Amish Christmas Escape by Dana R. Lynn

Author:Dana R. Lynn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-09-13T14:26:56+00:00

* * *

Christy squirmed as Sam’s family continued to stare at her. She could read the shock in his parents’ eyes.

Maybe this hadn’t been a good idea, after all.

She maintained her silence, though. This was not her family. If she were to be offered sanctuary here, it was up to Sam to make it happen. Squirming a bit inside, she took a page out of Sam’s book and offered up a quick prayer for things to go smooth. Then she flushed. She was an impostor, standing in this Amish home praying like she was a believer.

Although, she could no longer claim she wasn’t. It wasn’t a comfortable feeling.

“Sohn, I think you might have some explaining to do.” His father’s voice rumbled out, surprising her with the lack of heat in it. She expected to hear anger, maybe even some yelling. Instead, his voice was gentle and low. They could have been talking about anything.

“Wait, David.” The older woman, who must have been his mother, began to stand. Immediately, Sam, his father and his brother all clustered around her to help as she struggled. Her hands were red and gnarled, and it was obvious when she stepped forward that she was in pain.

Christy had seen arthritis before. Sam’s mother had it worse than anyone she’d ever seen. She wanted to beg her to sit again, but it wasn’t her place.

His mother waved off the men’s help and shuffled to Christy. “What’s your name, dear?”

Her mouth was dry. “Christina O’Malley, Mrs. Burkholder. I go by Christy.”

“Christy it is.” She turned to smile at Ellie. “And who is this beautiful kind? She has my Sam’s eyes.”

Ellie hung back, shy. Some of the fear drained from her eyes, though, as she looked at the sweet-faced older woman smiling down on her.

“I’m Ellie. I’m five.” The child ducked her head against Sam, although she kept her eyes focused on Sam’s mother.

“Eleanor Samantha.” Christy gave the woman Ellie’s full name, knowing all present would make the connection, just as Sam had.

“Five.” David Burkholder nodded gravely. “That would mean when you were on your own the summer you were seventeen.”

That was a polite way of saying he’d been thumbing his nose at his parents.

“Ellie.” Sam nudged her out into the open. “This is my mother and father. Your grandparents.”

Ellie was still fearful. She pointed a shaking finger at David. “Will he yell at me?”

His parents both seemed stunned by the question. Immediately, Sam knelt on one knee beside his daughter. “Nee. My mamm and daed are very nice people. Remember? I told you that already. They won’t yell at you. In fact, I think they’ll love you.”

That was a bold statement.

Sam wasn’t done. He gestured to the other couple in the room. “This is my brother Abram. He’s your onkel. And that’s his wife, your aenti Katie.”

Ellie shocked them all with a wide smile at Katie. “I had an aunt before. My aunt Jo Anne.” The smile faded from her face. “She’d dead now. My grandpa killed her.

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