Read Online Winter’s Awakening by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online

in the kitchen and read through the note, too. “I sure could go for one of her cookies right about now.”
    “She did make the best cookies,” Lilly agreed. When she and Charlie were small, they used to be inseparable. Together, they’d run all over the neighborhood, goingthis way and that, making new friends and exploring the woods around their home. Mrs. Casey used to keep an eye on them when their mom was at work.
    Still looking at the letter, Charlie said, “Did you see that she wants to come visit?”
    “I did.”
    A frown worried his brow. “She doesn’t know you’re pregnant.”
    “I know.” No one outside their family knew besides Alec and his family. And Ms. Vonn. “I don’t know what Mom and Dad are going to say.” Only half teasing, she said, “I guess they’ll put her off or send me out of the house when she comes.”
    “They wouldn’t do that, Lilly.”
    She patted her stomach. Most people would never have any idea that her tummy had grown. But anyone who knew her well—like Mrs. Casey—would instantly notice the differences in her body. “They might. Mom really doesn’t want anyone to find out about the baby.”
    “She’s trying to protect you.”
    “That’s what Mom says, but sometimes I think it’s for her benefit, too.”
    “Well, Mom’s going to have to get used to your pregnancy soon. You’re getting bigger, you know.”
    She chuckled. “Believe me, I know.” Sobering, she looked at her brother more closely. “Thanks for saying that about Mom, though. I thought you were mad at me.”
    He set the letter down and looked at her. “I was, but I was being stupid—it’s not like you’re the first girl in the world who’s pregnant but not married.” He shrugged.“Anyway, I’ll be leaving soon. What’s going on with you won’t really be affecting my life in college.”
    “It won’t at all.”
    He brightened. “Bowling Green next year is going to be great. And I’m starting to think that living here is going to be okay, too.”
    “Maybe.” Looking in the direction of the Grabers, she smiled. “Our new neighbors aren’t so bad.”
    “Maybe not. They’re strange, but they’re okay. That little guy, Anson, cracks me up.”
    She nodded. “He and Ty are becoming friends. At first I thought Dad was going to find something wrong with that, but I’ve caught him chatting with that kid a time or two.”
    Charlie rolled his eyes. “It would be impossible not to talk with Anson. He doesn’t shut up.”
    “I would have guessed all the Amish to be like his brother, Joshua. Quiet, reserved. Like they don’t trust us ‘Englischers’ .”
    “Some don’t act like they trust us. But some seem kind of different.”
    “You think so?”
    “Yeah.” After a moment, Charlie added, “I started talking to a girl the other day. She was outside the dry cleaners waiting for a ride when I finished working.”
    “What’s she like?”
    “She’s Amish and pretty.”
    “What?” A few weeks ago, Lilly had wondered if Charlie would ever find any of the Amish girls pretty.
    Looking sheepish, he rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I know. Iwas so sure I didn’t want to make any friends here. No connections because I’m leaving.”
    “And because we have nothing in common with the Amish.”
    “I think I was wrong about that. Anyway, the girl, Mary, had a beagle.”
    “Really? Did he look like Britches?” Their old beagle had been part of the family until his death the year before.
    “He looked almost exactly like him, he had the same markings and everything. At first I was just talking to Mary about that. Then we started talking about other stuff, too. She was nice.”
    “I wish Mom and Dad would give the community a chance.”
    “Me too.” At the moment, though, nothing with her parents seemed settled. All they did was talk about Ms. Vonn and Lilly’s bright future. How no one would ever have to know that she’d given a baby up for adoption.
    “Hey, Lilly? You don’t…you