An Amish Garden by Beth Wiseman

Author:Beth Wiseman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2014-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THREE

Eli Plank plopped the last bite of chocolate chip cookie into his mouth and settled down under the shade of the aspen tree. He’d just finished up lunch at the Kraft and Grocery, eating with Abe and Ike Sommers, and he now hoped for a few minutes’ peace to kick up his feet before his lunch break was over. He’d only been working at the Log Works half a day and already his back, shoulders, and arms ached. He’d used different muscles today as he peeled logs—muscles he didn’t know he had.

Eli folded his arms behind the back of his head and relaxed onto the cool grass, crossing one leg over the other. And it was only then—with his mind freed from other distractions—that he allowed his thoughts to drift back to this morning.

There were few things that made Eli feel like a fool, but the way he got tongue-tied when Sadie Chupp strode away this morning made him want to slink behind one of the pine trees that lined the dusty road. Why hadn’t he thought of something to say—offer condolences? How long ago had she lost her parents? From the look on her face it was still fresh. Her heart-shaped face was one of the prettiest he’d seen, but he couldn’t help but notice the dark circles around her eyes and the worry lines creasing her forehead.

It also made sense why she’d acted so protective over little Rachel. It was as if Sadie’s heart had been rubbed raw by the troubles of life and was now overly sensitive to the pain of others.

Eli’s whole life he pictured himself married to someone similar to his mem. Someone most content when quietly tending her garden or rolling out piecrust with a low hum under her breath. That was before he caught the fire in Sadie’s gaze as she approached them. It had caused his heart to leap in his chest. That was also before he noted the pain in her eyes as she walked away, and he wondered what he could do to help. He wanted to hear Sadie’s story—the one that was reflected in the depth of her eyes.

“Hey, Eli! Lunch break’s over!” The voice shouted behind him, and he turned to find Jonathan Shelter waving in his direction. Jonathan was his supervisor at Montana Log Works, and a friendly fellow. A patient one too. Jonathan hadn’t said anything when Eli showed up five minutes late. Maybe because of Eli’s tale of seeing fresh bear tracks on the road. Jonathan had also been patient when he had to explain more than once how to skip-peel the lodgepole pine with drawknives—mostly because Eli couldn’t get Sadie’s sweet face out of his mind. Thoughts of pretty women and sharp knives didn’t mix. Work had to remain his sole focus.

He returned to the work area and put on his heavy apron once again. He pulled a long lodgepole log from the pile. It was heavier than he thought, and it took some effort to set it in the notchedout sawhorse.

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