Snowfall Read Online Free Page A

of him.”
    â€œI’ll go put him in a stall. Would you like to go with me to the barn? Or would you rather go on inside and meet my kinner ?”
    â€œWhich would you prefer?”
    â€œWell, if you walk with me, you’ll get a moment’s reprieve from my children.” He nodded toward the house. “They’re waiting for you, you see.”
    She turned her head and saw six small faces staring back at her. Two boys, four girls. Not a one of the children was smiling.
    But none of them was glaring, either.
    Dear Lord , she silently prayed. Remember my prayers .
    Martin was staring at her, too. “Do you like children?”
    â€œI think so.”
    â€œYou think so? Don’t you know?”
    â€œWell, I don’t know these kinner , so I don’t know if I’ll like them,” she teased.
    But instead of being amused, he looked like he was tempted to roll his eyes. “I meant, do you like spending time with kinner ? Do you enjoy watching them?”
    She opted for the truth. “I don’t know. I don’t have much experience watching children.”
    â€œThen why did you want to come here?”
    â€œI didn’t. I somehow got talked into it by Lovina Keim. And then, well, I just got laid off from my job at Daybreak.” When she noticed his eyes turn sympathetic, she explained. “Budget cuts.”
    â€œThat’s hard. I’m sorry about that.”
    â€œI am, too. However I am grateful for this opportunity.” And suddenly, she realized she was glad. Not only had she been worried about her finances, she’d also been dreading the thought of spending another Christmas season alone. After her parents died when she was only five, Ruth had become her extended family’s charity case. They’d all taken her in for a year at a time, sometimes grudgingly, sometimes with kind hearts. But no matter what the situation, Ruth had learned over time that she was never to get too attached. That it could only bring more heartbreak.
    Now, at the very least, Martin was going to pay her, and she would be surrounded by noise and chatter. Even if the kinner were as rambunctious as Lovina had described, Ruth knew it would be far more difficult to be sitting in her rented room completely alone.
    Green eyes danced. “Just to let you know, Lovina talked circles around me, too.” Patting the horse again, he added, “She’s the kind of woman who makes me glad I spend most of my time with trees and horses.”
    Surprising herself, Ruth chuckled.
    His smile grew brighter. “So, Ruth, would you like to walk to the barn with me . . . or are you ready to go in and meet the children?”
    Maybe it was because he was still absently patting Rocky. Maybe it was because he looked just as apprehensive as she felt. Or maybe it was because she’d spied something in his children’s faces that looked a whole lot like optimism.
    Whatever the reason, she quickly reached into the buggy’s interior and pulled out a large picnic hamper. “I think I’ll go on in and meet your children. They’ve been awfully patient.”
    â€œMight be a good idea. They’ve been alone for ten minutes.”
    â€œThey’re that rambunctious?”
    His lips twitched. “They are. Hey, what’s in the hamper?”
    â€œA surprise for the kinner .”
    He stared at it as if he was afraid it was about to explode. “There’s no handcuffs inside, is there?”
    â€œNot today, Martin.” She shrugged, enjoying the silly, irreverent conversation. “But if they misbehave, I might have to resort to such tricks tomorrow,” she joked.
    Martin looked at her with eyes wide. “Ruth, you just made me the happiest man on earth.”
    â€œAnd why is that?”
    â€œBecause you’re already talking about coming back.” He chuckled. “All right, well, then, once I get Rocky settled, I’ll head off to