At Home in Pleasant Valley by Marta Perry Read Free Book Online Page A

forgotten. She’d just learned to hide her feelings.
    â€œWhat does he want from us, then?” Rachel’s eyes went dark with misery, hurting Leah’s heart. “Why did he come to you?”
    â€œHe wants to see you and the rest of your family. He asked me to tell you. He’s coming to the schoolhouse tomorrow to hear your answer.”
    Her friend’s eyes widened. “But I can’t tell him anything, not so soon. Not until I talk to Mamm and Daadi about it. And how will I do that?”
    â€œI know it’s hard.” She thanked the Lord that she’d never had to face that particular burden with her parents. “But you should tell them right away, before they hear about him being here from someone else.”
    â€œBut if no one knows but you—”
    â€œDaniel Glick saw him at the school,” she said quickly, before Rachel could imagine this secret would keep. “He hasn’t said anything, but anyone could see John, could start talking about his coming back. You know how fast that news would spread.”
    â€œYou’re right. I can’t be a coward about it. I’ll talk to them tonight.” She shook her head, worry darkening her eyes. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t want to hurt them.”
    Leah squeezed her in a quick hug. “They haven’t forgotten about him. Maybe they’ll be relieved to know what he’s doing. Anyway, it must be done.”
    â€œOh, I know that. It’s just so hard. I want to protect them from hurt. You’d feel the same, wouldn’t you?”
    Leah glanced at her mother. Mamm sat in a lawn chair, watching the children play. She was smiling, but her face seemed thin and tired.
    â€œJa, of course I would. I do. It’s strange. All these years we’ve relied on our parents, and now we need to care for them. It seems we’re changing places, doesn’t it?”
    Rachel nodded in quick understanding. “How is your mamm?”
    â€œShe says she’s doing fine, but fighting the cancer has taken a lot out of her. She and my father have decided to move to the grossdaadi haus.”
    Rachel’s face expressed all that she might be reluctant to say. “So your brother and his family will be moving into the house. What about you and Anna?”
    â€œThat’s what Anna wants to know.” It was a relief to pour it out to someone who would understand and keep it to herself. “Levi and Barbara say that nothing will change, that we should keep our own rooms, but she’s expecting again, and—”
    â€œAnd it’s only a matter of time until she wants those rooms for her family.” Rachel shook her head. “Even if she didn’t, you know how hard it will be to live in another woman’s house.” Now it was Rachel’s turn to give a comforting hug. “What will you do?”
    â€œNothing for a bit. I haven’t had time to think it through. I knew it would come sometime, but I didn’t think it would be so soon.”
    Rachel nodded, eyes clouding. “I know. It’s odd, isn’t it? One day life seems settled and routine, and the next it’s turned upside down, as if a storm came and tipped us all on our heads.”
    â€œJa.” That was surely how she’d felt lately. She took a breath. “Well, we can get through it. Somehow.”
    Rachel shot her a sidelong glance. “I saw you talking to Daniel. It looked as if you were finding a lot to say to each other.”
    â€œDon’t matchmake,” Leah warned. Was everyone in the community trying to team her up with Daniel?
    â€œWell, don’t you dismiss the idea too quickly.” Her expression was serious. “I know it’s early to be thinking this, but wouldn’t it be betterto be living in your own house with a family to love, rather than feel like a boarder in your sister-in-law’s house?”
    â€œI don’t plan to