At Home in Pleasant Valley Read Free Page A

practicing spelling words with Rachel’s oldest, Becky. She smiled a little when she made a mistake, but she shot an apprehensive glance toward Leah now and then, as if unsure of her approval.
    All in all, she found the Glick children a bit of a concern, although there was nothing she could really put her finger on. As their teacher, it was her job to make them feel at home and bring out their best. Perhaps her talk with their father would help her understand them better.
    Beyond the side window, the apple tree had begun to put forth its blossoms. Something fluttered inside her, like the apple blossoms trembling in the breeze. She and Johnny had stood under that tree the firsttime he’d told her that he loved her. And it was there that they’d said their bitter good-byes.
    The automatic timer in her mind went off, and she turned to check the clock on her desk.
    â€œIt’s time to clean up now. Please be sure the paste lids are on tightly.” The older boys sometimes skimped on the cleanup, a little overeager to be out the door. “Who would like to wash the chalkboard today?”
    Becky’s hand went up immediately, and after a glance at her, Elizabeth Glick put her hand up, too.
    â€œSer gut. You girls may start on the boards. Please leave the spelling words.”
    The final routine of the day moved swiftly to its conclusion, and soon her scholars were headed toward the door in an even line, saving the running and jumping for the moment they hit the schoolyard. Leah touched Matthew Glick lightly on the arm.
    â€œYour father is coming to talk with me, Matthew. Will you please watch your brother and sister on the playground until we finish?”
    Matthew’s face was very like his father’s. Guarded in a way one didn’t often see in an Amish child. He studied her for a moment, blue eyes serious, before he nodded. “I will.”
    â€œSer gut.” She glanced up and saw Daniel near the door, moving aside as the line of children passed him. When Matthew reached him, he extended his hand, as if to touch the boy’s shoulder, but then he seemed to change his mind, standing where he was until they were all out. The door closed behind the last scholar.
    â€œKomm in. Wilkom to our school.” Leah gestured toward the rows of desks. “Matthew’s desk is here, and Elizabeth’s there. And Jonah is up in front, with the other first-graders.”
    Daniel followed her without speaking to the front of the classroom, his shoes thudding on the bare wooden floor. Not that she expected him to chatter, but a few words might ease the awkwardness.
    He was a stranger, after all, and she thought again how odd that was. Pleasant Valley’s Amish community had been established in the 1970s, when the brethren had left Lancaster County for cheaperfarmland in the valleys of central Pennsylvania. Since then, the population had been stable, so that she knew every member of the church district as well as she knew her own family. Daniel Glick and his children were the exception.
    She pulled over the visitor’s chair for him and seated herself behind her desk. “Komm, sit down. I’m glad you’re willing to talk with me about the children. I want to make their move here as smooth as possible.”
    Daniel balanced his straw hat on his knees. He smiled, the frostiness disappearing from his blue eyes as his face relaxed. It was a very appealing smile. She’d been right—if Daniel was in search of a wife, he’d have no trouble finding one by himself.
    Not her, of course. She was content with her life the way it was, and she didn’t foresee any changes coming her way.
    â€œWe’ve been warmly welcomed here,” Daniel said. “It is a change for the young ones, though.”
    â€œAnd for you.”
    He shrugged. “I don’t mind a new place. I’m just glad to have a chance to buy such a fine farm.” His eyes narrowed, accentuating