Sisters of the Heart - 03 - Forgiven Read online

  “Find out what you can, wouldja?”

  “I’ll be right back,” he promised, already standing.

  “I don’t understand why they won’t allow me to see Winnie.”

  “Maybe there’s a good reason. I’ll see what I can do.”

  Backtracking to the nurses’ station he’d hurriedly passed just minutes before, Sam directed his attention to the most friendly-looking of the nurses. “Excuse me. My brother and I are concerned about a patient. Winnie Lundy?”

  The nurse stepped close enough for him to read her name badge. Rebecca. “What do you need to know?”

  “More than we know now, which is nothing.” Smiling slightly, he leaned forward a bit. “Rebecca, can you tell me how she’s doing?”

  “Not yet.” Little by little, her frosty demeanor thawed. “We’re waiting for the doctor’s report.”

  “How long might that be? My brother’s been here for hours.”

  “I’m sorry, sir—”

  “He’s worried. Certainly you understand that.”

  After pausing for a moment, she picked up the phone. “I’ll do some checking and get back to you.”

  Sam hated the runaround. But worse, he hated his brother getting the runaround. “When might that be?” he pressed.

  She looked put out. “Within the hour.”

  “I don’t know if I did much better, Eli,” Sam said when he made his way back to the set of orange vinyl chairs. “However, I did get one of the nurses to promise she’d fill us in as soon as she could. She promised we’d hear something within an hour.”

  Eli slumped. “That’s something, I suppose. I hate the idea of poor Winnie sitting somewhere by herself.”

  “She might not be. She’s probably getting seen by a number of doctors and nurses and that’s why we can’t disturb them.”

  “Perhaps.”

  Hoping to take Eli’s mind off the terrible wait, Sam said, “Tell me again what happened. Jonathan’s barn caught fire?”

  “Jah. It was a terrible thing. Flames shot up something fierce, and then all the hay in the loft ignited. I overheard some of the English say it looked like a bomb. All the commotion woke me up.”

  “Is the whole barn gone?”

  “Oh, jah. Well, enough that it can’t be saved.” Eli shook his head sadly. “A lifetime of work, gone in an instant.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “It is. A shame.”

  Sam reckoned his brother was right. It was a shame. While it had been a good three years since he’d been to the Lundys’, he knew the farm well. Lush, green, and well kept, it was a showcase for the area. The barn, with its green metal roof, was especially eye-catching.

  For a fire to have burnt the whole thing down, it was almost as if part of history had been wiped away. He remembered their father talking about the barn raising as if it had been yesterday.

  Eli leaned back in his chair. “It was a fair sight, to be sure. The flames lit up the sky. When I arrived, Jonathan had already gotten the animals out, but Winnie was in the ambulance. She’s been burned, and I think maybe her foot is broken. I don’t know what else.” He turned to him. “You remember Winnie, don’t you? Black hair, dimples in her cheeks?”

  Sam recalled a skinny girl with too much on her mind. But it had been years since he’d seen her. “Of course. She was a few years behind me at school.”

  “I had forgotten that. Don’t know why.” Circling back to the original problem, Eli muttered, “I wish someone would come out and tell us what is going on. I’m not used to sittin’ around.”

  “I know you’re not.”

  Sam, however, was far more used to waiting on other people. Government lines, post office lines, shoot, even the lines at the grocery store. He was used to either texting people on his cell phone or making do. Eli, so used to the insular life in their community, was not.

  Eli worried his black felt hat. “I promised Jonathan I’d look out for her, and I know he’s waiting for some answers. I feel bad I haven’t called him.” Frustration tinged his words as he gave up trying to make sense of it all.

  “Waiting seems to be the norm for everything nowadays.”

  “Maybe so. I’m fortunate to have a brother who will still drop everything to help him at a moment’s notice.”

  The praise embarrassed Sam. Instinctively, he half waited for Eli to point out the obvious. Yes, he’d come today to help. But what about all the other times Eli had needed him but he hadn’t been around?

