The Forbidden by Beverly Lewis Read Free Book Online Page B

floor today, but midafternoon Mrs. Kraybill allowed time for her to enjoy another break, complete with tea and cookies—the latter frequently purchased from Nellie’s Simple Sweets.
    Rhoda was less interested in the goodies here lately, as she desired to drop a few pounds. She felt sure that a trimmer figure and a pretty car were just the ticket to getting herself a husband.

C HAPTER 8
    Nellie Mae felt better when she awakened Wednesday morning. Though her fever had suddenly broken yesterday, Mamma and Nan had covered for her at the shop, baking fewer items than normal, since customers were only trickling in anyway.
    Nellie soaked up the compassion offered by her next-older sister, who smiled warmly across the breakfast table as she passed the food directly to her.
    Later, after the table was cleared and Rhoda was off to work, Nan washed the dishes while Mamma dried, with both insisting that Nellie simply sit and sip tea at the table.
    But it was after Mamma had left the room to go upstairs and have a “devotional time” with Dat that Nan sat down beside her. “Rebekah Yoder was here for another visit,” she whispered.
    “When?” asked Nellie.
    “Yesterday, when you were still in bed.” Nan looked troubled. “She told me something awful surprising. Said her mother heard that someone ran an ad in the Lancaster New Era to advertise Nellie’s Simple Sweets.”
    “What? You’re sure?”
    “That’s what she said. Seems her mamma was ever so outspoken ’bout it, saying it sounded just like ‘them Fishers’ to do something that worldly.”
    Nellie was horrified to think Caleb’s mother would talk about their family like that. “Well, who would’ve done such a thing?”
    “Only one I can think of.” Nan glanced toward the doorway. “My guess is Rhoda.”
    Nellie laughed. “But why?”
    “Seeing some of the old church folks droppin’ off as customers since the split . . . well, it’s bothered Rhoda some-thin’ awful.” Nan paused. “Probably she’s tryin’ to help, is all.”
    “Ever so nice, really, when you think ’bout it.”
    Nan agreed. “ ’Specially since she’s been rather aloof here lately.” She took a sip of tea. “You know what else?”
    Nellie listened as she pushed her teacup and saucer away.
    “Rebekah said she thinks the ad’s a wonderful-good idea. She says we’ll get more Englischers than we’ll know what to do with.”
    Nellie groaned. “If that happens, how will we keep up?”
    “Wait and see. No need to borrow more worry.” Nan was grinning to beat the band. “I’ll help ya more, Nellie Mae, and Mamma will, too.”
    “Dat’s nearly finished with the tables and chairs,” Nellie reminded her. “Maybe that’s why Rhoda would pay to publicize the bakery shop—do ya think so?”
    “Who’s to say? Knowin’ her, she might simply have an interest in bringing in more fancy folk.” She sighed. “She sure seems to like the Kraybills’ house a lot.”
    Better than ours . . .
    Nan rested her face in her hands, her elbows on the table. “I daresay things’ll start lookin’ up round here.”
    “For you, too, Nan?”
    “In some ways, maybe.” Again Nan looked toward the doorway, as if to make sure Mamma was out of earshot. “I’m ready to forgive . . . to overlook my former beau’s foolishness. But I can’t say I’m ready to put aside my anger toward Rebekah’s father. He’s got no right keepin’ friends apart.”
    That’s the truth! Nellie thought.
    “You’d think David Yoder would listen to Uncle Bishop, of all things. He seems so bent on following the old church, it really makes no sense that he won’t follow the bishop’s bidding ’bout not shunning.” Nan rolled her eyes.
    Nellie agreed and rose, carrying her cup, saucer, and spoon over to the sink. “Oh, how good it feels to be stronger again. Can’t remember the last time I was so sick.”
    “Well, thank the Good Lord for health . . . and Mamma for her prayers,” Nan said.
    Nellie