[Kentucky Brothers 01] - The Journey by Wanda E Brunstetter Read Free Book Online

comfortable while we talk.”
     
    They sat across from each other at the table. “The twins didn’t take the place of my lost son, but they sure filled an empty spot in my heart,” Abraham said.
     
    She nodded. “Even though I thought I was too old to have anymore
bopplin
, when the twins came along, it was a blessing to me as well.”
     
    Abraham smiled. “Remember when Titus and Timothy were teenagers, and how much they liked to joke around?”
     
    “Jah. One of the things they did to irritate each other was to grab the other one’s hat and toss it into a tree.”
     
    “And remember the time when the boys were fooling around and got too close to a pile of manure?” He reached for the plate of pickles she’d cut up before starting the potatoes and popped one into his mouth. “They ended up with that stinky stuff all over themselves.”
     
    Fannie crinkled her nose. “What a stench that was! It took two or three good scrubbings before I had the smell out of their clothes, and I don’t know how much soap and water they used to get their bodies smelling good again.”
     
    Abraham chuckled. “Another prank those two often pulled was pretending to be each other. ‘Course I’ve always been able to tell ‘em apart, because Titus’s left eye is a little bit larger than his right eye, whereas the shape of Timothy’s eyes is about the same.”
     
    “It’s the difference in their personalities that’s always let me know which twin is which,” Fannie said. “Timothy’s easygoing and doesn’t let much bother him. But Titus has always been impulsive and kind of headstrong.”
     
    Abraham gave a nod. “Timothy’s a steady worker and has been satisfied to farm with me and work part-time as a painter for Zach. Titus has tried several different jobs and becomes easily distracted.”
     
    “Between the two of them, Titus is more immature.” Fannie sighed. “Why, that boy couldn’t even do his chores without being reminded all the time. I have to wonder how long he’ll stick with the new job in Kentucky.”
     
    Abraham grabbed another pickle. “I think he’ll do okay. Once he starts working, he works hard and does a good job. He just needs to be on his own so he can grow up. I believe Titus might be on a journey to discover himself, and we need to let him find his own way.”
     
    “Do you think he’ll ever get over Phoebe Stoltzfus?” Fannie asked, going to get the coffeepot from the stove.
     
    “I hope so. Maybe he’ll find someone new in Kentucky—someone more mature and settled into the Amish ways—someone who’ll make him a good fraa.”
     
    Fannie frowned. “I’d rather he came back here to find a wife. If he marries a woman from there, he’ll probably never move back home.”
     
    “I know it’s hard for you to see one of our sons move away,” Abraham said, as she handed him a cup of coffee. “It’s hard for me, too.”
     
    Fannie sniffed. “I never thought any of the kinner would decide to leave.”
     
    “As much as it hurts to have Titus gone, we need to accept his decision and realize that it’s probably for the best.”
     
    “Why do you say that?”
     
    “Think about it. If he’d stayed here and kept pursuing Phoebe, she may have hurt him again and again.”
     
    “But she’s gone to California,” Fannie said. “I don’t see how she could hurt him from there.”
     
    “She’ll be back.” Abraham grunted and slapped the table with the palm of his hand. “Mark my words, that girl won’t last long out there in California among the English.”
     

     
    Pembroke, Kentucky
     
    “We’ve put in a good day, but it’s time to call it quits,” Nelson said, setting his hammer aside.
     
    Titus did the same. “Say, I need to stock up on some food. Can you tell me where the nearest store is located?”
     
    “We do our big shopping at the Walmart in Hopkinsville, but there’s an Amish-run store in the area, and they carry most of our basic needs, as well as