Her Amish Christmas Sweetheart

The technician met his gaze. Peter gestured toward the stretcher currently being carried up from the water’s edge. The man nodded with understanding.

“He’s getting medical attention,” the technician told her.

Meg didn’t open her eyes. “Oll recht?”

Peter’s heart thumped hard as he studied her. “She asked if he is all right,” he told the EMT.

“He’s awake and responding,” the man said. “He’ll be taken to the hospital for a complete checkup.” He and his coworker hefted Meg’s stretcher into the ambulance.

The other workers carried Reuben toward the second emergency vehicle. Peter approached it. “I’ll get word to his family.” The EMT nodded.

“Meg?” Reuben muttered.

“She’s on her way to the hospital,” he said. “She asked about you.” He felt a pang when Reuben sighed and closed his eyes.

Peter stepped back and watched while the EMTs entered their vehicles and started their engines. He felt chilled as he stood in the heavy downpour as the ambulances left. Lord, please help her. He stared at the vehicles’ bright, multicolored flashing lights as they dimmed with distance, then disappeared from sight. He retrieved Reuben’s horse, tied it to the back of his buggy and headed toward the Miller farm to return the animal.

Chapter Two

Meg woke up in pain. Even with her eyes closed, she could tell by the familiar antiseptic smell that she was in the hospital. Her head hurt, but the heavy weight bearing down on her leg felt worse. She shifted and moaned as pain permeated every inch of her body. She opened her eyes and tried to sit up, then gasped at the searing agony in her left leg. She lay whimpering as she prayed for relief. Make it stop. Please, Lord, make it stop! Tears spilled down her cheeks as she continued to suffer.

“Meg?” a familiar voice said.

A face loomed in her line of vision as she opened her eyes. “Nell?”

“Ja, schweschter. How are you feeling?”

“Awful. I hurt everywhere, especially my leg.” She turned her head to meet her sister’s gaze and groaned. The simple movement had hurt.

“Hold on, Meg. I’ll get help.” Then Nell disappeared.

“Nell!” She felt alone and scared. How badly was she injured?

Her sister wasn’t gone long. “Meg, I’ve brought a nurse. She’ll give you something for the pain.”

“What happened?”

Nell, who’d been watching the nurse insert a needle into Meg’s IV, glanced at her with concern. “You don’t remember?”

“Nay.”

“You were in an accident last night. You and Reuben. He was driving you home when a car struck his buggy and forced it from the road.”

It had been raining. She recalled the terror she’d felt as she saw the car’s headlights, felt the horse rear and the buggy pick up speed as it upended and rolled. She’d felt a searing pain, heard the splash of cold water before it enveloped her—and then nothing. “I remember now.” She felt drowsy all of a sudden, and her pain eased. “Is he oll recht?”

“Reuben?” Nell asked.

“Ja.” She had a vague impression of hearing someone’s voice after the accident. “How did I get here?”

“By ambulance. Reuben did, too. You have a concussion and some bruising.” She hesitated. “Your left leg is broken.”

Meg shifted and suddenly realized that the heavy weight on her leg was a cast. Her breath hitched. “How bad is Reuben hurt?”

“He fared better than you. He has some bumps and bruises, as well as a concussion, but no broken limbs.”

“Is he here?” Meg asked drowsily.

“Ja, in a room down the hall. The nurse told me he’ll be released today.” Nell grew quiet. “You nearly drowned. Reuben pulled you out of the water. He saved your life.”

A man she could rely on, she thought. Meg shivered. “The water was so cold.” She got chilled just thinking about it. “I’m so tired.” She fought to keep her eyes open.

“’Tis the pain medication. Rest.” Her sister covered her with another blanket.

The warmth and the weight made her sigh. “Where’s Dat and Mam?”

“Downstairs eating breakfast. I sent our sisters home. Everyone has been here all night. They didn’t want to leave, but I insisted.”

“Gut,” she murmured sleepily. “Danki, Nell.” She managed to open one eye. “You’re newly married. You shouldn’t be here.”

“Don’t you worry. James isn’t far. Sleep, Meg. We’ll be here when you wake up.”

Almost immediately, Meg drifted into sleep. When she next opened her eyes, she saw that she had slept for some time, for the light came through the window from a different angle. She tried to rise and cried out. Her leg throbbed as she fell back again.

