The River by Beverly Lewis Read Free Book Online

it.
    “How long a drive did you have?” Aunt Naomi asked.
    “Well, we were on the road by seven this morning,” Ruthie said, “and we decided to drive straight through. It was a little less than eight hours with one stop for gasoline and another for . . . well, whatnot.”
    “We grabbed some cheeseburgers near Terre Hill,” Tilly added. She could almost see the thoughts whirling in Uncle Abner’s head as he calculated the vast difference between the miles a car could travel in such a short while versus a horse and buggy.
    It wasn’t long before Ruthie was settled at the kitchen table with Uncle Abner, where she poured hot coffee to go with the warm pumpkin pie Aunt Naomi had sliced for her. The inviting aroma of this particular kitchen stirred Tilly’s senses.
    Eventually Tilly left with Aunt Naomi, going to the main floor guest bedroom adjacent to the front room. “ Denki for asking me to stay here,” Tilly said, stepping into the spacious yet sparsely furnished room, just as she remembered it. So like Mamm’s bedrooms at home.
    “Are ya sure your sister won’t join ya?”
    “Ruth’s got her sights set on her old room. But she appreciates your offer.”
    “Whatever’s best, then.” The demure woman opened the heavy pine blanket chest at the foot of the bed and pulled out two extra quilts. “It gets chilly at night round here this time of year.”
    Bet she thinks my blood’s gotten thin, living with central heat, Tilly thought. And she’s probably right.
    Tilly reached for her aunt’s hand, thankful for the considerate welcome. “Not sure where I would’ve stayed without your invitation,” she said quietly, not wanting to ponder it.
    “Well, your Mamma will surely want to spend some time with you and Ruthie before ya head back home. She’s been missin’ ya, Tilly.”
    Tilly guessed Daed and Naomi had talked at length about her and Ruthie’s coming, being siblings themselves. “We’re looking forward to the reunion tomorrow noon,” Tilly said.
    “Sylvia’s talked of nothing else since she heard the news.”
    Tilly gave a smile. “Their wedding anniversary will be wunnerbaar-gut , jah ?”
    “Such a special time for the whole family,” Naomi agreed. “Be sure and have some pie and coffee when you’re ready.” She waved and left the room.
    The whole family won’t be present, Tilly thought with a shiver and wandered to the tall window to peer out at the verdant farmland and grazing land. Especially pretty in winter, under a fresh coating of snow. She found herself sighing. No matter where a person lived, newly fallen snow all too soon took on a gray tinge. “Nothing stays new for very long,” she whispered sadly.
    For the umpteenth time, she wished she’d stayed back with Kris and their girls. Feeling overwhelmed, Tilly let herself sink onto the bed and leaned her head into her hands.

Chapter 7
    H ow old did ya say you are now?” Uncle Abner teased as he and Ruth sat at the kitchen table.
    “I didn’t say.” Ruth smiled, enjoying the lighthearted encounter with one of her favorite relatives.
    Abner guffawed heartily. “I daresay you’ve got yourself a beau somewhere, though, ain’t?” He dramatically folded his arms and beamed at her.
    Ruth shook her head before she thought better of it. Jim’s a real possibility.
    “Ain’t holdin’ the fellas at arm’s length, are ya?” her uncle pressed.
    “Why do you ask?”
    He pointed toward her left hand. “Might’ve thought by now you’d have yourself a diamond ring.”
    Like the English, he means.
    “That would require a very serious young man, though,” she replied, playing along.
    He nodded slowly. “You’re right ’bout that.”
    Ruth dismissed his remark and looked around the kitchen, with its sturdy oak shelf and day clock near the double sink. Itwas the same clock she’d stared at while having dinner here with her parents following Tilly’s unexplained and sudden exit. As Ruth recalled, the meal had been meant