Chapter 30
— chapter thirty
Friday morning arrived with a blast of bright sun and humidity. Jenna groaned as she walked into the backyard with her first cup of coffee. The air felt like a sauna. It was sure to make cleaning up the ravages of last evening’s meeting even more of a chore.
Glad she’d taken a dish towel outside with her, she wiped off the seat of one of the chairs and sat down. “I don’t know where to even begin,” she muttered.
That was the truth too. Last night’s storm had blown chairs everywhere. The tables were still in place, but they were covered with water and debris.
In addition, the pretty floral arrangements that Anne had made from flowers in her garden and two glass pitchers had fallen on the ground. At least one of the pitchers was broken.
“At least everything wasn’t broken,” she joked to herself.
She, Violet, and Anne had just gotten everything in the backyard set up when the first wave of women showed up. Only about half had brought a fold-up lawn chair, so Nelson’s idea to bring chairs had been a good one.
Jenna had still been rattled by Mary’s visit and her own announcement about falling in love with Nelson. It had taken everything she had to push aside her chaotic thoughts and welcome everyone to her home.
It had started well enough. Doreen gave her a hug, and several women declared that they thought hosting the meeting outside was a charming idea.
But then the rain started to fall. Followed by lightning in the distance.
And then, with a clap of thunder, the storm arrived. Everyone rushed inside, only some thinking about bringing in the trays of food.
Once inside, the women were wet, their feet were muddy, and the space was cramped. Jenna passed out towels so everyone could get dry, but even the most easygoing ladies were visibly uncomfortable.
As the rain continued, Anne helped Jenna retrieve the rest of the food from outside. A few other women attempted to set things to rights in the kitchen.
But it was obvious that everyone wanted to leave.
Eventually, someone used her kitchen phone and called for a driver, who arrived in a van and drove six women home. Then several others decided to just walk home in the rain. Jenna lent them her two umbrellas.
Finally, just before nine, the rain had almost stopped, and those who had ridden bicycles left. By the time she closed the door, she was exhausted.
Katie had fallen asleep in her room earlier, so the house was quiet and still.
After collecting the plates and cups that had been left scattered around, Jenna had picked up the phone and tried calling Nelson.
It was too late for him to come over, but she wanted to hear his voice.
When he didn’t answer, she was disappointed but not completely surprised.
It was rather late. She left a quick message and asked him to call her in the morning. She was sure he would.
But he still hadn’t, and she’d begun to fear that he’d changed his mind about her and him.
Jenna heard a car out front. Was it Nelson?
She went back inside, and as she looked out the front window, she saw a black Suburban drive up her driveway too fast, the expression on the man’s face serious and grim.
Her brain knew what that look meant. Another tragedy had happened to someone she knew.
After reminding herself that Katie was home safe, she took a deep breath and opened the door as he arrived on the doorstep. “Yes?” she asked.
The man—the very tall, confident-looking man—took off his dark-gray cowboy hat before directing his blue eyes at her. “Ma’am, are you Jenna Graber?”
It was bad news. It had to be. No one appeared at a doorstep with such an expression if it wasn’t. Imagining the worst, her heart started beating faster. “Yes.” Feeling a little lightheaded, she gripped the door more tightly. “May I help you?”
“My name is Hank Arias, ma’am. I’m a client of Nelson Harper’s. I believe you know him?”
This wasn’t about her parents. Her parents must be all right. But why was he talking about Nelson? This made no sense. Feeling even more confused, she nodded.
Looking relieved that she finally responded, he cleared his throat. “All right. So, um, I’m one of Nelson’s customers, but I know him better than that. I . . . well, Fanny and I are friends. I believe you know her as well?”
“Yes. I know Fanny, and she’s mentioned you.” Feeling more impatient, she said, “Even though I do know both of them, I don’t know anything about Alliance Millworks. I mean, not beyond the fact that my deceased husband used to work there.”
