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The front door opened, and Nick came in looking as if he expected a frying pan to come sailing at his head. The idea of doing something so outrageous made her feel better. Slightly.
When he saw that he didn’t need to defend himself, he said, “Ada, is there anything you need me to do before I leave? I can chop some kindling if you need it.”
“Nee, I reckon we’ll be fine.”
He nodded. “You let me know if you hear anything from the baby’s family.”
Ada nodded toward the baby sleeping in the newly washed bassinet. “Do not worry, Nicolas. The mother, she will come for her babe.”
“I pray you are right. Miriam, I’d appreciate knowing what the doctor has to say about Hannah.”
He waited, as if he expected Miriam to say something. When she didn’t, he nodded in her direction. “Okay, I’ve got to get back to town.”
When the door closed behind him, Miriam took the first deep breath she managed to draw all morning. “I thought he would never leave.”
“It was goot to see him again. I remember him as such a nice boy.”
“It’s too bad he turned out to be a murderer.”
“Do not say such a thing, Miriam!” Her mother rounded on her with such intensity that Miriam was left speechless.
Ada shook her finger at her daughter. “You are not the only one who has suffered, but you are the only one who has not forgiven. The more you pick at a wound, the longer it takes to heal. I don’t know why you refuse to see that. I’m tired of your selfish attitude. Maybe it is best that you go back to your Englisch home.”
Dumbfounded, Miriam stared at her mother in shock. Not once in her life had her mother raised her voice in such a manner.
Miriam struggled to muster her indignation. “That man caused the death of your only son. Have you
really forgiven him for that?”
“It was Gottes wille that Mark died. I can’t pretend to understand why such a thing had to happen, or why your father was taken before me, too. I can only try to live a good life and know that I will be with them when it is my time.” Ada turned her back on her daughter and began to wash the coffee cups in the sink.
Miriam’s anger slipped away. She wanted to punish Nick, but she’d wound up hurting her mother instead. “Do you really want me to leave?”
Her mother seemed to shrink before her eyes. Ada heaved a deep sigh. “I want what I cannot have. I’m tired. I’m going to lie down for a while. Can you watch the baby?”
“Of course.” Miriam fetched her mother’s cane from beside the table and watched her head toward the hallway. Ada moved slowly, leaning heavily on her cane for support.
Overcome with guilt, Miriam said, “I’m sorry if I upset you.”
Her mother paused at the doorway and looked over her shoulder. “I forgave you the moment you spoke. We will talk no more about your stubborn, willful ways and the bitterness you carry. I leave it up to Gott to change your heart.”
After her mother disappeared into her room Miriam sat down beside Hannah. Bella had staked out her new territory beneath the crib. She looked up at Miriam with soulful eyes and gave a halfhearted wag of her tail.
Miriam leaned down to pet her. “You love me no matter what I do or say. Thank you. That’s why I have a dog.”
* * *
The following morning, Miriam sat in the waiting room of the Hope Springs Medical clinic with Hannah in her borrowed car seat on the floor beside her. They were waiting to be seen for Hannah’s first well-baby appointment.
Miriam was starting to wonder if she was a well baby. How soon did colic set in? If Hannah wasn’t sick, she was certainly a fussy baby. It had been a long night for both of them. Miriam’s eyes burned with lack of sleep. A headache nagged at the base of her neck. The baby had fallen asleep in the car on the way to the clinic, but she was starting to fidget now that the car ride was over.
“The doctor will be with you shortly. Would you like some tea or coffee while you wait?” Wilma Nolan, the elderly receptionist asked with an encouraging smile.
Miriam shook her head. What she wanted was a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. The outside door opened. She looked over and saw Nick walk in.
He was out of uniform this morning. He’d traded his dark blues for worn, faded jeans, Western boots and a wool sweater in a soft taupe color that made his tan look even deeper. No one could deny he was a good-looking man. She struggled to ignore the sudden jump in her pulse.
The elderly receptionist behind the counter sat up straight and smiled. “Sheriff, how nice to see you. I’m afraid you will have quite a wait if you need to see the doctor this morning. Dr. White isn’t feeling well, and Dr. Zook is the only one seeing patients.”
“Not to worry, Wilma, I’m not sick. I just came to check on Ms. Kauffman and...the baby.”
Wilma’s eyebrows shot up a good two inches as she glanced between Miriam and Nick. “I see. Is this official business?”
Mortified by what she knew the receptionist was thinking, Miriam wanted to sink through the floor. Nick obviously came to the same conclusion because he quickly stuttered, “It’s...it’s personal business, Wilma.”
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