Second Chances Read Online Free PDF

reviewing
the situation, a situation about which he merely grumbled and complained with no
inclination to act upon a viable solution.
    “If you should like to hear my solution?” Lydia interrupted. She spoke louder than
usual, but still with a degree of patience. Once William and Elizabeth settled down,
she took a deep breath and began speaking. “It’s simple, really. You have that small haus in Florida. Move there for a while. Winter and spring are lovely down there.
It’s less expensive to live there. Mayhaps you’ll find Florida to your liking. If
you don’t, you can always return to a smaller place. Either way, you can sell this
farm without anyone raising an eyebrow.”
    Anna looked up again from her quilt. “Why, that’s the perfect solution!”
    Lydia nodded and added, “Especially after last winter being so difficult and causing
the flare-up with your arthritis. Certainly no one will question why you have left.”
Pausing, she let that suggestion register with William.
    “If we move that far away, I’d still have to sell my horse and buggy,” William grumbled.
    Anna glanced up at him sharply. This was the first indication that her father might—just
might—be willing to listen to reason.
    Lydia nodded gravely to acknowledge William’s loss before pressing her point home.
“In the meantime, you should rent out this property. The income from the rental will
help pay your way until you sell it.”
    A silence fell over the room. Anna waited, her breath caught in her chest. Elizabeth
almost broke into a rare smile while Mary developed a typical scowl, the two very
different reactions almost amusing to Anna except she knew the serious reasons behind
them.
    Finally, Elizabeth nodded her head in approval, her agitation from moments prior
quickly vanishing. “That’s an agreeable solution!” She met her father’s worried gaze.
He often sought her validation on important decisions, and even those that did not
qualify as very significant. She was, after all, the maternal head of the house,
at least since their mother departed from her earthly life to begin her heavenly
one. “Especially with the cold season soon upon us. I’m rather partial to that idea.”
    But the idea of William and his two unmarried daughters leaving Charm was not received
as well by everyone.
    “Florida?” Mary scoffed at the idea as if someone had just given her a glass of spoiled
milk. “Oh bother! Who will help me with the kinner ?” With a helpless expression
on her face, she looked first to her father and then to Lydia. “You know I haven’t
been feeling quite well! The headaches and fatigue! And those two kinner are so active.
Cris’s family provides no help at all. Why! They return the boys to me in worse shape
than when they left, what with all the cookies and sweets they give them!” Disgusted,
she returned her attention to her father. “If you move to Florida, you simply must
leave Anna behind. It’s not as if anyone would miss her . . . ”
    The comment, while seemingly harsh, didn’t faze anyone in the room. With the exception
of Lydia, Anna knew that it was an accurate statement and not necessarily spoken
with malice. Her quiet nature often caused people, especially her family, to overlook
her at larger gatherings. And to be needed by someone, anyone , was better than to
be needed by none.
    “And when we return? Then what?”
    Mary sighed. “If Salome Musser would let us move into the big haus , we might have
room.” She picked at a white thread on the blue sleeve of her dress. “ Mayhaps this
might be the catalyst for her to finally do the right thing, nee ? Who ever heard
of such selfishness? And with only Leah and Hannah living there.” She looked up,
suddenly aware that everyone watched her, stunned by her sharp words. “ Ja vell , it’s
true! Her son did buy the farm, after all.”
    Another glance at the clock and Lydia suddenly stood up. “Think about it, William.”
    For a moment, Anna’s heart