The PIECES of SUMMER Read Online Free PDF Page A

take the box inside?”
    “I’ll get it for you,” Jonah offered, rising to his feet. Before Sadie could respond,
     he’d sprinted to her buggy. While Jonah hauled the box to the house, Meredith and
     Sadie visited.
    “Isn’t Alma here with you today?” Sadie questioned.
    “No, Laurie’s here today. She’s in the basement, washing clothes.”
    As if on cue, Laurie came around the house, carrying a basket full of laundry. She
     smiled at Sadie as she walked by. “It’s nice to see you.”
    Sadie smiled in return. “Same here.”
    “Do you need my help hanging the laundry?” Meredith asked.
    “No, that’s okay, I can manage. Just enjoy your time visiting with Sadie.” Laurie
     hurried away and began clipping the clothes to the line.
    When Jonah came out of the house, Sadie turned to Meredith and said, “Should we go
     inside and look through the box of baby things now?”
    “That’d be fine,” Meredith replied, “but I may not be able to use all of Luke’s baby
     clothes.”
    Sadie’s eyebrows furrowed. “Why not?”
    Meredith placed her hands against her bulging stomach. “I don’t know yet if the boppli’s
     a
bu
or a
maedel.”
    Sadie nodded. “That’s true, but many of the sleepers and blankets are in neutral colors,
     so you should be able to use those for either a boy or a girl.”
    “I’ll pull the rest of these weeds while you two go look at the clothes,” Jonah called
     as Meredith and Sadie headed toward the house.
    Meredith stopped walking and turned to face him. “There isn’t too much left to do,
     and I appreciate all the help you’ve already given me, so you really don’t have to
     finish the job. I can do it later.”
    Jonah shook his head with a determined expression. “There’s no need for that. It’ll
     only take me a short time, and then I’ll be on my way home.”
    “Danki, Jonah.” Meredith smiled; then she followed her mother-in-law into the house.
    When they entered the living room, Sadie turned to Meredith with a deep frown wrinkling
     her forehead. “How often has Jonah been coming around here? He seems awfully familiar
     with you.”
    Meredith stiffened. “What are you getting at, Sadie?”
    “I just don’t think it’s right for him to be here—especially when you’re a young widow,
     expecting a boppli.”
    Meredith sighed deeply. “Jonah is just a good friend, and all he wants to do is help
     out. I’m sorry if you don’t think he should be here, but I won’t hurt his feelings
     by telling him not to come over anymore.”
    Sadie opened her mouth, but then she snapped it closed and folded her arms.
    “Let’s look at Luke’s baby clothes now,” Meredith suggested. “I appreciate you bringing
     them over.”

    When Sadie arrived home later that morning, she found her husband, Elam, sitting on
     the front porch with a glass of lemonade.
    “How was your visit with Meredith?” he asked, taking a sip of the refreshing drink.
     “Was she glad to get the baby clothes?”
    “I think so,” Sadie replied, “but that buggy-maker’s son, Jonah, was there.”
    Elam quirked an eyebrow. “Oh?”
    “Jah, and I don’t think it’s right that he’s been hanging around there so much. I’m
     afraid he’s trying to take Luke’s place, and it’s way too soon for Meredith to be
     seeing another man.” She placed her hand on Elam’s shoulder. “I think you should do
     something about it, and the sooner the better.”
    “What do you want me to do, Sadie?” Elam asked, shrugging his shoulders. “Am I supposed
     to barge into the buggy shop and demand that Jonah stay away from Meredith?”
    “That might not be a bad idea,” she said with a nod.
    Elam looked at her and frowned as he slowly shook his head. “If Jonah and Meredith
     are meant to be together, there’s nothing either one of us can do about it.”
    Sadie’s lips compressed while she tapped her foot. “We’ll just have to see about that.”

CHAPTER 4
    A s the cooler days of spring