He waited until Betsy got inside, then decided to walk over to the golf course. He needed more time to walk and figure out what he was going to say to his parents. They would be helpful but they were also going to want all the information.

  Which meant he was finally going to have to let his family in on his secret—that he’d had the biggest crush on Brianna Lapp for months, finally made his move, and now needed their help.

  He really hoped they would decide to do just that—instead of tease him about his awkward courting.

  20

  Aunt Diane had made August’s favorite supper. It was simple but fresh and excellent—noodles with butter and cheese, green beans, and a piece of perfectly seasoned grilled grouper. Diane really had a way with fish.

  All three of them had found the time to sit down together too. That was a minor miracle, since usually one of them stayed at the pro shop to greet golfers coming off the course or to supervise the driving range.

  However, about four months ago he and Uncle Gideon had talked about both their time and how well the golf course was doing financially. They’d agreed that it was time to start enjoying their evenings more—and also time to focus on their personal lives instead of just the golf course.

  With that in mind, August had recently hired two teenagers to help out. Within two weeks, the boys had gotten the hang of things and become really good workers. Both August and his uncle had wondered why they hadn’t done that years ago.

  The boys were doing a good job and liked hanging out at the golf course at night. Their customers seemed to enjoy the boys’ enthusiasm too. They were generally happy, were good conversationalists, and were respectful to the golfers.

  Uncle Gideon had even begun giving them some golf lessons and tips from time to time. It was obvious that they’d be pretty decent golfers one day. As a bonus, they were also encouraging their many friends and family members to come to the course more often. It was something of a win-win for everyone.

  Since the boys were happily in charge of the driving range that evening and he was eating his favorite supper, August knew that he should be happy. And he would be . . . if his mother hadn’t just Skyped to deliver some terrible news.

  His father had been injured while riding with a local into the village. August still wasn’t sure of the specifics, but it had something to do with a motorbike, some stray dogs, and a car with faulty brakes. He had been taken to the hospital for surgery.

  To make matters worse, his mother hadn’t been willing to speak to either Diane or Gideon, so August had to relay the news when he got off the computer. Diane had listened to the news with a stricken expression before quietly turning away.

  But not before he’d spied tears in her eyes.

  Now they were eating supper in near silence. Aunt Diane was upset, Uncle Gideon was fuming, and August felt even more emotions—worry, guilt, irritation, and sadness.

  “Did your mother mention when she was going to Skype again?” Gideon asked.

  August shook his head. “Nee. We usually set a date and time for the next Skype, but of course she was too upset to do that. I’ll have to keep checking on your computer to see if she sets up another call.”

  Though he still looked angry, his uncle seemed to pull himself together. “I know she won’t want the expense, but I reckon Charity will use the phone if things get worse with David,” Gideon said.

  “Jah. I suppose she will.” However, the three of them knew that an actual phone call was a long shot. Not only would the connection be difficult but the price would be astronomical.

  “We should pray for David,” Diane said. She held out her hands to both August and Gideon. They clasped hers as they bowed their heads.

  August prayed for his father’s recovery and the hospital workers’ healing hands. He also prayed for the other people involved in the accident and his mother. Finally, he prayed for Diane. He truly hoped she would eventually find some way to accept her brother’s unfair anger toward her. He’d long ago given up asking the Lord to change his parents’ hearts. They were determined to never forgive Gideon and Diane for taking him in and encouraging him to have a successful career at the golf course. As far as his parents were concerned, Gideon and Diane had played a large role in August’s fall from grace.

  When each of them had lifted their heads, August was relieved to see that his aunt looked a little less burdened. He took another bite of noodles. “This supper is so gut, Diane. Danke for making all my favorites.”

  Aunt Diane gave him a watery smile. “It was no trouble. Gideon and I like this meal as well.”

  Gideon cleared his throat. “When will you see your student again?”

  “Do you mean Betsy?”

  “Of course I mean Betsy,” Uncle Gideon replied with a laugh. “Do you have plans to see her again?”

  “I do. I’ll see her in a couple of days.”

  “Just for a lesson?”

  “Jah. A lesson then lunch.”

  “You two should do something else together,” Diane said. “Take her to the beach or to the botanical gardens. Something fun.”

  “Or go calling at her house,” Gideon murmured. “Now that the boys are here, you have time to visit Betsy in the evening.”

  Calling? Like a formal suitor? “She’s staying at a friend’s house. Wouldn’t that be strange?”

  “Nee,” Diane said. “Besides, I think it would be the right and proper thing to do. Didn’t you mention that she’s staying with a friend who is married?”

  “Jah.”

  “Then her friend and her friend’s husband would probably like to meet ya.”

  Realizing how he’d made formal calls sound as fun as catching the flu, August shifted in his seat. It looked like he would soon be eating his words.

  “What do you think about that idea?” Diane pressed. “I mean, you like her a lot, jah?”

  He didn’t exactly want to discuss his feelings for Betsy, but his aunt and uncle would probably be the best people to talk things over with. They had such an open, refreshing outlook on life. “I want to see Betsy more often, but I’m not sure about a formal call.”

  “Why not?”

