The Shunning Read Online Free

shock. Before Mary could retaliate, John looked over at them. "I need some help with this math problem, Sadie."
    Sadie immediately went to help John, and then Hannah also had a question. Mary helped her, and it took quite a while to get the dishes washed and the kitchen put to rights. Once the homework was done, they all joined their parents and older brothers in the living room. Mama was mending one of Katie's dresses; Dat was reading The Budget, the Amish newspaper published in Sugarcreek; Atlee and David were playing checkers.
    Levi put down his paper to ask, "Are the lessons all done?"
    "Ja, Dat," his younger children all nodded. Jacob added, "Sadie and Mary helped us when we didn't understand how."
    "Goot," Levi nodded. "It is almost time for bed, but we have time to read from the Bible."
    Sadie loved it when her Dat read to them and then they discussed the passages, learning from each other. Dat always encouraged the smallest child to tell what the verse meant to them, and once in a while the little ones came up with something funny, and sometimes with wisdom profound.
    "Gott is good to us," Martha said quietly, and then announced bedtime.
    Sadie shared a bedroom with Mary, and it wasn't long before they were snuggled under the quilts on their beds. Mary was soon asleep, but Sadie found herself thinking about a handsome man with wonderful blue eyes. She also thought of the bletching he gave her, and was thankful that he hadn't mentioned that part to her Dat.

    * * *

    Wade was right on time to pick up Sadie the next morning, and she told him over and over again that he was forgiven for not picking her up the evening before. It was obvious that the man was feeling guilty, and Sadie calmly assured him there was no harm done until he smiled and believed her. He promised he wouldn't be late to pick her up after work and Sadie reminded him to drive safely. The storm was over, but the roads were still slick and dangerous.
    Her boss was very happy to see her; several of the other girls called off, saying the roads were too bad. "We will be busy today," he predicted, and he was right.
    Sadie worked hard, taking orders for breakfast, and then for lunch. She woke that morning with a scratchy throat and by noon she felt hot, but she continued to cover her tables during lunch service and hurried to keep up with her customers' demands. It was getting harder and harder for her to concentrate on her words when her head started pounding and her body ached all over. Still, Sadie did not complain, and continued to work.
    She was relieved when the heaviest lunch traffic cleared, but she was given another table just when she thought she might get to take her break. Sadie did not complain, but went to the table.
    "Hello, Levi's Sadie," Samuel said with a warm smile.
    "What are you doing here, Samuel?" Sadie asked, flustered.
    "I wanted to see you," he answered truthfully, winking at her. "I also need to eat, and I am not a good cook."
    "What can I bring you to drink?" Sadie asked in a professional manner.
    "Water to drink with lunch, coffee after I eat," he answered.
    "You look over the menu while I get your water, Samuel." Sadie hurried away, feeling flustered. Her heart was beating fast... and if she were honest with herself, she had a bit of a fancy for the handsome young man. She also had a million questions about him and told herself she was foolish for thinking of Samuel. Her Dat would never accept him, having been raised an Englischer. But, she had to admit, there was something special about Samuel. He made her heart beat faster and none of the boys she socialized with at the singings and frolics made her feel anything more than friendship. Why, she hadn't agreed to ride home from singings with any of the young men she knew, not wanting to encourage any of them when she was sure she would feel nothing special for them. With Samuel it was different! When he was near she could feel her heart pounding in her chest and her tongue seemed