The Shunning Read Free

daughter.
    Then with the expertise of one who had cooked and baked an array of farm produce for as long as she could remember, Rebecca reached for a potholder and leaned down to inspect the home-cured ham in the oven. “Jah, gut,” she whispered, smiling in approval as she breathed in its sweet aroma.
    Minutes later, as though on cue, Eli, Benjamin, and their father came inside, removed their wide-brimmed, black felt hats, heavy sack coats, and work boots, and headed for the polished black woodstove near the center of the enormous kitchen.
    “Startin’ to sleet out,” Samuel said, rubbing his hands together. He pulled a chair up close to the old range and stuck out his stockinged feet, warming them.
    “We’re in for a cold snap, all right,” Rebecca replied, glancing at the long sawbuck table adorned with a simple green-checkered oilcloth. “Katie-e-e!” she called again.
    When there was still no answer, concern creased Rebecca’s brow. Her worried expression must have baffled Samuel Lapp, for he spoke right up. “ Ach , what’s-a-matter? Do ya think daughter’s ill?”
    Rebecca gazed at the gas lamp hanging over the table and wondered what could be keeping Katie. It wasn’t like her to be late.
    From his spot near the warm stove, Samuel began to call, “Katie, supper! Come now, don’t delay!”
    When their daughter did not come bounding down the steps at his summons, he glowered. Rebecca felt her cheeks grow pale.
    Apparently Eli noticed, too. “Mam?”
    She stood there, stock still, as though waiting for an answer to drop from heaven. “Where could Katie be?” she managed at last, gripping the platter of steaming sliced ham with both hands.
    Samuel shrugged, pulling on his bushy beard. “Wasn’t she here in the house?”
    Quickly Rebecca turned, fixing her sons with an inquiring stare. “You boys seen her?”
    “Don’t know that I seen her most the afternoon,” Eli spoke up.
    “Benjamin? When did you see your sister last?”
    He ran his fingers through a shock of thick blond hair. “I don’t—”
    “Well, did you see her or not?” Rebecca demanded, almost immediately regretting the sharp tone she’d taken with her youngest son.
    Samuel went to the sink and turned on the spigot, facing the window as the water rushed over his red, callused hands. “Eli and Benjamin were out shreddin’ cornstalks with me,” he explained over his shoulder. “No need to be pointing fingers just yet.”
    His words stung, but Rebecca clamped her jaw shut. A submissive wife was to fear the Lord and respect her husband, which meant letting Samuel have the last word. She turned slowly, placing the platter of meat on the stovetop.
    Still in his stocking feet, Samuel strode into the living room and called up the steps. “Katie . . . supper!”
    It was at that moment that Benjamin appeared to remember. “Oh, she might still be in the attic. I helped her up there a while back.”
    Rebecca’s heart gave a great leap. The attic?
    “What’s she want up there?” Samuel mumbled, obviously annoyed at the delay, and marched back into the kitchen.
    “To have a look at Mam’s wedding dress, I guess.”
    Rebecca studied her son. “Well, go on up and fetch her down, will you?” she asked, careful not to betray her growing desperation.
    Following Eli, who steadied the oil lantern, Benjamin scrambled up the stairs, his hollow stomach growling as he went.
    “Whatcha think’s wrong?” Eli asked as they came to the landing.
    Benjamin glanced up at his brother on the rung above him. “With Katie?”
    “No.” Eli snorted. “With Mamma.”
    Benjamin had a pretty good notion. “Katie’s gettin’ married next week—Mam’s losin’ her only daughter. That’s all there is to it.”
    “Jah.” It was pretty clear that Eli wasn’t exactly certain what Ben meant. But they both knew one thing for sure: Getting married was a way of life in Hickory Hollow. You found a nice honest girl among the People and got yourself