Treasuring Emma by Kathleen Fuller

Author:Kathleen Fuller
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, ebook, book
ISBN: 9781595547750
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2011-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

The next morning, before sunrise, Clara slipped out of bed, being careful not to disturb Peter. But as she crept across the room, she stubbed her toe on the edge of the twin bed that lay perpendicular to their double. She gasped a little but managed not to cry out. The boys stirred, then shifted and went back to sleep.

On a chair in the corner she had laid out her clothes the night before. Without turning on the light, she pulled off her nightgown, slid into her dress and long stockings, and started winding her hair into a bun.

“Clara?” Peter’s hoarse, quiet voice reached her ears.

Her hands froze for a moment, gripping the thick coil of hair at the crown. She pushed in a couple of bobby pins to secure it. “I didn’t mean to wake you,” she whispered. She kept her back to the bed and heard the sheets shift as Peter moved.

“I wish you had. I had no intentions of sleeping in.”

“I was just dressing.” She turned and almost bumped into him. Clara backed up a step. “I would have awakened you before I went downstairs. I didn’t want to disturb the buwe.”

He didn’t answer her. Instead he reached up and cupped her cheek. She flinched. He must have felt it. Sensed it. He withdrew his hand. “So. What are you doing today?”

She turned and put on her kapp. “I’m going to Grossmammi’s. I need to talk to her and Emma.”

“How are you getting there?” The mattress springs creaked as Peter sat down.

“Walking.” She hesitated. “Mark is accompanying me.”

“Mmph.” Melvin grunted, turned over on his side, and stuck his feet into Junior’s face. Junior, who slept deeper than a bear in winter, didn’t move.

“Clara.” Peter stood. “Outside.”

She followed her husband to the hallway. The bedroom door shut with a soft click. “Why didn’t you mention this to me yesterday?” he asked.

Clara straightened the ribbons of her kapp. “I assumed you’d be busy.”

“Doing what?”

“Looking for a job!” At his warning look, she lowered her voice. They both stepped away from the bedroom. This time she faced him, her gaze matched with his. “I thought you might have some prospects. In town, maybe.”

“Actually, I do.”

Her brow lifted. “Ya?”

“Ya.” Clara looked at him. Clad in only a T-shirt and the pants he’d slipped on just before leaving the bedroom, he appeared vulnerable. Weak, almost.

“Doing what?”

“Temporary work. Repairing a roof on a school in Parkman.”

Now she knew why he was hesitant. “Parkman. How will you get there?”

“A van will pick me up. The job should last a week.”

Clara did some mental calculating. “Are they paying transportation?”

Peter looked away. “Nee. Have to get my own.”

“So most of the money you’ll make will pay for the taxi.”

He nodded. “It’s the only job available right now. I’ll keep—”

“Looking. I know.” She turned around and headed for the stairs. “I’ll get mariye-esse started.”

Peter touched her arm. “Clara. Wait.”

She paused. Turned around. “What?”

“Why is Mark going with you? You and the kinner can walk to Leona’s by yourselves.

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