Read Online The Amish Christmas Sleigh by Kelly Long - Free Book Online Page A

Sebastian was facing sure execution.
    â€œI don’t know for sure, but soon.”
    Tim bowed his head and Sebastian frowned. “Now what are you doing?”
    â€œShut up, boy. Can’t ya tell when a body’s prayin’?”
    Sebastian turned back to the screen with a sigh and discovered himself mentally praying, as well.
    Â 
    On Sunday, Kate rose early and set about making some gingerbread to take to the Masts’ when she picked up Ben. She felt so alive in her spirit that her fingers seemed to fly at their task, and she soon had a basket filled with fresh gingerbread squares topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.
    She went out into the cold and harnessed Janey to the sled, then set out with a smile on her face to the Mast home. She thought the morning had never seemed so bright and once or twice had to shield her eyes from the snow glare but she still couldn’t keep from smiling.
    When she arrived at the Mast home, Ben was, of course, unhappy at having to leave his friends, but the promise of gingerbread and the possibility of making snow angels on the way home were enough to persuade him, so they bade good-bye cheerily to their friends.
    Once they’d come to a clearing between two large pines, Kate drew rein and got out, going around the side of the sled to lift Ben into her arms. It was a favorite tradition between the two of them, ever since Ben’s accident, that they would make snow angels despite the difficulty with Ben’s legs.
    â€œHurry up, Katie,” he urged while she brushed a crumb of gingerbread away from the corner of his mouth.
    â€œAll right,” she replied, then carefully laid him down in the fresh, unmarked snow on his back. He immediately began to flap his arms, and Kate moved to help him slide his legs back and forth to make the angel’s skirt. She laughed at the pleasure in his brown eyes as he stared up at the bright blue sky and barely noticed that they weren’t alone until someone gave a loud whoop behind her, which made her jump and turn.
    â€œ Ach, Bishop Umble,” she gasped. “You gave me quite a fright.”
    â€œSorry,” the auld man said with a smile. “But I simply love making snow angels.” He promptly proved this love by dropping backward into the snow next to Ben, and they all three laughed out loud like children. Kate wished everyone might have the unusual privilege of seeing their aged leader so enjoying flailing about in the snow, but eventually he sat up with care, so as not to disturb his angel’s body.
    â€œ Ach. ” He smiled. “That does a soul gut! You know, sometimes my life is like making a snow angel—I want everything to be kept neat and perfect with nothing to mar the plans I’ve outlined, but then Gott sweeps in and turns everything upside down.”
    â€œThen what do you do?” Ben asked seriously, struggling to sit up until Kate helped him.
    â€œWhy, sohn , that’s when I’ve got a decision to make. Am I going to accept the change Gott has brought, or am I going to fight Him until things look and go the way I expect and want?”
    â€œBut isn’t it easier to accept than to fight?” Ben asked as Kate lifted him carefully into her arms. She looked down at the less-than-perfect images in the snow.
    â€œSome prefer the fight, my buwe, but never know the freedom in surrender and acceptance,” Bishop Umble said. He smiled at Kate. “Gotta get home to the missus. A gut day to you both.”
    Kate looked down at Ben in her arms, noting a new freckle on the bridge of his nose. She hugged him tight and he wriggled in her arms. “The bishop is funny, isn’t he, Kate?”
    She walked with him back to the sled. “Sometimes, but he’s also very wise. Now, let’s go home and have some cookies.”
    â€œGingerbread and cookies? Ach, boy,” Ben cheered. “What are we celebrating?”
    Kate smiled. “Just