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She blinked pain-filled blue eyes at him. “I’m oll recht.”
His lips firmed; he didn’t believe her. He glanced ahead toward the car and stared at the driver as another boy climbed out the front passenger side. “Ellen, hold on tight while I pull your buggy back onto the road,” he said gently as, ignoring them, he turned back.
“What are you doing here, Isaac?” a boy snarled.
Silently praying for control over his anger, Isaac faced the Englishers he’d once regarded as friends until he’d realized how mean the boys were. The group of friends was always asking for trouble. He moved toward the front of Ellen’s horse and glared at the two boys. Brad Smith had caused enough pain and heartache to last him a lifetime. Isaac wasn’t about to let the Englisher or any of his friends hurt anyone else in his Amish community, especially Ellen, a vulnerable young girl.
“Go home, Brad,” he called out. “You’ve done enough damage for one day.”
A third youth stepped out from the car’s backseat. He stared at Isaac across the distance. “I wonder what Nancy’s going to say when she hears you’ve been hanging around that Aay-mish girl!”
Refusing to rise to their taunts, Isaac grabbed the mare’s bridle and pulled the animal toward the road. The horse moved slowly with Isaac’s steady pressure on the reins. Within seconds, he’d maneuvered the mare back onto the road. The buggy bucked and jerked as the right wheels rolled up the incline onto pavement. He felt Ellen’s eyes on him as he calmed the animal with soft words, then returned to the driver’s side of the girl’s vehicle.
“Isaac!” the third boy snarled.
Isaac stiffened, then faced them. “Roy, go home—all of you! You could have caused her serious injury. If you don’t want to get arrested, then you’d better go and leave us alone.” Brad Smith and his friends were bullies who liked to pick on anyone who couldn’t fight back. Fortunately, Brad didn’t intimidate him. I won’t allow him to bully Ellen.
“You know them?” Ellen murmured as the boys piled back into the car and left.
“Ja.” He stared unhappily down the road in the direction they’d left before he turned, dismissing them.
“Who is he?” Ellen asked.
“Brad Smith. Nancy’s bruder.”
* * *
Nancy Smith. The name filled Ellen with dread. The girl who ruined my friendship with Isaac. Isaac had met the English girl during his rumspringa and liked her so much that he’d brought her home to meet his family. He’d taken her to a community gathering and a church service. If that wasn’t disturbing enough, he’d brought her to a Sunday-evening community youth singing. Having the English girl in their midst had felt awkward for her. She and Isaac had been good friends until Nancy had learned of his friendship with Ellen and proceeded to monopolize his time. Isaac had been so enamored of her that he’d allowed it. He’d forgotten about Ellen. But Nancy hadn’t. She had made it clear to Ellen that Isaac was hers and he no longer would have time for her. It had been a terrible loss for Ellen, as she had fallen in love with Isaac.
Thinking to do the right thing to protect her friend, Ellen had warned Isaac that the English girl was not a nice person. But, too blinded by his infatuation with Nancy, he’d refused to believe Ellen and had become angry with her. Ellen had felt betrayed by Isaac’s reaction and his lack of trust. Ellen had loved him; she wouldn’t have purposely set out to hurt him. If Nancy had been the good person she’d pretended to be, if she’d been kind and genuine, someone who could have made Isaac happy, Ellen would have kept her mouth shut. She’d thought she owed it to him to tell him the truth, but the truth had backfired on her. Not only did Isaac not believe her, he’d cut off all ties of their friendship.
I don’t want to think about it, Ellen thought. The incident had happened over two years ago, and she mustn’t dwell on it. As far as she knew, Nancy was no longer in Isaac’s life. She had gone, but she left a friendship in tatters.
Ellen was fine and she’d moved on. Hadn’t she been enjoying the company of Nathaniel Peachy, their deacon’s son? Her friendship with Nate was an easy one. With him, she didn’t have to constantly hide her feelings. They were friends and nothing more.
Besides, she had a new plan for her life. One for which her parents hadn’t given their approval, but it was something she’d begun to think of as God’s calling for her. She wanted to work with special-needs Amish children, those born with genetic disorders. Her friends Rebekka and Caleb Yoder had a daughter who suffered from Crigler-Najjar syndrome, a genetic disease caused by a buildup of bilirubin—a toxic substance responsible for jaundice—in the little girl’s blood. Fortunately, little Alice’s condition was type 2. The child had to remain naked under a special blue LED light for ten to twelve hours a day. The treatment could be especially brutal on cold winter or hot summer days.