Her father bolted up out of a chair near her bedside, drawing her attention. “Meg, dochter, you want to sit up?”

“Dat.” She blinked back tears. “I want to, but it hurts too much when I try.”

He reached toward the side of her bed. “I’m going to raise your head some. Tell me if it hurts.”

Her bed rose slowly, and while Meg felt the movement, the shift didn’t cause terrible pain. “That’s gut.” She managed a smile. “Danki.”

He nodded and stepped back to examine her carefully. “I’m glad you’re awake. We’ve been worried.”

“I’m sorry, Dat.” She could only imagine what her family must have felt after receiving news of the accident.

“Not your fault,” her father said with a slight smile. “All that matters is that you’re alive and will recover.”

“Ja, I’ll be fine.” She studied his tired features with concern. It looked as if he had aged several years in one night. The knowledge that it was her fault upset her. “You should go home and rest. Nell said you were here all night.”

“You were in an accident. Where else would I be but by your side?”

“And now it’s time for you to go home.”

He waved her suggestion aside. “Not yet.”

She worried that the accident would cause him to be more protective of her than he already was. Ever since her last hospital stay, he’d tried to shelter her from every little thing. Fortunately, during the past two years, she’d been able to stand up to him a bit, and he’d finally learned to relax. Now her new injuries would take away that freedom she’d fought so hard for.

“Nell said that Reuben is oll recht.”

Dat nodded. “He’ll be discharged today. He wants to stop in to see you before he leaves.”

Her mother came into the room. “Meg!” She hurried toward the bed. “You’re awake.”

Meg managed to grin. “Ja, Mam.”

Nell entered next, and then James, her husband of just over a week.

“Meg, it’s good to see you awake and smiling,” her brother-in-law said.

“I told you we wouldn’t be far.” Nell eyed her closely, her gaze sharp. “How are you feeling? Still in pain?”

“A little, but not it’s not as bad as before,” Meg assured her. “How long did I sleep?”

“Four hours,” her father said.

Meg was alarmed. “Four hours!”

“You needed the rest,” her mother murmured soothingly.

Her injuries had kept her family from their beds, and she felt guilty. “Please go home. I’ll be fine. You all need to sleep.” She captured her father’s gaze. “Please, Dat?”

“We’ll go, but we’ll be back to visit this evening,” her father said.

“Tomorrow is soon enough,” Meg insisted. “You can’t be traveling back and forth. ’Tis too much.” She bit her lip then winced. “Is every part of me bruised?”

“Nay,” Mam said too quickly.

Meg offered a lopsided smile. “I bet I have a black eye.” She saw the truth in her father’s gaze. Things could have been much worse, she realized. She recalled her last time in the hospital, when a ruptured appendix had nearly caused her death. Some bruises and a broken bone would heal.

“You don’t look bad,” Nell said.

Meg snorted. “It doesn’t matter how awful I look when there is nothing I can do about it.” She studied her family, recognizing the exhaustion caused by their night of worry and fear. “I love you all, but go home. I’ll be fine.” She held up the nurse-call button. “I have everything I need.”

Reuben came into the room, but stopped abruptly when he saw her family.

Dat glanced at the young man. “We should leave.”

“Please don’t leave on my account,” he said.

“They’re leaving because of me,” Meg explained, her lips curving. “I told them to go.” She looked at her father. “They haven’t slept.”

Reuben approached the end of her bed. He froze when her father placed a hand on his shoulder. “Danki for saving her,” Dat said.

To her amazement, Reuben blushed and looked slightly uncomfortable. “I...I’m sorry about the accident.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” Her father met her gaze. “We’ll see you again soon, dochter.” He moved to leave, and her family followed.

“Be careful going home,” she called out.

Each member of her family murmured quietly to Reuben as they passed him.

“Won’t you sit a minute?” she asked softly, as she wondered what they’d said.

Reuben moved quickly then, as if eager to please, and took the seat her father had vacated. “You oll recht?”

“I’m fine. No serious injuries.” She saw relief settle on his features. She studied him and immediately noted huge bruises on his left cheek and forehead. “Your face... Doesn’t it hurt?”

His mouth curved crookedly. “A little. And yours?”

She shrugged, and winced with the simple movement. “I’m achy but I’ll survive.” She grinned to reassure him.

