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Lavera knew that when her husband said he wasn’t going to do something, he meant it. This was her biggest worry about the topic she wished to discuss with Herb, but she planned to carry through anyway.

She moved close to the stove and stood with her arms hanging loosely at her sides. “I really think you should hire Anthony back, Herb. It’s not his fault that several unexpected things got in the way of him returning to New York by the date he’d originally planned.”

Herb shrugged his shoulders. “It’s not my fault either.” He glanced her way. “As I told Anthony last night, I hired Billy in his absence and I’m not about to fire him now just so Anthony can have his old job back.”

“But Herb …”

“And as I’m sure you recall, I did offer him a job bussing tables.”

Lavera lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “That’s ridiculous, Herb! Our son’s culinary skills lie here in the kitchen, not clearing dirty dishes off the tables.”

“It’s the best I can offer, so as far as I’m concerned, this topic is over. Now please find something to keep yourself busy till the dinner crowd arrives, and let me take care of my special pizza sauce.”

It was all Lavera could do to hold her tongue, but she felt sure that, no matter how hard she pleaded their son’s case, Herb was not going to budge.

She sincerely hoped Anthony would be able to find another chef’s position soon.

Otherwise, he might end up leaving New York for good, and that would break her heart.

Belleville

Since Tena was in the basement checking on the clothes she’d hung up after washing several loads and Rosa had gone to her room to take a nap, Elsie decided this was a good chance to catch up on her letter writing.

Several of her friends and relatives who didn’t live in the area had written notes and letters with the Christmas cards they’d sent in December, and she’d been too busy since the holidays to respond to all of them.

She opened the desk drawer and took out a writing tablet, along with her favorite pen, and placed them on the kitchen table.

The teakettle whistled, so she fixed herself a cup of tea and set it on the table, along with a few gingerbread cookies.

Taking a bite of a cookie, she washed it down with a few sips of tea.

Although the quiet time was pleasant, it would have been nice to have either one of her daughters join her.

Most likely, Tena would do that once she’d finished checking on the laundry.

But it wasn’t likely that Rosa would come out of her room until it was time to help fix supper.

The poor girl had opened her heart last night before bedtime and confessed to Elsie and Mahlon that she’d had an affair with a married man, who had fathered her baby.

Lots of tears had fallen from Rosa’s eyes as she’d begged for their forgiveness.

Elsie had shed a few tears of her own and assured Rosa that she was loved and they would do whatever they could to help her raise the baby.

Mahlon hadn’t disagreed, which she took as a sign that he too would offer his support to Rosa in her time of need.

But he did quote some scriptures and instruct their daughter that she needed to get right with God and change her ways.

After her father’s lecture, Rosa assured him that she had confessed to God and wanted to move forward, putting her trust in the Lord.

Elsie released a heavy sigh. All that was good, but even so, she couldn’t help being concerned about her eldest daughter. Not only was Rosa expecting a baby in May without the support of a husband, but it was also obvious that she pined for a love she couldn’t have.

What a shame that Anthony is English. If he were Amish or even willing to become part of the Plain community, perhaps things could have worked out between them.

While Anthony had been staying with them, posing as Rosa’s husband, Elsie had seen the looks of endearment that passed frequently between him and Rosa.

I’m sure what I observed was real , she mused.

Although I know now that they were just pretending to be married, I don’t think either of them realized that they’d fallen in love with each other.

But as Rosa’s mother, I knew from their actions and the expressions I observed on their faces that they both cared deeply for one another.

Elsie remembered how during her own courting days and the early part of her marriage, she and her husband had looked at one another in a way that communicated to each other, as well as to others, that their love went deep.

And even though Elsie’s husband might not always say the words or look at her with the same tenderness in his eyes, she knew he still loved her.

Mahlon’s concern for Elsie during her battle with Graves’ disease had been proof of that.

He’d made sure that she got her proper rest, took her medicine regularly, and did everything the doctor had instructed her to do to help reduce some of her stress.

Mahlon had also made sure that Elsie kept every one of her doctor’s appointments, and he almost always went along to ask questions of the doctor.

Elsie picked up her pen and tapped it along the edge of the tablet. I wish there was something I could do to ease Rosa’s sorrow. It is my mother’s prayer that she will be able to move on with her life and perk up soon.

The sound of knocking on the front door pushed Elsie’s thoughts aside. Since Tena was still in the basement and wasn’t likely to hear the knock and Rosa was no doubt asleep, Elsie got up and rushed out of the kitchen to see who was on the front porch.

After opening the door, she was surprised to find Margaret, the young woman who taught the older grades at the schoolhouse where Alvin attended. Margaret’s face looked flushed. She stood there, taking in deep, calming breaths.

“What is it, Margaret?” Elsie asked, a sense of concern welling in her soul. “Did something happen at the schoolhouse today that I should know about?”

The teacher slowly nodded. “It’s your boy Alvin. Some of the scholars were sledding down the hill on the left side of the schoolhouse during their afternoon recess, and Alvin had an accident. Right now, he is on his way to the hospital via ambulance.”

Elsie put one hand against her mouth and gasped. “Is it serious? Is my son going to be all right?”

“I hope so. One of the paramedics who arrived soon after we called for help said it looked like Alvin might have a concussion, as well as a broken arm.” Margaret paused for a few seconds and clasped her hands together.

“The driver who brought me here is waiting outside to give you a ride to the hospital. Are you free to come with me right now?”

“Of course. I just need to tell Tena, and then we can be off.” All thoughts of letter writing or her concern for Rosa were set aside, as Elsie opened the basement door and hollered down to Tena.

As soon as she arrived at the hospital, she would call Mahlon at the Meat and Cheese Store so he could get a driver to take him there too.

Elsie’s brain felt so rattled, she could barely think.

Maybe it would be best to ask Margaret’s driver to stop by the store.

That way Mahlon could accompany me to the hospital.

Jah, she told herself. That makes more sense.