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After stepping down from the van, he looked at the people who stood staring at him. He straightened and his frown deepened. “I said it was an accident.”
“I’m fine, Onkel. Do not you worry yourself about it,” Greta said quietly.
“He should say he’s sorry,” Marianne muttered.
“And your parents should teach you not to disrespect your elders,” Morris grumbled.
Tears welled up in Marianne’s eyes, and she pressed her face against Toby’s side.
“Why she crying? What did I say?” Morris demanded. Everyone was still clustered around the side of the van.
Toby’s face reflected his deep pain as he gazed at his sister. “Our parents were killed in a fire a few months ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. How was I to know? My doctor said I have to walk.” Morris shouldered his way through the onlookers and began walking along the sidewalk in front of the restaurant.
“I should go with him in case he has trouble,” Greta said.
“Do you want me to stay with you?” Toby offered.
She shook her head. “I’m sure Marianne would like a soda or a cup of tea.”
“All right. Can I order anything for you?”
“I would dearly love a cup of coffee.”
Greta took a seat on the bench out front where she could keep an eye on Morris. It was growing colder. A bank of gray clouds shut out the sun in the west. She buttoned the top buttons of her coat and pulled on her gloves. She was surprised when Marianne sat down beside her.
“Don’t you want to go inside?” Greta asked.
“Nee, people stare at me.” Her voice was weaker than before. Greta could see how tired she was.
“In that case, please join me. I’m not really hungry, but I may have some dessert when my uncle is finished with his walk.”
She looked around for Toby and saw him waiting beside the door with his hands shoved in his coat pockets. She motioned toward the diner with her head. He nodded his understanding. She would watch over Marianne while he went in.
“What sorts of desserts do you like, Marianne?”
“Ice cream and pie. I hear a kitten. There it is.” Marianne pointed toward Morris.
A small calico cat was rubbing against his leg. He nudged it away with his cane, but the cat came back, stood on its hind legs and pawed at his trousers. It began meowing loudly.
“Your uncle must like cats.”
“As far as I know, he doesn’t care for any living thing except himself.”
Greta bit her lip as she realized she shouldn’t have spoken like that in front of the child. She shouldn’t even have such thoughts. Her feelings about her uncle were hard to hide, but he was ill. He deserved some kindness although she wasn’t sure she had any to offer.
Morris pushed the cat away and walked on. Greta glanced at Marianne. “I like ice cream, too. Chocolate is my favorite. But when it’s cold outside like this I like pumpkin pie with whipped topping.”
Marianne pulled away and wrinkled her nose.
Greta laughed. Cupping her fingers under her chin, she tapped her cheek with one finger in mock concentration. “I think you are someone who likes coconut pie.”
Shaking her head, Marianne stuck out her tongue.
“Strawberry rhubarb?” Greta glanced toward her uncle, keeping one eye on him while she engaged Marianne in conversation. He bent to scratch the cat’s head.
“Peach,” Marianne stated in a harsh whisper. Greta wasn’t sure if it was the cold or fatigue, but the girl’s voice was definitely weaker. She needed to rest it.
Just then, Toby returned bearing gifts. He held three foam cups in his hands. He set them on the end of the bench and passed them around. “Coffee for you, Greta, and hot chocolate for you, Marianne.”
“Danki.” Greta took the beverage from him.
Marianne eagerly accepted hers. He sat down and took a sip from his cup. “Not bad.”
“Delicious,” Greta added. She glanced toward Morris. He was bent over. Was he talking to the cat? The animal paced back and forth in front of him still meowing.
Greta looked down at the drink in her hands as she tried to quell the bitterness that rose in her throat. He could treat a stray cat with kindness but not his own kin.
She focused on Toby. “Your sister was telling me that she likes peach pie. I have a friend whose husband loves peach pie. His name is Levi Beachy and he makes buggies in our town. What do you do, Toby?”
“I work at a factory that builds RVs in Fort Wayne, or I did until recently. Before that, our family lived in Pennsylvania. There, I was a wood-carver, but the shop where my father and I were employed closed and we couldn’t find work. That’s why we moved to Fort Wayne. I’m not sure what I will do now, but Marianne and I will figure that out together.”
