On Her Own Read Online Free PDF Page B

died last week, ain’t it?”
    “Jah, my brother Dan. His funeral was yesterday.”
    “When you said your last name, I put two and two together.”
    “I see.” Aaron’s not only feisty, but he seems to be a right smart little fellow .
    “What’d ya come over to see Mama about?”
    “He’s coming to work for me starting Saturday.”
    Paul turned his head. He hadn’t realized Barbara had entered the room. She held a baby in her arms, and her face was slightly flushed.
    Aaron glared at Paul; then he turned to face his mother and gave her an imploring look. “Why do you need him, Mama?”
    “Because I’m not able to work right now.”
    “What about Grandpa? He’s still workin’ in the harness shop, right?”
    Barbara nodded. “But your grossdaadi isn’t able to handle things on his own so well.”
    Aaron puffed out his chest. “I could help him.”
    “I’m sure you could help with a few things, but not nearly enough, son.”
    Feeling the need to make a quick escape, Paul pushed back his chair and stood. “I should head to Seymour and call my cousin to let him know that I’ll be staying awhile longer.” He glanced down at Aaron, then back at Barbara. “I’ll be at the harness shop bright and early.”
    She gave him a weary-looking smile and nodded. “Danki.”
    Paul had just stepped onto the front porch when a horse and buggy pulled into the yard.

    As John Frey stepped down from his buggy, he spotted Paul Hilty leaving Barbara’s house. “I wonder what he’s doing here,” he mumbled.
    “What was that, Papa?”
    John glanced over at his fourteen-year-old daughter, Nadine, who had followed him out of the buggy. He’d dropped Hannah and Mary, his two younger girls, off at one of their neighbors’ so they could play with their friend Maddie. And since Betty, his oldest daughter, was working and he didn’t want to make his calls alone, he had invited Nadine to join him. “I just wondered what Paul Hilty is doing here,” he said.
    “Probably came by to pay his respects to Barbara since he wasn’t here when her husband died.” Nadine smiled sweetly. “I can hardly wait to see Barbara’s new boppli. Maybe she’ll let me hold him awhile.”
    John smiled in response. He had enjoyed holding his four girls when they were babies, but they were all older now, ranging in ages from ten to sixteen. He missed having a baby around. He also needed a mother for his daughters and hoped Barbara Zook might be willing to marry him. She was still young and could provide him with more children, as well as take charge of his household and give proper womanly instruction to his girls, so he figured she was the perfect choice. John had been widowedsix months and Barbara for nearly a year. It was time for them to find new mates. Besides, he didn’t think Barbara could keep working in the harness shop now that she had a new baby to care for. She needed a husband to support her and the boys.
    “ Guder mariye , Bishop Frey,” Paul said, as he passed John on the way to his buggy.
    “Good morning to you, too.” John was on the verge of asking the reason for Paul’s visit, but Paul gave a quick wave and sprinted to his buggy.
    John shrugged and hurried after Nadine, who was already on the porch. Moments later, Barbara opened the door.
    “Bishop John,” she said. “What brings you out our way?”
    “Came to see how you’re getting along.” He motioned to Nadine. “And Nadine would like to get a look at your boppli, if that’s all right.”
    “Jah, sure.” Barbara opened the door wider and bid them in. “I just put Davey in his cradle, but he’s wide awake.”
    John and Nadine followed Barbara to the living room, and John took a seat on the sofa while Nadine rushed over to the wooden cradle sitting near the rocking chair.
    “He’s so siess ,” Nadine said dreamily.
    “I think he’s pretty sweet, too.” Barbara smiled. “Would you like to hold him?”
    “Oh, jah,” Nadine replied with an eager nod.