Love Still Stands Read Online Free PDF Page A

dust in her hair. She set the
     box on the table with great care. “I don’t know why I’m being so careful with this.
     I reckon the ride on that dirt road broke half the plates.”
    “I reckon we’ll know when we get it open.” Emma’s smile took the edge from her words.
     She’d lived with Leah for a while before her marriage to Thomas. She knew how to handle
     her sister-in-law’s moods. “I unpacked several of ours last night and they were fine.”
    “We’ll see, won’t we?” Leah’s nose wrinkled like she’d bitten into a tart Granny Smith
     apple. “You wouldn’t believe what I found in the cellar. I wanted to have the boys
     carry down our canned goods and it turns out most of the shelves are full.”
    “Full of what?” Bethel asked, surprised. They had a dozen boxes filled with fruits
     and vegetables canned with the intent of getting them through the winter to the growing
     season when they’d be able to plant their vegetable garden. “Do we need to clean it
     out first?”
    “The family who lived here before left behind their canned goods. Perfectly fine jars
     of tomatoes and green beans and pickles. I think I saw peaches and strawberry preserves.”
    “Why would they do that?”
    “They were older folks, Englischers. Going into a home, Luke said.”
    “That’s sad.” Bethel didn’t mean to judge, but she liked their way of caring for older
     folks much better. That’s what a groossdaadi haus was for. “They had no one who wanted their things?”
    “Guess not. There are even boxes of Mason jars that have never been used.”
    “Well, we’ll put them to good use then,” said Bethel. Leah sniffed. Something about
     her expression said she wasn’t so sure Bethel would be all that useful when it came
     to canning. She was wrong. Bethel could sit and chop up cucumbers and onions for pickles
     as well as the next person. She could snap green beans and pit cherries. She didn’t
     need her legs for that. “Besides, we have plenty of canned goods to get us through—”
    “It doesn’t take three people to unpack dishes. You best get that downstairs bedroom
     cleaned up.” Leah broke in as if she didn’t hear Bethel talking. “They’re almost done
     painting it. You’ll be sleeping there.”
    Of course she would, since it would take her too long to climb the stairs to the bedrooms
     on the second floor. Which meant she’d be little help with the babies at night. “I’ll
     sweep the floor and wipe down the floorboards and windowsills. If the boys can carry
     in the frame and the mattress I can make up the bed.”
    Emma started across the room. “I’ll get the bucket of water and the mop—”
    “She can manage,” Leah interrupted. “Lillie and Mary can help her. Your baby was fussing
     the last time I checked. She probably needs to be fed.”
    With that statement, she swept from the room. The implied criticism said Leah thought
     her sister-in-law was neglecting her baby. Bethel knew for a fact Emma had left her
     stepdaughter Rebecca in charge of watching baby Lilah and the smaller children in
     the grassy meadow that stretched between the house and the barn. They’d set up cribs
     and playpens and even a couple of rocking chairs so the middle girls could care for
     the little ones while the older girls cleaned. Bethel patted Deborah’s back and shuffled
     along the counter until she could reach her other crutch.
    “Everyone will feel better when they’re settled in.” Despite Leah’s orders, Emma grabbed
     a bucket, dunked it in the big tub of soapy water, and picked up the mop leaning against
     the far wall. At Bethel’s raised eyebrows, she grinned. “I know she’s your sister
     and all, but she does get a little bossy now and then.”
    “Now and then?” Bethel hid her own smile behind her hand. “Thank you for your help.”
    “Lead the way.”
    When she finally made it to the bedroom door, aware of Emma’s attempts to slow her
     own pace, Bethel wished