Amish Midwives Page 2

  Aidan glanced over at his father and sighed before looking back at Kristina.

  She shifted her weight on her feet. “Well, welcome home.” She lifted her chin. “I’ll see you all at church on Sunday.” Then she met Tommy’s gaze. “Congratulations again. Call me if you need anything.”

  “I will.” Tommy nodded toward her waiting horse and buggy. “I put the box of canned goods in the back for you.”

  “Danki.” Kristina said good night and then headed down the porch steps.

  “Take care,” Aidan called after her.

  She was certain she could feel Aidan’s eyes burning into her back as she made her way to the buggy.

  As she guided her horse down the long, rock driveway, her mind began to wander with memories of Aidan and their two-year relationship. Her thoughts brought awareness to something that still sat hard and cold over her heart as she recalled how much Aidan had meant to her.

  She had known Aidan and Lester since she started school in first grade. They were all acquaintances in school and church, but they grew closer when she joined their youth group at sixteen. Even though Aidan and Lester were two years older than she was, she quickly became good friends with them.

  Shortly after she’d started attending youth group gatherings, Kristina developed a crush on Aidan. She was drawn to his lopsided smile, contagious laugh, and rugged good looks. She was certain she had fallen in love with him when she was only sixteen years old. And when he asked her to date him when she was eighteen, she was just as certain she was going to marry him.

  Then everything changed when he’d destroyed her trust and shattered her life. She broke off their relationship, and Lester was there waiting for her, ready to dry her tears and console her. Lester won her heart with his sympathetic ear, easy sense of humor, and sunny personality. Soon after she became engaged to him, Aidan moved to Ohio.

  Kristina took a ragged breath as tears filled her eyes. Oh, how she missed Lester! He’d been her rock when she needed him most. Her relationship with him was always easy. They rarely argued.

  Her relationship with Aidan had been the opposite. She recalled how she and Aidan always seemed to have a fire burning between them. Their relationship was complicated and intense, and she could still recognize that intensity in his blue eyes. And now he was back, meaning she’d have to see him at church and around town.

  She clenched her teeth and grasped the reins tighter in her hands. Somehow she’d have to ignore him and dismiss the heartache she couldn’t seem to forget.

  * * *

  Aidan leaned forward on the porch railing and folded his hands as he watched Kristina climb into her buggy. He’d nearly fallen over when she stepped out onto the porch. She was the last person he’d expected to see today.

  After nearly a decade away, Kristina was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever known, with her hair that reminded him of sunshine, her gorgeous, cornflower-blue eyes, and her bright smile—although she hadn’t blessed him with a smile. Instead, she’d just stared at him as if she was trying to figure out if she should talk to him or flee.

  Kristina had been the love of his life, the woman he wanted to marry and with whom he’d hoped to raise a family. Although they had a rocky relationship at times, he loved her with his whole heart, and he’d planned to ask his parents if he could build a little house on their farm for him and Kristina to live in. But so much for that plan. Before long, she’d broken up with him and destroyed him and his dreams.

  He knew he’d run into Kristina eventually, but he hadn’t expected to see her only three days after he’d arrived back in Gordonville. Then she appeared on his sister’s porch, and Aidan was tongue-tied when she looked up at him. He worked hard to keep a calm demeanor, hoping his nervousness didn’t expose him.

  When she mentioned Lester, he almost lost his cool. Lester had been Aidan’s best friend nearly his whole life and then he’d betrayed Aidan when he quickly swooped in and grabbed hold of Kristina after she broke up with him.

  In a matter of a month, the two people he trusted most had stabbed him in the back, and he had no choice but to leave Gordonville and move to Ohio to try to start over. His cousin Fannie had written him to tell him about her friend Louise, and he hoped he could possibly plan a future with her. But then those plans faltered too.

  Aidan swiped his hand down his face, hoping to erase the ache that radiated through him.

