Read Online Lamb to the Slaughter (Serenity's Plain Secrets Book 1) by Karen Ann Hopkins - Free Book Online

side. I pondered, weighing the pros and cons in my head, quickly.
    When I looked up, Serenity must have read my mind before I spoke. She suddenly had a very pleased look on her face.
    “Sure. But, on two conditions,” I said, not able to keep from smiling as Serenity’s happy expression changed to one of dread.
    “What conditions?” she nearly growled.
    “That you let me do the talking…and you accompany me to the Amish School House dinner tomorrow evening. It would be the perfect place for you to immerse yourself in the Amish world and get a good dinner to boot.”
    Serenity was thinking it over as if it was a trick. She looked at Todd for encouragement. I felt the prick of jealousy as her eyes sought the other man’s, but I was fairly certain that there wasn’t anything going on between them. Todd was definitely not Serenity’s type.
    Todd said, “They have a benefit dinner twice a year, in the spring and fall. I saw the banner advertising it this weekend on the corner of the road that the school’s on. The entire community will probably be there.”
    Serenity turned back to me and narrowed her eyes a fraction when she said, “I’ll go with you tomorrow to the dinner. And, I’ll let you do most of the talking. But I’m not guaranteeing that I won’t say something if it needs to be said.”
    That was probably the best I was going to get out of her.
    The shiver of anticipation crawled up my back as I said, “Then we have a deal.”

6
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    NAOMI
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    August 28th
    N aomi knew she’d stayed in the truck too long already when she gripped the door handle, but she was still reluctant to leave Will behind.
    “Will you come with us, Naomi? If you’re worried about getting away from your house, just tell your folks that you’re staying with that one friend of yours that you trust.”
    Will’s voice held a hint of pleading that sent a shiver of delight through her. Spending just a few minutes alone with him each afternoon was not near enough for her. Naomi’s lips wanted nothing more than to feel the press of the English boy’s mouth on hers. That would never happen though if she didn’t do something to make it possible. But, the thought of lying to Mother and Father about spending the evening with Sandra, and attempting to sneak away with Will and his sister to go to the Fair was beyond frightening. If she got caught, Mamma would have the belt on her bare butt for sure. And that wouldn’t even be the worst of it.
    “I’ll see what I can do, but I’m not making any promises. You just don’t understand all that I’m risking if I do what you ask.” Seeing his look of disappointment, she added quickly, “But, I really do want to go. We’ll see what I can work out.”
    Naomi put on her most pouty, sad face. Will couldn’t help but smile warmly at her. “Don’t worry. If it doesn’t happen, there’ll be another time.”
    “Promise?” she said softly.
    “Yeah, I promise.” Will didn’t take his eyes off of her, causing the heat to spread onto her cheeks. She slid from the truck and without looking back she hurried up the walkway to the house.
    Naomi could still hear the rumble of the diesel engine when she went through the doorway. She was immediately struck with the broom across the back of her legs.
    “Owww! What was that for?” she shrieked at Mamma who had the broom ready for a second blow.
    “What are you up to, staying in the truck all that time? Have you been batting your big eyes at the English driver? Have you?” Mamma’s voice was ragged and crazed, so different from the relatively good mood that she’d been in that morning when Naomi left for work. Of course, Mamma’s moods could swing wildly in a few minutes, let alone a long day, Naomi knew.
    “Mamma, I promise I wasn’t doing a bad thing. Mr. Johnson was just asking about our goat kids and if any of them are for sale. He wants to buy one for his little sister for her birthday.” Naomi didn’t know where the words came