Amish Days: The Runaway: An Amish Romance Story (Hollybrook Amish Romance) by Brenda Maxfield

Author:Brenda Maxfield [Maxfield, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Tica House Publishing
Published: 2015-05-05T04:00:00+00:00

Five

Josiah gazed at her with an unexpected look of admiration. Mary’s heart quickened and even in the cool air, beads of perspiration formed on her upper lip. She scarcely could believe the admiration she thought she was seeing.

He reached out and put his hand over hers and gave a gentle squeeze. She moved slightly, willing her heart back to its normal rhythm. It wouldn’t do for him to think she misunderstood his gesture.

When he didn’t remove his hand, she cleared her throat and pulled her hand from beneath his. He flinched and drew back.

“I’m sorry, Mary. I … I didn’t intend to make you uncomfortable.”

She forced a light laugh and scooted an inch away. “Nee, nee, Josiah. You didn’t.”

“You going to start lying to me now? After this whole miserable night?”

Miserable night? Is that how he labeled it? Her lips tightened, and her face closed off. She’d been right all along. How crazy to think that he was interested in her, that he admired her.

How many times was she to make a fool of herself in front of this man? Was she never to learn?

She bolted and went to the door, pulling it wide. A blast of cold affronted her, but she didn’t move. The sun peered over the horizon, and its glint on the ice was blinding. She squinted against it and wondered how long it would be before they could leave or someone would come looking for them.

“Mary.” She winced at the sound of his voice right behind her.

“What did I do? How come you’re angry?” He rested his hand on her shoulder, and she cringed at his tender touch.

“Come back inside. It’s too cold. Come.” He took her arm firmly and led her away from the door.

She turned to him then, searching his face for the look of pity that was surely present. But it wasn’t there. All she saw was confusion. He let go of her to latch the door, and then grabbed her arm again, taking her back to the smoldering fire.

“Our families have probably figured out that neither of us spent the night at the other’s places. I imagine there’s a bit of frantic communication between the phone shanties.”

“Jah. Another reason for Dat to be glad he had the shanty built.”

“So you shouldn’t have to put up with me much longer,” Josiah said. He didn’t take his gaze from hers.

“I … it’s not been so hard,” she mumbled, turning to hold her hands out toward the coals.

His voice was soft. “Outside of Jack’s running away, it’s been good.”

She turned on him. “You just called it a miserable night! And now you say it’s good?”

He was impossible! A big fat mass of contradictions. Suddenly all the fatigue and worry and cold surged through her and hot tears burned beneath her eyelids.

“You can’t say it’s both miserable and good!” she continued and with a gasp, she covered her mouth. Was she forcing him to make a choice? And did she really want to hear what that choice would be?

“I’m sorry,” she said in a rush.

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