The Amish Teacher's Dilemma and Healing Their Amish Hearts by Patricia Davids (all ebook reader .txt) 📕

the dog and got away with all sorts of antics. Finally, Becca finished the story with a laugh.

“I really like Elmo. He’s so funny. He’s always sneaking up on Patches,” she said.

Sam nodded in agreement.

“But who do you like the best? Elmo or Patches?” Becca asked.

A slight movement from Sam told Jesse that his son had pointed at his preference.

“Ach, pointing at the picture will never do. Can you say his name out loud for me?” Becca asked, her voice calm and inviting.

There was a long, quiet pause. Becca didn’t intrude. She gave Sam plenty of time to think. And then, the softest whisper wafted across the room. So quiet that Jesse almost didn’t hear.

“Patches.”

Jesse blinked. Had he heard right? Had Sam actually said the dog’s name out loud?

“That’s very gut,” Becca said. “But why do you like Patches the best?”

Every nerve in Jesse’s body went on high alert. He leaned forward slightly, eager to hear his son’s response. Would Sam speak again? Could he do it?

“Dog,” Sam whispered low.

Okay, not a complete sentence, but Jesse understood only too well. Before Alice had died, Sam had asked him numerous times if they could get a dog. They already had several barn cats who kept the mice population down but Sam wanted a puppy of his very own. Jesse hadn’t gotten around to getting the boy one before tragedy had struck and then they’d moved here to Colorado. Maybe it was time...

“Very gut,” Becca said, closing the book with a slight snap. “You’re doing so well, Sam. I’m very pleased with you.”

She leaned her head down and kissed the boy’s forehead. When they stood, Jesse pulled back into the kitchen with a quick jerk. He didn’t want to be caught eavesdropping, yet he felt mesmerized by the two of them. He could listen to them all day.

Hurrying over to the kitchen sink, he noticed that all the dishes had been washed and put away. He stared at the clean countertops, stunned down to the tips of his worn work boots.

“We’re all done for this evening.” Becca spoke from behind and he turned.

She stood in the doorway, holding Sam’s hand. The boy smiled shyly but didn’t speak.

“How did he do tonight?” Jesse asked, clearing his throat.

“Wundervoll. He even spoke twice,” she said.

“Ja, I heard. That’s great news.”

Jesse smiled at his son, trying not to overreact so much that it startled Sam and shut him down. Jesse had enough common sense not to push the boy until he was ready. But it was an amazing, wonderful start. And he had Becca to thank for all of it.

Chapter Six

“I see you’ve finished making more chairs for the table. You’re a gut carpenter.” Becca glanced around the kitchen in Jesse’s home and couldn’t help admiring his simple handiwork.

There were now four wooden chairs surrounding the long table, which had enough room to seat eight people. That wasn’t surprising. Most Amish families had an average of seven or eight children. But since Jesse’s wife had died, Becca wondered why he had made such a large table. Maybe he hoped to remarry and have more children. She wasn’t sure. She figured he’d lost all his furniture in the house fire and it would take time to rebuild. Already, she’d seen enough of his house to know the walls needed painting and the cold wooden floors needed covering.

“Ahem, supper is ready. Would you like to join us in our meal?” Jesse asked.

His voice sounded a bit stilted, as though he wasn’t used to having a woman in his home who wasn’t his wife.

“I would like that very much.”

She rolled up her sleeves and reached inside the cupboard for some plates so she could set the table. As she did so, she thought it odd that she already knew where he kept the utensils. Having washed his dishes, she knew quite a bit about his kitchen, including the fact that his cupboards were now filled with a variety of canned goods.

“I see you’ve got plenty of food in the house.” Wearing two mitts on her hands, she lifted the casserole out of the oven and set it in the middle of the table. Steam rose from the hot dish and filled the air with a yummy aroma.

He chuckled as he sliced the loaf of homemade bread. “Ja, I don’t want Sam to go without his meals just because I can’t cook.”

They sat together at the table and bowed their heads. No one spoke and Becca simply recited the Lord’s Prayer in her mind. She also asked Gott to help Sam continue to make progress in his speaking and to help Jesse be safe while he worked on his farm.

After a few moments, Jesse released a low sigh and they dug into the delicious food. Sam ate ravenously and Becca realized it had been a long time since he and his father had enjoyed a home-cooked meal that wasn’t burnt. Maybe she could do something about that from time to time, just until Jesse got back on his feet with his farm chores.

“What was the name again of the little dog in the story Becca was reading to you?” Jesse asked.

He was looking at Sam expectantly. Obviously, he hoped the boy would respond. But he didn’t. Sam glanced hesitantly at his father, then stared down at his plate. He didn’t say a single word but set his fork on his plate, as though he’d lost his appetite.

The silence continued and Becca realized the mute boy had returned. To break the stilted moment, she reached across the table and squeezed Sam’s chilled hand.

“It’s all right,” she said. Then, she looked at Jesse. “The dog’s name was Patches. We had fun reading about him and Elmo.”

Jesse’s gaze met hers and she could see the disappointment in his eyes. Sam had spoken for her but not for his father. And that must sting Jesse pretty hard.

They finished their meal in silence and Becca quickly washed the remaining dishes. She was startled when