Abby Finds Her Calling Read Online Free PDF Page B

all asked many times, even while believing his death had taken him home to God. She closed her eyes, praying for stronger faith—and the maturity to get beyond the fact that James Graber hadn’t chosen
her
. “Do you want to comestay with me until Zanna shows up?” she asked her mother. “I know how Sam’s temper wears on you.”
    “I’ll be fine, Abby. But denki for asking.” Mamm thumbed away a tear and then sat straighter, drawing in a resolute breath. “Let’s hope your little sister hasn’t gotten herself into something she can’t get out of. She’s never been one to think things through the way you do, Abby. Your dat and I were so proud of how you always made sensible decisions.”
    “Even though I didn’t marry?”
    Her mother smiled. “It’s not such a bad thing, being a woman with her own business… her own life. Goodness knows where I’d be without the greenhouse,” she admitted. “I might have buried myself under the covers like a scared cat after Leroy passed, and never found out how strong I can be. And how much I still have to contribute.”
    Abby considered this as she absorbed her mother’s praise and confidence. Where would she be without the love and support of her family?
    Mamm was sounding more like herself now, so Abby stood up. “I won’t be worth much tomorrow if I don’t get some rest. After we clean up the greenhouse, I have curtains to finish for Lois Yutzy. And the care center in Clearwater has ordered more lap robes.”
    “We’ll stay busy and believe the best about Zanna,” her mother said with a decisive nod. She squeezed Abby’s hand before letting it go. “It’s gut you stopped by, ain’t so? We’re both feeling better for it. Sleep tight, Abigail.”
    “You, too, Mamm.”
    The next morning James stood on his front porch and gazed across the road toward the Lambright place. The October dawn nipped at his ears, and fog hovered in Matt’s sheep pasture where Cedar Creek cut through it. It was such a peaceful scene at first light, yet he was still too upset to fully appreciate it. The only thing to do was help setthe buildings and the yard to rights, even if his wedding day had been a fiasco. Cleaning up after the festivities was a newly married couple’s first responsibility.
    Had Zanna slipped in last night? What on earth would he say if she was there?
    He chuckled mirthlessly and started walking. It would only be fair for
her
to speak first—if Sam left her any words.
    And what if she wanted to kiss and make up? Or hinted about getting hitched now that her nerves had settled?
    And what if she didn’t?
    Again James shook his head, rueful for these and a hundred other questions that had swarmed like bees in his head all night.
    From the greenhouse door he heard male voices. The pew wagon was parked nearby, partly filled with the narrow wooden benches that traveled from home to home for Sunday preaching services, weddings, and funerals. James paused in the entry. Plain folks didn’t decorate their weddings with cut flowers, but the colorful mums and lacy ferns that Treva grew for her shop had made a fine backdrop for their wedding meal. The glass ceiling and walls gave the place an ethereal look… as if a heavenly light glowed around everyone who went inside.
    He braced himself for whatever Sam might say to him. He and Sam Lambright had been friends all their lives, but no one’s feelings were spared when the storekeeper’s dander was up.
    What if Sam blamed him for Zanna’s running off? Emma and her friends claimed she had been downright giddy about getting hitched—happier than they’d ever seen her. But the men might know different.
    “Mornin’ to you, James. Didn’t figure you’d be over.” Matt Lambright set down the end of the pew he’d been moving, and then his dat looked toward the door, as well. In their denim barn jackets, hats, and work gloves, they could have been twins except for Matt’s clean-shaven face.
    “If you’re looking for