Finding Love at Home (The Beiler Sisters) by Jerry S. Eicher Read Free Book Online

mistakes. Can you forgive me? I really am sorry. I could have been much more tactful in how I handled things.”
    “It was nothing.” Alvin lifted a piece of milking equipment from the rack on the wall.
    Mildred obviously didn’t plan to let this go. She didn’t move. “We should at least come to some kind of terms, Alvin. I’m working for your daett and mamm . I’m helping you with your chores. I’m living on your farm. We can’t be enemies passing each other day and night. There’s nothing wrong with patching up things from the past. That’s how one moves on, isn’t it?” Mildred paused, then continued when he didn’t answer. “Look at me, Alvin. I can see and admit my mistakes. Do you see that you’re a little touchy? You wear your feelings on your sleeve still, Alvin. For goodness sake, what boy would have been so enamored with me in the first place? Think about that. I’m a homely person, Alvin. I’m still not married. I’ve never even had a serious, romantic relationship in my life. You were the only boywho ever thought I was anything. Can’t you at least act like you’re still my friend?”
    He couldn’t breathe. Not that he disagreed with anything Mildred was saying, but his feelings hadn’t caught up with their changed situation. Mildred had always been way up there in his esteem, and after she figured out how he stood in the community with his daett ’s poverty-stricken farm, she had dropped him like a hot potato. My how things had changed!
    “Alvin, please,” Mildred begged. “I’m not asking for much. And I know about Debbie. And that’s okay. I just need a friend right now.”
    Alvin stole a glance at her. He was being a little harsh, wasn’t he? Although Mildred had been nasty in the past, she was here now and things were different. He had Debbie’s affections. A smile stole across his face. “I suppose we can be friends.”
    “Oh thank you, Alvin!” Mildred gushed. “You don’t know how much this means to me. And I’ll do all I can to make our relationship comfortable while I’m taking care of your mamm .”
    Alvin bent over to attach the milking equipment to one of the dairy cows. Above the soft swish of its operation, Mildred chattered away. She’d always been a morning person, he remembered. So cheerful when they arrived at the schoolyard. Mildred would tell him all about her plans for the day. Yah , he remembered, Alvin thought as he allowed himself to sink into the sound of her voice.
    “Your mamm was up before I came, but she would hardly roll out of bed. So I settled her back in with a pillow and left your daett with orders to call me if there’s trouble. My, Alvin, your daett is the most helpless of men, I must say. He knows what needs doing, but he won’t do it unless I insist—and often for the second and third time. But it’s going to be gut working for your parents. Overall they’re easy to get along with, and their dawdy haus is the cutest thing…”
    Alvin jerked himself out of his trance and moved to the next cow. This wasn’t how he’d planned things. But perhaps now the woundsof his childhood would heal. He didn’t wish to enter marriage with Debbie with the cuts still fresh and constant. He smiled at Mildred as he walked past her, and she glowed back at him. Alvin’s heart sank. Fear revived. Now all he needed was for Crystal to show up for a visit. Dealing with Mildred and Crystal at the same time would be impossible.

Six

    T he following Sunday Debbie accompanied Ida and Emery to the church meeting at Deacon Mast’s place. On the way home that afternoon, Debbie sat on one side of the buggy, Ida on the other, while Emery drove from the middle position. His manliness exuded from him as a comforting presence. Why Emery didn’t date was a mystery to Debbie. It wasn’t because of any lack in him, she was sure. But in the meantime she could use his comfort, especially after what had happened that morning. The three of them had barely entered the