Serendipity Read Online Free PDF

Bo to go along with her ploy. He dipped his head and nodded. Thank heavens he’d said nothing. One word, and Mr. Valmer would have known something was afoot. “But, Mr. Valmer, you have to make us an honor-binding promise that you’ll turn around and come right back if you run into trouble or if Adam balks even once. He’s one of the smartest horses God ever made, and he’ll keep you alive if you let him have his head.”
    “Agreed! You have my word of honor. You will see to my mother until I come back?”
    “Of course I will. Now out to the barn with you men. I’m going to take my bowl of stew and go sit with your ma.” And if Adam behaves like I expect him to, you’ll be sitting by my side, fuming, in about fifteen minutes.

    She was quite a woman, Miss Rose. Even with worry nagging at him, as Todd bent his head into the wind and walked alongside Mr. Carver to the barn, he couldn’t help thinking the young gal was what Ma called a touch of serendipity – something unexpected that brought gladness or thanksgiving. In the midst of this whole tragedy, God couldn’t have arranged a better example. Ja, Miss Rose was the only bright spot in this mess.
    And what a mess it was. He’d had to impose on John Toomel while he fetched Ma. Since the two bachelor farmers owned adjoining properties, they bore one another’s burdens most heavily. Now John worked both places, waiting for the promise of Ma’s good cooking – a promise Todd and Ma might not be able to uphold.
    Lord, you know Ma’s needs and what will cure her. If a miracle’s what it’ll take, then I’m begging you for one. Minding the sick isn’t my gift. If Ma’s in a bad way, I can’t take her back to the farm. I’m barely hanging on . . .
    A sudden thought caused him to turn to Mr. Carver and shout through the wind, “What other day does the train go through?”
    The old man shook his head. “First and third Mondays are westward bound. ’Twas off schedule for them to stop today. It’ll be by next week.”
    Todd strode ahead and started to open the barn door. He might well lose his crops and maybe even land over this, but he wasn’t going to lose Ma. He’d haul the doctor back here so she’d have every chance of recovering.
    By the time Todd drew the door shut, Mr. Carver had lit a lamp. The sudden glow sent a pair of mules shuffling off to the right. A kid and nanny goat lay in fresh-smelling hay across from a row of three stalls. On the near end, a gelding stirred, but in the center’s side-by-side stalls stood a matched pair of sorrel draft horses. Todd didn’t blink for fear the miracle might disappear. Belgians! There stood steeds that could plow through snow as easily as farmland fields.
    Mr. Carver walked to the stallion. “You won’t find a stronger mount than Adam. Has endless stamina, but he’s stubborn as sin. He’ll save your life if you let his judgment prevail.”
    “Belgians – they are smart.” Todd extended his hand so the horse could catch his scent. Even in the meager light of one lantern he could see Adam clearly rated as one of the best of his breed. Honor warred with need. “Your niece – she is a good woman, but people sometimes do not appreciate what a certain horse means to his owner. If you would rather I use the gelding . . .”
    “You gave your word to abide by the horse’s inclinations, so it’s only right that I lend the smartest mount I own.”
    Looking into the man’s unwavering gaze, Todd knew he’d freely given not only his consent, but his blessing. “Thank you.” As Todd turned to grab a saddle blanket, Adam nuzzled the huge mare in the adjoining stall.
    “Stop being a lover boy,” Mr. Carver muttered as he produced a halter. Adam was ready to ride in mere minutes.
    Rapidly winding his scarf around his lower face and neck, Todd nodded. “He’s good-tempered.”
    “ Hmmpf. When she awakens, your ma’s going to be a handful. Ain’t a creature on earth more high-strung than a woman