He looked at his sister as she sipped her chocolate with relish, and he smiled softly. Toby was a kind and caring brother. It made Greta miss her sisters. She would love to have them here with her now.
The cat jumped in her lap scaring the wits out of her. She jerked in fright, sloshing hot coffee on her hand. The cat ran back to her uncle. Greta saw him leaning heavily on his cane and clutching his chest.
Greta dropped her drink and hurried toward him.
“Are you all right, Onkel?” she asked when she reached his side.
“Need my...pills.” He was fumbling at his vest pocket.
Greta quickly extracted a small vial. Her fingers trembled as she opened the lid and shook a pill into his hand. He put it under his tongue.
Toby slipped his arms around the old man’s shoulders and behind his knees. He lifted him like a child, carried him to the bench and laid him down. Morris was breathing heavily. Toby looked at Greta. “Should we call an ambulance?”
“Ja.”
“Nee.” Morris shook his head. “It’s better.”
“Are you sure?” She knelt in front of him.
He gave her a sour look. “You won’t have to pay for my burial yet, Mouse.”
Greta took a deep breath and disguised her shame with a show of indifference. It was a skill she had learned well living with him. But Lizzie wouldn’t let such a jab go unanswered. Greta narrowed her eyes. “That’s good to know, Onkel. My expense account is woefully inadequate at the moment.”
That took him aback. It did her good to see his surprise. The mouse hadn’t roared, but it squeaked.
Was there any way to reach him? To make him see how hurtful his words could be? Had he really tried to make her fall out of the van, or was it an accident as he claimed? She couldn’t be sure.
When she and her sisters had lived with him, his abuse had been overt. A beating with a belt or with a wooden rod. That punishment wasn’t available to him with so many people around. She didn’t want to believe the worst of him, but she had never seen anything else.
“Help me up,” he said, reaching for her hand.
She hesitated. Why should she? Why had she even come?
A second later, she knew the answer as clearly as if God had spoken to her. She was here because it was the right thing to do. Returning evil for evil did no one any good. Taking his hand, she pulled him into a sitting position.
He sighed heavily. “I would like a cup of tea.”
She kept one hand under his elbow as he stood. Toby stayed close until she had Morris seated at a booth inside the diner. Toby and Marianne chose their own table and sat away from the group. Marianne sat next to the wall, sinking into the corner as if hiding from the world. Greta’s heart went out to her.
Morris was watching them, too. “Why does she keep her hand at the side of her face all the time? Is she looking for attention?”
“I think she is self-conscious about the scars on her neck and face. She was burned in the house fire that killed her parents.”
“They aren’t noticeable scars. She’s vain.”
Compelled to defend the sweet child, Greta glared at her uncle. “To a girl that age they must seem enormous and ghastly. She deserves our kindness not our judgment.”
He turned his attention to the waitress and ordered tea. Greta ordered a cup of soup and a slice of peach pie.
Her uncle’s color improved steadily. He soon seemed to be his old self. He complained that the tea was lukewarm and sent it back. Then he asked for a glass of ice because it arrived too hot to drink.
When he finished his tea, he rose and headed for the restrooms at the back of the diner. He stumbled and staggered sideways a step before regaining his balance and heading on. Greta caught Toby’s eye. He nodded and then indicated his sister with a glance in her direction. Greta nodded, too. Toby rose to follow her uncle while Greta moved to sit with Marianne. It was amazing how easily they communicated with only a shared look. He wasn’t like anyone she had met before. She quickly pushed her interest in him to the back of her mind.
Taking her uneaten pie as a pretense, she sat down at the same table with the child. “Would you like my pie? I don’t have room for it.”
Marianne nodded. Greta pushed the dish toward her. She folded her hands and smiled. “I have always wanted to travel to Pennsylvania. Is it pretty?”
Marianne nodded again.
“Are you and your brother visiting family there?”
“We’re going to live with my aenti.”
“You and your brother?”
“Ja.”
“I’m very sorry about your parents. My parents have gone to heaven, too, so I know your sadness. I miss them although I know they are happy with God. I’m not alone, though. I have three sisters and we all look out for each other the way your brother has been looking out for you on this trip. You are blessed that he was spared.”
