Rachel's Garden by Marta Perry Read Free Book Online

tell me what you think.”
    His blue eyes, so like hers, darkened with concern. “Okay. It looks to me as if you’re going to owe around ten thousand, give or take a thousand.”
    She leaned back against the counter. “That much.”
    “I’m sorry.” He pressed his fingers to his forehead, massaging, as if his head ached over giving her such bad news. “Look, I could be wrong. I might be missing some big deductions. Maybe it’s not as bad as that.”
    “Maybe it’s worse.” She forced herself to be practical. It wouldn’t do to let Johnny see how upset she was. “Don’t worry. I do have money in the bank. Probably enough to make the payment.”
    “And then what will you have to live on?”
    “We’ll manage.”
    They could manage on very little, living as they did. Johnny, with his English standards, had probably forgotten that.
    Still, she would find it difficult, just keeping up with the normal expenses of the farm. If she could find some additional source of income ...
    Or maybe everyone else was right. Maybe she was making things harder by clinging to the farm, not just for herself but for everyone who helped her.
    “I don’t make much money as a research assistant, but I can get by on a couple hundred less a month. Let me give you that much.”
    Her heart was touched. But it was impossible; surely he saw that.
    “I can’t. Thank you for offering. It is so kind.”
    He moved back, his face tightening. “You mean you won’t accept it because I’m under the bann.”
    “I love you for offering to help me, but I need to do this on my own.
    “Don’t try to sugarcoat your answer for me, Rachel.” His tone hardened. “I’m not one of your children. You’re willing to see me, but you won’t take money from me no matter how much you need it.”
    Johnny was getting that mulish look that meant he had his back up, and she knew only too well how that would end. As dearly as she loved him, she wasn’t blind to his faults.
    She took a breath, trying to be patient. “You know I love you. But keeping my covenant with the church is important. Don’t ask me to do something that would cause problems for me with the other people I love.”
    He shrugged, reaching for his jacket. “Some things never change, do they? I’d better get out of here before I say something I’ll regret.”
    It seemed to her that he already had, but she wouldn’t make things worse by telling him so.
    “Denke for helping with the taxes. Komm again soon.”
    He gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “I’ll see,” he muttered. “We’re pretty busy at the clinic just now.”
    Rachel watched him leave, trying not to feel upset. Johnny’s attitude would be understandable if he really was English, but after eighteen years of being Amish, he ought to know better.
    The truth was that he and Daadi were too much alike—both too stubborn and too proud to see beyond their own opinions.
     
    Rachel dug her hand spade deep into the moist earth, loosening the roots of the weed that was already taller than the thyme uncurling its leaves delicately in the herb garden. This end of the bed was shady and moist, and the mint loved it here. She was eager to see how the variety of lemon thyme she’d planted last year had survived the winter.
    “Weed, Mammi.”
    She grabbed Mary’s hand just before her daughter could uproot the tiny plant. “Not that one, Mary. See, look for ones like this.”
    She showed her the weed she’d just removed, and Mary nodded solemnly, intent on doing it right. If taking pleasure in digging in the dirt was any sign, little Mary would turn into the gardener of the family.
    The air was still chilly, but the sun felt warm on Rachel’s back. Already the rhythmic movements and the scent of fresh-turned earth relaxed her. She might be tired and aching after her first hours in the garden, but it would be a happy tired. She glanced at Mary, smiling at her daughter’s intent face as she worked away with her own little