Read Planted with Hope for Free Online Page B

daughter—my cousin Hannah—is pregnant with twins and there have been some complications. I’ve never really asked what’s going on, and I don’t really need to know. Since things are quiet on the farm until spring and the school year here is over at the end of April, I agreed to come and teach.”
    â€œI see,” Hope said.
    Emma peeled the crust off her sandwich. “Then we are going back to Kentucky. I have a horse named Rocky, and Dat says when we get back we can start our garden.”
    Hope’s eyebrows peeked. “Oh, do you like to garden, Emma?”
    Emma shrugged. “I like making mud pies best.” Once the crust was off, she ate her sandwich with vigor, as if she hadn’t eaten anything all day.
    Jonas finished his sandwich and then rose. “We didn’t mean to interrupt your evening. We—Emma—just wanted to stop byand thank you for rescuing her.” He placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “She knows now she’s not going to go down to the creek unless she has an adult with her.”
    Emma set her empty paper plate on the swing’s seat and stood. She clapped her hands together. “Oh, will you come with me sometime, Hope?”
    â€œNow, Emma, I’m sure Hope has other things—”
    â€œI’d love to,” Hope answered, not letting him finish. “The park is one of my favorite places. It’s so quiet and peaceful down there.”
    â€œAnd maybe Dat can come too!” Emma reached up and took his hand, smearing peanut butter on his fingers as she did. Jonas released the young girl’s hand, licked off the peanut butter, and then returned his grasp without batting an eye. Hope’s stomach did a little flip. It was clear he spent a lot of time with his daughter and they had a natural comfort when they were together.
    â€œWe can do it tomorrow. After church!” Emma’s eyes danced as she looked from her father to Hope. Hope saw something there… anticipation? Excitement? Was it possible that an eight-year-old could be a matchmaker? If Emma was anything like Hope’s mother she could.
    Hope swallowed hard, and worry wreathed her heart. This little girl had gone through so much. She didn’t want her to get her hopes up. Hope knew very little about Jonas Sutter, and she knew even less about being open to a new friendship when a child was involved.
    â€œMaybe not tomorrow,” Hope hurriedly said. “But sometime this week might be nice.”
    Emma’s shoulders sunk, and she nodded. She looked to her dat. Her eyes widened as if she was waiting for him to make the next move.
    â€œIt’ll be a busy week. School starts on Monday, but I’m sure we’llsee you around town.” His face was expressionless. Hope couldn’t tell if, like Emma, he was disappointed that they wouldn’t be seeing each other the next day. If so, he hid it well. But Emma’s face… well, the disappointment was clear, and it broke Hope’s heart.
    â€œThere’s a gospel sing on Birky Street Thursday night,” Hope hurriedly said. “You bring your own chairs, but if you’d like, uh, we can meet there.”
    The hint of a smile touched Jonas’s lips. “We’d like that, wouldn’t we Emma?”
    He looked down at the girl, but instead of answering she slipped her hand from his and rushed to the side gate. “Look, Dat, a cat!”
    â€œHe’s stray, and I don’t think he’ll let you get too close,” Hope called after the young girl.
    Emma rushed forward as if not hearing. Jonas cupped his hands to call to his daughter. “Emma, wait up! Stay on the side of the street. Don’t go out into the road.”
    Emma nodded, but she didn’t slow and didn’t turn back.
    â€œThis one always keeps me busy,” Jonas said to Hope apologetically.
    He hurried away with a slight wave, and Hope watched as Emma chased the cat