Read A Plain and Simple Christmas for Free Online

Does she have any kinner? If so, will I ever know them?”
    “Have you tried to contact her lately?” Kathryn asked, hoping to conceal her shock at Mary Rose’s revelation.
    Mary Rose shook her head, tears glistening in her brown eyes. “Not since last Grischtdaag. She sends me a card with a short letter every year and I send her one in return.”
    “Have you ever considered inviting her for Grischtdaag?” Kathryn bit her lip, hoping Mary Rose would say yes.
    Frowning, Mary Rose shook her head. “Henry wouldn’t hear of it.”
    “But we’re permitted to see those who are shunned. You know that.”
    “You know your father-in-law.” Mary Rose’s voice quavered, and she cleared her throat and wiped her eyes. “He would only agree to see her if she were coming back to make things right with the church. I believe her love for Kellan is strong and she’s left the Amish church for good. I just wish I could see her again. No matter what, she’s my dochder, and I miss her terribly.”
    Kathryn traced the wood grain on the table. “What if she came to visit you? How do you think Henry would react?”
    Mary Rose’s expression was pensive. “If Anna Mae were to come here, Henry would have to face her, wouldn’t he?” Her expression fell. “But she won’t come. After what Henry said to her, she has no reason to come back.”
    “Unless she misses you as much as you miss her.” Kathryn raised her eyebrows in response to Mary Rose’s surprised expression.
    Elizabeth sidled up to the table balancing a tray of four cups of coffee with Amanda in tow, holding a tray with a chocolate cake, forks, and napkins. While Amanda set out the cake and place settings, Elizabeth added a mug at each setting.
    “Enjoy,” Elizabeth said as she sat across from Mary Rose.
    Mary Rose forked some chocolate cake into her mouth and moaned. “This is wunderbaar. Danki, Elizabeth.”
    Kathryn ate a moist piece of cake and sipped the coffee while Elizabeth and Mary Rose discussed the weather, theirfamilies, and upcoming holidays. Their conversation was only background noise to the thoughts whirling through her mind. Mary Rose’s eyes had spoken volumes of the emotions in her soul for Anna Mae—sadness, regret, love, and worry.
    Was this the sign from God that Kathryn had been waiting for?
    Yes! Absolutely it was!
    The answer was right before Kathryn—she needed to arrange for Anna Mae to visit at Christmas. God was giving her the direction, and she needed to let Him use her to heal the Beiler family.
    Kathryn tried her best to appear interested in the idle conversation around her, nodding and smiling at the appropriate times. However, internally, she was swallowing her excitement and anticipation. She couldn’t wait to call her friends in Paradise and see if their bed and breakfast was available the week of Christmas.
    She needed to be discreet with the plans so David didn’t find out before Anna Mae arrived. Because if he did…
    “Kathryn?” a voice asked.
    Kathryn looked up and found her mother-in-law’s brown eyes studying her.
    “Are you okay?” Mary Rose asked.
    “Ya.” Kathryn cleared her throat, hoping to appear casual. “I was just thinking about everything I have to do before Grischtdaag.” In her peripheral vision, Kathryn spotted her mother giving her a skeptical look. Elizabeth was always a master at reading her children’s expressions and their true emotions.
    “I reckon I’d better be going,” Mary Rose said. “Danki fora lovely visit and delicious food.” She stood and gathered her dirty mug, fork, and napkin.
    Amanda rose and took the items from her and set them on the table. “Just leave it, Grossmammi. I’ll take care of it.” She hugged her. “I’m glad you came to see us.”
    Mary Rose kissed Amanda’s head. “Oh, danki, Amanda. You’re such a sweet maedel.” Looping her arm around Amanda’s shoulders, they started for the door.
    Kathryn followed them to the door. “It was wunderbaar to see