The Rescued by Marta Perry Read Free Book Online Page A

wanted to take a class at the vocational school just when he’d started learning about the dairy operation, she could imagine his reaction.
    â€œCould be. I’ll ask him when I get a chance—” Barbie began.
    â€œNo!” The word came out far more emphatically than Judith intended, but somehow she had to stop Barbie from saying something that might cause a quarrel today of all days. “I mean, please don’t say anything to him.”
    â€œWhy not? And don’t tell me nothing’s wrong again, because I just don’t believe it. If you don’t want me to put my foot into the trouble, you’d better tell me what’s going on.” Barbie’s persistence was legendary. When she wanted something, she’d never let go.
    â€œPlease, Barbie.” Judith clasped her hands, trying to convey her urgency. “I’d rather not talk about it, at least not now.” She’d have to say something more, she knew. She’d just whetted Barbie’s curiosity. “It’s just that Isaac is so set on Joseph getting serious about the dairy farm, and I . . . well, I’d like to speak to Joseph about it myself, quietly, before anyone else hears.”
    Barbie studied her face, her blue eyes intent. Then she nodded. “Okay. Don’t worry.” Her dimple appeared briefly. “I know you think I’m a terrible chatterbox, but I can keep my mouth shut when I want. I won’t say anything.”
    â€œDenke, Barbie.” Judith felt as if she could breathe again.“Let’s just get through the birthday first. Then I’ll figure it all out.” She would, wouldn’t she?
    â€œI hear a buggy,” Barbie exclaimed, turning to look out the window. “It’s Isaac’s cousins, here first to celebrate.”
    Isaac’s cousins. They would know the significance of this day, even though she hadn’t. If Isaac wasn’t there to welcome them—
    But he was. He came walking over from the generator shed just as they were pulling up. Isaac was putting up a good front, but Judith knew him too well to be fooled. He was hating every second of this party before it had even begun.
    Her glance shifted to Joseph, and her breath caught in her throat. Joseph knew Isaac well, too. And Joseph knew exactly what his brother was feeling. Hurt and anger mingled in the boy’s face before he could manage to hide them.
    Judith realized she was holding her hand against her heart, as if she could keep it from bursting with pain. Surely, if she loved Isaac and Joseph enough, she could heal this rift between them. She needed to believe that, but every day it became less and less likely that she could.

C HAPTER T HREE
    J oseph’s birthday party was drawing to an end, and as far as Isaac was concerned, that end couldn’t come soon enough. Still, he had to admit that it hadn’t been as painful as he’d thought it might be.
    Judith probably deserved the credit for that. He knew she’d been keeping him busy, pulling him into one task or another, or insisting that he chat with each person there. He felt a tiny edge of resentment at being managed as if he were one of the kinder, but it had worked, so who was he to argue with it?
    He’d done a good thing in marrying Judith—a very good thing. No man could ask for a better wife and mother. She’d taken on the responsibility of raising Joseph without a backward glance, something not every nineteen-year-old girl would do, that was certain-sure.
    His gaze rested on her as she moved from one group to another seated in the backyard under the shade of the oak trees, making sure everyone had had plenty to eat and refilling lemonadeglasses. She still looked much as she had that day he’d taken her hand, standing in front of the ministers and the entire church district to make their promises. Her figure might be a tad curvier, but that was all to the good. Her thick brown