Beside Still Waters by Tricia Goyer

Author:Tricia Goyer [Goyer, Tricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Family Life, General, Montana, Amish, Amish Children, Families, Christian Fiction, Christian, Spiritual life, Religious, Fiction, Man-Woman Relationships
ISBN: 9781433668685
Publisher: B&H Books
Published: 2011-04-14T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The house was bigger inside than Marianna expected. Nicer too. A large porch wrapped around the entire house and double doors welcomed her. She stepped through the front door and scanned the large L-shaped area that was a dining room, living room, and kitchen. There were two doors off the living area, and she assumed one was a bedroom and the other a bathroom. Wide stairs led upward to an open balcony. She heard squeals and the pounding of feet up there. It sounded like a stampede of cattle but was just the kids playing tag.

Ben's voice drifted down from upstairs, and a moment later he descended, three boys in tow.

David grinned at her. "See you later. We're walking to school."

"Yes, I've heard." She moved to an old kitchen table that the previous owners had left and sat down heavily on the long bench. "David, be sure you keep an eye on Josiah, yes? He tends to wander off. And if Mr. Stone needs anything translated, please help him. Mr. Stone doesn't understand Pennsylvania Dutch."

Ben walked to the door. "Translations are helpful."

The boys left, a bundle of energy racing out the door. She couldn't help her smile as they hurried down the lane, and Ben broke into a jog to keep up with them.

Mem's footsteps sounded heavy coming down the stairs. She held Ellie's hand as they descended, and the strain of the trip was evident in her face.

"Don't worry about the boxes, Mem. I'll start unpacking and find a way for us to have baths."

"Thank you." Mem approached the table and sat beside Marianna, also watching through the window as the boys crested a hill and followed the road to the other side. Ellie rubbed her eyes and then climbed into Mem's lap. Mem cleared her throat. "He's harmless, you know."

"Who?" Marianna turned and brushed stray hairs back from her face, trying to muster the energy to tackle the boxes.

"Ben." Mem smoothed a hand over Ellie's back, rubbing it in small circles.

"He's Englisch."

"Yes, I know."

"Which doesn't make him harmless."

Mem shrugged. "He wants to help. And I think we need all the help we can get."

They sat there a few minutes, taking in the view of the trees and the field across the road. Down that road somewhere was another house, and she had no doubt others lived around them, but looking around one would never know it. It was as if they were the only family in this part of the world.

"There are three large bedrooms upstairs. I thought Dat and I would take one and put the kids in the other two." Mem turned and pointed to the door off the living room. "The small bedroom should work for you."

"Yes, I don't need much. I won't be staying long, after all."

"So I've heard." Mem rose and moved back upstairs, with Ellie snuggled to her chest. The way she carried Ellie caused Mem's dress to press around her frame. Her mother's stomach was evident, small and round, like a ball under her dress.

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