Marianne didn’t say anything, so Greta forged ahead. “It’s hard to talk about the people we have lost, but you don’t have to be afraid. You can tell me about it.”
“Nee, you will hate me.”
“We must never hate anyone, Marianne.” If only she could follow her own advice.
“It was my fault they died.” Marianne pushed the rest of the uneaten pie aside and got up from the table. She rushed outside leaving Greta to wonder exactly what had happened to the child’s family.
After paying her bill, Greta went outside, too. The Coblentz family was already in the van. Greta got in and sat at the back with Marianne. The girl lay curled onto her side facing the back of the seat. Greta couldn’t see her face. “I’m sorry if I upset you.”
The child ignored her. Greta chewed her lower lip. She had been trying to help but she may have made things worse. Morris and Toby came out of the restaurant a short time later. Mr. Hooper started the van as Toby climbed in behind Morris. A loud thunk from the engine and a cat’s screech startled everyone.
Arles and Toby went to the front of the vehicle. Greta got out, and Marianne followed her.
Chapter Six
Arles lifted the hood of the van. Toby leaned in and pulled the limp cat free. It was the same calico that had fawned over Greta’s uncle earlier. The poor thing had been hit by the fan blade. It bore an awful gash on the side of its neck and most of its left ear was missing.
“Help her,” Marianne pleaded with tears in her eyes.
Greta quickly offered her handkerchief. “Use this to stop the bleeding.”
“Danki.” Toby pressed the cloth to the animal’s head.
“We must find the owner. The poor thing needs a veterinarian,” Greta said.
Toby looked around. “Maybe the restaurant owner or one of the customers will know who she belongs to. I’ll go ask.”
“I’ll take her,” Greta offered. She unbuttoned her coat. Toby handed the animal to her. She wrapped the poor thing in her long apron and tried to soothe her.
The cat started crying pitifully. Marianne watched with wide frightened eyes.
Toby rushed into the restaurant. He caught sight of the cook, a middle-aged Englisch fellow with a large stained apron tied around his ample middle. “We need some help. A cat has been injured. Perhaps you can tell us who owns it.”
“I doubt it, but let me take a look.” He followed Toby outside and adjusted his glasses to peer at the cat in Greta’s arms.
“That’s one of Mrs. Alcorn’s critters. The old woman died a few months ago. The cats are strays now. Some of the neighbors feed this one, but it won’t go inside any of their houses. The old lady had heart trouble. She always said this cat would let her know when she was about to have one of her spells.”
“Perhaps that was why she was pawing at my uncle’s legs,” Greta said. “She sensed he was about to have an attack.”
“Animals have remarkable senses,” Toby said. “Can you tell us where we can find a veterinarian? This poor animal is suffering.”
The cook pointed down a side street. “Doc Harley has a clinic out near the edge of town. You can’t miss it.”
Arles said, “I can’t ask these folks to wait while we take the cat to the vet.”
“We can’t leave the poor thing lying here in the street.” Greta glared at the driver.
“I wasn’t suggesting that. This man can take care of it.”
The cook shook his head. “I’ve got a business to run, and I have customers waiting.” He turned and strode away.
There was no way Toby was going to leave this animal to fend for itself. He’d just have to hire another driver if Arles wouldn’t help. “You can travel on without Marianne and me. I’ll get our bag out of the van. We will expect a refund.”
Scratching his head, Arles said, “Let’s don’t be hasty. I reckon we can take a few minutes to turn the cat over to the veterinarian. Okay?”
“That’s all we’re asking,” Toby said.
Everyone got back into the van and Greta, with the cat wrapped in her apron, took her place in the back. Marianne sat beside her. Greta tried to reassure the child. “Don’t worry. Someone is going to look after her.”
Doc Harley turned out to be a woman in her sixties with short kinky gray hair, a rumpled smock and a no-nonsense manner. She was able to see them after only a brief wait. She examined the cat and smiled at Marianne who was clinging to Greta’s side. “I think it looks worse than it is. Cats are very resilient creatures. She will do fine.”
“But she doesn’t have an ear,” Marianne whispered.
