Read Online Looking for a Miracle by Wanda E. Brunstetter - Free Book Online Page B

news. She was trying to be happy for Mary Ellen because she was her best friend and all, but she felt sorry for poor Daniel. Now that Johnny would be calling on Mary Ellen, Daniel’s chances of winning her would be slim to none.
    Rebekah plastered a smile on her face, although she really felt like crying. “It’s nice to see you’re so happy.”
    “Jah, I truly am.” Mary Ellen’s face fairly glowed as she took a seat beside Rebekah on the swing and reached out to clasp her hand. “How are things with you these days? Have you thought any more about my greenhouse idea?”
    Rebekah nodded, glad for the change of subject. “I have. I even talked to Mom and Dad, and they think it’s a good idea, too. Dad says he can begin building it sometime next week.” She drew in a deep breath and let it out in a rush.
    “Just think, I might actually be able to support myself if this business takes hold.”
    “That would be wunderbaar, all right.” Mary Ellen squinted. “But what will you sell? Do you have enough plants and flowers?”
    “Not yet, but with the money I made at the farmers’ market, I’ll be able to buy some of what I need to get started. I can use more starts from Grandma’s plants, and there’s always fresh-cut flowers from our garden to sell.”
    “Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out.”
    “I’m working on it. In the beginning, all my profits will have to go back into the business. I’ll need to buy more plants, seeds, fertilizers, pots, and potting soil. After the first year or so, I’m hoping that I’ll be able to start supporting myself.”
    Mary Ellen pumped the swing back and forth with her legs—legs Rebekah would have given nearly anything to have owned. “It’s good to see you so cheerful. You’ve been acting kind of gloomy lately.”
    Rebekah sighed. “That’s partly because of those awful dreams I kept having about Grandma dying and then others in my family leaving me, too.”
    “Are you still having the nightmares?”
    “Not since I started praying more and committing to memory some scriptures on trusting God and not fearing the unknown.”
    “I’m glad to hear it. Which verses have you memorized?”
    Rebekah was about to reply when Aunt Mim stepped onto the porch, interrupting their conversation. “I see you two have found my favorite swinging seat,” she said, smiling brightly.
    “Would you like to sit here?” Rebekah offered. “We can go someplace else to visit.”
    “You stay right where you are. I can’t take time to sit just now, anyway. I have to see about getting some food set out for this family picnic of ours.”
    “Is there anything we can do to help?” Mary Ellen questioned.
    Aunt Mim shook her head. “Maybe later. Sarah, Crystal, and Grace are here to help, so you two can sit right there for now and keep on visiting.” With a wave of her hand, she hurried into the house.
    “Aunt Mim’s a sweet lady. She always seems so full of joy,” Rebekah said, nudging Mary Ellen with her elbow.
    “Jah. She may not be my real mamm, but she loves me like she is. I thank God for bringing her into our lives when I was a young girl—though she wasn’t always so happy.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Don’t you remember when she was our schoolteacher and some of the kinner used to call her en alt maedel with a heart of stone?”
    Rebekah nodded. She wondered how many folks thought of her as an old maid. She knew her sister did because she’d already said so. Despite the fact that Nadine had apologized for her hurtful words, things hadn’t been the same between them since their last disagreement.
    “God can change hearts if we allow Him to,” Mary Ellen said, waving her hand at a bothersome fly that seemed determined to buzz their heads.
    “Do you think God still performs miracles?”
    “Of course He does. Why would you ask such a thing?”
    Rebekah’s eyelids fluttered, then closed and opened again. “Sometimes I think I might be able to