An Amish Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

long drink of water. Peering out more intently, she saw that the four Adirondack chairs on the far end of the lawn needed a fresh coat of white paint. She made a mental note to add that to the general to-do list.
    Unbidden, the thought came to her that she was sick and tired of that list. Of all her lists. Truth be told, she never wanted to lay eyes on her stupid pink leather book with all those idiotic color-coded errands again.
    Startled, she turned away from the window. Where had
that
come from? she asked herself. Was she tired of doing what was required to keep the family running smoothly? No, that wasn’t it. She had no intention of abandoning any of her family commitments. But she needed to do something different, something more. Her life might be busy, but it wasn’t
full
. Maybe it was because the kids were getting older. They still required her time and attention, but it was a different kind of need than when they were little. Something was missing, though. Meg closed her eyes momentarily, willing her thoughts to take a different turn. She sensed that, just by having this conversation with herself, she was letting some kind of genie out of its bottle.
    She brought her musings to an abrupt end by reminding herself that, given James’s problems, this was hardly the time to be shaking things up. Anything having to do with her was going to have to wait. The color-coded calendar would remain.
    At three o’clock, Meg went upstairs to change, trading the yoga stretch clothes she wore to clean and cook for black pants, black ballet flats, and a cream silk blouse. Quickly, she pinned up her hair and applied makeup.
    It was already three-thirty when she came downstairs. It occurred to her that she hadn’t seen James since she asked him to take care of the wine selection for dinner. That had to be nearly two hours ago, she thought, frowning. She hadn’t expected any help from him on this dinner—although he hadn’t insisted, his attitude had made it clear that he didn’t want her to do it this year—but she figured he would handle this one small piece. By now he should have brought into the kitchen whatever wine he wanted her to serve.
    No doubt he was in his study. She paused outside the door, listening. “James?”
    There was no answer. She opened the door. “Are you in here?”
    Her husband was seated at his desk with his arms and head down, like a child taking a nap in school. Papers surrounded him. He made no movement at the sound of her entrance.
    “James, are you okay?”
    Still nothing. Fear rose in Meg.
    “
James!
Talk to me!” She started toward him, thinking she could grab the phone on the desk to call 911.
    He raised his head.
    “Oh, you nearly gave me—” Meg stopped short.
    His face was red and wet with tears, and his expression was wild-eyed. Meg noticed a glass and a nearly empty bottle of Scotch on the desk beside him.
    “It’s all over.” His voice was low but harsh.
    “What’s all over? Why are you getting drunk in here? You’re not even dressed yet. We’re having people—”
    His voice rose. “Forget that. It’s all gone, Meg. Our money. Everything.”
    Meg stared at him, uncomprehending. “What?”
    His face crumpled. “I’m so sorry.”
    The slightest sensation of fear sneaked up Meg’s spine. “What on earth are you talking about?”
    He reached for the glass and gulped back its contents, then picked up the bottle of Scotch and refilled it. “I broke the cardinal rule. Let my emotions get the better of me. Of all people, I knew better.”
    Her fear growing stronger, Meg sat down in a chair near his desk. “Please tell me what you’re saying.”
    “I didn’t tell you. I
couldn’t
tell you.” He averted his eyes from hers. “I got fired.” He gave a small, bitter laugh. “Well, that’s not what they called it, but that’s what it was.”
    “Fired?
You
?” Meg’s mind was jumping from one thought to the next. How terrible this was for James. What it meant for