He studied her with concern. “Meg, I’m sorry—”

She saw regret flicker in his blue eyes. “Nay! Dat’s right. It wasn’t your fault. The car hit us.”

He sighed. “I’m afraid I’m a little foggy about what happened.”

Meg was concerned. “You don’t remember anything?”

“I recall a blinding light.”

“The car’s headlights.”

He nodded. “The car hit my buggy.”

Meg regarded him with amusement. “Ja, it was traveling too fast around a curve and struck us. Your horse reared up and bolted off the road and then...”

“The buggy rolled,” Reuben said hoarsely. “I remember that, but what happened afterward?”

“You must have whacked your head hard.”

“Ja.” He stood and gently took hold of her hand. “You must have, too.” He studied her with troubled blue eyes. “Meg, I’d never do anything to hurt you intentionally.”

The man was sweet, and she was grateful that he’d saved her life. She felt a wave of warm gratitude toward him. “I know.”

He didn’t move. He simply held her hand and gazed at her with affection that made her feel increasingly uncomfortable. He smiled and toyed with her fingers until Meg closed her eyes and silently prayed that he’d leave.

* * *

Peter couldn’t get Meg out of his mind. Which was why he drove the two hours to the hospital to make sure she was all right. He parked his buggy near a hitching post, tied up his horse, then hurried inside to the information desk. “Can you tell me where to find Meg Stoltzfus? She’s a patient.”

The woman behind the counter searched the computer on her desk. “Room 202,” she said. “The stairs are to the right. The elevator is farther down the hall.”

“Thank you.” Peter ran up the stairs to the second floor and followed the signs that led him to Meg’s room. His heart started to beat rapidly as he heard voices. He hesitated at the door, then peeked inside—and froze when he saw Reuben Miller at Meg’s bedside. The man’s face was bruised, but he was smiling affectionately at Meg as he held her hand.

Peter quietly backed away from the room and headed downstairs, his heart aching at the sight of them together. His first instinct was to go home, but then he thought better of it. He had come all this way to make sure Meg was all right. He refused to leave without talking with her. She wouldn’t be glad to see him, but he couldn’t care less. He needed to know if he’d caused her serious injury when he’d pulled her from the water.

It was well past noon, and he was hungry. He hadn’t eaten since an early breakfast. He’d grab something from the hospital cafeteria before he returned to Meg’s. If Reuben was still there, he’d go ahead and visit her, anyway. But he preferred to see Meg alone.

After lunch, he took the elevator back to her room. He paused before entering. Meg lay in bed, staring out the window as if lost in thought. She was alone. He stepped inside, and as if sensing him, she turned.

“Peter.”

“Hallo, Meg.” He approached, noting a myriad of expressions crossing her face. He sucked in his breath as he studied her. There were bruises on her forehead and left cheek, and around her left eye. Had he done that to her? “How are you feeling?”

Her lips twisted in a lopsided smile. “I’ve been better.”

He nodded, taking in every inch of her features. Even battered and bruised, she was still the prettiest girl he’d ever known. “I... How bad are your injuries?”

“Is your family here?”

“Nay, I came alone.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked abruptly, and he tried not to flinch. Would it always be this way between them?

She released a sharp breath. “I’m sorry. I’m feeling out of sorts, but there is no need for me to be rude.”

Peter cocked an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Meg flushed, and he softened his expression. “You’re in pain. Do you want the nurse?”

Relief settled on her features. “Nay, I’m oll recht. My leg aches, but I’ll live.”

His gaze fell on the bedcovers, identifying the lump beneath them. “You broke your leg.” Did she break it when he’d pulled her from under the buggy? His belly burned at the thought.

“Ja. That’s what hurts the most.”

“Is there anything I can do for you?”

She looked stunned by his concern. “I... Peter, I appreciate your concern but—”

“You don’t want it.”

To his shock, she shook her head. “I don’t deserve it.” She looked away. “I haven’t exactly been nice to you.”

He shrugged. “As I recall, you were very polite the night of the singing, before you left.” He paused. “I was rude.”

“You warned me about the rain.” She shifted in bed, and he saw her wince at the slight movement. “I don’t know how you knew.”

“Ja, well, I have a confession to make,” he said. Curiosity entered her blue eyes as she waited for him to finish. His lips twisted. “I didn’t know it was going to rain when I said it. I was just...” He couldn’t continue. The knowledge that he’d said it simply to ruin her night made him feel small and ashamed.

