Planted with Hope Read Online Free

pie shop. The woman scowled and stopped at Hope’s bare feet. Emma’s dat stepped back, as if almost afraid to hear about what had transpired. Or maybe because Hope’s clothes clung to her.
    â€œIt’s as much my fault as hers,” Hope quickly explained. “Emma was on the canoe, and I startled her. I told her that you were looking for her, and I urged her to get off. My words frightened her and… well, she tried to hurry… ” Hope couldn’t look at the man, so she turned to the woman. “Don’t be too upset.”
    â€œShe fell in the water? All the way in?” The woman’s tone was sharp. “Emma Sutter, don’t you know there are sharks in there? Come here. We need to get you home. Need to get you cleaned up.”
    Emma still clung to Hope, and Hope wasn’t sure what to do next. The girl had to go with her dat, but prying the girl off would leave her completely exposed.
    â€œThank you for saving her. I’ll wait over the hill.” The man backed away, refusing to meet Hope’s gaze. “Emma, thank the lady and then come. We must get you home.”
    Emma whimpered and pressed her cheek against Hope’s chest. Hope gave her a quick squeeze. “Go on now. Your dat is waiting.”
    The woman—her Aenti Ruth Ann, wasn’t it?—cleared her throat. “Didn’t your dat say to thank Hope?” Her voice was stern, and Hope had no doubt that young Emma would hear more from her aunt after she got home.
    â€œThank you, Hope.” Emma pulled away. She struggled to stand, and Hope helped her to right herself.
    As Hope stood, she looked down at herself and heat rose to her cheeks. She was thankful that the boat ramp sloped downward so no one could see her from the park.
    She was a dripping mess. Her dress and apron clung to her. She crossed her arms over her chest, unsure of what to do. Unsure of how she was going to get home. The park was full of people, and she’d have to walk right through the middle of them to get out of the park.
    Ruth Ann must have been wondering the same thing. She took Emma’s hand and eyed Hope.
    Then, just as Hope decided she would hide out and wait until the crowd left, a voice called out.
    â€œRuth Ann, can you come for a minute?” a man’s voice called.
    Hope couldn’t see Emma’s dat, but she could tell he was just over the hill.
    â€œJust a minute, Jonas.” Ruth Ann walked up the boat ramp and paused near the top. A smile filled her face. “What a good idea,” she said. “Emma, go with your dat, and I’ll help Hope.”
    Ruth Ann disappeared for a moment and returned with a thin quilt.
    Relief poured through Hope, and she gladly accepted it. “Thank you so much. Where did he get this?”
    â€œJonas said that Elizabeth Bieler from the fabric store brought it with her. She said there’s always more people than seats, and she thought someone might be able to use it.”
    Hope took the blanket from Ruth Ann’s hands, unfolded it, and then wrapped it around herself. “I’m so thankful that she did.” It was a light quilt that had seen many years, many picnics. Thankfully there was enough room for her to wrap it around herself and hold it tight in front. Hope let out a soft sigh, feeling hidden once again.
    â€œWould you like me to walk with you—at least out of the park?” Ruth Ann said.
    â€œ Ja, danke , but let’s walk around the edges. I want as few people seeing me as possible. I don’t want to make a big deal out of this.”
    â€œNo, of course not. I’ll try to keep you out of view. I’m sure that everyone will be so busy socializing and talking that they won’t even notice.”
    Hope breathed out a sigh of relief. “I hope so.” She steppedforward, her bare feet on the rough concrete. Her flip-flops were somewhere in the creek, but thankfully it wasn’t much of a walk