Read Online Plain Fear: Forgiven: A Novel by Leanna Ellis - Free Book Online Page B

caught him up on the latest. “The babies are sleeping, but they’ll be wanting a snack soon.”
    “Pop said they were healthy.”
    “Oh, ja . We are blessed. Levi went to bed early, plumb worn out.”
    “I can see them all in the morning,” Samuel said, his stomach rumbling as he smelled the delicious scents coming from the stove. “I’m sorry I kept you awake.”
    “I was glad to stay up.” Hannah pulled a plate from the cabinet. “I like the quiet when everyone has settled down for the night. It’s the only chance I have now to breathe deep and reflect.” She faced him, plate in hand. “Levi was so excited when he heard you were coming.”
    Hannah set a plate in front of him. Roasted pork, creamed sweet potatoes, green beans, and pearl onions, along with two slices of bread, filled the plate to overflowing. She added a glass of sweet tea next to the fork.
    “ Danke , Hannah. This looks awful good.”
    “I hope it will be enough to fill you. But if not, there’s more, along with a butterscotch pie for dessert.”
    “If I’m not careful, I’ll grow lazy and fat with all this good cooking.”
    She sat opposite him. “We’ll see if we can’t find something for you to do around here. Levi and I appreciate you coming all this way.”
    He offered a quiet prayer of thanks, then set about eating. “How is Levi?”
    “Right as rain.” Another voice supplied the answer. His big brother leaned against the doorframe, his shirt loose and unbuttoned, one sleeve empty and limp at his side. An arm crossed his bare stomach, and his other hand gripped a wooden cane. A bandage encircled his rib cage, and dark bruises emerged from beneath.
    Tightness seized Samuel’s chest. Pop hadn’t lied. Levi was hurt. He jumped up from the table and rushed toward Levi. It had been over three years since he’d seen his oldest brother, but he stopped just shy of giving Levi a big, bone-crushing hug. Grinning at the beard Levi had grown since he’d last seen him—the sign of a married man—Samuel clapped him on the shoulder.
    Levi winced yet still grinned back. “It’s awful good to see you, Samuel.”
    “I reckon he may be taller than you now, Levi.” Hannah smiled at the two brothers, who eyed each other levelly. She moved between them and slid Levi’s other arm through his sleeve, then settled the shirt on his shoulders.
    “And stronger,” Samuel added.
    “That’s not too difficult, given my poor state of late.” Levi peered closer at Samuel’s chin. “You having to shave yet?”
    “Three times a day,” Samuel joked.
    “Time to find this man a bride then.” Levi winked.
    “I’ll wait for a while on that.” Samuel helped his brother to the table. “Right as rain, eh?”
    “Let Samuel eat while the food is hot,” Hannah chided softly. “Would you like some pie now, Levi?”
    “Of course. I smelled that butterscotch baking. Woke me from a sound sleep.”
    “Your stomach rumbling probably woke you.” She tilted her head toward Samuel and lowered her voice. “He hasn’t been eating well since the accident, so I’ve been tempting him with his favorites.” She went to the counter and cut the pie, sliding big, thick pieces onto plates.
    “What did happen that caused all this?” Samuel eyed his brother’s weakened condition.
    “You two have much to talk about.” Hannah carried the plates to the table. “So I’m going off to bed if you don’t mind. The boys will have me up soon enough.”
    “It’s good to see you, Hannah.” Samuel nodded toward his sister-in-law. “ Danke for the good meal. You’re an awful good cook.”
    “You’re always welcome here, Samuel. But I can’t take the credit for the meal. It was Naomi who cooked all of this for us.”
    “Naomi?” Samuel asked.
    “Naomi Wagler,” she clarified. “She’s about your age, I believe. Are you eighteen now?”
    “Almost twenty.” His voice sounded strangled.
    “You remember the Wagler family, don’t you?” Levi asked.