A Sister's Test by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page A

thinking buying a puppy is reason enough to remove the Larsons’ name from our list of suspects.”
    Martha’s eyes widened. “You have a list?”
    The sheriff nodded. “The last time your father and I spoke, he mentioned a few people he thought might have a grudge against him.”
    “You never told us you’d given the sheriff a list of names,” Martha said, turning to face her father.
    “I talked to him about it once when he stopped by my shop to see if there had been any more attacks.” Dad gave his earlobe a quick pull. “Saw no need to mention it.”
    Martha turned back to the sheriff. “Did Dad tell you about Gary Walker?”
    “Who?”
    “He’s that reporter who’s been hanging around Holmes County doing stories about the Amish,” Cleon explained. “He used to date my wife when she was going through her running-around years.”
    Sheriff Osborn nodded. “Ah, I remember now. He’s the one who wrote that article some time ago that included a picture of Grace and told about some of the acts of vandalism that had been done at your place.”
    “That’s right,” Dad said. “We were afraid the article might make things worse by giving someone the idea that they could get away withdoing such a thing.” He grunted. “And maybe it has, because things sure have gotten worse since that article came out.”
    “Might be good for me to speak to this reporter.” The sheriff scribbled something else on his tablet. “Find out what he knows and feel him out.”
    “I doubt he’s going to admit anything,” Martha said. “I was with Grace one day when she confronted him, and he was real arrogant and denied knowing anything about our problems.”
    “He might be willing to talk to me.” Sheriff Osborn looked over at Dad. “Were any clues left after these recent attacks? Something that might point to the one responsible?”
    “Just a pack of cigarettes I found on the ground after the toilet-papering was done,” Dad said. “I suspect the culprit’s a smoker.”
    “Do you still have the cigarettes?”
    Dad shook his head. “Threw them out that same day, just like I did with the empty spray can I found on the ground near our barn this morning. Martha could get that for you.”
    “If there are any more attacks and you find any clues, I don’t want you to touch them—and certainly don’t throw them away.” The sheriff frowned. “I might be able to check for fingerprints.” He started for the door but whirled back around. “Let me know if you see or hear anything suspicious.”
    Dad nodded, and Martha hurried out the door after the sheriff. After she showed him where the can of spray paint was, she said, “You will let us know what Gary Walker has to say after you speak to him, I hope.”
    The sheriff nodded. “If there’s anything worth repeating, your dad will be the first to know.”

D o I have to go to school, Mama?” Anna whined as she sat at the table, poking her scrambled eggs with the tip of her fork.
    Grace nodded and took a sip of her tea. “This is your first day of school, and you should be happy about attending the first grade.”
    Anna’s lower lip protruded. “What if I don’t like my teacher? What if the work’s too hard?”
    “Clara Bontrager is a good teacher, and I’m sure you’ll do fine. Your friend Esta will be there, and you know most of the other children, so you won’t be alone.”
    Anna’s forehead wrinkled. “I wonder if Esta will miss her puppy while she’s in school. Winkie makes Esta laugh, you know. He helps her forget she lost her mamm.”
    “I’m glad about that. I’m also pleased that you and Esta have become such good friends.” Grace gave Anna’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Now hurry and finish your breakfast so I can take you to school.”
    “Can’t I walk? The schoolhouse isn’t far down the road.”
    Grace shook her head. “If you had older brothers or sisters to walk with you, I might allow it, but it’s just you, and I want to be sure