A Shining Light Read Online Free Page A

my father gone to High Amana for supplies, or had he left the farm for good? I needed to develop some sort of plan, but I’d wait until tomorrow before making any final decisions.
    The thought was enough to remind me of the basket of food I’d continued to replenish since leaving Baltimore. I cupped my hands to my lips. “Be sure you bring the food basket, Lukas!”
    When he waved his hat in the air, I knew he’d heard, and I turned to once again to survey the surrounding acreage.
    My stomach tightened, yet I fought back the rising fear. Thiswas my family’s homestead. Until tomorrow, I would believe my papa would appear. After that, I didn’t know what I’d do, but for tonight we’d sleep in the barn and pretend all was well.
    â€œYou certain you want to stay?” the driver asked for the third time since he’d begun unloading the trunks. “I’m not sure ’bout leaving you and the boy out here alone.”
    I thanked him for his help, and after assuring him we would be fine, Lukas and I stood side by side and watched the driver and his wagon disappear out of sight.
    â€œWhat do we do now, Mama?” I heard the tremble in his voice. The driver’s concern had been enough to signal all was not well, and Lukas hadn’t missed the warning.
    â€œI think we’ll have us a picnic right out here in the sunshine, and then we’ll pull some of the quilts from our trunk and make a cozy spot to sleep.” I squeezed his shoulders. “We’re going to have a grand adventure tonight.”
    â€œBut what if Grandpa doesn’t come home?”
    â€œWe’ll ask God to direct us, Lukas. Everything will be fine. Just you wait and see.”

    Morning arrived with no sign of my father throughout the night or this morning. With no indication of him or of any animals on the property, I became certain he’d decided to leave the farm. Maybe for only a short time until he could make plans to rebuild. Perhaps he’d made arrangements with the farmers in West Amana to care for the stock during his absence. He could trust them to treat the animals well. But until his return, I would need to purchase a few provisions, and my funds were meager.
    While Lukas slept, I lifted the bar from across the barn doorsand stepped outside. “At least the weather is warm,” I murmured, thankful we hadn’t arrived in the dead of winter.
    â€œ Guten Morgen ! Willkommen! ”
    I startled and turned in the direction of the shouted greeting. A broad-shouldered man who appeared to be near my father’s age strode toward me. He waved his wide-brimmed straw hat overhead and offered a friendly smile as he approached. Along with the fact that he’d spoken in German, his wide suspenders, dark trousers, and jacket gave proof he was a member of the Amana Colonies. I guessed he’d come from West Amana, since a portion of land owned and farmed by the Amana colonists who lived in West abutted my father’s acreage.
    Using the familiar German I’d learned during my childhood years, I walked toward him and returned his greeting.
    â€œHow can I help you?” He glanced toward the farm. “Your horses and wagon are in our barn?”
    I frowned at his question. “ Your barn? This land belongs to my father, Johann Neumannn. I am Andrea Neumannn Wilson, his daughter.” I gestured toward the barn. “My son, Lukas, is inside. We have returned home from Baltimore. My father didn’t write and tell me about the fire.” I let my gaze settle on the sandstone foundation that had once supported our frame house.
    â€œ Ja , the fire, it was very bad.” His voice was as solemn as his dark brown eyes. “I am sorry you must come home to find such sadness.”
    â€œDanke.” Not wanting to reveal the tears beginning to form in my eyes, I looked away. “My father? I arrived yesterday but haven’t seen him. Did he decide to