Free Peace by Shelley Shepard Gray Page B

person, her inability to bake well was one thing that she had never been able to hide. “I’m learning to cook better. And Frannie left a lot of things in her freezer for my suppers.” Smiling mischievously, she added, “I’ll have you know that I’ve become mighty gut at thawing frozen food.”
    â€œWhich is quite an accomplishment, to be sure.” Aunt Evelyn chuckled. “Don’t fret, Beth. We’re only teasing ya.”
    â€œMy only concern is that you’re spending too much time working and not enough time enjoying yourself,” her mother said. “Here it is Christmas, and instead of enjoying some time with other young people, you’re taking on another job.”
    â€œI don’t mind work.” Hoping to move the conversation along, Beth said, “I didn’t know you were expecting company today, Mamm.”
    As she hoped, her mother’s expression brightened. “I didn’t know it, either. Seeing my sisters has made me mighty happy.”
    â€œWe came over to surprise Patience. And you, of course,” Evelyn added politely. “And to offer another surprise. We want you both to spend Christmas in Charm.”
    â€œWho is in Charm?” Beth asked.
    â€œMy daughter Martha and her family,” Evelyn explained. “They have a big house, with plenty of room for Patience’s wheelchair to move around in.”
    â€œ Jah , no one should be home alone for Christmas,” Jo added. “My husband’s cousin Jim isn’t Amish, so he has a car. He’s offered to drive us there, since it’s on the way to Cleveland.”
    â€œThat’s where Jim’s wife’s from,” Evelyn added helpfully. She paused. “Forgive me. That was probably far more information than you needed to know. But anyway, please do come. We want you both to join us.”
    Looking at her mother, noticing how much younger she looked in her sisters’ company, Beth felt like cheering. Her aunts’ offer was an answer to her prayers. “What a wonderful idea, Mamm. I hope you will go.”
    â€œI would like to go.” Looking at Jo and Evelyn with a fond expression, her mother added, “But Beth, you’ll come, too, jah ?”
    â€œI’m afraid I can’t.”
    â€œBut Beth, it won’t be the same without you.” Evelyn frowned.
    Beth gazed at her Aunt Evelyn and thought about how her aunt always had a kind word for everyone. She was guileless and sweet. Just as sweet as her sister Josephine was peppery.
    She would have liked to spend some time with them, to watch her mother laugh like she used to. But there was no way she could leave Chris, even if she’d wanted to. His injuries were still too severe.
    And his mood seemed fragile, too, as if he would be very hurt if she, too, abandoned him.
    â€œThere’s a guest at the Yellow Bird Inn. I need to be there to watch over things.” To her embarrassment, her cheeks started to burn at simply mentioning him! She hoped her blush wouldn’t betray her strong feelings.
    â€œBut it’s Christmas,” Aunt Jo said.
    â€œIt is. But it will still be Christmas even if I’m not with you,” she said lightly.
    â€œThat is not what I meant, child.”
    Aunt Josephine glared at Beth. “I don’t understand why you’d be putting the inn before your family. Christmas is a time to be together, not to be apart.”
    â€œI know that, but this year will have to be different, I’m afraid. I made a promise to Frannie that I must keep.” Gently, she added, “Mamm, I am glad you will be in Charm with Josephine and Evelyn and their families. I want you to go.”
    â€œFrannie should have closed the place for the holidays, not accepted guests,” her mother said. “And if she did have guests, she should have tended to them herself. Not left them for you.”
    â€œFrannie didn’t think she was going to