Adoring Addie Read Online Free PDF Page B

up the steps. Timothy was already inside, taking three cases of beer from Samuel. I was tempted to say something—Timothy wouldn’t be of legal drinking age until his next birthday—but held my tongue.
    â€œAch, you two,” George said. “Do you have to do this in front of Addie?”
    Samuel nodded at me, flicking his long brown bangs from his eyes as he did, but didn’t answer. Timothy ignored George, flexing his biceps as he hoisted the cases against his chest.
    â€œI’ll give you a tour,” George said, leading the way into the living room. I had to squint coming in from the bright sunshine into the small cavelike room. Brown carpet that looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned since the trailer came off the assembly line covered the floor. There was a large TV onthe far wall, an old couch, and a straight-back chair—that was all.
    I followed George into the kitchen, where a lone card table sat pushed against a wall. Dirty dishes filled the sink, and the garbage, in a plastic bucket, overflowed with fast-food bags and containers.
    â€œWant to see the rest?” George asked.
    I shook my head, imagining the two messy bedrooms down the hall. “We best be going.”
    George’s voice had a hint of teasing to it. “Don’t you want to stick around and help tidy up?”
    â€œI have enough to do at home,” I answered, straight-faced.
    â€œJah.” His tone was serious now. “I know.”
    I smiled at him and patted him on the shoulder. “Denki,” I said, “for showing me around.”
    Timothy and Samuel had gone outside. The back of the Bronco slammed shut as I started for the door.
    â€œSee you tomorrow,” George said, right behind me, giving me a pat on the shoulder when we reached the tiny porch.
    â€œJah,” Samuel answered. “We wouldn’t skip the barbecue, not for anything.” They hadn’t been coming around the house much lately, but I knew they wouldn’t want to miss the annual gathering of relatives and neighbors.
    Samuel turned to Timothy. “Have fun with those Mosiers tonight.”
    Timothy tossed his keys in the air. “Want to join me?”
    â€œMaybe . . .” Sam glanced at George, who shrugged. Sam turned back to Timothy. “We’ll see.”
    I descended the steps and climbed into the passenger seat, slamming the door, hoping Timothy would get the message. He chatted a few minutes longer and then climbed into the car. “Want to go tonight?” he asked.
    â€œNo.” I wasn’t that desperate to get out of the house.
    â€œI might need you to stop me from hurting a Mosier,” he teased.
    â€œI really am going to tell Daed about what happened today.”
    He glowered at me. “Haven’t you ever heard of sibling confidentiality?”
    â€œYou went too far this time. Daed needs to know.”
    â€œI told you he won’t care.”
    â€œI think he will.” True, Daed wasn’t fond of the Mosiers, but he was as nonresistant as any Amishman. He wouldn’t want Timothy destroying property—and certainly not hurting anyone.
    â€œHe’d never admit it, but he dislikes the Mosiers even more than I do.”
    I looked out my window as Timothy turned onto the highway. My one outing with the Mosier twins, Mervin in particular, is what motivated Daed to push Phillip Eicher my way. At that point, he—or maybe it was Mutter needling him—decided not to leave my destiny in my own hands.
    My parents would never meddle in matters of courtship with my Bruders the way they were with me. Maybe if I had Schwesters, they wouldn’t be so focused on whom they wanted me to marry. Then again, maybe they would.
    Back when I was little I’d wished I’d been born a boy, because their work seemed like play. As I grew older, I tolerated my work a little more. Some of it I even enjoyed—the quilting, the baking and cooking,