Free Leah's Choice by Marta Perry

sister are when we’re doing the dishes together.”
    Giving in, Elizabeth stepped up on the small wooden stool that stood in front of the sink. “You are wonderful lucky to have a sister. I have only brothers.” She glanced through the window over the sink, as if keeping an eye out for them.
    “Brothers can be fun, too.” Leah started drying the plates that were already stacked in the drainer. “I have three of them, you know. Mine taught me how to ride a bicycle and catch a softball.”
    “They’re all right,” Elizabeth said a little grudgingly. “But Matthew thinks he knows everything, just because he’s two years older than I am.”
    “My big brother always thought that, too,” Leah said. “We know they don’t.”
    She watched the child’s face, intent on her washing chores. Elizabeth inspected each dish carefully before relinquishing it, as if it had to be perfect. So careful about that she was, as she seemed to be about her schoolwork, her appearance, everything.
    Had that trait somehow been caused by the time she’d spent in the outside world? Two years, Daniel had said. Two years was a long time in the life of an eight-year-old. How much had Elizabeth been affected by that? How long ago had that been?
    And the little one—that explained why Jonah spoke such excellent English for his age. No wonder Daniel had looked disconcerted when she’d commented on it.
    So many questions burning in her mind. They weren’t caused by idle curiosity. As the children’s teacher, she could help them more if she knew the facts.
    But she didn’t imagine she’d learn much more from Daniel than she already had. He wouldn’t have told her as much as he did if not for Matthew blurting out that uncomfortable truth.
    The silence had stretched on too long between her and Elizabeth, and she’d be having the child worrying if she didn’t say something casual.
    “I enjoy having you and your brothers in my class. What do you like best in school, Elizabeth?”
    “Playing with Becky,” she said promptly, and then looked up at Leah, her lips forming an O of dismay. “I mean—I like reading best.”
    “I like reading, too.” Leah tried to hide a smile. “But it’s all right to enjoy making friends, especially with Becky. Her mother and I were best friends when we were young. We still are, in fact.”
    “Becky has a brother, too,” Elizabeth said, as if that sealed the contract between them.
    “Perhaps you can go to her house after school one day,” Leah suggested. “I’m sure her mother would like that.”
    “That would be nice.” Elizabeth lifted the last dish to the rack. “But I have to take care of things at home.” Her small face was set with determination.
    Leah’s heart twisted. Elizabeth seemed too determined to take over all the household chores. Every Amish child accepted that work was a part of life, but children needed time to play as well.
    She’d speak to Rachel and make sure that Elizabeth was invited to her house one day. That would be gut for both the little girls.
    There was a rattle at the back door, and Leah looked that way just as Daniel stepped into the house. His gaze met hers, and his face stilled, eyes growing wary.
    That wasn’t surprising, was it? She undoubtedly looked the same way, with memories of the last time they’d been together sharp in her mind.
    “Teacher Leah!” Jonah squeezed around his father and ran toward her, excitement lighting his face. He was too young to think a visit from the teacher anything other than an unexpected treat.
    She bent to give him a quick hug. When she looked up again, Daniel had managed to produce a polite smile that didn’t reach his eyes. He had one hand on Matthew’s shoulder. It looked as if without that, the boy would have run back out of the room.
    “Wilkom to our home,” Daniel said formally. He and Matthew came into the kitchen, and he looked an inquiry at Elizabeth.
    “Teacher Leah brought us rhubarb sauce and snickerdoodles