Amish Christmas Twins by Shelley Shepard Gray

Author:Shelley Shepard Gray
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2020-07-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

That seemed to be the last load, but he should check to see if Elizabeth had anything else that needed to go. Luke hesitated before climbing the stairs again. She might need some time and privacy. She had to say good-bye.

He cleared the thickness clogging his throat and called up to her, “I’m going to get the wagon now. I won’t be long. Please don’t come down until I get back.”

No answer.

Luke hoped she’d heed his advice and wait. The thought of her tumbling to the bottom of stairs increased his worry. He put on his boots and jogged across their snow-crusted lawns to hitch up the team. His icy fingers fumbled with the too-stiff leather. The faster he worked, the clumsier his attempts. Finally, he succeeded in connecting everything and hurried back.

He rushed up the stairs. Elizabeth had stayed where he’d left her, staring at the door of the now vacant room. He hated to disturb her, so he stood silent, giving her time to grieve.

“Luke?” she said, her voice low and soft. “I’d like to go with you.”

For a moment, Luke’s heart beat wildly. She wanted to go with him? Then his soaring spirits crash-landed. She meant go to New Beginnings.

As much as he’d like her company, he’d rather not see her suffer. She’d been through so much already. “I can do it myself.”

She turned anguished eyes to him. “I have to do this.”

No, you don’t. He wanted to argue, but the tenseness of her jaw told him she’d made up her mind.

She waved away his offer to help her downstairs. Instead, she sat and bumped down each step, propelling herself with her hands and good leg, her cast sticking out in the air. He walked backward a few stairs below her to be sure she made it safely.

Her gaze far away and distracted, she didn’t protest when he helped her into her coat or held out his hand to assist her into the wagon. She even let him wrap her in blankets, but she seemed lost in another world.

Frigid winds whipped past their faces as they traveled the icy roads to New Beginnings, the furniture rattling behind them. When they pulled in front of the building, Elizabeth huddled deeper into the blankets, her face grim. If only he could erase the agony swimming in her eyes.

* * *

Elizabeth’s teeth chattered from more than snow as Luke helped her down from the wagon. I’m not sure I can do this.

If she could turn around now, she’d do it. She shook her head. Holding on to baby things she couldn’t use when someone else needed them was selfish.

Lord, I can’t go through with this unless You help me.

Once again, she doubted God would hear her after she’d spent so much time blocking Him from her life. But as soon as she prayed, a deep inner peace flowed over her. No matter how painful, she was doing the right thing.

“You’re trembling.” Luke’s concerned gaze probed deep into her soul. “Ach, Elizabeth, we can go back home if you want.

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