Amy Clipston - A Place of Peace

A
PLACE of
PEACE

Amy Clipston

BOOK THREE

In loving memory of my father,
Ludwig Bob Goebelbecker

Contents

M iriam Lapp leaned over the counter and smiled at the little redheaded girl, her favorite patient at the Center for Pediatrics. Good morning, Brittany. How are you feeling today?

The four-year-old scrunched up her nose, causing her freckles to wrinkle. My ear hurts.

Miriam swallowed a chuckle at the girls adorable expression. Im sorry. Im certain Dr. Sabella can help you.

Brittanys face was grim. Yeah, but I dont want a shot.

Miriam leaned down, angling her face closer to the girls, and lowered her voice. I have a hunch he wont give you a shot. I bet hell just look in your ear and make sure its not full of potatoes.

Pee-tatoes! Brittany squealed a giggle, covering her mouth with her hand.

Glancing at Brittanys mother, Miriam smiled. Its so good to see you today. Hows Mr. Baker?

Hes doing well, thank you. The woman pulled out her wallet. How are you?

Doing just fine, thank you. Miriam straightened her purple scrub top. Ill take your co-pay, Mrs. Baker.

Thank you. The woman handed Miriam her debit card.

Turning, Miriam swiped the card through the credit card machine and snatched a pen from the counter.

Miriam! Lauren, the office manager, rushed over from the inner office. Miriam, theres a call for you on line two.

Ill be just a minute, Miriam said, punching the keys on the credit machine. Im running through Mrs. Bakers co-pay.

Lauren took the pen from Miriams hand. I got it. Frowning, she nodded toward the inner office. Use my phone.

Arching an eyebrow in question, Miriam studied her coworkers worried face. During the year Miriam had worked for Lauren, shed never seen her look so concerned about a phone call. Who is it?

Go on, Lauren said, nodding toward the office again. Ill take over up here. You take your time.

Who is it? Miriam asked again.

Hannah, Lauren whispered.

Hannah? Miriams mind raced, wracking her brain with thoughts of who it could be. She only knew one Hannah My sister Hannah?

Lauren gave a quick nod. Yes. Now go.

Miriams stomach twisted. In the nearly four years since shed left her family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, not one member of her family had ever called her. Only Hannah had written her, but callednever. Miriam had made it a point of giving Hannah her cell, home, and work numbers, and Hannah said she would only use them in case of an emergency.

Something is wrong.

Her thoughts moved to Hannahs eldest daughter, Lena Joy, whod been born with a genetic disorder. Had something happened to her?

Her eyes widened with worry.

Go! Lauren nudged her toward the office. Take all the time you need.

Taking a deep breath, Miriam rushed to the inner office, dropped into Laurens chair, lifted the receiver to her ear, and punched the button for line two.

Hello? Miriam held her breath, waiting for her sisters familiar voice.

Miriam, Hannah said. How are you?

The voice was sweet and familiar, bringing tears to Miriams eyes as memories assaulted her mind. Shed treasured those nights long ago when they would lie awake late into the evening in the room they shared, whispering their future plans. Funny how it all came true for Hannah shed married the love of her life and had a family. Miriam, on the other hand, was the disappointment of the family. Shed left the community and never joined the Amish church or married.

Hannah was the only one whod seemed to understand when Miriam made the choice that changed her life foreverwhen she left the love of her life, her family, and the only community shed ever known. Hannah forgave her when the rest of the family did not.

Oh, how Miriam had missed her sister.

Im good. You? Miriam stared absently at the date and time glowing on the phone while winding the cord around her finger.

Gut. Hannahs Pennsylvania Dietsch brought another flood of family memories crashing down on Miriam.

Its so wonderful to hear your voice, Hannah, Miriam said. How is your family? How are the children?

Oh, the kinner are gut, danki, Hannah said. They grow so fast.

And Lena Joy? Shes doing well? Miriam asked and then held her breath in anticipation of the response.

She has good and bad days, as to be expected. If only there were a cure Hannah paused for a moment as if collecting her thoughts or perhaps censoring her words. Miriam, Im afraid I have bad news. Her voice was cautious, causing Miriams heart to thump in her chest.

What is it?

Mamm She paused. Mamm iss gschtarewe.

What? Miriam gasped. Mom died? She groaned and covered her face with her hands. No. No, no, no. Hannah, you dont mean that.

Ya, Im sorry to say I do. Her sisters voice trembled. I cant believe it either.

When?

Last night. In her sleep, from complications due to pneumonia. Daed found her this morning. He didnt know that shed Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging between them like a thick fog.

Miriam wiped the tears trickling down her hot cheeks. How can she be gone? I was planning a trip home over the holidays to try to make everything right.

Im so sorry to call you at work and tell you this.

No, no. Miriam plucked a tissue from the box on Laurens tidy desk and dabbed her eyes and nose. Im glad you let me know. Ill go home and pack and then get on the road. Ill be there as soon as I can. She glanced at her watch and then mentally calculated the trip from her home in LaGrange, Indiana, to Gordonville, Pennsylvania. I should be there before midnight.

Oh, gut. I was hoping youd come.

Of course I will. Were family.

Ya. We are. Hannahs voice trembled. Drive safely. Ich liebe dich, Schweschder.

I will. Miriam tried in vain to stop the tears flowing from her eyes. I love you too, Sister.

After dropping the receiver into the cradle, Miriam cupped her hands to her face and sobbed while memories of her mother flooded her mind. The last time shed seen her mother was the night she snuck out of the farmhouse and left the community to move to Indiana and live with her cousin Abby.

Lifting the receiver to her ear again, Miriam dialed Abbys office and groaned when voicemail picked up.

Youve reached the voicemail for Abigail Johnston, paralegal with Wainwright, Morrison, and Rhodes, Abbys voice sang into the phone line. Im either on the phone or away from my desk. Please leave a detailed message, including your name, the time and date of your call, your phone number, and the nature of your call, and I will call you back as soon as I return. Thank you.

After the shrill beep ended, Miriam took a deep breath. Abby, its me. Before she could stop them, the tears started, and her voice was thick. Call me. I just got the most horrible news. Hannah called me, and my mamm Her voice trailed off; she couldnt say the word. Im heading home to pack up and leave for Gordonville right away. Call me. Bye.