A Place at Our Table Read online

  “But I’m not married.”

  “And you will never be married if you don’t stop and look around you.” Dat held up his hands. “Life is passing you by. You’re going to die alone if you don’t take a breath. We’re called to bear fruit, and you can’t do that on your own. You’re a gut man, James, and Kayla is a gut woman. Your schweschdere told me some of the things Kayla has been trying to tell you. Stop being so prideful. She wants to be with you. She cares about you. Why would you throw that away?”

  Speechless, Jamie stared at his father.

  “I was about your age when I met your mamm. I knew the moment I saw her that I would marry her someday.” Dat’s voice quavered, and he swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand. “We had a gut marriage and we built a wunderbaar life. You and your siblings are our greatest blessing. We had some tough years when the farm didn’t do as well as we’d hoped, but we were steadfast in our faith, both in God and in each other.” He paused and took a trembling breath. “I can tell you’re hurting, which to me means you love Kayla.”

  Jamie nodded as emotion grabbed him by the throat.

  “If you love her, go after her. Work through your differences and build a life with her. You’ll be so grateful you did.” Dat patted Jamie’s shoulder. “And cherish each and every day with her.”

  Dat started toward the barn doors. “I’m going to bed. Don’t stay out too late. Gut nacht.” His boots crunched over the dried hay and he disappeared into the dark night.

  Dumbfounded, Jamie stood in the barn, staring after his father as his words wrapped around his thoughts.

  Suddenly, grief opened a hole in his chest and he sank down to his knees. All the sadness of losing his mother and losing Kayla rained down on him. He hugged his arms to his chest as he opened his heart and prayed.

  God, I’m so lost and confused. I don’t understand where you want me to go and what you want me to do with my life. Do I belong with Kayla? Am I even worthy enough to have a woman as special as she is? Please help me understand the path you’ve chosen for me and lead me toward it. Please, God, please.

  Jamie stood and relief loosened the tension in his muscles. He closed the barn and headed into the house. After changing into his nightclothes, he climbed into bed. And for the first time in nearly a week, he fell right to sleep.

  TWENTY-NINE

  Jamie rubbed his eyes as he guided his horse the following evening. Although he’d slept last night, he still was bone tired after another day working on the farm. He’d kept himself busy, but his father’s words had haunted him all day. He couldn’t let go of the notion he had to try to work things out with Kayla or his heart would never heal.

  And he couldn’t wait another day. He prayed Kayla would still be up and talk to him when he arrived. He knew the family often retired early, but he wanted to talk to her at home, not at the restaurant. He hoped Kayla—and her parents—would understand.

  As he turned onto Irishtown Road, the pungent odor of burning wood filled the buggy. When he spotted a plume of smoke rising above the rooftops, his pulse pumped and he snapped the reins to speed up the horse’s pace.

  He halted the horse in front of Kayla’s house and took in the flames licking up the side of a large farmhouse across the street. Dark smoke poured from the roof and up into the night sky. He suddenly remembered. The day of the barn raising, Nathan mentioned an elderly widower named Amos Lapp lived alone in that house.

  He leapt from the buggy and started running.

  “Jamie!”

  He spun. Nathan was dashing toward him clad in shorts and a T-shirt.

  “Call nine-one-one!” Jamie shouted as he continued toward the house.

  “What are you doing?” Nathan yelled back.

  “Go call nine-one-one!” Jamie repeated.

  Nathan nodded and sprinted up his driveway toward the phone shanty.

  Jamie jogged up the front porch steps, and after taking a deep breath, went into the house. He stepped into the foyer and was immediately overwhelmed by heavy, unforgiving smoke.

  “Amos!” Jamie shouted. “Amos! Are you here?” He went into the family room, searching for the silhouette of a body in the smoke-filled structure.

  “Amos? Where are you? I’m here to help!” He moved a few more steps forward and stumbled as his leg hit a piece of furniture.

  Smoke filled his lungs, and he began to cough as his eyes stung. “Amos! Where are—” A coughing fit overtook him. He bent at his waist and dropped to his knees. He had to get out of the house. Without his gear, he was in danger, and he couldn’t help Amos.

  But what if Amos was injured? He had to try to save him. He couldn’t allow the man to die alone.

