A Springtime Heart by Marta Perry

Author:Marta Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2020-07-06T16:00:00+00:00

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As soon as the milking was done and breakfast over, Thomas began loading his tools in the buggy. Yesterday had been a loss as far as progress on the stable was concerned, but he could catch up today. The quicker he finished the job, the sooner he could leave.

“Thomas?” Mamm, pulling on her black sweater, was behind him. “I saw you from the window. You’re going to the Mud Sale with us, ain’t so?”

She must already know the answer to that if she’d seen what he was doing. He didn’t want to disappoint her, but he certain sure wasn’t up to a family outing today.

“No.” His tone had been too sharp, and he immediately regretted it. “Sorry, but I can’t miss the chance at putting in a full day’s work at the school.”

“You shouldn’t be working all alone. What if you were hurt and there was no one around to know?”

He tried to respond patiently. “If I promise I won’t climb up to the roof, will you stop worrying? Please, Mamm. I’m not up for a family outing today.”

Mammi knew what was behind his refusal, but she didn’t speak, any more than she’d spoken up to Daad.

Esther had come out behind Mamm, and she piped up. “Gut idea. I don’t care about any old Mud Sale. I’ll come and help you.”

“Not today.” He saw instantly that he’d hurt her feelings, and once again wished he’d been more careful. He managed a smile for his little sister. “What’s this about not wanting to go to the Mud Sale? You know how much fun they are.” He pulled out a ten-dollar bill and handed it to her. “Bad enough that I can’t go. You go and bring me a caramel apple or a bag of popcorn when you come home, yah? And get one for yourself.”

That seemed to mollify her. “Okay. Can I spend the whole thing?” She eyed the bill.

“Sure. That’s our contribution to the sale, ain’t so?”

Esther grinned back and raced off to the family buggy.

Mamm stood there a moment longer. Then she patted his arm wordlessly and turned back to the house.

He’d hit a new record in disappointing people this morning already, he figured. Still, the best thing for everyone right now was for him to be alone. At least then he wouldn’t take his bad mood out on anyone.

Like Dorcas, for instance. He swung himself into the buggy and headed out the lane. He’d spent most of the night berating himself for what had happened with Dorcas. He shouldn’t have told her what he did, and he certain sure shouldn’t have kissed her.

How had he come to kiss her? He hadn’t meant to. But there she’d been, looking at him with her eyes filled with sympathy and caring, standing so close he could hear her slightest breath, and it had happened.

Never again. Still, however much he might tell himself he’d been wrong, he couldn’t really regret having done it. At another time, if things had been different, they might have made a match of it.

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