A Sister's Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray Read Free Book Online Page A

could both get sapphire birthstones.”
    â€œMaybe we could turn it off,” Amelia said peevishly. “I would really like to sit in the quiet and maybe sleep.”
    Rebecca frowned. “Again? But you just woke up from a nap. Are you truly that tired?”
    â€œ Jah, I’m tired. I’m in pain, too.” She barely refrained from rolling her eyes. “My leg is broken, sister.”
    Darla clicked off the remote. “Sorry, dear. Would you like us to leave?”
    â€œI really would.” She hated to be so blunt, but anything less wouldn’t make them leave.
    â€œOh.” Rebecca frowned. “That’s too bad. I thought we could keep you company so you wouldn’t be lonely.”
    â€œI don’t know why you are so concerned about that now. You all practically pushed Simon out of the room.”
    Her sister raised her eyebrows. “He shouldn’t have been here, Amelia.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œYou know why.”
    â€œBecause he’s a man? I don’t think he was going to try anything untoward. I have a broken leg. Besides, I owe Simon a lot. After all, he was the one who rescued me.”
    â€œHe shouldn’t have been at our farm in the first place,” Rebecca retorted. “I told him to stay away from you.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t have told him such things. He wasn’t being disrespectful. He wants to court me.”
    Rebecca bit her lip and looked away.
    Frustrated, Amelia turned to her sister-in-law. “What does Lukas think?”
    â€œOh, well, I probably shouldn’t say,” Darla said hesitantly.
    â€œThis is my life. How would you feel if your siblings were telling you what to do?” Amelia knew she’d struck a chord. Mere months ago, Darla’s brother Aaron had treated Darla terribly. If Lukas hadn’t stepped in, well, things could have gone very bad.
    â€œLukas doesn’t want Simon courting you,” Darla finally said.
    â€œObviously. But I don’t see why Lukas is so against Simon. Actually, I don’t see why my personal relationships are any of his business.”
    Darla flushed. “You know how brothers are. They like to interfere.”
    â€œI agree, but Lukas is being unreasonable.”
    â€œSimon ain’t suitable, Amelia,” Rebecca said. “I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about him.”
    â€œAbout his rumspringa ?”
    â€œ Jah, I’m talking about his rumspringa . And everything else,” Rebecca said. “Simon didn’t just go out and watch movies when he left Charm. He went wild. He drank. He did drugs. Some people say that he was arrested.”
    Amelia had actually heard such things, too. She’d done her best to ignore the rumors. “I’d rather you not gossip about him.”
    â€œIt’s not gossip if I’m voicing my concern. He’s too worldly.” After exchanging a glance with Darla, Rebecca said, “The good news is that he understands now.”
    â€œSimon understands what?” she asked slowly. Feeling panicked, she looked at both women. “What, exactly, did Lukas say?”
    Looking increasingly uncomfortable, Darla played with the folds on her dress. “I’m not sure,” she said.
    â€œBut whatever he said made an impression,” Rebecca said. “I think Simon understands that he needs to simply be your friend from now on.”
    If Amelia could have gotten to her feet and yelled in frustration, she would have. “I really can’t believe all of you are focusing on such things today. I’m lying here injured, but all any of you care about is Simon’s unsuitable courtship.”
    Rebecca folded her arms over her chest. “It weren’t much of a courtship. He was sneaking around . . . as you know.”
    â€œSimon did not sneak.”
    Darla nodded. “ Jah . But don’t be mad at Lukas, Amelia. He’s only doing what is