Abram's Daughters 02 The Betrayal Read Online Free PDF

keep quiet, but Sadie had heard recently that her former sidekick, Naomi Kauffman, was said to be weary of flirting with the world. She was even taking baptismal instruction right along with Leah, preparing to join church. Of all things.1
    Sadie didn't appreciate Naomi setting herself up as "holier than thou," which she certainly seemed to think she was here lately. And why? Just because she'd been far more careful than Sadie or plain lucky and hadn't gotten caught. Besides, Naomi's unexpected turn had more to do with Luke Bontrager, who was awful sweet on her, than most anything else. Of this Sadie was fairly sure.
    If Naomi was to become the bride of the bishop's grandson, she had some fast confessing to do. Now, wasn't that a howdy-do.7 It was all fine and dandy for Naomi to make amends, turn her life around, and plan for a future as an upstanding young woman, so long as she kept Sadie out of it. Hopefully, Naomi didn't know the half about Sadie's fling, but what did she know? And if she started spilling the beans, what then? After all, Naomi had continued to see Derry's friend Melvin Warner after that first meeting at the Strasburg cafe. Derry had told Sadie this on several occasions, and she assumed it was true. . ...
    43Tlfie betrayal
    Mj'lwi Sadie was finished with the three upstairs bed' H| lie moved to the hallway and commenced to do the iv.uhing down walls, scrubbing mopboards, and mash^Khw stray spiders as she went. Her thoughts flew to Aunt ^m MM hc worked. The past few weeks, Sadie had been dis^ftd. Not only had her aunt changed her mind and ^1 adamant about her staying put, Lizzie was now saying ^iJii'l think Sadie needed a change of scenery after all. ^Brm't you see?" Lizzie had insisted. "Your father's cover^TiIII hlessing are mighty important. If you would but coni Preacher and the membership, you'd be pardoned by j ople." Aunt Lizzie went on to quote her favorite Scripj' '(jodly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation . . . but j I row of the world worketh death.'" I 'lill^ed to listen, Sadie felt hot under the bonnet when Inii Lizzie talked so pointedly.
    *
    45-J*^--1/<2--
    JLif.'Us't,
    ! wiirm to stay indoors a second longer, Mary Ruth I Hillside for a breather on the back stoop. King, the W shepherd puppy, came scampering across the yard to gi> I imh. Her skirt was mud spattered as she stooped to pet tli !,(, ii curious yet kindly gift from Gid Peachey last spring. I >l ing this, Mary Ruth smiled as Leah hurried toward the Ju y the clog panting as he followed close on her heels. B| hilln, Mary Ruth. I missed you!" Leah said. H uy Ruth hoped Leah wouldn't go running off to help H ht when she had a question to ask. "Didja get caught K ruin?" H ill's face reddened. "No ... I found shelter."
    H ;liing, Mary Ruth decided not to beat round the bush.
    Hi
    Kg1 il liother you that Dat doesn't approve of you marryin'
    I' "
    Hj I ill seemed a bit startled by the question, but she met
    ^Miy Kulh's gaze with a gentle smile. "Does it bother you?' ^M IWsliif; there, Mary Ruth was aware of Leah's sweetness
    46 f in Revert* e u, I s
    j !l|! once again . . . her fine hazel eyes with tiny gold flecks, thr
    |: dark curve of her long lashes, the way her expression seemed
    to radiate trustfulness, even goodness. Yet Leah was intent on
    ignoring Dat's wishes in order to become Jonas Mast's bride.
    11 None of it added up.il i''
    I I '|||| "Doesn't bother me in the least," she replied at last. "I'm
    '"il just tryin' to understand."i i1
    , Leah burst into a full smile. "That's what makes you so
    i:i'M special. You have a gift of understanding, I daresay."
    i j il'| 11 [[ Mary Ruth couldn't help herself; she actually choked a
    little and tears welled up. "Much good that does me . . ."
    i Leah was staring now, wearing a concerned frown. "What is it, Mary Ruth? Why are you cryin'?"
    "Just thinkin', I guess." She forged ahead and stuck her
    i neck out. "I hope you'll follow your heart. Have the courage
    I i to marry the boy you