Read Online An Amish Christmas by Patricia Davids - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Patricia Davids
Ads: Link
driving Molly along at a steady pace. The cold rain had stopped and the sun peeked out. Up ahead on the road, Henry Zook, the bishop’s youngest son, was traveling to market in his farm wagon. John slowed Molly to follow behind him. When the way was clear and free of traffic, he sent Molly high stepping around the wagon.
When the mare drew level with the other horses she suddenly picked up her pace eager to get in front of them.
“You’ve got some speed, Molly girl,” John called to the horse.
Instead of letting the mare keep her fast pace, he reined her in and grinned at Karen. “I’d love to let her go and see just how much she’s got.”
“Why don’t you?” she asked, hoping to hear the right answer.
He shook his head. “No, she has too many miles to haul us yet. It wouldn’t be kind to wear her out on a joyride.”
Looking straight ahead, Karen smiled inwardly. “What ever you have done in your past life, you care about animals. You can add it to your list of things you have discovered about yourself.”
“Now if I can only locate a pencil sharpener,” he added drily.
“What?” She tipped her head to stare at him in confusion.
“Never mind. Where to next?”
“Up ahead is the farm of Elam Sutter. He and some of his family moved here from Pennsylvania almost two years ago. Elam is getting married next week.”
Twisting in the seat, she grasped his arm as excitement rippled though her mind. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. It makes perfect sense.”
“What makes perfect sense?”
“Perhaps you were coming for the wedding. Elam’s fiancée, Katie Lantz, lived out in the world for several years. She knows many English. That must be it.”
John tried not to get his hopes up but Karen’s excitement was contagious. He asked, “Why didn’t they report me as missing?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they weren’t sure when you would arrive. Maybe your coming was a surprise for them.”
He wanted to believe her scenarios but he was growing used to disappointment. Still, his palms began to sweat. “We will see soon enough.”
As they rolled into the yard, John saw four other buggies lined up beside the barn. He drew Molly to stop in front of the house.
Karen withdrew a large box from the back of the buggy. John took it from her and followed her to the front door. He was surprised when she didn’t knock but went right in. The spacious kitchen was filled to overflowing with enticing smells of baking and the happy chatter of a half dozen women engaged in cleaning and polishing every surface in the house.
The oldest woman in the room came forward drying her hands on her white apron. With a bright smile on her face, she said, “Karen, how nice to see you.”
Karen said, “I’ve brought some of my mother’s best bowls and platters for you to use at the wedding, Nettie.”
“Wonderful. They will come in handy. I’ve forgotten how much work it takes to get ready for a wedding dinner.” Nettie indicated a place for John to set his burden.
Karen said, “I have come with another errand, Nettie. Everyone, this is John Doe, the man who was found injured on our farm.” Karen smiled encouragement at him.
The room grew quiet. John felt everyone’s eyes on him. He scanned their faces looking for any hint of recognition. He saw nothing but blank stares. Either they had no idea who he was, or they were very good actresses. Once again his hopes slipped away. Why didn’t someone know him? Why?
Looking over the group, Karen asked, “Where is Katie?”
Nettie said, “She is upstairs changing the baby.”
One of the other women stepped forward. “Are you a friend of Katie’s? I am Ruby, her future sister-in-law. This is my sister Mary, my sister-in-law Sally Yoder, and this is my mother, Nettie Sutter.”
John nodded to them. “I’m not sure if I know Katie. I sure hope she knows me. The injury to my head robbed me of my memory. Karen thinks I may have been coming to
When the mare drew level with the other horses she suddenly picked up her pace eager to get in front of them.
“You’ve got some speed, Molly girl,” John called to the horse.
Instead of letting the mare keep her fast pace, he reined her in and grinned at Karen. “I’d love to let her go and see just how much she’s got.”
“Why don’t you?” she asked, hoping to hear the right answer.
He shook his head. “No, she has too many miles to haul us yet. It wouldn’t be kind to wear her out on a joyride.”
Looking straight ahead, Karen smiled inwardly. “What ever you have done in your past life, you care about animals. You can add it to your list of things you have discovered about yourself.”
“Now if I can only locate a pencil sharpener,” he added drily.
“What?” She tipped her head to stare at him in confusion.
“Never mind. Where to next?”
“Up ahead is the farm of Elam Sutter. He and some of his family moved here from Pennsylvania almost two years ago. Elam is getting married next week.”
Twisting in the seat, she grasped his arm as excitement rippled though her mind. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of it sooner. It makes perfect sense.”
“What makes perfect sense?”
“Perhaps you were coming for the wedding. Elam’s fiancée, Katie Lantz, lived out in the world for several years. She knows many English. That must be it.”
John tried not to get his hopes up but Karen’s excitement was contagious. He asked, “Why didn’t they report me as missing?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they weren’t sure when you would arrive. Maybe your coming was a surprise for them.”
He wanted to believe her scenarios but he was growing used to disappointment. Still, his palms began to sweat. “We will see soon enough.”
As they rolled into the yard, John saw four other buggies lined up beside the barn. He drew Molly to stop in front of the house.
Karen withdrew a large box from the back of the buggy. John took it from her and followed her to the front door. He was surprised when she didn’t knock but went right in. The spacious kitchen was filled to overflowing with enticing smells of baking and the happy chatter of a half dozen women engaged in cleaning and polishing every surface in the house.
The oldest woman in the room came forward drying her hands on her white apron. With a bright smile on her face, she said, “Karen, how nice to see you.”
Karen said, “I’ve brought some of my mother’s best bowls and platters for you to use at the wedding, Nettie.”
“Wonderful. They will come in handy. I’ve forgotten how much work it takes to get ready for a wedding dinner.” Nettie indicated a place for John to set his burden.
Karen said, “I have come with another errand, Nettie. Everyone, this is John Doe, the man who was found injured on our farm.” Karen smiled encouragement at him.
The room grew quiet. John felt everyone’s eyes on him. He scanned their faces looking for any hint of recognition. He saw nothing but blank stares. Either they had no idea who he was, or they were very good actresses. Once again his hopes slipped away. Why didn’t someone know him? Why?
Looking over the group, Karen asked, “Where is Katie?”
Nettie said, “She is upstairs changing the baby.”
One of the other women stepped forward. “Are you a friend of Katie’s? I am Ruby, her future sister-in-law. This is my sister Mary, my sister-in-law Sally Yoder, and this is my mother, Nettie Sutter.”
John nodded to them. “I’m not sure if I know Katie. I sure hope she knows me. The injury to my head robbed me of my memory. Karen thinks I may have been coming to
Similar Books
