Amish Midwives Read online

As Kristina walked toward her buggy, she took a deep breath. She had to remove all thoughts of Aidan from her mind. He was her past and nothing more. Never again would they be more than friends.

  And for some reason, that reality hurt even more than the news that he liked Rosetta.

  * * *

  Aidan felt someone watching him during the church service on Sunday morning in Richard and Marlena’s barn. When his eyes moved toward the unmarried women’s section, he found Rosetta smiling over at him. He nodded, and Rosetta blushed before looking down at her apron and yellow dress.

  When Aidan peeked over at Kristina, she quickly looked away. Was she avoiding his gaze? He hadn’t had a chance to speak with her this morning, and he was almost certain she had deliberately moved away from him when he walked toward her. Her sudden frosty demeanor confused him.

  After the service, Aidan helped the other men convert the benches into tables for the noon meal. As he worked, Richard made his way over to him.

  “Wie geht’s?” Richard rubbed his hands together. “Lunch doesn’t seem to last long enough on Sundays. I was telling Marlena that we should have you over for supper so we’d have more time to talk.”

  “I’d like that.” Aidan couldn’t stop his smile. Not only did he enjoy Richard’s company, but having supper with Richard and his family would give Aidan a chance to see Kristina.

  “Great. I’ll talk to Marlena about choosing an evening.”

  Aidan turned just as Kristina walked by with Betsie Lin in her arms. He opened his mouth to say hello, but she offered him a dismissive wave and kept moving. He frowned and again wondered why Kristina was suddenly avoiding him.

  * * *

  “Would you please take this kaffi out to the barn?” Kristina handed two carafes to Mary, one of the teenagers in the church district.

  “Ya, of course.” Mary took the carafes and started toward the kitchen door.

  “What can I do?” Emma, another teenager, asked.

  “Take these.” Kristina handed a stack of plates and cups to her. “Danki.”

  Then Kristina turned toward the counter and found the plates of food that needed to be delivered to the men waiting in the barn. She spun toward the group of women standing in the middle of the kitchen talking.

  “Hello,” she announced with a smile, and the women turned to face her. “Would you all please start taking the food into the barn?”

  The women complied, gathering up the plates of lunch meat, bread, pretzels, and peanut butter spread. Once the food was gone, Kristina leaned against the counter and released a long breath.

  “It’s all going to be fine.” Marlena smiled as she handed Betsie Lin a piece of cheese while the toddler sat in her high chair. “Soon the meal will be over, and we can eat and relax.”

  “After the kitchen is clean. I’ll be back. I need to check on everyone.” Kristina walked outside and then into the barn to survey the long tables of men sitting and eating lunch.

  When she spotted Aidan next to Tommy and across from Richard and Phares, her breath caught in her chest. He looked so handsome today, possibly more handsome than usual. But her lips pressed together when Rosetta came around and filled his cup with coffee, a bright smile on her face. Aidan looked up at her and laughed at something she said.

  Once again, she considered how perfect they would be together and scowled at the thought. She just hoped Aidan would treat Rosetta better than he had treated her.

  “Kristina,” Freda said as she walked over to her. “We need two more bowls of peanut butter spread.”

  “I’ll get them.” Grateful for the task, Kristina headed back outside and toward the kitchen.

  Later, Kristina filled the sink with hot, soapy water while the rest of the women carried the empty trays and serving platters into the kitchen. Her stomach gurgled as she glanced up at the clock on the wall.

  It was after one. Soon the older members of the congregation would head home to rest while the teenagers gathered together to spend the day playing games and enjoying the early spring day.

  “I’ll wash,” Rosetta said as she walked over to Kristina.

  “Danki.” Kristina smiled at her and then turned her attention to Marlena, who was lifting Betsie Lin from her high chair. “Do you need any help?”

  Marlena balanced Betsie Lin on her hip and then took Katy’s hand. “No, danki. I’m going to put them down for a nap.”

  “Okay.” Kristina grabbed a washrag and began to wipe down the kitchen table, where some of the women had eaten their lunch.

