The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis

Author:Beverly Lewis
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2010-07-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

It was past midnight when Lydia awoke to the sound of a team driving in the lane. Quickly, she rose and threw on her long white bed robe, peering out the window. By the light of a partial moon, she made out the dark figure of a young man tying a horse, black and glistening, to the snowy fence post out in the barnyard, the open carriage parked nearby.

Levi?

She ran her fingers down one of her thick, waist-length braids, waiting for his flashlight to shine through her window, to cast its expectant glow onto her bedroom wall. Going to the bureau, she removed a tiny mirror and studied her face. Jah, she looked awake enough for a visit just now.

A flickering light appeared on the wall opposite her bed, and she knew Levi had come—during the veil of night, in secret— to see her. She dared not hope, nay, not even wish, that this could be the night of nights.

Again, she went to the window and looked out. Her heart leaped at the sight of him on the ground below, his thick bangs peekin’ out from under his black felt hat. His were such sturdy, squared shoulders for a tall and lean fella. Lanky he was, really, but she didn’t mind. His face was upturned, gazing at her in the window high above, and she signaled for him to meet her downstairs.

As quietly as possible, Lydia tiptoed down the steps, hopin’ she wouldn’t disturb the sleeping household. The encounter with Levi must be kept private, between just the two of them. The People’s way.

She scurried silently to the back door, through the utility room and screened-in porch. There stood Levi on the stoop, hands hooked into both his pockets, grinning from ear to ear.

‘‘Hullo, Lyddie.’’

She felt both abundant joy and awkwardness, all mixed together. Then, noticing that Levi seemed to be shivering, she remembered her manners. ‘‘Do come inside and get warm.’’ She opened the door wider.

When he was inside, she closed the door silently and led him past a maze of work boots and overshoes, lined up in order from Caleb’s big galoshes down to tiny Hannah’s rubber overshoes. In the kitchen she turned on the small light over the sink, and when she turned around, she saw that he’d removed his widebrimmed hat already.

Without speaking, they sat side by side on the wooden bench near the table. They stayed that way for a bit, Lydia fully aware of his closeness, his coat sleeve brushing against her arm. She was ever so glad she’d finished sewing the new bathrobe she wore tonight.

When Levi spoke at last, his voice was confident, yet soft enough not to waken the upstairs sleepers. ‘‘I missed ya at Singing last night.’’

‘‘I just couldn’t get away. Es dutt mir leed—I am sorry.’’ Silence again.

Then Lydia spoke up, eager to share her news. ‘‘Fannie was over for a visit today. She says Preacher Esh might be comin’ to ask if I’d be the teacher at the school down the hill.

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