Read Online Winter’s Awakening by Shelley Shepard Gray - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Shelley Shepard Gray
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“I’ll get that right out for you.”
“I did want the coffee, but I really came in to see if you were needin’ a ride home later on today.”
She paused on her way to the coffeepot. “A ride?”
“Yes.” Looking almost bashful—though that would be quite a feat for Roland, for he was never shy—he said, “It’s terribly cold out, and the snow’s already started to fall. I’d hate for you to have to walk home in that.”
She only lived six blocks from the restaurant. It was one of the reasons her parents had allowed her to work at the Sugarcreek Inn. Walking six blocks in the snow would not be a hardship at all. “That’s a kind offer, butI don’t think I’ll be needing it.” Grabbing a thick white mug, she poured the dark brew all the way to the rim, only realizing after she was done that she didn’t know if he enjoyed milk in his coffee.
Joshua always took cream and sugar.
When she placed the mug in front of him, Roland clasped his hands around the base, warming his fingers. “It’s not just a kind offer. I heard some news about you.”
“Me?”
“Well, news about you and Joshua Graber.”
“Do you plan to share it?” She was so caught off-guard, Gretta half hoped her high and mighty tone would set him off and prevent him from saying another word about her and Joshua.
But it wasn’t to be. “I heard that you and Joshua weren’t so particular about each other anymore.”
Well, so the rumor mill had already begun spinning! Gretta struggled to hide her feelings. It was hard to hear that she was the subject of gossip. Harder still to know that the gossip held some truth.
“It’s a shame that people gossip like they do,” she murmured, just as a tear threatened to fall. She turned away again and pulled off a container of sugar and poured a small amount of cream into a heavy blue pitcher the size of her fist. After taking a moment to compose herself, she set the pair in front of him.
But Roland made no move to reach for either. Instead, he kept gazing at her with cow eyes.
“Would you like a donut?”
“Sure.” Looking far too relaxed and at ease all thesudden, Roland pointed to one of Miriam’s chocolate-cake donuts that she’d made the night before. “I’ll take that one there.”
After she’d placed his request on a plate in front of him, he smiled. “So…will you let me give you a ride this afternoon, Gretta?”
“I’m not sure if it would be a gut idea.”
“Why not?”
“People might talk…”
“Let them talk!” Puffing his chest a bit, Roland said, “I hope everyone we know sees me driving you home.”
She most certainly did not want that. She’d be bombarded with all kinds of nosey questions.
“Come now, Gretta. Don’t be so skittish. No matter what is going on between you and Joshua, you’re still allowed to look around, don’tcha think?”
He did have a point. “Yes.”
“Then?”
Then she knew the right thing to do was to step forward with a little jump. More than anything she wanted to be a wife and mother. An Amish wife and mother. That meant she needed to find a man in her community who she could get along with.
If Joshua didn’t want her, perhaps she’d be just as happy with Roland. Happier even.
Maybe she should be giving him a chance—he seemed to be the kind of person who was dependable and patient. Those were wonderful-good attributes, and ones she would value.
After all, her place would be in the home. She’d needto tend to it, and be taking care of their future kinner , too. Roland would be working hard on his farm, taking care of his pigs and chickens, and the vegetable stand his family owned.
Maybe the Lord and Margaret and Josh and Roland were all trying to tell her the same thing—that she needed to look forward to practical dreams and desires. Not hugs and kisses and constant companionship.
Maybe it was past time she grew up.
“Yes, Roland, I’d be most grateful if you took me home today. I finish work at
“I did want the coffee, but I really came in to see if you were needin’ a ride home later on today.”
She paused on her way to the coffeepot. “A ride?”
“Yes.” Looking almost bashful—though that would be quite a feat for Roland, for he was never shy—he said, “It’s terribly cold out, and the snow’s already started to fall. I’d hate for you to have to walk home in that.”
She only lived six blocks from the restaurant. It was one of the reasons her parents had allowed her to work at the Sugarcreek Inn. Walking six blocks in the snow would not be a hardship at all. “That’s a kind offer, butI don’t think I’ll be needing it.” Grabbing a thick white mug, she poured the dark brew all the way to the rim, only realizing after she was done that she didn’t know if he enjoyed milk in his coffee.
Joshua always took cream and sugar.
When she placed the mug in front of him, Roland clasped his hands around the base, warming his fingers. “It’s not just a kind offer. I heard some news about you.”
“Me?”
“Well, news about you and Joshua Graber.”
“Do you plan to share it?” She was so caught off-guard, Gretta half hoped her high and mighty tone would set him off and prevent him from saying another word about her and Joshua.
But it wasn’t to be. “I heard that you and Joshua weren’t so particular about each other anymore.”
Well, so the rumor mill had already begun spinning! Gretta struggled to hide her feelings. It was hard to hear that she was the subject of gossip. Harder still to know that the gossip held some truth.
“It’s a shame that people gossip like they do,” she murmured, just as a tear threatened to fall. She turned away again and pulled off a container of sugar and poured a small amount of cream into a heavy blue pitcher the size of her fist. After taking a moment to compose herself, she set the pair in front of him.
But Roland made no move to reach for either. Instead, he kept gazing at her with cow eyes.
“Would you like a donut?”
“Sure.” Looking far too relaxed and at ease all thesudden, Roland pointed to one of Miriam’s chocolate-cake donuts that she’d made the night before. “I’ll take that one there.”
After she’d placed his request on a plate in front of him, he smiled. “So…will you let me give you a ride this afternoon, Gretta?”
“I’m not sure if it would be a gut idea.”
“Why not?”
“People might talk…”
“Let them talk!” Puffing his chest a bit, Roland said, “I hope everyone we know sees me driving you home.”
She most certainly did not want that. She’d be bombarded with all kinds of nosey questions.
“Come now, Gretta. Don’t be so skittish. No matter what is going on between you and Joshua, you’re still allowed to look around, don’tcha think?”
He did have a point. “Yes.”
“Then?”
Then she knew the right thing to do was to step forward with a little jump. More than anything she wanted to be a wife and mother. An Amish wife and mother. That meant she needed to find a man in her community who she could get along with.
If Joshua didn’t want her, perhaps she’d be just as happy with Roland. Happier even.
Maybe she should be giving him a chance—he seemed to be the kind of person who was dependable and patient. Those were wonderful-good attributes, and ones she would value.
After all, her place would be in the home. She’d needto tend to it, and be taking care of their future kinner , too. Roland would be working hard on his farm, taking care of his pigs and chickens, and the vegetable stand his family owned.
Maybe the Lord and Margaret and Josh and Roland were all trying to tell her the same thing—that she needed to look forward to practical dreams and desires. Not hugs and kisses and constant companionship.
Maybe it was past time she grew up.
“Yes, Roland, I’d be most grateful if you took me home today. I finish work at
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