Read Online His Love Endures Forever by Beth Wiseman - Free Book Online Page A

Martha seemed to tune in to the television program with Arnold. Closing her eyes, she tried to picture herself with Levi . . . the two of them, a family, raising a baby. More than once, she’d wanted Levi to kiss her, but she’d known that would change the way things were between them. But now she found herself envisioning his lips on hers. What would it be like to kiss her best friend?

   Five
    T HURSDAY, SARAH WALKED INTO THE DETWEILERS’ dry goods store to pick up a few things on her mother’s list. And to see if maybe she could catch a glimpse of Levi. The dry goods store was on the same property as the Detweilers’ home, and since it was almost four o’clock, she knew that Levi and his father would be pulling in from work soon, in time to clean up before the supper hour at five. Even if she didn’t get to see Levi, this would be a good time to chat with Levi’s older brother, Jacob, about something she’d seen.
    “ Wie bischt , Sarah?” Jacob said from behind the counter as she walked in.
    “I’m gut . Danki , Jacob.”
    Jacob was only a year older than Levi, but if Levi hadn’t told Sarah that, she’d have thought him much older. He already had a receding hairline. Maybe his wife of two years, Beth Ann, was aging him. Beth Ann was on the whiny side. Sarah was glad Levi’s hair wasn’t receding so quickly.
    “If you’re lookin’ for Levi, he ain’t home yet.”
    Sarah felt her cheeks warm as she waved a playful hand atJacob. “ Nee, nee . I’m just here to pick up a few things for mei mamm .” She reached into the pocket of her black apron and pulled out the list.
    “Need help finding anything, let me know.” Jacob stacked some papers on the counter as he gave her a wise smile.
    “ Ya, danki . I’m sure I’ll find everything.” She returned the smile and headed down the first aisle. Five minutes later, she was back at the counter carrying the six items in a small basket. She put them on the counter.
    “That was fast.”
    Jacob started scanning the items with a gadget Sarah had seen in stores that had electricity, then she looked up and saw lights overhead.
    “Jacob Detweiler . . .” She put her hands on her hips, grinning. “You’re running electricity in here.” She pointed to the cash register, then up at the lights.
    He chuckled. “Solar panels. Daed and Levi installed them a couple of weeks ago. Daed was even thinking about putting some at the main house, but Mamm threw a fit. Said she was happy with things the way they are.”
    “Solar panels in the haus is too Englisch for me, but I can see where it would be a big help here at the store.” She lifted a brow. “What does the bishop have to say about it?”
    Jacob shrugged. “The bishop figures we’re only taking advantage of all the sunshine the good Lord gives us here.” He put her items in a bag.
    Sarah peeked out the window. No sign of Levi yet, but she had other business here anyway. “I ran into the Englisch girl, Danielle, the other day. First time I’ve seen her in a while.” Sarah pulled a twenty-dollar bill from her apron pocket and put it onthe counter. “She used to attend our worship service sometimes with Martha, but she hasn’t attended in weeks.” She paused. “Anyway, I was at the pharmacy picking up a prescription for mei sister when I saw her down the aisle.” Sarah knew what she was doing was wrong. Gossiping. But she knew how close Levi and Danielle were, and it worried her. She also knew her mother’s generation would never ask what she was about to ask Jacob, but she wanted Jacob—and particularly Levi—to know what kind of girl Danielle was. “Do you know . . . is she with child?”
    Jacob’s cheeks reddened above his brown beard as he avoided her eyes. “Uh, I wouldn’t think so, since she ain’t married.”
    “Isn’t she dating an Amish fellow in Alamosa?”
    “ Ya , Matthew Lapp. Don’t know him. I’ve just heard Levi mention his name.”
    Sarah shook her head. “I was just