After visiting the Yoder home, witnessing the child’s treatment, Ellen had felt something emotional shift inside her. Unlike little Alice, she’d been blessed with good health. She felt the powerful urge to help families like the Yoders with children like Alice.
The buggy suddenly jerked as it moved. Startled, she held on to the seat. She grimaced at the pain caused by the vehicle’s sudden shift in movement. Soon the jerking stopped and Ellen sighed with relief as she felt the buggy wheels rolling on pavement.
She stuck her head out the window. Isaac had pulled her vehicle out of the ditch and back on the road. Fortunately, no other cars had been around to hinder the progress. As Isaac had said, the English boys were gone. She could no longer see them. She just had to get through the visit to Katie Lapp’s and then she could go home.
Isaac climbed into the driver’s side of her buggy. “Your wheels are out of the ditch.” He stared at her, his brow furrowing. “Your head hurts,” he said with concern.
“I’m fine.” Ellen promptly dropped her hand and lifted her chin. The movement made her grimace with pain and she turned to stare out the passenger window. She had to be grateful for his help, but she didn’t want him here. “Why are you in my buggy?”
“I’m going to drive you wherever you’re going.”
“There’s no need. I’m fine. I just need a minute.”
He remained silent as he studied her. “Where are you headed?”
“To see your mudder.” She gestured toward the bag that had fallen to the buggy floor during the accident. “Mam asked me to bring those—the squares we made for the quilt we’re all making.”
Isaac opened the door and met her gaze. “I need to check your buggy to see if it’s safe to drive.”
Ellen watched as he slid out of the vehicle. Despite the rising bump on her forehead, an aching cheek, a dull throbbing in her right shoulder and some red, burning fingers, she knew she was well enough to drive her vehicle. She kept silent as she waited for Isaac to finish checking the carriage for damage.
“Looks gut,” he said to her through the passenger window opening within inches of where she sat. “I’d suggest that Eli take a look, but I don’t see anything physically wrong with the structure. Still, you may want to think about taking it to him later to be sure.”
“Oll recht.”
He was too close. Ellen could see the long lengths of his dark eyelashes and feel the whisper of breath across her skin. He examined her with watchful gray eyes, and she shivered in reaction to the intensity of his regard. She moved to slide across the seat. His arm on her shoulder stopped her and she had to hold a cry so he wouldn’t realize that she’d hurt it when she’d been thrown against the door.
“I have to go.” Ellen shifted uncomfortably when he didn’t move. To her shock, he reached out to lightly stroke her cheek.
“You’re going to have a bruise,” he said huskily as he withdrew his touch.
Ellen was powerless to look away from the intensity of his gray eyes, the tiny smile playing about his lips. “I need to go—”
“You’re not driving.”
She gazed at him, more than a little annoyed. “’Tis a buggy, not a car. I can handle it.”
“Not in your condition.”
She scowled. She didn’t want to ride with him, with the man who hadn’t trusted her. Why should she trust him to take her anywhere? She realized that she hadn’t forgiven him for the past but at the moment she didn’t care.
“Ellen?” Isaac frowned. “Tell me the truth. Your head hurts, ja?” His tone was gentle.
She closed her eyes at his kindness, wishing that she could turn back time to before things had soured between them. Did he honestly think that she’d forgotten what he’d done? Why was he acting like her friend again when it had been two years since he’d cut off their friendship?
“Ellen?”
“Ja, it hurts,” she admitted rudely.
“You need ice for your cheek.” His voice remained kind, making Ellen feel bad. “I was on my way home. Let me drive you.” He leaned in through the open window and the scent of him filled her nostrils. Memories of an earlier time rose up and slammed into her. Her eyes filled with tears. She turned away so he wouldn’t see them.
“Ellen...”
She blinked rapidly before she faced him again.
He reached out to touch her forehead, his finger skimming over the lump beneath the surface of her skin. His touch was light but she couldn’t help a grimace of pain. His gray eyes darkened. “I’m driving,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Isaac left her to skirt the vehicle. He seemed suddenly larger-than-life as he slid in next to her. She didn’t want him to drive her. She didn’t want him anywhere near her. The way he was making her feel made her afraid, afraid that she wasn’t over him, and despite the past and the way he’d chosen Nancy over her, she might still love him. It was better to stay angry with him. It was the only way to protect her heart.
