Read Online Dear to Me by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online

beard, which was generously peppered with gray. “It’s been a nice May so far. Makes me wish I had some free time to go fishing.” He turned toward the rear of the shop with a shrug. “Well, time’s a-wasting, so guess I’d best get back to work on that rocking chair Abe Yutzy ordered last week.”
     “Holler if you need any help.”
     “I appreciate the offer, but you’d better stick with the project you’re working on now.”
     Gabe grimaced. “Say, Pap?”
     “What is it, Gabe?”
     “You think we might broaden the business to include more than just cabinets and basic furniture? I’d like the chance to work on some other things.”
     “I don’t think so. We’ve got our hands full making what we do now.”
     Gabe gritted his teeth as his dad walked away. Will he ever see me as capable? Will he ever let me try out some new things?
     He grabbed a fresh piece of sandpaper and gave the top of the cabinet a few more good swipes. As soon as I get enough money saved up, I’m going to open my own woodworking business. When that happens, I plan to make a lot more things than just cabinets and a few pieces of furniture!

    When Melinda arrived home that evening with the squirrel she’d named Cinnamon, she headed straight for the barn. She set the cardboard box with the squirrel inside on a small wooden table and reached for a pair of leather gloves hanging on a nail. It wasn’t tame like Reba seemed to be, and she didn’t want to risk getting bitten by handling Cinnamon with her bare hands.
     Melinda located the spare cage and reached inside the box to retrieve Cinnamon.
     He didn’t squirm or try to get away, probably because of his hurt foot. When she closed the door on the cage, she discovered that the latch was broken and wouldn’t stay shut.
     “I don’t need you getting out, Cinnamon,” Melinda muttered. “At least not until your foot is healed.” She headed across the barn in search of some wire, but before she could locate it, Papa Noah stepped into the barn.
     
     “Good evening to you, too,” Melinda replied. “My day was fine until now.”
     “What’s the trouble?”
     Melinda pointed to the cage. “The latch on the cage door is broken, and I was looking for some wire to hold it shut.”
     Papa Noah moved over to the cage. “Where did you get the squirrel, and what happened to its foot?”
     “I got him from Dr. Franklin. Some English boy in Seymour found him outside the schoolhouse, and Dr. Franklin thinks the poor critter’s foot got stepped on.”
     “Why isn’t the vet taking care of him instead of you?”
     “The doctor did all he could, but he didn’t want to turn Cinnamon loose until the wound had healed properly.” Melinda grinned. “So he gave him to me for safekeeping.”
     “Couldn’t the vet have kept the squirrel in a cage there at the veterinary clinic?”
     “He probably would have, but all of the cages are full of other animals right now.”
     Papa Noah grunted as he shook his head. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to have so many critters around here that they’ll take over the place.” He motioned to the cage. “I guess if you keep him in there it will be all right, but we’ll have to wire that door shut.”
     “That’s what I was about to do, but I haven’t been able to find any wire.”
     “I know right where it is.” Papa Noah headed across the barn and flipped open the toolbox sitting on a shelf.
     In short order, he had the cage door wired shut. “I didn’t make it too tight, because I know you’ll need to be able to undo it so you can get inside to give the squirrel food and water,” he said.
     “Danki. I appreciate the help.”
     “Should we head for the house and see what your mamm’s got for supper?” he asked, nodding toward the barn door.
     “You go ahead. I want to check on the raccoon and the baby goat before I come in.”
     He shrugged. “Okay, but don’t be too long. I’m sure your mamm