spring after he sold the farm to me. I have his address inside if you need it.”
“That can’t be,” she whispered as she pressed a hand to her forehead.
“Who is it, Elam?” his mother, Nettie, called from behind him.
He spoke over his shoulder, “Someone looking for Malachi Lantz.”
A second later his mother was beside him. She looked as shocked as he at the sight of a very pregnant outsider on their stoop, but it took only an instant for her kindheartedness to assert itself.
“Goodness, child, come in out of this terrible weather. You look chilled to the bone. Elam, pull a chair close to the fireplace.” She nudged him aside and he hurried to do as she instructed.
Grasping the woman’s elbow, Nettie guided her guest into the living room and helped her into a straight-backed seat, one of a pair that flanked the stone fireplace.
“Ach, your hands are like ice.” Nettie began rubbing them between her own.
The young woman’s gaze roved around the room and finally came to rest on Elam’s mother’s face. “Malachi doesn’t live here anymore?”
Nettie’s gaze softened. “No, dear. I’m sorry. He moved away.”
Pulling her hands away from the older woman’s, she raked them through her dark hair. “Why would he move? Was it because of me?”
Elam exchanged puzzled glances with his mother. What did the woman mean by that comment? Nettie shrugged, then took the girl’s hands once more. “What’s your name, child?”
The dazed look on his visitor’s face was replaced by a blankness that troubled him. “My name is Katie.”
“Katie, I’m Nettie Sutter, and this is my son, Elam.”
Katie bent forward with a deep moan. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Don’t cry.” His mother patted the girl’s shoulder as she shot Elam a worried glance.
After several deep breaths, Katie straightened and wiped her cheeks. “I have to go.”
“You haven’t thawed out yet. At least stay for a cup of tea. The kettle is still on. Elam, bring me a cup, too.” Nettie caught his eye and made shooing motions toward the kitchen with one hand.
He retreated, but he could still hear them talking as he fixed the requested drinks. His mother’s tone was calm and reassuring as she said, “Why not stay and rest a bit longer? It’s not good for your baby to have his mother turning into an icicle.”
“I need to go. I have to find Malachi.” Katie’s voice wavered with uncertainty.
“Is he the father?” Nettie asked gently.
Elam didn’t want to think ill of any man, but why else would a pregnant woman show up demanding to see Malachi months after he had moved away?
“No. He’s my brother.”
Elam stopped pouring the hot water and glanced toward the living room. He had heard the story of Malachi’s willful sister from the man’s own lips. So this was the woman that had left the Amish after bringing shame to her family. At least she had done so before her baptism.
Elam placed the tea bags in the mugs. Malachi had his sympathy. Elam knew what it was like to face such heartbreak—the talk, the pitying looks, the whispers behind a man’s back.
He pushed aside those memories as he carried the cups into the other room. “I didn’t see your car outside.”
She looked up at him and once again the sadness in her luminous eyes caught him like a physical blow. Her lower lip quivered. “I came on the bus.”
Elam felt his mother’s eyes on him but he kept his gaze averted, focusing instead on handing over the hot drinks without spilling any.
Nettie took a cup from Elam and pressed it into Katie’s hands. “Have a sip. This will warm you right up. You can’t walk all the way to Hope Springs tonight. Elam will take you in the buggy when you’re ready.”
Katie shook her head. “I can’t ask you to do that.”
“It’s no trouble.” He tried hard to mean it. He’d already finished a long day of work and he was ready for his bed. He would have to be up again before dawn to milk the cows and feed the livestock.
Returning to the kitchen, he began donning his coat and his black felt hat. It was a mean night for a ride into town, but what else could he do? He certainly couldn’t let her walk, in her condition.
Suddenly, he heard Katie cry out. Rushing back into the room, he saw her doubled over, the mug lying broken on the floor in a puddle at her feet.
Chapter Two
Through a haze of pain, Katie heard Elam ask, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She felt strong arms supporting her. She leaned into his strength but she couldn’t answer because she was gritting her teeth to keep from screaming.
“I believe her baby’s coming,” Nettie replied calmly.
Panic swallowed Katie whole.
This can’t be happening. Not here. Not with strangers. This isn’t right. Nothing is right. Please, God, I know I’ve disappointed You, but help me now.
A horrible sensation settled in the pit of her stomach. Was this her punishment for leaving the faith? She knew there would be a price to pay someday, but she didn’t want her baby to suffer because of her actions.
She looked from Elam’s wide, startled eyes above her to his mother’s serene face. “My baby can’t come now. I’m not due for three weeks.”
Nettie’s smile was reassuring. “Babies have a way of choosing their own time.”
Katie bit her lower lip to stop its trembling. She’d never been so scared in all her life.
“Don’t worry. I know just what to do. I’ve had eight of my own.” Nettie’s unruffled demeanor eased some of Katie’s panic. Seeing no other choice, Katie allowed Nettie to take charge of the situation.
Why wasn’t Matt here when she needed him? It should have been Matt beside her, not these people.
Because he’d grown tired of her, that’s why. He had been ashamed of her backward ways. Her pregnancy had been the last straw. He accused her of getting pregnant to force him into marriage, which wasn’t true. After their last fight three months ago, he walked out and never came back, leaving her with rent and bills she couldn’t pay.
Nettie turned to her son. “Elam, move one of the extra beds into the kitchen so Katie has a warm place to rest while you fetch the midwife.”
“Jah.” A blush of embarrassment stained his cheeks dark red. His lack of a beard proclaimed his single status. Childbirth was the territory of women, clearly a territory he didn’t want to explore. He