With a click of his tongue and a flick of the leathers, Isaac urged the horse forward. Ellen sat silently in her seat beside him, and she could feel his brief side-glances toward her as he drove. She ignored them.
The remaining distance to the Samuel Lapp farm wasn’t far. Ellen saw the Lapp farmhouse ahead as Isaac steered the horse onto the long dirt lane that ended in the barnyard near the house. He drew on the reins carefully, easing the carriage to a halt as if he worried about hurting her. He parked the buggy near the house, then jumped down from the bench and ran to assist before she had a chance to climb out on her own. She shifted too quickly in her seat and gasped with the searing pain. Her head hurt and her right shoulder, which had slammed against the buggy wall, was throbbing. She was furious at how weak she felt. She didn’t want Isaac to be right. She didn’t want Isaac to be the one she had to rely on, even if just for a little while.
Isaac appeared by her side and gently clasped her arm. “Easy, now, Ellen,” he murmured. “Slowly.”
She winced as she swung her legs toward the door opening. She made a move to step down until, with a sympathetic murmur, Isaac released her arm to encircle her waist with his hands. He lifted her as if she weighed no more than a young child. Ellen was conscious of his nearness, his male scent and the warmth of his touch at her midsection as he held her a brief moment before he set her down. Tears filled her eyes. Her injuries hurt but so did her aching heart.
“Danki.” She didn’t look at him as she stood there, feeling weak. Reaction set in. The horror of what those boys could have done to her caused her body to shake. She drew deep calming breaths, hoping he didn’t notice.
“Ice. You need an ice pack,” he announced as he bent to retrieve her bag from the buggy floor. He tucked it under his arm, then reached for her with the other. Fortunately, Ellen had regained control. “Come. Let’s get you into the house.” He slipped his right arm about her waist and helped her toward the house. Ellen wanted to pull away. She felt her heart thundering in her chest and grew worried that she’d lose control of her emotions again.
Chapter Two (#ulink_b3786f9e-e47d-5ddf-afe6-df582dbc7dbd)
“Ellen?” Isaac’s mother had stepped out onto the front porch of the farmhouse. She frowned as she saw Isaac leading Ellen with his arm about her waist. “What happened?”
Ellen felt the sudden tension in Isaac’s shoulders. “Some Englishers forced her off the road. The buggy came to a stop in a ditch.”
“Ach, nay. Poor dear.” Katie eyed her with concern. “Isaac, help her into the kitchen.”
Ellen wanted to insist on walking on her own, but she wasn’t about to protest in front of his mother. She still wasn’t feeling the best and was grateful for the assistance. Her head hurt and she felt woozy.
“Here.” Katie gestured toward a chair. “Sit her here.”
Isaac saw her comfortably seated, then promptly disappeared into the back room.
His mother bent to closely examine her injuries. “You hurt your cheek.” She narrowed her gaze as she studied her. “And your forehead.”
Ellen nodded. Her cheek throbbed and she had a headache. She reached up to feel the sore bump on her forehead.
Isaac returned and handed his mother an ice pack.
Katie smiled at him approvingly, then pressed it gently against Ellen’s forehead. “Hold it here for a few minutes and then shift it to your cheek.”
“Danki.” She tried to smile until the simple movement of her lips hurt. Isaac stood by the kitchen worktable, watching silently.
“The driver was reckless,” Katie said.
“Ja. ’Twas Brad Smith,” Isaac said darkly.
His mother shot him a glance. “You know him?”
“Ja.” Isaac’s scowl revealed that he wasn’t pleased. “He’s Nancy’s bruder.”
Katie frowned.
“Thank the Lord that Isaac came when he did,” Ellen admitted. The memory of the boys getting out of their car made her shudder.
“I’m glad I was there to help,” he murmured, his expression softening.
Ellen didn’t say anything as she looked away.
“You did gut, Soohn.” Katie regarded her son warmly.
Something flickered in Isaac’s expression. “Any one of us would have helped.” He smiled. “You taught us well.”
Katie nodded. “I’ll put on the teakettle.” She turned toward the stove. “You need a cup to revive you.”
As she held ice to her cheek, Ellen encountered Isaac’s gaze. She shifted the bag to her forehead. Isaac frowned, left the room and returned with another ice bag. She gave a jolt when he sat down close beside her and pressed it gently against her cheek. “Danki,” she murmured.
