For sure. She rose quickly, glad there was something she could do, even if it was only dishing up cereal.
I love oatmeal. Timothy watched her, probably to be sure she was giving her enough. Especially with brown sugar. Lots of brown sugar, he added hopefully.
A spoonful of brown sugar, Caleb said firmly, coming out of his annoyance. Jessie met his eyes, smiling, and nodded, adding a heaping spoonful of brown sugar that she hoped would satisfy both of them.
Shall I stir it in? she asked, setting the bowl in front of Timothy.
He shook his head vigorously. I like it to get melty on top. He sent a mischievous glance toward his uncle. Onkel Daniel does, too.
Daniel laughed. You caught me. But Ill need lots of energy at the shop today. New customers coming in to talk to me about a job. He looked up at the clock. Guess I should get on my way.
With Daniels departure, everyone seemed ready to finish up. Soon they were all scooting away. Left alone with the dishes, Jessie looked after them. Shed think Becky was old enough to be helping with the dishes. Probably her desire to take over didnt extend to the dishes. Shed certain sure been doing that at Beckys age. But she wasnt going to be here long enough to make any changes.
When shed finished cleaning up the kitchen, Jessie followed the sound of voices to the living room. Becky stood backed up to the wheelchair, a hair brush in her hand. Its easy, Daadi. Just make two braids, thats all.
Jessie stood watching, oddly affected by the sight of the vulnerable nape of the childs neck. Caleb had managed to part Beckys long, silky hair, and now he clutched one side, looking at it a little helplessly.
Gesturing him to silence, Jessie stepped up beside him and took the clump of hair. For an instant she thought hed object, but then he grudgingly nodded. Jessie deftly separately the hair into three strands and began to braid.
Caleb watched the movement of her fingers so intently that she imagined them warming from his gaze. If he were going to be doing this hed have to learn...but of course he wouldnt. Hed find some other woman to take her place once hed gotten Jessie out of the way. Maybe he already had someone lined up.
But it couldnt possibly be anyone whod love these children more than she did. Shed come here loving them already because they were all that was left of Alice. Now shed begun to love them for themselves...Timothy with his sparkling eyes and sunny smile, Becky with her heart closed off so tightly that she couldnt let go and be a child.
Feeling Beckys silky hair sliding through her fingers took her right back to doing the same for Alice, laughing together as she tried to get her wiggly young cousin to hold still. From the time Alices mother died, shed been a part of Jessies familythe little sister Jessie had always longed for. To help raise Alices kinder, to have a second chance to do it right this time...that was all she wanted. But with Caleb in opposition, apparently it was too much to ask.
The braiding was done too quickly. She showed Caleb how to do the fastening and then stepped back out of the way while he took his daughter by the shoulders and turned her around. There you are. All finished.
Denke, Daadi. Becky threw her arms around his neck in a throttling hug. Im wonderful happy youre home.
Me, too, daughter. He patted her.
The thump of footsteps on the stairs announced Timothy. He jumped down the last two steps and ran into the living room. I brushed my teeth and made my bed, he announced. Can I show Cousin Jessie the chickens now?
Shell like that, Caleb said solemnly. Then he gave her a slight smile. He turned to Becky. You go along, too.
For an instant Becky looked rebellious, but then her desire to please her daadi won, and she nodded. Timothy was already tugging at Jessies hand. Together they went through the kitchen and out the back door.
The chickens are this way. Timothy pulled her toward the coop. Reddy is my very own hen. I want to see if she has an egg for me.
In a minute. She tried to slow him down. Look. Is that someone coming to see us?
Jessie pointed across the pasture toward the neighboring farm. A woman and a little boy walked toward them, the boy carrying a basket by the handle. He couldnt have been much more than four or five, and he held it carefully as if mindful of his responsibility.
Its Jacob and his mammi. Timothy dropped her hand to plunge toward the new arrivals. Look, Becky. His sister nodded and joined him at a trot.
Jessie stood where she was and waited, unsure. This was obviously the wife of the man whod been helping so much. It was in their barn that Caleb had been injured, and Jessie had formed the opinion that Leah and Sam were close friends of his. That being the case, she wasnt sure what kind of reception she was likely to get.
Leah and Jacob drew nearer. Calebs kinder had reached them, and Timothy was chattering away a mile a minute to Jacob, who just kept nodding. Taking a deep breath, Jessie went to meet them.
Youll be Jessie. Alices cousin. The womans smile was cautious. She was thirty-ish, probably about Jessies age, with a wealth of dark brown hair pulled back under her kapp and a pair of warm brown eyes. Wilkom.
Denke. It was nice to be welcomed, even if Leah sounded as though she were reserving judgment. Jessie smiled at the boy. And this must be Jacob.
The boy nodded, holding out the basket to her. Shoofly pie, he announced. For you.
I wasnt sure what you needed, Leah explained. But I thought a couple of shoofly pies were always of use.
They surely are, she replied. Denke.
A lively controversy had already broken out between Timothy, who wanted Jacob to look for eggs with him, and Becky, who thought hed rather play ball.