  “I’m going to see how Lydia Ruth and the boppli are doing. I have kaffi on, and there’s a chocolate kuche on the table,” Tommy announced before heading into the house.

  Aidan cleared his throat and turned to face his father. As much as he longed to forget Kristina and the pain she’d caused him, he also couldn’t fight back his curiosity. He craved to know more about what he had missed in her life.

  “Kristina is a midwife now, huh?” Aidan worked to keep his voice casual. “How did that happen?”

  Dat sank down into a rocker and rubbed a hand over his dark-brown beard that now boasted flecks of gray. “From what I understand, she delivered her schweschder’s first boppli and then decided to become a midwife.”

  “Oh.” Aidan nodded, but he was still flummoxed. He never imagined her working outside the home. Did that mean she hadn’t remarried?

  He pursed his lips. Why did he care? It wasn’t any of his business.

  “Has she remarried?” He heard himself ask the question and did a mental head slap.

  “No. She’s living with her schweschder and her family. She lost her mamm right after you left and then her dat passed away about five years ago.”

  Aidan frowned. “I heard. So bedauerlich.”

  “I suppose after she lost Lester she felt completely alone, so she moved in with Marlena and Richard.”

  “Richard Lapp?”

  “That’s right.”

  “He’s a gut guy.” Aidan stood up straight. He and Richard had been good friends in school and in youth group.

  Dat studied him, and Aidan suddenly felt itchy under his stare. “You and Kristina dated a long time ago, and that’s ancient history now. There’s no reason why you can’t be freinden. I know she hurt you, but that was nearly a decade ago.”

  Aidan swallowed a snort. Just seeing her around the community would be difficult enough. The idea of trying to be her friend was impossible. Lord, give me strength! “You make that sound much easier than it is, Dat.”

  “It’s our way to forgive, Aidan.”

  “I know that.” Aidan needed to change the subject. He gestured toward the house. “Why don’t we go meet your new grandchild?”

  Dat grinned as he stood. “That’s a great idea.”

  Warmth filled Aidan as he redirected his thoughts toward his new nephew and his sister’s happiness.

  As he climbed the steep steps to the second floor, he found himself wondering if he would ever have a family of his own. He was thirty-two now, which meant finding a mate might be more difficult. Could he possibly find a woman who would love him and settle down with him?

  He shoved the thoughts away and then moved to the doorway to his sister’s bedroom. He smiled as he watched his brother-in-law hold his newborn while his sister and parents gazed adoringly at the tiny baby.

  Aidan couldn’t stop the tears that filled his eyes. God is good.

  * * *

  Kristina yawned as she stepped into the mudroom after stowing her horse and buggy in the barn. All of her muscles and bones ached after her long day, but she couldn’t stop her smile. With God’s help, she’d assisted with another beautiful birth. Oh, how she loved her job!

  She set her bag and the box of canned goods on the bench in the mudroom and then shucked her sweater and shoes. She entered the kitchen and the faint aroma of meatloaf filled her senses, causing her stomach to rumble. She found Marlena sitting at the table drinking a cup of tea while reading a novel.

  Marlena looked up from a book. “How did it go?”

  “Lydia Ruth has a healthy boppli bu.”


  “Wunderbaar. I saved you some supper.” Marlena stood and pointed toward the stairs. “Get changed, and I’ll warm it up for you.”

  “Danki.” Kristina’s stomach growled, loudly this time, as she made her way up the steps.

  She peeked into her nieces’ bedrooms where they slept and smiled at them before heading into the bathroom. She took a quick shower and then slipped on a nightgown and robe, twisting her hair into a tight bun and covering it with a scarf.

  When she reentered the kitchen, she found a place set for her, including a cup of tea, along with a plate of meatloaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes.

  “You’re a lifesaver, Marlena. I feel as though I haven’t eaten in a week.” She sank down into the chair and breathed in the delicious food.

  “Did you have lunch?” Marlena sat down across from her.

  “Ya, but I think that was yesterday.”

  Marlena chuckled.

