Thankful by Shelley Shepard Gray Read Free Book Online Page A

couldn’t bear the shame of having Joe and Martha stare at him in disappointment if they ever suspected that his feelings for Christina were anything but sisterly.
    Surely that would hurt far worse?
    Treading carefully, he said, “Joe, you’ve been a wonderful-gut friend, and a wonderful father, too.” After taking a fortifying breath, he added, “A better father than my own. You’ve done everything possible for me, more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
    Twin spots of color stained Joe’s cheeks. “It was our honor.”
    â€œIf it was, that says even more about what good people you and Martha and all the kids are. I can’t think of another family who would have taken in an orphan like you did and given him so much for so long.”
    â€œYou are a gut man, Aden. And you were a gut boy, too.” He raised a hand when Aden threatened to interrupt him. “ Nee , let me speak. I know you don’t like to be reminded of saving Christina’s life. I know you wish we wouldn’t remember like we do.”
    â€œI will forever be grateful that I could help her. But, just so you know, there was no need for you to throw me a party every year. There was never any need for you to continually tell me thanks.”
    Joe smiled softly. “But see, that’s the way of it, Aden. We want to always thank you.”
    â€œBut—”
    â€œAden, we choose to remember. We want us all to remember how you jumped into that pond and pulled Christina out of the ice and water. Of how you breathed life into her lungs, and how you held her in your arms for a whole mile while you ran home barefoot. I don’t ever want to forget the sight of you kneeling in our kitchen praying for her. It changed our lives.” He swallowed hard. “It saved our lives.”
    He stared directly at Aden. Making him feel like he was a boy again. “From the time we met you, we knew you were a special boy,” he murmured, his voice hoarse with barely suppressed emotion. “I don’t want to talk badly about your parents, so I’ll only say that they looked after you a bit differently than I would have wished. I felt like when the Lord gave us back Christina, he gave us you, too. You were our present. We’ve loved you for each day of these ten years.”
    Tears pricked Aden’s eyes. And though it was unmanly to feel such emotion, he knew he couldn’t hide how moved he was. “I feel very fortunate to have you and Martha in my life. I’ve loved being one of six kinner . All of you have given a lonely orphan quite a gift.”
    â€œBut you are now ready to move on.”
    â€œI’m older now. Twenty-four. It’s time I got a place of my own.” Thinking quickly, he added, “Besides, I like my job at the hospital, and if I lived closer to town I could just walk to catch the van I take to work.”
    â€œThat is true. Are you sure these are the only reasons, Aden? Are you positive that there’s nothing else spurring you on?”
    It felt as if Joe were staring through him. Reading more into his thoughts, reading his mind. Like he knew.
    â€œI am sure. Please don’t take this for anything other than what it is . . . a sign that I am growing up.”
    â€œMartha ain’t going to like your news, you know.”
    Aden smiled softly. “That’s why I told you first.”
    Joe seemed to weigh that for a moment. “Her feelings might not be too hurt if you tell her that you’d be willing to come over here to eat two nights a week.”
    â€œTwo?”
    â€œSunday supper is a given. Surely one more night ain’t too much to ask.”
    â€œOf course not. But—”
    â€œ Gut ,” Joe interrupted, his voice firm. “We’ve been blessed to eat supper with you every evening, Aden. Don’t make us give you up all at once.”
    â€œThat is fair.” He chuckled. Because they both knew