“I’m sorry to be so confusing, ma’am. I just didn’t . . . well, I didn’t want you to think I was just some man off the street.”
“What is it that you wanted to speak to me about?”
He took a deep breath. “There’s no easy way to tell you this, but Nelson was taken to the hospital last night.”
“Nelson? My Nelson?” Before he could answer, the tears started to fall. “Is he okay? What happened? Is . . . is he hurt? Oh my word. Was there another accident? Did a machine malfunction?”
The muscles in his throat worked. “There was an accident, but not at the Millworks. It was on his drive home.”
“It was raining something awful.”
“Yes, ma’am. From what I understand, there was a car swerving around a buggy and an Amish guy on an electric bike.
The driver of the vehicle was going too fast and driving recklessly on the curve.
Nelson had to swerve in order not to hit them.
He ended up in one of those deep ditches off Miamiville Road. He got banged up pretty good.”
She frowned. “Banged up?”
“He sustained some injuries, but none are life-threatening,” he said in a soft voice. “He’s going to be all right, ma’am. An ambulance took him to the hospital.”
He’d been in an ambulance. He was in the hospital. Tears filled her eyes as Hank’s words registered at last. Nelson had been in a car accident and was in the hospital.
Unbidden, this news kept getting muddled with that from another visitor, that one from about two years ago. A man from Alliance had rushed over to pick her and Katie up and take them to the hospital.
Jenna knew Hank was speaking about Nelson and not Jimmy, but her body couldn’t stop itself from reacting as though the man she’d fallen in love with was going to die. A wave of dizziness flowed through her. She felt as if she was about to faint.
“Jenna, Nelson is going to be okay.”
He’s going to be okay. Relief seemed to burn a hole through her fog at last, allowing the tears to fall.
Mr. Arias looked a little alarmed, no doubt because she was rapidly losing her composure.
“Please don’t cry, ma’am. The good news is that no one else was hurt.
From what Fanny found out, it was Nelson’s quick thinking that saved several people.
Both the man in the buggy and his horse are just fine.
The Amish guy on the bike is too. Nelson’s a hero. ”
“A hero.” She’d murmured the word.
“Yes.” He folded his hands behind his back. “Like I said, he helped a lot of people, and he’s okay. But he is a little worse for wear. The doctors told Fanny that he’ll probably be in the hospital for a day.”
“Okay. Thank you for telling me.” Staring at him, she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. She wasn’t Nelson’s wife. Few people realized that they knew each other well. Was she supposed to pretend that she felt nothing but concern about him?
Or was she allowed to rush to his side?
Did it even matter what everyone thought?
Obviously seeing her distress, Hank lowered his voice. “Ms. Graber . . . ma’am . . .”
“It’s Jenna, please.”
“All right.” He took a breath. “Jenna, the first thing Nelson did when he regained consciousness was ask for you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, ma’am. He wants you to come to the hospital, Jenna. He wants to see you. If that is all right with you.”
Relief poured through her. “It’s all right with me.” She shook her head. No, she wasn’t going to do this. She wasn’t going to pretend that she wasn’t eager to see him. “I mean, I’d like that. I would really like to go. Would you mind taking me?”
“That’s why I’m here.” Hank darted a look behind her.
His gaze softened before he focused on her again.
“Fanny asked if I could come over here and pick you up and take you to see Nelson. I’m happy to do it.
” He hesitated. “But, ah, I wouldn’t think that a hospital waiting room would be the best place for your daughter.
” He wrinkled his nose. “It’s a very small room, I’m afraid.
There’s not even a television on the wall. ”
“Katie.” Thinking quickly, she said, “Would you mind if we drop off Katie at my parents’ house?
They live in Walden.” Sure, Mary and Peter lived closer, but she didn’t want to think about Jimmy.
She didn’t want Katie to hear anything about Nelson that wasn’t positive.
It would upset her too much, and just as importantly—Nelson didn’t deserve anything negative to be said about him.
