The HOPE of SPRING Read Free Page A

him—sometimes out loud.”
    “It’s good that you’re doing that,” Anne said. “Doctors always encourage nurses to
     talk to their patients, even though they don’t seem to hear what you’re saying. That
     will keep his brain stimulated, just hearing your voice. And of course,” she added,
     “prayer is important, too.”
    Susan smiled. “Well, if Eddie does hear what I’m saying, he probably thinks I’m a
     bit of a motormouth.”
    “I doubt it. Your positive attitude and compassion are the best medicine that young
     man can get right now.” Anne switched lanes again. “I’m happy to say that most of
     my patients aren’t in as bad a shape as your Eddie. It’s easier to work with them
     when they’re conscious and able to communicate. Hopefully, by the time Eddie is stable
     enough to be moved to rehab, he’ll have woken up from his coma.”

    Bird-in-Hand
    “How long will it be till supper?” Jonah asked when he entered the kitchen and found
     his mother in front of the sink, peeling potatoes.
    She turned and smiled, her green eyes twinkling. “You’re home early today, and since
     I’m just getting started on the potatoes and carrots that will go with the roast we’re
     having for supper, it won’t be ready for at least another hour yet.”
    “Can you keep something warm for me in case I don’t make it back before then?” Jonah
     asked as Mom handed him a piece of raw potato.
    He went to the table and sprinkled a little salt on the potato before popping it into
     his mouth.
    Mom grinned. “I see you still like eating raw potatoes.”
    “Some things never change,” Jonah answered, enjoying the uncooked morsel. “I’ll take
     another chunk if you don’t mind.”
    “So, where are you going?” Mom asked, handing him one more piece.
    “Over to the Kings’ place to speak with Meredith. Remember, I told you last night
     that I planned to go over there after Dad and I finished up at the buggy shop today.
     I want to see about buying her husband’s gaul.”
    Mom thumped the side of her head, pushing her covering slightly askew, and exposing
     the light brown bun at the back of her head. “I’d forgotten about that,” she said,
     readjusting the covering. “I assume you’ll be taking your daed’s horse and buggy?”
    “Yep, that’s right.”
    “You’re welcome to ride over to the Kings’ on my scooter.” Mom grinned, reminding
     Jonah of a young schoolgirl. Truth was, his fifty-six-year-old mother was so thin
     and petite she could almost pass for a teenage girl if it weren’t for the few wrinkles
     on her forehead. Dad often teased her, saying she was his child-bride.
    “Think I’ll stick to Dad’s horse and buggy,” Jonah replied with a chuckle. “It’ll
     take me less time, and won’t be as hard on my legs as a scooter.”
    “That’s true,” Mom agreed, “but at least with my scooter you won’t have an unruly
     horse to deal with on the road.” She looked past Jonah toward the door. “Where’s your
     daed?”
    “Out in the barn. Said to tell you he’ll be in soon.” Jonah stepped up to Mom and
     gave her a hug. “I’m going to wash up and change into some clean clothes, then I’ll
     be heading over to see Meredith.” He snatched a raw carrot before heading out of the
     room, and smiled when he heard Mom crunch one, too.

    Ronks
    Meredith had been resting on the sofa most of the afternoon, and her youngest siblings,
     Owen and Katie, were getting on her nerves. They were either fussing at each other
     or running through the house, hollering at the top of their lungs. Owen, who’d turned
     three last November, had started walking by the time he was ten months old and never
     had any trouble keeping up with six-year-old Katie. Mom had been trying to keep the
     little ones quiet today, but every time she got them interested in doing something
     in another room, they’d end up back in the living room. With Meredith’s teenage sisters,
     Laurie and Kendra,