Troy and Isaac hopped out. As Troy opened the rear hatch and removed a couple of shovels, a block of icy air entered the SUV. He handed one shovel to Isaac, and the two men got busy digging out the front steps and door. Finally, the door cracked open a few inches.
“Who’s there?” Trepidation filled the middle-aged woman’s shaky voice. Then she coughed.
In my excitement, I opened the Suburban’s door and slid out so I could hear.
“It’s Isaac Stoltfuz and my friend Troy Bennett, who drove us here. Your sister asked us to fetch you for Christmas.”
“But I’m not ready. I haven’t done my baking.” She had Naomi’s eyes, but her face looked weathered and her hair was graying at the temples, beneath her black scarf.
A scruffy pint-sized black-and-white pooch scampered to Linda’s feet. “There, there. Everything’s okay, Saucy.”
Isaac leaned down to pat the dog, but it yapped at him. He retracted his hand and straightened his spine.
“Naomi will have my hide if we don’t bring you with us, and we needed to come before the next storm rolls in.” Isaac glanced to the Suburban. “Nancy is here.”
“And who else?”
“A guest who’s staying with the Millers.”
The woman covered her mouth with her hand as she coughed. “Well, like I said, I haven’t done my baking. You can just leave me here. I’m perfectly fine by myself.”
Through relentless icy snowflakes, I strode to the front door, mounted the three steps, and stood next to Isaac. Without an invitation, we moved into the cottage. The air inside was scarcely above freezing and felt damp. A moment later, Nancy joined us.
“Brrr.” She rubbed her upper arms. “Aenti Linda, it’s freezing in here.”
“I’m low on wood and propane for my space heater.”
“You should have let us know.”
“The phone shanty is buried in snow. . . . And it’s so far away.”
I inched toward Linda. “Hello, there.” I peered into her eyes, hoping for some sign of recognition, but saw none. She scooped up what appeared to be a terrier mix and cradled it.
“How old is this little Hund?” Isaac asked.
“I have no idea. She straggled here several years ago not wearing a collar or identification tag.” The woman’s mouth formed a half smile, but she didn’t actually look at me.
I scanned the room. Her home was the opposite of Naomi and Silas’s in size and content. And temperature. One small fire burned in the fireplace of the cramped living room. A kerosene lamp illuminated the space, but the shades kept the room dark. I guessed they also prevented frigid air from penetrating the windowpanes.
Nancy stood at my side. “Come stay with us over Christmas, Aenti. We have plenty of room now that my brothers are gone.”
“They’re gone?”
“You went to their weddings, remember? They and their new wives all moved to Ohio.”
“Vaguely.” She stepped back. “Nancy, I don’t want to give you this cough.”
“How long have you had it?”
She glanced to the threadbare throw rug. “A couple of weeks.”
“I’m not worried about it.” Nancy brushed the air with her hand. “Everyone in our family has had a cold over the last few months.” She draped a lap-blanket over Linda’s birdlike shoulders. “Have you met our friend and neighbor Troy before?”
“I can’t remember.” She squinted up at Troy.
I waited for someone to introduce us but decided I’d let Nancy and Isaac first orchestrate the expedition, lest Linda change her mind about coming with us.
“Hurry and pack your bag,” Nancy said. “I’ll help you.”
“I can’t leave my little Saucy.”
“Dat doesn’t like dogs in the house. Especially one that’s bitten him in the ankle.” Nancy turned to Isaac. “I guess we can put her in the barn.”
“Nee, that will be too cold.” Linda hugged Saucy. “And I can’t leave her here.”
“We won’t let her starve or freeze, Linda.” Isaac strode into the kitchen and came back with a sack of dog kibble. “Nancy, please pack your aunt’s bag. We’ve come all this way.”
“I appreciate it, but I’m better off right here.” Linda made no move. I wondered if she was mentally ill or just kooky.
“We won’t leave without you.” Nancy stood akimbo. “Mamm is expecting you, and it’s much too cold.” She moseyed into the small kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “You hardly have any food.”
“I have enough.”
Nancy disappeared into the bedroom and came back a few minutes later, holding an aged suitcase. “I’ve packed some clothes and you can borrow anything you need from me, Anna, or Mamm, who will have a fit if you don’t come with us right now. Please.”
“Your Dat will have a conniption when he sees my Saucy again.” Linda cracked a smile.
I had to chuckle to myself about the dog’s name. Perhaps at one time that dog was saucy, but not anymore.
Linda put the dog down, and it wandered over to me. I’d always loved dogs but felt wary about petting this one. Yet when I put out my hand it snuggled up to me.
“Well,” I finally said, “is anyone going to introduce us?”
“Ach, I’m sorry, Maria.” Nancy checked for stray hairs escaping her white cap. “This is Saucy.”
I contained a smirk. “I was referring to your aunt.”
“Sorry. This is Maria Romano. Maria, this is our favorite Aenti Linda.”
Linda stiffened and looked away from me, as if she’d been slapped in the face. Apparently, her temperament was the opposite of Naomi’s, too. Not a woman I’d wish to know. But I reminded myself that she’d been stuck in this icy house all night and might not have even had coffee or breakfast. Judging from her hollow cheeks, she was underweight, with no spare body fat to help warm her.
“Oh, I almost forgot the presents.” Linda spun around, gathered wrapped presents, and stuffed them into a couple of brown paper bags.
“So many.” Nancy passed the bags