To his surprise, Meg laughed.

He stared at her, then found himself grinning. “I’m glad you think it’s funny.”

“I didn’t then, but I do now. I guess the accident put things into perspective for me.”

Peter stared at her, mesmerized by her bright azure eyes, one sporting a black bruise. Something kicked in his gut as he studied her. If only things could be different between them. But he reminded himself that she was in love with Reuben, and he had Agnes now. “I’m sorry you went through that.”

Her eyelashes flickered. “You sound sincere.”

“Have I been so terrible to you?” he asked quietly. When she opened her mouth and then promptly closed it, he said, “I see.”

“Peter.”

“’Tis fine, Meg. I understand.” He shifted on his feet. “I’m sorry if what I said hurt you.” He was referring to when she was sixteen and hadn’t lived long in Happiness. “I’d hoped that after all this time, we could be friends.” He couldn’t read her demeanor. When she didn’t respond, he sighed. “You need your rest. I should leave.” He started toward the door, then stopped. “How is Reuben? Is he oll recht?” he asked, not wanting to give away that he’d seen the two of them together.

Meg’s expression warmed. “He’s well. He’s been discharged.” She studied her hands as if her fingers were fascinating. “Did you know that he rescued me? He pulled me out of the water.” She rubbed the side of her face where another bruise had formed.

“I hadn’t heard.” Something jolted in Peter’s chest, but he didn’t refute her statement. It didn’t matter that it was he and not Reuben who had rescued her. The only thing that mattered was that Meg was alive and well, and on the road to recovery. “He must be glad he was able to help you,” he said carefully.

“I suppose.” She frowned. “When I thanked him, he seemed uncomfortable, as if he didn’t feel like a hero.” She looked thoughtful. “He told me he doesn’t remember what happened after the accident.”

Peter nodded in understanding. Reuben obviously felt uncomfortable because he couldn’t recall pulling Meg from the creek. “He hit his head?”

“Ja, he has a concussion.” She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.

“Yet they are sending him home and keeping you here,” he murmured.

“Just until tomorrow. Then I’ll be released.” She gestured toward her IV. “They’re pumping me with antibiotics to prevent infection in my lungs.”

“That makes sense.” He saw her eyes drift shut and he stepped back. “I’ll be heading home. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?”

Eyes closed, she shook her head.

“Get well, Meg,” he said softly.

Her eyelashes flickered before she looked at him. “Danki, Peter,” she murmured. “It was nice of you to come.”

“Take care of yourself,” Peter said, before he turned and left—and fought the urge to glance back. Seeing her again made it difficult to forget her...and how much he’d loved her.

As he climbed into his buggy minutes later, he had a sudden longing to see Agnes. He’d drive over to her family’s farm before heading home. Because it was suddenly imperative that he see her today.

Chapter Three

“Are you ready to go?” Meg’s dat asked as he entered her room.

Rick Martin, their English neighbor, was there to take them home. Grabbing her crutches, Meg rose on her one good foot. “I’m ready,” she said softly. She glanced toward the door behind her father. “Where’s Mam?”

“She’s giving the nurses the apple pies she baked for them.”

“How many?” Meg asked.

Her father shrugged. “Four.”

She laughed, feeling warmth for her thoughtful mother. “I wish I could have seen the looks on their faces when she gave them the pies.”

As she and her father left her room, Meg caught sight of her mother chatting with the women in the nurses’ station.

“Mam,” she said as she approached.

“Gut,” Mam said. “We can finally get you home.”

Nurse Nancy went for a wheelchair. When she returned, she helped Meg get seated and then gave her final instructions on the antibiotic medicine that she’d be taking for the next ten days at home, along with a slip of paper with appointment details for a follow-up with the doctor. Nancy rolled the wheelchair toward the elevator, which opened as they drew near. Meg was surprised to see her sister emerge.

“Look who I found downstairs!” Ellie exclaimed.

“It’s the young man who came to see if you were all right yesterday,” Nancy said.

Meg immediately thought of Peter, until Reuben stepped out of the elevator behind Ellie. Looking handsome despite the bruises on his cheek and forehead, he approached.

“I heard you were going home today.” His blue eyes warmed as he studied her. “I wanted to see you before you left. I hope you don’t mind.”

