Amish Country Arson Read Online Free Page A

family, I am so thankful Mom and Aunt Tootie are
still here. They're such a help to me. This morning, they cooked
breakfast. John and I got home just in time to help them eat it,
and that left me time to do the laundry. Now that the days cool off
fast if I don't get the clothes on the line early, they don't have
time to dry.
    Dad helped the boys the milk. I sure am going
to miss my parents and Aunt Tootie when they go home,” Hal
confessed. “Especially, when I have to do all the cooking
again.”
    “ Maybe they will not leave for a while
yet. Do not worry until it is time to worry,” Jane suggested,
patting Hal's shoulder.
    “ It's time recht now to worry. Dad is
already making hints about leaving for home soon before the snow
flies. I can't blame him. I don't want him to have to drive on
slick roads,” Hal said woefully, fastening the last pair of
trousers with a clothes pin.
    “ You should have more faith in
yourself, Hal Lapp. You will do fine without any help. I am sure of
it. You managed alone while Emma taught school all day,” encouraged
Jane.
    Hal put the empty basket on her hip. “Emma
left me a list each morning of tasks to do and suggestions for
meals. When she came home, she corrected the mistakes I made or
worked fast to finish what I didn't get done.”
    “ There is a world of difference between
that girl and you. Emma is speedy and experienced homemaker. You
have yet to learn and do the tasks at your own speed. You can do
it,” Jane bolstered.
    As they headed back to the porch, Hal
stopped. “Ach, nah. Look at my pretty marigolds, will you?”
    Jane's face scrunched up in dislike as she
studied the mashed plants' dirty yellow flowers. “How did they get
in such an awful shape?”
    Hal moved closer. “Something dug here. See
how the flowers are covered with dirt.”
    “ Must have been the dog,” Jane
surmised.
    “ Biscuit has never done this before in
my flower beds,” Hal defended.
    “ Still when a dog has a bone to bury he
usually picks the softest dirt to dig the hole,” Jane said
knowingly.
    Hal marched up the steps. “Let's go see what
the boys have to say about this.”
    Swinging their legs back and forth to hear
their feet slap against the high chair legs, the two years old
little girls were impatient. Redbird, a redhead, looked very much
like her mother. Beth, with light brown hair, resembled her late
mother, Anna. The toddlers were restless. They would rather be on
the floor, free to wander around. The front door banged shut. They
twisted in their high chairs at the sound of familiar men's voices
in the living room. When the men entered the kitchen, Redbird saw
Elton among them. She gave him a wide smile as she held her hands
out to him, begging for him to set her free.
    Elton looked at John for permission. “Will it
be all recht if I hold Redbird?”
    “ Sure enough. I better warn you after
the girls have rutsched around this might be Redbird's way to get
to the floor. She might not let you hold her long, ” John advised,
releasing the tray from the chair.
    Elton grinned at him. “I will take my
changes.”
    When Beth saw Redbird get her freedom, she
held her arms up to Jim with a begging look on her face. “I'd say
my buddy wants out of her chair, too.” He took off the tray and
rescued Beth.
    As soon as the men were seated, Aunt Tootie
came around with coffee cups and the pot.
    Elton blew on his steaming cup and took a
small sip before he set the cup down. “John, I just came from the
Stolfus farm. We need to organize a barn raising as soon as
possible. Jonah needs a barn set up for milking. It will not be as
handy going to Samuel Nisely's to milk by hand with as many cows as
he has. Jonah will be over there several times a day with plenty of
vet work to do on the burnt stock, too. That all takes time and is
unhandy.”
    “ You announce that at the worship
service this Sunday during the member meeting. We will get
organized recht away,” John agreed.
    Jim set his cup