Free The Christmas Cradle by Charlotte Hubbard Page A

Plain communities where folks depend mostly on farmin’ are strugglin’ these days.”
    â€œAnd some Plain folks—like us—aren’t cut out to be crop farmers.” Savilla looked at him with sparkling coffee-brown eyes. “How’s Lena? I’m grateful to you and your wife for giving her and Josiah a place to stay.”
    â€œLast I saw of them, she and my Miriam were cro-chetin’ baby things,” Ben said, gesturing toward his home across the road. “We’ve got room for you, as well, Savilla. Let’s head over there and get out of this cold wind. Miriam and Lena will be happy to see the two of ya.”
    As they crossed the county blacktop, Ben felt much better about the possibility of a supper shift in the Sweet Seasons. Savilla Witmer impressed him as an astute young woman who probably kept the books for their catering business—and kept her brother focused on his cooking. He also sensed that Josiah’s attitude had improved since he’d left on Saturday night. If they could take over in the café’s kitchen, maybe Miriam would finally be willing to stay at home....
    â€œIt would be a gut idea to either call Hiram Knepp or drop him a line to tell him you’re not gonna cook in Higher Ground—at least not for a while,” Ben added, to leave Josiah’s options open. “If he gets word you’re caterin’ the wedding next week—and then if ya decide to stay on—he’ll be mighty perturbed.”
    â€œI suspect Mr. Knepp will be unhappy anyway, considering that Josiah had agreed to be in Higher Ground by now,” Savilla remarked with a rise of her eyebrow. “If you don’t tell him you’ve changed your mind, Josiah, you’ve gone back on your word and lied to him.”
    â€œHigher Ground’s not that far away,” Ben pointed out, “and we know first-hand about the trouble Hiram causes when folks cross him. If I were you, son, I’d get squared away with him sooner rather than later.”
    â€œ Jah, jah , I get that,” Josiah replied impatiently. “I’ll take care of it as soon as we’re settled.”
    Ben sensed Josiah had once again turned a deaf ear toward him, so he hoped the kid would listen to his sister. The last thing they needed was a brushup with Hiram at Luke and Nora’s wedding—or while the Witmers stayed with him and Miriam.
    As he entered his home, however, Ben set aside his concerns. Miriam’s creamed chicken and biscuits smelled heavenly. She and Lena looked happy and relaxed, as though they’d been enjoying each other’s company. A lot of gut things can come from these young people stayin’ with us, Lord, he thought as he removed his coat. Please let it be so.

Chapter Six
    Miriam smiled as she looked into the Sweet Seasons dining room on Thursday morning. Savilla Witmer had insisted on helping in the café as payment for her bed and board. Along with Rhoda and Rebecca, she was seating customers, pouring coffee, and calling orders into the kitchen as though the three of them had worked together for a long time. She was quick about bussing the tables, too.
    â€œOur crew’s lookin’ sharp this morning,” Naomi murmured as she came to stand beside Miriam. “Everything’s goin’ like clockwork—and my youngest son’s takin’ in the new scenery, too, I see.”
    Miriam chuckled. Her partner handled the menu orders and kept the steam table stocked so Miriam could concentrate on baking the breads, pastries, and pies. “ Jah , your Aaron and Matthias Wagler both seem real perky this morning. It’s nice that Savilla’s as capable as she is pretty.”
    â€œLet’s hope she and her brother stay in Willow Ridge, so she’ll know how the café runs when Rhoda quits workin’ to have kids,” Naomi remarked. “My Hannah’s better in the