Pennsylvania Patchwork by Kate Lloyd

into the kitchen, but I found it empty. “Anyone home?” I called. No one answered.
    I discarded my jacket, stepped into my moccasins, and entered the sitting room.
    An eerie feeling surrounded me when I saw the low table lying tipped on its side, and the doll sprawled on the floor facedown. Why would Mom leave the doll there? I recalled my grandmother disapproving of it but couldn’t fathom Mommy Anna or my mother tossing and leaving it on the floor.
    Then I noticed the fabric strewn across the couch, and spotted Mom’s knitting bag by the chair. I didn’t see Mom’s purse and wondered if someone had broken in. Mom’s handbag could be upstairs. But if someone had burgled the house the intruder might be there.
    I hurried through the kitchen to the back door and called for Armin. “Can you help me?”
    He came bounding up the back steps. “What’s wrong?”
    â€œI don’t know. Someone might have broken into the house.”
    â€œIt’s unlikely. Why would you think such a thing?”
    â€œCome look in the living room.”
    He led the way. “Where’s your mother and Anna?”
    â€œCould they have gone to Nathaniel’s?” I said.
    â€œAnd left the house in such disarray? I doubt it. I better have a look around.” Armin scaled the staircase to the second floor, then returned. “No one there,” he said and then jogged into the Daadi Haus to find it also empty.
    I heard Nathaniel’s voice, and moments later he entered the room.
    â€œHave you seen my mom and grandmother?” I asked him.
    â€œYah. Some Englischer drove them to the hospital a while back. Anna took a fall. Nothing too serious. Apparently she could hobble to the car so I don’t think she broke anything. But her forehead was bleeding.”
    As Armin righted the table, Nathaniel turned his attention to him. “Why aren’t you working on Anna’s roof?” Nathaniel said, his mouth severe. “And you’ve got that mutt over here again.”
    Nathaniel was one of the most gentle and even-tempered men I’d ever met; I couldn’t understand what seemed like hostility toward his brother.
    â€œI took Rascal for a walk,” I said. “Armin gave me a lift and was just about to bring Rascal back to your place when I asked him to come in here.”
    Nathaniel stepped closer to me, took in my face. “Your eyes are swollen. Have ya been crying, Holly? Something rilpsich —foolish—my Bruder said or did?”
    â€œNo, quite the contrary. Armin saved me from an awkward situation and I’m very grateful.” My vexation transferred to Nathaniel. “Does Mom know you’re going to Ohio?” I asked him.
    â€œI was planning to tell her today.” He glared at Armin, who’d obviously spilled the beans. “I hate to worry her, since I went through the same routine several years back. Senseless titter-tatter is all it was.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “But now, this time, I don’t know—”
    My poor mother, was all I could think.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN
    â€œMamm and I owe you a debt of gratitude,” Esther said to Larry as they cruised up to the front of the house. My, how quickly he drove, but Esther certainly wouldn’t complain.
    She glanced over the seatback to see Mamm was yawning, rubbing her eyes, and apparently waking up—Esther hoped not in a grizzly-bear mood.
    â€œGlad to help.” He hopped out, came around the hood, and opened Esther’s door, then helped Mamm exit the sedan. Quite a gentleman. But Esther recalled Holly’s labeling Larry a Romeo, love-’em-and-leave-’em type. According to Holly, the two of them were just friends.
    With Mamm supported by Larry, Esther walked ahead of them. As she turned the knob, Nathaniel opened the door. “Gut, you’re back,” he said, his gaze not meeting hers. He spoke to Mamm. “Anna,