Hopefully Ever After by Beth Wiseman

Author:Beth Wiseman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2023-04-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Samuel had thought Monday would never arrive. His mother hadn’t questioned him further about Saturday night, but he didn’t want to take a chance being cornered this morning. He snatched his lunch pail from the counter, grabbed two pieces of bacon from the plate by the oven, and tiptoed back through the kitchen, having no idea where his mother or anyone else was.

When he had his buggy heading down the driveway, he slowly exhaled the breath he’d been holding, grateful that he had made a clean getaway. He chose the long way to the bookstore since if he went now he would arrive before they opened. His route took him past the store, and as he neared the white scarf on the fence, he pulled back on the reins and slowed to a trot. Recollections took him back to the day that he and some other boys had jumped the fence and gone into the cave. It hadn’t been much to see, but Eden was so intrigued by it, he wished she could go inside. She’d have that memory to take home with her.

Home. Hers seemed to be up in the air, and Samuel wondered how that must feel. The thought gave him pause about his plans. How would he feel to be without his family?

As the sun rose above the horizon, he lowered the rim of his hat and peered toward the old farmhouse where the elderly couple lived. The woman was on the front porch and appeared to be holding a coffee cup. Samuel was tempted to take his buggy through the gate and ask for permission to bring Eden to see the cave. But he decided the less people who knew he was spending time with Eden, the better. Samuel didn’t know what connections the older couple might have with members of their small community where news traveled fast.

He kept at a slow trot and continued down the road until he had killed enough time to go back to the bookstore. He shuddered inwardly at the thought of having to face Yvonne. He considered pleading with her not to tell his parents that he was seeing Eden, but it wasn’t fair to involve her any more than he already had.

Yvonne’s buggy was tethered to the hitching post when Samuel pulled his buggy onto the gravel driveway. As eager as he was to see Eden, he moved at a snail’s pace to secure his horse and buggy before trudging toward the front door.

He eased open the door, the bell jingling, and quickly scanned the space, expecting Yvonne to verbally assault him right away.

Eden appeared from around the corner and grinned. “She’s not here. You look terrified.”

Samuel slipped his thumbs beneath his suspenders and tried to shed his nervousness. “Ya, a little, I guess. I’m sure you told her about our plans to spend time together. Was she upset?”

“Yep.” Eden walked toward him dressed in tan pants that went just below her knees, a short-sleeved pink top, and a pair of tan sandals.

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