Summer of Joy by Ann H. Gabhart

Author:Ann H. Gabhart [Gabhart, Ann H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2008-02-14T20:00:00+00:00

23

Jocie had just come in from outside when the phone rang. She’d taken Stephen Lee out to introduce him to snow. Aunt Love had made her put so many clothes on the poor baby that nothing but a small circle around his eyes even showed, so he hadn’t really gotten much feel of the snow. He liked looking at Zeb more than the snowflakes. When Jocie held him down by the dog, Stephen Lee bounced his mitten-covered hands on top of Zeb’s head. Zeb didn’t seem to mind especially after Jocie gave the dog a biscuit left over from breakfast as a reward.

It had been a fun Christmas weekend and the unexpected snow piling up outside was an extra bonus. She doubted if her dad was enjoying it all that much since he and Leigh were out on the roads somewhere. Then again, he might like getting snowbound with Leigh. Jocie didn’t know whether Leigh liked snow or not, but she probably wouldn’t mind being stuck in the snow with Jocie’s dad.

Jocie loved snow. She guessed they might have three inches on the ground already. She’d take out a ruler later to measure for sure. At least they’d have snow pictures to put in the Banner this week. Snow pictures always sold a few extra papers.

She’d slipped her feet out of her boots at the door but hadn’t taken off her coat or gotten Stephen Lee out of his snowsuit when the phone rang. Tabitha and Aunt Love were both off in their rooms taking naps or something since Jocie was entertaining the baby, so she grabbed the phone. She hoped it wouldn’t be a church member saying one of his or her sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, whoever, was sick. She wouldn’t be able to write down a message for her dad.

It was hard enough trying to keep a good hold on Stephen Lee in his snowsuit. Plus he was beginning to fuss.

It was Zella, of all people. “I need to talk to your father,” she said.

“Is everything okay?” Jocie asked. Zella never called. Not unless she needed something right away. Like the time the pipe under her sink had burst and her kitchen had flooded.

“Of course it is. I just need to speak to your father.”

“He’s not here.”

“Well, where is he?” Zella sounded irritated. Or maybe it was just the interference on the line. Sometimes the phones went out when there was a lot of snow or rain.

“He’s gone with Leigh to Grundy. I thought Leigh told you.” Jocie talked loud to get over the crackling on the line.

“Oh,” Zella said. “She did, but I thought they’d have the good sense not to go in all this snow.”

“It wasn’t snowing much when they left.”

“Well, it is now. They should have come home.”

“They’re probably on the way. Did you need something?” Jocie’s arm was getting tired and Stephen Lee was whimpering more. She tried swaying him back and forth.

“Certainly I needed something. I needed to talk to David.” Zella was quiet for a minute.

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