The Forbidden by Beverly Lewis Read Free Book Online

Preacher Manny’s services with Dat and Mamma. “Don’t you mean you’re blessed, not lucky?”
    Nan cast a sideways glance. “You must’ve heard that at the new church, jah?”
    “Prob’ly.” Now that she thought of it, she had heard it on the one Sunday she’d succumbed and gone.
    “If you ever want to borrow our Bible—Rhoda’s and mine—just say so.” Nan smiled pleasantly. “It’s ever so interesting to read for oneself, truly ’tis.”
    Nellie had often wished she understood the Scriptures read in High German at Preaching service. “In English, is it?”
    “Jah. Dat says sometimes it’s best to read a verse several times. Let it sink in, ya know.”
    “Never heard it put thataway.”
    Nan sighed fitfully and looked toward the window. “There’s much that I’m learnin’.” She was silent for a moment and a tear trickled down her cheek. Swiftly she brushed it away. “Ach, I’m sorry.”
    Nellie’s heart sank. “Nothin’ to be sorry for.” Nellie wanted to add, We’re sisters, after all . . . you can tell me what’s troubling you, but she merely reached for Nan’s hand.
    “I read the Good Book for more than just to learn what’s written there,” Nan whispered through more tears.
    Nellie listened, holding her breath, not wanting this moment of sharing to slip away.
    “My heart’s in little pieces.” Nan pulled a hankie from beneath her narrow sleeve. “Mamma knows . . . but I’ve never told another soul. Not even Rhoda.”
    “Aw, Nan.”
    “Dave Stoltzfus was everything I loved in a beau, Nellie Mae. Everything . . .” Nan wept openly.
    “You cared deeply” was all Nellie could offer without crying herself. This was the first she’d heard the name of the boy who had wounded her sister so.
    Nan bobbed her head, her face all pinched up. “I mostly read the psalms. King David endured much sadness, too, yet he could sing praises to Jehovah God in spite of it.”
    Nellie had never heard the verses Nan spoke of. “I’m glad you’re finding some solace.”
    At this Nan seemed unable to speak, and she looked down at Nellie, whose heart was warmed by this demonstration of tenderness from the sister who’d always preferred Rhoda.
    Nellie woke with a start and saw Mamma standing near the bed.
    Slowly Mamma sat, an envelope in her hand. “I didn’t mean to waken you, dear.” She tilted her head, concern in her eyes. “Your Dat brought this in . . . for you.”
    She’d nearly forgotten about having seen someone near their mailbox earlier . . . yesterday, was it? The indistinct man by the road had become lost in a tangle of confusing dreams to the point Nellie’d felt sure she’d imagined him. “Ach, what’s this?”
    Mamma said nothing, though she remained. After a lengthy moment, she asked, “How are you feelin’ now? Has your fever broken?”
    Nellie shook her head. Oh, what she wouldn’t give to be free of the fierce heat in her body. She felt hot all over, even to her own touch. Yet despite the fever, she felt an uncontrollable chill and could not get warm. Even now she had to will herself to relax so her muscles wouldn’t lock up and become so tense she shivered all the more. She craved a reprieve from the sickness that had plagued her since Saturday night.
    Has it been only two days?
    Mamma changed the wet cloth on her forehead and had her sip more tepid tea with honey. Then, laying a hand on Nellie’s brow, she bowed her own head, lips moving silently.
    Nellie felt comforted, yet uneasy, as she wondered if Preacher Manny taught this sort of praying. Truly, she seemed to be learning newfangled things without even attending his gatherings. But she was touched by Mamma’s gesture and hoped the prayer might indeed restore her to health sooner.
    When Mamma was finished, she opened her eyes. “I pray that the power of the living God will raise you up once again.”
    Nellie found herself nodding, although she doubted the Lord God and heavenly Father wished to be