  After a silent prayer, Kristina dug into the food.

  “I’m sure Lydia Ruth and Tommy were froh, ya?” Marlena asked.

  “Ya. The labor was long, and she pushed for quite a while. But Thomas Jr. is healthy. He weighs seven pounds and eight ounces. Once Lydia Ruth was settled, Tommy called both of their parents.” She felt her smile wobble as she recalled her brief encounter with Aidan.

  “What is it?” Marlena leaned forward as if anticipating a juicy piece of gossip.

  “Lydia Ruth’s parents came to see her and the boppli.”

  Marlena gave her a palms up. “And . . . ?”

  “And Aidan was with them.”

  Marlena gasped. “Is he visiting?”

  “No, he moved back. He’s taking over Phares’s farm, so Phares can retire. And . . . he’s not married.”

  Marlena’s mouth dropped open. “He’s not married?”

  Kristina shook her head and scooped more mashed potatoes into her mouth. A strange feeling overcame her as she recalled Aidan once again. Why did she still feel that strong tie to him? It couldn’t be attraction. Not after the way he’d hurt her.

  “Wait a minute.” Marlena held her hand up. “Didn’t he go to Ohio to be with that maedel his cousin had told to write him?”

  “Her name was Louise.” She nearly spat the words.

  Surely Kristina couldn’t still be envious of this woman. After all, Aidan had left and she married Lester, who gave her a happy life for as long as the Lord had allowed. Why should she care that Aidan chose Louise over her? “Apparently, he didn’t marry her.”

  “That’s a twist.”

  Kristina guffawed. “You could say that again.”

  Marlena rested her elbow on the table and her chin on her palm. “Aidan was so handsome. And you two were so in love.”

  Kristina scowled. “Stop.”

  “I remember how he used to come over at night, and you’d sit on the porch and talk for hours. And he looked at you like you were the only maedel in the world.”

  “Marlena, please.” Kristina’s appetite suddenly evaporated. “That was a long time ago.”

  “But he’s back now, and you’re both single.” Marlena’s pretty blue eyes rounded. “Maybe it’s a sign from God!”

  Kristina set her fork down on her plate beside her half-eaten piece of meatloaf. “If we were meant to be together, it would have worked out years ago. I love my life and my job.” She gestured around the kitchen. “I’m froh here. I don’t need to worry about finding a new husband. I have a purpose.”

  Marlena nodded, but her expression told Kristina that she wasn’t convinced. “You’re telling me that you’ve given up on having a family of your own?”

  Pushing back her chair, Kristina stood and carried her plate and utensils to the counter. After scraping her leftover food into the trash can, she began filling one side of the sink with hot, soapy water. “I’ve just accepted that this is my life.”

  Marlena joined her at the sink. “Everyone is entitled to find someone to love them.”

  “I had that with Lester. God decided it was his time, and I have accepted that too.”

  Marlena gave her a sad smile, and Kristina turned her attention back to the sink.

  “I’m fine. Stop worrying about me.”

  “You and Aidan are older now. You’re more mature. Maybe you could work things out.”

  “There’s nothing to work out.” She rinsed the dish, and Marlena began drying it. “I’ve forgiven him, but I could never trust him. Besides, I’m happy with my life.”

  Kristina ignored how Marlena shook her head. Her sister was wrong. Not everyone needed to be married. Some people were better off on their own.

  If only she could stop her heart from feeling so lonely.

  Three

  Aidan plastered a smile on his face as he shook another old friend’s hand on Sunday morning. He stood with the other men in the congregation outside of the Glick family’s barn.

  He silently marveled at how most of his old friends were still members of the congregation, but they all sported beards now, which meant they were all married. And most of them smiled while they shared stories about their children. The only story Aidan could share was that he was back and still single. His shoulders sagged.

  He glanced over to where families walked from their parked buggies toward the house and barn, and he felt a strange stirring in his chest when he spotted Kristina carrying a toddler as she and Marlena ambled toward the house. Marlena held the hand of another little girl who looked to be three or four.