He leaned forward as he kept hold of the ice. “You’re willkomm.”
“Here we are.” Katie set three cups of hot steaming tea on the table. She returned to get a coffee cake from the counter. “How about a nice slice of cinnamon cake? I made it fresh this morning.”
Ellen had smelled it as soon as she’d entered the kitchen earlier. She felt her stomach rumble as if urging her to eat. Embarrassed, she nodded.
She lowered the ice pack and set it on the table. The ice was soothing to her injuries, but after a while, the cold felt too intense. Taking her cue, Isaac removed the other bag. She was aware that he watched her every moment as if he half expected her to faint or fall over...or something worse. She tried to smile reassuringly but the simple movement caused pain to radiate along the right side of her face. Without asking, Isaac quickly picked up an ice bag and held it to the painful area. Ellen welcomed the cold again, as it helped to alleviate the soreness. Disturbed by his nearness, she reached up to take control of the bag. Her fingers accidentally brushed against his; she froze as she locked gazes with him.
“I’ve got it,” she assured him. She hated that he had the power to make her feel something besides anger, that he could still make her wish for things that she no longer wanted.
Isaac leaned back in his chair without a word as his mother sliced the coffee cake, then set the pieces within reach in the middle of the table. Katie then sat across from her and Isaac. In the ensuing silence, Ellen remained overly aware of Isaac beside her as she sipped from her teacup.
“Where’s Hannah?” Isaac asked conversationally.
“At Abram’s.” Katie took a sip of tea. “She loves playing with Mae Anne.”
Their deacon, Abram Peachy, a widower, had married Charlotte King of the Amos Kings, who lived across the road from the Lapps. When she’d married Abram, Charlotte had become mother to Abram’s five children. Then a year and a half ago, Charlotte had given birth to a daughter, Mae Anne, and she had six children to mother and love. Mae Anne, a toddler, was as cute as she was bright, and her older siblings adored her. Isaac’s sister, Hannah, now eight, had been drawn to the baby immediately. The youngest Lapp sibling loved spending time with babies and children younger than her, including her own nieces and nephews.
“She’s gut with kinner. She’ll make a fine mudder one day.” Ellen dug her fork into the coffee cake and brought a piece to her mouth. She felt Isaac’s gaze on her, met his glance and quickly looked away. She felt her heart rate accelerate, her stomach flutter as if filled with butterflies.
* * *
Isaac gazed at the girl seated at his family’s kitchen table and felt his stomach tighten as he thought of the accident. When he’d learned that it was Brad and his friends in the car, he’d felt his hackles rise. These English boys were rude and nearly always up for trouble, and trouble was the last thing he needed. He’d already found it once with them, and he wasn’t looking to get involved with them again. Except he’d never have known Nancy’s true colors if not for them. He’d been happy when he’d met Nancy Smith, pleased when she’d wanted to meet his family. He’d found her fascinating, and after he’d spent some time with her, his fascination had grown. Dressed all in black, she’d worn heavy eye makeup and bright red lipstick. Her appearance stood out in a crowd, which wasn’t the Amish way, but she’d been sweet and he’d realized after talking with her for hours that they shared a lot in common. Until he’d learned that she’d pretended to like him simply because she’d been curious about the Amish way of life.
The pain of learning the truth about her still lingered. His foolishness in getting involved with her and her unkind circle of friends bothered him. He’d given his parents cause to worry, and for that he was sincerely sorry.
As Ellen and his mother chatted, Isaac studied the young woman seated next to him. He had a clear up-close view of her features. Tendrils of blond hair had escaped from under her kapp during the accident. The bruise on her cheek stood out starkly against her smooth complexion. She turned, saw him staring and raised her eyebrows questioningly. He continued to watch her, unable to look away. Her cheeks turned bright pink and she averted her gaze.
It seemed impossible that they’d known each other forever, but they had. He had to admit it had been a long time since they’d spent any time together like they used to. His fault, he knew, but he couldn’t undo the past. He’d chosen Nancy over Ellen.
Isaac experienced a strange tingle of awareness of Ellen that he’d never felt before. “How is your head?”
Ellen gingerly touched her forehead. “Not too painful.”
He frowned, because he didn’t believe her. He stood. “I’ll get more ice.”
“Nay, I’m fine.” She waved at him to sit down.
He reluctantly resumed his seat. “When you’re ready to go, I’ll take you home.”
“There’s no need—”
