Read Abram's Daughters 04 The Prodigal for Free Online Page B

days, but then he was downright happy HiiNt of I he time. And, too, she was quite aware that both tydlunn and Abe had been slipping over to the Dawdi Haus [ I In! recently, and Aunt Lizzie and Dawdi John had been ItHivlive about whatever the children were doing.
    (ioing to the back door, she discovered the same hard ill ml ing of frost on the windowpane and knew there was no yviiy to know what she might discover outside unless she |Mt'Mcd to curiosity and opened the door. When she did so, Khe was amazed at the sweeping, arclike hollows beneath the >HHf of each tree and the odd-shaped swells of white along hv lime that led around to the bridge of the bank barn, where
    5til and Gid had evenly placed large stones to rim the way. 'Ai'h, somebody needs to shovel a path to the barn," she said o herself, surprised Dat wasn't up yet.
    I'll make sorm coffee right quick, she decided, closing the ioor to get a fire going in the wood stove. Reaching for the jundle of wood Dat had conveniently stacked in the utility Oom, probably before heading off to bed, she realized sudlenly just how cold it was in the house. Why she hadn't loticed before, she didn't know.
    Lydiann will be shivering . . . and won't be shy about saying(i, she thought, wondering if Aunt Lizzie was up already next Ioor, stoking the fire so Dawdi John would awaken toJvannth. . ., , ., .' .. . ;. ...'...'
    Making;,haste-to get the fire going in the wood stove now.
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    she smiled at whose name she had drawn. What delightful surprises this day held for all. She did wonder, though, how Hannah, Gid, and the girls would make it down the long, snow-drifted hill to join them for the noon feast. More than likely, Dat would have to take the horse and sleigh up there to fetch them. She just hoped Hannah's baby wouldn't decide to come early, what with the main roads nearly impassable. But no, 1 daresn't worry. Besides, Hannah's baby isn't due quite yet.
    When Dat still hadn't wandered into the kitchen fifteen minutes later, Leah decided to check on him to see if he had overslept. Making her way through the front room, she noticed his bedroom door was closed.
    She hesitated to bother her father, but thinking he might be ill, she put her hand to the door and tapped gently. "Dat?" she called softly.
    A slight shuffling sound followed, and then she heard his voice. "That you, Leah?"
    "Jah."
    "I'll be right out," he said, and she scurried back to the kitchen.
    When the oatmeal had been poured into a greased pan and slid into the oven, Dat entered, looking somewhat disheveled. She offered him a cup of hot coffee, and he took it, blowing on it as he stood near the sink.
    Abe joined them in the kitchen. "Looks like I'm not the only late riser," Dat said with a quick smile. "Merry Christmas to ya both."
    "And to you, too, Dat," she said, returning his enthusiasm,
    i' Abe's eyes twinkled and he hurried to get his coat.
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    I Sadie came downstairs at that moment, wearing a green
    I i Inning dress and black apron with a rather bedraggled-
    I liinking navy blue sweater. "It'll be right nippy in the barn,"
    I he said, glancing down at the buttoned-up sweater, as if to
    1 explain the old wrap.
    I
    I "Want some coffee?" Leah asked. "Or I can make hot
    I 1< uoa, if you'd rather."
    I Sadie shook her head. "Coffee's fine."
    I "Did ya hear the wind howlin' last night?" Leah said as
    I she poured a second cup of coffee, aware of Abe still tinkering
    I around in the utility room.
    I Sadie nodded, glancing away, but not before Leah noticed
    I :i glistening in her sister's eyes. She suddenly felt sad and won-
    I ilcred if this first Christmas as a widow would be as hard on
    I Sadie as Dat's first without Mamma had been.
    I She set about making hot cocoa for Abe and called to him
    1 when the hot drink was ready. He came immediately, face
    1 shining. "It's a right special day," he said with mischievous
    I eyes. He reached for the cup. "Denki, Mamma."
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