Chapter 4
“Nee, nee.” Elijah rushed to where Bonnie lay on the storage room’s tiled floor. He knelt and thrust the rollator aside. “Slowpoke,
back off, back off now.”
“It’s not his fault.” Wincing, Bonnie raised her head. Her hand touched her prayer covering. “He wanted to go first. I understood.
He didn’t want to get left behind. I tried to back up to get out of his way. I’m not supposed to do that—not in a hurry, anyway.
I lost my balance and fell backward. Like a dumkoph , I didn’t think to let go of the rollator.”
“Are you hurt?” Elijah took her arm, then released it. He shouldn’t touch her without her permission. Or maybe even with it.
“Do we need to call 911?”
“I’m fine. I’m gut.” Her face bright red, she struggled to sit up. “I never fall down anymore. I’m always so careful.”
“A dog underfoot doesn’t help.” Embarrassment flooded Elijah. He should never have brought Slowpoke into the storage room.
He’d taken the man’s-best-friend pact too far. “Can I help you up?”
“What’s going on in here?”
The voice tinged with anger and concern didn’t belong to a man. Elijah glanced over his shoulder. Jocelyn Yoder swept into the room, followed by Elijah’s brother Toby. Jocelyn didn’t wait for an answer. She pushed past Hannah and Slowpoke and dropped to her knees. “Why are you on the floor, Dochder ? What is Elijah doing in here with you?”
A fresh wave of mortification threatened to drown Elijah. “I was... We were... we just—”
“Elijah is our newest vendor, Mamm.” Bonnie grabbed her mother’s hand. “Help me up. It was just a little fall. It’s not his
fault. I’m fine. Everybody’s fine.”
Toby had an arm around Slowpoke, holding him back. The dog whimpered. “Elijah, Jason is on his way to the hospital in Richmond.
The paramedics think his appendix ruptured.”
Elijah stumbled to his feet. “I have to go, Bonnie. If you don’t want to do business with me—”
“Because I fell down? Don’t be halbgscheit .” Bonnie grasped both her mother’s hands. Jocelyn tugged her into a sitting position. “Start bringing in your inventory as
soon as you can.”
“He’ll have to get back to you on that.” Toby nudged Slowpoke toward the door. “Let’s go, Bruder.”
“Es dutt mer.” Saying the same phrase over and over wouldn’t change the result. If only it could. Elijah swiped the contract
from the table and stuffed it into the folder on his way from the storage room. He raced to keep up with Toby, who was halfway
to the front door.
“What’s going on?”
Sophia Hershberger pulled her wheelchair into his path. Behind her Carol Knepp swung to a stop on her crutches. The two presented
a united front, their expressions fierce. “What happened?”
“Bonnie fell, but I think she’s okay. She says she is.” In his haste, Elijah stumbled. He knocked into a display of sewn goods.
Two sweaters tumbled to the floor. He paused to scoop them up. “Es dutt mer, es dutt mer.”
“Out of the way.” Sophia bulldozed past him. “Let us through.”
Elijah squeezed into the next aisle. The two women left him standing there without a second glance.
“Don’t worry about Bonnie. They’ll take care of her. They take care of each other. They’re the three musketeers.” Hannah popped
up next to him. She took the sweaters from him. “You go take care of your family.”
“That’s gut. It’s gut.”
Elijah heaved a breath and shoved through the door. Outside Toby had already climbed into his buggy. He held the reins. His
heart still slamming against his rib cage, Elijah paused at his buggy. “Is Jason going to be all right?”
“The paramedics were talking about infection. If the appendix burst, pus and bacteria leak all over your insides.” Toby’s
expression was grim. The muscle in his jaw pulsed. “He’s so narrisch . He’s been throwing up and complaining of a stomachache for two days. He insisted it was food poisoning.”
Calling his brother stupid was Toby’s way of saying he was worried. “But he’ll be okay?”
“It’s in Gott’s hands.” Toby wrapped the reins around his hands. His broad shoulders hunched. “ Dat hired a van. He and Mamm and Caitlin are on their way to the hospital. She was beside herself, not being able to go in the
ambulance with her husband, but she needed someone to watch the kinner. Josie is doing it. Dat will call when they know something.”
“So we’re not going to Richmond?”
“Not to the hospital, nee. We have an auction tomorrow, remember? We have a contract. We can’t let those folks down.”
Elijah’s heart revved. Hands shaking, he untied the reins from the hitching post. They dropped to the ground. A low whine rumbled in Slowpoke’s throat. He thought he was in trouble. Elijah picked up the reins. “It’s okay, buddy.” He climbed into the buggy. “Why do I have to go to Richmond?”
“Because we need you to call an auction. Jason was supposed to handle the furniture and household goods. Who knows how long
he’ll be out.” Stress lines carved lines around Toby’s mouth. “ Daadi is coming along as backup, but he wants you to call it.”
Dad had to stay with Jason. No question about that. Still, dread careened through Elijah. His stomach rocked. His sweaty palms
were back. “Ach, it would be better for Daadi to do it. He’s experienced.”
“His arthritis has gotten worse. His joints hurt if he stands too long.” Toby snapped the reins and clucked at his horse.
“See you back at the farm. You can help us finish loading the trailers and then pack your bag.”
Elijah smoothed the folder for a second. God’s plans always came before man’s best-laid plans, Mom would say. He climbed into
his buggy next to Slowpoke. “They’re called accidents for a reason.” He patted the dog’s head. “Bonnie said it wasn’t your
fault.”
Slowpoke lowered his head and settled onto the seat.
“I’m not sure how fast you can turn these items around, so I’m not setting a deadline, but sooner rather than later would
be gut. The tourist season seems to arrive earlier every year.” Bonnie with her head for business and a sweet smile that made it almost easy to talk to her.
Five corrals with horses, wood tractors, alphabet boards, and children’s stools each. Each! A dozen wooden yo-yos. Five Noah’s arks with the animals. Four more push mowers. Four more rocking horses. A child’s desk
and chair. A checkers set. A wooden toy box to use in the toy display. The display of Elijah’s toys.
He could still work on the smaller items between auctions. It was only until Jason got back on his feet.
Sure.
“Elijah!”
He glanced up. Toby had pulled into the street, headed for home. “Don’t just sit there, Bruder,” he called over his shoulder.
“Get a move on. We need you.”
The family needed him. Family came first.
“Right behind you, Bruder.”
The dream would have to wait.