“We’re glad you came,” Mam assured him, and Meg could hear warmth in her mother’s voice.

Reuben chatted as he accompanied them to the ground floor and then to the car. Meg vaguely heard what he said. For some reason, all she could think about was Peter’s visit to her hospital room yesterday. Had he really come because he was concerned? What had he heard that made him travel all this way just to see her?

Whatever his reason, she was surprised and a little pleased that he’d taken the time to visit her. Ellie had urged her to figure out a way for them to get along. From what he’d said, Peter wanted the same thing. If not for Reuben, she would have died from the accident. Life is too short to hold a grudge. Surely she could put the past where it belonged, and forgive and forget what he’d said.

After he walked them to Rick’s car, Reuben left, after promising to visit her later in the week. Once home, her father thanked Rick for driving them, then helped Meg into a chair in their great room and then grabbed a cushioned stool to rest her leg on.

“Danki.” She sat back and closed her eyes...and soon drifted to sleep.

Meg woke sometime later. She didn’t think she’d slept long, judging by the sunlight shining through the great room windows. Her leg hurt, and she shifted in the chair to find a better position just as her youngest sister, Charlie, entered the room.

“Meg!” she exclaimed. “You’re awake. I’ve been wanting to talk with you. I’m sorry I didn’t get back to the hospital before you came home.”

Her sister’s boundless energy was evident in her sparkling green eyes. Charlie pulled a chair close and studied Meg.

“Charlotte May,” her mother said as she entered the room. “Did you wake up your sister?”

“Nay, Mam. She was already awake.”

“She needs her rest. Run along and finish your chores.” As Charlie left, Mam turned to her. “Do you think you’ll feel well enough to come on visiting Sunday? We’ll be going to Aunt Katie’s.”

Meg hesitated. Would she be able to manage a day’s outing? Learning to use the crutches had exhausted her. She could find a chair and stay seated, she supposed. And she certainly wouldn’t mind seeing her Lapp cousins and church community friends.

“Your vadder is borrowing a wheelchair for you to use while you recover,” Mam said. “You might find it easier to move about.”

Meg nodded. “That’s thoughtful of him.”

Her mother looked relieved. Meg realized her family would stay home if she wasn’t up to visiting, and she became more determined than ever to show them that she was strong despite her recent hospital stay.

“There is something I need to discuss with you.” Mam glanced briefly toward the kitchen once they were alone.

Meg eyed her with concern. “Are you oll recht?”

Her mother gazed at her with warmth. “I’m fine.” She grabbed a wooden chair and set it to face her daughter’s.

“Mam?”

“There is something I need you to do for me, Meg. You know that your dat’s birthday will be here soon.”

“Ja, on Christmas.”

“Ja.” She shifted her chair closer, indicating she wanted to speak in private. “I’d like to surprise him with a birthday party,” she said quietly. “I’ve had a conversation with Horseshoe Joe. Did you know that Miriam’s birthday is the same day as Dat’s?”

“Nay, I didn’t.” Meg got a funny feeling inside.

“Joe wants to give Miriam a party, too. We’ve decided that we’d like you and Peter to plan one together.”

Meg found it difficult to breathe. “You want me...and Peter to work together?”

“Ja, and before you say a word, Meg, I’d like to remind you that you have a broken leg and can’t do chores. This celebration is important to me and to Horseshoe Joe. The best people for this task are you and Peter. You’ll work with him, ja?”

Meg, in fact, had been ready to object to the arrangement, but she wisely kept silent. Her mother was right. She couldn’t do chores while her leg was healing. Working with Peter so her father and his mother could have a surprise birthday celebration was something she could do to be useful. “I’ll be happy to work with Peter to plan the party.”

“Wunderbor!” Mam rose and put her chair back where it belonged. “You mustn’t tell a soul. Not even your sisters. Do you understand?”

Meg nodded.

“Gut.” Her mother looked pleased. “Lunch will be ready in a minute. Do you need help getting to the kitchen?”

Meg shook her head. “Nay. I’ll be there in a minute.” Her mother left her alone with her thoughts. She sat a moment and contemplated working secretly with Peter Zook. How would she manage? How would he react to the news?

Yesterday she’d told Peter that the accident caused her to put things in perspective in her life. She sighed. She had to find a way to work with him without her painful past interfering with their working relationship.