Sarah's Christmas Miracle Read Online Free PDF Page A

paddock close to the house to offer pony rides to children during milder weather. Because Sarah’s mare got along with any equine breed, she turned the horse out to graze on sparse grass but plentiful hay.
    “You drove to work today?” Mrs. Pratt asked when Sarah walked into the kitchen. “Afraid of a little exercise on such a beautiful day?” She handed Sarah a cup of coffee fixed how she liked it—with plenty of milk and two sugars.
    “ Jah. I have an errand to run after work, so bringing the buggy spares me a walk back home.”
    Mrs. Pratt’s forehead furrowed with creases. “Where are you going, child? I’d be happy to drive you and get away from the house for a while. Besides, there’s always something we need on the shopping list.”
    That is so like my boss…always eager to help a neighbor even with a list of chores planned for the afternoon . “No, danki . I’m not going far. Just to visit a friend.” Sarah smiled and then finished her coffee in two long swallows. “Will there be guests tonight? Did you have any last night?” She peeked into the dark, empty dining room. She never knew what she would find on Mondays because she never worked on the Sabbath. Mrs. Pratt’s sole helper that day was her husband—a dear man, but not blessed with a single domestic ability.
    “Nobody’s here but us mice, and I have no reservations for tonight.” Mrs. Pratt opened the refrigerator door and bent over to look inside. “I know there’s fresh fruit in here somewhere.”
    “Well, what shall we do today?” Sarah asked. They usually tackled major cleaning projects while the rooms stood empty.
    “I think we should wash windows before it turns any colder. But first, let’s eat! How about oatmeal?” Mrs. Pratt found the tub of blueberries she’d been hunting for and straightened her spine.
    “Of course. I’ll get it started,” said Sarah. They always had oatmeal on slow days, topped with fruit or cinnamon and brown sugar.
    During the meal they chatted about the weather, their plans for the upcoming weekend, and the local Christmas displays. Although Sarah loved the manger scenes and electric candles flickering in the windows, to her most of the plastic inflatables seemed silly. They were usually lying face down in front yards as though exhausted by their efforts.
    After breakfast, while they washed dishes together, Mrs. Pratt again offered Sarah a ride. She felt guilty about her little white lie because she didn’t plan to visit her friend but one of Caleb’s. And it hadn’t been her only deception that day, either. She had also led her mother to believe she would be visiting Josie instead of merely passing by on her way to the Sidley house. Albert Sidley had been Caleb’s only Amish friend after he’d started working for the English construction company. If anyone knew her bruder ’s whereabouts, it would be Albert, but after five years it wasn’t likely.
    Yet how could she have told her mother the truth? Sarah had seen how upset mamm had become with questions about Caleb. She’d specifically asked Sarah to drop the subject. Why hadn’t she realized her mother still suffered from him leaving the Order?
    I’ve been too preoccupied with my own life to notice another person’s pain .
    She sent up a silent prayer of forgiveness for her deception and for her self-absorption. If she could obtain Caleb’s current address and perhaps a phone number, maybe her mother wouldn’t feel cut adrift from her firstborn. Knowing a person’s whereabouts, or having the ability to call in an emergency, gave a person security…even if you never chose to write or call in the foreseeable future.
    After the two women had washed the windows with vinegar water, Sarah ran the sweeper and dusted. A few hours later, with the inn clean and sparkling, she hitched up her horse and headed toward Caleb’s former best friend.
    Small by Amish standards, the Sidley farm stood on one of the last unpaved township roads.