On Her Own Read Online Free Page A

letters.”
    Noah took a seat on a bale of straw, and Paul joined him. “Barbara gave birth to son number four the same day your brother died. David never knew she was in a family way.” Noah shook his head. “Barbara’s mother-in-law, Mavis, told Faith that Barbara’s feeling real tired. That’s why she’s not here today.”
    “Wouldn’t expect her to be under the circumstances.”
    Noah cleared his throat. “I. . .uh. . .well, Faith and I were wondering if you might want to stick around awhile. Maybe see about working at Zook’s Harness Shop.”
    Paul felt a rush of adrenaline course through his body. Why couldn’t he have been given that opportunity four years ago? “If I did offer my services, it would only be until Barbara gets back on her feet,” he said.
    “Does that mean you’d never consider moving back to Webster County?”
    Paul shook his head. “I doubt it. I only came home for Dan’s funeral. Figured I might stay a week or two so I could visit family and friends. My sisters live in Jamesport now, and they’re planning to stay here a week. I’ll probably stick around that long, too, and then catch a bus back to Pennsylvania.”
    Noah nodded, and his dark eyes revealed the depth of hisunderstanding. “Before Faith and I were married, she came home not planning to stay, either.”
    Paul opened his mouth to say something, but Noah cut him off. “After a time, Faith realized her home was here, and she knew she was supposed to stay.” He smiled. “Of course, marrying me was part of the deal.”
    “Faith didn’t have a daed who wanted her to do something she didn’t want to do,” Paul mumbled. “My daed wants me to farm, and if I stick around too long, he’ll start pressing me on the issue.”
    “As I’m sure you know, Faith was away from home for ten years, telling jokes and yodeling in the English world.”
    “I remember.”
    “She and her daed didn’t see eye to eye on her yodeling, but he’s come to terms with it.”
    Paul grunted. “Even if Pop and I could mend our fences, I still wouldn’t stay here.”
    “Why not?”
    “I like working on harnesses, and there isn’t room for two harness shops in this small community.”
    “Maybe you could work for Barbara indefinitely.”
    Paul’s face heated up. He wasn’t about to spend the rest of his life working for Barbara Zook. She shouldn’t even be running the harness shop. That was men’s work, plain and simple. “Unless Barbara decides to sell out, I won’t be staying in Webster County.” He moved toward the door, and Noah followed. “I will drop by and see Barbara, though. I need to offer my condolences on the loss of her husband.”

Chapter 3
    B arbara was napping on the sofa when a knock at the back door wakened her. “Come in!” she called. “I’m in the living room, Mom!”
    Moments later, a tall, blond-haired man entered the room. He wore a straw hat, short-sleeved cotton shirt, and dark trousers held up by tan suspenders. “I’m not your mamm, but you did invite me to come in,” he said, removing his hat.
    Barbara’s mouth hung open. “Paul Hilty?”
    “Jah, it’s me.” He shifted his long legs and shuffled his black boots against the hardwood floor. “Sorry if I startled you.”
    Barbara’s hand went instinctively to her hair, as she checked to be sure her kapp was in place. She had planned on a short rest and ended up falling into a deep sleep. The baby was sleeping in his crib upstairs, and the boys were at her folks’ place. It hadbeen the perfect time to rest. The last thing Barbara expected when she woke up was to see a man standing in her living room. “No, no, that’s okay. I mean—it’s good to see you.”
    “And you, as well.”
    Barbara’s cheeks grew warm as she stood and smoothed the wrinkles in her long dress. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to Dan’s funeral yesterday. I had a boppli a few days ago and haven’t gotten my strength back yet.”
    A look of concern clouded