Read Online A Cousin's Prayer by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online

in the middle of the road, his mangled bike nearby. Several people were gathered around, and the English driver stood beside his car with a cell phone up to his ear.
    “Can you tell what’s going on?”
    “Is he hurt bad?”
    “Did you see how it happened?”
    Everyone spoke at once, until a middle-aged man who said he was a doctor pushed his way through the crowd.
    Freeman stood on the sidewalk with the others, watching as the doctor checked the injured biker. “Has someone called 911?” the doctor asked.
    “I just did,” the English driver said. “An ambulance is on its way.” He slowly shook his head. “That fellow was weaving in and out of traffic. He obviously doesn’t know a thing about bicycle safety.”
    Freeman thought about how Wayne’s mother had been riding her bike a few months ago and had skidded in some gravel. She’d fallen and broken her leg. Then a few weeks ago, a young Amish girl had lost control of her bike and run into a tree. She’d been lucky to have endured only a mild concussion.
    As Freeman heard the wail of sirens in the distance, he made a decision. If Fern was agreeable, he planned to give her scholars a lesson on bicycle safety.
    ***
    As Katie stood with Grammy on the porch waiting for Marge Nelson to take Grammy to the bus station in Elkhart, a lump formed in her throat. “I wish you didn’t have to go. I wish you and Grandpa were moving here instead of Wisconsin.”
    Grammy reached for Katie’s hand. “We’ll come for visits whenever we can, and you and your folks can visit us, too.”
    Mom nodded as she and Dad stepped onto the porch. “We haven’t been to Wisconsin for a long time, so we’d enjoy a trip there.”
    Marge Nelson’s car came up the driveway just then, and Dad picked up Grammy’s suitcase. “Looks like your ride’s here, so I’ll carry this out to the car for you.”
    Grammy hugged Mom and Dad; then she turned to Katie and said, “I love you. Take care of yourself, you hear?”
    Katie nodded. “I ... I love you, too. Write to me, okay?” She nearly choked on the words, holding back her tears.
    “Of course I will, and I expect you to do the same.” Grammy gave Katie a hug and hurried toward the car.
    Katie’s shoulders tensed as she watched Marge’s car pull away. She was trying not to cry, but when she heard Mom sniffle, she finally gave in and wept.
    “It’s been good having my mamm here for a visit, even though it was just a short one.” Mom dabbed at her tears.
    All Katie could do was nod.
    Dad stepped back onto the porch and slipped his arm around Katie’s shoulders. “How’d you like to take a ride with me?”
    “Where to?” she asked.
    “I have some errands to run in Topeka today. Thought you might like to go along.” He looked over at Mom. “Can you get by without Katie’s help in the stamp shop for a few hours?”
    “I managed on my own while she was living in Florida, so I’m sure I can manage fine now.” She touched Dad’s arm. “Oh, and since you’ll pass by Clara Smucker’s place on the way to Topeka, would you mind dropping off a couple of things she ordered from the stamp shop? I left a message on her answering machine the other day, but she hasn’t returned my call.”
    “Sure, we can do that.” Dad stepped off the porch behind Katie. “I’ll hitch my horse to the buggy while you get Clara’s stuff put together. I’ll be ready to go in ten minutes.”
    ***
    Loraine plunged her hands into the dishpan full of soapy water and sloshed the sponge across a plate coated with sticky syrup. It had just been her, Ada, and Crist for breakfast this morning, since Wayne had gone out to eat with Andrew and Freeman. Both Ada and Crist had been unusually quiet during the meal, and Loraine wondered if her suspicions were right about them having marital problems. She’d intended to talk to Wayne more about it but hadn’t had the chance. She’d thought she could bring up the subject last night before bed, but Wayne fell