Free A Gift of Grace by Amy Clipston

brother Robert glowering in the doorway. He scanned the room, his glare focusing on the iPod and then the laptop. The stern look of his eyes sent a chill skittering up Jessica’s spine.
    Katie gave a soft gasp, stood up straight, and smoothed her apron and dress. “ Dat , I—”
    Interrupting, he said something to her in Pennsylvania Dutch, and Katie dropped the iPod onto the bed and hurried out the door. She gave Jessica an apologetic expression before bolting down the hallway.
    Jessica sighed and contemplated how sad it was to see Katie run off like a misbehaving child. She wondered what Katie could’ve possibly done to be treated this way.
    A frown formed on Jessica’s lips. It seemed that Katie should’ve at least had a chance to say good-bye to Jessica. Jumping up, she started for the door, determined to say good-bye to Katie whether that man liked it or not.
    Jessica reached the bottom of the stairs and found Katie standing silently next to her stoic father while he spoke to Daniel in Pennsylvania Dutch. Daniel’s expression was stony as he listened.
    “Katie,” Jessica called.
    Katie looked over at her, and her eyes widened in surprise. She shook her head as if to tell Jessica not to speak. Her gaze moved to her father, and her expression became stony.
    Jessica’s mouth gaped. What on earth could Katie have done to make her father so angry? The whole scene seemed ridiculous. Although she longed to say good-bye to Katie, Jessica bit her lip. She worried that speaking to Katie might make the situation worse, even though she wasn’t sure exactly why the situation was bad already.
    Robert continued to speak in Pennsylvania Dutch and then turned to go. Jessica stepped forward and reached for Katie’s arm.
    “Jessica,” Daniel said, the word soft but deliberate.
    She pulled her hand back and cut a sideways glance to him. His expression was blank, but she got the feeling he was silently scolding her. She shook her head in disbelief, wondering if she’d ever understand this culture. She turned to head upstairs and slammed into a young man who looked a couple of years older than she was. He was handsome with his hair and eyes mirroring the rest of the Kauffman family.
    “I’m sorry.” She stepped to the side. “I didn’t see you coming toward me.”
    “My fault. In a rush.” He smiled, revealing a dimple in his right cheek. He cut his eyes to something behind her, and his smile faded. “Pardon me,” he muttered, heading for the door.
    Studying the handsome man, Jessica wondered if he was a member of Katie’s family. When she looked toward the door, she found Robert staring at her, and she got her answer—the young man had to be the older brother Katie had mentioned upstairs.
    Too bad she didn’t have a chance to introduce herself to him. It would’ve been nice to know who he was. Instead, he was rushed out the door, and Jessica was treated like an outsider. She absently wondered if that was why her mother had left the community. Had she felt like an outsider in her own home? Jessica shuddered at the thought.
    Shaking her head, Jessica trotted upstairs. What a strange family . Trisha has to find a way to get us out of here .

    Rebecca yawned while pulling her nightgown over her head. The evening had flown by, yet she felt as if she’d plowed the back field. She climbed into the bed, snuggling down under the quilt.
    Daniel stepped into the room and sighed while pulling off his shirt. “It was a long evening.”
    Rebecca sat up. “I was just thinking the same thing. The gathering was nice, no?”
    “ Ya .” His tone betrayed the word.
    “Is something wrong?” she asked.
    He frowned, and her heart sank. She had the sneaking suspicion Robert had said something to upset her husband. She wished the brothers would work out their differences once and for all for the sake of the family.
    “What is it?” she asked softly.
    “It seems Jessica was giving worldly ideas to Katie tonight.” He scowled