15. Rebecca

15

Rebecca

I was busy making clothes for the baby while Maverick worked in the fields. Kevin had been sick for a few days, so Maverick was even busier than usual. I knew he was worried about Kevin.

The door opened, and Maverick smiled. "I'm going to walk over and see how Kevin is doing. The last time I visited, he looked really bad. I think I'll drive over there in case he needs to see a doctor."

"You saw him yesterday," I reminded him.

"Yes, and he looked worse. It's seven in the morning, so I know they're awake. Kevin is eighteen. I'll take him to the hospital if he needs to go. Sometimes you need more than prayers."

"Maverick, we aren't like you. We pray for healing and trust God to heal us."

"I know. I won't cause any trouble. I'm just worried about him. I couldn't get it out of my mind last night, knowing how sick he was."

"You can't go in there and demand that he see a doctor. Doing so would upset Daniel and Janet."

"I'm not going to upset them. I'll only be gone for twenty minutes."

He walked out the door, and I heard nothing for four hours. Maverick had forgotten his phone. I was cooking the noon meal when he walked in.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Kevin's appendix burst. They still don't know if he'll live. I had to push Daniel out of my way and carry Kevin to my truck. Finally, Daniel and Janet showed up at the hospital, and the doctor explained everything to them."

"Now they need to pray he lives, because by not taking him to the hospital sooner, he might die. If our baby gets sick, she will go to the hospital. I will not take a chance with her life."

"You knew I was Amish, and I will always be Amish; I refuse to change my life. You told me you understood. Let's pray for Kevin," I said.

Maverick started praying before I had a chance. "God, please help Kevin get better, heal his body, and keep our daughter safe and healthy. Thank you, Lord, for giving me Rebecca as my wife. I love her more than she'll ever know. Please help her to understand that You guided doctors to be smart enough to save lives. Thank you for our food and our good health. Amen."

I stared at Maverick when he finished speaking, tears in my eyes. This was the first time my husband had volunteered to say the prayers.

"Sweetheart," he said, getting up and pulling me into his arms. "I will say the prayers when I'm home. I'm so sorry I haven't done so before now." He bent his head and kissed me.

This morning, the baby was moving like crazy. I lay in bed, took Maverick's hand, and placed it on my tummy.

"She's very lively this morning," he said. His hand followed her every move. It had been two months since Maverick came home, and I prayed every day that he could stay longer. But when his phone rang, I knew who it was. His team needed him, but we needed him too.

I climbed out of bed and dressed, then went to the kitchen. Maverick followed me. He wore his sweats and nothing else. His body was beautiful, even with the battle scars he carried.

"When do you have to leave?" I asked.

"I leave in three days. I wish I could stay here. I promise I'll be back before the baby arrives."

"That's six weeks from now. Let's enjoy the time we have together. Would you like some pancakes for breakfast?"

"That sounds delicious."

Someone knocked on the door, and Maverick answered it. Kevin stood there. "I'm here to start work again," he said.

"Kevin, please come in and eat pancakes with us. Are you sure you're ready to work?" Maverick asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I was ready a month ago when I said so, but you refused to believe me."

"This work you do is hard labor; I just want to make sure you won't tear something inside." I thought it was sweet how Maverick treated Kevin like a little brother.

"The doctor said I was ready to go back to work. I'm glad I had health insurance working here; we could never have paid that hospital bill."

"I'm glad you can return to work. I have to leave on a job in a few days."

"You have to go away again? Will you always have your other job? Don't you want to stay and work your farm someday?"

"This is Rebecca's farm. My job is with the Delta Force team. We rescue people and save lives. We also guard them when needed. That's what I do. I love my wife, but I'm not Amish. I'm not a farmer."

"But you work the farm when you're here," Kevin pointed out.

"That's because I don't want my wife working in the fields. I don't like seeing her hands torn up from plowing or digging up crops," Maverick said. "I'm going upstairs to get dressed. I'll be right back down."

After Maverick left the room, Kevin turned to me. "Maverick doesn't know that you work in the fields when he's gone?"

"No, I don't want to make him worry needlessly over something I've always done."

"Yes, but now you're having a child," Kevin said. "It would be best if you didn't work in the fields this time when Maverick leaves."

"I won't work in the fields until after our baby is born. I'll take care of the house and the garden. Don't say anything to Maverick."

"Don't say anything to me about what?" Maverick asked, coming back into the room. "Rebecca, what were you saying?"

"It's nothing," I replied.

"Kevin, what was she talking about?"

"I asked Rebecca if you knew she always worked in the fields when you were gone. She said she didn't want you to worry needlessly. She also said she wouldn't work this time because the baby will be here soon."

Maverick looked at me as if he couldn't believe I'd let him think I wasn't working the fields. I'd told him I had always worked on the farm. He should have known I still would.

"Rebecca, we'll talk later. I have to work right now," he said.

"I'm sorry. But you know it takes more than one person to work this farm. I won't work anymore until after Ella is born."

"We'll talk later." He must have seen my chin quiver because he returned and kissed me. "Always remember that I love you. Even if I get upset, I will always love you. Nothing could take that away."

I nodded and wrapped my arms around him. It wasn't fair that he worked the farm during his time off.

I wished I could do something else, but this land was my family's legacy, and I had to work the farm for my children—the same way my grandparents and their grandparents did before them.

"I'm sorry you spend your time off working here on the farm. I'm sure you'd rather be traveling the world having fun like your friends do. After the baby is born, I want you to do things on your time off, like you used to."

"Rebecca, stop. I'm where I want to be. I don't want to be anywhere except with you. I'll see you at noon, sweetheart," he said, pulling me into his arms.