Abigail's New Hope Read Online Free PDF Page A

“I know how you love sticking your fingers in your mouth, so let’s wash your hands at the pump. And don’t dawdle. We still need to pick spinach for supper.”
    For the remainder of the day—picking salad ingredients in the garden, fixing dinner, eating with her beloved family, and rocking on the porch swing while Daniel read Scripture aloud—Abby forced thoughts of Ruth Fisher from her mind. God would watch over Nathan and his new son. She let the last of her self-recriminations and doubts float up into the starry sky and again slept soundly.

     
    Nathan had never been so happy to see anyone as he was his aunt when he returned from the hospital two days later. District members had come to the hospital to offer condolences and their help with chores at his farm. His cows had been milked, his chickens fed, and his horses cared for during his absence. Several nearby farmers had even cut his hay. The generosity of his new community touched his heart.
    Especially because no one knew him very well.
    This would have been a good place for his shy wife if she had lived. But God had other plans for Ruth, and Nathan had been left with a baby needing his
mamm
, not him.
What do I know about taking care of a boppli?
The pediatric nurses had spent several hours teaching him basic infant care and had sent him home with a question-and-answer booklet, but he still didn’t feel comfortable holding the tiny child in his big, leathery hands. So when Iris Fisher walked onto his porch, drying her hands with a towel, Nathan breathed a sigh of relief and uttered a prayer of gratitude.
    “Aunt Iris,” he called, lifting the baby carrier from the hired van. “I’m very glad to see you.” The bishop had thoughtfully arranged for a car and driver to bring them home from the hospital.
    The middle-aged woman hurried down the steps to meet them. “
Guder nachmittag
, Nathan,” she greeted as she peered into the carrier with one hand fisted at her throat. “Welcome home, little Abraham,” she said as she peeled back the blue fleece blanket the hospital had provided.
    “I have formula, bottles, and diapers, plus whatever else they packed up for me.” Nathan looked into his aunt’s face, hoping he didn’t sound as desperate as he felt.
    “With all the diapers and clothing your wife sewed and everything folks in the district dropped off, I would say your son will be set for some time to come. Why don’t I take him inside and check his diaper while you carry in the remainder?” She barely waited for a nod of agreement before she took the baby carrier and marched toward the house. As Nathan watched her go, a tremendous wave of relief washed over him.
    How would I have managed without her?
It was hard enough to face each day without his Ruth, but an Amish man is sorely prepared to care for a
boppli
. “
Danki
, Lord God,” he whispered, “
Danki
.” He unloaded the boxes and bags from the van and then reached for his wallet.
    “Oh, no, Mr. Fisher. The fare has already been paid by your bishop, including my tip. I’ll not take your money.” The driver offered his hand, which Nathan shook heartily.
    “Thank you for bringing me…us…home.” Laden down with supplies, he walked toward the house as the driver hurried after him carrying the largest box of diapers ever made.
    “I was mighty sorry to hear about your wife.”
    Nathan couldn’t think of a suitable comment, so he kept walking with his eyes focused on what had been his home for the previous six months.
    “Thanks again,” he said at the back door. After setting his load down, he pulled the box of diapers from the driver’s hands. Once the man had returned to his van and left, Nathan exhaled a sigh of relief and entered the back hall. His kitchen looked nothing like it had two nights ago. The floors, walls, and windows had been washed. Curtains he didn’t recognize wafted gently in the warm breeze, while jars of fruit, vegetables, soup, and pickled meats lined the