Chapters (57)
A wave of joy washed over me at the possibility. I had to stifle my urge to laugh with delight, but it was ever so difficult.
That evening, Sol and I sat quietly in our bedroom after the day of celebration with Leah, Reuben, and all the wedding guests. I mentioned that Dat had seemed more energetic here lately, especially since Evan’s return, and Sol agreed.
“A man’s children are his responsibility under God, and when he learned that Evan was runnin’ with a worldly bunch, it took a toll on him,” Sol said while sitting in his favorite chair by the window.
“It wonders me if he might postpone retirement longer than he first thought,” I replied, running my hands through my newly brushed hair.
Sol chuckled. “I’ve been thinkin’ the same thing lately, and that’d be fine.”
“We still have plenty to learn from him.” I plumped our pillows, then slipped into bed. “And it’s a gut thing, too, havin’ Dat working with us every day . . . since our first baby will be comin’ durin’ the June peach harvest.”
Sol quickly came to my side of the bed and kissed me. “Aww, love. I’ve been waitin’ to hear such gut news,” he said, looking at me tenderly. “My sweet Ellie’s gonna be a Mamma and an orchard manager.”
“A Mamma first and foremost,” I said, leaning up to kiss him, too.
“We’ll teach him or her to love the orchard as we do,” Sol said, his eyes smiling.
I thought of Priscilla just then. “I wonder if we’ll have twins someday.”
“Twins would be a blessing,” Sol said, nuzzling my nose with his. “Or triplets.”
Now I was laughing and couldn’t stop.
“What’s so funny?”
At last, I said, “Mamm might have to move back in here if we have three babies at once.”
“Well, she’s right round the corner, remember.”
“True. But no need to plan too far ahead. Let’s just pray that our first little one will be healthy.”
Sol went around the bed to outen the lantern, then raised the quilt to settle in. I couldn’t help but reflect on the Lord’s merciful kindness to our family—ever so many blessings, indeed—and thanked Him in my silent nighttime prayer.