Dear to Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

belonged to was more conservative than most. One of the things they did that separated them from other Amish was to drive only open buggies.
     “These buggies aren’t so bad in warmer weather,” Melinda murmured, “but in the wintertime, it can sure get cold.” She gave Jenny a quick pat, climbed into the driver’s seat, and picked up the reins.
     At the end of the driveway, Melinda saw the familiar gray birdhouse and halted the horse. “Just a few more minutes, Jenny, and then we’ll be on our way.”
     Melinda hopped down and lifted the removable roof from the birdhouse. She was pleased to see that no birds had claimed it as their new home. She and Gabe had been sending each other messages this way since they’d started courting, and so far, the birds seemed to know it was off-limits.
     She slipped the note inside and replaced the roof. “I just hope Gabe comes by before tomorrow and picks it up.”
     Melinda was about to walk away when she caught sight of a small bird in some tall grass, chirping and furiously flapping its wings. She bent for a closer look and realized it was a fledgling blackbird that apparently couldn’t fly well yet.
     “I can’t leave you here. Some big cat or hawk might come along and make you its meal.” Gently Melinda picked up the tiny bird and set him on a low branch of a nearby tree. “There you go; be safe.” She smiled, content with the knowledge that she’d helped another one of God’s creatures, and hurried away.

    Gabe shielded his eyes from the glare of the sun and pulled his buggy to the side of the road by the Hertzlers’ driveway. I sure hope there’s a note from Melinda today.
     He hopped down and lifted the lid of the weathered birdhouse. To his surprise, a few blades of grass and a piece of string lay on top of an envelope. “Some bird must have decided to make a nest here,” Gabe muttered. He reached inside, pulled out the grass and string, and tossed them on the ground. “That ought to discourage those silly birds from claiming this as their new home.”
     Unexpectedly, a sparrow swooped down, just missing Gabe’s head. He ducked. “Hey, cut that out! This is Melinda’s and my message box. Go find someplace else to build your nest.”
     Gabe stuck his hand inside the birdhouse and retrieved Melinda’s note. As soon as he had replaced the lid, he bent down, grabbed a small rock, and plugged the opening in the front. “That should keep you birds out of there.”
     As Gabe climbed into his buggy, he decided that, in all fairness to the birds, it wasn’t right to shoo them out of a birdhouse that was built for them. He would add a separate compartment to the birdhouse he was making for Noah to give Melinda on her birthday. Then even if the birds decided to make it their home, he and Melinda would still have their secret place to hide messages—one without a hole in the front.
     Gabe headed down Highway C toward Seymour, letting the horse lead while he read Melinda’s note. He was pleased to discover that she planned to be at the young people’s gathering on Sunday night and was looking forward to him taking her home afterward.
     “I like a woman who knows what she wants,” he said with a chuckle. “Especially if it’s me she’s wanting.” Melinda’s eagerness to be with Gabe made him believe she might say yes if he were to propose marriage. He just needed to find the right time and the courage to do it.
     He studied the pencil drawing Melinda had made of the baby raccoon. It certainly looked like a coon, but he was concerned about her making a pet out of a wild animal. What if the critter bit or scratched her real bad? She could end up with rabies or something!
     “That woman doesn’t think straight when it comes to the animals she takes in,” he mumbled. “She would cozy up to a bull snake if she thought it needed a friend. I think I’d better have a talk with Melinda and let her know I’m concerned.”

    When Susie stepped into