  She craned her neck and looked over her shoulder at Rosetta working at the sink. She longed to ask her about her relationship with Aidan. But what would she even say? She didn’t truly want to hear about how happy they were when her heart felt so fragile today.

  Besides, Aidan’s relationship was none of her business.

  A group of women came in and dropped the used disposable plates and cups into a large trash bag before saying goodbye. Kristina waved at them and then moved to the sink, where she dried the serving platters that Rosetta had washed.

  “Hi, Kristina,” Aidan’s mother, Freda, said as she walked over to the sink. When Kristina nodded, she turned toward Rosetta. “Rosetta! I haven’t had a chance to talk to you today.”

  Rosetta beamed at her. “Hi, Freda. Did you like the butterscotch pie I dropped by on Thursday?”

  “I did!” Freda gasped. “It was even better than the lemon meringue pie you sent on Monday.”

  “Did Aidan like it?”

  “Of course! You know how mei sohn loves his pies.” Freda laughed.

  Kristina tried to maintain a neutral face as nausea reached her stomach. Perhaps she should escape this conversation—maybe go to the barn and talk to the other women there. She dried a coffee carafe and tried to push away her threatening jealousy.

  “How do you make the butterscotch pie, Rosetta?” Freda picked up a carafe and began drying it. “Mine always comes out too sweet.”

  “I’ll share my recipe.” Rosetta turned toward Kristina. “And if you like, I’ll share it with you too. Mei mammi gave me one of her cookbooks, and I’ve found the best pie recipes in there. The pecan pie might be my favorite.”

  Freda leaned back against the counter. “Phares and Aidan like pecan pie. Would you pass that recipe along too?”

  Rosetta beamed. “I can bring the book over sometime!”

  “I would like that.” Freda’s eyes shone with eagerness, and Kristina imagined her planning Aidan’s wedding with his new girlfriend.

  In an instant, the room felt as if it was closing in on Kristina.

  “Excuse me,” she mumbled, dropping the utensils into the drawer and making a beeline for the back door. She needed fresh air, to get outside before her feelings swallowed her whole.

  Kristina welcomed the chilly air as it filled her lungs. She leaned forward on the porch railing and watched families climb into their buggies to head home. A line of buggies snaked down the driveway and headed toward the main road, resembling a troop of ants marching away.

  When she saw Anna Marie walking with her husband and sons, Kristina headed down the porch steps and sidled up to her. “How are you feeling?”

  “Crampy.” Anna Marie frowned as she touched her belly. “I think it will be soon.”

  “I’ll be ready when it’s time.” Kristina touched Anna Marie’s arm.

  “We’ll call you when we know.” Danny, Anna Marie’s husband, spoke to Kristina but looked down at Anna Marie with a warm and encouraging gaze.

  Kristina then started toward the house. She glanced up at the trees, taking in their bright-green leaves. It finally felt like spring—her favorite time of year. She glanced over at the colorful flowers that seemed to wave back at her from Marlena’s garden.

  “Kristina?”

  She turned and gulped in a breath at the sight of Aidan walking toward her. His expression seemed hopeful, but she felt a hollow ache radiate through her. Maybe he was going to ask her if she’d seen his girlfriend.

  He reached up and touched his hat. “I’ve been trying to talk to you, but every time I see you, you hurry away from me.”

  Kristina crossed her arms over her apron. “Oh, I’ve been busy all day.” She motioned around the farm. “You know how it is to host the service.”

  His eyes roved around her face, as if to assess her. She hugged her arms closer to her chest, a shield for her heart.

  “Have you had any more late deliveries?”

  She squinted, trying to comprehend him. “What do you mean?”

  “You delivered a boppli late the night before the last service.”

  “Oh.” She nodded. “Ya. I’ve had a few more, and I think Anna Marie will be next. But who knows what time of day the boppli will decide to come.”

  “I see.” He cleared his throat as an awkward silence fell between them like a great chasm.

  She wanted to ask if he was dating Rosetta—longed to hear him say with his own lips that he wasn’t interested in anyone else. But Kristina held her tongue. She had no right to ask such questions. She looked up into Aidan’s eyes and squeezed her arms tightly against her, wondering about the thoughts rolling through his mind.

