Amish Protector by Marta Perry

Author:Marta Perry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2020-01-17T13:39:01+00:00

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NOAH MADE HIS way back to the hardware store, thinking if he had talked to Joanna any longer, she’d probably end up angry with him again. He hadn’t missed the fact that the offense she’d taken when he spoke about her father had vanished, rolled up and swept away by more recent developments. Still, he did owe her an apology for blindsiding her about the bishop’s sermon.

The news Chief Jamison brought had clearly knocked Joanna off her usual steadiness. She’d thought she’d been prepared to know about her relationship with Meredith, but she wasn’t.

That was natural enough. Anyone would feel the same way at finding out they weren’t who they thought they were. And Joanna had such a burden to keep from hurting anyone, especially those she loved.

He had longed to help her—he still did—and the desire to put his arms around her and comfort her had almost been too strong to resist. Almost, but not quite.

Talking about his past had made it all worse. He couldn’t remember his father without remembering the drinking and the violence. Without making him wonder how much of his father’s weakness was in him.

Thank the gut Lord he’d never been attracted by strong drink, but the violence, turned so quickly against loved ones, wrenched his stomach. What man could truly be sure he’d never strike out against anyone, even knowing the church’s teaching? His own memories were too vivid to let him risk it.

To Noah’s relief, he began to have customers almost as soon as he turned the door sign to Open. Amish customers. It was pretty clear that the bishop’s sermon had hit home, and he couldn’t help being annoyed that people who should be his brothers in faith had to be lectured about patronizing his store.

All he could do was smile, say thank you and be helpful to everyone who walked in the door. He couldn’t let customers get away because of his pride, not when he had a family to support.

Midway through the afternoon, Michael Forster came in, no doubt prompted by the bishop as the others had been. Michael had come to River Haven back in the spring, after years away from his family and the Amish faith. He’d returned under a cloud, but he’d stayed to become a part of the community again and was soon to marry Joanna’s good friend Catherine.

Noah moved forward to greet him. “Michael. Can I help you with something today?”

“Yah, denke.” Michael put a list down on the counter. “I’m working on an addition to a house over near Smithton. Ready to start on the finishing, so there’s a lot I need.”

Noah leaned over to check the first item on the list. “Cabinet knobs and handles. The owner doesn’t want to pick those out?”

Michael grimaced. “Husband and wife can’t agree, so they left it up to me. Show me what you have, and I’ll do my best, but...”

“They probably won’t like them.” Noah finished for him, leading the way to the appropriate rack.

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