A Sister's Hope Read Online Free PDF Page A

live up to his daed’s expectations to be perfect.”
    “That’s narrisch . I doubt anyone expects Toby to be perfect just because his daed’s the head minister in our church.”
    “It might seem crazy, but if Toby thinks he’s expected to be perfect and knows he’s not. . .” Luke reached under his straw hat and scratched his head. “And if he’s struggling with issues concerning me. . .”
    “Then he needs to get over it,” Martha interrupted. “He needs to be the best person he can, not compare himself to you or anyone else.”
    “That’s what I think, too.” Luke moved away from the buggy andreached out to stroke Martha’s horse behind its ear. “I’ve been thinking about the attacks at your place. I wonder if someone might be trying to make me look guilty in order to get even with me for something.”
    “Like who?”
    He turned his hands palm up. “I don’t know, but I’m aiming to find out.”
    “How?”
    Luke shrugged. “Haven’t figured it out yet.”
    Martha drew in a deep breath and decided to say what was on her mind. “Would it be all right if I asked you a personal question, Luke?”
    “Ask away.”
    “Would you mind telling me where you were around three o’clock on Thursday morning?”
    “In bed, of course. Where else would I be in the middle of the night?”
    She swiped her tongue over her lower lip as she struggled for the right words. Should she tell Luke that she’d seen a man dressed in Amish clothes running across the field?
    Luke took a step closer to Martha. “Why did you ask where I was early Thursday morning? You don’t think I had anything to do with you getting doused with that bucket of paint, I hope.”
    She swallowed hard. “When I left the barn, I shined my flashlight on the field behind our house, and I saw a man who looked like he was wearing Amish clothes running through the field.”
    Luke slapped his hands together, causing Martha to jump and her horse to whinny. “I told you someone’s trying to make it look like it’s me!” He shook his head vigorously. “It wasn’t me, Martha. You’ve got to believe me.”
    “I want to believe you, and I’m hoping to do some investigating so I can find out who’s responsible.”
    Luke’s face blanched. “You’re kidding, right?”
    She shook her head.
    “Snooping around could get you in trouble with your daed, not to mention that it could be dangerous if the culprit finds out you’re on to him.”
    “Or her. It could be a woman, you know.”
    Luke grasped Martha’s arm. “Promise you won’t do anything on your own?”
    “I can’t make that promise. I—”
    “How about we work together on solving these crimes?” he suggested. “After all, ‘two heads are better than one.’ ”
    She nodded as a sense of relief flooded her soul. If Luke wanted to help her find out who was responsible for the attacks, then he couldn’t be responsible.

W here are you going?” Mom asked as Martha headed for the back door. “If we don’t get this kitchen cleaned up right away, we’ll be late for Sadie and Toby’s wedding.”
    Martha grabbed a shawl from the wall peg near the door. “I know, but I want to check on Heidi’s puppies.”
    Mom sighed as she lifted her gaze toward the ceiling. “You and those hundlin. I wouldn’t be surprised if you weren’t late for your own wedding because you were checking on some dog.”
    “Heidi’s puppies are only a couple of days old, Mom. I need to be sure all five are getting plenty of milk. One of them’s a runt, you know.”
    “I’m sure everything will be fine. Heidi did well with her last batch of pups, didn’t she?”
    Martha nodded. “Except for that one pup I found dead in the yard.”
    “Accidents happen,” Mom said.
    “I know.”
    “My point is,” Mom said in a patient tone, “that you spend too much time with your hundlin and not enough time socializing. You’ll never find a husband if you don’t take an interest in courting.”
    “I’d