Read Online The Christmas Quilt by Patricia Davids - Free Book Online Page A

ice sliding off the roof.” He covered her hand with his.
    She relaxed and pulled her hand away slowly. “Of course, how silly of me to be frightened.”
    “Don’t apologize.”
    Clearly flustered, she said, “I really should get back. My aunt will be waiting for me. We…we have plans for today.”
    It took all his willpower to step away from her. “I understand.”
    They crossed through the store to the back door, but when she tried to open it the door barely moved. “There’s something blocking it.”
    He put his shoulder against it and pushed. It budged a few inches, enough for him to see it was snow blocking the door. The pile was at least four feet deep. “Looks like this is where the snow from the roof landed.”
    “We can go out the other way.”
    They returned to the front of the store. Jonathan had gone. Reuben was placing a number of bills in his cash register.
    Rebecca said, “ Daadi, the back door is blocked.”
    “I heard the avalanche. I will take care of it.” Reuben sighed and moved to pick up a snow shovel by the front door.
    Gideon stepped forward and took hold of the tool. “Let me do that for you.”
    Reuben frowned at him. “I can shovel a little snow.”
    “I can, too.” Gideon grinned. The man must be close to eighty years old.
    Reuben relinquished his hold. “ Danki, Booker.”
    Gideon turned to Rebecca. “You should go back to the inn. I can find my way. I was only teasing you about being lost.”
    Her lips curved slightly. “I know. I don’t mind waiting.”
     
    After Gideon left the building, Rebecca’s grandfather spoke to her in Pennsylvania Dutch. “How well do you know this Englisch fellow?”
    “We only met at the auction, but he has been most kind.”
    “Do I need to put a word of caution in your ear?” Reuben asked in a firm tone he rarely used with her.
    Her pleasure dimmed. “No, Daadi, I know what is proper.”
    “I’m happy to hear that. Do not be fooled by his interest.”
    “I don’t know what you mean.” She did, but she didn’t want to hear it put into words.
    “You are a lovely woman. He is an outsider, stuck in our little town until the roads are clear. Do not be flattered by his attention. It will vanish when the roads are open.”
    Was she so pathetic? Tears pricked at the back of her eyes. “Is it wrong to show him kindness after all he has done for me? We took a walk through town. Nothing else.”
    Pressing her lips together, she waited for her grandfather to respond. How could it be wrong to enjoy a stroll with Booker? She knew nothing could come of the relationship. He made her feel special. He made her smile. Didn’t she deserve a few hours of enjoyment?
    “You are a grown woman with a goot head on your shoulders. I don’t wish to see you hurt.”
    “When Jonathan came among us you were not suspicious of his motives.”
    “Jonathan was a man with no memory. He didn’t know his own name. It was clear God brought him to us so that he might be healed in body and soul.”
    “Perhaps God has such a reason for bringing Booker here.”
    “That may be true, but Booker looks more like a man with something to hide than a man looking to find God’s will.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “There is something about the way he doesn’t look a man in the eye.”
    “Perhaps he’s shy. Maybe he feels uncomfortable because we look at him with suspicion.” She felt compelled to defend Booker.
    “Perhaps you are right and I am wrong to judge him harshly. ‘It is better to suffer wrong than to do it.’”
    “‘And happier to be sometimes cheated than to never trust.’” She finished the proverb for him.
    “All I’m trying to say is be careful, child.”
    “I will be, Grandfather. Don’t worry.”
    Harness bells chimed as the front door opened. When the new arrival called a greeting in Pennsylvania Dutch Rebecca knew it wasn’t Booker returning.
    The customer was shopping for a new halter. Rebecca waited by the counter as her grandfather