LITMIR.BIZ

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       Chapter One

      November, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

      The Adam Troyer barn was filled to capacity with Amish youth. Young people stood near or sat on benches on both sides of three long tables. Plates with leftovers, snacks and plastic cups with the remnants of iced tea or lemonade littered the tabletops. Meg Stoltzfus and her sister Ellie attended tonight’s singing with their friends, including one man from another church district, Reuben Miller, whom Meg had set her eye on from the first moment she met him, over two years ago.

      “Ellie,” Meg whispered, “Reuben asked to take me home.”

      “Again?” Ellie teased with a grin.

      “Ja.” Meg glanced longingly at Reuben. She’d first met him when he and his sister attended a singing at her cousin Eli’s invitation, and she hadn’t seen him again until three weeks prior, when he’d sought her attention after an unexpected encounter in Whittier’s Store.

      “Go,” Ellie urged, startling her from her thoughts. “You don’t want to keep him waiting.”

      Meg nodded. “I’ll be home soon.” She turned with a smile, but her good humor vanished as she encountered Peter Zook. She had fallen for him when she was sixteen, and she’d thought they were friends. But she’d been wrong, and she’d found out the hard way after accidently eavesdropping on Peter and his brother. Peter had told Josiah that she was spoiled and in need of discipline. She’d been devastated. Every time she saw him now, she felt her hackles rise.

      Determined not to allow him to get to her, Meg smiled politely. “Beautiful night, ja, Peter?”

      “It’s supposed to rain,” he said.

      She stiffened and turned. “Rain? Honestly, Peter? That’s all you have to say?” She fought irritation and won. Her smile became genuine. “Rain or not, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.” Then she walked to where Reuben waited for her near the door, settling her gaze on him.

      “Ready?” Reuben’s appreciative smile was a huge boost to her morale as she reached his side. The complete opposite of Peter Zook in looks, Reuben had blond hair and pale blue eyes. Peter, on the other hand, had dark hair and a gaze that was currently a stormy gray.

      She froze, then berated herself. Why was she comparing the two men? Why think of Peter at all?

      The night was balmy and pleasant as she and Reuben stepped outside. The stars were glistening points of light in a clear, dark sky. Rain, Meg thought. Huh!

      Reuben helped her into his buggy, then climbed onto the seat next to her. She studied him as he picked up the leathers and steered the horse down the dirt lane and onto the main road.

      She frowned. What was the matter with her? Reuben was handsome, kind and good-humored. Yet her joyful mood had dimmed.

      Because of Peter Zook. Peter had stolen the fun from her evening.

      Meg released a calming breath as she studied the hands that held the reins. She’d felt the calluses on Reuben’s fingers when he’d helped her onto the seat. He’d told her recently that he’d been working with a construction company. Strong, hardworking hands. Hands that could belong to a working husband.

      Silence surrounded them as Reuben drove the buggy down the dark, deserted road. The only sounds were the clip-clop of horse hooves and the sound of carriage wheels on pavement.

      Should she start a conversation? Meg wondered, uneasy with the silence.

      “You’re quiet,” Reuben said softly.

      “So are you,” she replied with a light laugh.

      He turned to regard her with curious eyes. “Did you enjoy the singing?”

      “Ja. Did you?” She met his light blue eyes, then looked away from the intensity of the gaze.

      “I did because you were there.”

      “That’s kind of you to say.”

      “’Tis the truth.” He smiled. She met his eyes again and managed to smile back. “Meg?”

      “Ja, Reuben?”

      “I hope one day soon you’ll allow me to court you.”

      She caught her breath. “You want to court me?” It was what she’d longed for, wasn’t it?

      “Ja.” His lips curved. “I know it’s been only a few weeks since we started seeing each other, but I care about you. I can see us having a family together.”

      She kept silent, unsure what to say. This is what I wanted. Yet despite his willingness to wait, she felt as if he was rushing her into a serious relationship. The image of Peter Zook entered her mind, and she fought to banish it.

      “What do you think, Meg? Can you see me in your future? Can you see us marrying and having children together?” He steered his horse into a right turn off the main road.

      “This isn’t the way to my haus,” she said, feeling vaguely uneasy.

      “Ja, I know. I thought I’d take you home the long way.” He regarded her warmly as he touched her cheek. “I’m not ready for tonight to end. I want to spend more time with you.”

      Meg struggled to breathe. “Reuben—”

      “Don’t worry. I won’t pressure you.”

      She relaxed. “Why me? Why now?”

      “I’ve been working to save money, Meg. I wasn’t ready before for a wife and family.” He flashed her a tender smile. “I am now. And when I saw you again, I remembered the one evening we spent together, and I just knew. I want you as my wife.”

      Meg hid her shock. She didn’t know how to respond to him. He seemed determined to marry her. And hadn’t she always wanted to marry and have children? To prove to her parents that she was strong and would make someone a good wife? And she’d been fixated on Reuben for a long time.

      “I’m a patient man,” he said softly. “I can wait until you’re ready.”

      As if their wedding were a foregone conclusion. Meg looked out the window, watching the passing scenery. Reuben’s confidence bothered her when she should be flattered. She liked him. He was a nice man. But he wasn’t what she’d expected.

      This is all Peter’s fault, she thought bitterly. She’d been trying to recover from her unrequited love for Peter. She’d been foolish enough to be convinced that Reuben was the one, despite the fact that she barely knew him. She’d been obsessed with finding him again. Now that he was in her life, she shouldn’t be surprised that her feelings for him weren’t exactly what she had expected—or hoped for. She should tell him. It wouldn’t be right to allow him to hope in vain.

      But how would she know that he wasn’t the right man for her if she didn’t give him a chance?

      Clouds in the distance blanketed the sky, covering the stars. It started to drizzle. She scowled. Peter was right. But how could he have possibly known? Within minutes, the drizzle became a mist that coated the roadway and covered the buggy’s windshield.

      “Is something wrong?” Reuben asked.

      She bit her lip. Should she explain how she was feeling? Give him a chance. “Nay, but I—” A car came around a corner too fast and sideswiped the buggy, forcing the horse off the road. “Reuben!” she screamed.

      Meg anticipated her death as the animal reared up on its hind legs and then bolted, dragging the vehicle down an embankment. Pain reverberated in her head as it slammed against the carriage’s sidewall. She felt a jerk, then the buggy tilted and rolled. Her body lurched painfully as it continued to tumble down the hill.

      The pitching stopped suddenly with a splash. Searing agony and cold

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