Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall Read Free Book Online Page B

story, and maybe the Amish communities around the country knew. But since Abram’s family didn’t want the story picked up by the news, the Amish were keeping it to themselves.
    “That’s good,” Jackson said. “Everybody needs at least one person who knows.”
    “But they don’t get it, not really.” Why had Abram said that?
    “Yeah, what people know and what they get are very different, but take it from a former marine, it’s still important to talk to someone.”
    Abram’s sounding board was gone, and it was hard to sleep and eat. Every time he looked at Skylar, it made things even harder. He had to remind himself that she was as innocent in this as Ariana.
    Jackson pulled a stick of gum from its package and offered it to him.
    Abram took it. “Thanks.” Would the walking boss see them sitting around and yell? “I better take the wrong shingles back and get the right ones.”
    “You can do that tomorrow.” Jackson held up his wrist and looked at his watch. “It’s almost quitting time.” He gestured toward the driver, Mr. Carver. The older man was half a block down the street, but he’d removed his tool belt and was slowly walking toward the work van.
    “My sister bought a café, and I’m needed there. My two younger sisters are struggling to run it.”
    His whole family was struggling under the weight of the new café and Ariana’s absence. If Jackson thought Abram was making a mess on the construction site, he should see what was happening at the café. Susie and Martha could barely cook anything on the menu, run a register, or keep enough dishes washed. If Ariana were here, she’d have that café running like water in a crystal-clear creek in summer—inviting and rippling with energy.
    “I didn’t know you had sisters or a café. Amazing what a person can learn when the quiet man actually speaks.” Jackson chuckled as he unwrapped a piece of gum and shoved the trash in his pocket. “Is the food any good?”
    “I doubt it.”
    “That’s a great recommendation. I’ll be sure to spread the word.” Jackson’s laugh echoed off the half-built homes around them. “But you’ll forgive me if I don’t eat there.”
    “Can’t say I blame you. Hopefully, Susie and Martha are getting the hang of cooking what’s on the menu.”
    “Your sisters bought a café, but you don’t know if either can cook? I thought the Amish were practical.”
    “We are. I think. It’s just…well, things didn’t go as planned.” Abram had said plenty, at least to an outsider.
    “Where is this topnotch café?” Jackson got up.
    “Old town Summer Grove.” Abram stood. Nausea and lightheadedness made him feel a bit wobbly. A man who couldn’t eat or sleep shouldn’t be on a roof. “My sister Ariana can bake, and she bought it the first of the month.”
    He took baby steps down the slanted roof and to the ladder, thinking about all he and Ariana had been through to buy the café. They’d worked and saved for years. When time began to run out on the option to buy it and they were still short on funds, Quill walked her through the steps for having a successful benefit. She went to closing less than a week after the benefit. Abram started down the ladder.
    Jackson waited nearby. “So why isn’t Ariana running it?”
    “She had to leave unexpectedly. In the two weeks between buying it and leaving, she tried to teach us how to prepare everything on the limited menu, but apparently that hasn’t worked so well.” Abram hushed and stepped off the last rung.
    He couldn’t stop thinking about the café. No matter what he did, the café forced its way to the forefront of his mind like a punch to the head. Something had to be done. They couldn’t afford to hire anybody yet, and Susie and Martha couldn’t keep up with the baking, serving, cleaning, ordering, and picking up supplies.
    Ariana could, but Skylar couldn’t even manage to pour refills for the customers.
    Without having Ariana to talk to, he actually