Read Online Joyful by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online

worse around here. Lately, all I seem to be doing is cleaning and cooking, and none of it very well.” As soon as he heard his words, he ached to take them right back. Could anyone sound more pathetic?
    And, well, he sounded like a liar, too, since he’d just noticed that one of the saucepans from last night’s supper was still on the stove. Inside, the leftover beans no one had wanted had hardened like glue. Hoping she didn’t notice it, he hastily picked it up and placed it in the sink.
    Eyes following the pan, she murmured, “Even with only five people in the haus , I’m sure there’s a lot to do.”
    â€œThere is, and to make things worse, I fear I’m a terrible housekeeper, Elizabeth,” he admitted. He gazed at her face, hoping she would either kid about his ineptitude or say that so far, the house didn’t look too bad.
    But instead, she looked at him in such a steady way that he felt she could see into his soul. After a couple of seconds, she sighed. “What is going on, Randall?”
    â€œNothing. We simply need some help.” Suddenly noticing how the countertops had crumbs from the morning’s toast, he attempted to brush them onto a rag.
    â€œRandall, please stop.”
    â€œI’m only trying to clean up for you.”
    â€œThat’s why I’m here, jah ?”
    â€œNot today though.”
    Her lips curved up. “I promise, I’m not bothered by toast crumbs or dirty pots and pans. Don’t clean right now, please? Your jumping around is making me nervous.” She gestured to the other stools. “Now, come sit down and tell me what you’d like me to do while I’m here.”
    â€œCook supper. Clean. And then there’s also Kaylene.”
    Elizabeth started to lean against the counter, but then gazed at the wood and Formica top, and seemed to think the better of it. “What about Kaylene?”
    â€œWell, she’s at an impressionable age, you know. And she’s missing Junior. You remember how close they were.”
    â€œHe didn’t want her to live with him?”
    â€œHe offered, but she didn’t want to leave. And to be honest, I don’t think I can let her go, Elizabeth. She needs to stay here. This is her home. Our home. I need to make things work for her. I’m really worried about Kay.”
    Her gaze was searching. “So you agreed to me being here because of Kaylene ?”
    He was tempted to shake his head. To tell her that of course it wasn’t just about Kay. It wasn’t even just about having a dirty house. It was because of everything. His siblings, the house, the changes. Him. Her.
    But of course he couldn’t say anything like that, because his life hadn’t changed. Besides, she needed money, too. “It’s everything.”
    â€œAnd there wasn’t any other woman in Sugarcreek who you thought could assist your family?”
    â€œI’m sure there are other women who could help us out, but not so many that Kaylene trusts.” He ached to say more. But he feared that nothing could come of bringing up old wounds. “Is being here—and being around me—going to be a problem, Elizabeth? I know we didn’t end things on a good note.”
    â€œRandall, we didn’t end things. You did. You told me that you didn’t want to see me anymore. That we couldn’t work things out.”
    He’d been lying, however. He had wanted to see her. But he had also wanted to do the right thing for his family. Duty had prevailed.
    She looked at him a moment longer, then with a sigh, hopped off the stool. After opening up a couple of cabinets, she pulled out a mug. Then, to his embarrassment, she walked to the stove, grabbed the teakettle, and carried it to the sink.
    â€œI can make you tea, Elizabeth.”
    â€œ Nee. I would like to do it, I think.” After vigorously scrubbing last night’s pan, she took off the top of the kettle,