“Well, that wasn’t technicallyinthe house....” Whitney didn’t set outintendingto stall things, but here she was, doing her best to keep them from talking about what she knew was coming.
“Good point. I guess there are lots of other rooms on the farm.” Madysen tilted her head back and forth as she chatted. “Anyway, my thoughts were this—and bear withme, I know it isn’t easy to think of moving things around so soon, but I think I have the solution. What if John and Havyn moved into Mama’s room, while Daniel and I move into Granddad’s room. Whitney can stay where she is. Dad and Eli can take Havyn’s old room, while Ruth and Bethany take mine. What do you think?”
And there it was ... everything would change. It was a relief to not have to moveherthings or shift into a different room, but that didn’t negate the facts.
Havyn looked to her husband. “What doyouthink?”
“I will leave that to you ladies.”
Havyn turned to face them. “Why don’t we take some time to think and pray about it? We don’t have to do anything right away. Is that all right with you, Whit?”
“Of course.” Might as well go along with their plan. Speaking up in the lawyer’s office had done no good, and frankly, she was too tired to care. If she pressed too hard now, it wouldn’t end well. Besides, her head was aching, and all she wanted was a hot bath and to go to bed. Even if it was the middle of the day.
Whitney didn’t miss the looks exchanged between her sisters. No doubt they were shocked by her agreeable response. But it ended the discussion, which was exactly what she wanted. She watched the town fade from view as they turned toward their farm. The two couples chatted in low tones, and she closed her eyes for a moment, willing her thoughts to still so she could relax.
A nudge to her shoulder made her open her eyes.
“Whit?” Maddy’s voice.
“Um hm?” She sat up from leaning on her little sister’s shoulder and blinked several times. “I didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep. Sorry. Hope I didn’t squish you.”
“It’s okay. But look. Isn’t that Dr. Cameron?” Maddy pointed.
Huh.It did look like Peter. He was pacing by her dogs. She leaned forward and looked at John, “Could you drive out to where he is before you go to the house? It looks like the good doctor needs something.”
As they drove closer, Amka appeared next to Peter. She waved frantically.
“I think something must be urgent.” Havyn bit her bottom lip.
The sleigh swished to a stop, and Whitney hopped down. “Is everything all right?”
Peter approached, his face grim. “I need your help.” He looked at Amka and then back to Whitney. “Amka’s village has many sick children. As you know, there’s only one way out there in the winter—dog sled. And I don’t have one yet. I’m in need of transportation.”
Everyone else had exited the sleigh, and Havyn and Maddy had their arms around Amka and were asking how she was doing.
“Of course. I can take you. How bad is it?” One of her strengths was keeping a calm demeanor, but her heart flip-flopped inside of her.Not the precious children, please God.
Peter shook his head. “From what Amka has told me, I’m afraid if I don’t go immediately, we may lose several of them.”
Gasps flowed from her sisters.
Whitney nodded and straightened her shoulders. “Let me go change and gather what I need. How long do you think we will be gone?”
“A day or two? I’m not sure. But you are welcome to leave me there and come back if you are needed here.”
She looked to her sisters. “I’m sure they can manage withoutme for a bit. Just promise me you won’t make any big decisions without me, okay?”
Havyn and Madysen nodded.
She turned back to Peter. “I’ll do whatever I can to help.” But the thought of driving a man alone out to the village brought her heart rate to a much faster pace. Memories of another man—an awful man—threatened to overtake her.
No. Stop it.
John piped up. “Do you need me or Daniel to accompany you? It is a good distance away and the dead of winter.”
Amka stepped forward and put her hand on Whitney’s arm. “I will go. Ineedto go. These are my people. I can handle one of your teams, that way we can bring additional supplies.”
The tension released from her shoulders, although she hoped her fear hadn’t shown. Peter was a good man—the best of men—but she wasn’t ready to trustanyman at this point. “That would be helpful, Amka. Thank you.”