“She will look unusual, but she will still be able to hear. This laceration on her neck is going to need a few stitches. Other than that, I think she’s in pretty good shape. She could use a little more meat on her bones. Has she been eating normally?”
“According to the man at the restaurant, she’s a stray that belonged to Mrs. Alcorn,” Toby said.
“Oh, yes, our resident cat lady. I thought this one looked familiar. It’s the one she called Christmas. The little stray showed up at her house on Christmas morning a year ago. She was very attached to this one. It’s a shame that no one took her after Mrs. Alcorn passed away. If this isn’t your cat, are you still willing to pay for her care?”
Toby’s funds were limited. He looked at the others. Morris shook his head, “I have no money to spend on a cat.”
“If we leave her here, will you take care of her?” Marianne asked.
The vet shook her head. “I’m afraid I don’t have room to look after every stray cat that comes this way. I’ll turn her over to the county animal shelter. They’ll try to find someone to adopt her.”
“No one will love her because she’s ugly now,” Marianne said sadly and reached out to stroke the cat’s back.
Toby heard the pain in his sister’s voice and knew she was expressing her own fears. He wanted so much to help her, but he didn’t know how.
Greta said, “She’s a lovely cat. A missing ear and a few scars won’t change that. I’ll pay for her care today, and I’ll take her home.”
“All right.” The vet smiled brightly. “Let me take her into surgery to clean these cuts and stitch her up. You can have a seat in the waiting room. It may take an hour or so.”
As the vet walked away, Marianne looked up at Greta. “Are you sure you want to keep her? People will stare and make fun of her because she’s different.”
“You don’t intend to drag that cat along with us, do you? Leave it here,” Morris said, his voice laced with disgust.
Greta’s back straightened. “I do intend to take Christmas with us. She needs a home, and I like her. I don’t care that she looks different. She has a good heart and that is more important than her appearance. She tried to help you. We just weren’t smart enough to know what she was trying to tell us.”
Toby admired the way she stood up to her grumpy uncle and gave his sister a gentle lesson, as well. Looks were not everything. Goodness mattered.
“Foolishness, that’s all it is.” Morris settled in a waiting room chair. Marianne sat down a few chairs away from him.
Arles rubbed his chin. “I feel responsible for the poor thing, but I have people waiting in the van. What do I tell them?”
Toby slipped his hands in his pockets. “Didn’t you say you were taking the Coblentzes’s to Ohio City? Can’t you drop them off and come back to pick us up?”
“You know, that’s a good idea. I’ll be back soon as I can.” He grinned and headed out the door, clearly relieved to resume his schedule.
Toby took a seat beside Marianne. He picked up a magazine and thumbed through it. He was surprised when she spoke to him. “Mamm said I had a good heart.”
It wasn’t much, but it was a start. His heart expanded with love for his sister. “Mamm always spoke the truth. She loved you very much. She loves you even from heaven.”
Marianne didn’t reply. She got to her feet and went to look through the magazine rack.
He laid his magazine aside and looked at Greta standing by the window. Pushing out of his chair, he went to thank her.
* * *
Greta folded her arms and stared out at the gray sky as she waited. Toby came and stood beside her. Quietly, he said, “I appreciate what you’re doing for the cat. It means a lot to my sister. I would like to reimburse you for part of this cost. If you would give me your address, I will send you the money when I can.”
“Don’t worry about the money. I’m just glad that I’m able to help. Unlike some people,” she glanced over her shoulder at her uncle.
“Don’t be too hard on him. Not everyone believes we have a responsibility to care for all God’s creatures.”
“But you do.” She looked at him and saw only sincerity and kindness in his face. He had a nice face. The planes and angles of it gave him a rugged look, but they softened when he smiled and his smile reached his eyes, making them sparkle.
He said, “I like animals. Dogs, cats, horses, cows.”
“Sheep?” she asked.
“I don’t know any sheep personally, but I’m sure I would find something to like about them. They look...fluffy.”
“Only until they are sheared. Then they look naked and embarrassed.” She pressed her hand to her mouth as heat rose in her face. Why had she said that?
He chuckled. “You seem to know your sheep well.”