  Jamie covered his mouth and switched directions. He was lost. How could he help the elderly man if he didn’t even know where to go? His pulse sped up. He needed oxygen, a radio, and his fire company. Where were the sirens? Surely Nathan had called and the fire trucks were on the way.

  Think, Jamie. Think!

  Taking deep breaths, he crawled in the direction of where he thought the doorway might be. His knees hit something wooden. Was it a threshold?

  He moved forward and smoke filled his lungs once again. He gasped, sputtered, and collapsed on the floor. His thoughts spun with worry. He had to rescue Amos.

  A siren sounded in the distance, and Jamie closed his eyes.

  Please, God. Please send help before it’s too late.

  The loud wail of a siren slammed Kayla awake. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. Was she dreaming? As the haze of sleep dissolved, her pulse began to pump with panic.

  She leaped from her bed, moved the green shade on her bedroom window aside, and squinted against the bright red lights shining from the fire engine tanker parked across the street.

  She gasped as she took in the flames racing up the side of Amos’s house. Dark smoke poured from the roof.

  “Oh no!” She pulled on her robe, grabbed shoes and a headscarf, and ran to Nathan’s room. She needed him to call nine-one-one. “Nathan!” She knocked on his door as she slipped on the shoes. “Nathan, wake up! Amos Lapp’s haus is on fire!”

  When he didn’t answer, she pushed the door open. “Nathan?” She flipped on the lantern on his nightstand and found his bed empty.

  Panic crawled up her spine. Where was he? She looked out the window and white-hot fear clamped over her chest like a vise. Had he gone to help Amos?

  “No, no, no!” She grabbed the lantern and ran down the stairs. She hurried through the family room and kitchen, searching for her brother. When she didn’t find him, she banged on her parents’ bedroom door. “Mamm! Dat! Wake up! Amos Lapp’s haus is on fire, and I can’t find Nathan.”

  In only a few seconds, Dat wrenched the door open. He looked stunned, and Mamm stood behind him, her shoes in her hands. “Nathan is missing?”

  “Ya. I looked in his room and down here, and I can’t find him.” Kayla pointed toward the front door across the family room. “I’m going to go see if he’s with the firemen.”

  “I’ll go with you.” Kayla waited while Dat pushed his feet into slippers.

  “What’s going on?” Eva appeared from the kitchen. “I heard sirens and then I heard you yelling.”

  “Amos Lapp’s haus is on fire, and I can’t find Nathan.” Kayla’s voice faltered. “The fire department is already here.”

  “Let’s go see if he’s outside.” Dat’s tone sounded as if he was working to remain calm. “He could be just observing what’s going on.”

  “Kumm.” Mamm tied her robe closed as she followed Dat, and then covered her hair with a scarf.

  Kayla rushed past them out the front door, down the steps, and across the street, tying her scarf as she ran. A second fire engine was parked beside the first tanker, and a group of firemen was climbing out. Fire hoses from the tanker sprayed the flames. Two ambulances sat nearby.

  “Nathan!” she yelled as fear twisted deep in her belly. “Nathan, where are you?” The thick, heavy smell of
burning wood filled her lungs as she stood as near the burning house as she dared. In her peripheral vision, she saw someone rushing toward her.

  “Kayla!” Nathan grabbed her arm, startling her. “I’m right here.”

  “Oh, thank goodness!” She hugged him. “I was afraid you’d gone in to help Amos.”

  “I didn’t, but I think Jamie did, and I don’t think he’s come out yet.” Nathan words came in a rush. “His buggy is over there.” He pointed toward the road behind her, where a horse and buggy sat. “I guess he was coming to see you and he saw the haus was on fire. I had gotten up to use the bathroom when I saw the flames. I ran outside, and Jamie told me to call nine-one-one. When I came back from the phone shanty, he was gone.” He pointed toward the house again. “I told Brody, and they’re getting a team together to go in after him.”

  Her heart nearly pumped out of her chest. Suddenly, the anger and disappointment she’d harbored broke apart, and worry for Jamie overwhelmed her. She still loved him, and the thought of losing him shook her to her very core.

  “He doesn’t have any gear.” Nathan looked grim.

