A Plain and Simple Christmas by Amy Clipston Read Free Book Online

together. She said that while the visit may be strained at first, having you here would begin to mend fences.
    I’ve arranged for you and Kellan to stay at the Paradise Inn Bed and Breakfast from December 22–24, checking out on Christmas morning. You are welcome to have dinner with us that first night, and from there we will make arrangements to see the rest of the family. Please let me know if that will be convenient for you.
    I’m keeping your visit a secret. Only my mamm Amanda, and Vera know that you’re planning to come, and we’ll keep it to ourselves until you get here. As I said above, I know that your initial arrival may be awkward, but I’ll be by your side to help work through that. Once your parents see you and find out that you’re expecting a baby, they will be willing to work things out in order to have you, Kellan, and the baby in their life.
    I can’t wait to hug you and talk to you in person.
    In His Name, Kathryn
     
    She reread the letter and sniffed, tears flowing from her eyes.
    “Annie?” Kellan crossed the kitchen and crouched beside her chair. “Honey, what’s wrong?” He wiped tears from her hot cheeks with the tip of his finger.
    “Mamm misses me,” she whispered, holding out the letter to him. “She misses me like I miss her. And my sister Vera wants to see me too. I miss my sisters so much.”
    While he read the letter, Anna Mae rubbed her abdomen and lost herself in memories of her family—the delicious smell of freshly baked bread in her mother’s kitchen, the roar of her brother and cousins roughhousing in the yard, the clip-clop of horses coming up the lane with buggies packed with visitors. She wanted her child to experience all of that—all she loved and missed about being Amish.
    Kellan met her gaze and kissed her cheek. “I’m so happy for you. I hope this visit gives you the peace and love you need from your family. If God sent Kathryn a sign, He is also sending us a sign that we need to go.”
    “Thank you! I’m so glad you agree!” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he shifted his weight and chuckled.
    “You’re going to sweep me off my feet again, Annie.” He took her hands in his and smiled. “You nearly knocked me over.”
    “I’m going to write her back tonight and tell her that we’ll be there on the twenty-second.” She hoisted herself from the chair and crossed the kitchen. “I only have a couple weeks until we go. I have so much to do.” She fished a notepad and pen from a drawer and began a list. “We’ll have to bring gifts for all of the children. I’m not quite sure what, though.” She jotted down ideas for gifts, including candies and small toys.
    “Gifts for all of the kids?” Kellan stood behind her. “How can we buy for all your relatives, Annie? Aren’t there hundreds of kids now?”
    Glancing up, she laughed. “I don’t expect hundreds, but, yes, there are many children in the Beiler family. And I’ll bring them little gifts, like candy and small toys. Don’t worry; I won’t break our budget. I’ll visit the Dollar Mart intown after my quilting circle meeting.” She jotted a few more things down on the list and then looked up. “Maybe we can run to the store tonight after supper. I think they’re open late, and I’ll need your help with the bags.”
    A smile spread across his lips. “I have an idea. How about we go to our favorite steak place and then go shopping?”
    “Steak and shrimp?” She glanced down at her abdomen. “How does that sound, Butterbean?”
    “Butterbean?” Kellan raised an eyebrow.
    “I thought it was a cuter name than Lug Nut. I think Lug Nut sounds like a boy, and Butterbean could be a boy or a girl.” She rubbed her belly. “Let me get my purse and we can head out.” She kissed his cheek on her way to the hall.
    Her heart skipped a beat as she thought of seeing her family again. She couldn’t wait to hug her mother, Kathryn, and her sisters. And she hoped her father would be