Read Online Leaving Lancaster by Kate Lloyd - Free Book Online

church—was his name Larry?—would hold her fickle attention until she got home. But Esther hadn’t noticed her daughter checking her cell phone for text messages.
    When Zach was out the door, Holly told Esther, “He’s a veterinary doctor. Isn’t that cool?” So she had noticed him. Holly had always loved animals—from afar.
    â€œYes,” Esther said. “Quite an accomplishment.”
    â€œWe’re very proud of him.” Beth stood halfway to glance out the window to watch Zach roll his pickup out the drive with caution to avoid Missy, who trotted back to the house once Zach neared the road. “Being admitted to and making it through veterinary school was an enormous feat. Now, he has a thriving practice.”
    â€œHe’d never want to leave that,” Esther said, thinking aloud.
    â€œI should hope not.” Beth sat and straightened her blouse at the neck. “My two daughters live a ten-minute drive away, so I get plenty of time with my grandchildren. But my Zachary hasn’t met the right woman yet, so it seems. He’s thirty-seven and was engaged once—”
    â€œHolly’s age,” Esther said, and received a scowl from her daughter.
    â€œYou two must be hungry,” Beth said, abruptly. “They don’t feed folks much on airplanes anymore. Ready for breakfast?”
    â€œThanks, but it feels too early,” Holly said, and yawned. “I don’t even want to contemplate what time it is in Seattle.” She was clad in skinny jeans and a clingy turtleneck sweater. Esther imagined her daughter through her mother’s eyes and decided Mamm would not approve. Should Esther suggest Holly change into a less revealing outfit? Maybe lend her a sweater a couple sizes larger? No, a negative comment might spin her daughter right back to the airport.
    â€œWe should get moving,” Holly said. She raked a hand through her hair.
    â€œWhat’s your hurry?” Esther wanted to delay the inevitable. She peeked through the doorway into Beth’s kitchen and saw modern amenities, including a Cuisinart food processor, a refrigerator with an icemaker, and a glass-top stove you’d never find in Mamm’s kitchen. The cupboard doors were painted buttermilk yellow, and a pink and lime-green flowered apron hung from a hook by the wall phone.
    â€œI haven’t had coffee yet,” Esther said. “It surely does smell good.”
    â€œI’ll get some.” Beth stepped into the kitchen and returned with a brushed aluminum coffee urn and an empty mug.
    â€œI hear Grandma Anna’s house doesn’t have electricity,” Holly said to Beth. “Would you mind if I left my laptop here to charge the battery? I forgot to plug it in last night.”
    â€œThat would be fine, dear. An excuse to come back.” Her hand reached across the table and patted Holly’s. “You’re welcome anytime.”
    â€œThank you, Beth. You’re the best. I don’t know what we would have done without your hospitality last night.”
    â€œI enjoyed your company. When my husband Roger’s out of town I get lonely.”
    â€œDo you think there’s room for both of us at Grandma’s?” Holly set her elbows on the table, cupping her chin like her neck wasn’t strong enough to hold up her head—exactly how Esther felt.
    â€œAnna’s house is of good size. The far end, the Daadi Haus —where your grandparents once lived, Esther—is vacant. Anna sleeps on the second floor now, with the children. Your Uncle Isaac and his wife, Greta, use the Kammer on the first floor, the bedroom behind the parlor. Four of Esther’s brothers own homes of their own, but the men are out of town looking to buy land in Montana.”
    â€œAre you sure?” Esther’s back arched. “They’re moving? Mamm never mentioned it in her letters. You must be mistaken.”
    Beth’s