An Uncommon Grace Read Online Free PDF Page B

complications, but he does have a fighting chance.”
    “Did the bullet—?”
    “If I were you”—Dr. Allen threw a glance at the children— “I would concentrate on caring for these little ones for now.”
    “Can we see our Maam ?” Jesse asked.
    Karen approached them with a clipboard in her hand. “Mrs. Shetler is asking to see”—she gave Grace a strange glance—“you.”
    “Me?”
    “Yes. She specifically asked for you, even though I told her I thought her family had arrived.”
    “Then I’ll go see what she wants.”
    As Grace got to her feet, Karen handed Levi the clipboard and a pen.
    “While he fills these papers out, I’ll take you to her,” Karen said.
    After they had walked far enough away for Levi and the children not to hear, Karen filled her in.
    “The bullet managed to miss the uterus,” Karen said. “But all the trauma compromised the pregnancy. Dr. Allen had no choice than to take the child by C-section. We had to use three units of blood to stabilize the mother. It was very close. If you hadn’t been there to help . . .” Karen shook her head. “I’ve lived here my whole life and I admire the Amish for so many things—but those ultraconservative sects that don’t allow any type of telephone at all . . .” Again Karen shook her head. “None of my business, of course. It’s a free country.”
    “None of my business, either,” Grace said. “Except that today it suddenly became my business.”
    When Grace arrived in the recovery room, Claire was so pale that she nearly blended in with the white sheets. Even her blond hair, still pinned closely to her head, seemed colorless, harshly illuminated by the hospital lights.
    “How are you feeling?” Grace took hold of Claire’s hand lying limply on the sheets. It was ice cold.
    “The babe . . .”
    “Dr. Allen says he has a chance.”
    “A chance.” Claire gave a great sigh.
    “Children’s Hospital is one of the best in the world. He should be there soon. They will take good care of him.”
    “My Abraham is gone?”
    “Yes.” Grace’s heart broke for the woman. “I am so sorry.”
    “I thought that is what I heard you say in the ambulance.”
    “We thought you were unconscious.”
    “The words got into my mind anyway.” Tears silently crept down Claire’s cheeks and neck, dampening the front of her hospital gown.
    “Was there something you wanted me to do?” Grace grabbed a tissue and handed it to her. “Is there some way I can help?”
    “I wanted you to come because I cannot yet be strong for my children.” Claire took the tissue and wiped her eyes. “I need more time before they see me.”
    “I don’t think anyone is expecting you to be strong. You have been through a terrible ordeal today.”
    “A mother must be strong for her children, and I—I cannot be strong. Not yet.”
    “Do you want Levi to come in to see you? I can stay with the children.”
    “No,” Claire said. “My Levi does not need to see me like this.”
    Grace was at a loss. “Then what do you want me to do?”
    “You own a vehicle?”
    “I do.”
    “Could you take my children to my sister’s home? Levi will tell you how to get there. They will be well cared for if they are with Rose. And then, please take Levi to my little Daniel. The babe will need someone beside him as he fights for his life. He should not be alone.”
    “I’ll be happy to do that, but your baby won’t be alone. There are wonderful doctors and nurses there.”
    “The babe will need someone who loves him—someone whose voice he knows.”
    “What about you? Don’t you need someone to stay here with you?”
    Grace vividly remembered recovering from the broken arm and collarbone, fractured ribs, and internal injuries she had sustained when the MRAP in which she was riding had taken a direct hit. Those mine-resistant vehicles were good at absorbing the blow of a homemade bomb, but if the explosion was a large one—and the roadside bomb Grace’s