Read Online Amish White Christmas Pie by Wanda E Brunstetter - Free Book Online Page B

and climbed into his truck. As he pulled onto the road, his forehead beaded with sweat. Every time he saw an Amish buggy, he thought of Will and wondered how he was doing. Was he still living with Regina and Mark? Did they live somewhere in Pennsylvania, or had they moved to another state? Had Will joined the Amish church? Could he be married by now? These questions haunted Frank no matter how hard he tried to push them out of his mind. Regrettably they were questions he’d probably never have answers for.
     

     
    “I wish I didn’t have to get my wisdom teeth pulled this morning,” Karen said to her mother as they sat in the waiting room at the oral surgeon’s office.
    Mom reached over and took hold of Karen’s hand. “Are you nervous about the procedure or worried about the pain you might have afterward?”
     
    “A little of both, but I’m mostly worried about not being able to help in our store.” Karen sighed. “I’ll probably be stuck at home taking pain pills and rinsing my mouth for the next couple of days, and I won’t be much help to anyone but myself.”
     
    Mom gently squeezed Karen’s fingers. “It’s okay. Your daed, Cindy, and Mavis can manage things in the store.”
     
    Karen rolled her eyes. “My little sister’s not much help to anyone these days. It seems like she’s always got her mind on some
kall
instead of the job at hand.”
     
    Mom chuckled. “That’s true, but it’s normal for a girl Cindy’s age to be thinking about fellows.”
     
    “Not when she’s thinking about the
wrong
fellow.”
     
    Deep wrinkles formed in Mom’s forehead. “What fellow does Cindy have her eye on?”
     
    “Leroy Eash.”
     
    Mom’s mouth fell open. “Has she told you she has an interest in Leroy?”
     
    Karen nodded. “You should have seen the way she looked at him when he stopped by our house the other day. If it was obvious to me, I’m sure Leroy must have noticed it, too.”
     
    “I’d better have a talk with Cindy.”
     
    “I already did. I reminded her that’s Leroy’s too old for her and said she shouldn’t be thinking about him in a romantic sort of way.”
     
    Mom pursed her lips. “The age difference might be okay if Cindy was older, but since she’s not, it’s good that you discouraged her. I’ll talk to her about the matter, too. If she doesn’t listen, then I’ll mention it to your daed and let him take things from there.”
     
    A middle-aged woman entered the room and called Karen’s name.
     
    “Guess it’s now or never,” Karen said as she rose from her seat.
     
    Mom gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be praying that everything goes well.”
     

     
    When Will entered the makeshift shop he’d set up in their storage shed, he noticed that the door was ajar. He figured Papa Mark must have gotten something from the shed earlier and forgotten to close the door.
    He lit the lantern hanging overhead, as well as the small propane-operated stove. He rubbed his hands briskly to warm them up and was about to grab his hammer and a can of nails when he heard a strange squeaking noise. He tipped his head and listened. There it was again.
     
    He followed the sound to the back of the shed and halted when he came to a wooden box full of rags. There lay Sandy with five squealing puppies nestled against her body.
     
    “Well, what do you know?” Will leaned closer to the box for a better look. “I guess you didn’t like the bed I made for you in the barn, huh, girl?”
     
    Sandy grunted as she opened her eyes and looked up at him.
     
    Will patted the top of her head. “Go on back to sleep; I won’t disturb you or your sleeping pups.” He grabbed his tools and some pieces of wood, figuring he could work in the barn. He’d just stepped outside when he spotted his friend Nathan coming from the store.
     
    “Wie geht’s, Will?” Nathan asked.
     
    “I’m doing okay. How about you?”
     
    “Can’t complain. I stopped at your mamm’s store to see if