Amish Midwives Read online

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Bundles of Blessings Dedication

  Featured Characters

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  Discussion Questions

  A Midwife for Susie Epigraph

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  Discussion Questions

  Christmas Cradles One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Discussion Questions

  Glossary

  About the Authors

  Copyright

  Dedication

  With love and hugs for my super-cool sons, Zac and Matt. I’m so blessed to be your mom!

  One

  The alarm clock buzzed, the sound reminding Kristina Byler of bleating sheep. With a yawn, she rolled over and smacked the Off button. She rubbed her eyes and then looked over toward the large window, where sunlight peeked in past the green shades.

  Kristina pushed herself up and dangled her legs off the side of the bed. After a stretch and another yawn, she stood and hurried down the short hallway to the bathroom. Then she returned to her room and began to dress. As she pulled on her favorite blue dress and a black apron, she heard a little voice start to sing next door. A smile overtook Kristina’s lips. Her little niece, Betsie Lin, was awake.

  “I’ll be there soon, mei liewe,” Kristina called.

  How she loved living with her sister and her family! Seeing her two nieces every day was a blessing.

  After twisting her thick, long, blonde hair up in a bun and pulling on her prayer covering, she slipped her cell phone into the pocket of her apron and then hurried across the hallway to Betsie Lin’s room.

  Kristina grinned as she knocked on the door. “Hello? Is anyone home?”

  “Aenti!”

  Kristina pushed the door open and found Betsie Lin standing in her crib with her arms outstretched. “Gude mariye, mei liewe!”

  The fifteen-month-old laughed and squealed. With her light-blonde hair and hazel eyes, she reminded Kristina of a painting of an angel she’d once seen in one of the little gift shops in nearby downtown Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Betsie Lin had inherited her pretty hazel eyes from her father.

  “Aenti Kissy!” Betsie Lin said as she reached for her.

  “I love being your Aenti Kissy.” Kristina’s heart warmed at the sound of the nickname Katy, Betsie Lin’s sister, had given her when she was a toddler.

  Lifting her niece from her crib, Kristina carried her over to the changing table. Betsie Lin sang nonsense songs and made noises while Kristina changed her diaper and put a yellow dress on her.

  “Let’s go help your mamm make breakfast.” Kristina carried her down the stairs and into the large kitchen, where the smells of breakfast and coffee filled her senses.

  “Gude mariye!” Kristina announced, placing Betsie Lin in her high chair.

  “Hi!” Katy called as she sat in her booster seat. She waved a buttered roll in the air and then leaned over toward her sister and touched her hand as Betsie Lin squealed with delight. With her blonde hair and bright-blue eyes, Katy was the spitting image of her mother when she was her age.

  Marlena stepped away from the stove, where bacon sizzled in one skillet and eggs fried in another one. At twenty-eight, Marlena was two years younger than Kristina, and with her dirty-blonde hair and blue eyes, she reminded Kristina of their mother. She sliced homemade rolls and buttered them before walking over to where Betsie Lin sat in her high chair. Kristina’s eyes moved to Marlena’s abdomen, which seemed to distend a little more today. Her third child was due in early June, which meant that Kristina would have a new niece or nephew in approximately three months. She couldn’t wait!

  “How are you this morning?” Marlena kissed her toddler on the top of her head and then handed her a buttered roll before looking over at Kristina. “Did you get in late last night? Richard and I never heard you come in.”

  “Ya, I did.” Kristina cupped her hand over her mouth to cover another yawn. “Sara Beth Fisher had a long delivery.”

  “Ach no. Is she okay?”

  “Ya, of course. If it had gotten too complicated, I would have called the rescue squad. But everything went fine. She had a baby bu. Eight pounds and three ounces. They named him Michael.”

  “I’m so glad. When did you get home?”

  “I think around twelve-thirty.”

  Marlena clucked her tongue. “Why didn’t you sleep in later then?”

