A Little Bit of Charm Read Online Free

eave, casting a yellow circle of light on the yard.
    â€œWhat if they’re not here?” asked Michelle. “Maybe I’d better wait to make sure.” She stepped into her van but rolled down the window.
    â€œI’m certain they are home. I wrote that I was coming. Maybe they already went to bed.” Rachel waved goodbye to her before climbing the steps to the porch, dragging her heavy suitcase. Just as she opened the screen door, lights snapped on inside the kitchen.
    The sweet face of her cousin Sarah appeared in the doorway. “There you are at long last. I’d given up hope for tonight. I’m sure you’re exhausted. Are you also hungry?”
    Rachel felt her stiff muscles relax with the warm welcome. “I am tired but not hungry, and I’m very glad to be here. When I sawno light on in the house, I thought grossmammi was wrong about your using electricity.”
    Sarah released her and tugged the suitcase from her grip. “No, our grandmother was right. I’m Old Order Mennonite now since my marriage to Isaac Stoll. We have electricity to our homes, besides our business, but we don’t like running up the bill for no good reason. I had dozed off in the chair. Don’t need lights to do that. I have a phone too.” She pointed to a cordless phone sitting in the charger on the countertop. “And Isaac and I both have cell phones.”
    â€œDo you have a car too?” Rachel’s tone revealed her excitement at the prospect of coming and going more easily and quickly, and without having to pay a driver.
    â€œNo, we have a horse and buggy, same as you. Our district farms with draft horses too. No tractors or combines. Each conservative Mennonite district decides how much technology to use. If you drive over to Barren and Hart Counties, you’ll see their members using every sort of conveyance except for motorcycles.”
    Rachel blinked, stifling a yawn. “What county is this?”
    â€œCasey, but there will be time enough to learn the ins and outs once you’re rested. Let me show you to your room. Isaac is already sawing logs. He gets up before dawn and needs his beauty sleep.” Sarah flicked on a low-wattage bulb at the top of the narrow staircase. She left her kitchen pitch dark—no night-light for midnight refrigerator raids.
    Rachel climbed the wooden steps as quietly as possible, pondering Sarah’s expression. “Oh, you mean your husband snores. I’ve never heard it put that way, but I’m familiar with snoring, having shared a room with Beth my entire life.”
    â€œIf you happen to hear it through the walls, a chainsaw will definitely come to mind.” Sarah swept open a bedroom door. “This room will be yours for as long as you like.” She set Rachel’s suitcaseon the blanket chest at the foot of the bed. “How old is your baby sister now—twelve, thirteen? I’ll bet she didn’t want to go back to Pennsylvania alone.”
    Rachel hesitated before answering as she assessed the small, tidy room. It contained more furniture than an Amish bedroom, and used a closet instead of wall pegs for clothes, but it was still austere by English standards. “Though Beth is fourteen now, she seems younger. I think she needs more time with our grandmother and aunt, but I told her she could visit someday.” Rachel bit the inside of her cheek and swallowed hard. Maybe Sarah expects this to be only a short visit .
    Sarah nodded in apparent agreement. Then she said, “Everything in here is self-explanatory. The bathroom is down the hall, and another one is downstairs off the kitchen. Breakfast is at eight after the first round of chores, but feel free to sleep late tomorrow. I know how tiring travel can be.” With a final smile at her young cousin, she marched from the room, pulling the door shut behind her.
    Rachel lowered herself to the bed, barely able to contain her excitement. She