  He blinked and took in Kristina’s beauty as she smiled at something her sister said. He studied the child in her arms. With her blonde hair and bright smile, she could pass for Kristina’s child, but that wouldn’t be possible since Lester had been dead for four years now. And he felt sure that news would have reached him in Ohio. No, the toddler had to be one of her nieces. He couldn’t pull his eyes away from Kristina as she continued toward the house and then disappeared through the back door to meet with the other women in the kitchen.

  “Aidan. It’s been a long time.”

  Turning, Aidan found Richard Lapp holding out his hand in greeting. “Rich. It’s so gut to see you.”

  “You too.” Richard shook his hand. “I heard you were back, and I was so surprised. How nice that you’re taking over your dat’s farm.”

  So Kristina had told her family all about his return to Gordonville. What else had she said about him? “Danki. I hear you and Marlena have two little ones.”

  “Ya.” Richard grinned. “Katy is three, and Betsie Lin is fifteen months. We’re also expecting our third in early June.”

  “Wow. You’re blessed.”

  “I am.” Richard leaned back on a fence post. “Marlena and I married almost five years ago. We’re hoping the Lord will bless us with a large family. Did you know that Kristina lives with us?”

  “Ya, mei dat mentioned it.”

  “She’s been a great help with the kinner. I don’t know what Marlena would do without her.”

  Aidan glanced toward the kitchen. Questions swirled through his mind. Was Kristina dating anyone? Would she remarry and have a family of her own? He shouldn’t even care after the way she broke his heart and then married his best friend.

  “What about you?”

  Aidan faced Richard’s curious stare. “What do you mean?”

  “What kind of work did you do in Ohio?”

  “I had a dairy farm. I sold it before I came back.”

  Richard shook his head. “It’s tough work.”

  Aidan chuckled. “That is an understatement. I almost considered telling mei dat no and looking for another profession, but the land has been in our family for generations. I couldn’t just let him sell it.”

  “I understand.”

  Aidan and Richard fell into an easy conversation about their farms. Soon it was nine o’clock and time to file into the barn for the service. Aidan found his way to the unmarried men’s section and sat down between two young men who looked familiar. He nodded hello a
nd then picked up his hymnal. Quiet conversations swirled around him, and the rest of the congregation filed into the barn and found their seats.

  He looked over toward the married men’s section and spotted Richard sitting with other men he recalled from his youth group days. Aidan felt out of place, like a fish out of water, looking over at his former friends who all wore beards. He glanced around and surmised that he was one of the oldest bachelors in his congregation. What had he done wrong to wind up alone at the age of thirty-two?

  The married women made their way in, and Kristina sat with her younger niece on her lap. She leaned down beside her and whispered something to her older niece, who had climbed up on the bench between Kristina and Marlena. He took in Kristina’s pretty face, her long neck, and her pink lips. She had somehow become more beautiful than he recalled—or maybe she had always been a stunning beauty, and he hadn’t truly appreciated her.

  To his surprise, Kristina met his gaze, and his throat dried as she gave him a hesitant smile. He returned the smile, and suddenly he felt transported back in time to a decade ago when he and Lester would sit together in church. During the services he would steal glances over at Kristina, who would offer him a shy smile before turning her attention back to the ministers.

  Oh, how he missed those days! Life seemed simpler back then. He had his best friend, Lester, and his beautiful girlfriend. He was certain that he would marry Kristina and raise a family with her while Lester also settled down with another woman. Then the two couples would remain close as they raised their children in the same community.

  But everything fell apart, and they both betrayed him.

  That familiar anger and resentment that had haunted him for nearly a decade boiled beneath his skin. Why did he miss the two people who had hurt him the most? It just didn’t make sense!

  Guilt suddenly clutched his chest. He shouldn’t harbor any ill feelings toward Lester. After all, Lester was gone now, and there was no way Aidan could set things right between them.