  “Because I wanted to help you.” Kristina walked over to the stove and began scooping the fried eggs onto a platter. “I need to earn my keep around here.”

  “Please,” Marlena snorted. “You’re a second mamm to these girls. Plus, my pantry in the basement is stocked with canned goods because of you.”

  “Well, it’s because you all are my only family. Of course I want to share with you.” She tried to ignore the sadness that swirled in her chest as she forced a smile.

  Had it not been for her sister and brother-in-law’s generosity, Kristina would be living alone in the home she’d shared with her husband, Lester, before he had unexpectedly died in an accident four years ago.

  She shoved away the thoughts and placed the platter of eggs on the middle of the table. Then she began scraping a small amount onto each of her niece’s plastic plates.

  “What are your plans for today?” Kristina asked her sister.

  “Probably cleaning and sewing.” Marlena set the crispy bacon onto the table and nodded over at her older daughter. “Katy is outgrowing her dresses faster than I can sew them.”

  “I can help you with that.” Kristina moved around the table, making room for the rest of the dishes. “Of course, I can do the cleaning if you’re not feeling up to it. How did you sleep last night?”

  Marlena sighed and touched her abdomen. “I couldn’t get comfortable, but I feel fine.” She broke up a piece of bacon and handed it to Katy and then did the same for Betsie Lin before she started toward the door. “But hold that thought. I need to call Richard in for breakfast.”

  “I’ll pour the coffee.” Kristina reached toward the cabinet with the mugs just as her cell phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket and found Tommy and Lydia Ruth Zook’s number on the screen. Her stomach gave a little flutter.

  Marlena stopped and faced her. “Who is it?”

  “Lydia Ruth must be in labor.” Kristina answered the phone. “Hello?”

  “Kristina!” Tommy sounded out of breath. “Lydia Ruth started having contractions a few hours ago. She thought it was false labor since she’s not due for some time, but her water just broke.”

  “Do your best to keep her comfortable with the methods I told you about. I’m on my way.”

  “Danki,” Tommy said before disconnecting.

  “Lydia Ruth’s water broke—it’s time!” Kristina slipped the cell phone back into her apron pocket, grateful she had charged it with her deep cycle battery last night. Then she picked up her calendar from the counter. She flipped to March and shook her head. “She’s nearly two weeks early, which is unusual for a first baby, according
to the books I’ve been reading.”

  Just then, the back door opened and closed as Richard walked into the kitchen. His dark hair was mussed as if he had just removed his straw hat. He grinned as he looked over at his daughters.

  “Dat! Dat! Dat!” Betsie Lin lifted a handful of scrambled eggs into the air and then dropped them onto the high chair tray.

  “Hi, Betsie.” Richard gave a little chuckle as he kissed Betsie Lin’s cheek and then touched Katy’s nose. “Hi, Katy.” Then he gave his wife a special smile. “Breakfast smells appeditlich.”

  “Tommy Zook just called. Lydia Ruth is having her boppli,” Marlena told her husband.

  “Oh.” His hazel eyes rounded as he looked over at Kristina. “I’ll get your horse and buggy ready.”

  “Danki.” Kristina hurried toward the stairs. “I’m sorry to run, but I need to get my supplies.”

  “I’ll make you some breakfast to eat in the buggy,” Marlena called after her.

  “Danki!” Kristina jogged up the stairs to her bedroom, where she grabbed her supply bag, which was always packed and ready to go.

  When Kristina reentered the kitchen, Marlena held up a thermos and a plastic container. “Kaffi and an egg and bacon sandwich.”

  “Danki.” Kristina kissed her nieces on their heads. “See you later, girls!” Then she headed for the mudroom, where she pulled on her shoes and sweater.

  “Be safe and give my love to Lydia Ruth and Tommy.”

  “I will.” Kristina shouldered her bag, then took the sandwich and thermos from her sister’s hands before stepping out into the crisp, early March morning.