  “Aidan!”

  Kristina turned and saw Rosetta hurrying down the porch steps and toward them. “There you two are,” she said. “Freda and I finished the dishes, Kristina.”

  “Danki.”

  “Gern gschehne.” Rosetta looked at Aidan with adoration in her eyes. “Would you please give me a ride home?” When she touched Aidan’s arm, Kristina’s skin prickled.

  “Sure. I was just walking to my buggy.” Aidan’s smile seemed forced, and his eyes didn’t mirror the joy shining in Rosetta’s.

  “Great.” Rosetta looked like she might burst with excitement.

  Aidan looked over at Kristina. “Have a gut week.”

  “You too.”

  Aidan nodded, but he seemed reluctant to walk away. He stood a beat too long before finally turning back toward Rosetta.

  Eight

  A strange sound tore through the dark bedroom early Wednesday morning. Kristina awoke with a gasp, rolled over, and smacked at her alarm clock as the large, green numbers boasted 5:09. But the digital song continued, and Kristina woke up fully.

  Her cell phone was ringing, not the alarm clock.

  Sitting up, she snatched the phone off her nightstand and read Anna Marie’s name on her screen.

  “Hello?” Her voice was hoarse.

  “Kristina!” Danny sounded frantic. “Anna Marie is in labor!”

  Kristina jumped out of bed and pulled out a dress and apron from her closet. “Keep her comfortable and tell her I’ll be there soon.”

  “Danki,” Danny said before disconnecting.

  Kristina zipped around the room, dressing and winding her hair up before pulling on her kapp. She grabbed her bag of supplies and then hurried down the stairs.

  After leaving a note for Marlena, she grabbed a flashlight and made her way out to the barn. She hitched up her horse and buggy and was on the road.

  “Please, God, help me be a blessing to Anna Marie. Please help this boppli come into the world safely,” she whispered as she guided the horse toward Anna Marie’s house.

  * * *

  Later that afternoon, after many long hours of labor, Kristina placed a squealing baby girl in her mother’s arms. “Isn’t she schee? Just like her mamm.”

  “Oh my goodness!” Danny’s brown eyes misted over as he touched the baby’s hand. “A dochder.”

  Anna Marie kissed the baby’s head.

  “What are we going to name her?” Danny asked.

  Anna Marie smiled. “How about Kristina?”

  Danny nodded, barely holding back his tears. “Ya, Kristina it is.”

  Kristina shook her head as her cheeks heated. “No, no, no. Don’t name her after me.” She tried to hide her face and the tears that were welling up in her eyes as she began packing up her supplies.

  “What about Faith Kristina?” Anna Marie studied her baby girl.

  Danny’s smile was wide. “I love it.” He touched his baby’s cheek. “You are Faith Kristina.”

  Kristina’s throat thickened as her tears flowed freely now. “What an honor. Danki.”

  “No,” Anna Marie said. “Thank you.”

  “Call me if you need me,” she said.

  “I put the box of canned goods in your buggy earlier when I took care of your horse,” Danny said.

  “Danki.” Kristina finished packing up her supplies and then headed downstairs to where Anna Marie’s parents sat on the sofa and the three little boys played. She greeted them before hurrying out to her waiting horse and buggy.

  She climbed into the buggy and then blew out a deep breath as her heart warmed. She had successfully delivered another baby. Oh, how blessed she was.

  As she guided the horse toward the road, she looked up at the sky and whispered, “Danki, God, for giving me this gift to share. All the glory to you.”

  She led the horse down the street and then halted it at a light. While waiting for the light to turn green, her phone began to ring again. She pulled it out of her apron pocket, and excitement filled her when she found Maranda Blank’s name on the screen.

  “Hello?” she said.

  “Kristina!” Maranda’s husband, Joey, yelled into the phone. “It’s time! Can you come now?”

  Kristina smiled to herself. Two births in one day? “Of course, Joey. I’m on the way. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

  * * *

  Aidan climbed Richard’s porch steps later that evening. He looked down at the butterscotch pie his mother had baked and smiled.