She giggled at her own foolishness. “I live with my grandfather. He raises them. Spend ten minutes with him and his hired man, Carl, and you will learn far more about sheep that you ever thought possible.”
“Do sheep get along with cats?” He took a step closer and leaned one shoulder against the wall. His nearness sent a wave of awareness shooting along her nerve endings. She was stunned by a compelling urge to move closer to him, too.
She didn’t, but she wanted to. Looking down to hide that longing, she said, “As far as I know. I am a little concerned about our dog, Duncan. He’s not a cat lover.”
“Maybe he’ll make an exception for a cat named Christmas.” The sweet, low timbre of his voice sent her pulse racing.
“Perhaps he will.” She tried to get a grip on her runaway emotions. He was making polite conversation and nothing more. What was wrong with her? She wasn’t the kind of woman to get silly over a man. She was practical and levelheaded. So why did she feel giddy and happy when he was close?
She stole a sidelong glance at him and found him regarding her intently.
What was he thinking? Did he find her attractive?
Foolish thought. She glanced away and saw her uncle watching them with a sour look on his face. Instantly, she was back in his house, hearing his angry voice belittle her attempts to gain his affection. Anger rose up to choke her. Shame burned like acid in her stomach.
Toby said, “I’m grateful that you have been kind to my sister and I wanted to thank you for that. Having you along is making this trip much easier on her.”
Greta gripped her hands together. If he knew the kind of person she was underneath the calm face she wore, he wouldn’t want his sister having anything to do with her.
* * *
Toby wanted to see Greta smile again. There was something about the gleam in her eyes and the delicate curve of her lips that warmed him and made him smile in return. There hadn’t been much happiness in his life in the past two months, but this woman gave him hope. Hope that he and his sister could find their way back to each other. Greta seemed to be the oil that calmed their troubled waters. Marianne responded to her in a way she hadn’t responded to the nurses or therapists she had seen in the hospital.
Maybe he was being ridiculous. He’d known Greta for less than two hours, but somehow it felt as if he had known her for a very long time. Tomorrow, they would part company. It saddened him to think he would never see her again.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
She read him too easily. “I was thinking that it’s a shame our journey will be over so soon.”
A hint of color rose in her cheeks. She focused her gaze out the window. “It has been interesting.”
“Much more interesting than I thought it would be.”
“What’s taking that doctor so long?” Morris asked, shifting in his chair and drawing Toby’s attention.
Marianne came to stand in front of him and held out a newspaper. “Would you like something to read?”
“There’s nothing else to do.” He took it from her.
“Du bishcht wilkumm,” she whispered primly and sat in the chair beside him.
Toby shot a quick grin at Greta and kept his voice low. “That’s the first time I’ve heard you’re welcome sound like a reprimand.”
Morris scowled at Marianne but nodded once. “Danki.”
“At least she got him to say thank you. That’s more than I have ever done.” The chill in Greta’s tone smothered Toby’s mirth and caused him to look at her closely.
All sign of emotion had vanished from her face. Whatever was wrong between Greta and her uncle, it wasn’t as simple as a grumpy elder making travel difficult.
She abruptly headed for the door. “I need some air.”
Chapter Seven
Toby started to follow Greta. He wanted to know what was wrong, wanted to help if he could. He opened the door, but Marianne shot out of her chair and rushed to his side, her eyes wide with fright as she clutched his arm. “Where are you going?”
Toby had his own troubles to deal with. He should be concentrating on his sister and not on a woman he’d just met. “No place. I was looking for our van, but Arles isn’t back yet.”
As he watched Greta walk out to the road, he knew he was kidding himself. He couldn’t ignore her even if he tried. Something about her touched him in a way no other woman had.
Tomorrow she will vanish from my life and there’s nothing I can do about it. We live hundreds of miles apart. How would I see her? There could be someone special in her life already. This is crazy.
Sighing heavily, he closed the door and led Marianne back to her seat. She hung on to his arm until he sat down, her worried eyes glued to his face. He tried to soothe her. “I know Aenti Linda doesn’t like dogs, but I wonder if she likes cats?”
Marianne relaxed and smiled slightly. “She had one named Boots...when she and Mamm were little.”