Read Online The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall - Free Book Online

pregnant?”
    She wheeled around. “You’re kidding, right?” Her hands moved to her hips. “I told you that almost three months ago, and you show up today to ask questions?”
    “Kumm on, Leah, don’t hassle me. I’m here now.”
    She raised her hands, palms facing him, and did a little dance. “ Woohoo! Michael’s here.” Rolling her eyes, she lowered her hands. “Not that it matters, because I’m so done with you there are no words to describe it, but I’m not pregnant.”
    “You said—”
    “I thought I was. I didn’t read the test right.” She pulled several items off the shelf and placed them in the box. “It really shouldn’t surprise you that I was wrong about it. I was wrong about everything else.” When she straightened, a little jolt shot through her at the disappointment in Michael’s eyes. “You should be relieved.”
    He half nodded and half shrugged at the same time. “I am … I guess.”
    “You guess ?” What game was he playing now?
    He sighed. “You know what it’s like to be raised Amish. By the time we’re sixteen, we see nothing in front of us but rules, confusion, and isolation from the world.”
    “You’re almost five years past that now. Maybe you should find another excuse. And do not talk to me about feeling lonely and confused. You heaped both on me. And you used our age difference against me, didn’t you? Always several steps ahead of me as you lured me to be who and what you wanted.”
    “I gave you exactly what you wanted—alcohol and love.”
    “You gave me sex, not love. Surely even you are mature enough to know the difference.”
    “I didn’t come here to be insulted by a—” He clamped his mouth shut.
    She moved forward. “Finish your sentence. I dare you.” She knew he wouldn’t, not while on King property with her brothers within screaming distance.
    He studied her, disbelief registering on his face. “You’ve changed.”
    “And you haven’t.” Besides, she hadn’t changed all that much. She’d been calling things as she saw them since she could talk. The only difference concerning Michael was she no longer felt any favoritism toward him.
    “You might be surprised.” He strode to the doorway. “I came here because I’m leaving the Amish. I’ve been working seventy to eighty hours a week for months, doing every job I could get—construction after the tornado, school janitor. You name it, I’ve done it. Now I’ve got the money. I thought you might be interested in going with me.”
    As he eased toward the door, she realized he was threatening her—dangling freedom in front of her face and then letting her know he would walk out without giving it to her. He made her sick. How had she let herself be that easily manipulated?
    “Go with you? What for? Because you need someone to cook and clean for you? Someone you can wipe your feet on when the mood strikes, then take to bed when you’re between Englisch girlfriends? You think I don’t know what’s going on inside your head? You’re scared of striking out on your own, so you come here thinking I’ll jump at the chance to be with you. And if I were pregnant, well, then you wouldn’t even have to fake being nice about the invitation, would you?”
    His features darkened. “You chased after me like a dog begging for my attention, desperate to see the outside life, and I showed it to you. Now you hate me for it?” He shook his head. “Forget it, Leah. You aren’t worth taking along to wipe my feet on.” He walked out the door.
    She ran onto the porch. “I’d rather live Amish forever than go anywhere with you!”
    He raised his hands, gesturing his frustration as he walked away from her.
    Landon hopped down from the back of the truck, looking at her and then Michael.
    She crossed her arms. “Chased after him like a dog.” She almost spit out the words, but they had burned into her heart. She had come to understand months ago that was how she’d acted, but for him to say it