Free Amish White Christmas Pie by Wanda E Brunstetter

you were working, and she said you were either in the shed or the barn.”
     
    Will motioned to the shed. “I was going to do some work in there, but I discovered that my cocker spaniel snuck in and had her hundlin there. I figured I’d better head out to the barn to work so I wouldn’t disturb Sandy and her brood.”
     
    “How many pups did she have?”
     
    “Five in all. Would you like to see ’em?”
     
    “Maybe some other time. I’m on my way to Goshen to do some shopping at Walmart and wondered if you’d like to go along.”
     
    “I appreciate the offer, but I think I’d better pass.” Will lifted his tool pouch. “I’m heading to the barn to work on a birdhouse I plan to give Karen for Christmas. When I’m done, I’m going over to Karen’s house to see how she’s doing.”
     
    “What’s wrong with Karen? Is she grank?” Nathan asked as he followed Will to the barn.
     
    Will shook his head. “She’s not sick. She was supposed to have her wisdom teeth pulled this morning. If it goes anything like it did when my mamm had hers out a few years ago, Karen probably won’t feel like herself for the next couple of days.”
     
    “Karen’s got youth on her side, so I’m sure it won’t be near as bad as what your mamm went through.”
     
    “Are you saying Mama Regina’s old?” Will asked as he placed the wood and tools on the workbench inside the barn door.
     
    “‘Course not. That isn’t what I meant at all.”
     
    “What did you mean?”
     
    “I meant that Karen’s young and—”
     
    Will held up his hand. “That’s okay. No need to explain. I guess I’m a bit oversensitive where Mama Regina’s concerned.”
     
    “How come?”
     
    “You know the story, Nathan. If Mama Regina and Papa Mark hadn’t taken me in and raised me like a son, I’d have probably been hauled off to some orphanage or put in a foster home.”
     
    “I’d never thought about that possibility. I can see why Mark and Regina are so special to you.”
     
    Will nodded and picked up his hammer and a nail. He positioned it over one of the pieces of wood and brought down the hammer. “Yeow!” He pulled his thumb back, and the hammer thudded to the floor.
     
    “You’d better watch what you’re doin’,
dummkopp
.” Nathan bent to pick up the hammer. “A few more misses like that, and you won’t have a thumb left.”
     
    “I was watching. I just missed the nail, that’s all.” Will squinted at Nathan. “And what’s up with the dunce remark? I thought you were my
gut
friend.”
     
    “I was only kidding, and I am your good friend.” Nathan placed the hammer on the workbench and thumped Will on the back. “Which is why I’ve decided to stay here in Indiana—at least until after your wedding.”
     
    “Really? You’re not going back to Ohio for Thanksgiving?”
     
    “Nope. I may not go back for Christmas or New Year’s, either. I may decide to stay here permanently.”
     
    “That’d be great, Nathan.” Will’s face broke into a wide smile. “Now I know for sure that you’ll be here as one of my witnesses.”
     
    “At your wedding?”
     
    Will gave his friend a playful swat on the arm. “Of course at my wedding. What else would I want you to be my witness for?”
     
    Nathan motioned to Will’s throbbing thumb. “I thought maybe you wanted me to witness you smacking your thumb a few more times.”
     
    Will grunted. “I’ll take that to mean you like being with me.”
     
    “Of course.” Nathan moved toward the door. “I’d better get going.”
     
    Will picked up his hammer. “See you soon.”
     

C HAPTER 10
     

     
    W hen Frank entered his house and smelled the distinctive aroma of stuffed peppers coming from the kitchen, his stomach rumbled. It felt good to be home, and he was more than ready to eat supper.
    “Daddy!” Kim squealed as she wrapped her arms around his legs. “I missed you, Daddy!”
     
    “I missed you, too.” Frank bent down and scooped the