Read Online A Sister's Hope by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online

the kitchen table with Aunt Rosemary, her son, and his wife, Ruth couldn’t help but notice how uncomfortable Sharon appeared to be. Was she shy, or did she feel out of place sharing a table with a group of people she didn’t know?
    Everyone else seemed relaxed and happy, as Aunt Rosemary and Dad caught up on each other’s lives, and Ken alternated between talking to Martha about her dogs and to Cleon about his bees and honey. Grace juggled the baby on her lap while keeping Anna entertained, and Momkept trying to engage Sharon in conversation. It felt good to have the whole family together—almost as if everything in their life was normal.
    But it’s not normal, Ruth thought regretfully. My family is still under attack by someone who wrote a note reminding us that it’s not over yet. To make matters worse, I’m having doubts about whether I should marry Abe or not.
    “If our Thanksgiving meal is anything like this meal, then I sure have something to look forward to,” Ken said as he took another helping of chicken potpie.
    “We’ll be eating at Grace and Cleon’s place on Thanksgiving, and Grace is a fine cook,” Mom said. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy every bite.”
    Grace smiled as her cheeks turned pink. “I won’t be the only one cooking that day, Mom. You’ll be furnishing the pies.”
    Mom nodded. “Ruth’s planning to make a fruit salad, and Martha will bring some of those sweet potato biscuits Irene taught her to make.”
    Ken patted his stomach. “Sounds good to me.” He looked over at Ruth and smiled. “I understand you’ll be getting married in January.”
    “That’s right—the second Thursday,” Ruth replied.
    “I’ll bet you’re getting excited already,” Sharon spoke up.
    Ruth nodded and forced a smile.
    Aunt Rosemary reached over and touched Ruth’s arm. “If you’re like most brides, you’re probably feeling a few prewedding jitters.”
    “She’s got nothing to be nervous about,” Dad put in from his place at the head of the table. “Ruth’s marrying the finest man in these parts. I’m sure they’ll have a real good marriage.”
    “Yes,” Aunt Rosemary said before Ruth could respond, “but that doesn’t mean she’s not feeling a bit nervous.” She leaned close to Ruth and whispered, “As soon as we’ve finished supper and the dishes are done, how about the two of us having a little heart-to-heart chat?”
    Ruth nodded as a sense of relief flooded her soul. If anyone could help her deal with the unsettled feelings swirling around in her head, it was Aunt Rosemary.

    As Rosemary stood at the kitchen sink, doing the dishes after supper, she thought about how quiet Sharon had been during the meal andwondered how she was getting along in the living room with Grace and Judith. The men and Martha had gone out to the barn, and at Ruth’s suggestion, she and Rosemary had become the designated dishwashers.
    “Are you ready for that talk now?” Rosemary asked Ruth. “Or would you rather wait until we’re done with the dishes?”
    Ruth reached for a clean plate to dry. “We can talk while we work, if you like.”
    “I could tell by the way you responded when Sharon asked about your upcoming wedding that things aren’t quite as they should be.”
    “No. No, they’re not.”
    Rosemary sloshed the dishrag along the edge of the glass and waited to see if Ruth would continue. After a few minutes, Ruth spoke again.
    “I love Abe, and I want to be his wife, but I’m not sure I’m ready to get married again.”
    “Is it because you still love your first husband?”
    Tears pooled in Ruth’s eyes. “There will always be a place in my heart for Martin, but there’s more to what I’m feeling than that.”
    “Is there a problem with Abe’s children? They’ve all accepted you, right?”
    “All but Gideon. He’s been so moody and unpredictable lately. I can’t be sure what he’s thinking.”
    “He’s probably struggling with the idea of someone moving into their