The Fiddler Read Online Free PDF

all.” She rose to stand near the doorway, watching the wind rustle the tops of the trees. “Sure looks like rain’s comin’.”
    “Smells like it, too.” Ella Mae got up and shuffled over and stood there by her for a moment. “The Lord sees into your boy’s gut heart, Lily. You can trust that.”
    Nodding, Lillianne looked fondly at the elderly woman who’d seen her and many of the People through plenty of struggles. Like Katie Lapp’s shunning. Lillianne shivered at the memory of it.
    “ Denki ever so much,” Lillianne said.
    “My door’s always open.” Ella Mae patted her arm. “Don’t forget.”
    Lillianne smiled and stepped onto the small white porch. A clap of thunder echoed from the north, loud enough to startle the sleeping German shepherd lying on the back stoop.
    Michael, my son . . . are you safe tonight?

Chapter 5
     

     
    A melia watched the rapid raindrops dance on the windshield as time dragged on. She chose the first Paganini caprice next on her iPod, listening closely to Sarah Chang’s fabulous rendition, taken anew by the unexpected phrasing and expressions as she sat, a captive audience.
    It was one thing to be thought of as a “ wunderkind ” when she was little, Amelia thought, and quite another to compete with other adult violinists your own age. Continually Amelia endeavored to put her own special stamp on the tried-and-true concert pieces, just as the top performers did.
    She thought of the recent New York Times review: Devries’ performance was a perfect blend of poetry and fury .
    All for you, Dad, she thought, leaning back in the driver’s seat to stretch her neck, enjoying the piece.
    After a few minutes, she looked in the glove box for her small flashlight, thinking it wise to keep it handy. In case of what? But she knew there was a real possibility she might be stuck there all night.
    The wind and rain swirled, a mocking reflection of the storm in her soul—Stoney’s finding her out—still maddening! And Byron’s shock at hearing she loved country music—even performed it—hurt even now.
    The worst is still to come. Amelia cringed at her father’s inevitable disappointment. All of it plagued her. There was no keeping such a secret forever. And once he did know, Dad would plead with her to stop. Once again, she would end up feeling as though she had no say at all.
    Despite everything, Amelia refused to disappoint him. Not the way he suffered . . . and not considering he’d put all of his hopes and dreams into her talents. She was his trophy and had been given every opportunity to develop and excel.
    How can I think of not doing the European tour?
    More minutes piled up, and just when Amelia was sure she’d end up sleeping in her car all night, the rain slowly began to let up. Even the wind was noticeably retreating.
    She stared off to the left, through the trees, and saw what looked to be a glimmer of light.
    She leaned forward and squinted to see more clearly. There, a few hundred feet away, she thought she saw a cabin tucked back in a clearing.
    Waiting and fingering the flashlight, she saw that while the rain was still steady, it was no longer lashing as before. “Now or never.” She opened the door and got out, still holding her flashlight.
    Her cell phone landed in the massive puddle near the car, completely submerged in the murky water. Irritated, she pointed the flashlight down and fished around to retrieve it.
    I’m toast!
    Putting her soggy phone inside the car, she hoped it might dry out. Amelia shook her head, perturbed at not having paid more attention.
    What else can go wrong?
    “I need to slow down,” she muttered, closing the door and locking it out of sheer habit. Then she zeroed in on the faint light in the near distance and sloshed through the water and the mud, glad she’d worn boots.
    As she drew closer, she heard loud music and perked up her ears. Was it coming from the cabin? Approaching the small residence, she recognized it to be