“Walden won’t be hard to get to. We’ll pass right by there on our way to the hospital.”
So it was all settled. Katie would be safe and happy with Jenna’s parents, and Hank would drive her to the hospital.
She had no idea what would happen after that, but Jenna realized that she didn’t care.
God would make sure she was in the right place, whether it was staying by Nelson’s side or returning home to take care of Katie.
Suddenly, she realized that they were still standing in her doorway, and the July sun was hot and probably beating down on his back. “Oh my goodness. I’m sorry to keep you out here. Please, come in. I’ll gather Katie’s things and be ready in just a few minutes.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Hank walked inside and closed the door behind him. He was a big man and seemed to take up her entire entryway. Or maybe that was his personality?
“Here. Um, let me get you a glass of water or something and introduce you to Katie.” Feeling in a dither, she added, “Is water okay? Do you need—”
“Hey, Jenna?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry about me. I can get myself a drink of water if I decide I need one.”
“Oh. Okay, then . . .” She froze again. Pressing a hand to her face, she groaned in frustration. When she looked up at him again, she said, “I’m so sorry. I don’t—”
Suddenly, he held out an arm and enfolded her in a quick, sideways hug. “Take a deep breath. Now take another one.” After she did as he asked, he bent slightly to be even with her eyes. “Better?”
“I think so.” She inhaled and exhaled again for good measure.
Hank seemed pleased that she was following his directions. “There you go.”
“Danke. I mean, thank you. I—”
“No apology needed. You can say whatever you want and do whatever you want. You’ll receive no judgment from me. But just try to keep positive, okay? I promise, Nelson is going to be okay. He might be sore and hurting for a while, but he’s not in danger.”
“You sound so sure about that.”
“That’s because I am.” Sobering, he added, “I would never tell you that he wasn’t if the doctors and nurses hadn’t assured me otherwise.”
“Okay. Well, um, I’ll hurry.”
“All right, but take whatever time you need. Everyone knows that you’ve got to take care of yourself and take care of your daughter. Me too.”
“You are making me feel better. Danke.” She shook her head, frustrated with herself. “I mean, thank you. So much.”
“If I’m helping, I’m glad.” He straightened.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I think a drink of water sounds like a real good idea after all.
I’m going to go take myself into your kitchen, help myself to a glass of water, and sit down until you’re ready.
I’ll also introduce myself to Katie and get her anything she needs while you get settled. Okay?”
She’d never met anyone like this man. Hank was assertive and calm and maybe even a little pushy. God must have known he was the perfect person to come get her because everything Hank was doing soothed her nerves. He was expertly taking every doubt from her head and putting it to rest.
“Okay,” she said at last.
“Good.” He lowered his voice. “Go on, now.”
“Yes. Of course.”
“Mamm?” Katie said as she hurried out of her bedroom. “What’s wrong, and who’s he?”
“Katie, dear, this is a friend of Nelson’s and Fanny’s. His name is Mr. Arias. He’s going to be our driver this afternoon. Will you please keep him company while I change clothes?”
“Uh-huh.”
When Jenna was walking to her bedroom, she heard Hank say, “I know your mama said to call me Mr. Arias, but most everyone I ever met calls me Hank. You can too, if you’d rather.”
“My name is Katie. Everyone but Nelson calls me Katie.”
“What does Nelson call you?”
“Kitty.” Her voice lifted. “And guess what? He got me a kitten! His name is Blue.”
“Blue? You got yourself a blue cat?”
Katie giggled. “He’s not really blue. But he’s cute. Do you want to see him?”
“Of course I do. It’s been quite a while since I’ve gotten to see a kitten. He doesn’t bite, does he?”
Katie burst into laughter. A bright, happy sound. “Nee, Hank! He won’t bite you at all.”
As the conversation continued, Jenna felt her body relax. She was still very worried about Nelson, but she now believed everything was going to be all right.
Mr. Hank Arias was certainly a miracle worker.