Read Online Going Home by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online Page B

’cause she’s in a bad mood about us trackin’ in the mud on her clean floor.”
    “I don’t think she’ll make Susie pay for our transgressions.”
    “Our what?”
    “Transgressions. It means doing wrong things.”
    Melinda hung her head. “I always seem to be doing wrong things around here. I must be very bad.”
    Faith knelt on the ground and pulled her daughter into her arms. “You’re not bad. You just don’t understand all the rules yet.”
    “Will I ever understand them, Mama?”
    Faith gently stroked the child’s cheek. “Of course you will. It’s just going to take a little more time.”
    “But I want to wear blue jeans and watch TV, and I can’t do either of those things here.”
    Guilt found its way into Faith’s heart and put down roots so deep she thought she might choke. Had she done the right thing in taking Melinda out of the modern world she was used to and expecting her to adjust to the Amish way of doing things? Faith had never accepted all the rules when she was growing up. She had experimented with modern things whenever she’d had the chance. Had it really been all those rules that had driven heraway, or was it the simple fact that she’d never felt truly loved and acknowledged by her family?

    Noah whistled in response to the call of a finch as he knelt in front of a newly planted pine tree. It was still scrawny compared to those around it, and the seedling appeared to be struggling to survive.
    “A little more time and attention are what you’re needing,” he whispered, resolving to save the fledgling. He wanted to see it thrive and someday find its way to one of the local Christmas tree lots or be purchased by some Englishers who would come to the farm to choose their own holiday tree.
    The sound of country-western music blared in Noah’s ear, and he figured his boss, Hank Osborn, must be nearby. Hank enjoyed listening to the radio while he worked, and Noah had discovered that he rather liked it, too. Of course, he wouldn’t let his folks or anyone from their community know that, and he sure wouldn’t buy a radio or listen to music on his own at home. But here at work, it was kind of nice. Besides, this was his boss’s radio, and Noah had no control over whether it was played.
    The man singing on the radio at the moment also did a bit of yodeling. It made Noah think of Faith and how she had given up her entertaining career and moved back home. He wondered if she had enjoyed the cake he’d given her and what she thought about the verse of scripture he’d attached to it. Had it spoken to her heart, the way God’s Word was supposed to? He hoped so,for Faith seemed to be in need of something, and Noah couldn’t think of anything more nourishing to the soul than the words found within the Bible.
    “Did you bring any of your baked goods in your lunch today?”
    Noah turned his head at the sound of his boss’s voice. He hadn’t realized Hank had moved over to his row of trees. “I made some oatmeal bread last night,” Noah said. “Brought you and your wife a loaf of it.”
    Hank lowered the volume, set his portable radio on the ground, and hunkered down beside Noah. “You’re the best! Sure hope your mama knows how lucky she is to have you still living at home.”
    Noah snickered. “I think she appreciates my help in the kitchen, but I’m not sure how lucky she is.”
    “A fellow like you ought to be married and raising babies, like those nine brothers of yours have done. Between your cooking and baking skills and the concern you show over a weak little tree, I’d say you would make one fine husband and daddy.” Hank nodded toward the struggling pine Noah had been studying before he let his thoughts carry him away.
    Noah felt a flush of heat climb up the back of his neck and spread to his cheeks. He hated how easily he blushed.
    “Didn’t mean to embarrass you. I’m glad to have someone as caring as you working here at Osborns’ Christmas Tree Farm.” Hank