Hidden in the Trees (Bellingwood Stotries #1) Read Online Free Page B

door. He watched as the young man helped his wife remove the satchel she had around her shoulder and then as she took off a coat and a woven jacket. Sylvie pointed to the rocking chair and Jason quickly grabbed it and pushed it into place. The young man held her hand as she sat down and then picked up their son and placed him on her lap.
    At that point, he turned to them and said, "Thank you for your kindness."

     
     
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER FOUR

     
    Staring at the little tableau, Andrew was frozen in place. He had been able to understand the man's words this time because he could see him speaking at the same time that he heard him.
    "Come over here, Andrew," his mother said. "We should introduce ourselves to each other so that we become friends."
    Andrew moved slowly across the room and stood beside his brother.
    "My name is Sylvie Donovan," she said, "and these are my two sons Jason and Andrew."
    "I am Daniel, this is my wife Nelly, and our little boy, Jonah."
    "Well, Daniel and Nelly, you have picked the perfect evening to arrive for dinner. I made apple pies today and I suspect that fresh warm milk and a piece of pie will be a perfect way to end the meal."
    She turned to her boys, "If you would bring out the good china, I will begin serving dinner."
    Andrew looked up at his brother in confusion. They only brought out Sylvie's china on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Once, she asked them to bring it out when she invited Mr. and Mrs. Ivins from the General Store for dinner. She had wanted to impress him with her baking skills to see if he would consider selling her goods in the store. It had worked, but Andrew rarely saw his mother's wedding gift from her family any other time of the year.
    Jason opened the crate where the china was stored. He handed each plate to Andrew, who carefully held them in his hands. When Jason counted out six plates, he took them back from Andrew and placed them on the table.
    "Should I go out to get Ellis, mother?" he asked.
    "That would be fine," she acknowledged. "Let him know that he should dress up a little since we have company."
    Sylvie turned back to Andrew. "You might as well bring out the good silver as well since there will be six of us at the table."
    Andrew pulled the silver chest out from under the sideboard and counted out the pieces.
    "What about little Jonah?" he asked his mother in a whisper.
    She walked over and set her hand on Nelly's shoulder, "You haven't taught him to use silverware yet, have you?" she asked.
    "No ma'am," the young woman responded.
    "He'll be fine using his fingers tonight," she smiled at her son. "But, don't get any ideas. You're too old for that."
    He nodded back at her and continued to place the silverware around the table. Sylvie cut thick slices of her bread and placed them in a basket to warm on top of the stove, then filled a large serving dish with a thick, hot stew.
    "It's not fancy," she said, "but it will fill you up and warm your insides." She went back to the crate and drew out six large bowls and a small plate for the baby. She set the bowls beside her where the stew had been placed and then winked at her youngest son.
    "I have a surprise for you," she said and pulled a towel off a dish sitting on the shelf over the sink. When she put it on the table he yelped.
    "Strawberries!"
    "They are just starting to come in. I gathered as many as I could because I thought you might like to have some for dinner tonight. I'm glad we have these to share with our guests."
    Ellis and Jason came in and closed the door behind them. Both hung their coats on hooks beside the door and soon everyone was seated at the table, little Jonah sitting on his mother's lap and Daniel hovering close beside his wife and son.
    Sylvie looked at Jason, "Son, would you offer grace tonight?"
    Without any of his normal complaining, Jason offered a simple prayer of thanksgiving for God's provisions and the opportunity to meet new friends. When he finished, Daniel