A Daughter's Dream Read Online Free PDF Page B

her little sister knew she was a hopeless teacher was a rather bitter pill to swallow. “I was there longer, but I didn’t do too much while Rachel was in charge.” Rebecca felt her cheeks flush. “If you want to know the truth, I soon learned that looking after twenty-five kinner is harder than it looks.”
    Lukas rolled his eyes. “How can it be so hard? They’re just children.”
    â€œTrust me. Children are not easy to handle. Some of them, like that Peter Schlabach, are right difficult.”
    â€œHe was only difficult because you called him a child, Rebecca,” Evan said. “All the kids made fun of him on the way home.”
    â€œI didn’t mean anything by it.” She sighed. “But jah . I figured that out really fast, too. Still, he should have acted better.”
    â€œHe always acts good when he’s at work,” Lukas pointed out. “He’s one of the hardest-working teenagers we’ve ever had. We’re going to let him deliver mail soon.”
    Rebecca shrugged. “I don’t know what happened, exactly. All I know is that if Rachel hadn’t come in when she did, that boy’s behavior would have gotten even worse.”
    Lukas frowned. “Want me to talk to him?”
    â€œOf course not. If you say anything, he’s going to think I tattled.”
    â€œYou kind of did,” Amelia pointed out.
    Rebecca rolled her eyes. “You tattled on Oscar.”
    â€œThat hund ate my kapp .”
    â€œMaybe your next visit will go better,” Darla said encouragingly.
    â€œMaybe, though it might not.” Actually, she was thinking she had quite a ways to go before she could consider her time in the classroom a success.
    â€œMaybe you should stick to working at the mill,” Lukas said. “I don’t want to ruin your dream of being a teacher, but we really missed you there. You’re a mighty gut receptionist.”
    â€œLukas, you shouldn’t have said that,” Darla chided.
    â€œWhy not? It’s true. She’s wonderful- gut .”
    â€œThat might be so, but everyone needs to follow their heart.”
    Right before their eyes, her bossy brother softened. “That is true,” he said with a smile. “Look what happened to us.”
    â€œOh, no,” Evan grumbled. “You two aren’t going to start fawning over each other again, are you?”
    â€œEvan, you are a guest here,” Darla said. “Mind your manners.”
    â€œI’m also your bruder . And I don’t want to watch you get all mushy over your husband.” Then, as if he suddenly realized who that husband was, he flushed. “Sorry, Lukas.”
    â€œI don’t blame you. If Levi was here, he would have said something far more direct.”
    The mention of Levi put an immediate damper on the conversation.
    â€œI hope Levi is okay,” Amelia whispered. “I wish he’d come home.”
    Their supper conversation tonight was a veritable minefield of taboo topics. Grasping for another subject to raise their spirits, Rebecca said, “Guess what, Evan? I did meet a new student this afternoon.”
    â€œOh? Boy or girl?”
    â€œGirl, and her name is Lilly. She is thirteen. She’s going to start tomorrow.”
    â€œWhere’s she from?”
    â€œI’m not sure. I thought her daed said he was from Florida, but the girl said something about how she was from Ohio. Anyway, she seemed really nice.”
    â€œWe’ll see.” Evan shrugged. “Girls her age aren’t always so nice to boys.”
    â€œYou’re a full year older than her, Evan,” Darla said.
    â€œ Jah . But to some girls, that don’t matter one bit.”
    The silly, sweet comment was so true and irreverent, Rebecca giggled. And just like that, all of her problems faded away. Lukas chuckled, Darla shook her head in dismay, and Amelia grinned down at her plate.
    As Rebecca smiled at