Read Online Brightest and Best by Olivia Newport - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Olivia Newport
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horse waited patiently for instructions. “I think you’ll find the
English
parents will appreciate having more information. You could organize another tour and invite anyone who is interested.”
“Excellent idea! And the Amish parents?” Margaret held her breath. “As a member of the committee, you could be an invaluable partner, a bridge between the new school and the Amish parents.”
He gave a guarded smile. “I’m afraid I can’t help you with that.”
CHAPTER 8
T he late summer auction was Ella’s favorite. The spring frolics, held when the ground softened into a milder season, were too muddy for her liking. But the last week of August was perfect.
Rarely was there rain, and the edge had come off the peak of summer temperatures. The bustling Saturday brought out all the Amish families in the district and many curious
English
looking for a bargain to showcase in their homes.
Gideon would likely spend most of the day in the auction ring, where horses, harnesses, hitches, plows, binders, and buggies would be sold. Gideon was looking for one new horse. He had his eye on one from the line Aaron King bred, a two-year-old Belgian workhorse. The bidding would be competitive. Aaron’s horses always fetched a good price.
Ella preferred wandering among the large quilts, handmade furniture, baked goods, canned foods, and crafty household items. From year to year, she knew who would have the best home-canned apple pie filling to save for the middle of winter or who had a piecework quilt for sale two years in the making. The price an
English
woman would pay for an Amish quilt stunned Ella every time. Ella walked the rows of tables and booths, looking for that irresistible item she might want to bid on. She had little money of her own, but she wanted to contribute. The money raised today would go into the fund that Amish families could count on in a time of illness or financial difficulty.
A flash of familiar red-gold hair caught Ella’s eye a few yards ahead.
“Lindy!”
Lindy paused, and Ella caught up with her.
“How are things at your booth?” Ella asked.
“Brisk.” Lindy looked over her shoulder. “I got a spot in the main aisle this year.”
“That’s good! I predict that you’ll sell out by lunchtime.”
Lindy chuckled. “I hope so.”
“Who’s watching your booth now?”
“David’s there. He has a good head on his shoulders. He won’t let anyone talk him into a price I wouldn’t take.”
“I’ll be happy to help if you need an extra pair of hands.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” Lindy pivoted and walked backward for a few yards before turning around again. “My neighbor Margaret said she asked Gideon to be on a committee and he declined.”
Ella sighed. “It’s so complicated!”
“Is Gideon going to send his children to school?” Lindy glanced over her shoulder.
“I don’t think he’s made up his mind.” Ella’s gaze followed Lindy’s shifting line of sight. All she saw was a buzzing crowd, a mix of Amish and
English.
She didn’t recognize everyone, but who could on a day like this? A couple of tall
English
men who resembled each other carried a set of tent poles and a bundle of canvas. The auctioneer strode past with a megaphone in one hand. An Amish woman cradled a quilt as if it were her firstborn child. Everything Ella saw seemed normal for the day.
“I suppose I should get back to David,” Lindy said, glancing the other direction.
“Lindy, what’s wrong?” Ella asked. “What are you looking for?”
“I’m not sure,” Lindy murmured. “I just get a funny feeling sometimes.”
“What kind of feeling?”
“As if I’m being watched.”
“There are hundreds of people here,” Ella said.
“I know. It’s just a feeling. Sometimes it happens in town, too.” Lindy shook her head as if in a shudder. “Don’t pay any attention to me. There’s my booth.”
Ella looked up to see David standing out in front of the booth with several
English
parents will appreciate having more information. You could organize another tour and invite anyone who is interested.”
“Excellent idea! And the Amish parents?” Margaret held her breath. “As a member of the committee, you could be an invaluable partner, a bridge between the new school and the Amish parents.”
He gave a guarded smile. “I’m afraid I can’t help you with that.”
CHAPTER 8
T he late summer auction was Ella’s favorite. The spring frolics, held when the ground softened into a milder season, were too muddy for her liking. But the last week of August was perfect.
Rarely was there rain, and the edge had come off the peak of summer temperatures. The bustling Saturday brought out all the Amish families in the district and many curious
English
looking for a bargain to showcase in their homes.
Gideon would likely spend most of the day in the auction ring, where horses, harnesses, hitches, plows, binders, and buggies would be sold. Gideon was looking for one new horse. He had his eye on one from the line Aaron King bred, a two-year-old Belgian workhorse. The bidding would be competitive. Aaron’s horses always fetched a good price.
Ella preferred wandering among the large quilts, handmade furniture, baked goods, canned foods, and crafty household items. From year to year, she knew who would have the best home-canned apple pie filling to save for the middle of winter or who had a piecework quilt for sale two years in the making. The price an
English
woman would pay for an Amish quilt stunned Ella every time. Ella walked the rows of tables and booths, looking for that irresistible item she might want to bid on. She had little money of her own, but she wanted to contribute. The money raised today would go into the fund that Amish families could count on in a time of illness or financial difficulty.
A flash of familiar red-gold hair caught Ella’s eye a few yards ahead.
“Lindy!”
Lindy paused, and Ella caught up with her.
“How are things at your booth?” Ella asked.
“Brisk.” Lindy looked over her shoulder. “I got a spot in the main aisle this year.”
“That’s good! I predict that you’ll sell out by lunchtime.”
Lindy chuckled. “I hope so.”
“Who’s watching your booth now?”
“David’s there. He has a good head on his shoulders. He won’t let anyone talk him into a price I wouldn’t take.”
“I’ll be happy to help if you need an extra pair of hands.”
“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.” Lindy pivoted and walked backward for a few yards before turning around again. “My neighbor Margaret said she asked Gideon to be on a committee and he declined.”
Ella sighed. “It’s so complicated!”
“Is Gideon going to send his children to school?” Lindy glanced over her shoulder.
“I don’t think he’s made up his mind.” Ella’s gaze followed Lindy’s shifting line of sight. All she saw was a buzzing crowd, a mix of Amish and
English.
She didn’t recognize everyone, but who could on a day like this? A couple of tall
English
men who resembled each other carried a set of tent poles and a bundle of canvas. The auctioneer strode past with a megaphone in one hand. An Amish woman cradled a quilt as if it were her firstborn child. Everything Ella saw seemed normal for the day.
“I suppose I should get back to David,” Lindy said, glancing the other direction.
“Lindy, what’s wrong?” Ella asked. “What are you looking for?”
“I’m not sure,” Lindy murmured. “I just get a funny feeling sometimes.”
“What kind of feeling?”
“As if I’m being watched.”
“There are hundreds of people here,” Ella said.
“I know. It’s just a feeling. Sometimes it happens in town, too.” Lindy shook her head as if in a shudder. “Don’t pay any attention to me. There’s my booth.”
Ella looked up to see David standing out in front of the booth with several
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