Read Online A Home for Hannah by Patricia Davids - Free Book Online Page B

this abandoned babe is very troubling. I cannot think any of our young women would do such a thing.”
    “I understand, but we have to ask.”
    “We have several families who would be pleased to take the child into their homes.”
    “Where the child is placed, if her mother doesn’t return, will be up to Social Services.”
    “I feared as much. We would rather handle this ourselves. If the mother returns, the child will remain with her, ja? ”
    Nick didn’t want a string of hopeful women showing up and claiming to be Hannah’s mother. He needed to be very clear it wouldn’t be that easy. “Once we have proof, by a blood test, that she is the mother, and we can see that she is in a position to take care of the child, then yes, it is likely that Social Services will agree to her keeping the child. If you do come across information about the mother, please get word to Miriam or myself.”
    “This is the Lord’s working. We offer our prayers for this troubled woman and for her child.”
    “Thank you, Bishop.”
    Nick glanced again to where Miriam sat surrounded by young Amish mothers with their babies. Except for a slight difference in her dress, Miriam could have been one of them.
    She had been one of them. It had taken a lot to drive her away. What would it take to make her return? If she found it in her heart to forgive him for Mark’s death, would she return to the life she’d left behind?
    The bishop said, “You will stay and eat with us this fine day, ja? ”
    Nick pulled his troubled gaze away from Miriam. “I would be honored, Bishop Zook. I hear your wife makes a fine peanut butter pie.”
    “She made a dozen different pies yesterday, and chased me away with a spoon when I tried to sample one.”
    “I hope for your sake there will be leftovers.”
    There was never a lack of food at an Amish gathering. The makeshift tables were laden with home-baked bread, different kinds of cheese and cold cuts. There was schmierkase, a creamy, cottage cheese-like spread, sliced pickles, pickled beets, pretzels and, Nick’s favorite, a special peanut butter spread sweetened with molasses or marshmallow cream. He liked the marshmallow cream version the best. There were also a variety of cookies, brownies and other baked goods as well a rich black coffee to dunk them in.
    A rumble deep in his stomach reminded Nick that breakfast had been hours ago. He had already visited two other church groups that morning and looked at dozens of buggy wheels. There was no way to keep his examinations quiet. The community would be abuzz with speculation, but it couldn’t be helped.
    Nick thanked the Bishop for his invitation to eat and walked toward the lawn where Miriam was sitting. She caught sight of him and rose to her feet. She spoke to Katie Sutter who was sitting beside her. At Katie’s nod of agreement, Miriam left Hannah sleeping on the quilt.
    Before he could say good morning, she said, “I expected you hours ago. Hannah got fussy so I took her out of the house during the service and I was able to check all the buggies that are parked beside the barn. I didn’t get a chance to check those parked on the hillside.”
    He smiled. “Good morning, Miriam. How are you this fine morning? How is Hannah? Is she keeping you up at night? I hope your mother is feeling well.”
    Miriam planted her hands on her hips. “Do you really
want to waste time on pleasantries?”
    “It’s never a waste of time to be civil.”
    “Fine. Good morning, Nicolas. Of course Hannah is keeping me up at night. She’s a baby and she wakes up wanting to be fed every three hours. My mother is on cloud nine because I came to church with her, and Bella was pouting because she couldn’t come along. Now can we go find the buggy I saw leaving Mom’s place?”
    “That’s the plan.” He started walking toward the pasture gate. Several dozen buggies and wagons were parked side by side on the grassy hill. The horses, all still in harness, were tied up