Read Online Christmas in Sugarcreek by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Shelley Shepard Gray
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so?”
“ Jah. I’d come back later and work but had promised Judith’s mamm that I’d take her to the Wal-Mart tonight. We hired a driver so we could get a few things for Maggie and Toby.”
“I don’t mind staying, Mr. Graber. I’ll stay here with Judith and restock as much as I can.” Then, remembering how fearful he’d been when he thought of her being alone on the dark, snowy streets of Sugarcreek, he added firmly, “And then I will take her home as well.”
Satisfaction glowed in Mr. Graber’s eyes as he continued to make plans. “Ben, if you do that, you might as well stay with us for dinner.”
“Danke.”
“Our Maggie will be glad to see you. All she talked about while she ate her oatmeal this morning was her new friend Ben. You know, after supper, it is mighty late. Too late to be out and about.” He snapped his fingers. “I know! Why don’t you just plan on sleeping in Joshua’s old room?” He grinned, obviously pleased with his newest suggestion.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t do that.”
“ Nee? Where else would you like to sleep in our home?” He frowned. “I’m afraid we don’t have the basement furnished at this time . . .”
“ Nee, it’s not that. I just couldn’t impose on your hospitality like that.”
“You wouldn’t be imposing, son. It’s just a matter of making things easier on all of us.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand . . .”
“Ben, it’s like this,” Mr. Graber said almost too carefully, as if he were speaking to a child of limited mental capacity. “We are used to a busy house. Mrs. Graber and I like having all the bedrooms filled. Plus, I can tell you that it would make my frau verra pleased to fuss over you. To make sure you’re warm and settled.”
No. Ben knew he wasn’t going to be needing those things. . .
In a rush, Mr. Graber continued. Just as if he was stating facts instead of his opinions. “And then, of course, we’re going to be worried about you gettin’ on home late at night.”
“I’ll be fine—”
“And, well, you know, since it is Christmas, we’re going to have to do the whole thing again tomorrow.” Deceptively innocent sounding, Mr. Graber sighed. “All things considered, it would simply be easiest on all of us if you just stayed the night. If you only dropped off our Judith, you’d cause us grief to no end.”
Ben felt flummoxed. How did one respond to an offer like this? He had so few experiences of such generosity to fall back on. “I don’t want to cause you any grief,” he muttered.
“I know you don’t.” As Judith’s voice carried over the store, the older man glanced toward her. Then, almost wistfully, he added, “We like ya, Ben. We like you verra much. You seem to fit in just fine with our family.”
Well, what could he say to that? “If you would like me to stay late here, of course I will. I will also be grateful for the meal and the bed.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Ben ached to take them back. How pitiful did he sound? Clearing his throat, he added a bit more forcefully, “I mean . . . I could make it work. If you don’t think Judith would mind?”
“Judith won’t mind at all.”
“I won’t mind what?” Judith asked from just a few mere feet away. A line formed between her brows as she looked from her father to Ben and then back to her daed again.
Ben almost groaned aloud. Of course she would come here right at this moment, hearing her father offer him a meal and a bed. Just as if he had nowhere better to be.
However, instead of appearing awkward, Mr. Graber looked pleased as punch. “Judith, dear. I was suggesting to Ben that maybe he could spend the night at our house when he drops you off.”
“He doesn’t need to drop me off.”
“Sure he does. ’Cause he’s going to be working late with you this evening.”
A pinched look appeared in between her brows. “How late?”
“Just until eight or so.”
Right there and then, pure fire
“ Jah. I’d come back later and work but had promised Judith’s mamm that I’d take her to the Wal-Mart tonight. We hired a driver so we could get a few things for Maggie and Toby.”
“I don’t mind staying, Mr. Graber. I’ll stay here with Judith and restock as much as I can.” Then, remembering how fearful he’d been when he thought of her being alone on the dark, snowy streets of Sugarcreek, he added firmly, “And then I will take her home as well.”
Satisfaction glowed in Mr. Graber’s eyes as he continued to make plans. “Ben, if you do that, you might as well stay with us for dinner.”
“Danke.”
“Our Maggie will be glad to see you. All she talked about while she ate her oatmeal this morning was her new friend Ben. You know, after supper, it is mighty late. Too late to be out and about.” He snapped his fingers. “I know! Why don’t you just plan on sleeping in Joshua’s old room?” He grinned, obviously pleased with his newest suggestion.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t do that.”
“ Nee? Where else would you like to sleep in our home?” He frowned. “I’m afraid we don’t have the basement furnished at this time . . .”
“ Nee, it’s not that. I just couldn’t impose on your hospitality like that.”
“You wouldn’t be imposing, son. It’s just a matter of making things easier on all of us.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand . . .”
“Ben, it’s like this,” Mr. Graber said almost too carefully, as if he were speaking to a child of limited mental capacity. “We are used to a busy house. Mrs. Graber and I like having all the bedrooms filled. Plus, I can tell you that it would make my frau verra pleased to fuss over you. To make sure you’re warm and settled.”
No. Ben knew he wasn’t going to be needing those things. . .
In a rush, Mr. Graber continued. Just as if he was stating facts instead of his opinions. “And then, of course, we’re going to be worried about you gettin’ on home late at night.”
“I’ll be fine—”
“And, well, you know, since it is Christmas, we’re going to have to do the whole thing again tomorrow.” Deceptively innocent sounding, Mr. Graber sighed. “All things considered, it would simply be easiest on all of us if you just stayed the night. If you only dropped off our Judith, you’d cause us grief to no end.”
Ben felt flummoxed. How did one respond to an offer like this? He had so few experiences of such generosity to fall back on. “I don’t want to cause you any grief,” he muttered.
“I know you don’t.” As Judith’s voice carried over the store, the older man glanced toward her. Then, almost wistfully, he added, “We like ya, Ben. We like you verra much. You seem to fit in just fine with our family.”
Well, what could he say to that? “If you would like me to stay late here, of course I will. I will also be grateful for the meal and the bed.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Ben ached to take them back. How pitiful did he sound? Clearing his throat, he added a bit more forcefully, “I mean . . . I could make it work. If you don’t think Judith would mind?”
“Judith won’t mind at all.”
“I won’t mind what?” Judith asked from just a few mere feet away. A line formed between her brows as she looked from her father to Ben and then back to her daed again.
Ben almost groaned aloud. Of course she would come here right at this moment, hearing her father offer him a meal and a bed. Just as if he had nowhere better to be.
However, instead of appearing awkward, Mr. Graber looked pleased as punch. “Judith, dear. I was suggesting to Ben that maybe he could spend the night at our house when he drops you off.”
“He doesn’t need to drop me off.”
“Sure he does. ’Cause he’s going to be working late with you this evening.”
A pinched look appeared in between her brows. “How late?”
“Just until eight or so.”
Right there and then, pure fire
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