The Amish Teacher's Dilemma and Healing Their Amish Hearts Patricia Davids (best self help books to read TXT) 📖

She mentally calculated that they had plenty of water to drink and fuel to burn but she had very little food, except for what the scholars brought in their lunch pails. If she had to feed the children before their parents could break through the snow to retrieve them the following morning, they’d be mighty hungry.

He inclined his head. “That’s wise. I’ll plan to pick up Sam at noon. That should give each familye plenty of time to return home before the next storm hits.”

“But what about Sam’s tutoring this afternoon?” she asked.

“Ne, you shouldn’t komm over today. You go home where it’s safe. It won’t hurt him to miss one session.”

“All right. Let’s hope the next storm bypasses us altogether. I’ve never seen so much snow in all my life. And I’m sorry to say this but I’m rather tired of it now.” She laughed, amazed at the colder weather here in Colorado.

He chuckled too and she couldn’t help jerking in surprise at the sudden sound. He’d actually laughed! Maybe he hadn’t been as disgusted by her throwing a snowball at him as she first thought.

“Ja, we definitely have lots of snow here. I had to lock Sam’s dog, Patches, in the barn last night so he wouldn’t wander off and get lost in the storm. Sam wanted to bring the pup inside to sleep with him but I said ne,” he said, a wide smile curving his lips.

She stared at him in amazement, thinking how handsome he looked in that moment. “Ach, I knew you could do that.”

He blinked, looking confused. “Do what?”

“Smile. It looks gut on you. You should do it more often.”

He looked away, his expression dropping like stone. Oh, dear. Maybe she shouldn’t have teased him. But she was starting to feel comfortable around this man. Maybe too comfortable. She was a grown woman and he was the father of one of her scholars. She shouldn’t be flirting with him like a brainless schoolgirl.

“Ja, the snow here has been an adjustment. But we’ll be glad to have the moisture this summer when we’re watering our crops,” he said, ignoring her comments altogether.

He glanced at her, looking suddenly anxious, as if he wanted to get away from her. And that’s when she realized he could decide to be happy or sad. Yes, he’d faced something horrible in his life. But he could choose to be miserable and walk around with a glum face, or he could put it aside and smile. So could she. And it reminded her that, in spite of the hurt she’d suffered at the hands of Vernon, the Lord wanted her to go on and live her life. He wanted her to be happy. She was trying to do that, though it wasn’t always easy. But she had the responsibility of teaching a school full of children. She must set a good example for them.

Filled with her thoughts, she turned and walked inside. Jesse leaned the shovel against the outer wall and followed her. She noticed he stomped off his boots and removed his hat at the door, then stepped inside. Sam was stacking the wood pan high with plenty of firewood to last throughout the day. The boy tossed a shy smile in her direction, then ducked his head. His father watched with approval as the boy did his work. Then, seeming assured that the school was in good condition for lessons, Jesse waved a hand.

“I’ll be going now,” he said.

“Ja, danke again. I really appreciate it,” she called.

“You’re willkomm,” he said.

“See you later.”

She walked with him to the door and peered outside at the chilly day. Gusts of wind were sweeping the snow into drifts along the road. As if on cue, two black buggies and horses appeared at the top of the county road. They turned off, heading toward the school. She’d kept her warm woolen shawl on so she could greet each parent, to let them know school would let out early today.

As she went out to meet them, she watched Jesse climb into his buggy and slap the leather leads gently against the horse’s back. The animal lurched forward and the man waved a hand to the other families as he passed.

Thankfully, she wasn’t tutoring Sam this evening. She didn’t mind, not at all. But she was getting to bed rather late each night. She was tired and falling behind on her lesson plans. But Sam was speaking regularly for her now. Just simple words spoken in a mega-soft whisper within the walls of his own home, but he did talk. And she knew deep in her heart that he was making headway.

If she wasn’t mistaken, so was Jesse. She sensed he wasn’t an overly gregarious man by nature but he was much friendlier now, with her and her familye members, as well as with other people in their Gmay. She’d noticed him at church meetings, talking more openly with the other men, though he rarely laughed and was still shy around the women. The transition was gradual but an amazing sight to behold and she was happy for it. Now, if she could just get Sam to start speaking at school, she would consider this year a great success.

Jesse clicked his tongue, urging his horse up a particularly slippery slope as his buggy reached the county road. He thought about Becca throwing a snowball at him. No one had ever called him silly and it had been a long time since he’d felt like smiling. But lately, the urge to laugh was coming a bit easier to him. When he was with Becca, he could almost forget the sadness in his heart. Almost.

Shaking his head, he mentally reminded himself that he had to pick up Sam early today. He mustn’t be late or it could put Becca in jeopardy. He knew she couldn’t leave the school until all the children were gone and he didn’t want to make her late getting