woman said.
âAmber.â The dark-haired woman stood and flashed them another smile. âFollow me.â
Chapter Four
Lorieâs breathing turned shallow as she and Luke followed the woman down the carpeted hallway. The place was clean, brightly lit, and smelled like pine cleaner and cinnamon.
Not a bad place to be, but confusing to Lorie all the same. Why would her father keep his mother here? Why didnât she live with the family in Wells Landing? But she knew the answer. Because her newly discovered grandmother was Englisch.
âSo everyone who lives here is older?â Lorie asked Luke as they followed the brunette.
Luke shrugged. âSome of them could be people like . . . like James Riehl.â
âElamâs father?â
Luke nodded.
James had been kicked in the head by one of his milk cows a couple of years back. The injury had left him with the mind of a child. He could function fairly well on his own, but Lorie knew that his family felt the need to make sure he had supervision in case he had a dizzy spell or a memory lapse.
âDid my grandmother get kicked in the head by a milk cow?â
Amber gave her a patient smile. It was a look Lorie was used to seeing as it was a favorite of the Englisch to bestow upon their Plain neighbors. âNot exactly. But she does suffer from some dementia and possible early stages of Alzheimerâs.â
âI donât know what that means.â She looked to Luke for answers. Oh, how she wished Jonah had come with her today. She needed his steady and quiet strength. But she was grateful Luke was there. He had a knowledge of the Englisch that neither she nor Jonah possessed. Yet it seemed this one was out of his range of knowledge.
He shrugged, then turned to the woman for the answer.
âShe has trouble remembering things. Sometimes she even thinks itâs a different time.â
âLike time to go to bed when itâs time for breakfast?â Lorie asked.
âLike itâs 1972 when itâs . . . not.â
âIs this a good idea?â A frown of worry puckered Lukeâs normally smooth brow. He was as easygoing as anyone could be and his concern was almost as unnerving as the surprises sheâd faced the last few weeks.
Amber smiled. âAll our tenants love having visitors. Just donât bring up your father unless she does. And donât tell her about his passing. Iâll inform the therapist who comes in once a week. He can work with her on accepting that, okay?â
â Jah. Yes.â Lorie nodded, doubts flooding her. Emily had tried to warn her. Jonah, too. Was this worth all the risk?
Before she could decide, the woman knocked on the door in front of them.
âCome in,â a sweet voice called out.
Amber opened the door and peeked inside. âMiss Betty, you have visitors. Are you up for company?â
âCompany?â the sweet voice asked.
She pushed the door open a little farther and stepped back so they could enter the room.
Lorieâs mouth went dry, and her palms grew sweaty as she eased inside.
âHello, dear. Come sit down. Would you like for me to have Pearl bring us some iced tea?â
âNow, Miss Betty,â Amber said, stepping into the room. âPearl no longer works for you.â
âOh, thatâs right.â Betty Mathis patted her cap of soft white curls. âI had forgotten.â
âNo worries, Miss Betty. This is Lorie . . .â
âKauffman,â Lorie said.
Amber gave her an approving nod as if she had given a false name in order to protect her grandmotherâs delicate mind. But it was the only name Lorie had ever known.
âAnd this is Luke . . .â
âLambright,â he supplied.
âMy, what an interesting name.â Miss Betty set her knitting off to one side. âIâm so glad you came to visit today. Wonât you sit down?â
Lorie cautiously inched into the room and perched on the