggle going on behind the thin, leathery face. I spoke too hasty yesterday. Rebecca picked you. She must have had a reason. He sounded as if he couldnt imagine what that reason might be.
She tried to think of something to say that wouldnt sound antagonistic. It might have been a good idea for Aunt Rebecca to talk it over with me first.
Ja. He seized on that idea. Then you could have explained that it would be too hard with you living in St. Louis and all.
He was jumping to the conclusion that shed have turned down the power of attorney if shed known, and that wasnt really what shed meant. Still, at least he wasnt glaring at her today, and she had to admit that was a step in the right direction.
In any event, she did choose me, so Ill have to go from there. She kept her tone pleasant but, she hoped, firm.
Zeb stiffened. You mean you are going ahead with this? Even knowing nothing at all about Rebeccas way of living and her property?
She must have thought I knew enough. If people would stop pushing her, she might be able to think instead of react. Unfortunately, reacting won the day, and she blurted out what she hadnt intended to say. I trust Rebeccas judgment. Im accepting the power of attorney.
Zebs face reddened, and Ella touched her grandfathers arm with an air of cautioning him. Thats so. Aunt Rebecca would have a reason. And if you have any problems deciding things, especially about the property, Grossdaadi would be the one to help you. He knows all about it.
Zeb seemed to be counting to ten. Ja, he said, his tone short. I know more than anyone about my brothers property and what he wanted done.
In other words, he expected her to let him vet any decisions she had to make. Apparently Jakes conversation with Zeb hadnt borne much fruit.
Im sure my aunts lawyer is capable of advising me. There, put the responsibility back on Jake. He was getting paid for it, after all.
That Englischer. Zeb shook off Ellas restraining hand, his color darkening alarmingly. No Amish woman needs to have a lawyer to take care of property for her. Her family does thatthe kin who have worked long hours in the sun to be sure the land is paying. Not some fancy lawyer who sits in an office all day.
From what shed seen of Jake, he didnt do much sitting, but that was neither here nor there.
Theres also the matter of making decisions about Aunt Rebeccas care, she said. Or had you forgotten about that? She didnt bother trying to hide the annoyance in her voice.
I have not forgotten. He muttered something in Pennsylvania Dutch that she couldnt understand. Her family can do that better than you. We see her every week. You havent come near her in twenty years.
The fact that it was true didnt make it any more palatable coming from him. But Aunt Rebecca still picked me. I wonder why she trusts me? By the way, she owns the farm you work, doesnt she?
Zebs big hands, strong despite his age, clenched into fists. For a moment she feared shed gone too far.
Ella clutched his arm, murmuring to him urgently in Pennsylvania Dutch. She tugged at him, trying to pull him toward the door.
Zeb glared at Lainey for a moment longer. Then, not speaking, he turned and stamped out the back door. Thomas, blue eyes wide in a white face, scurried after him.
Ella shook her head, pulling her bonnet back on with hands that shook a little. Im sorry. He has a temper. He forgets himself. Hell regret he spoke so after a bit.
Im sorry, too. She should have handled the situation better. When would she learn not to let her emotions get the better of her? I do appreciate your trying to help. And the food.
Ach, its nothing. Ella clasped her hand. I must go. Maybe I will see you again soon.
Lainey nodded, but somehow she doubted it. She was suddenly tired and dispirited. How had she let herself get into this situation in the first place? She didnt belong here.
But she didnt belong back in St. Louis, either. There seemed no place where she did belong.
CHAPTER FOUR
IT WAS ONE thing to declare she was the person in charge, Lainey decided, and quite another to sit for hours at her great-aunts bedside, wishing Rebecca would wake up and tell Lainey what to do.
Fortunately her cousin Katie arrived early in the afternoon, bustling into the hospital room carrying a basket on one arm and what looked like a sewing bag on the other.
Ach, all alone here? Katie bent to kiss Aunt Rebeccas cheek and then glanced at Lainey. Any change?
Not that I can see, she admitted. Im hoping to have a chance to talk with one of the doctors this afternoon.
Some things chust take time, Katie said, her tone confident as she took the second chair and opened her basket. Now, I knew you would be hungry, so I brought a little lunch for you.
That looks like more than a little. Lainey accepted the paper plate Katie handed her. Im fine, really.
Katie eyed her. You have circles under your eyes and a worried frown on your face. Komm, now. A nice sandwich and some potato salad will keep you going. And a walnut brownie to finish off. I brought lemonade, but if you want me to get you a coffee, I will. She looked as if shed jump out of the chair to do so, and Lainey waved her back.
Lemonade is lovely. Obviously it would be easier to eat than to argue. Didnt you bring any for yourself?
Lemonade is lovely. Obviously it would be easier to eat than to argue. Didnt you bring any for yourself?
I ate with the family before I left the house. The men are getting a last cutting of hay today, so they had lunch early. Katie leaned back, watching until Lainey bit into the sandwich.
Shed have said she wasnt hungry, but the combination of fresh chicken salad on what had to be home-baked wheat bread would tempt any appetite. Delicious, she said around a generous mouthful. How did you know this was my favorite?
Katie chuckled. Homemade food is always comforting when youre having trouble, aint so? And I remembered you liked chicken. And chocolate. She put a huge slab of brownie on the plate.
Guilty, Lainey said. She glanced toward Aunt Rebeccas still figure. It seems wrong to sit here enjoying my food when Aunt Rebecca is so ill, though.