  Sometimes he felt like he’d abandoned his family, leaving the order. It was hard to come to terms that he’d picked an education over living closer to his family and joining the church. Though no one had ever said they resented him for leaving, Sam wondered if they did.

  After another twenty interminable minutes, the nurse he’d spoken with approached them. Sam jumped to his feet. “Rebecca, have you found out any information yet?”

  “Only a little bit. I’ve been waiting for Dr. Sullivan to give us the okay to accept visitors. After he saw Winnie in emergency, he went on rounds. However, I just got a hold of him and he gave the okay for a brief visit.”

  “Thank you, that’s very good news.”

  “How is Winnie?” Eli asked.

  Rebecca flipped through the papers clipped to the top medical chart she was holding. “She’s just been moved to a private room. It looks like she’s sustained a number of cuts and abrasions, and some burns to her legs. Her right foot is also fractured.”

  “Poor Winnie,” Eli muttered.

  “If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you both to her room.”

  Taking a calming breath, Eli nodded. “That would be fine.”

  Luckily, they didn’t have far to go, just a few feet down one gray-checkered hallway, then another couple of yards down a second, this one with blue and green squares. Around them, stainless steel racks and bins lined the walls. The sharp, pungent smell of lemon-scented bleach filled the air.

  Finally they arrived. “Here is her room. Number five-forty-one.”

  Eli already had his hand on the door handle. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Remember, don’t stay long, and don’t be too worried if she’s groggy. They’ve given her some medicine for her pain.”

  Pointing to a brown plastic chair outside her room, Sam said, “I’ll wait out here, Eli.”

  “There’s no need. Winnie would be pleased to see you, I think.”

  In her condition? Sam doubted that. Lately, he hadn’t met a woman who appreciated seeing someone new without looking her best. “I don’t—”

  “Come, now. I don’t want to stand here holding the door forever.”

  Reluctantly, Sam followed his brother in, hoping to stay in the back shadows and then slip out when the two of them got to talking.

  But he had a hard time concealing his surprise when he did see Winnie Lundy. She certainly looked very different than he remembered her. Even lying down, she looked tall and lean. Eyes the color of a fading winter day set off ivory skin.

  Those eyes widened when she focused on them. “Eli?”

  “Yes. I’m here. Sam, too.”

  Embarrassed, Sam held up a hand.

  “Don’t stay too long,” the nurse murmured once more after checking Winnie’s vital signs and slipping out the back door. Sam edged closer. Ready to leave the moment it seemed suitable.

  With his usual way, Eli moved to her bedside quickly. “So, how are you feeling?”

  “Not so good.” She frowned. “My foot hurts.”

  “Only one?” Eli teased.

  “Both.” With a frown, she glared at her feet. One was covered in protective gauze and bandages, the other in a temporary cast.

  Eli raised his brows and whistled low. “Your feet and legs got the worst of it, I’m afraid. What did the doctor tell you?”

  Winnie frowned. “That I’m going to be here for a few days. He said burns are prone to infection, and since I’m going to have a difficult time walking I need to
let my body heal a bit here.”

  “Das gut.”

  “No, it’s not.” Obviously agitated, Winnie gripped a handful of white sheet, almost as if she’d like to be choking it. “The last thing everyone needs is for me to be in the hospital. Jonathan and Katie are going to be busy enough.”

  “I came for Jonathan. Samuel is going to help, too. That’s why we have friends and family, jah?”

  “Yes, but I know you shouldn’t be spending your days here either. You’ve got plenty to do, too, Eli. I know it’s planting season.”

  “Jah, those seedlings will wait for no man. I’m gonna go back tomorrow, but I’m sure Katie will visit tomorrow for a bit. And Sam here has promised to keep an eye on you for us all. He’s going to visit with the doctors, too. Sam—” He looked around. “Sam?”

  “I’m here.”

  “You look like you were about to leave. Come closer, Winnie can hardly see ya.”

