The Amish Widow's Heart. Marta Perry

      She’d grown so used to the fact that she’d never really wondered about it. Plenty of women with families helped out in the family business.

      “It would be easier now if you had been more involved, but I don’t suppose James envisioned a time when he wouldn’t be there.” Lydia glanced at her, as if to be sure her words hadn’t hurt.

      “Yah, it would be. I don’t believe James ever considered the need. After all, his mother never did work outside the home, and she just had the one child and the little house in town.”

      Lydia’s dimples showed at the mention of Beth’s mother-in-law. “It’s certain sure Sarah Esch never thought of anything on her own. I’ve never seen a woman so...so passive in my life.”

      Beth had to suppress a smile. “Sarah is like a soft, fluffy pillow you can push into any shape.” Fearing that sounded critical, she hurried on. “But she’s a wonderful, sweet mother-in-law.”

      “I guess.” She hesitated. “Pillows are all very well to rest on, but they don’t help you get anything done. And she always doted on James. Spoiled him, some folks say.”

      “He was all she had.” Beth felt compelled to defend her mother-in-law, but it was true that Sarah’s fluttering over James and then over Benjy drove her wild sometimes. “She’s another person who can never know the truth.”

      “I guess not. But I just wish you didn’t have to carry this burden all alone.”

      “I have you,” Beth said softly. “Denke.”

      Lydia wiped her eyes and then chuckled. “We’d best find something else to talk about before we’re both crying. So what are you going to do about the store now?”

      “Daniel has this idea that I should start going in for a few hours a day. That way at least I can learn something about the business, but—”

      “But what? It sounds like a gut idea to me,” Lydia said. “Unless you’re thinking to sell your share?”

      “Daniel said something about the store being Benjy’s legacy from his father, and it’s true. If I sell, we’d have the money, but money isn’t everything. Benjy wouldn’t have the store.”

      “You don’t have to decide right away, do you? Why not try Daniel’s suggestion?” Lydia was practical, as always. “Maybe you’ll find a way to be a real partner in the business.”

      The very thought sent a shiver through her. “I don’t know that I can.”

      “Why not?” Lydia’s voice was brisk. “You’re smart, and you’re a hard worker. And you don’t want to turn into a fluffy pillow, ain’t so?”

      Halfway between laughing and crying, Beth threw a napkin at her. “All right. Don’t be so bossy. I’ll try. I’ll go in and see what it’s like, but that’s all.”

      “Tomorrow,” Lydia said firmly.

      Beth wished she had another napkin to throw. “Tomorrow. I promise.”

      She just hoped she wouldn’t regret it.