A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston Read Free Book Online Page B

Benjamin glanced down at his trousers. “Every muscle in my body hurts. He worked me like an indentured servant. I think I could lie down and sleep for a week.”
    “Why would he do that on your first day?” Carolyn demanded. “That’s cruel!”
    “Ben!” Her father grinned as he approached them. “You look like you’ve been dragged by your horse.”
    “I feel like I have been, Daadi .”
    Carolyn’s frustration surged as she studied her son. “Who does Joshua Glick think he is?”
    “What do you mean?” her father asked.
    “Why does he think he can work Ben so hard on his very first day?” She pointed at Benjamin. “He’s just a bu .”
    “That was the deal, Carolyn. Ben’s repaying Joshua for hurting his horse.”
    “No, this wasn’t part of the deal.” She pointed toward the buggy. “I’m going to go have a talk with him.”
    “Don’t do that.” Benjamin’s eyes widened. “I can handle it. You don’t need to get involved.”
    “ Ya , I do need to get involved.” Carolyn nodded with emphasis. “I’m your mamm .”
    “Let me handle it, Mamm .” His brown eyes pleaded with her. “I’m fifteen. I’m a man now.”
    “He’s right, Carolyn,” Dat chimed in. “You don’t need to get involved.”
    “ Ya , I do need to defend my son.”
    “Carolyn, this isn’t your place,” Dat pressed on. “You need to let me handle this.”
    “I’m going, Dat . Please tell Mamm that I’ll be back soon.”She climbed into the buggy and guided it toward the road. This time she was going to do what she thought was right.

    After Daniel and Benjamin had gone home for the evening, Joshua headed over to his parents’ house with his mother’s casserole dish sitting next to him in the buggy. He guided the horse into his parents’ driveway and found another horse and buggy parked near the barn. Joshua stopped his horse and buggy near the other one and then climbed out.
    As he approached the porch, he found his mother and Lillian standing by the back door, talking to two young women. When he reached them, he realized they were Anna Mary and Lena Esh, and he inwardly groaned as it became apparent that he’d been set up. His mother didn’t want the casserole dish; she wanted him to meet Lena.
    “Josh!” his mother’s voice sang as he looked up at her wide grin. “You’re here!”
    “Hello.” He nodded at the women, and Lena smiled. He held up the casserole dish and felt like a heel. What was he doing holding up a casserole dish while surrounded by a group of eager young women?
    “ Wie geht’s, Onkel Josh.” Lily gestured toward the Esh sisters. “Lena and Anna Mary came by to deliver kichlin Lena made.”
    “ Mei schweschder made these appeditlich kichlin for our scholars. Lily is going to bring them to class tomorrow.” Anna Mary held up two boxes. “Lena works at mei mamm’s bakery. She’s the best baker.”
    “That’s wunderbaar .” Josh forced a smile.
    “I hope the scholars enjoy them,” Lena said. “I enjoyed making them. I tried a new chocolate chip cookie recipe, and I think it came out well. If they like them, I’ll make more.”
    He had never felt so uncomfortable and out of place in his life. It was as if he were a contestant on one of those Englisher dating game shows his elderly neighbor had once detailed in a conversation. It was also obvious his niece was now plotting with his mother to get him to date Lena. Annoyance stole over him. He appreciated their good intentions, but he just wanted to be left alone to run his farm.
    “Here’s your dish.” He handed it to his mother. “ Gut nacht .”
    “Wait!” his mother said. “Don’t go just yet. I have supper ready inside. Come in and join us. I’ve already invited Anna Mary and Lena to stay too.”
    His mother’s smile was eager and expectant. He felt trapped, like a wild horse locked in a stall.
    He tried to think of an excuse, any excuse. “Well, I was going to finish cleaning up the house. It’s a