  He was surprised when Richard called him earlier in the day and invited him to come for supper. Kristina had been on his mind all day while he worked in the barn, and the phone call had seemed like a gift from God. The idea of seeing her sent a jolt of excitement zipping through him.

  He squared his shoulders and then knocked on the back door. Heavy footsteps sounded from somewhere in the house and then the door opened, revealing Richard.

  “Hi, Aidan. We’re so glad you could join us tonight.”

  “Danki for inviting me.”

  Aidan followed Richard into the kitchen, where Marlena set a platter of roast beef on the table beside a bowl of mashed potatoes, a basket of rolls, and a bowl of green beans. Katy sat on a booster seat at the table beside Betsie Lin in her high chair. The little girls waved at him, and he grinned.

  “Hi, Aidan.” Marlena greeted him from where she stood, rubbing her lower back.

  He couldn’t help but notice that her abdomen seemed to have gotten larger since he’d seen her at church. Feeling embarrassed for staring, he quickly looked up at her smile.

  She pointed at the pie plate. “What have you got there?”

  “Mei mamm made a butterscotch pie. She wanted to try a new recipe.” He handed it to her.

  “Oh how nice.” She smiled at her husband. “We love butterscotch pie, don’t we?”

  “We sure do.” Richard rubbed his hands together.

  “Why don’t you wash up and then we’ll eat?”

  After scrubbing his hands, Aidan sat down across from Katy. It was at that moment that he realized the table was only set for five. After the silent prayer, he looked at Marlena. “Where’s Kristina?”

  Marlena lifted her fork. “She’s had an exciting day. She left at five this morning to deliver Anna Marie Esh’s boppli. And then, when she left Anna Marie’s haus, Joey Blank called to tell her that Maranda was in labor.”

  “Wow. So she’s still with Maranda?” Aidan scooped a pile of mashed potatoes onto his plate.

  “That’s right,” Marlena said. “She left us a message shortly after twelve, so I guess the labor is going on five hours now.”

  “Do they normally take that long?” Aidan asked.

  “Longer sometimes.” Richard pointed his fork at Katy. “I think she was twenty-four hours.”

  Aidan grimaced as disappointment weighed down on his shoulders. “So she might not be home until tomorrow.”

  “Possibly, though I’m hoping sooner,” Marlena said.

  I am too. Aidan added green beans to his plate and chided himself. Even if Kristina had been there, the two of them still hadn’t reconciled officially. What was he getting his hopes up about?

  “How’s the farm?” Richard asked.

  Aidan and Richard settled into an easy conversation about farming for the remainder of dinner. He enjoyed talking with Richard and Marlena, and he laughed at how Katy and Betsie Lin kept each other entertained while they ate their meals.

  Once supper was over, Marlena brought the pie to the table and Richard poured three cups of coffee. Betsie Lin and Katy enjoyed small pieces with cups of milk. Aidan tried to imagine a third child joining their family, and a strange longing clenched him.

  “How’s Rosetta?”

  Aidan’s gaze darted to Marlena, who smiled at him.

  “What do you mean?” Aidan asked.

  Richard shot a glare toward Marlena.

  “What?” Marlena gave him a palms up. “It’s common knowledge that Aidan and Rosetta are dating.”

  “Actually, Rosetta and I are just freinden,” Aidan said.

  Marlena gave Richard a knowing smile. “That’s how the best marriages start.”

  “I’m serious. We’re just freinden.” Aidan lifted his coffee cup.

  “Do you think you’ll ever get married?” Marlena asked, and Richard gave her a warning look.

  Aidan opened his mouth to respond, but then he closed it. The truth was that he wasn’t sure he’d ever get married. But he was certain he didn’t want to marry Rosetta, even though she was pretty and sweet. Over the past two weeks she had visited him and delivered pies to his house, and it was obvious she’d cared for him for a long time. Still, he couldn’t see himself as her husband. Why wasn’t she the one he wanted when she was so willing?

  Maybe he was losing his mind.

  After they finished their pieces of pie, Marlena set Betsie Lin in her play yard and Katy sat nearby with a toy. Then Marlena started to clean the kitchen while Richard led Aidan out to the porch.