The Secret Read Free Page B

obedience from all of you—obedience and nothing else!”
    No one moved. Abigail whimpered softly. Ezra’s harsh expression didn’t soften.
    â€œI am going to find the Goodes,” he said slowly through gritted teeth. “They cannot escape me. I am going to find them.
And nothing will stop me!”
    Jonathan’s mother ran from the room, crying. Abigail clung to Jonathan’s side, and he put an arm around her tiny shoulders.
    Ezra said, “Jonathan, start unpacking the wagon. This house will be our new home.”
    Jonathan gasped. We are going to live
here,
in someone else’s house? he wondered, horrified by the idea. We are going to live here, so near the frightening village of corpses?
    â€œJonathan—do as you are told!” ordered his father, his voice booming through the house.
    â€œYes, Papa,” Jonathan said.
    With a sinking heart, Jonathan hurried outside. His hands trembling, he unhitched the horse and led him into the barn.
    We are going to live in their house, he thought. The Goodes’ own house, with all their things in it. What if they are not dead? What if they come back—and find us here?
    He found a bucket in the barn and carried it outside. There was a pump in the yard. He pumped water into the bucket and took it to the horse.
    At least we will have a place to sleep tonight, he told himself. With a featherbed. And a hearth to cook by.
    Jonathan sighed. Maybe it will not be so bad here, he thought. He gazed around at the green fields, the apple orchard in the distance, and the cozy house. Smoke was already rising from the chimney. His mother must have started a fire.
    Maybe we will be happy here, he thought. If only the Goodes do not come back….
    The Fiers found everything they needed in the Goodes’ house. Jonathan discovered preserves, smoked meat, and cornmeal in the shed. Abigail found a bolt of linen in the attic. Soon she and Jonathan had fresh new clothes made from the linen.
    Their mother kept busy cooking, cleaning, spinning, and sewing. Abigail helped her mother and took care of Rachel. Jonathan did the heavy chores: chopping wood, drawing water, caring for the horse. When his mother was very busy, he also looked after the girls for her.
    As they all settled in to their new life, Jonathan’s only concern was for his father. Ezra Fier had only one thing on his mind—where had the Goodes gone?
    Jonathan watched his father rummage through storage bins and drawers reading every scrap of paper he could find, studying anything that might give him a clue to their whereabouts.
    He thinks of nothing but revenge, Jonathan thought angrily, watching his father read ledgers one day. He wouldn’t even eat if Mama didn’t put a plate of food in front of him every evening. Nothing distracts him from the Goodes.
    Then Abigail ran into the room, shouting, “Papa! Look at me!”
    Ezra glanced up from the ledger, and Jonathan saw his father’s scowl melt into a smile. “Where did you get that pretty dress?” Ezra asked. “Turn around for me.”
    Abigail tossed a lock of red hair off her forehead and turned slowly, showing off her new blue dress.
    â€œMama found it in the back of an old wardrobe upstairs,” she explained, her blue eyes twinkling. “It fits me perfectly!”
    Ezra held his arms out, and Abigail ran to him for a hug. Releasing her, he said, “Run along now and help your mama. I have work to do here.”
    â€œYes, Papa,” Abigail said. She skipped out of the room.
    Papa looks almost happy, Jonathan thought as he watched his father. Abigail is the only one who can do that. She is the only one who can still make Papa smile.
    Quickly Ezra’s smile faded, and he turned to Jonathan and demanded, “What are you looking at, boy? You have chores to do, have you not?”
    â€œYes, Papa,” said Jonathan. He hurried out of the room.
    About three weeks after they had moved