Hannah's Joy Read Online Free PDF Page A

speak to Jamie.
    William’s face relaxed when he knelt by the plastic barrier. It wasn’t just that William stuttered less when he spoke to Jamie. He let down his guard, too. Did he even recognize how wary he looked sometimes, at least around strangers? That was gone now, his strong-boned face gentled by a smile and his blue eyes warm with laughter over something Jamie was babbling.
    Aunt Paula elbowed her. “Talk to him,” she murmured.
    Sending her aunt an exasperated look, Hannah moved to the counter as William approached it. But before she could say anything, the bell over the door jingled.
    The Amish man who entered was solid and middle-aged, with eyes as blue as William’s but a beard that reached below his collar.
    “Good morning.” She nodded to him. “I’ll be with you in a moment.”
    She turned to William, but the other man was elbowing him out of the way.
    “Ach, my brother will wait, I know.” He nodded to Paula and Naomi, who were busying themselves behind the counter. “I am Isaac Brand. You must be Paula’s niece, ja?”
    Hannah nodded, smiling automatically. So this was William’s older brother. What had Aunt Paula said about him? That he liked snapping orders and had a scant supply of patience?
    “I’ll be with you as soon as I’ve finished William’s order.” She picked up a sheet of the waxed paper they used to handle the pastries. “Crullers again today, William? Or would you and Caleb prefer donuts?”
    “I-it’s okay,” he stammered, stepping to the side. “You c-c-can t-t-take c-c-care of—”
    “You see?” Isaac interrupted him. “My brother doesn’t mind, and I must get on with my business. A large coffee with cream and sugar. And I’ll have one of those Bavarians, ja?”
    Hannah opened her mouth to argue, but a quick glance at William’s face told her that her defense wouldn’t be welcomed. And Aunt Paula was already coming to the counter with coffees.
    “Here you are, Isaac, and William, here is yours and Caleb’s. Hannah, will you see to the pastries while I ring them up?”
    She nodded, bending to the pastry case so that no one would see the indignation in her face.
    “We’ll be cutting hay in the south field tomorrow.” Isaac glanced at his brother. “Tell Caleb I’ll need you then.”
    William nodded, his face expressionless.
    It’s not your business,
she reminded herself. Anyway, William is probably used to the way Isaac speaks to him.
    Somehow those rationalizations didn’t help. She handed William the bag with his purchases, their fingers brushing. He nodded his thanks and turned away, face averted.
    She watched as the brothers went out, parting ways on the sidewalk in front of the shop.
    “That’s Isaac,” Aunt Paula said, unnecessarily. “He’s a gut enough man in his way, I suppose, but he never sees anyone’s viewpoint but his own.”
    “Does William live with him?” She regretted the show of interest the moment she said the words. Aunt Paula didn’t need any encouragement.
    “Ja,” Naomi said, joining them at the counter. “Well, not exactly
with
him. He lives in the grossdaadi house on the family farm. He helps out there, besides working with Caleb.”
    “That must keep him busy,” Hannah commented, wondering if Naomi would say more.
    Naomi frowned a little. “Isaac has sons of his own big enough to help, and folks thought maybe William would go in full-time with Caleb. But I guess Isaac still needs him.”
    Or liked having William on call. Hannah reminded herself again that it wasn’t her business.
    Still, it rankled, the way Isaac had pushed William aside and interrupted him. If all his family showed such disregard for him, it was small wonder that William found it difficult to speak for himself.
    Before she was even aware of having made up her mind, she was taking the apron off. She glanced at her aunt. “Do you mind if I take Jamie out for a little walk while it’s quiet?”
    “That’s fine.” Aunt Paula had a knowing