At Home in Pleasant Valley Read Free Page B

the sun lines that fanned out from the corners. “Amish children should be raised on a farm.”
    â€œEveryone doesn’t have that opportunity.” Even here, farms were being lost every year to development. Most Amish parents couldn’t manage to provide land for each of their children, no matter how much they wanted to. “One of my brothers has a farm machinery shop, and another is a carpenter.”
    Daniel’s brows drew down. “My children will have that chance. I’ll see to that.”
    It was what every Amish parent wanted, of course, but Daniel’s insistence seemed a little intense, and it made her wonder what was behind it.
    â€œThey’re going to be a gut addition to our class, I know. I notice that Jonah speaks English very well already—better than most of my first-and even second-graders.”
    For some reason that made his frown deepen. “Ja.” The word was so curt that it sounded as if Jonah’s skill in English was a fault.
    She struggled for something else to say about his children on suchshort acquaintance. “Elizabeth volunteered to wash the chalkboard already, she and Becky Brand.”
    â€œShe’s a gut helper.” He said the words absently, his gaze on the world map she’d pulled down earlier for geography. “Teacher Leah, there is something I want to say. I want to be certain my children are not learning worldly things in your classroom.”
    Leah stiffened. That was something the parents of her children seldom had occasion to say, knowing it was a given in an Amish school. She remembered Matthew’s comments about the leaning tower. Did Daniel assume that the map meant she was encouraging the children to yearn for the outside world?
    â€œOur course of learning is much like that of any Amish school,” she said firmly, on sure ground when it came to her teaching. “I’d be happy to show you our textbooks and our course of study. Or perhaps you’d like to meet with the school board members.”
    He shook his head. “There’s no need for that. I’ll see their books soon enough when I help the young ones with their homework.” He paused for a moment, as if weighing his words. “I meant no disrespect by what I said, Teacher Leah. But I care about my children’s education, and it means a great deal to have them in an Amish school.”
    â€œI understand.” But she didn’t, not entirely. She didn’t know Daniel, and she didn’t know what drove him. She managed a polite smile. “Well, here is a chance to see young Jonah’s primer, since he went outside without it.” She picked up the ABCs book and handed it to him.
    â€œThat boy would forget his head if it weren’t attached.” He rose as he spoke, and his expression was indulgent at the mention of his youngest. “I’m grateful for your interest in my children, Teacher Leah. If there are any difficulties, you will let me know.”
    That sounded more like an order than a request, but she nodded. It seemed that, having delivered his opinion, Daniel intended to leave without further ado.
    â€œHave there been any troubles with the children that I should know about? Any health concerns, or anything like that?”
    â€œNone.” Holding his hat in one hand and the primer in the other, heturned toward the door. It gave her the feeling that if there had been any problems, she wouldn’t hear about them from Daniel.
    She followed him back through the row of desks and out the door to the porch. He paused on the front step, one hand on the railing, and looked back at her. “Would you want me to wait while you lock up now?”
    â€œThat’s kind of you, but I have some cleaning to do before I go home.” She waved to the children as they came running toward their father.
    â€œI’ll be going then.” His long stride cleared the steps, but then he paused again, his eyes