Shunned and Dangerous (An Amish Mystery) by Laura Bradford Read Free Book Online Page B

night.”
    “List?” Dropping her gaze from Esther to the paper, Claire gasped at the sheer volume of food. “Thirty-eight chickens for the roast? Thirty-eight loaves of bread for the filling? Four buckets of mashed potatoes? Three-fourths of a bushel of cabbage for coleslaw?” She followed the list with her finger, the enormity of the task facing the Kings on Esther’s wedding day mind-numbing at best. “Twenty-two dozen donuts? Ten pounds of confectioner’s sugar to dip the donuts in? Thirty custard pies?”
    “We will be busy,” Esther mused, nodding along with the list Claire continued to narrate aloud. “Only, there is also worry.”
    She looked up from the paper and made a face. “If I had to prepare all of this, I’d be worried, too.”
    “Not for food. For Dawdy.”
    And just like that, Esther’s wedding faded from Claire’s thoughts. She quietly folded the list and handed it back to her friend. “I don’t really know what to say about that, Esther. Is your mom holding up okay?”
    Esther slid off the stool and wandered around the counter, her destination obviously unclear. Midway across the shop, though, she turned around. “Mamm does not want to believe her dat could do something like that, but she saw his anger. Dat saw his anger. All saw his anger. Dawdy did not think kindly on Mr. Zook.”
    “Was your grandfather ever shunned for that anger?” she asked, curious.
    “Yah. But Benjamin always made it right. He calmed Dawdy into seeking forgiveness for his ways. He did this again and again.”
    Esther’s words didn’t really come as any big surprise. Ben himself had alluded to a close tie with Jakob’s father, but, still, Claire couldn’t help but cringe at the rippling effect such a bond would have across the investigation. Looking to the father he hadn’t spoken to in sixteen years as a murder suspect would be hard enough on Jakob. Having the man he considered a rival for his father’s respect throughout his childhood playing the role of champion was sure to make things worse.
    It was a subject she felt best to keep from Esther. What, exactly, Esther knew about her uncle’s relationship with her grandfather, beyond the excommunication part, she didn’t know. But whatever the case, it wasn’t Claire’s place to fill in blanks or offer opinions. She wasn’t Amish. She didn’t understand all the ins and outs.
    But she had to say
something
. Something to keep Esther’s focus where it should be . . .
    “I do not know what happened to Harley Zook, Esther. But I do know that Jakob is a fair man. He is not one to rush to judgment. On anyone.”
    The door-mounted bell at the front of the shop let them know their alone-time was over. The lunch crowd was slowly heading toward the street and the various stores that lined it, their stomachs satisfied. “Good afternoon. Welcome to Heavenly Treasures . . .”
    The shy greeting Claire had come to associate with Esther trailed from her employee’s lips as Jakob stepped into the shop, his shoulders heavy. “Esther,” he said with a slight tip of his head before turning to greet Claire. “How are you feeling this morning? Did you get any sleep?”
    More than anything, she wanted to reach out, smooth the worry from the man’s face. But she couldn’t. Not there. Not in front of Esther. Instead, she did the only thing she could. She gave an answer she hoped would alleviate at least some of his tangible anguish. “It took a while. But I did manage to fall asleep.” She swept her hand toward the back of the shop that led to a tiny stockroom, her even tinier office, and the door to the alleyway. “Would you like a cup of coffee? Or maybe a donut? I picked up a half dozen at Ruth’s place this morning and there are still four left.”
    He waved off her request, adding a dimple-free smile to his response. “No, thank you, Claire.” Then, standing in the same spot, he cast an uneasy glance in his niece’s direction, as if he was afraid the