Shattered Silence by Marta Perry

Author:Marta Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2018-06-05T20:43:36+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

TO RACHEL’S SURPRISE, she actually did sleep soundly, waking when the first rays of the sun slipped in the window. She moved, felt pain in her arms and shoulders and remembered.

So that particular nightmare had been reality, not a dream. Before she could plunge into reliving it, she pulled herself away from reliving it. It had been bad, but it was over. This morning she would go back to the city, taking the danger with her. Whatever happened, she would not risk harm to those she loved.

She dressed in her own clothes. Grossmammi must have brought them over from the daadi haus after she was asleep. That meant they’d accepted the idea that she was leaving this morning.

Rachel took a few minutes, carefully hanging up Sadie’s things. Her fingers lingered for a moment on the fabric of the blue dress. In a way, her usual pants and sweater felt strange on her, as if she were putting on someone else’s clothes, ready to live someone else’s life.

But it wasn’t. It was hers, no matter what it brought her.

When she reached the kitchen, Sadie and Grossmammi were both there. Sorrow shadowed her grandmother’s face, but she managed a smile.

“You are ready to be Englisch again, ain’t so?”

“As ready as I can be. Where’s Clint?”

“The boys convinced him to go out and see the baby chicks.” Sadie’s eyes crinkled. “Maybe you should rescue him. Breakfast will be ready when you come back.”

There wasn’t much left to say, it seemed. They were prepared for her to vanish as suddenly as she’d come. Trying to smile in return, she hurried out into the bright, chilly morning.

Daniel and Thomas had taken Clint into the chicken pen, it seemed. Sadie was probably right about the rescuing. She didn’t know much about Clint’s background, but she couldn’t imagine it had included chickens. She headed toward them.

When Rachel was close enough to get a look at Clint’s face, it startled her. He was clearly beat and looked as if he’d be the better for a mug of strong coffee. Or maybe a nap.

“Good morning. I’m surprised you’re up already. You couldn’t have gotten much sleep.”

She’d have to be careful what she said in front of the little ones. Thomas wouldn’t understand the English words, but Daniel seemed to pick up more every day.

“I’m okay. I just need some coffee.”

“You’ll get that, and breakfast. Sadie has it ready for us.”

“Cousin Rachel, Clint is going to hold one of the peeps,” Daniel said, bouncing with impatience. “You can, too. Komm in.”

Obviously he’d be disappointed if they rushed off to breakfast without admiring the peeps.

“Only if he wants to,” she cautioned, and moved the latch to slip through the opening before any of the hens could go exploring. Had Clint ever held a baby chick before?

But Clint was already cooperating, seemingly unconcerned about the hen that was squawking around his feet. He bent over the boys while Daniel put a yellow ball of fluff in his cupped hands.

She watched him, surprised that she could still smile.

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