  She shivered as she hurried down the back porch steps to where Richard finished hitching up the horse and buggy. She always appreciated how her brother-in-law not only took good care of Marlena and their children but also went out of his way to help Kristina. He had welcomed her into his home after Lester died and never once seemed to resent her presence. He was a good man with a giving heart, and she was grateful he had married her sister.

  “Danki for helping me get ready,” she told him.

  “Of course.” Richard pulled open the door. “Give Tommy and Lydia Ruth our regards.”

  “I will.” She climbed up into the buggy and then guided her horse down the rock driveway toward the road.

  Kristina managed to eat most of her breakfast sandwich and sipped some coffee during the short ride to the Zook farm. When she arrived, she tied her horse to the fence and then scooted up the back porch steps. A familiar happiness settled over her as she knocked on the door. It was time for her to help deliver another baby!

  She was certain this was what the Lord had called her to do after she’d lost Lester. Kristina had helped deliver Katy during an unexpected snowstorm that prevented the ambulance from arriving in time. After helping to bring Katy into the world, Kristina was convinced it was her calling.

  “Kristina!” Tommy’s brown eyes were wide as he pushed open the door. “I’m so glad you’re here. Lydia Ruth is miserable, and I have no idea what I’m doing.”

  “I’m sure you’re doing just fine.” She smiled up at him. “Let’s go deliver your boppli.”

  * * *

  Kristina sat down on the edge of the bed next to Lydia Ruth as they stared down at her baby boy later that evening. “He’s beautiful, Lydia Ruth. And I think Thomas Jr. is the perfect name.”

  The labor had taken most of the day. And after the baby was born, Kristina cleaned him up before taking care of the rest of the room. Then she talked to Lydia Ruth about breastfeeding, sharing what she’d read in the mountain of library books she frequently studied. Now Lydia Ruth rested against a few pillows and stared down at her son, who was swaddled in a blanket as he slept.

  Kristina glanced up at Tommy and spotted tears pooling in his dark eyes. “You have been blessed.”

  “We have.” Lydia Ruth touched the shock of dark hair on the baby’s head and then looked up at her husband. “He has your dark hair.”

  “And your chin.” Tommy leaned down.

  Kristina stood up. “Since my job here is done, time for me to go!”

  Lydia Ruth smiled up at her. “Kristina, you’re a blessing to our community.”

  Kristina felt her cheeks heat. “Danki. I’m really just a mother’s assistant. You did all the work. And I’m honored you trusted me to help.”

  “Our parents should be here soon. I’ll make kaffi and pull out that chocolate kuche you baked yesterday.” Tommy kissed Lydia Ruth’s cheek. “I’ll be back soon.” He glanced over at Kristina. “I’ll put the box of canned fruits and vegetables in your buggy and get your horse from the barn.” He had stowed her horse and fed it earlier in the afternoon.

  “I appreciate it.”

  Lydia Ruth smiled up at her husband as he walked out of the room and then stared down at her son once again. “I can’t believe he’s here.” Her voice wobbled. “Tommy and I have prayed for a kind since we were married three years ago. I’m so froh.”

  Kristina nodded as she packed up her bag. Her heart squeezed as she recalled also praying for a child, but the Lord had other plans for her. She was meant to help Amish children enter the world instead of raising children of her own. And she was grateful!

  “I can’t wait for mei mamm to get here,” Lydia Ruth continued, her gaze still focused on her child. “She is going to be so excited to meet her first grandchild.”

  Kristina stopped packing her bag and looked over at Lydia Ruth. “Thomas is her first grandchild?”

  Tilting her head, Lydia Ruth looked over at Kristina. “Ya, of course.”

  Kristina’s throat dried as a vision of Aidan Smoker, who was not only Lydia Ruth’s older bruder, but also Kristina’s ex-boyfriend, filled her mind. Last Kristina had heard, Aidan had moved to Ohio eight years ago to marry a pen pal. “Aidan and his fraa haven’t had a child?”

  “Aidan never married.”

