A Simple Amish Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

fine boys from the area to marry.”
    “Back less than twenty-four hours and you want to be rid of me?”
    “We need bopplin in the house.”
    “Babies will be coming soon enough from Adam and Leah.”
    “They’re a blessing, Annie—children are an inheritance from the Lord.” Jacob began to nod, then fell into a light slumber.
    “Indeed they are,” Annie whispered.
    Her father’s words made her smile. He was always one to say exactly what was on his mind. But his talk of grandkinner also renewed an ache in her heart she had struggled with for the past year.
    Most of the girls she had grown up with had wed already. She had been home in the summer and bumped into both Mary and Elizabeth. Her freinden had been so froh to see her, folding her in their embrace—clumsily because they had both been heavy with child. Freinden from her childhood, married less than a year and about to be mothers.
    The glow about them was undeniable.
    And yes, she had felt a pang of envy.
    At the way they talked of their husbands and their homes. At how their hands would fall to their stomachs in a protective way. But more for the fact they knew with no doubt what they wanted in life.
    Why was it so easy for them?
    And why did she feel so torn?
    Tears again threatened to fall, and she closed her eyes against them. Perhaps she was more tired than she had realized. Or maybe her emotions would settle down after a few weeks at home.
    Walking around her father’s bed to straighten his covers, she glanced out the window and saw three men walking toward the house.
    They walked resolutely against the cold December wind, dark coats flapping, posture slightly bent, and each holdingone hand to his black hat in an effort to keep it firmly atop his head.
    It might have been a comical sight any other day, but today it struck her as bittersweet.
    Her bruder Adam occupied the middle spot.
    To his right, she recognized David Hostetler. They’d grown up together in school, but she hadn’t seen him since she’d moved to the city. David wasn’t the reason she felt her heart slam against her chest though.
    To the left of Adam strode Samuel Yoder.
    Now what had made her think he would trust her to take care of his patient for a full day? She pulled in a ragged breath, squared her shoulders, and told herself to be grateful for his concern.
    He was here to see her dat .
    It had nothing to do with her.
    Best to put up with his questions, and then be rid of him as quickly as possible. Hopefully the man had enjoyed a gut night’s sleep and would be slightly less arrogant than the evening before.
    Thinking of her father’s earlier comments, Annie shook off her melancholy mood and smiled.
    Samuel Yoder was one man she would not be considering for courting from the local group. The man had spoken to her as if she didn’t have a brain cell in her head.
    She had no doubt God would provide her a gut husband and from her Amish brethren, but it would be a man who was loving, kind, and had a respect for women and their intellectual abilities.
    From what she had seen so far, Samuel didn’t receive points in any of those categories—though no doubt he knew how best to take care of his patients.
     

4
     
    S amuel stepped into Jacob’s house and resisted the urge to walk straight to his patient’s room. Instead, he stamped his boots dry on the mat and set his medical bag inside the door. Jacob wasn’t exactly his patient.
    And he wasn’t a doctor!
    He’d been reminding the gut people of Mifflin County that for the past ten years. They remained hesitant to take the time to see the Englisch doctors.
    Fortunately in this case, Jacob and Rebekah had understood the necessity straight away. Jacob’s injuries were far more serious than anything Samuel could handle. He could, however, keep an eye on him since the man refused to remain in the hospital. Which was exactly what he planned on doing—in spite of the confrontation he’d had with Annie Weaver last night.