Amish Promises by Leslie Gould

Author:Leslie Gould [Gould, Leslie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC053000, FIC042040, FIC042000, Amish—Fiction, Lancaster County (Pa.)—Fiction
ISBN: 9781441269317
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2015-03-19T16:00:00+00:00

20

Charlie glanced at the clock on the dashboard of his pickup: 3:42. Zane would be home by the time he got there.

He’d done his laundry, grocery shopped, and cleaned in the morning, telling himself he couldn’t leave Philly until it was done. Being gone two weekends in a row had taken its toll on his domestic well-being, and he’d determined to set it straight before a third weekend wreaked complete havoc.

Last night, Charlie had considered not going back to Lancaster for the weekend at all. Nikki had invited him to dinner at her house on Saturday with a few friends from their group, but he’d already told Joel he’d visit and chop enough wood to last the family for a few weeks. He couldn’t back out now. But he wouldn’t return to Lancaster for a while after this trip.

Before he’d left for Iraq, he and Nikki had talked about getting engaged when he returned. That seemed so long ago now. He couldn’t fathom why she’d stepped back into his life. Perhaps it was pity. Or maybe she felt she needed to make up for dumping him the way she had.

He turned off the highway onto Juneberry Lane. The day was clear and bright but cold. The maple trees were nearly bare, while their leaves covered the lane in a collage of yellow, orange, and red. Winter wasn’t far away.

He slowed, glancing down the Lehmans’ driveway, but didn’t see anyone. A minute later, as he neared the cedar tree, a branch came sailing across the hood of his pickup. He slammed on the brakes.

Simon appeared.

Charlie rolled down his window. “Did you throw that?”

“It got away from me,” Simon slurred, his jaw still wired shut. “We’re playing Romans. It’s my javelin.”

“Who’s we?” Charlie asked, opening the door and climbing down from the truck.

“All of us,” Simon said as Rose came running out of the bushes. Daniel followed, greeting Charlie with a wave.

“Zane too?” Charlie asked.

“Jah, he’s across the field,” Simon said.

“Zane!” Rose yelled, her voice much louder than Charlie would have predicted.

A moment later, Zane appeared, followed by a bright-faced Lila.

“Does your dad know you’re playing Roman soldiers?” Charlie asked, looking directly at Lila.

“We have permission to play after school,” the girl replied.

“But probably not a game with soldiers, right?” Charlie glanced around the circle of Amish kids. Simon and Rose both met his gaze with grins but Lila and Daniel hung their heads.

“Ach,” Zane replied. “Don’t spoil our Shposs.”

“Pardon?”

Zane sighed at his ignorance. “Our fun. We’re not hurting anyone.”

Charlie grimaced. “Except my truck.” He patted Simon’s shoulder. “Will you be home soon?” he asked Zane.

“Around four. That’s how long we’re allowed to play.”

“See you then.”

The children scurried away toward the creek on the other side of the field. Lila and Zane ran ahead, leading the way. The girl could really run, considering she wore a dress. She pulled ahead of Zane.

Then again, maybe he let her.

Charlie climbed back in his truck and drove the rest of the way, slowly, his thoughts falling on Eve.

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