The Beloved Hope Chest by Amy Clipston

Author:Amy Clipston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2017-03-28T16:00:00+00:00

Mattie walked slowly into the kitchen. Her legs felt like heavy blocks of wood and her abdomen and back were sore. When she touched her flatter belly, it was as though something was missing.

Something was missing. She was home from the hospital without her baby. Jacob was gone, and he left a hole in her heart when he died. She breathed out a shuddering breath and leaned against the kitchen table.

“Your mamm is here.” Leroy hurried into the kitchen carrying her bags. “She came over this morning to do a few chores around the house. All you need to do is rest. Your dat is helping Hank in the harness shop so I can be with you too.” He paused, his eyes searching her face. “Do you need anything? Maybe a glass of water? Something to eat?”

“Water would be fine. Danki.” She sank onto a kitchen chair at the table and rested her chin in her hand.

“Here you go.” Leroy placed a glass of water on the table and then picked up her bag. “I’m going to put your things in the bedroom. Call me if you need me.” Then he disappeared into the family room.

She took another drink and evaluated her life. The past twenty-four hours had been a whirlwind. It seemed as if Jacob had been born last week instead of only yesterday. She’d become a mother and then lost her baby in the same instant. She wanted to cry but had no more tears left in her to shed.

The click of the screen door drew her attention to the mudroom doorway.

“Mattie!” Mamm rushed into the kitchen and sat beside her. “I was in the harness shop with Hank and your dat and thought I heard the van pull up. I’m so glad you’re home.”

Mattie gripped the glass. “I saw the doctor this morning. She told me to take it easy. I should feel better in about six weeks.” She gave a sarcastic snort. “I’m not sure if I’ll ever feel better, though.”

“You will, mei liewe.” Mamm touched her arm. “It will take time, but your heart will heal. Just give yourself time to grieve.”

“Ya.” Mattie wiped her hand across her face and then stared down at the blue tablecloth. “Isaiah is gone, and now Jacob is gone. All I have left is time.”

“Your life is not over.” Mamm squeezed her shoulder. “You’re not alone. You have Leroy.”

Mattie glanced up to where Leroy stood in the doorway to the family room, watching her. The frown creasing his face cut her to the bone. Her mouth dried, and her heart twisted. He must have heard what she’d said. She sucked in a breath, waiting for his biting retort—the same kind of retort he made when she told the nurse the baby’s last name was Petersheim. But he remained silent, his intense gaze focused on her.

“The bishop will be here later to discuss Jacob’s service with us. I thought we could have it on Saturday.”

“Saturday?” Mattie looked at her mamm. “Is that enough time?”

“Ya, we have two days to prepare.

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