Reckless Heart (Kauffman Amish Bakery 5.5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn’t need to worry about it anymore.
    A few more cars pulled into the parking lot and steered into spaces.
    Still holding Lydia’s hands, her grandmother stood and pulled Lydia up. “Let’s head back inside. It’s going to get busy soon.” Looping her arm around Lydia’s shoulders once again,
Mammi
steered her toward the back door. “If you ever need someone to listen, you know you can always talk to me,
ya
?”
    “
Ya
,” Lydia said. “
Danki
,
Mammi
.”
    “
Gern gschehne
,”
Mammi
said. “Don’t you forget that,” she assured Lydia again. “I’m always available to listen if you need an ear, and our conversations will remain private if you would like them to, as long as I’m not breaking any rules with your parents.”
    Lydia gazed up at the clear blue sky, hoping her parents were receiving good news so their lives would become normal again.

4
     
    L ater that afternoon, Lydia balanced a box full of pastries while Titus schlepped along beside her and Irma raced on toward the Andersons’ house.
    “I don’t see why we have to do this,” Titus muttered, crossing his arms in front of his thin body. “I know they’re new in the neighborhood, but why do we have to take them dessert?”
    “Because it’s the right and proper thing to do,” Lydia said. “Irma! Slow down before you fall.” She looked back at her brother. At twelve, he was the spitting image of their father, with light brown hair and matching eyes. “Why are you so glum?”
    “Why do you think?” He kicked a rock as he walked. “Didn’t you see
Mamm
and
Dat’s
faces tonight? They aren’t saying it out loud yet, but it’s bad news about Ruthie.”
    Lydia sighed, thinking back to when she’d entered the kitchen after work. Her mother’s eyes were red and puffy, evidence that she’d been crying. Her father’s eyes were filled with despair. Seeing her parents that way was hard to bear. Lydia had put on a brave face, but she was falling apart inside.
    When she asked what the doctors had said, her father asked her to take Titus and Irma to meet the new family and deliver the baked goods she’d brought home, as planned. He promised they would talk later.
    “
Ya
, you’re right, Titus,” Lydia admitted. “It has to be bad news about Ruthie. I was hoping I’d imagined their moods, but it’s definitely bad.”
    Looking up at her, Titus’s eyes were full of worry. “What are we going to do?”
    She shrugged, not knowing the answer. “I guess we’ll find out what it is and then support
Mamm
and
Dat
in any way we can.”
    “Do you think I can quit school and get a job?” he asked. “Maybe that would help since
Mamm
isn’t working. I could see if
Grossdaadi
would hire me at the furniture store. I once helped him make a chair, so I know I can do it.”
    Lydia smiled down at her brother, impressed by his selflessness. “I think we should wait and see what
Dat
says. I believe he’ll want you to finish school before you start working. You only have two years left. Maybe you can take on more chores or even go to work with
Dat
if he has to work on a Saturday,
ya
?”
    “That sounds like a
gut
plan,” Titus agreed. “I’ll ask if I can do more.”
    Irma reached the path leading to the front door of the Andersons’ house, and she gave them an impatient wave. “Come on! Hurry up!”
    “We’re coming,” Lydia said. “If I run I may drop this box, and we’ll have a mess.” She and Titus caught up with Irma, and they walked to the front porch together. “Now remember,” she began as they climbed the steps, “use your manners. Be respectful and smile.” She looked at Titus. “You need tosmile too. I know it’s difficult, but
Mamm
and
Dat
would want us to be welcoming.”
    Titus nodded, but his expression remained stoic. “
Ya
, I know.”
    Irma hurried to the door. “I’ll ring the bell!” She pushed the button and grinned up at the door. With her light hair and blue eyes, her middle sister probably mirrored