Seasons of Sugarcreek 02. Spring's Renewal Read Online Free PDF Page A

Clara said shyly.
    “Actually, this wasn’t the first time we met,” Tim said. “Our paths crossed last week.”
    Just recalling how much that meeting had affected her, Clara said, “Yes. I was walking home by the creek and Tim was there. We talked for a bit.”
    Tim smiled. “You cheered me up that day, Clara. I hope our paths cross again one day soon.”
    She didn’t know what to say to that.
    But Mrs. Graber didn’t seem to want to shy away from that at all. In fact, a new light entered her eyes. “I see. Clara, perhaps you’d like to join us for supper one evening?”
    Maggie cheered. “Teacher, please say yes!”
    “I wouldn’t want to impose,” she said automatically, though inside, she couldn’t help but be excited. She enjoyed everyone in the Graber family. And though she was a single teacher, it wasn’t often that she was invited to her students’ homes for suppers. People knew her mother wasn’t in good health and therefore were reluctant to ask Clara to leave her for meals.
    Of course, it was fairly obvious that the invitation didn’t have much to do with Anson, Carrie, or Maggie.
    “One more person won’t make a difference at our table. Consider coming over soon. You could bring your mother. We’d enjoy her company, too.”
    Beside her, Tim didn’t say anything, but he did seem to be watching her carefully. “ Danke . I’ll ask my mother soon.”
    Scooping young Toby up in her arms, Elsa Graber sighed. “I suppose we’d best get our walk home started so Miss Slabaugh can get home, too.”
    “Thanks again for your help, Anson,” Clara said to the freckled-faced boy.
    “Welcome. Bye, Teacher.”
    Tim stepped forward. “How about I stay and help you clean up?”
    Mrs. Graber smiled. “Ach! That’s a wonderful—”
    “No, no, thank you,” Clara interrupted. “I’ll be fine by myself.” Knowing how she sounded, she softened her words. “I mean, I still have some other things that need doing.”
    Tim looked to comment on that. But his words were cut off when the children started running off, Carrie calling out for him to join them. “I…I guess I better go, too, then.”
    “Yes, it would be best,” she murmured. Though, best for whom? she wondered.
    Timothy merely gave her a long look before following the rest of his family.
    As the crowd of Grabers soon disappeared over the hill, their exuberant voices faded away, leaving Clara good and completely alone.
    But instead of feeling exhausted, she suddenly felt terribly fresh and buzzing. Tim Graber had shown her a definite interest. His steady gaze had made her feel things—made her feel interesting and almost…pretty. He made her think about the future she had always wanted. A future that included marriage and children and love.
    She held the feeling tight to her heart…even though she knew those things could never actually happen. They were only a dream.
    Turning away before she caught herself attempting to listen for his voice in the wind, Clara steeled herself to her job. After all, that was what she should be holding close.
    That was what was truly important.

Chapter 4
     
    “I’m glad you came along, Tim,” Elsa said as they walked along the winding gravel road toward home. “Very glad, indeed.”
    “Seeing my cousins perform was fun. And speaking more with Clara was nice, too.”
    She looked at him sideways. “You two did seem to get along well.”
    “What do you know about Clara, Aunt Elsa?”
    “About Miss Slabaugh? I think she’s a right good teacher.”
    “Has she been teaching a long time?” he asked, trying to discover more about her. He wondered what her age was. Clara didn’t look to be very old.
    “Not so much. This is her second year to teach. I think she’s twenty-two.”
    That was his age as well.
    But his aunt knew that. Breaking into a smile, Elsa said, “She’s been a good teacher to our children. She’s patient and kind and helps them learn a lot, too. Anson especially likes her very