  Speechless, Kristina tried to ignore the strange mix of shock and curiosity that whipped through her. Why hadn’t Aidan married? She wondered what had happened to him.

  Shoving away her thoughts of the man who had broken her heart nearly a decade ago, Kristina picked up her bag. “Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will.” Lydia Ruth smiled over at her. “Danki, Kristina.”

  Excited voices floated up from the downstairs.

  “It sounds like you have company,” Kristina said.

  “If mei mamm is here, would you please send her up?”

  “Of course.” Kristina stepped out of Lydia Ruth’s bedroom and headed down the stairs.

  The aroma of coffee filled her senses and caused her mouth to water. She hadn’t eaten since she’d had a turkey sandwich nearly three hours ago.

  When she stepped into the kitchen, Freda Smoker, Lydia Ruth’s mother, nearly knocked Kristina over as she hugged her. “I can’t wait to meet my grandson!”

  “He’s beautiful, Freda.” Kristina gestured toward the staircase. “Lydia Ruth is waiting for you.”

  Freda rubbed her hands together. “I’m so excited to hold him.”

  “Enjoy him.” Kristina smiled and then continued toward the door.

  She entered the mudroom, set down her bag, and pulled on her sweater. As she buttoned it up, she heard the sound of male voices drifting in from the porch. After hefting her bag up on her shoulder, she pushed open the back door.

  Then she stepped out onto the porch and came face-to-face with Aidan.

  Her heart jumped into her throat, and she froze in her tracks, her feet cemented to the porch as she looked up into his cerulean eyes.

  Two

  Kristina’s nerves spiked as she stared up into the face of the man she’d once believed she would marry. Her mind spun like a cyclone, and for a moment she was certain she was dreaming. Yet there Aidan stood, staring at her with an expression that appeared as baffled as she felt.

  Behind him the sun had begun to set, sending vivid bursts of orange, red, and yellow across the sk
y. A crisp breeze reminded her that the temperature had dropped, and she shivered.

  “Kristina,” Aidan finally said, his voice the same warm, rich sound that had once reminded her of chocolate pudding. “What a surprise.” A hesitant smile overtook his lips, and the signature dimple on his right cheek made its grand appearance.

  “Ya.” She fiddled with the strap of her bag and tried to swallow past the swelling ball of emotion clogging her throat.

  Aidan looked good—really good. His dark hair was still the perfect contrast to his sky-blue eyes, and he was several inches taller than she was. His shoulders were broad while his arms looked muscular and defined under his long-sleeved, dark-blue shirt. She took in his angular, clean-shaven jaw—the evidence confirming for her that he’d never married.

  But why he’d never married was none of her business or concern. After all, Aidan had destroyed her trust, and she would be better off to walk away from him and not allow him back into her life.

  “Kristina is the most sought-after midwife in the Lancaster community,” Tommy said.

  Kristina turned toward Tommy and blinked. For a moment, she’d forgotten that he and Phares, Aidan’s father, still stood nearby.

  Aidan seemed to study her as if she were an intricate puzzle. “When did you become a midwife?”

  “After Lester died.”

  Something unreadable flashed in Aidan’s eyes when she mentioned her late husband, who had been Aidan’s best friend since they were in school together. Perhaps he missed Lester. No, he couldn’t possibly. After all, he hadn’t come home from Ohio to attend Lester’s funeral.

  At the memory of his absence, resentment filled her.

  “How long are you in town visiting?” She worked to keep her tone even.

  Aidan leaned back against the porch railing and crossed his arms over his wide chest. “I’m back for gut, actually. I just got here on Monday.”

  “Oh?” Kristina hoped her expression remained casual despite her mounting shock.

  “It’s all my fault.” Phares patted Aidan’s shoulder. “I decided it’s time to retire, so I asked Aidan if he wanted to move back here and take over my dairy farm. After all, Aidan is a still a bachelor, so nothing’s keeping him in Ohio. It was time for him to come home.”