Read Online Plain Paradise by Beth Wiseman - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Beth Wiseman
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too.”
Linda threw her arms around Mary Ellen. “I’m sorry for how I behaved yesterday.” Mary Ellen gently nudged her away and pointed a finger in her direction.
“Do not apologize to me, Linda. I should be apologizing to you. I hope that you can forgive your father and I for not—”
“ Mamm , I already have forgiven you.” Linda sighed. “I thought a lot about this last night, and I know you and Daed are hurting and worried. But you will always be my parents.”
“ Danki for saying so. We love you very much.”
Then they heard a knock at the door.
5
J OSIE CHECKED HER LIPSTICK IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR , ran a hand through her hair, and wondered if she should have worn something different. After several outfit changes, she’d chosen a pair of capri jeans, a tan T-shirt with no imprint, and flat brown sandals. She’d toned down her jewelry also—only her wedding ring and small silver hoop earrings. It was a far cry from what she knew Linda would be wearing, but she didn’t want to come across as flashy, so she’d ditched spiked heels for sandals, left the Rolex at home, and even gone light on her makeup today.
She took a deep breath before she stepped out of the car and wondered if she should have taken Robert up on his offer to come with her. She took in her surroundings and saw that she’d parked near two buggies. One was the familiar box-shaped buggy Lancaster County was known for, and the other one Josie recognized to be a spring buggy, without a top, room for four, with a storage area in the back. In this warm weather, she’d seen lots of spring buggies on the roads.
Josie glanced around the property as she made her way across cobblestone steps that led to a long wooden porch with two entryways. It seemed to Josie that the Amish must get on hands and knees to trim their grass so perfectly around every flower bed, cobblestone, and planter that occupied the space between the gravel driveway and the front porch. Every tree in the spacious yard was encased by a pristine flower bed sporting red, pink, and white blooms. The white clapboard house appeared to have a fresh coat of paint, and in grand contrast, the home had a green tin roof that matched the roofs of two barns nearby.
A horse whinnied from the barn to Josie’s left, and she turned to see the animal poke his head out opened shutters, as if voicing a hello in her direction. It was picturesque, and under different circumstances, Josie knew it would be a calming, peaceful place. But as she headed up the porch steps, Josie’s heart was pounding against her chest and beads of sweat were accumulating on her forehead.
Two doors led into the house, and Josie headed to the one directly in front of the porch steps, which appeared to be the main entrance. As she drew near, she could see through the screen door and into a den, then she heard footsteps, and the door swung open.
“Hello,” Mary Ellen said softly. She motioned for Josie to come in. “Linda will be down in a few minutes. Please, have a seat. Can I get you some tea or kaffi ?”
Josie hesitantly sat down on the tan couch, folded her hands in her lap. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”
Mary Ellen’s home was tastefully decorated with more décor than other Amish homes Josie had been in when she was younger. She’d heard that the bishop was more lenient about allowing a few ornamental trinkets here and there, as well as conservative wall hangings. As she glanced around, Josie thought this could have been any number of non-Amish homes in the area. Two oak rockers faced the couch with a matching coffee table in between, and a colorful rug rested beneath the setup. A large leafy ivy was in a planter in the far corner next to a bookshelf that went almost to the ceiling, filled with books, cards, and various games. A large framed picture of a cottage nestled among colorful foliage resembling a Thomas Kinkade painting hung above the fireplace, and on each side of the mantel were large
Linda threw her arms around Mary Ellen. “I’m sorry for how I behaved yesterday.” Mary Ellen gently nudged her away and pointed a finger in her direction.
“Do not apologize to me, Linda. I should be apologizing to you. I hope that you can forgive your father and I for not—”
“ Mamm , I already have forgiven you.” Linda sighed. “I thought a lot about this last night, and I know you and Daed are hurting and worried. But you will always be my parents.”
“ Danki for saying so. We love you very much.”
Then they heard a knock at the door.
5
J OSIE CHECKED HER LIPSTICK IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR , ran a hand through her hair, and wondered if she should have worn something different. After several outfit changes, she’d chosen a pair of capri jeans, a tan T-shirt with no imprint, and flat brown sandals. She’d toned down her jewelry also—only her wedding ring and small silver hoop earrings. It was a far cry from what she knew Linda would be wearing, but she didn’t want to come across as flashy, so she’d ditched spiked heels for sandals, left the Rolex at home, and even gone light on her makeup today.
She took a deep breath before she stepped out of the car and wondered if she should have taken Robert up on his offer to come with her. She took in her surroundings and saw that she’d parked near two buggies. One was the familiar box-shaped buggy Lancaster County was known for, and the other one Josie recognized to be a spring buggy, without a top, room for four, with a storage area in the back. In this warm weather, she’d seen lots of spring buggies on the roads.
Josie glanced around the property as she made her way across cobblestone steps that led to a long wooden porch with two entryways. It seemed to Josie that the Amish must get on hands and knees to trim their grass so perfectly around every flower bed, cobblestone, and planter that occupied the space between the gravel driveway and the front porch. Every tree in the spacious yard was encased by a pristine flower bed sporting red, pink, and white blooms. The white clapboard house appeared to have a fresh coat of paint, and in grand contrast, the home had a green tin roof that matched the roofs of two barns nearby.
A horse whinnied from the barn to Josie’s left, and she turned to see the animal poke his head out opened shutters, as if voicing a hello in her direction. It was picturesque, and under different circumstances, Josie knew it would be a calming, peaceful place. But as she headed up the porch steps, Josie’s heart was pounding against her chest and beads of sweat were accumulating on her forehead.
Two doors led into the house, and Josie headed to the one directly in front of the porch steps, which appeared to be the main entrance. As she drew near, she could see through the screen door and into a den, then she heard footsteps, and the door swung open.
“Hello,” Mary Ellen said softly. She motioned for Josie to come in. “Linda will be down in a few minutes. Please, have a seat. Can I get you some tea or kaffi ?”
Josie hesitantly sat down on the tan couch, folded her hands in her lap. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”
Mary Ellen’s home was tastefully decorated with more décor than other Amish homes Josie had been in when she was younger. She’d heard that the bishop was more lenient about allowing a few ornamental trinkets here and there, as well as conservative wall hangings. As she glanced around, Josie thought this could have been any number of non-Amish homes in the area. Two oak rockers faced the couch with a matching coffee table in between, and a colorful rug rested beneath the setup. A large leafy ivy was in a planter in the far corner next to a bookshelf that went almost to the ceiling, filled with books, cards, and various games. A large framed picture of a cottage nestled among colorful foliage resembling a Thomas Kinkade painting hung above the fireplace, and on each side of the mantel were large
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