The Rebel by Marta Perry Page A

under her wing, like, it might be a big help to my girl.”
    â€œOf course, of course,” Daad said before Barbie could find her voice. “Barbie will help.”
    â€œUm, ja, for sure,” she mumbled, wondering how on earth she could get out of this. “I’m just not sure what I can do.”
    Glancing up, she caught the full glare of Benuel’s eyes. He was hating this even more than she was, obviously.
    â€œJust make a friend of the child,” Mamm said, and there was a warning in her voice. “That’s not hard.”
    â€œHow? I can’t just walk in on her and invite her to talk to me. That would turn her off for sure.” Didn’t they see that?But Mamm was giving her the frown that said she didn’t want to hear objections.
    â€œI thought maybe Mary could help out at the farm-stay if you and your cousin are willing,” Moses said, appealing directly to her. “She’d like getting away from home, and she’s a fine worker. But we wouldn’t expect you to pay her.”
    She was well and truly trapped, with Mamm and Daad looking on approvingly and Moses appealing to her. Ben was the only one who might object, but he apparently wasn’t going to, no matter how he hated the idea.
    Barbie tried to sound upbeat. “There’s plenty to do getting the place ready for guests. And we’d certain-sure want to pay her something for helping. But will Mary want to come?”
    â€œI’ll tell her you asked for her,” Moses said quickly. “Just talk to Rebecca and let us know when you want her.”
    He rose as he spoke, as if eager to get away before she could change her mind. Or maybe he was embarrassed at having admitted Mary’s problems to her parents. If so, that was ironic.
    â€œWe’re sehr glad our Barbie can help you.” Daad glanced at Mamm. “She’ll do everything she can.”
    Barbie nodded, but her heart felt like lead. Why, knowing what he did, would Moses think she’d be a good influence on his daughter? And how could she advise the girl when she had such questions herself?
    She jerked her attention back to the moment. Moses was turning down Mamm’s renewed offers of food, and Benuel strode out the door with a quick good-bye as if he couldn’t get away fast enough.
    With a glance, Daad gathered them to go outside to see Moses and Ben off. Barbie suppressed the urge to disappear.
    Chance put her close to Ben while her parents and his father were saying their good-byes. She couldn’t resist saying something.
    â€œYou’re hating this, aren’t you?”
    His strong jaw clamped, looking as if it had been formed of iron. “My father appreciates your efforts.” He ground out the words. “I will be watching you.”
    The words jolted her with their reminder of the anonymous note she’d received. “Did you send me that letter?”
    As soon as the words were out, she knew he hadn’t. He stared at her blankly for a moment.
    â€œWhat letter?”
    She shook her head, sorry she’d mentioned it. “Nothing. Never mind.”
    â€œIt’s not nothing. What letter—”
    â€œReady, Ben?” Moses was climbing into the buggy.
    â€œJa, coming.” Ben sent her a look that promised a renewal of his question at the earliest opportunity.
    How had she gotten committed to this crazy scheme? Didn’t Moses realize how foolish it was to ask a woman who was already skating dangerously near the line of being Amish to act as guide to a rebellious girl?
    And if something bad happened to Mary now, she had no doubt she’d be the one to get the blame. She was really and truly stuck.

C HAPTER S IX
    T he perfect solution occurred to Barbie the next day as she drove down the lane to Rebecca’s house. Why hadn’t she seen it sooner? The plan Moses had come up with didn’t depend solely on her. Rebecca would have something to say about it as