Free The Bishop's Daughter by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page B

missing front window is one of the things that distinguish a bishop’s buggy from others in this community.”
    “Are ya dumm ?” Timothy asked, giving his twin a sidelong glance.
    “I ain’t dumb,” Titus shot back.
    Timothy looked over at Jacob and said, “Say, I’ve got a question of my own.”
    “What’s that?”
    “I was wonderin’ if anyone’s ever fallen asleep during one of your long sermons.”
    Jacob slid his finger down the side of his nose and squinted. “Hmm. . . Well, there was this one time when Harley King dozed off. Deacon Paul sat near me, so I leaned over and whispered in his ear, ‘Would ya please wake up the brother who’s fallen asleep?’ ”
    Timothy plunked his elbows on the table and leaned slightly forward. “What happened then?”
    Jacob grunted. “The helpful deacon looked me right in the eye and said, ‘It was you who put him to sleep, so you’re the one who oughta wake him up.’ ”
    A round of laughter went around the table.
    “I’d like to know something else,” Titus piped up.
    “That’ll be enough with the questions.” Abraham stared hard at his son, for this time he had a clear view of the boy’s eyes. Neither one looked any bigger than the other did, so he knew it must be Timothy sitting closest to him, not Titus. “Say, are you two tryin’ to pull a fast one?”
    “What do you mean, Papa?” Timothy asked, rather sheepishly.
    “I know which of you is which, so you can quit trying to fool everyone. And since you’ve been actin’ silly all day, you can both clear the table and wash the dishes after we’re done eating.”
    Titus opened his mouth to protest, but another jab to the ribs from his brother kept the boy quiet.
    Abraham stuck his spoon in his potpie and popped a piece of turkey into his mouth. There were times, like now, when he wanted to throttle his youngest sons. Even so, he was glad the good Lord had given him and Fannie such a miracle when the twins were born. They hadn’t taken Zach’s place, but they’d sure filled a big hole in his heart, and he loved them dearly.

    During the drive home from the Fishers’, Leona reflected on the pleasantevening they’d had. Other than the twins acting like a couple of silly kinner, there had been amiable conversation around the table during supper, and for most of the evening, she’d been able to think about something other than how much she still missed Ezra.
    When the meal was over, the women had gathered on the front porch to chat, while the men retired to the living room for a game of checkers. Titus and Timothy had spent the remainder of their evening in the kitchen but didn’t finish with the dishes until it was time for dessert.
    Leona smiled to herself, thinking what it was like when she’d had the twins in her classroom. On more than one occasion, they had both tried to pass themselves off for the other brother. Sometimes they’d managed to fool the entire class—including their teacher. The boys liked to pull a few pranks now and then, too, but they’d never done anything harmful, which was a good thing.
    As soon as they pulled into their yard, Leona realized another buggy was parked near the barn.
    “Looks like Abner Lapp’s rig,” Papa commented.
    Leona made no reply. She just held onto her skirt and climbed down from the buggy. I hope Papa didn’t set this up .
    Abner waved and stepped off the front porch, where he’d obviously been waiting. “Came by half an hour ago,” he said, heading toward them with his usual jerky, bowlegged walk. “Figured since it was gettin’ dark, you’d be home most anytime.”
    Papa headed quickly for the barn, leading the horse, and Mom glanced over at Leona with raised eyebrows. Leona started for the house, mumbling a quick hello to Abner as she approached the spot where he stood. “Papa’s gone to the barn.”
    Abner smiled. “It’s you I came to see, Leona, not your daed.”
    Leona looked at her mamm, who had just caught up to her. She