Waiting for Summer's Return by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Author:Kim Vogel Sawyer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2006-10-28T22:00:00+00:00

18

THE PROMISED BIBLE study was delayed since Mr. Ollenburger spent the morning with Thomas. The boy, cranky from his fever and sore throat, wanted his father close. So the man sat on the bed and read aloud from his Bible while the boy drowsed. Grossmutter sat in her chair, her familiar shawl over her shoulders and her Bible in her lap. Occasionally the old woman’s eyes slipped closed and her lips moved in silent communication. Praying, Summer assumed, and her heart caught each time. Oh, she longed to feel able to speak so freely with God!

As she sliced cabbage, potatoes, and onions for soup, Summer listened to the gentle flow of words from the bedroom, but to her frustration, she couldn’t understand what was said. If she was going to stay in Gaeddert, perhaps she should learn to speak their language.

When the soup simmered on the stove, steaming the room with pleasant aromas, Summer retrieved her own Bible. She sat at the table and opened the Bible to the last place she had studied with Mr. Ollenburger. As she reread the passages from Philippians, she discovered her repeated readings had committed several verses to memory.

She particularly liked verse thirteen of chapter four: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” She wondered if that knowledge was what helped Mr. Ollenburger maintain his positive attitude in the face of discouragement.

The sound of a wagon intruded in her thoughts. Grossmutter looked up and sent Summer a look of puzzlement. Summer raised her shoulders in silent response, then rose and peered out the window. Mr. Penner and the man who had argued with Mr. Ollenburger on the road after her visit to town—Mr. Schmidt—pulled into the yard. What were they doing here?

Both men got down, stood for a moment beside the wagon in conversation, and then started toward the house.

“Mr. Ollenburger?” Summer moved to open the door. “You have visitors.”

Mr. Ollenburger appeared in the boy’s doorway as Summer opened the door to the two men. Both men froze when they found Summer waiting inside the house. Their faces wore twin frowns of displeasure.

“Hello.” Summer stepped back. “Won’t you come in?”

The men entered, removing their hats.

“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?” Mr. Ollenburger asked as he shook their hands. Although he usually used German when addressing those from town, today he spoke in English.

“Ollenburger, we need to speak with you.” Penner also used English. “But outside. Out of the hearing of … her.”

Mr. Ollenburger frowned. “Frau Steadman is guest in my home. Rude it would be to exclude her. Especially since my thought is this visit concerns her, ja?”

The two pursed their lips, and for a moment Summer wondered if they would leave without speaking. But then the one who had argued stepped forward, his eyes snapping.

“All right, Herr Ollenburger. I speak in front of … your guest.” The way he said guest sent a chill down Summer’s spine. “We hear that this woman now stays in your home, not in the shariah.

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