Love Inspired December 2013 - Bundle 1 of 2: Sugarplum Homecoming\Amish Christmas Joy\The Lawman's Holiday Wish by Linda Goodnight

Author:Linda Goodnight
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Leah’s common sense told her to call out to Caleb and Joy and then return to the house. She opened her mouth but heard the sound of Joy’s giggle and remained silent. Maybe she was being foolish, but she adored spending time with Joy. Whatever they were doing sounded like fun. She would guard her heart against becoming more involved with Caleb now that she understood what was happening.

She climbed the ladder to the haymow and followed the sound of Joy’s giggles. She found father and daughter lying in a pile of hay, staring at the rafters. Joy spied her first. She held a finger to her lips. “Shh.”

Caleb rose on one elbow. A piece of straw dangled from his lips. He whispered, “We’re watching a barn owl.”

Leah looked up. “Truly? They’re an endangered species in this state. Where is it?”

“On the rafter near the center of the barn, just slightly to the left. It looks as if he’s been roosting here for a while.”

“I still don’t see him.”

Joy said, “If you lie down, you can see him better and your neck won’t get tired. What’s endangered?”

Leah stepped across the hay and sat down beside Joy. She wrapped her arms around her knees, conscious of the fact that Caleb was stretched out on the other side of his daughter. The classroom wasn’t the only place to share knowledge. Times like this were perfect to teach children about nature and the gifts of God. “Endangered means there aren’t very many of them anymore. Barn owls love to live in barns and old silos, but many of those have been torn down to make way for houses and towns, so the barn owls don’t have places to live anymore.”

“That’s sad.”

“It is. Did you know they are sometimes called a flying mousetrap because they eat so many mice? They truly are a farmer’s friend. I still don’t see him.”

Caleb removed the piece of straw he had in his mouth. “Give your eyes time to adjust to the dark. I assume you are here because you heard from the school board.”

Leah lay back beside Joy and closed her eyes. “I did. Eli and Nettie brought me over. They are inside speaking with your parents.”

“Let me guess. Wayne got them to vote against me.”

She opened her eyes and turned in his direction. The worried frown on his face put a crease between his brows. She was happy to give him the good news. “Nee, he was overruled by the others. She can start on Monday.”

Caleb sat up. “Are you serious?”

“I am.”

Joy pointed overhead. “He’s looking at us. He can turn his head all the way around. Cool.”

Leah leaned close to follow Joy’s finger. “I see him now. His face is so pretty and white. Doesn’t he have huge eyes? They help him see at night. Maybe he thinks we are giant mice here in the straw.”

“That’s silly. We don’t have big ears, and we don’t have tails.”

“Very true. Joy, how would you like to come to school on Monday?” Leah asked.

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