Kathleen must have sensed her concern, since she mentioned that the baby’s father had already signed away his rights. “Britta’s all mine.” Here, Kathleen smiled a sad sort of smile and leaned forward to kiss the baby’s tiny forehead once more, her gaze lingering on the darling infant.

After Kathleen’s reluctant departure—leaving her newborn and a diaper bag with a stranger—Aquilla went to sit in her comfortable chair and looked down into the eyes of the baby waking in her arms. She placed her pointer finger in the miniature hand and felt the strength of the little one’s grasp. “Your Mamma will be thinking ’bout ya every minute she’s away . . . and then, one day, she’ll come for ya, I’m sure of it.” And as she talked softly in Deitsch, she realized that this dear one would learn to speak it, too . . . and just how would she understand her mother when she returned?

We’ll cross that bridge later, Aquilla decided, her heartstrings tightening around the helpless babe gazing up at her.

CHAPTER
34

Britta couldn’t move, she was so stunned. “My birth mother drove the car . . . that killed Eli?” she murmured.

Mamma rose to go to her and clasped her hand in both of hers. “This is the reason I hesitated to tell you the details.” Her voice was gentle, and she coughed a little, like she was holding back tears.

I never should’ve asked, thought Britta as Mamma sat beside her on the bed.

Then Mamma raised Britta’s hand to her lips and kissed it.

Feeling numb, Britta said, “Now I understand why you were struggling. I’m sorry I pressed ya so.”

“There were many times I agonized over this moment. . . . It seemed that you wouldn’t have peace unless I told you everything, dear girl.”

Britta let that sink in, realizing she had stirred up that worry.

“And, truth be known, I wondered while I was in the hospital if I would even live to tell ya ’bout your birth mother.”

“You were awful sick,” Britta replied, looking at her with new eyes.

Mamma nodded. “I never would’ve agreed to medical treatment otherwise. But thankfully Allen and Sarah urged me to go.”

“I’m so glad you’re all right now, Mamma.”

Mamma smiled. “The Lord God numbers our days. I can trust Him for what’s best.”

Britta had heard Mamma say this all her life, but hearing it again now made her all the more sympathetic toward her.

They talked further of Kathleen Stratton, and Britta marveled at Mamma’s kindness toward the woman. “I’m so glad she came to me,” Mamma said softly. “The Lord’s plans are perfect . . . always for our gut, remember.”

For Britta, one question still lingered. “So I guess Kathleen Stratton never returned for me, then.”

“Oh, quite the contrary,” Mamma said and began to tell her that story. . . .

———