You should do what your visitor wants, she informed her brother loftily.
Chickens first, Jacob said. Then ball.
Jessie couldnt help smiling as the three of them ran off toward the chicken coop. Jacob is a man of few words, I see.
Leahs face took on a lively, amused look that Jessie suspected was more normal to her than her cautious greeting. Especially when hes around Timothy. Does that boy ever stop talking to you?
Only when hes asleep. She looked after them. I wish Becky...
I know. Leahs voice warmed. If only Becky would loosen up and talk about things, shed be better off.
You see it, too, then. Its not just me.
Leah shook her head, and that quickly, the barriers between them collapsed under the weight of their common concern for the child. No, its not just you. She may be worse with you, though, because... She stopped, flushing.
Because of my relationship with her mother. I know. I dont blame her.
Still, she must learn to forgive her mother, or shell be carrying the burden around with her for the rest of her life.
Leahs insight touched Jessie to the core. Thats what I think, too. Unfortunately, Caleb didnt see it that way.
Leah seemed to measure her with a serious gaze. Finally Leah gave a brisk nod. Maybe youll be able to reach her while youre here.
I wont be here long enough, Im afraid. Caleb...well, I am leaving tomorrow.
You mean Caleb is insisting you leave tomorrow, aint so? Leah frowned. Ive known Caleb King all my life, so I guess I understand. Everyone knows the King men have always been unfortunate with women. Its turned him sour, I fear.
Jessie stared at her. I heard something like that from the driver who brought me out from town, but I wasnt sure whether to believe it.
Theyve had a string of unhappy situations with women, thats certain sure, Leah said. Zeb losing his young wife, and then Calebs mammi running off and leaving the three young ones. And after what happened with Alice...well, its not surprising folks think so. Or that its made Caleb bitter.
She hadnt realized just how deep that belief ran from the way Leah spoke of it. Poor Caleb. She knew full well that his attitude wasnt surprising. She just wished she could make a difference.
Leah was watching her, and Jessie had to say something.
You are wonderful kind to care so much about your neighbors. I just wish we could get to know each other better.
Yah, I wish it, too. Leah clasped her hand, smiling. Maybe you could dig in your heels and refuse to leave. Then what would Caleb do? He couldnt carry you out.
They were still laughing at the image when the kinder came running up to them. Can we help with the barn raising on Saturday, Leah? Becky looked more enthusiastic than Jessie had ever seen her. Please?
Youll have to ask your daadi. If he says so, wed certain sure like to have your help. Theres lots you can do. Leah held out her hand to her son. Now we must be getting home to fix lunch. Well komm again when we can stay longer. She gave Jessie a warm glance. I hope youll be here.
It was wonderful gut to meet you, anyway. And we appreciate the shoofly pies.
Timothy grabbed the basket handle as they walked away. Can we have some shoofly pie, Cousin Jessie?
Ill help carry it, Becky said. Lets ask Daadi about the barn raising.
They headed for the house, the basket swinging between them, and Jessie followed, smiling a little. For a moment there, in her enthusiasm for the barn raising, Becky had looked like any happy little girl. Somehow the glance gave Jessie hope. That child existed in Becky, if only she could bring her out.
Caleb sat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee, looking a little startled at the excitement of the children. They swung the basket onto the edge of the table and rushed at their father.
Daadi, we saw Leah and Jacob. Timothy rushed the words, wanting to be first.
Leah says we can go to the barn raising on Saturday if you say its all right. Becky wasnt far behind. Well help.
Caleb seemed to have mixed feelings about the barn raising. Was it the fact that hed been injured when the old barn burned? Or maybe just the thought that ordinarily, hed be up on the beams with the rest of the community, making sure the barn was finished for his neighbor?
Barn raising is for grown-ups. I dont know how youd help, he said.
Jacob says hes going to carry water. I could do that. Timothy straightened as if to emphasize how tall he was.
We could carry the food Cousin Jessie fixes. Leah said they could find something for us to do. Becky didnt look at Jessie when she said the words, but apparently she didnt mind using her if it meant shed be allowed to help.
Apparently Caleb hadnt told them she was leaving tomorrow.
She touched their shoulders. Why dont you give Daadi a minute to think? You go and wash your hands, and Ill cut the shoofly pie.
When theyd stampeded toward the bathroom, she turned back to Caleb. I guess the young ones dont know I have to leave tomorrow. Ill explain to them.
You dont have to do that.
She frowned slightly. You mean youd rather explain it yourself?
No. His voice was gruff. I mean Ive been thinking about you leaving. Maybe I was a bit hasty. If you want to, you can stay. But just until I get back on my feet again. Thats all.
It wasnt the most gracious of offers, but she was too relieved to boggle at that. She felt as if an intolerable pressure had been lifted from her heart.
Denke. Jessie struggled not to let her emotions show in her voice. I would like that, Caleb.
Her time was still limited, but at least she had been given a chance. A quick prayer of thanks formed in her mind.
Please, dear Father. Show me what to do for these precious children.