Read Online The Stubborn Father by Jean; Wanda E.; Brunstetter Brunstetter - Free Book Online

needs to be finished today. So I won’t be able to attend the marriage seminar with you tonight after all.”
    “Oh, I see.” Kristi couldn’t hide her disappointment. But Joel needed the work, so she would try to be understanding. “Guess I’ll go without you then. Maybe I’ll get some helpful hints about being a good wife.”
    “Sorry, Kristi. I feel bad about letting you down.”
    “No, it’s okay. Sometimes work needs to come first. If you’re free after church tomorrow, maybe we can have lunch and I’ll share with you what I learned.”
    “Okay, sounds good. See you tomorrow, Kristi.”
    Kristi hung up, leaned her head back, and closed her eyes.
I hope Joel really does have to work tonight and isn’t using it as an excuse to get out of going to the seminar.
She opened her eyes and started the car
. I’m sure he wouldn’t lie to me.

    Charm
    When Doris arrived at her dad’s place later in the afternoon, she was surprised to find him outside working on the tree house, along with her nephews Scott and Doug, as well as Eustace’s friend Henry.
    “I see you have quite a crew working here today.” Doris walked around some of the boards as she stepped up to the maple Dad had chosen for his tree house.
    Dad removed his hat and fanned his face. “Jah, and they’re all good helpers.” He smiled at Doris. “Did you come to help, too?”
    She shook her head. “I heard Aunt Verna will be heading back to Burton this evening, so I came to say goodbye.”
    “That’s right. She’s inside doing a little cleaning she insisted needed to be done before she leaves.” Dad’s forehead wrinkled. “I told her not to bother, but she was adamant.”
    “Yoo-hoo!” Aunt Verna opened the door and waved. “I saw you pull in, Doris. I’ve got something I need to show you from the auction the other day.” She ambled toward them with a bird cage swaying by her side. It looked old and ornate. A blur of red flapped inside it, too.
    Doris couldn’t believe her eyes when she recognized the blur as a beautiful red cardinal. The poor thing looked confused. No matter how pretty the cage was, the wild bird would be miserable enduring its sentence. Besides, it wasn’t a pet.
    “How do you like my new bird cage and its occupant?” Aunt Verna spoke rapidly, her eyes dancing with joy.
    Dad cleared his throat. “She’s a little proud of her purchase, I’d say.” He took over the conversation. “Did you notice my homemade table over there? The base is a wooden wire spool I picked up at the auction. When we got it home, I put a top on it. Not too shabby of a picnic table, either. Henry’s coffee cup is setting on it already.”
    Henry nodded enthusiastically. “It was fun going to the auction with you and Verna. And with all the walking we did, we sure got our exercise, didn’t we?” He leaned down and rubbed the calf of his leg. “But it was worth it, because I left there with a few things myself.” Using a hanky he took from his pocket, he wiped his brow.
    Doris turned to Aunt Verna. “What I’m wondering is how you ended up with our state bird in your birdcage?”
    Aunt Verna cupped her hand over her ear. “What was that?”
    Doris repeated her question.
    “Oh, well, it was stuck inside one of your daed’s bird feeders, so I rescued it. Of course, I cleaned out the bird cage first, then added food and water before I saved the critter from its cramped quarters and heat exhaustion. It was a hot day when I discovered it there.”
    “But Aunt Verna, the cardinal looks okay now. Wouldn’t he be happier if you released him instead?”
    Scott and Doug stepped over right then. “The poor bird looks sad.” Doug scrunched up his nose. “It ain’t fair. You oughta let him go.”
    “You’re probably right. Guess it would be better to let him fly free like the other birds here in the yard.” She unlatched the cage door. “Okay everyone, I’m letting the cardinal go.”
    All eyes watched in anticipation to see what