Amish Promises Read Online Free Page B

of school. Her friend had seemed like a fairy with her fine blond hair and bright blue eyes. She was gregarious and fun and expected people to be good and kind.
    The first time Eve spent the night at Abra’s house it all made sense. Abra was deeply loved. Although she was still Amish at that time, that night Abra’s mother prayed with the girls, out loud, asking for both of them to be covered by God’s grace. After she’d kissed them good-night, she said that God connected people to each other and to him. “That’s what love does,” she’d said. Eve had never forgotten that. Years later she realized that sin did the opposite—it tore us apart from God and others.
    After Eve diapered and changed the baby and tucked Trudy into her crib, she helped the girls finish the dishes and then sent them into the living room to play a game of Scrabble with the boys, who’d insisted that their Dat didn’t want any help.
    Eve was sure that was true. Tim grew even moodier in the evenings.
    Once the popcorn was done she called the children to the table, but just as they sat down Tim came through the back door.
    â€œHow’s the cow doing?” Eve asked, dishing the popcorn into individual bowls.
    â€œFalse alarm,” he said. “I think she has a few more days.”
    He headed into the living room, and the kids ate their popcorn in silence. When Lila had finished hers, she stood and said, “I’m going to go read in bed.”
    â€œMe too,” Daniel said.
    â€œWhat about our game?” Simon leaned across the table.
    â€œWe’ll finish it tomorrow,” Lila said, patting her little brother’s head as she walked by.
    Rose’s lower lip jutted out. “I don’t want to go to bed yet.”
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Lila said.
    Rose glanced at Eve, who simply shrugged.
    The younger children ended up pulling out a puzzle in the living room. A couple of times Rose asked Tim a question, but he didn’t answer. After a short time Simon and Rose went to bed too. After tucking them in, Eve sat down with her knitting.
    Finally Tim yawned and stretched, and then he stood. “Did you give away that quilt?”
    She stared at the yarn in her lap. “Why?”
    He stepped in front of her. “Why would you want to give away something Abra made for you?”
    She wrapped the yarn around the needle. “From what you said this morning, I didn’t think you minded.”
    â€œI do mind.” He tugged on his beard. “Did you?”
    She raised her head, determined to keep her voice even. “Jah, I did.”
    He turned toward the hallway. “What a waste.”

 4 
    W hen Shani woke the next morning it took her a minute to remember they’d moved to the farm. It wasn’t until she became aware of the quilt against her chin that she realized where they were. She patted the other side of the bed for Joel and then rose up on one elbow. He was gone.
    She grabbed her robe from the end of the bed and hurried down the hall, past the row of boxes. He wasn’t in the living room. She registered the smell of coffee.
    He stood at the kitchen sink, a cup in one hand and his cane in the other.
    â€œGood morning,” she said.
    He turned toward her. He hadn’t shaved, but he was dressed in sweatpants and a long-sleeved T-shirt. He raised his mug. “Coffee? It’s decaf.”
    She couldn’t help but smile. He’d been worried about her caffeine intake even though she’d assured him a cup of regular each day wouldn’t hurt the baby. “Thanks,” she said, pouring herself a cup. It was the first time he’d made coffee since he was home on furlough last April.
    â€œSorry about yesterday,” he mumbled.
    â€œIt’s all right,” she answered, stepping to his side. She startedto put her head on his shoulder but thought that might put him off balance. Instead she reached up and