  Feeling once again like the little brother tagging along, Sam approached. “Hi, Winnie. I’m sorry about the barn and your injuries.” To his surprise, she smiled, showcasing the pair of dimples Eli had mentioned.

  “Samuel Miller, you are a sight for sore eyes.”

  Eli chuckled. “I’m sure he’d rather you saw him with good eyes.”

  Sam couldn’t help it. He met Winnie’s gaze and smiled, just like they used to do years ago, before they’d grown up and changed. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. You weren’t around when I came to visit my family in the fall.”

  “I was in Indiana.”

  “Well, I’m glad to see you. I wish we were visiting under other circumstances.”

  “I do, too.” After a pause, Winnie looked beyond him to his brother. “So, how is Jonathan? Is he hurt, too?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “What about the barn? The animals?”

  “I haven’t called to get any information. I’ve been waiting to hear news about you.”

  “Will you go call?”

  “Winnie Lundy, you are as bossy as ever.”

  “I’m only worried about the farm and my family.”

  “You should be thinking about healing, don’tcha think?”

  “I can’t get better until I know how everyone else is. Go call, would you?”

  “I will, when I find a phone—”

  “You can use my cell phone,” Sam interrupted, eager to be back in the conversation. Pulling it out of his jeans pocket, he carefully showed his brother how to dial the number and press send. “You’ll have to use it outside, though. Hospitals don’t take kindly to people using cell phones in the halls.”

  Looking determined, Eli nodded. “I’ll go call right now. If you’re sure you don’t mind being left again.”

  “I’ll be all right.”

  With a start, Sam realized that Winnie thought he was going to leave the room, too. Had she really thought so little of him? “I’ll stay with you. That is, if you don’t mind.”

  Pulling the sheets a little more securely around herself, Winnie shook her head. “I don’t mind.”

  Sam sat in the chair next to the hospital bed. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  A dimple appeared. “You mean besides gettin’ me outta here? No.”

  “Did you understand everything the doctors said?” he asked gently. He could only imagine how scared she must be. The sterile hospital was a far cry from her usual environment. “I can speak to them for you.”

  “I can talk to doctors, Samuel.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  Immediately, regret filled her eyes. “Listen. I am grateful for your help. I imagine Eli is, too.”

  “I’m happy to help.”

  “But, surely, you have other things you’d rather be doin’?”

  Sam swallowed hard. It was obvious that Winnie felt he’d moved on and now no longer cared very much for the people he grew up with. It was evident in her voice, in the way she looked at him.

  Sam had essays to read and five students to mentor at the college, not to mention the usual work on his research programs. But all that paled compared to the look of need in this woman’s eyes.

  Eli walked back in. “I spoke with Katie’s mother, Irene. She said all the animals are safe, and Jonathan is no worse for wear. Only the barn is a complete loss.”

  Winnie pursed her lips. “We’ll have to tear it down and begin again.”

  “That we will,” Eli said. “Irene said Jonathan was pretty upset about it, not so much because of the work required but because your father had built the barn.”

  “Jah,” Winnie said with tears in her eyes.

  “Jonathan’s mighty worried about you. I told Irene I’d call back when I spoke with the doctor, but that Winnie was awake.”

  “I’m right here, you know. I could tell you how I’m feeling.”

  Sam looked at Winnie and grinned. “You never were meek, Winnie. Even when we used to play games at school, you always insisted on being in the thick of things. I guess some things never change.”

  With a quick glance at Sam, Winnie blushed. “Some things do.” After clearing her throat, she said, “Eli, come sit down and talk to me. The last thing I remember is the barn exploding.”

  “That would be the hay catching on fire.”

  Sam nodded in response. As Eli talked about the excitement of riding in an ambulance, Sam noticed Winnie’s eyes drift shut. The ordeal was taking its toll on her, and most likely, the painkillers were making her sleepy as well.

  When Eli continued to prattle, Sam touched his arm. “It’s time to go.”

  “You think so? We’ve only been in here a few moments.”

  “Look,” Sam pointed out. Winnie’s eyes had drifted shut.

