Amish Christmas Joy by Patricia Davids Read Free Book Online Page A

summer, piling the stalks together and tying the tops so they would cure properly and not blow over in the wind. He didn’t miss that job.
    “They aren’t tepees, but they do look like them. They’re cornstalks.”
    “They don’t look like corn.”
    “They don’t?”
    “No, corn is yellow and it comes from a can.”
    He smiled. She had a lot to learn about living on a farm. He hadn’t prayed much in the past nine years, but he silently sent up a plea now. Please, Lord. Let this be the right decision for her.
    He drove down the lane and stopped in front of the house. A buggy with a black horse in harness stood at the front gate. Did it belong to his folks or did they have company?
    For Joy’s sake, he didn’t want his reunion to occur in front of strangers. He considered driving away, but the front door opened and his mother came out. She stood on the steps, watching him.
    He looked at his daughter. There had been so much upheaval in her life. Was he doing the right thing by bringing her here? He couldn’t manage on his own. He had tried and failed miserably. He had to believe this was the right thing. “Are you ready to meet your grandparents?”
    She shrank back in the seat. “What if they don’t like me?”
    “They will love you.”
    “What if they laugh at me or call me stupid?”
    He took her chin in his fingers and tilted her face toward him. “I know this is very hard for you. I wish things were different, but they aren’t. Do you see that woman standing in the doorway? She is your grandma. I’m one hundred percent certain that she will never laugh at you, never make fun of you. She will love you with her whole heart and soul.”
    “You promise?”
    “I promise. She’s waiting to meet you. Are you ready?”
    “I guess.”
    “Then I guess I’m ready, too.” That was a lie. Petrified was closer to the truth.
    Opening the truck door, he stepped out. His mother came rushing toward him. Behind her, he saw his father looking on from the doorway. Ike Mast did not rush out. He turned away and went back inside. Caleb swallowed the hurt. It was what he had expected.
    His mother’s steps faltered as she drew near. Her hands were clenched tightly together in front of her. Her eyes searched his face. “Caleb, is it really you?”
    He was stunned to see how much she had aged. A black prayer kapp covered her gray-streaked hair. She wore a black apron over a blue dress like the ones on the clothesline. She hadn’t bothered to put on a coat.
    “ Ja, Mamm, it’s me.” His throat closed with emotion. He couldn’t say another word. None was needed. With a glad cry, she launched herself at him and threw her arms around him.
    “ Mein sohn es home. Gott be praised.”
    He held her for a long moment as he struggled to regain his composure. She was happy to see him now, but he was going to break her heart all over again when he left. He choked back tears and pulled away.
    “ Mamm, I have someone who wants to meet you. This is my daughter, Joy. Did you get my letter about her?”
    His mother dabbed her tears away with the corner of her apron. “ Ja, I did. Welcome to our home, Joy. My name is Maggie, but you can call me Mammi. I’m so happy to meet you.”
    “Are you really my grossmammi? ”
    His mother’s eyes brightened. “So your father has taught you some Pennsylvania Dutch. That’s goot. ”
    “He didn’t teach me. Leah taught me.”
    He caught the worried glance his mother flashed him. “You have spoken with Leah?”
    “We met in town.” He looked down at his daughter. “She’s looking forward to having Joy come to her school.”
    “Leah is a kind woman. Your brother and his wife are inside. I thought you should know that.”
    He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Then it really is a family reunion.”
    “I have not told Wayne that you are returning. He doesn’t know about Joy, either.”
    “Did you tell Father?”
    “Ja.”
    Caleb straightened and took Joy by the hand. “Then we