A Baby for Hannah Read Online Free PDF Page B

leaning against the rail fence, two bags of ice at his feet.
    “I’ll be right back,” she said, turning back inside.
    Carefully she measured the cream, poured it in, and stirred slowly until the mixture turned an even color. Mr. Brunson must have the best homemade ice cream possible, and it all started with preparing the base correctly.
    “That should do it,” Hannah said, giving one last stir before tossing in handfuls of pecans. Butter pecan ice cream was a little risky, a last-minute decision at the grocery store, but she could do this. Her mom had made butter pecan ice cream many times—but then she wasn’t her mom. Still, Mr. Brunson was worth the chance.
    Emptying the bowl into the metal ice cream canister, she wiped the edges clean and replaced the lid. Carrying the canister with both hands, she opened the kitchen door with her foot and squeezed through.
    “You should’ve called for help,” Jake said when she came around the corner.
    “I know,” she said, gasping. “This thing is slipping out of my hands.”
    “Then I’ll take it,” he said, running over and grabbing the bottom. With a flourish he carried the canister forward, lowering it into the wooden outer shell of the ice cream maker.
    “Make sure the crank’s on tight before you add any ice,” Hannah said, watching Jake struggle with the alignment. He grunted and started over by latching in the crank on one side, lowering it down and turning the canister with the other hand until it snapped into place.
    “There,” he said. “I think that’s it. Now for the ice and salt.”
    “I can help you turn the crank for awhile.”
    “Not with all your work in the kitchen,” Jake said. “I can manage.”
    “I have some time, and the chicken is still in the oven.”
    “But you don’t have to. I’ve made ice cream by myself before.”
    “I want to help,” she said, tilting her head. “I want to be with you. You don’t come home early that often anymore. This is a real treat for me.”
    “I hope it turns out to be a real treat for Mr. Brunson,” Jake said. “It sure is a lot of work you’ve gone to.”
    “He’s worth it. We owe Mr. Brunson a lot for what he did for us with the furniture shop.”
    “ Jah, I sure couldn’t have done it without him,” Jake said, pouring the ice around the canister.
    “Just think how this ice cream will taste when it’s done. It seems like years since we’ve made homemade ice cream.”
    “We haven’t made any since last year,” Jake said, sprinkling on a thin stream of rock salt. “I do miss it a lot.”
    “Some things are like that. You forget how much you like them if you don’t do it once in awhile.”
    “Like kissing you,” he said, touching her cheek with his finger.
    “Oh, you do that often enough!” she said. “Now keep your salty hands off me.”
    He laughed softly, kissing the back of her hair where her kapp didn’t reach.
    Hannah giggled and took the ice cream handle, motioning with her other hand, “We have to get some work done around here. You hold down the freezer, and I’ll take the first turn.”
    “This is going to be gut, ” he said, pressing down on the crank with both hands.
    “Oh, it will be,” she said, spinning the handle until she was breathless.
    “You don’t have to turn so fast. It won’t get done any quicker.”
    “I know that. It’s just for fun, that’s all,” she said, slowing down.
    Jake stretched his back and, motioning up the gravel lane with his beard, said, “Mr. Brunson is coming. Let me take my turn.”
    “Afraid he’ll see the woman doing all the work?”
    “ Jah, ” he said. “Now quick before he sees you.”
    Hannah laughed and stood up, “He wouldn’t care. I know he wouldn’t.”
    “There’s no sense in taking chances,” he said, grabbing the handle and twirling it rapidly.
    Hannah held down the ice cream freezer as Mr. Brunson pulled in and parked by the barn.
    “Well, well, what have we here?” he asked getting out of