The Photograph Read Online Free Page B

also outside beneath the stable overhang with their dog. “What could be wrong? She looks downright guilty,” Eva whispered as she went to rest against the porch banister to await their brother.
    Menno waved at Frona, and Eva could hear him suggest they set up a roadside stand once the berries started coming on. Eva wondered why he’d brought that up.
    â€œ Wie geht’s , Eva?” Menno asked, spotting her as he came up the steps. He paused a moment to remove his straw hat.
    â€œ Wunnerbaar-gut , and you?”
    Menno pressed his lips together. “Word’s spread clear beyond Eden Valley ’bout your candy sales,” he said with a smile. “Heard it again this afternoon.”
    â€œSome days I can scarcely keep up.”
    He nodded. “It’s been a gut little hobby, I’ll say.”
    Eva noticed his smile had faded, and she couldn’t help wondering what he meant by hobby . “Frona’s real pleased with the extra income. She handles all the money.” It wasn’t really necessary to say that when Menno was aware Frona held the purse strings. But Eva suddenly felt nervous and wondered if Frona and Lily’s worries were inching into her.
    Menno waved her into the house with his hat, so she led the way, and Frona followed soon after, tramping up the porch steps and inside. As for Lily, Eva hoped she might oblige and not make them have to seek her out. Lily knows better than to be standoffish , Eva thought, watching Menno reach for their father’s chair and sit down. She had correctly anticipated his choice. Now it would be a relief if Menno simply relaxed and enjoyed the peanut butter balls, chatting brotherly-like, with no agenda.
    Proving my sisters wrong.

    When Naomi was but a girl, she’d stumbled onto crocheting after watching her mother make placemats and sweaters, and was quickly hooked. Now that supper dishes were all put away, she’d gone out to the side porch, taking her crocheting with her to sit and pray while she worked on a set of white booties for one of her grandbabies. And while she prayed silently, she looked up to see if Lily Esch was still out by the stable.
    Lord God in heaven , soften dear Lily’s heart toward Thee, she prayed, hoping Dottie’s youngest would bring honor to her family’s name and parents’ memory. Dottie’s youngest had always seemed more bent on having a good time than on matters of faith.
    Naomi watched a patch of thin clouds float past the sinking sun, veiling it for a moment. Across from the barnyard, a row of mature cottonwood trees moved gently with the breeze, their pale trunks fissured from livestock rubbing up against the bark.
    Over at the Esch farm, a young Amishwoman clad in a blue dress and matching cape apron practically marched into the lane, barefoot. The girl scurried to Lily, who was leaning against the stable door, arms folded. Naomi watched as the visitor greeted Lily with a brief hug, her back to Naomi, as Max barked and wagged his long, bushy tail. Then the young woman handed Lily what looked like a white envelope, gave her a wave, and turned back toward Eden Road.
    Getting a better look now, Naomi recognized Fannie Ebersol, Lily’s former school friend and distant relative. “’Tis nice she hassuch a companion, what with her parents and grandparents all gone to Jesus,” Naomi murmured.
    Naomi somehow felt better as Lily opened the envelope and peered at whatever was enclosed before clasping the envelope to her heart. With a glance toward the house, Lily spotted Naomi and waved. Feeling a bit sheepish, Naomi waved back.
    Lily hurried toward the house and headed inside.
    All will be fine, by the looks of it, Naomi assured herself, focusing again on crocheting the booties. “ Ach , I trust so.”

    â€œ Gut of you to join us, Lily,” said Menno when she took her place on the wooden bench next to Eva.
    Lily bobbed her head but didn’t speak,