Read Online Snowfall by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online

kitchen table. “Does that mean you’ve brought your hamper again?”
    â€œIt does, indeed.” Ruth picked it up and set it on the table with a bit of a grunt. “But it’s still early, and it looks to me like we need to have a hearty breakfast first.” Looking at Martin, she said, “Have you eaten?”
    He looked taken aback. “Me?”
    His reaction made her smile. “ Jah , Martin. You. Have you eaten?”
    Looking down at his feet, he muttered, “Well, not exactly.”
    Katrina tilted her head. “Are you lying now, Daed?”
    â€œNot at all. It’s just that I don’t have much time. . . .”
    â€œI’m sure you have time for eggs and toast and maybe some ham?”
    â€œI don’t know if we have any ham. . . .”
    â€œI brought my own.”
    â€œYou brought your own ham?” Martin asked.
    â€œWell, yes. You don’t mind, do you?”
    Staring at her like she confused him as much as the children were confusing her, Martin shook his head slowly.
    â€œI bought the ham the other day. It was on sale, you see. But I started thinking that one ham would go to waste on a single girl like me.”
    â€œSo you brought it here to us?”
    â€œ Jah ,” she said as she reached in and pulled out the smoked ham. When the kinner clapped, Ruth felt herself blush. “It’s better to share, I think.”
    â€œIt came out of the basket!” Meg cried. “It’s a fancy basket!”
    â€œIt is fancy, but there’s nothing too special about me bringing ham. I simply had it at home, and I didn’t want it to go to waste,” she explained as she bustled over to the pans, lit one of the gas burners, and started slicing the meat.
    â€œ Kinner , I have much planned for us today. That means I need your help so I can make your father a good breakfast. Quick now, help me get out the eggs and milk and butter. Martin, would you like a fresh cup of coffee, too?”
    â€œ Nee . I mean, I already had some coffee. And there’s no reason for you to—”
    â€œSit down, Martin,” she interrupted. “But don’t take a peek inside that hamper. Children, keep an eye on your father now.”
    Their father looked flummoxed. “I don’t understand. . . .”
    Playfully, she shook a finger at him. “You heard what I said. You have to be patient, just like everyone else.” Her heart started beating wildly as she realized what she’d just blurted to her new employer.
    But to her amazement—and the children’s—he sat. Then he accepted the cup of coffee she handed him.
    As the children wandered out of the kitchen, a new tension filled the air. It was compounded by the fact that Martin kept staring at her.
    Staring at her in such a way that she began to wonder if maybe, just maybe, she hadn’t missed out on every opportunity to claim some adventure and happiness for herself.
    Maybe, just maybe, the Lord had simply been biding His time until this year.
    When she returned Martin’s gaze, she felt a tingle dance along her spine. It took a minute, but she recognized what that little tingle was. It was that same feeling she’d felt when Jonas Miller smiled at her.
    That feeling of hope, of giddy excitement. That feeling that everything wonderful and special was within her grasp. All she had to do was reach out for it. As her mind spun, she slowly became aware that Martin was gazing at her with more than a little amusement. And more than a little bit of confusion.
    â€œRuth, are you all right?”
    â€œOf course,” she blurted. And she was. All she had to do was get her head wrapped around the idea that something special was happening. And that Martin was feeling it, too.
    â€œMiss Ruth, I think your special ham is burning!” Thomas exclaimed when he came running back into the kitchen.
    â€œWhat? Oh, no!” Quickly she turned and