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

that were done at our place.”
    “What do you think?”
    “I–I’m not sure, but I do know that Gary is a troublesome fellow.”
    “Did he do or say anything to bother you?”
    Her gaze dropped to the floor. “Well—”
    “What did he say?”
    “He just gave me a hard time, but Jake put a stop to it.”
    “What exactly did the reporter say to you?”
    Ruth’s face flushed the color of ripe cherries. “He wanted me to have supper with him after I got off work today.”
    Martin’s spine went rigid, and he clenched and unclenched his fingers. He had enough to be concerned about, worrying whether Luke was still interested in Ruth. He didn’t need some fancy-talking Englisher chasing after her.
    “I wouldn’t have gone with Gary, even if Jake hadn’t come into the room,” Ruth was quick to say. “So you needn’t look so concerned.”
    “How long ago did the reporter leave the bakeshop?”
    “Twenty minutes or so.”
    “Maybe he’s still in town.” Martin turned toward the door.
    “Where are you going?”
    “To see if I can find him.”
    “What for?”
    Martin stopped walking and turned to face her. “I think it might be good if I had a talk with him—asked him to stop bothering you.”
    Ruth dashed around the counter. “Oh no! Please don’t do that.”
    “Why not?”
    “I don’t trust the man. If Gary is the one who did those attacks, then he could be dangerous.”
    “I’m not afraid.”
    “Well, I am.” Ruth clutched his arm, and tears glistened in her eyes. “Please don’t go looking for him.”
    “All right, I won’t. But if he ever bothers you again, I want to know about it.”

C leon couldn’t believe his eyes. Sometime during the night, Roman’s shop, house, and barn had been covered with long strips of toilet paper.
    He spotted Roman standing outside his shop, shaking his head and muttering, “I don’t have time for this. Don’t have time at all.”
    “I wonder if the same person who threw the stink bomb through the barn window did all this,” Cleon said, motioning to the tangle of toilet paper draped over the shop.
    Roman grunted. “I don’t know, but I think whoever did it must be a smoker.”
    “How do you know?”
    Roman reached into his shirt pocket and withdrew a pack of cigar-ettes. “Found these on the ground near our back porch. I’m thinking that whoever hung toilet paper all over our buildings must have dropped his cigarettes.” Roman frowned deeply. “I told the women yesterday that I thought the stink bomb was the result of a prankster. But Grace thinks it might have been done by Gary Walker, that reporter who likes to write articles about our people.” He grunted. “Want to know what I really think?”
    Cleon nodded.
    “I believe Luke may have done this, as well as thrown the stink bomb yesterday.”
    “What makes you think that?”
    “I’ve smelled smoke on his clothes a time or two, and since he doesn’t care for me—”
    “But he could have smoke on his clothes just from hanging around other folks who smoke,” Cleon interrupted.
    Roman made a sweeping gesture toward the mess above them. “Either way, he still could have been involved in this.”
    “If you’re convinced Luke’s the one who did this, then maybe you should talk to him or his folks about it.”
    “I’ve thought about that, but I’m not sure if I should.”
    “Why not?”
    “If I speak with Luke, it might give him some sort of satisfaction to know he’s got me riled. And if I talk to his folks, it might upset them too much.” Roman reached up and snatched a strand of toilet paper from the roof. “Guess I’d better get this disaster cleaned up before we begin work for the day. Judith was pretty distressed when she woke up and saw the mess. I don’t want it hanging around all day to remind her of what happened.”
    “If you have something you need to get done in the shop, I can take care of getting the toilet paper down,” Cleon offered.
    Roman shook his head.