It took many days for the debris from the storm to be cleared away. For several weeks, Elizabeth spent most of her time clearing away limbs and small shrubs and bushes that had been uprooted. She and Max made a game of racing to put the objects on the pile she'd started. She let him 'win' most of the time just to hear him giggle with delight.

When Paul had returned from work and everyone had eaten dinner one evening, he lit a fire on the pile, and he, Elizabeth and Max stood watching it burn. Elizabeth watched the puffs of smoke wafting away on the light breeze and suddenly felt so dizzy she thought she might faint.

"Are you all right?" Right away Paul was right there, holding her and gazing into her eyes, his own warm orbs of concern.

"I don't know." Elizabeth clutched her stomach. "Suddenly I feel like I'm about to be sick."

"Come on inside." Gently he steered her back into the house and helped her into bed. "Just rest for a bit. It'll pass."

She closed her eyes as she felt his fingers softly brushing the hair back from her face. A few minutes later, she felt his lips lightly brush her forehead. "Just take it easy for awhile. I'll finish up outside and get Max settled."

The following morning, she threw up as soon as she got out of bed, and a worried Paul took the morning off to take her to see Dr. Banion.

The doctor asked Elizabeth some questions about her general health and her monthly cycle, then told her to disrobe and lie on the examination table. Knowing what was coming, she scrunched her eyes shut and tried to think about something relaxing. The poking and prodding of the doctor's fingers inside her lasted only a few minutes, and then he told her she could sit up and get dressed.

"Congratulations," he said with a smile. "You have another little one on the way. It'll be born in about the middle of April."

Elizabeth's heart leaped with joy as she dressed and returned to the waiting room. Paul took one look at her smiling face and grinned himself. "Are you?"

She nodded, and he cried out with joy as he embraced her.

"It happened the night of the tornado," she told him.

He frowned. "How do you know?"

She shrugged. "I can't explain it. I just know. I have ever since that night."

They got into the car and rode to John and Olivia's to pick up Max. "How's he been?" Elizabeth asked as the little boy ran to her and she picked him up.

"Good as gold," Olivia replied. "He found my dried beans and got into them, but I was able to distract him with some empty spools."

Paul ruffled his son's hair. "How'd you like a baby sister?"

"Or brother," Elizabeth added.

"Oh, are you really? Well, congratulations!" Olivia beamed. "You'd better get her home so you can start taking good care of her," she added to Paul.

"I sure will," he told her.


A couple of weeks later, Elizabeth answered the knock at her door one Saturday morning to see Aimee Godsey standing there with a tall, dark-haired man. They were both wearing expensive clothing that looked brand new.

"Hi, Elizabeth!" Aimee beamed. "My mother gave me directions to your house. This is my husband, Roger."

"Nice to meet you." Elizabeth shook Roger's hand. "Come on in and have a seat. Paul's outside mowing the lawn. He'll be in after awhile."

Max toddled up to his mother and stood regarding the newcomers with solemn round eyes. "Guten tag."

Aimee and Roger both burst out laughing. "He's so cute!" Aimee exclaimed.

"Paul's been teaching him German," Elizabeth explained. "Would you like some iced tea?"

"Yes, please." Aimee attempted to fan herself with her hand. "It's hot as blazes!"

"Having become accustomed to air conditioning, the heat is rather hard to take," Roger added while Elizabeth poured the tea.

She frowned. "Air conditioning?"

"It's a wonderful little box that fits right inside a window frame," Aimee explained. "It's ever so much better at keeping your house cool than a fan!"

Elizabeth's mind had barely had time to digest this incredible fact before the door swung open and Paul entered the house. The aroma of freshly mowed grass combined with sweat filled her nostrils, and she went to her husband, savoring the scent she knew and loved so well.

"Aimee and her husband are here," she told Paul as he gave her a quick hug and kiss, then lifted Max into his arms and walked into the living room. "Paul, you remember Aimee, and this is her husband, Roger. Roger, this is my husband, Paul."

"How do you do." Paul shook his visitors' hands. "I apologize for my appearance. I had no idea I'd be having visitors today."

"Oh, that's quite all right!" Aimee assumed a mannerism that reminded Elizabeth of her mother, Corabeth.

"I'll just get a quick shower and then join you," Paul continued.

"You're fine as you are," Roger assured him.

Paul sat in a chair opposite his guests, still holding his son.

"So tell me, what's life like in the city?" asked Elizabeth.

"Oh, it's marvelous!" Aimee enthused. "Anytime I want, I can simply hop on a bus and go anywhere I chose! Altshul's, Ames and Brownley - anywhere?"

"Altshul's? Ames and Brownley?"

"They're department stores, and they're ever so much bigger than my parents' store! Rows and rows of dresses in every conceivable style, color, and size, and you should see their shoe selection! Plus there's a housewares section, a section with tools that I know Paul would love, and even a section for auto parts! You'll have to come visit sometime - I'd love to take you there!"

Paul looked at his wife and saw that her eyes were shining with excitement.