  “I don’t know what our future could be like.”

  “What do you mean?” Diane waved a hand. “Obviously, I know that she lives in Kentucky and you live here, but there’s no reason one of you can’t move if you two get serious enough to think about marriage.”

  When he noticed Gideon nodding as well, August looked at him in surprise. “You’d be okay with me moving?”

  “Do I want you to move? Nee. But would I understand if you had to move? Jah.”

  “I’m not even sure what I would do in Hart County, Kentucky.”

  “I reckon they play golf there too, August.”

  “Yes, but . . .” He stopped, feeling flummoxed. “I’ll have to think about that.”

  “Indeed,” Uncle Gideon murmured.

  The phone ringing made all three of them freeze. “I’ll get it,” August said.

  There was every possibility someone was calling about the golf course—or it could even be another relative or friend.

  However, the feeling of dread in the pit of his stomach told him it was likely something else.

  Picking up the phone, he prayed he wasn’t right.

  But of course he was.

  “August! Your father’s condition is worse than we’d thought,” Mamm blurted the moment he said hello.

  He leaned against the wall for support. “What happened?”

  “They just got back the results of his latest bloodwork. They think he contracted a terrible infection in the hospital. The doctors are trying to combat it, but they said he isn’t out of the woods yet.”

  “Oh, Mamm.”

  She lowered her voice. “If your father doesn’t get better, he could lose his leg.”

  August closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, Mamm. Gideon, Diane, and I were just praying for him. We’ll continue to do so.”

  “We’re going to need more than your prayers, son. I need you to come here.”

  He froze. “Why? Do you think Daed is going to get worse?” He simply couldn’t ask if his mother thought his father was about to die.

  “August, Daed and I want you to come here and help lead the mission.”

  “In Namibia?”

  “Of course here.” Turning all businesslike, she continued. “Now, if you call the headquarters, they’ll help you find flights. It will be expensive, of course, but maybe you can use your savings to help with the costs. Or maybe your aunt and uncle can pay for the trip. I’m sure they have plenty of funds for that.”

  “Mamm, I can’t go to Africa.” Going to work in the mission wouldn’t be a temporary thing. It would be a commitment of at least a year. A year doing what he never wanted to do again.

  “Did you not hear what I said?” Her voice rose. “We need you, August. This mission needs you too.”

  It was almost physically painful to refuse, but he had no choice. But just as he opened his mouth to tell her no, he amended his words. “I . . . I need some time to think about this.” Maybe that really was what he needed to do. Shouldn’t he want to do what they asked?

  “August, there is no time.”

  “I’m sorry, Mamm, but I’m not willing to drop everything to run the mission. I will think about it, though. I’ll Skype you in a few days.”

  “I don’t know what I’m going to tell your father. Or the mission headquarters. Or the villagers. I already told everyone that you would be here soon.”

  Hearing how upset she was about going back on her word almost made his decision easier. He’d always hated how she put his needs last . . . and she was doing it again.

  “I guess you’ll just have to tell them the truth, Mamm,” he said at last. “You’ll have to tell them that I grew up and have my own job and life that I can’t leave at a moment’s notice.”

  She hung up. Once again, she’d made sure that she didn’t tell him that she loved him.

  Tears pricked his eyes as he realized that such things still hurt.

  21

  At first, Betsy was sure a nightmare had woken her up. She’d been dreaming she was underwater and unable to signal to either Danielle or Annie for help. She’d kept reaching out a hand for them, but they’d ignored her. Her lungs had felt like they were about to burst.

  Her futile attempt to call out had woken her up with a start. It took less than a second for her to realize what was happening. She was having an asthma attack.

  Reaching out to her bedside table, she felt for her inhaler. It was where she always left it. Unfortunately, her jerky, bleary-eyed movements pushed the device down onto the floorboards. She was going to have to get out of bed and crawl around to find it.

  Tears filled her eyes as she struggled to fill her lungs with air. Each breath burned. Pushing away the pain, she attempted to be positive. The Lord was with her. She could do what had to be done.

  One leg out, two legs. She braced a hand on the mattress but mistook the space—and fell.

  She cried out as she landed on her right knee.

  “Betsy?” Mary called out. “Are you all right?”

  No, she was not. “N-n-n!” Her stutter was back. She would’ve been mortified to sound so pathetic . . . if she wasn’t struggling so much.

  The bedroom door flew open. “Betsy! Oh my word. Jayson! Jayson!” Mary’s voice became progressively more frantic as she knelt down by Betsy’s side. “Betsy, can you hear me?”

  Betsy tried to motion for her inhaler.

  By the grace of God, Mary seemed to understand what she needed and bent down to look for it.

  “Should I call 911?” Jayson asked from the doorway.

  “You better. She doesn’t look good. Oh my word,” she mumbled. “Oh, thank the Lord. I found her inhaler. All right, Betsy, here we go.”

  Betsy could barely move her head to face Mary.

  Her friend held the inhaler up. “Come on, now. Don’t give up. Help me, Betsy.”