That is nonsense, and she would be the first one to tell you so. Katies round face grew serious. You must take care of yourself so you can take care of her, aint so?
You sound like Aunt Rebecca, she said softly, remembering how her great-aunt always seemed to have a store of solid common sense to share.
Ja. Katies smile was reminiscent. I always thought Aunt Rebecca was exactly what an Amish woman should be, so maybe thats not surprising.
Seeming satisfied that Lainey was going to do as she was told in regard to her lunch, Katie set the basket on the floor and took up the bag. In a moment, scraps of brightly-colored fabric were spread on her dark green skirt.
What are you making? Lainey forked up potato salad, enjoying the crisp contrast of pickles and celery combined with the potato and egg.
Chust piecing the patches for a quilt. Katies fingers moved dexterously, rearranging the pieces into a square. Sometimes I use the treadle machine to do the piecing, but I always like to have a project I can work on when Im sitting.
Its a log cabin design, isnt it? Lainey had always been fascinated by quilts, loving the complex patterns and use of color.
Ja. For my oldest granddaughters birthday. Shes going to be eight already, and such a little schnicklefritz. Always into mischief. Katies smile suggested she didnt mind that in the least.
Aunt Rebecca tried to teach me to quilt when I was here. The memory slipped into her mind, making her smile. Im afraid I wasnt very good at sitting still, but I did love arranging the blocks.
A nine-patch, was it? Katie asked. She taught me, and thats the first one I made.
Lainey nodded. Theyd gone in the buggy to a shop outside town where a pair of Amish sisters ran a quilting business. If you needed anything for quilting, Aunt Rebecca had said, thats where you went.
Lorena and Lovina, she said abruptly as the names came back to her.
Ach, imagine you remembering them, Katie said. Aunt Rebecca got all her fabric from them. She still does, though I think she must have enough for a dozen quilts in the chest in the back bedroom.
I was fascinated by the rows of fabric. The colors...it was like being in the middle of a rainbow. Shed run from one to another, unable to make up her mind.
Katie nodded as if she understood. Then, without a word, she put the row of fabric pieces shed been pinning into Laineys lap and handed her a needle.
Lainey blinked. You want me to work on your granddaughters quilt? But Im not good enough.
If Rebecca taught you, you know enough, Katie said. And its gut to keep your hands busy when youre worried. At least then you have something to show for your worrying, she added, her tone practical.
Lainey actually found herself laughing. If thats the case, I should have a half-dozen quilts done by now. She picked up the pieces and held the needle poised. Well, we can always rip it out if my stitches are too terrible.
But her sewing wasnt half bad once she started. Thanks to Aunt Rebeccas early tutelage, shed always been able to do the hemming and mending most of her peers seemed unable to tackle. Tiny, even stitches, she reminded herself.
The routine, repetitive movements were oddly soothing, reminding her of how much shed always enjoyed the creativity involved in hand arts. Most of her colleagues would dismiss sewing, knitting, crocheting as crafts, insisting they had no place beside the work of a real artist.
But who was to say which was important? Katies creations might never hang in a gallery, but they clothed her family in garments made by her own loving hands.
They worked in silence for some time, but there was nothing either boring or uncomfortable about it. Lainey glanced at her great-aunt. It seemed to her that Aunt Rebecca had relaxed somewhat, her face turned slightly toward them instead of squarely on the pillow. The room was oddly peaceful.
Zeb came to see me this morning, she said abruptly. Would Katie have known about his intent?
Ja? Katie looked up, her expression guarded. What did he want?
Lainey shrugged. The same as yesterday, I suppose. He just tried a different approach this time. Ella and Thomas came with him, and she brought me food. She cast a rueful glance at the remains of her lunch. If she kept eating everything her Amish relatives pushed on her, shed gain twenty pounds while she was here.
Ellas a sweet girl, Katie said. But young Thomas is so shy it wonders me that hed come to meet you.
I dont suppose his grandfather gave him much choice.
No. Katie was frowning. He brought up this business about the power of attorney, did he? I wish hed leave well enough alone.
He thinks Aunt Rebecca should have appointed him. She turned in her chair so she couldnt miss Katies expression. Is that what you think, too?
No. Katies response was so prompt and firm that Lainey couldnt doubt her sincerity. Not Zeb. Hes too set on his own way. She looked at Lainey, her expression troubled. But there are other relatives.
Laineys heart sank a little. Despite Katies friendliness, she must agree that Lainey wasnt the person for the job.
I told Zeb Im going to do what Aunt Rebecca wanted. If that came out sounding a little belligerent, she couldnt seem to help it. All I can do is my best.
Katie studied her for a long moment. Then she nodded. Ja. All right. She smiled and patted Laineys hand, but Lainey thought the smile held a tinge of doubt. Then I will help you as best I can.
Thank you. Her throat tightened. Maybe that wasnt a wholehearted endorsement, but at this point, shed take any support she could find.
* * *
THE REALITY OF the situation had begun to sink in by the time Lainey was headed back to the house late that afternoon, and she was already having second thoughts despite Katies promise of help.
As usual, shed acted on impulse, letting Zebs antagonism push her into making a decision. Was she ever going to learn?
Lainey pulled the car to the curb in front of Millers and got out, pausing for a moment as memories crowded in. She had been allowed to walk to the store on her own the summer shed stayed with her great-aunt, but usually shed come with Meredith and Rachel, intent on the purchase of candyreal, old-fashioned penny candy, scooped into a small brown paper bag from the glass case.