Read Online When Hope Blossoms by Kim Vogel Sawyer - Free Book Online

direction. “But for now let me say being modest is important because it’s pleasing to God, and we always need to try to please God before we please ourselves.”
    “Oh.” Adrianna flopped into the backseat, apparently satisfied. Bekah turned her head to gaze out the side window. She didn’t say anything more, but Amy noted her daughter’s jaw was set in a stubborn angle. Shifting her focus to the road, Amy decided she’d have a talk with Bekah after the younger two went to bed that evening. Now that Bekah would be attending the public high school with more non-Mennonites than Mennonites, it was more important than ever for the girl to hold to the convictions of her faith. Amy’s heart would break if she lost Bekah to worldly temptations.
    When they reached the house, Adrianna lumbered upstairs for her afternoon nap. Parker asked permission to play in the barn. After warning him to be careful, Amy gave approval. Then she looked at Bekah. “I’d like you to wash the curtains we brought and hang them on the line out back. When they’re dry, you can iron them and then put them on the rods.”
    Bekah sighed, plopping the stack of books she’d checked out from the library on the corner of the kitchen counter. “Yes, Mom.” She scuffed toward the kitchen, where Amy had left the box of folded homemade panels. Amy watched her go, debating with herself about whether or not to sit Bekah down for a chat. Even though she expressed no open rebellion and moved to obey, her attitude smacked of defiance. By the time Bekah scooped up the box and stepped out the door to the back porch, where Amy had set up their sect-approved wringer washing machine, Amy decided to let the girl work off some of her frustration. They’d have their talk at bedtime, and she’d address Bekah’s attitude.
    Opening the cabinet in her sewing room, she withdrew the basket of cut pieces for the three remembrance quilts, then put her machine to work. The afternoon flowed, the back door opening and closing as Bekah went in and out, a breeze drifting through the open windows carrying the sounds of wind in the trees and birdsong. Lost in her task, Amy was hardly aware of the hours slipping by until a small hand tapped her arm.
    Amy stopped the machine and turned to pull Adrianna into a hug. The little girl, still drowsy, tumbled into her mother’s lap. Amy scooped her close, savoring the scent of Adrianna’s sleep-sweaty hair. The child nestled, and tears stung the back of Amy’s nose. She wished she could hold Bekah this way again. Children grew up too quickly.
    Adrianna yawned, toying with the ribbon dangling from her mother’s cap. “I’m hungry. Can I have a snack?”
    Amy glanced at the clock. Three forty—still plenty of time before supper. A snack wouldn’t ruin Adrianna’s appetite. “Sure.” She kissed her daughter’s head and set her aside. “Bekah’s probably outside. Go find her and tell her I said you could have a banana and some graham crackers.” Adrianna dashed for the back door. Amy called after her, “And get Parker from the barn.” He’d apparently lost himself in a make-believe world or had fallen asleep out there—Amy hadn’t heard a peep from him all afternoon. “He’d probably like a snack, too.”
    “Okay, Momma.” The door slammed behind Adrianna.
    Amy turned back to her project, taking a moment to examine the partially completed quilt top. She smiled, pleased by the progress made. If she continued at this pace, she would have the first quilt top all pieced by tomorrow evening. She pressed her foot to the pedal, ready to stitch the next row of patches together. Just as the needle penetrated the joined fabric squares, a frantic cry of “Momma!” sounded from outside. Nearly toppling her chair, Amy jumped from the machine and ran through the kitchen to the back porch.
    Adrianna, her eyes wide, leaped onto the porch and grabbed her mother’s hand. “Bekah says come quick!” She dragged Amy toward the