Read Online A Sister's Wish by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online

that had meant more to Simon than even the money he’d needed to find an apartment and get some clothes and food. If Lukas’s dad hadn’t been there for him? Well, Simon didn’t care to guess where he would be now.
    Several times, he’d been sure that Tess had wanted to ask him about his current life. She’d been curious about his job and his home.
    He wasn’t sure why, but he had dodged most of her questions and even refused her offer of a ride home. He needed space; and though he wasn’t ashamed of where he lived, he wasn’t quite ready to see Tess’s expression when she saw just how much work his little farmhouse and adjoining barn needed.
    Though Tess had looked disappointed, she hadn’t argued. After giving him her cell phone number, she’d reluctantly agreed to split the payment for the meal, gave him a little wave, and asked him to call her sometime soon. He’d promised he would.
    Now as he reached the top of one of the rolling hills just to the west of his plot of land, he spied a teenage boy walking on the side of the road. He was kicking at an old soda can that someone had probably tossed out a car window. Simon was about to ignore him and keep walking when he noticed the boy holding his side in a certain, familiar way.
    Making a sudden decision, he crossed over to talk to him.“Hey, you should probably pick up that can and throw it away. You’d get wherever you are going a heap faster.”
    When the boy lifted his head, Simon nearly gasped. He was wearing a sizable shiner. When he noticed that the boy’s knuckles didn’t look red or swollen, Simon knew his suspicions had been right. The kid hadn’t just gotten out of a fight. He’d been beaten.
    To his credit, the boy didn’t look away. Instead, he stared at Simon unapologetically. Practically daring him to comment on his appearance.
    Simon didn’t dare. “We haven’t met. My name is Simon Hochstetler.”
    â€œI’m not Amish.”
    No, he wasn’t. The boy was wearing faded jeans, tennis shoes, and a white T-shirt. His hair was practically shaved off.
    But even if he wasn’t Amish, Simon felt like he knew the kid well. “I kinda figured that,” he stated, letting his sarcasm shine through in his tone. “So, what’s your name?”
    Instead of answering, the boy stared at him. Everything in his body language hinted that he was distrustful of Simon. And angry. So angry.
    But he didn’t run off, either.
    Remembering how relieved yet anxious he’d felt whenever he’d escaped his house, Simon said easily, “Even though I’m Amish, I still have ice.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œI live right down the street. The old white house with the faded red barn.”
    For the first time, a spark of interest entered the boy’s brown eyes. “You live in the ugly one?”
    Simon almost grinned. “ Jah . It’s a real eyesore. Ain’t so?”
    â€œHow come you haven’t fixed it up yet? My parents—I mean, some people say that you should.”
    â€œI figure they’re right. Want some ice or a compress for your eye?”
    He took a step back. “I’m okay.”
    â€œSure? ’Cause I’ve had my share of black eyes, and I’ve got to tell you that it’s going to feel worse tomorrow if you don’t try to get the swelling to go down.”
    â€œI’ll be fine.”
    â€œHave you eaten?” He held up his sack. “I’ve got half a chicken parmesan dinner in here. You’re welcome to it, if you want.”
    â€œWhy are you being so nice?”
    â€œBecause I’ve been where you are.”
    The boy looked at him suspiciously. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    So tough. So scared to trust. Choosing his words with care, Simon said, “I don’t know who got the best of you with his fists. All I know is that my father liked