Free The Healing by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page A

Samuel figured Penny had probably pinched him.
    “If you three don’t stop it, you’re gonna be in trouble,” Marla, who sat in the front of the buggy beside Samuel, said in her most grown-up voice.
    “Ya can’t tell us what to do, Marla.” Leon said.
    “Daadi, Leon just leaned over the seat and poked my shoulder,” Marla tattled.
    “Knock it off!” Samuel hollered at the top of his lungs. “If I hear one more peep out of any of you, I’ll turn this horse and buggy around and head back to Titus’s place. Is that clear?”
    Except for a few sniffles, all was quiet.
    I’m starting to sound like an angry, mean man
, Samuel thought as he clenched the reins tighter.
But these petty little issues between the kids are really getting on my nerves
.

    Bonnie glanced out the kitchen window, wondering if Samuel and his children would be here soon. She looked forward to meeting them and hoped they were looking forward to making a snowman today.
    She thought this would be a good chance for Samuel to relax and have a good time. He seemed so sullen and kept to himself much of the time. With the exception of discussing the repairs that needed to be done, they’d had very little conversation.
    A whimper pulled Bonnie’s thoughts aside and she looked down. The stray terrier she’d found earlier in the week cocked his head and looked up at her pathetically. She’d asked around the neighborhood and hadn’t been able to find the dog’s owner, so she’d finally weakened and taken him in. After all, she couldn’t leave the poor pooch outside in the cold, nor could she stand the thought of the dog going hungry. She’d ended up giving him a bath and trimming his matted hair. The little fellow was really quite cute once all that dirt was gone. She’d even named the mutt Cody, which she certainly wouldn’t have done if she hadn’t decided to keep him.
    “What’s the matter, Cody?” Bonnie asked, reaching down to pet the dog’s silky head. “Do you want to go out, or are you just looking for some attention?”
    Cody whimpered and nuzzled her hand.
    Bonnie continued to pet the dog a few more minutes; then she went to the front door to see if he wanted to go out. When she opened it, she caught sight of Samuel’s horse and buggy heading up the driveway.
    Woof! Woof!
Cody raced out to greet them.
    Bonnie grabbed her coat and stocking cap, slipped into her boots and gloves, and hurried outside. As soon as Samuel pulled the horse up to the hitching rail, his four children clambered out of the buggy and started frolicking in the snow. Bonnie waited on the porch until Samuel and the children walked up to the house.
    “This is Marla, Penny, Leon, and Jared,” Samuel said, motioning to each of the children.
    Bonnie smiled. “My name’s Bonnie Taylor, and I’m glad you could come over to play in the snow today.”
    The children stared up at her without saying a word.
    Samuel nudged the oldest girl. “Say hello to Bonnie.”
    “Hello,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. The other children echoed her greeting.
    “It’s nice to meet you, and now I’m wondering—is everyone ready to help me make a snowman?” Bonnie asked.
    All heads nodded. All except for Samuel’s, that is. He was staring at the front of the house where the paint was peeling in several places.
    “You’re going to help us build the snowman, aren’t you?” Bonnie stepped up to Samuel.
    He shook his head. “Thought I’d get some more work done inside while you and the kids are out here playing in the snow.”
    “Are you sure you want to work today? You’ve worked hard all week, and I think you should take the day off.”
    He shook his head. “There’s a lot to be done here, and the sooner I get it finished, the sooner you can open your bed-and-breakfast.”
    “Okay.” Bonnie figured he wasn’t going to change his mind, so she bent down, scooped up a clump of snow, and formed it into a ball. “Come on, kids, let’s get that snowman