Read Online A Miracle of Hope (The Amish Wonders Series) by Ruth Reid - Free Book Online

Lindie. Studying the signlanguage book was of no value if she couldn’t practice the gestures with someone.
    Lindie squinted from the sun’s reflection off the snow. This was the first day since her arrival that there weren’t any looming snow clouds. It looked like a good day to catch up on laundry.
    She went inside, kicked her shoes off at the door, and hurried down the hall toward the bedrooms. It wasn’t long before footsteps tromped down the hall.
    “Lindie?” Josiah knocked on the door. “Are you in there?”
    “ Jah , you can kumm in.”
    He opened the door and poked his head inside. “Were you planning to rest for a while?”
    “Nay.” She bent down and collected the pile of dirty clothes. “I’m going to do some laundry. Is your friend doing your clothes, or should I collect them from your room?”
    He stepped inside the bedroom. “I plan on telling Hannah about our marriage and I had hoped you would join me.”
    “ Ach , I’m nett sure that’s a gut idea.” She wouldn’t be able to follow the hand gestures. She hadn’t yet learned the whole finger-spelling alphabet, and certainly hadn’t progressed to words. Why would he need her there? She scanned the floor for more clothes even though she was sure she’d collected everything.
    He sighed. The weight of disappointment in his tone wasn’t lost on Lindie. He crossed his arms over his chest.
    “I can’t force you to take on a role that should kumm natural,” he said.
    She clutched the clothes against her chest. “And what role are you referring to? It’s obvious I’ve failed to meet your expectations, but please clarify if it’s the role of taking care of Caroline’s child or her husband.”
    “This isn’t about me. We had an agreement about Hannah.”He groaned under his breath. “Lindie,” he said, stretching out her name pathetically. “Don’t you think it would be best if we talk with her together? She needs to know that”—he cleared his throat—“we’re married and . . . you’re her . . . new . . .” He turned his head and coughed into his hand. “Mamm .”
    Lindie tried not to concentrate on how difficult it seemed for him to say those words aloud. Still, it hurt. Her mouth quivered as she tried to force a smile.
    How much would he tell Hannah about their marital conditions? She was too young to understand what a marriage of convenience meant. Yet wouldn’t she question why they didn’t share the same bedroom? Had he prayed for wisdom? Children learned from example—even poor examples. No parent would want their daughter trapped in a loveless marriage.
    “Will you?” he said softly.
    She swallowed hard through her throat’s tightness. “If you believe it’s wise.”
    “ Jah , I do.”
    She needed to support them. After all, they were in this mess together. The laundry could wait. She tossed the clothes into a pile on the bed. “You don’t expect me to talk, do you? I don’t know any sign language.”
    His jaw clenched. “Talk slow and she’ll read your lips.”
    Only if she wants to .
    He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ll translate for you.”
    “Okay.”
    Josiah took a step, then turned back to face her. “Let’s pray first.” He reached for her hand and led her to the side of the bed where they knelt together.
    “Father God, I ask that you give me wisdom and guidance in what to say to Hannah. Sometimes she’s unreachable . . .”

    Lindie peeked at Josiah when his prayer fell silent. Tears collected in his closed eyes and wet the creases. Lord, give him strength .
    “Aemen.” He opened his eyes, blinked a few times, then swept his shirtsleeve over his face. “Ready?”

    “You are not making sense.” Josiah signed the words as he spoke them. “Slow down.”
    The child’s eyes narrowed as her fingers flew in quick hand motions.
    Lindie bit the inside of her cheek. She didn’t relish being the topic of a conversation she could only follow by trying to decipher facial expressions. Why