  “Ach, no!” She cupped her hand to her mouth as her body shuddered.

  Brody, Leon, and Noah, all dressed in turnout gear, approached them.

  “Jamie’s in there.” She turned to Brody, her voice shaking. “Please go save him and Amos.”

  “We will,” Brody promised before he turned and began barking orders. “An elderly man lives alone in this house. Also, Jamie Riehl is in there without gear. We need to assume both Jamie and Amos need help.”

  “Nathan,” Dat said as the rest of their family caught up to them. “We were afraid you were in the haus.”

  “I’m the one who called nine-one-one.” Nathan explained the situation as Kayla pressed her hands together and swallowed back tears. Dat looped his arm over her shoulder.

  “Let’s go,” Brody said to Leon and Noah.

  “They’ll find Jamie and Amos,” Dat whispered against her temple. “Have faith.”

  Closing her eyes, Kayla whispered, “Please God, keep everyone safe. Please assist Jamie’s freinden as they help him and Amos, and bring them all out of the haus safely.”

  The three firefighters disappeared through the front door. Soon Kayla could hear the chatter over a nearby firefighter’s radio.

  “This is Morgan. Kitchen is engulfed in flames,” Brody’s voice crackled over the radio. “We need to get some hoses on the back of the house.”

  “Ten-four,” another voice responded.

  “This is King. Found the elderly man,” Leon’s voice rang out next. “Downstairs bedroom to the left past the stairs. He’s non-responsive. Need help lifting him.”

  “On my way,” Brody called.

  “This is Zook. I’m going to look for Riehl,” Noah announced.

  Kayla swallowed back threatening tears as Eva touched her shoulder. She had Junior in her arms.

  “Don’t give up hope,” Eva whispered. “They’ll find him.”

  “Paramedics stand by,” a voice called over the radio. “We’re bringing the occupant out through the front door.”

  Kayla turned to Eva. “I think that was Brody or Leon.” Fear clogged her throat. “But where’s Jamie?

  “He’ll be fine. Have faith,” Eva insisted. “He’s strong and brave, just like Simeon.”

  Junior whined and nuzzled deeper into Eva’s shoulder.

  The front door opened, and two firefighters carried out Amos, each holding one of his arms. Amos was bent over and limp as the firemen lifted him down the steps and onto a waiting gurney. The paramedics rushed him toward the waiting ambulance.

  The firemen lifted facemasks, and Kayla’s stomach dropped. Why weren’t they going back in to help Noah? Where is Jamie?

  Behind her, the ambulance’s sirens wailed as they left for the hospital. Fire licked across the roof at an alarming rate.

  “This is Zook. I found Riehl,” Noah’s voice called over the radio.

  “He found him,” Kayla whispered, grabbing onto Eva’s hand and squeezing hard. “He found him.”

  “Oh, praise God!” Dat exclaimed.

  “He’s awake but injured,” Noah continued, his voice strong and even. “Need assistance. I’m on the first floor near the stairs. Brody, Leon, are you still in the house? I need a paramedic. Send in—”

  Noah’s voice was cut off as a loud crack thundered and the roof shifted. Kayla heard herself scream.

  “Roof collapsed at the front of the house!” a voice yelled over the radio. “We need to get Zook and Riehl out of there!”

  Kayla’s blood ran cold, and a strangled sob escaped her throat.

  “Zook?” A voice announced over the radio. “Zook? Where are you? Respond, Zook. Noah! Noah! What is your status?”

  When the radio remained silent, Kayla swayed and her legs gave out. Strong arms caught her. She turned as Dat held her up.

  “There’s another way in!” Nathan yelled as he took off running toward Brody. “Brody! Follow me!”

  “I need a crew to go with me,” Brody yelled as he followed Nathan to the far right side of the house. Three more firemen in turnout gear ran after them.

  “This is King,” Leon announced over the radio. “The fire in the kitchen is partially out. I need a crew to follow me in through the back. I’m going for Zook and Riehl.” Two more firemen in turnout gear ran toward the house.

  “Zook? Noah, can you hear us?” someone called over the radio. “What’s your status?”

  Kayla held her breath as tears rained down her cheeks. No, no, no. This can’t be happening!

  Junior whimpered, and Eva rocked him as she whispered in his ear.

