A Sister's Test by Wanda E. Brunstetter Read Free Book Online Page B

for town, I’ll send Anna to the barn.”
    Martha held up the magazine in her hand. “Thought I’d sit on a bale of straw and thumb through the rest of this. Then I need to get busy and clean out the kennels. Maybe Anna can help.”
    Grace started for the door but turned back. “We’ll probably stop by the bakeshop and see Ruth while we’re in town. Is there anything special you’d like me to bring home as a thank-you for watching Anna?”
    Martha shook her head. “No payment’s needed. But if you’re stopping at the bakeshop, I wouldn’t turn down a couple of lemon-filled doughnuts.”
    Grace chuckled. “Consider it done.”

    Martha had just started cleaning Heidi’s cage when Anna darted into the barn. “Mama said I get to spend the morning helping you!”
    Martha smiled. “It’s a good thing, too, because there’s lots of work to be done. I’m in need of a big helper like you.”
    “What do you want me to do?”
    “All the cages need to be hosed out.”
    Anna’s forehead wrinkled. “That’s a dirty, smelly job, and Mama wouldn’t like it if I got wet.”
    “How about if I do the hosing? When I’m done, you can put clean straw in the dogs’ beds.”
    “Okay.”
    Martha motioned to a bale of straw. “If you’d like to have a seatover there, we can visit while I work.”
    “I hope Heidi has some more puppies soon. I liked playing with ’em,” Anna said as she flopped onto the straw.
    “You can play with Esta’s puppy whenever you go over to the Wengerds’.”
    Crack!
The window shattered, and a small canister crashed to the floor. Anna screamed, and a terrible odor permeated the barn.
    Martha’s eyes began to water. She grabbed Anna’s hand and ushered her quickly out the door.
    “How come the window broke? And what was that awful smell?” Anna asked, rubbing her eyes.
    Martha glanced around the yard. No one was in sight. “I think it was a homemade stink bomb. We’d better let Cleon and your grandpa know about this right away.”

    Cleon had just begun to sand a new chair when the door to Roman’s shop flew open. Martha and Anna rushed into the room.
    “I think the attacks are beginning again! Someone just threw a stink bomb through one of the barn windows!” Martha panted.
    Roman looked up from the hunk of wood he’d been sanding. “Are you sure about that?”
    “Of course I’m sure. I heard the window break and saw the cylinder hit the floor, and Anna and I definitely smelled the putrid stench.”
    Anna nodded vigorously. “It smelled like rotten eggs, and it made my eyes water.”
    Cleon dropped the sandpaper he’d been using and rushed across the room. “Are you all right?”
    “She’s fine. It just took us by surprise,” Martha replied before Anna could respond.
    “Did you see anyone?” Roman asked, moving over to Martha.
    Martha shook her head.
    “It was probably some prankster. I heard some English kids have been fooling around the area again, doing all sorts of goofy things.”
    “I don’t know. I think maybe. . .” Martha’s voice trailed off when she noticed Anna’s wide-eyed expression. “I’d better go back to thebarn and get things aired out.”
    “I’ll take care of that,” Roman said before he rushed out the door.
    Cleon picked Anna up and seated her in the chair behind Roman’s desk. “Why don’t you draw awhile?” He handed Anna a tablet and pencil, then moved toward the door and motioned Martha to follow.
    “I think it would be best if we didn’t say anything to Grace about this,” he whispered. “With her expecting our first boppli this fall, I don’t want her getting upset or worrying that this could be another attack on her family.”
    “I won’t mention it, but Anna might blab.”
    “I’ll have a talk with her,” Cleon said with a nod.
    Martha’s fingers curled around the doorknob. “Guess I’d better go talk to my daed and make sure he doesn’t say anything, either.”

    Ruth had just finished waiting on an English