Pennsylvania Patchwork Read Online Free PDF

better get my chores done.” Armin pushed his chair away from the table. “Looks like it may rain later.”
    Nathaniel narrowed his eyes at Armin. “Take that mutt back with you, before he catches one of Anna’s chickens, if he hasn’t already. You hear?”
    â€œYah, yah, I heard ya.” He stood. “Come with me, Holly. But you’re not wearin’ those moccasins outside again, are you?”
    She giggled as she got to her feet. “Oops, I forgot. No wonder the FedEx driver gave me a double look.”
    â€œHe did that because—” His cheeks brightening, Armin glanced down at the floor.
    â€œBecause she’s prettier than any Maedel in the county,” Mamm said.
    Now Holly’s cheeks were as pink as Armin’s.
    Armin nabbed his hat off a peg, and Holly her jacket.
    â€œWait, we haven’t prayed again,” Nathaniel said.
    â€œAll right, can ya do it now?” Armin bowed his head.
    Nathaniel’s eyelids compressed and his brows furrowed, he lowered his head for a few moments. The second he lifted his chin, Armin helped Holly wriggle into her jacket and the two were out the door. Their voices wove together as they trailed through the utility room.
    â€œNathaniel,” Mamm said, “do you think Armin will stick around this time and get baptized?”
    â€œNo way of telling. I’ve never been able to figure Armin out. I don’t think he knows what he wants, himself. Too many choices out in the Englischworld. A man should stay in the community.”
    â€œAnd find a good wife.” Mamm winked at Esther. “He’d make a right fine match for Holly, don’t ya think?”
    â€œNot unless Holly got baptized.” Nathaniel’s hand moved to the back of his neck and he gave it a squeeze. “Sorry, Anna, but I can’t see it happening. The both of them? And her with another man courting her?”
    â€œYou’re probably right. Well, of course you are. Unless your brother—” Mamm sent him a coy grin.
    â€œI wouldn’t count on it,” Nathaniel said.
    â€œArmin’s the type of man Holly likes,” Esther said. Not just his handsome face and stature—almost as good-looking as her Nathaniel—but he was a tad prideful and full of himself, personality traits Holly seemed to be attracted to for no reason that made any sense to Esther. Not like Zach, who was polite and gentlemanly, and equally as handsome if not more. Esther found it extraordinary some Englischwoman hadn’t already snapped him up. Maybe Mamm was right: Zach’s distraction—why he was always too busy for Holly—was another woman.
    But no matter; Holly was here with her. Three generations of women dwelling in the same household. For now, anyway. She and Nathaniel had still not agreed where the two of them would live when they wed. Probably here, since the Daadi Haus was already erected for Mamm—unless Nathaniel built one attached to his home.
    Esther removed Nathaniel’s plate, every scrap of food eaten, a sign he’d enjoyed her cooking. Gut. “Can I serve you some lemon chiffon pie or peanut butter cookies?” she asked him. “Freshly baked this morning.”
    â€œSorry, I don’t have time.” He gazed up into her eyes and she felt alive with giddiness. Who would have predicted this at her age? Thank the good Lord Esther had not remarried and settled for second best the way many women did. If she’d saddled herself with someone else, her whole life would be topsy-turvy. Yet she could feel, deep in her belly, the grip of guilt for not clinging to her Samuel. Esther had watched a movie, The Odyssey : the ancient Greek hero’s wife waited years and years for her husband’s return in spite of many suitors. She should ask the bishop if she truly was free in God’s eyes to marry Nathaniel. She and Nathaniel both should; they floated in the same boat, now that she