  Betsy was hardly able to nod as Mary put the inhaler up to her lips and pressed. She inhaled, but her lungs had been struggling too long. She could barely inhale enough to get a small amount into her lungs.

  “They’re on their way,” Jayson said as he joined them. He knelt next to his wife. “Betsy, hold on, okay?” he said. “I promise, we’re getting you help. The ambulance is coming.”

  She tried to nod, but her body was shutting down. The world was turning black as she fought to breathe.

  “Betsy, again!”

  She opened her lips with a searing cough, and Mary placed the inhaler to her mouth again. When she pressed the button on the top, another small amount of medicine flowed into her lungs. Betsy coughed.

  Coughing was a step in the right direction. She knew that. However, it was obvious that it wasn’t enough to make a huge difference. Every bit of her felt heavy. It felt like too much effort to even hold her head up.

  She closed her eyes just as she heard the faint call of the sirens.

  Even though it was only half past seven in the morning, Nate strode into the pro shop. “I came here as soon as I could this morning,” he said.

  “You didn’t have to come over so early.” Nate worked at a hardware store and didn’t usually report to work until nine.

  “Of course I did. I would’ve come over after I heard your message last night, but I figured you were already asleep. So, how are you? Are you okay?”

  “I’m sorry I left that message for you. I probably shouldn’t have.” He’d just had to tell someone about his news, though. He’d been so upset.

  “You still didn’t answer my question. Are you okay?”

  “Nee.” August realized his voice sounded harsh, but he couldn’t seem to get over his mother’s words.

  “What happened? You said your father has gotten worse?”

  “Jah.” He walked around to the other side of the counter, glad for once that they didn’t have their usual early morning crowd teeing off. “Nate, I don’t know what to do.”

  Nate clasped his arm. “Tell me again what your mother said.”

  “Well, first my father broke his leg in several places as well as a couple of fingers. He had to have surgery on his leg.”

  “Okay. And . . . ?”

  “Now infection has settled in. It’s bad.” His voice turned hoarse. “Mamm isn’t 100 percent certain, given the problems with language and all, but she fears that Daed might lose his leg . . . or that the infection could spread into his bloodstream.” Which, of course, meant that there was a possibility of his father dying.

  Nate’s eyes were filled with sympathy. “I’m sorry. I’m sure you’re worried sick.”

  “Jah. I am. I’m scared that he’s so bad off in Africa. I . . . I know they have good doctors and hospitals there, but . . .”

  “But it’s not like here in America.”

  “Exactly.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “Nate, my mother told me something else too. It’s made me so confused, I don’t know what to do.”

  “What did she say?”

  August drew a deep breath, hardly able to verbalize the words. “Mamm asked me to come there and help run the mission.”

  “She wants you to go to Africa?”

  “Jah.”

  “Right away?”

  “Yes. My mother doesn’t want to leave. Of course, there’s too much for her to do alone. She needs help. She feels that I’m the best choice.”

  Nate frowned. “That doesn’t even make sense. You aren’t a missionary.”

  “I’m not. But it’s my daed who’s hurt and my mother who’s having to hold down the fort, if you will. She feels the responsibility heavy on her shoulders. The people they’re serving are depending on them.”

  “But isn’t there someone else? Someone from the mission who can go and help out?”

  He had to remember that Nate had no understanding of how things worked when one was a missionary. “It’s not like there are missionaries to spare, Nate. Everyone is already serving someplace else.” He exhaled. “I understand how she feels.”

  Nate looked incredulous. “August, are you actually thinking about dropping everything and going to Africa?”

  “I don’t know if I am or I’m not.” That, of course, was why he felt so guilty. Shouldn’t he want to do whatever his parents needed him to do? Shouldn’t he want to go help serve?

  “I know you love your parents, August, but they haven’t been supportive of you. Like, not even a little bit. I can’t believe you’re considering dropping everything here and moving to Africa.”

  August pursed his lips. He didn’t disagree with his buddy, but it still didn’t make things easier. “They’re my parents, Nate.”

  Nate waved a hand. “What about the golf course?”

  “I don’t want to leave it, but my aunt and uncle can run it. They used to run it just fine without me.”

  “What do they have to say?”

  “My aunt is worried about her brother and doesn’t want me to leave—but they also understand about duty.” He lowered his voice. “After all, they did their duty by taking me in.”

  “That was not the same thing at all, August. You’ve been a blessing to them. Not a burden. Why, Gideon gets to sleep in now. Even he’s told me how much he appreciates that.”

  As much as he valued Nate being on his side, his friend’s words weren’t helping much. In fact, all they did was make him more confused. “Thanks for listening to me. I’ll let you know what I decide to do.”

  Nate winced. “I’m sorry. I’ve been bossing you around instead of listening and being sympathetic.”

  Since that was an understatement, August grinned. “I’m glad you spoke your mind. I need your honesty.”

  Still looking guilty, Nate picked up a sleeve of golf balls from the counter. “Hey, why don’t I hang out here with you for a while? I can help you put away stock.”

  “There’s no need for you to do that.”

  “Or when you’re ready to take a break, we’ll go play a couple of holes. It might be good not to talk about anything besides getting a little white ball into a hole.”

 

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