  Eli’s cheeks flushed. “All my talking wore her out, I’m afraid.”

  Giving in to impulse, Sam nudged his older brother. “Yep, you always were a bore, Eli.”

  As he hoped, humor lit his brother’s expression again. “Not all of us have a fancy education, you know.” Once out in the hall again, Eli leaned his head back against the cool tiles on the wall. “It’s been a terribly long day.”

  “How about I take you back to my place and you can get some sleep? I’ll come back just in case Winnie wakes up.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Then I’ll take you up on it.” He looked around. “Where do you think the doctor is? I want to know what is going on with Winnie.”

  “I’ll check in with him when I get back. Most likely, he’s doing rounds or something.”

  “I suppose.” They took the stairs down to the parking area. Moments later, they were in Sam’s Ford truck.

  Eli might have been Amish, but he had a typical man’s interest in all things mechanical. They spent the drive to Sam’s place discussing the engine, gas mileage, and other details about his vehicle. Only when they parked in front of Sam’s condo did he realize they’d spoken in Pennsylvania Dutch the whole time.

  Funny how that came back to him without even realizing it.

  “My place isn’t much,” he warned as he unlocked the door. “It’s just two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a place to sit.”

  Eli looked around with interest. Stepping forward, he pressed a hand against Sam’s ancient corduroy couch. “Good enough for me.”

  “Want something to eat? I have some turkey.”

  “Turkey’s good. Thanks.”

  Together, they made sandwiches, then ate them with pickles and tall glasses of tea. Now that their immediate concerns about Winnie were abated, Eli took time to fill Sam in on the latest news about their parents and sisters, Beth, Kristen, and Toria. Just the week before, their parents had taken a bus to Lancaster to check on their grandparents. Mamm’s parents’ health was failing, and though the timing wasn’t the best, with planting season just around the corner, the trip had to be taken.

  Sam was thankful for all the latest news. He did write to his parents once a
week, and tried to visit with the family at least once a month, but that was not always possible, given everyone’s schedules. Right as they finished their sandwiches, Sam realized that Eli hadn’t filled him in on their brother Caleb. “Is Caleb all right?”

  For the first time, Eli frowned. “I don’t know. He’s been restless and secretive.”

  “He’s seventeen. All boys are like that, especially during their rumspringa. I sure was.”

  “Maybe.” Leaning back, Eli said, “I remember you feeling torn. All of us knew it was because you loved schooling so much. Even the bishop knew you had a great mind and were anxious to learn.” He shook his head, considering. “But I don’t get the same feeling about Caleb, and neither does Mamm or Daed.”

  “What do you think is going on?”

  “Foolishness.”

  “What kind? Has he been drinking beer? Staying out too late?”

  “If it was just that kind of thing, I don’t think anyone would notice much. No, his behavior seems different. He’s pushing our boundaries.”

  “What does Daed say?”

  Eli raised an eyebrow. “What do you think? Nothing. Our father never shares his worries.” Crumpling up his napkin, he added, “And, well, Caleb is their late-in-life child. Sometimes I think they turn a blind eye toward his activities. Far more than when you and I were teenagers.”

  “Sometimes I wish he’d tell us more. I never know what he’s thinking.”

  “Maybe one day he’ll share more. Not yet, though.” Stifling a yawn, Eli stood up and stretched. “I best get some sleep. I won’t be much use to Winnie if I can’t keep my eyes open.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m leaving now to sit with her. And I’ll continue to sit with her tomorrow, too, after you go on home.”

  “You don’t mind?”

  “It’s the least I can do. Use my phone and call my cell when you wake up. I’ll give you an update.”

  “I should probably call the Brennemans, too, and check in again.”

  “Call all the people you want, Eli. My phone is yours.”

  “Just plan on me having your bed for the night, brother. That’s enough, I think.”

  After another wave goodbye, Sam walked to his car, wondering why he felt such a need to help. Because of his older, steady brother who had always been there for him? Because Eli always supported him, even when Sam’s wants and needs were so foreign to Eli’s?