On Her Own Read Online Free PDF

by then and probably won’t wanna work on harnesses no more.”
    Paul chuckled. Aaron scowled at him. “What’s so funny?”
    “Nothing. I mean, it seems odd that a young fellow like you would be talking about your mamm getting old and you taking her place in the shop.”
    “I don’t think it’s funny a’tall.”
    Paul took a sip of coffee and seated himself at the table, but the boy didn’t budge.
    “You still haven’t said why you’re in my mamm’s kitchen, usin’ my daed’s mug.”
    Paul eyed the cup in question, then nodded toward the empty chair to his left. “Sit down, and I’ll tell you.”
    Aaron flopped into a chair.
    “I came over to see how your mamm was doing, and then the boppli started fussing. So your mamm said I should help myselfto some coffee while she took care of your little bruder.”
    “But you shouldn’t be usin’ Pa’s cup,” the child persisted.
    Paul was tempted to remind Aaron that his father was dead and it shouldn’t matter who drank from his cup, but he thought better of it. No use getting the boy riled, especially if Barbara decided to hire Paul in the harness shop. Aaron undoubtedly still missed his father. The idea of someone using his mug could be a powerful reminder of the boy’s loss.
    Paul went to the cupboard and got out a different mug; then he placed David’s mug in the kitchen sink. “Better?” he asked as he returned to his seat.
    The boy nodded.
    For several minutes, they sat in silence. Unable to tolerate the boy staring at him, Paul finally asked, “How old are you, Aaron?”
    “Almost nine.”
    “Guess it won’t be long until you can begin helping your mamm in the shop.”
    The child shrugged. “Used to help my daed some when I wasn’t in school.”
    “What grade are you in?”
    “Second.”
    “You have six more years, then.”
    “Jah.”
    Paul took another swig of coffee, wishing Barbara would return so he’d have another adult to talk to. His uneasiness around children was intensified with Aaron looking at him so strangely.
    “Want some cookies to dunk in your coffee?”
    Aaron’s question took Paul by surprise, and he jumped.
    “What’s the matter? You got a fly on your nose?”
    “Huh?”
    “You’re kind of jumpy, wouldn’t ya say?”
    Paul cleared his throat. “I’m fine. Just a bit restless is all.”
    “Some cookies might help.”
    Paul studied the boy’s round face. He was pretty sure the subject of cookies had come up because Aaron wanted some, not because he thought Paul needed something to dunk in his coffee.
    “You’re right. A few cookies would be nice.” Paul glanced around the room. “You know where there might be some?”
    Aaron dashed across the room. He returned with a green ceramic jar. “These are chocolate chip.” He set the container on the table and headed for the refrigerator. “Think I’ll have some milk so’s I can dunk.”
    Paul remembered how he had enjoyed cookies and cold goat’s milk when he was a boy. Peanut butter with raisins had been his favorite, and his mother used to make them often. He watched Aaron fill a tall glass with milk, dip his cookie up and down a couple of times, then chomp it down in two bites.
    “This is sure good. Grandma made these just for me.”
    “Your grandparents live next door, don’t they?”
    Aaron grabbed another cookie. “Jah. Grandma Raber keeps an eye on me and my little brieder during the day. Grandma and Grandpa Zook live a couple miles down the road.”
    “Where are your brothers right now?”
    “Still at Grandma’s.”
    “Does your grandma know where you are?” Paul questioned.
    “Of course. Told her I was comin’ over here to see if Mama needed me for anything.” Aaron licked a glob of chocolate offhis fingertips. “Sure never expected to find a stranger sittin’ in our kitchen, though.”
    “I’m not really a stranger,” Paul said. “I used to live in Webster County. I’ve known your folks for some time.”
    “It’s your bruder who