Anna's Gift by Emma Miller

Author:Emma Miller
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2011-08-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Three days passed, and Anna was no closer to coming to a decision concerning her dilemma. In truth, she hadn’t had much time to think, because Grossmama’s arrival had thrown the entire house into a tizzy. The Yoder household had gone from four members to eight overnight, meaning more laundry, larger meals and generally more confusion as to who would tackle which tasks. Not that it was all bad. Having Rebecca and Leah home again was wonderful, and they’d sat up until nearly eleven every night talking, so late that Susanna usually fell asleep before they got her to bed. There had been little quiet time for Anna to consider whether or not to allow Samuel to court her.

“This oatmeal is lumpy. And it has too much salt,” Grossmama’s piercing voice cut through Anna’s musing as she carried a plate of blueberry pancakes to the kitchen table. “I think your mother is trying to poison me,” Grossmama fretted.

“Ne,” Aunt Jezebel soothed. “Hannah wouldn’t do that, Sister. She’s done everything possible to make us feel at home.”

“Well, I’m not at home,” Grossmama said. “My back hurts. That bed is too hard, and there’s a bathroom next to it. All night long, the water keeps running. Swish-slosh. Swish-slosh. A body can’t get a wink of sleep.”

Anna laid a gentle hand on her grandmother’s shoulder. “I know you must miss your own house, but Mam really wants you to be happy here with us.”

“I’m happy.” Susanna slid her chair over close to Grossmama’s. “’Member when you made me gingerbread? When I was little?”

Anna’s grandmother reached for a pancake and then another. Aunt Jezebel lifted the pitcher of syrup to pour it onto the pancakes, but Grossmama snapped at her. “Ne. I want honey on my cakes.” She looked around suspiciously. “Did Hannah make them?”

“Anna,” Susanna said. “Anna did.”

Grossmama was already chewing. “Dry,” she muttered. “Too dry.”

Leah brought the honey jar. “You’ll like this,” she said. “Apple blossom honey from Johanna’s hives.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Grossmama took a noisy slurp of coffee. “Where’s Hannah? She shouldn’t be lazin’ in bed at this hour.”

“Mam’s already gone,” Anna said. “Remember? Mam teaches school.”

“Where’s my Jonas? Hannah should see he has a decent breakfast before she goes out visiting.”

Leah arched an eyebrow. “Um, Dat’s milking,” she murmured, cutting her eyes at Anna.

“What? Speak up, girl!”

“Leah, why don’t you grab some more plates? Johanna will be here soon with the children,” Anna said.

“Johanna wants you to teach her how you make your rugs,” Aunt Jezebel explained to her sister. “Everyone thinks you make the best rugs.”

“Better than Hannah’s,” Grossmama said. “That one by my bed is all uneven braids and loose stitches. Hannah is a slow learner. I don’t know how Jonas puts up with her.”

“Mam found a length of lovely blue cotton cloth at Spence’s,” Anna said. “It will go perfectly with the yellow that Aunt Jezebel showed me. Johanna wants to make a rug for Baby Katie’s room.”

“Hmmp.” Grossmama snorted. “A fine thing, when your mother can go sashshaying off wherever she pleases and leave Jonas without his breakfast.

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