Anna's Return by Marta Perry

that reason. He’d always thought he had to protect Myra. Until she married, of course. Then she’d found her strength in Joseph. It was a knife in his heart to think she might lose that, all from a moment’s thoughtlessness.
    He should have insisted on going with Joseph. He might have known Joseph wouldn’t be content to tinker around with the car’s insides. No, he’d have to test out every bit of it, because that was the kind of mind he had, endlessly curious about every piece of machinery he saw.
    “Samuel.”
    He jerked his mind back to the present, realizing his name had been spoken more than once, and stood to greet Daniel Glick, Leah’s husband.
    “I just came from your place,” Daniel said, turning his straw hat in his hands. “Everything is fine there. The kinder are happy and the animals fed. I locked up your house and saw to the horses myself.”
    “Denke, Daniel.” He’d known, of course, that everything would be taken care of. That was their way in times of trouble.
    “Is there any news?” Daniel lowered his voice, glancing at Myra.
    “Not yet.” Samuel realized he was clenching his hands and deliberately relaxed them. “All we can do is wait. And pray.”
    “Ja. I am doing that, for sure.” Daniel hesitated. He glanced at Leah, and it seemed a silent communication passed between them. “I was thinking that my oldest boy, Matthew, might be some help to you in the machine shop if Joseph is laid up for a while. He seems to have a gift for machinery.”
    “He does that.” Samuel had seen enough of young Matthew to be aware of the boy’s interest. It was a sacrifice for Daniel to be offering him, both because Daniel could use the boy’s help on his own farm and because it was well known that Daniel would rather see the boy a farmer. “Let’s talk to Joseph about it, soon as he’s able,” he said.
    Please, Lord . . .
    “Things will change with Joseph laid up.” Myra looked up at them suddenly, her face pinched. “I don’t know how we’ll manage.”
    “You mustn’t worry about that now.” Samuel bent to pat her clasped hands. “It will be all right. Joseph will be fine.” She needed to believe that.
    Daniel moved off to a group of men. Leah stood, stretching a little, and Anna came to take her place on the plastic chair next to Myra. Someone offered coffee. Samuel waited. Prayed.
    Finally the door opened. This time it was a doctor, a surgical mask hanging loose around his neck. He looked a bit startled by all the people there, gazing from one to the other.
    Myra rose, Samuel and Anna standing with her. “My husband . . .” she began, and her voice wavered.
    “Mrs. Beiler.” The doctor looked relieved to have her identified. “Perhaps you should come out into the hall to talk.”
    “Komm, Myra.” Samuel reached for her, but Anna already had her arm around Myra’s waist. Together they walked through the door with her, Elias Beiler following them.
    The door swung shut, cutting them off from their people, but not from their support. He could still feel them there, hoping and praying. Myra clutched Anna’s hand. They’d grown close in the short time since Anna had returned.
    “He’s come through the surgery very well,” the doctor said quickly, as if not wanting them to imagine anything else. “His vital signs are good, and he should be regaining consciousness soon.”
    “Can we see him now?” Elias asked, as if he couldn’t believe his son was all right until he saw for himself.
    “He’s still in recovery now, but I’ll have a nurse come for you as soon as you can see him.”
    Myra nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Samuel could tell that she hadn’t caught much more than that Joseph was alive.
    The doctor started to turn away. Surely there was more they should know . . .
    “How extensive was the surgery?” Anna’s crisp voice had the doctor turning back to them. “What exactly are his injuries?”
    Again surprise marked the doctor’s face. Had he not