A Place of Peace Read Online Free PDF

Anne nodded at her, and the girl smiled. “She’s staying with Rebecca and Daniel for the summer.”
    “It’s nice to meet you,” Miriam said. Stepping back, she opened the door wide. “Please come in.”
    “Wie
geht’s,”
Beth Anne said, stepping into the kitchen. “I’m sorry I’m late, but Jessica and I brought food to Abraham and visited with the family. I’m so sorry to hear about—” She stopped when she turned to Abby. “Abigail Lapp!” Rushing over, Beth Anne took her hand. “Another surprise! How are you?”
    Abby hugged Beth Anne. “It’s good to see you too. I’m doing all right. How are you? Last I’d heard, you’d married Paul. How many
kinner
do you have?”
    “Four, but we’re hoping for more.” Beth Anne grinned. “My little sister has twins now, and we’re wondering if there may be more in the future. Robert has seven
kinner,
but we think he and Sadie may be finished.”
    Abby shook her head. “I can’t imagine having one, let alone seven.”
    “We believe
kinner
are a gift from God.” Beth Anne shrugged. “It’s our way. I’m sure you remember.”
    “Oh, I do.” Abby chuckled. “My older sister is working on number eight from what I’ve heard.”
    Miriam shifted her weight on her feet and then turned back to the cake to stop herself from asking how many children Timothy had.
    A digital melody sang out from across the room and Abby jumped. “I’m sorry. That must be my boss. We’re working on a big deposition.” She hurried across the room and pulled her BlackBerry from her briefcase. “Yup, it’s him. I’ll take it in the guest room. Excuse me.” Holding the electronic device to her ear, she disappeared into the guest room, gently closing the door behind her.
    “How are you, Edna?” Beth Anne asked. “You look well.”
    “A little tired today but
froh
to have my
bruderskinner
with me.” Edna placed a hand on Miriam’s shoulder. “It’s a sad occasion, but I’m so
froh
they came.”
    Beth Anne’s eyes flickered back to Miriam, and Miriam felt her cheeks flame with embarrassment. Edna had always been good at putting her on the spot. She was reminded of the time when Edna had announced to the entire Lapp family that Miriam had received her first kiss after catching Miriam and Timothy smooching in the barn. Miriam’s brother and male cousins had taunted her about it for weeks.
    “How is Abraham?” Edna asked.
    Frowning, Beth Anne shook her head. “He looked as if he was in shock. Lilly said he hasn’t slept since he found out the news. The funeral is planned for Thursday.”
    Miriam’s lip quivered. She would bury her mother on Thursday. She was ashamed she hadn’t spoken to her in four years. How could she let that much time go by without visiting her parents? Miriam wiped an errant tear from her cheek. She wasn’t much of a daughter. She’d deserved to have the door to her father’s house slammed in her face.
    Edna lowered herself into a kitchen chair. “I was thinking of walking up to the house later on to check on him, but my knees and hands are bothering me today. I think I may need to rest for a while. I believe an afternoon nap is in order.”
    “You should take a nap,” Miriam said. “Abby and I will take care of everything.”
    “Danki.”
Edna looked at Jessica. “How are you enjoying your summer?”
    “It’s been good.” The girl smiled. “It’s nice to be back here with my Aunt Rebecca and my sister.”
    “You’re working in the furniture store too, ya?”
    Jessica nodded. “I run the front.”
    “And her friend works there.” Beth Anne grinned and elbowed Jessica in her ribs. “Jake.”
    Jessica’s cheeks flushed pink. “We’re just
friends,
Aunt Beth Anne.”
    Miriam’s stomach tightened. She assumed Timothy still worked at his father’s furniture shop. Would Jessica share that Miriam was in town? Miriam did a mental headshake. Why would Jessica share that information with Timothy? Jessica didn’t know about