A Sister's Secret Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Want some crackers and cheese to go with the cider?”
    “I’d better not. Don’t want to fill up on snacks now and be too full to eat lunch.”
    “Guess I’ll just stick to hot cider, too.” A few minutes later, Mom placed a mug of cider in front of Martha. “Here you go. Enjoy,” she said before moving over to the counter across the room.
    “Aren’t you going to join me?”
    “I’ll drink mine while I make your daed a sandwich. It’ll be time for lunch soon, so I’ll take it out to his woodworking shop when I’m done.”
    “Won’t Dad be coming up to the house to eat?” Martha asked as she threaded her needle with rose-colored thread.
    “He’s got a backload of work and doesn’t want to take the time for a big meal at noon.” Mom opened the breadbox and pulled out a loaf of whole-wheat bread she’d made. “Even with Luke helping him, he’s still way behind.”
    Martha set her embroidery aside and reached for her mug. The tantalizing scent of apple drifted up as a curl of steam rose from the hot cider. She took a sip and smacked her lips. “Umm ... this is sure good.”
    “Jah. Your daed makes some of the best apple cider around.”
    “Say, Mom, I was wondering if you’ve noticed anything different about Grace lately.”
    “Different in what way?”
    “Ever since she came home from work on Monday, she’s been acting kind of odd—like she’s off in her own little world or might be worried about something.”
    Mom shuffled back to the refrigerator, this time removing a package of trail bologna, a head of lettuce, and a jar of mayonnaise. “Maybe she’s just tired. Working as a waitress and being on my feet all day would tucker me out.”
    Martha took another sip of cider. “When we headed for bed last night, I asked Grace if everything was okay.”
    “What’d she say?”
    “Said things were fine and dandy.”
    Mom was on the other side of the room again, slathering mayonnaise on four slices of bread. “Then they probably are.”
    Martha shrugged and pushed her chair aside. “Think I’ll head out to the barn and check on Heidi. Her time’s getting close, and I want to be sure everything goes all right when she gives birth to those pups.”
    “Jah.” Mom reached for the package of bologna. “I’ll be in the shop with your daed for a while, in case you need me for anything.”
***
    “Would you mind making a delivery for me?” Roman asked Luke. “I promised to have those tables and chairs ready for Steven Bates this week. He’s always been a picky customer, and I need to make good on that promise.”
    Luke pushed some dark hair off his forehead and wiped the sweat away with the back of his hand. “Jah, sure. I can do that right now if ya like.”
    “That’s fine, but don’t take too long getting there.” Roman grimaced as he rubbed at a kink in his lower back. “And don’t dillydally on the way back like you did on the last delivery you made.”
    Luke shrugged. “Just didn’t see any need to run the horse too hard.”
    “Jah, well, let’s get that furniture loaded, and you can be on your way.”
    Half an hour later with the furniture placed in the back of the wagon, Luke headed down the road, and Roman resumed work on a set of kitchen cabinets he was making for their bishop, Noah King. He’d just started sanding the doors when a gray-haired, middle-aged English man stepped into the shop, holding a notebook.
    “Are you the owner of this place?” the man asked.
    Roman nodded. “I am.”
    “Do you own just the woodworking shop or the house and land it sets on, too?”
    “Own it all—fifty acres, to be exact.”
    The man thrust out his hand. “My name’s Bill Collins, and I’m scouting out some land in the area, hoping to buy several acres to develop over time.”
    Ignoring the man’s offered handshake, Roman squinted. “Develop?”
    “That’s right. I want to build a tract of new homes, and I’m also thinking of putting in a golf course, so I—”
    “My