Read Online A Promise of Hope by Amy Clipston - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amy Clipston
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“I don’t understand.”
“She wanted me to choose between my pop and her. I couldn’t leave Pop. He was my responsibility.”
“Was she Amish?” Sarah asked.
“Ya. We grew up together.” He tossed his straw hat onto the peg on the wall next to the bed.
She shook her head with disbelief. “How could she abandon you when you needed her most? It’s our way to care for each other. Now that Peter’s gone, it seems everyone wants to take care of me whether I want their help or not.”
“Millie wasn’t like that. I think she was too selfish to spend her time caring for my pop. She waited for a year and then married someone else—my best friend.”
“And you never met anyone else?”
“I was too busy caring for Pop and working. I didn’t have time for courting.”
“You’ve had a lot of tragedy in your life. You’ve lost your mamm, your dat, and your true love. That’s a lot for a person to bear.” She stepped toward the door. “I’ll let you get settled. The bathroom is downstairs next to the kitchen. I’ll go to the market tomorrow and get you some groceries. Feel free to come to my parents’ house for meals.”
Although Luke’s presence had sent her emotions into a deep abyss of anger and hurt, she felt sorry for him and his loss. She didn’t wish her sorrow on anyone, especially someone who was family.
“We’ll be sitting on the porch later if you want to join us.” She studied the exhaustion in his eyes and shook her head. “You look tired, though, so I’ll understand if you’d rather sleep tonight. It’s been a long day for you.”
He raked his hand through his brown hair. “I think I may call it a day, but I appreciate the invitation.”
“You’re also welcome to use our horse and buggy,” she added. “Timothy may have already introduced you to Molly in Dat’s barn. Peter bought Molly before we were married. She’s a very docile horse. You can use her to venture around town.”
“Danki,” he said.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said. “Sleep well.” Turning, she stepped through the doorway.
“Sarah!” Timothy’s voice rang out downstairs. “Sarah Rose! Mamm is looking for you back at the house.”
“Wait. I want to say something,” Luke said.
He ran his hand through his hair again, reminding her of Peter when he was nervous. Her mouth went dry.
“Danki for everything,” he said. “I appreciate how your family has welcomed me here.”
“Sarah? Where are you?” Timothy called, boots scraping the stairs.
“I could only dream of having a family like this,” Luke said.
His words brought tears to her eyes. This poor man had lost his family. He deserved her sympathy.
But how can I know he’s telling the truth?
“Sarah?” Timothy said as he came up behind her. “We were starting to get worried. You’ve been here quite awhile. Mamm is looking for you.”
“I was just showing Luke the house,” Sarah huffed, annoyed. “I was about to head back.” Wasn’t she old enough to take care of herself? She was sick of everyone hovering over her like she was a fragile little girl.
“Good night, Luke,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Let’s go,” Timothy said. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he steered her toward the stairs.
Later that evening, Luke stepped from the shower and snatched a towel off the rack on the wall. While drying himself, he reflected on the day, and exhaustion pummeled him. He was both emotionally and physically drained. His life had taken a turn he hadn’t expected after arriving at the Kauffman & Yoder Amish Furniture store this morning. He’d discovered that not only was Peter dead, but that he had left behind a family—a real family with a wife, unborn twins, and a host of in-laws who’d cared for him.
Grief mixed with anger gripped Luke. He was filled with questions, and he wanted answers. No, he needed answers, and they were answers only Peter could provide.
But Peter was gone. He was dead.
Luke
“She wanted me to choose between my pop and her. I couldn’t leave Pop. He was my responsibility.”
“Was she Amish?” Sarah asked.
“Ya. We grew up together.” He tossed his straw hat onto the peg on the wall next to the bed.
She shook her head with disbelief. “How could she abandon you when you needed her most? It’s our way to care for each other. Now that Peter’s gone, it seems everyone wants to take care of me whether I want their help or not.”
“Millie wasn’t like that. I think she was too selfish to spend her time caring for my pop. She waited for a year and then married someone else—my best friend.”
“And you never met anyone else?”
“I was too busy caring for Pop and working. I didn’t have time for courting.”
“You’ve had a lot of tragedy in your life. You’ve lost your mamm, your dat, and your true love. That’s a lot for a person to bear.” She stepped toward the door. “I’ll let you get settled. The bathroom is downstairs next to the kitchen. I’ll go to the market tomorrow and get you some groceries. Feel free to come to my parents’ house for meals.”
Although Luke’s presence had sent her emotions into a deep abyss of anger and hurt, she felt sorry for him and his loss. She didn’t wish her sorrow on anyone, especially someone who was family.
“We’ll be sitting on the porch later if you want to join us.” She studied the exhaustion in his eyes and shook her head. “You look tired, though, so I’ll understand if you’d rather sleep tonight. It’s been a long day for you.”
He raked his hand through his brown hair. “I think I may call it a day, but I appreciate the invitation.”
“You’re also welcome to use our horse and buggy,” she added. “Timothy may have already introduced you to Molly in Dat’s barn. Peter bought Molly before we were married. She’s a very docile horse. You can use her to venture around town.”
“Danki,” he said.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said. “Sleep well.” Turning, she stepped through the doorway.
“Sarah!” Timothy’s voice rang out downstairs. “Sarah Rose! Mamm is looking for you back at the house.”
“Wait. I want to say something,” Luke said.
He ran his hand through his hair again, reminding her of Peter when he was nervous. Her mouth went dry.
“Danki for everything,” he said. “I appreciate how your family has welcomed me here.”
“Sarah? Where are you?” Timothy called, boots scraping the stairs.
“I could only dream of having a family like this,” Luke said.
His words brought tears to her eyes. This poor man had lost his family. He deserved her sympathy.
But how can I know he’s telling the truth?
“Sarah?” Timothy said as he came up behind her. “We were starting to get worried. You’ve been here quite awhile. Mamm is looking for you.”
“I was just showing Luke the house,” Sarah huffed, annoyed. “I was about to head back.” Wasn’t she old enough to take care of herself? She was sick of everyone hovering over her like she was a fragile little girl.
“Good night, Luke,” she said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Let’s go,” Timothy said. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he steered her toward the stairs.
Later that evening, Luke stepped from the shower and snatched a towel off the rack on the wall. While drying himself, he reflected on the day, and exhaustion pummeled him. He was both emotionally and physically drained. His life had taken a turn he hadn’t expected after arriving at the Kauffman & Yoder Amish Furniture store this morning. He’d discovered that not only was Peter dead, but that he had left behind a family—a real family with a wife, unborn twins, and a host of in-laws who’d cared for him.
Grief mixed with anger gripped Luke. He was filled with questions, and he wanted answers. No, he needed answers, and they were answers only Peter could provide.
But Peter was gone. He was dead.
Luke
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