The Christmas Cradle by Charlotte Hubbard Page A

bottles and bibs do you have at your place?” Mary Schrock teased. “The last babies you had are here amongst us, and one of them has a baby of her own!”
    Lena chuckled. She sensed it was a rare occasion when Miriam’s friends could take her by surprise.
    â€œYou go first, missy,” Miriam said, gesturing toward the bundle with Lena’s name on it.
    Lena’s heart overflowed with gratitude. When she popped the wrapping paper’s seam, Lena let out a gasp. “It’s a carrier basket! And it’s full of stuff! ”
    Miriam then ripped the paper from her package, an identical basket for taking a newborn places. “Stuff indeed!” she said. “My word, here’s a diaper pail and ointment for rashy bottoms—”
    â€œAnd baby shampoo and powder, and wee little socks!” Lena chimed in as she held up the items from her basket.
    Miriam giggled as she grabbed a fleecy stuffed lamb and a crocheted pig. “Why do I suspect you made these, Mary Schrock?”
    The lady who owned the quilting shop shrugged. “Maybe because I still like to play with toys?”
    Once again laughter rose around her, and Lena’s heart swelled. When she and Miriam had thanked everyone, Nora offered the three of them a ride home in her van. A warm feeling wrapped around Lena like a cuddly afghan as they rode the short distance to the Hooleys’ home with Savilla.
    â€œWe’ll get Ben and Josiah to carry all these gifts inside,” Miriam said as Nora pulled up into the lane. “And once again, Nora, we thank ya from the bottom of our hearts. That was mighty nice of ya to have everybody over when you’re busy gettin’ ready for your wedding.”
    â€œYou have no idea how much this evening meant to me,” Lena murmured.
    â€œI had a great time, too,” Savilla said. “It was a chance to get acquainted with the women who live here.”
    Nora beamed at them as she shut off the engine. “That’s what I was hoping for. One of the things I missed most when I was living English were the frolics Plain women have,” she said. “It’s even more fun to hostess one than it is to attend, so I’ll have more of them. It feels good to fill my house with laughter and friends!”
    Isn’t that a wonderful thought? Lena mused as she entered Miriam’s kitchen. Someday I want to fill my house with laughter and friends, too!

Chapter Eight
    For Ben, carrying a loaded baby basket in each hand was the easiest part of the evening. The three women’s bright eyes told him they’d had a wonderful time at Nora’s, and he hated to spoil their buoyant mood. A few things needed to be said, however, because Lena would soon realize something was amiss.
    â€œIt seems Josiah has left again,” he began with a rueful smile. “His horse and wagon are gone—but some of his clothes are still here.”
    Lena’s smile withered. “I wanted to show him the nice baby things we got,” she murmured. “I figured he’d feel better about the wee one coming, now that we’ve got the basic necessities.”
    â€œAnd why would he leave without saying something?” Savilla pondered aloud. “I thought we were ready to start preparations for the wedding buffet—which I will not cater by myself,” she added emphatically.
    â€œMaybe he’s gone to speak with Hiram,” Miriam remarked.
    â€œOr maybe he wanted more cooking utensils from your house in Iowa,” Lena said as they hung up their coats.
    Ben listened to them making reasonable excuses for Josiah’s behavior. Truth be told, he found the kid’s second disappearance in a week a sign that he’d leave again in the future—probably when Lena or Savilla needed him most. “Lena, have ya thought about what comes next for you and the baby if ya don’t marry Josiah?” he asked gently.
    â€œIt’s not like