Annie's Truth (Touch of Grace) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mamm’s side.”
    She sighed, amazed and glad she lived among people who didn’t gossip about another’s hardship. “I found out that I was abandoned as a newborn and found by my daed.” She studied him to make sure he was still looking at her the way he always did—without judgment or accusation—even when she carped about her chores, loved to play baseball, or asked him questions she shouldn’t.
    His eyes never wavered, just kept their steady probing into hers. “So you were meant to be here even more than the rest of us.” One side of his mouth lifted.
    She was surprised for only a second by his answer. But was he right or reaffirming her, knowing she had doubts? “You can’t be sure of th—”
    “Jah, I can.”
    Now she was even more frustrated, as if she were talking with her daed. “I have another family somewhe—”
    “Your family is here.” He gestured to everyone playing, eating, and talking in the field.
    “But I want to know things.”
    “What do you need to know?”
    “I was adopted and—”
    “Adopted by Christ and raised by people who love you. That’s more than you may have gotten otherwise.”
    His words lashed at her, as if he’d thought out every one before she even asked. He showed no patience with her questions and clearly wanted the conversation over.
    “Because it’s expected? Or because I am truly loved?”
    John crossed his arms over his broad chest and shook his head. “Why do you doubt our ways? You never have before, until now when it’s the most important.”
    “What’s wrong with questioning if there is nothing to hide?”
    “Peace, to live in harmony.” He gazed ahead as if to say the subject was now over.
    She had gotten little farther with him than she had with her parents. Expecting more, she surrendered to his wishes. “What do I do now?”
    “What is there?”
    “Find out about my birth family. Wouldn’t you want to know?”
    “Nee, I wouldn’t. And neither should you.” He jumped down from the wagon, wiping his hands on his britches, and joined the men to help one another through the storm as the tumult began inside Annie.

  Chapter Four  
    A NNIE SAT AT the kitchen table trying to read, but her mind kept drifting from her book to a beach with blue water. She wondered what it felt like to have the sun touch her thighs and stomach. While she dreamed about the outside world, she was away from the daily chores, evening mass, and cooking. She had to admit her mamm’s food was good, but eating it was much more enjoyable than making it. Was she becoming self-serving in that she only cared about her stomach?
    Annie was no larger in size than the other girls her age but more so than the women in the magazine she had seen in town one day—beautiful women with perfect bodies and hair, wearing colorful clothes. She knew this was why she was forbidden to see such things but then wondered why the Amish couldn’t learn self-restraint by choosing instead of being told.
    “What could an eighteen-year-old girl be so angry about?” her mamm asked. “Come and help with dinner.”
    “The English would be happy to see their children with a book in their hands,” Annie threw back at her mamm.
    Her daed stretched out his long legs and set his Bible on the fireplace hearth. “Annie, do not disrespect your mamm.” Then he picked up his Bible again and resumed reading.
    Annie had so much to say to him that she knew she never could, and questions to ask—so many whys : Why didn’t you tell me? Why can’t I find my birth mother? Why did you decide to keep me?
    “Come help me with dinner.” Mamm held out a hand to Annie.
    Glad to get away from her daed, she followed her mamm without hesitation.
    Chicken and dumplings simmered in a large black pan on the stove. Annie followed her nose to the bread in the oven and grabbed an oven mitt to pull out the two steaming loaves. She placed them on a cooling rack and leaned against the counter.
    “Daed seems angry with