A Mother's Secret Read Free

voice was quiet, and she assumed it was to keep their conversation private. “I don’t even know that man. He doesn’t seem verynice. He’s just going to make me do all the dirty jobs, just like Onkel Amos does.”
    Carolyn nodded. “I’m sorry, but ya , you do have to work for Joshua Glick. Your daadi said you have to, and you know you have to obey him.”
    Benjamin sighed and glanced toward the window.
    She leaned over and touched his arm. “I know you told the truth. I was trying to get your daadi to listen to you. You know that, right? You know I always support you, no matter what Onkel Amos and your cousins say about you.”
    “ Ya , I do.” He looked back at her. “You always believe me, but Daadi always takes their side.” He nodded toward Robert and David, who were speaking in low voices and laughing a few rows ahead of them.
    “I know.” Carolyn glanced toward the front of the van where her brother, Amos, and his wife, Sarah Ann, were settling into seats. “I think your daadi means well, but he’s in a different position since Amos runs the farm where we live.”
    “They always get me in trouble,” Benjamin grumbled, slumping in the seat. “Last week I was blamed for tracking mud in Aenti Sarah Ann’s kitchen, and I didn’t even do it. I had taken my boots off before I went into the haus , and they didn’t. Yet I got blamed for it. It’s not fair.”
    “I know, mei liewe .” She touched his cheek. She wished she could protect her son from all the heartache in the world, but she knew that wasn’t possible for any mother.
    “I don’t think Joshua Glick even likes me.” Benjamin fingered his pants leg while he spoke. “He was very angry when he dragged me into that barn.”
    “That’s not right.” Carolyn shook her head, wondering howJoshua would treat her son while he worked on his farm. She watched her nephews whisper and laugh loudly before Amos cautioned them to keep their voices down. Suddenly, a thought occurred to her. Perhaps getting Benjamin away from his misbehaving cousins would be a good thing. She doubted Joshua could possibly be as mean as Ben’s cousins were. “But maybe it will be gut for you.”
    Benjamin frowned. “I thought you said you believe me.”
    “I do, which is why I think maybe getting away from your cousins will be a gut thing. You won’t have as many chores at the dairy farm since you’ll be working for Joshua Glick full-time, ya ?”
    Benjamin’s expression brightened slightly. “You’re right. Since I’ll have a full-time job, they will have to take care of all the chores on the farm while I’m gone. They won’t have me around to bully.”
    “Exactly.” Carolyn smiled. “Now you see why I’m thinking this will be a gut opportunity for you.”
    Carolyn’s sixteen-year-old niece, Rosemary, flopped down on the bench seat in front of them. “What are you two talking about?”
    “Nothing,” Benjamin mumbled, looking out the window.
    Rosemary raised her eyebrows. Carolyn shook her head as if to say “don’t ask.”
    Her niece gestured toward her brothers, and Carolyn nodded.
    Rosemary shook her head with understanding. Her niece was the only member of the family who saw what was really going on with David and Robert.
    Rosemary leaned over the seat and lowered her voice. “I saw the cutest boy today. He was working with the horses. He was tall and had dark hair and eyes.”
    Benjamin rolled his eyes. “Ro, can’t you discuss buwe with mei mamm later when I’m not here?”
    “No.” Rosemary smiled. “We need something to talk about. It’s going to be a long ride home.”
    “Tell me about it,” Benjamin mumbled.
    Carolyn laughed. “You just ignore us, Ben.” She looked at her niece. “You can tell me about the bu, but keep your voice down. You know how your dat gets. He wants to keep you young forever.”
    “I know.” This time it was Rosemary who rolled her eyes. She then detailed the cute boy for most of the ride home. Carolyn