Change of Heart Read Free

had a heart attack and died, they asked me if you were coming home. When I told them you weren’t, they cried. I explained you had built a life in Massillon and had your mending shop to manage. They asked me not to speak about you because hearing about you hurt them too much.”
    She had missed Ruth’s stories at mealtime and playing games with her on family night. She and her parents rarely played games anymore. The absence of her sister’s laughter and excitement ruined the fun. “I’m grateful our parents allowed me to write to you. They didn’t want me to come to your house, but they understood how painful it’s been for me not to visit you. Mamm and Daed were ready to let me do anything to lighten my dark mood. Shunning our friends who choose to leave our community isn’t a rule I agree with.”
    â€œI do not either, but Amish law is not going to change according to my circumstances. I miss our parents, and I pray for them every day. I will always be grateful for my Amish upbringing, but I have no desire to go back to Berlin. I have grown roots here, and I cannot imagine living anywhere else.”
    Life without Caleb for the last year mustn’t have been easy for her sister, but Ruth had never once complained. “Do you struggle to make a living here?”
    â€œNo. The mending shop provides a comfortable living. I am anxious to show it to you. I love working there.” Ruth stood. “Are you tired? You must have gotten up early this morning to come here. I have warmed water for your bath so you can soak in the tub and relax. Are you hungry?” She lifted the heavy pot of water from the stove.
    Becca followed Ruth to the washroom with the other pot . She’s taking care of me just like she used to. Visiting here was a great idea. “I’m wide awake. I would like to wash this dirt off me. I’ll help you make dinner when I’m done with my bath. I don’t want to trouble you.”
    Ruth kissed her cheek. “I have missed taking care of you. You enjoy your bath, and I will warm some leftover vegetable soup I have in the icebox.” Taking Becca’s bucket, Ruth glanced over her shoulder. “Everything you need is in the washroom and bedroom. My old Amish clothes are in the clothes press. You are welcome to wear them.”
    â€œI may take you up on your offer. I may not have brought enough of mine.” She kissed Ruth’s cheek before shutting the door.
    Becca slid the fabric off her body and placed the garment on a chair. She stepped in the tub, eased herself into the water, and draped her bandaged arm over the side. She breathed in the scent of honeysuckle drifting through the open window. Spending time with Ruth was even better than she had imagined. Her mind flooded with memories. She had loved sharing a bedroom with Ruth. They would sneak to the kitchen for late-night snacks and eat them in bed, giggle about the silliest things, and make up stories.
    The water cooled, and she stepped out of the tub. She toweled off, got dressed, and headed to the kitchen.
    Savory vegetable soup aroma caught her senses. Steam rose from the mixture sitting in a bowl. “I’ve missed your cooking, and this smells delicious.”
    Ruth served them. “I like cooking for two again. Is there a reason you are speaking more English than Pennsylvania Dutch?”
    Becca inhaled the wonderful fragrance of Ruth’s soup and sipped some from her spoon. “I suspect my spending time with Hester is the main reason I don’t use our language much since she isn’t Amish. I speak Pennsylvania Dutch when I refer to Mamm or Daed or kapp or boppli. I’m not used to you speaking properly.”
    â€œAfter living here, I have gotten used to speaking like my friends. I like Hester. It is a shame she never married. She must get lonely. It was generous of her to teach you and Grace midwifery.”
    â€œShe never got over being jilted