[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.”“That’s one thing I’ve often wondered about.” Heather tilted her head.“Nearly all my life, in fact.”“What’s that?”“How different things might have been for me.”“With brothers and sisters?” Grace asked.“Right.” Heather stopped and drew in a long, slow breath.“You know, I rarely tell anyone this, Grace, because it’s no big deal to me.But I’m adopted.”“Well, for goodness’ sake.” Yet even more than this news, Grace felt surprised at Heather’s sudden openness.Heather nodded.“It’s true.”“Ach, you look just like your father.”“People have said that,” Heather acknowledged.“But I’m very much like my adoptive mother—or so it’s turning out.”“You must feel mighty special, bein’ handpicked by your parents and all.” Grace didn’t quite know why she said it in just that way.“This is so out of character for me.telling you this.Even my former fiancé never knew this about me—can you believe it?” Heather groaned a little.“Well, there are plenty of things I never told my beau, either.” Grace confided that she had been the one to break off their engagement.“Then we have something in common.Except that my fiancé dumped me.” They turned into the Riehls’ lane, and Becky came running out the back door.“I’ll keep mum, all right?” Grace said quietly.Heather squeezed her arm.“Even better, just forget what I told you.I always had a close relationship with my mom, so I’ve never thought about searching like some adoptees do.” Heather smiled sweetly.“Thanks again for taking me to Sally.”“You know where I am, anytime I can help.”Becky was inching toward them now, her face pink with embarrassment.“I don’t mean to interrupt, but your father dropped by a little while ago, Heather.He said he’d call your phone and leave a message for ya.”“Thanks, Becky.I’ll check my voice mail.” Heather turned to Grace.“I hope we can talk again soon,” she said.“I’m really interested in your herb garden, too.I’ll drop by tomorrow, if that’s all right.”“Why, sure.And you can meet my sister, Mandy, then.and my brothers, too, if you like.”“Evidently I’ve already met your grandmother, although I didn’t know it at the time.” Heather stretched a bit.“Mammi Adah?”Heather nodded.“She brought her wonderfully wicked sticky buns over the first day I arrived.I’m sure Sally Smucker and Dr.Marshall would not approve.”“Jah, all that decadent lard and sugar.” Grace noticed with some surprise Becky was already headed back to the house.“Well, I’m sure Mammi will be happy to see you again.” Grace turned toward the buggy.“She could help answer your questions about herbs.”“The healing ones, right?” said Heather.“Where’d ya hear that?”“Online.I figure if I’m dying, I need to know this stuff.Speaking of which, my laptop awaits.”Befuddled at how glib Heather was about her poor health, Grace quietly said, “A blessed Lord’s Day to ya.”Heather waved and headed up the walkway and into the house.Still perplexed, Grace spoke to Sassy.“Let’s go home, girl, and see how Willow’s doin’.” The mare nickered softly at the sound of Willow’s name.chaptertwenty - twoWhy did I spill my heart out to Grace?Frustrated at being so upfront with someone she hardly knew—an Amish girl at that—Heather hurried upstairs to her room at the Riehls’.She closed the door and turned on her iPhone to check for emails and listen to the voice mail from her dad.“Hey, kiddo.Will you meet me at the house site later this afternoon? Call me.”“Is he hoping for another chance to hammer away at me?” She booted up her laptop, wanting to write in her journal for a while.Running her fingers through her hair while she waited, she got settled on the bed, sitting cross-legged.She was still surprised at how she and Grace had connected nearly from their first meeting.She appreciated how Grace had accepted first the news she was sick, then today’s talk about her adoption.She hadn’t given the latter a thought in a long time.It was enough to know how lucky she was to be Roan and Karen Nelson’s daughter.She picked up her phone to return her dad’s call.When he answered, she said, “I got your voice mail.”“Hey, I’ve had a brain wave.” There was an unmistakable lilt in his voice.“About the house?”“Can you meet me at the site?”Now? She wanted to unwind from her visit with Sally’s.“Can it wait until tomorrow, Dad?”“Well, sure.You’re probably tired.Actually, I’m surprised how you’re holding up this well—this long—without chemo, Heather.”Here we go.“Um, Dad, if I’m not worried, you don’t have to be.”“Look, kiddo, I have news for you: I’m your father, and it’s my job to worry.”She sighed; she heard the trace of fear in his voice.The stubbornness, too.“I want you to hear me out.”“Not today, Dad, please.” She stopped, waiting for his retort.When there was none, she added, “Do we really have to fight about this?”He sighed heavily.“Come home with me.That’ll solve everything.”“We’ll talk more about this after you meet Dr.Marshall.How’s that?” It was her last attempt.She’d run out of words and energy.“Fine.But I still want to see you first thing tomorrow.Bye, Heather.”She whispered, “Bye, Dad,” and hung up.Somewhat relieved, Heather switched over to read Wannalive’s latest blog entry.She posted a comment, which he responded to immediately.It helped to think that someone somewhere was on her wavelength, even if that person was essentially a stranger.She replayed in her mind the fascinating visit with Sally, the most disciplined person she’d ever encountered.Sally had found clever substitutes for everything from sugar to dairy.And she no longer ate red meat, saying adamantly that once her dreadful cravings ceased, she scarcely missed such foods.“Now that I’ve been preparin’ food this way so long, I hardly give it a second thought,” she’d said.Heather almost wondered if she couldn’t just skip the lodge and sit at the feet of the preacher’s wife.She set aside her iPhone and took up her laptop again.I met an interesting Amishwoman today.During all of my childhood visits here with my parents, I just assumed these women were very shy.Not Sally! She was literally energized about having cured herself of cancer and was open to any question I had.If I wasn’t such a skeptic, I’d be suspicious about why I ended up here, in Amish country.Not that I think I’m a puppet on a string or anything.But how else can I explain my coming here and meeting people like Grace and Sally? It’s like someone Up There really cares.She went on, pouring out her thoughts—and questions—until she felt calmer.Finally, she shut down her computer and stretched out on the bed, wiped out.I hope Dad’s not too upset, she thought, for putting him off until tomorrow.Grace was sitting in the stall near Willow when Dat walked in and squatted down beside them.“How’s she doin’ now?” he asked.“Well, if I’m not dreaming it.some better.”“I thought the same.”Her heart was filled with hope.“I’ve been in here every other hour—so has Adam,” Dat said.“I must admit, whatever Yonnie’s doin’ might just be helpin’.”“You really think so?”“Sure’s hard to overlook.”“Wonderful-gut,” she said right out.“If we can just get the founder under control, I suspect that’s the worst of it [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]