  A black fear swallowed Kayla’s insides as she covered her face with her hands and sobbed. Please, God. Please keep Jamie and the other firefighters safe. Please, God, protect them.

  Several moments passed as Kayla held her arms to her chest and cried. Eva squeezed Kayla’s shoulder and gave her an encouraging expression as tears spilled from her own eyes.

  “This is Brody,” a voice called over the radio. “We’re coming out the side door. Need paramedics ready. We have Jamie.”

  “Ten-four,” someone said.

  “Jamie!” Kayla yelled. “Jamie!” She took off running but skidded to a stop on the wet grass at the side of the house. Nathan stood there, waiting.

  Paramedics from the second ambulance rushed past her with a gurney. Mamm, Dat, and Eva came to a stop beside her.

  Suddenly Noah and Brody emerged from the smoky doorway, helping Jamie walk down the side steps. His face was covered in soot as he coughed uncontrollably, but the firemen clapped and cheered.

  “Oh, thank you, Jesus!” Kayla cried.

  Brody and Noah helped Jamie onto the gurney, and the paramedics covered him with a blanket.

  Relief mixed with jubilation shuddered through Kayla as she studied Jamie’s face.

  “You’re a hero, Nathan.” Brody smacked her brother’s back. “You told me how to get in to help Noah bring Jamie out.”

  Nathan grinned. “I remembered the side door, and I thought it was worth a try.” He looked at Noah. “Why didn’t you answer the calls?”

  Noah leaned against the fence as his shoulders hunched. “I lost my radio for a few minutes. I was trying to call to say we were trapped. Once the roof collapsed, the smoke and dust were like a thick fog. I couldn’t find the way out.” He pointed toward the side door. “I’m so grateful you thought of this door.” He opened his coat and took deep breaths. “I’m going to rest for a minute.”

  The paramedics pushed the gurney toward the ambulance.

  “Go,” Eva said, nudging Kayla forward. “Go talk to Jamie before they take him to the hospital.”

  Kayla hugged her arms close to her chest as she followed Jamie to the ambulance. As the paramedics took his vitals and handed him an oxygen mask, she took in his haggard form. He looked exhausted as his body wilted, but his eyes were bright and alert. His gaz
e met hers as he breathed in the oxygen, and she edged closer to him. Admiration blossomed in her chest. She missed him. She loved him, and she wanted to work things out.

  “Riehl, do you realize just how dangerous and reckless your stunt was tonight?”

  Kayla jumped as Brody’s voice boomed from behind her.

  “You could have been killed,” Brody continued as he stopped beside Kayla. “What were you thinking when you ran into that burning house without any gear or any backup? Actually, you weren’t thinking at all, were you?”

  Jamie shook his head as he continued to breath in the oxygen.

  “I can’t believe you did that.” Brody crossed his arms over his chest. “You know better.”

  Jamie nodded.

  “Brody!” someone called from near the house. “We need you!”

  Brody turned toward the firefighters congregating by the house. “I’ll be right there.” Then he faced Jamie again. “Go to the hospital and get checked out. I’ll see you later. I’ll send someone over to let your father know what’s going on. They can give your family a lift to the hospital.”

  Jamie gave him a thumb’s up.

  Then Brody turned toward Kayla. “Be sure to tell Jamie how dense he was to attempt to save Amos by himself.”

  “I will,” Kayla said as Brody walked away and she pivoted toward Jamie.

  “Ma’am, you can climb up into the ambulance if you’d like,” a young EMT said as he held out his hand. “I can help you up.”

  “Thank you.” Kayla took his hand and allowed him to lift her into the back of the ambulance.

  “How are you doing, Jamie?” the EMT asked him.

  Jamie lifted the mask. “Better. Thanks, Rob.” His voice was hoarse. “I can breathe now.”

  “That’s a good sign.” Rob grinned. “Brody was right, though. We have to take you to the hospital to get you checked out.”

  “I know.” Jamie looked at Kayla. “I came over here tonight to talk to you.”

  Kayla’s eyes filled with tears as she nodded.

  Rob looked at Kayla and then Jamie. “I’ll give you a minute, but then we need to be on our way.” He jumped out of the ambulance and walked around the side.