The Amish Newcomer by Patrice Lewis

Author:Patrice Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-06-11T21:26:17+00:00

Chapter Ten

On a bright morning a week later, Leah went out to the chicken yard to toss a bowlful of kitchen scraps to the hens. She chuckled as the birds scrambled for the best bits, pecking and squawking at one another.

Suddenly from inside Ivan’s workshop, she heard a cry. “Ivan, watch out! Get out of the way!”

A sickening crash, a shriek of alarm from Isaac, screams from the younger boys, and Leah scrambled out of the pen and ran as fast as she could toward the open door of the shop.

Inside, she saw Isaac shove a massive board away from Ivan, who was lying on the floor of the shop. She rushed to his side as Isaac dropped to his knees beside the older man.

Ivan was conscious but looked dazed as she and Isaac helped him sit up.

“What happened?” she asked.

“He was trying to pull that piece of lumber down from up there.” Isaac pointed to the low rafters used to store extra boards. “It landed right on his head.”

Looking at the huge slab, Leah marveled it hadn’t crushed Ivan’s skull. She looked at a lump on the top of his head and swallowed hard.

“Ivan, can you talk?” Isaac supported Ivan around his shoulders.

The older man stared straight ahead, dazed. “Uh...”

“Maybe we should get him to his feet.” Leah knew nothing about handling medical emergencies.

“No, let’s let him sit for a bit.” He examined the lump on the top of Ivan’s head. It was growing larger, bulging alarmingly. “I told him not to try taking down that board on his own, but he’s feeling the pressure of getting this furniture order finished as fast as possible. He’s on deadline.”

Abruptly Ivan leaned over and got sick. Isaac snatched off his canvas work apron and wiped him down.

“I think we should take him to the hospital.” Leah held Ivan’s head as he retched again. “I don’t like the look of that lump, and head wounds can be dangerous.”

Isaac nodded. “If you can watch over him, I’ll hitch up the buggy.”

Leah looked at the young Byler sons, who stared at their father with horror. “Listen, boys, your dad is going to be okay, but we need to take him to see a doctor. Would you go into the house and let your mother know? But don’t go in there screaming and crying. You’re both fine young men and I know you won’t do that.” She smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring fashion.

The children nodded and scampered off.

From a distance she heard sounds of Isaac hitching up the mare to the buggy. In her arms, Ivan sagged. He was still conscious, but he mumbled incoherently.

In a few moments she heard the sound of pounding footsteps. “Daed! Daed!” cried Sarah, dashing into the shop. She dropped to her knees beside her father. Hard on her heels came Rachel, with Edith waddling behind.

Leah directed her words at the older woman. The last thing Edith needed was hysteria, not in her condition. “Just a bump on the head,” she said.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.