Room on the Porch Swing by Amy Clipston

Author:Amy Clipston
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 2018-04-04T00:00:00+00:00

Laura looked up at Allen and blinked at his sudden change in demeanor. Minutes earlier, he’d told her she was the only person with whom he could share his true feelings. Yet when she told him she was thankful for him, he stood and headed for the door.

Oh no. I said too much and scared him away. Laura swallowed a groan as hot humiliation crawled up her neck to her cheeks. She’d crossed a line with him.

She berated herself. She sounded like a girl who was desperate for Allen’s affection and attention. She’d behaved like one of the many young women in her youth group who followed her twin around like puppies, hoping to gain Mark’s offer of a real relationship.

Laura’s shoulders hunched. How could she be so immature? Mamm would be so disappointed in her!

Behind Allen, the rain increased, and a mist of cool water kissed her flaming cheeks.

Allen wrenched the door open with one hand and held up the lantern with the other. “You need to get in before you’re soaked.”

She jumped up from the swing and scooted past him into the house. She reached up and touched her head and felt her cheeks spark even more. She’d hurried out of Mollie’s room without pulling on a scarf.

She cringed. Yes, her mother would be disappointed in her tonight. Not only had she been brazen with a young man, but her head had been uncovered. And to make matters even worse, she’d been bold with Allen, her best friend’s widower! What would Rudy say if he saw her now?

She hugged her arms to her chest as she stood in the family room and waited for Allen to lock the front door. As soon as the lock clicked, she started up the stairs. He followed close behind her, the warm yellow glow of the lantern guiding their steps.

When they reached the landing, Laura turned toward him and forced a smile. “Gut nacht.”

“Gut nacht,” he echoed.

She spun down the hall toward Mollie’s room.

“Wait,” he said.

With her back to Allen, she closed her eyes and held her breath. Please don’t make this even more embarrassing! She looked over her shoulder at him. “Ya?”

“Danki for talking with me.” He had a hand on each hip, looking down at the lantern he’d set on the floor outside his room. “Today was really tough for me, but you made it bearable. I just wanted you to know I appreciate you.”

He looked up, and she nodded. “That’s what freinden are for. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Before he could respond, she slipped into Mollie’s room, shucked her robe, and climbed into bed. Then she stared up at the ceiling as her conversation with Allen churned through her thoughts.

She rolled to her side and faced the crib. Mollie snored softly, but her brother’s warning echoed loud in her mind. Perhaps she was getting too attached to Mollie. And then she heard his words about Rudy.

You’re so focused on Allen and Mollie that you don’t see how it’s affecting Rudy.

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