A Wedding for Julia Read Online Free Page A

again.
    Caleb didn’t rush her. He didn’t call her foolish or tell her she was acting like a baby, and yes—she realized that sitting in the garden and crying was childish on one level. Instead, he sat patiently beside her and waited. He treated her as a friend would.
    How long had it been since Julia had confided in a friend?
    She had them—overall, the women in her district were kind. But she wasn’t particularly close to any one person. She had no one to run to when she was hurting like this.
    “You don’t want to hear my problems.”
    “I don’t?”
    “And probably you need to go.”
    Caleb shielded his eyes against the afternoon sun. “The last delivery isn’t that important—only a box of things that needs to go to Aaron and Lydia at the cabins.” He smiled and even winked at her. “It’s no problem.”
    Julia felt heat rise in her cheeks. Had Caleb Zook winked at her? Was he flirting or just trying to make her laugh again?
    “But I should probably see to my horse before he tears all the grass out of your front yard.”
    “Oh. It’s okay if you need to go.”
    “ Nein . I’ll move him toward the barn. Walk over with me?”
    Julia considered saying no, but her choices were to walk with Caleb, go inside with her mother, or stay here in the garden sulking.
    Standing, she dusted off the back of her dress. “At least I won’t have to mow that spot.”
    “Mow? If we leave Red there any longer, you’ll have to take a hoe to that patch and plant another garden.”
    They walked toward the front and talked of the fall colors, and of how the Plain Cabins were doing since Aaron and Lydia had taken over their management. Caleb said the cabins were usually full of guests—typically Englisch families but occasionally Amish folks from surrounding districts. They also discussed the large shopping center in town, Amish Anthem. Julia told Caleb how much controversy had surrounded the building’s remodel, as well as the Englisch owner Byron Drake. They spoke of everything except what was burdening Julia’s heart.
    Caleb untied Red, who nudged at Julia’s hand.
    When she pulled some raisins out of her pocket and offered them to the gelding, Caleb shook his head in mock disgust. “You’re spoiling my fine horse.”
    For a moment she could almost believe it was another Tuesday afternoon when Caleb had stopped by to deliver groceries and brighten her week.
    It wasn’t though.
    The earlier conversation with her mother still echoed through her mind. It still pricked her heart. As she glanced around the property that she had lived on her entire life, she realized anew that soon she would be leaving her home beside Pebble Creek.

Chapter 4
    C aleb was aware of the exact moment Julia’s mood changed.
    She had briefly relaxed when she handed the raisins to Red. A smile had even appeared, though it wasn’t the smile he was accustomed to seeing.
    What could have happened that had upset her so much? And what was this talk about a café?
    “So you had a disagreement with Ada.”
    Julia pulled in a deep breath as they walked toward the barn. Caleb led Red to the western side of the building. Though the sun was headed down, the afternoon was still pleasant. He tied Red to the hitching rail next to the barn.
    “I’ll be right back.” Julia disappeared inside before he could argue. She returned in a jiffy with a small bucket of oats.
    “You don’t have to do that.”
    She smiled slowly, and then she turned her back to the barn, leaning against the metal railing and studying the property. Red ate greedily from the bucket she still held. From where they stood, what was left of the Beechy place spread out in front of them. Caleb could see the corner of Julia’s garden, which extended down the western side of the house and beyond it by a good ten feet. How did she work such a large plot alone?
    The property west of that included what had been sold to Tim Elliott—the Englischer who was trying Amish ways, or at least