Read Online Her Brother's Keeper by Beth Wiseman - Free Book Online Page B

tethered the horse to the hitching post.
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. I just felt like getting out. No biggie.”
    Hannah wondered if maybe Mary used these strange expressions because she’d become Amish later in life. Too many of the Englisch ways had stuck with her.
    Either way, Hannah was surprised to see Isaac behind the register when they entered the furniture store.
    â€œWie bischt, Isaac.” Hannah pointed over her shoulder. “ Mei daed asked us to drop off two small bookshelves.” Both pieces were solid wood and much too heavy for Hannah and Mary to carry.
    â€œYa. Gut.” Isaac eased around the corner toward the front door, then locked eyes with Hannah.
    â€œAnd you remember my cousin, Mary.” She pulled her gaze from Isaac when she felt her cheeks flushing. She’d always miss Ethan, but her attraction to Isaac still brought on considerable guilt. But Isaac had finally decided to start dating, and Mary was the woman he chose, so Hannah needed to support his choice.
    Isaac returned carrying both bookcases as if they were no heavier than a pail of grain, his muscles straining against his short-sleeved blue shirt. Hannah turned to Mary, who was clearly smitten with Isaac. Her cousin couldn’t take her eyes off of him.
    â€œDanki,” Isaac said as he carried the two bookshelves past them and toward the back of the shop.
    Isaac was a gentle soul, someone who loved animals, worked hard, and cherished the Lord. There was a time, long before Ethan, when Hannah had hoped things could be different between her and Isaac. They’d grown up together, and she’d witnessed his kindness for years, even when he didn’t know she was watching him.
    Mary walked away, presumably to take a self-guided tour of the spacious store, and when Isaac returned from the back, Hannah said, “I hear you and Mary are going out Saturday.”
    Isaac smiled. “ Ya . She wanted to see the store and . . .” He looked around until he spotted Mary. “But I guess it will just be lunch instead since she’s looking around now. Phyllis and Tom took the morning off to go to one of their kinner ’s school programs.”
    â€œI think it’s gut that you have decided to date again. I know you’ve been busy taking care of your father. He looked like he was doing better at worship service.”
    â€œSome days are better than others for Daed .” He scratched his chin. “I-I didn’t exactly ask your cousin out. She wanted to see the store and have lunch. Since she’s here now, I’m wondering if we will still go to lunch.”
    Hannah fought the urge to spout something ugly since Mary hadn’t made bother to mention that she’d been the one to do the asking.
    â€œThere are some great pieces in here,” Mary said when she rejoined them. “Really beautiful.” She smiled. “See you Saturday. I’ll bring lunch.”
    Hannah wondered how that might go since she’d never seen Mary prepare much of anything in the kitchen. Isaac nodded, so Hannah forced another smile and gave a quick wave good-bye.
    How forward for Mary to ask a man out. She wanted to say something to her cousin when they got back into the buggy, but Hannah was afraid that Mary might notice a tinge of jealousy, so they stayed quiet for most of the trip. Right before they got home, Hannah couldn’t stand it anymore.
    â€œIsaac said that you asked him out. Is that how it’s done in Texas? Because that seems . . . odd.” She straightened her back as she picked up the pace. When Mary reached for the dashboard of the buggy, Hannah sped up even more.
    â€œI don’t think it matters who asked whom.” Mary rolled her eyes, and even though it appeared to be a playful gesture, it still fueled Hannah’s aggravation. But she stayed quiet as she recalled the way she’d pushed everyone away from her since Ethan’s death. She needed a friend,