Rachel whisked them up the back staircase, down a hall, making sure to avoid any guests, and up to the third floor. Wanting to give them privacy, she excused herself quickly, but not before she heard Hannah’s cry of anguish and joy and saw her rush into her mother’s welcoming arms. Downstairs, Ra...
Rachel looked at him, wondering what was up. “I should make an appearance at the Amish feast.” “Not the cafeteria. I need to speak to you alone.” There was no hint of a smile. She took in her surroundings; there were still plenty of people milling around, but many were heading for the warmth and ...
She came in by the front door and waited, looking at the merchandise until Ellen rang up purchases for two customers and they left the store. “Good morning,” Ellen said. Gail smiled shyly. “Good morning.” She looked as if she wanted to say something, but she just stood the...
She was tired, but it was still too early to go to bed, and her mind was in turmoil. Had it only been yesterday that Willy’s body had been discovered? It seemed like days ago . . . It gave her some satisfaction to know that Uncle Aaron was back with his family tonight, not sleeping in a police st...
She removed her coat and boots, left them in the utility room and hurried to find her son. Ellie and Sara were in the kitchen making supper, and she gave them a hearty greeting. “Good news on the school situation,” Mari announced. “I can’t believe it. Zachary’s records fin...
Eli said, letting go of Ruth’s hand and getting to his feet. Mam glared at him. “You don’t know what I think. My daughters aren’t fast girls. You may do things differently in Belleville, but here holding hands is for couples who have publicly stated their intention to marry.” “We weren’t…” Ruth b...
Her sisters, just ahead of them, turned left toward home. Samuel guided the horse right. “Where are you going?” Anna asked him. “Home is that way.” Samuel chuckled. “I think I know where you live.” He grinned boyishly at her in the light of the carriage lamps. “The rules say that I’m supposed to ...
The blow had been so quick and hard that Roland was picking himself up off the ground almost before he’d realized that he’d been struck by a flying hoof. He hadn’t lost consciousness, but for what seemed like an eternity, he hadn’t been able to think straight. Johanna’s ma...
Turning to Naomi, Anna smiled and raised a flour-dusted finger to her lips. “Ne, my love. We don’t tell who comes to talk with your father. A deacon’s family must remember that church matters are to be kept private.” She went to the table and gave her eight-year-old stepdaughter a hug. “Now, if y...
He’d disconnected the battery so that the ridiculous red-and-green lights no longer blinked, something he wished he’d taken the time to do when he’d climbed up onto the bench seat the night before. He’d taken down the big foam dice and removed the speakers for the boom box...
Jason Peachy was bidding on her supper basket. And from the sly winks Jason threw her way between bids, he was all too aware that it was her basket and not her mother-in-law’s. Hannah retrieved baby Rose’s rag doll, catching it just before it fell from the toddler’s hand. ...
He appeared so solemn in his good black coat and black felt hat. Usually, he looked like the other men in the community, but a bit Plainer. He wore his battered straw hat way into the fall, his old suspenders that had come apart and been knotted on the left side and worn blue trousers with patche...
He stayed attuned to his customers’ needs but also peeked at what was happening in the children’s area at every opportunity. “I could totally live in a boxcar,” Kaden said. “I like these berries a lot.” He popped another couple of blueberries in his mouth and grinned at La...
But Katie had invited him to join them for the midday meal and afterwards, when the family sat drinking iced tea on the porch, he’d had to watch Shad making calf eyes at Katie and praising her for her cooking. Every time Katie glanced in the boy’s direction, Shad flushed to the roots of his hair....
The dreaded stile. The sun was bright, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The day promised to be warm and humid, and she could already feel a sheen of moisture on her face and throat. She hoped she wouldn’t arrive at Sara’s all hot and sweaty; she wanted to appear mature...