Jenny's Choice (Apple Creek Dreams #3) by Patrick E Craig

Author:Patrick E Craig [Craig, Patrick E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736951104
Goodreads: 19147235
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
Published: 2014-01-31T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Tragedy

AFTER SAMUEL LAPP LEFT, THE men in the room looked at each other in amazement. None of them had ever seen anything like what they had just witnessed.

“I am sorry to have been part of that,” Reuben said at last. “Perhaps Lapp was right. Perhaps I haven’t fully dealt with the violence in my heart.”

Johann stepped over to Reuben and put his hand on his shoulder. “Nein, Bruder Reuben. You showed remarkable restraint. It was the bisschop who revealed his true colors today. And he is right. If he leaves for Pennsylvania, we can do nothing. I will write a letter to the church there, but I’m not sure it will do much good.”

Another man spoke to Reuben. “We all deal with anger and rage at some time, Reuben. We would be liars to say we didn’t. You were angry with Lapp, but you did not sin. We know you to be a good and kind man. Don’t think badly of yourself for wanting to defend your daughter.”

The other men nodded.

Reuben thanked them and took Jerusha and Jenny outside, where Henry was waiting for them. They climbed into the car and headed back toward the village. As they drove down the street toward the train tracks, they saw some people running along the sidewalk. Ahead, the lights at the crossing were flashing red, but something was wrong with the crossbar. As Henry pulled up, they saw Bisschop Troyer’s buggy laying on its side. The harness had tangled around the horse’s legs, and the animal had fallen and was thrashing in the street. The crossbar had come down right on top of the buggy, knocking it over and breaking the bar. In the distance they could hear the whistle of the approaching train.

Reuben sprang into action. “Henry—help me! Jerusha—you and Jenny wait here.”

Reuben jumped from the car and ran to the buggy. The top was crushed, and Lapp was trapped in the back. Lapp appeared to be stunned. His driver had managed to crawl away from the wreckage before he collapsed, and he was now lying motionless a few feet away.

“Henry, have you got an axe or a hatchet? I’ve got to cut this away.”

“I’ve got one in the trunk, Reuben!”

Henry hurried back to the car while Reuben struggled to pull Samuel Lapp free of the wreckage. He had him halfway out when Lapp’s eyes opened and he saw that he was in Reuben’s powerful grip.

“Don’t kill me, Springer!” he cried, as he tried to wrench himself free. His frantic movements broke him loose from the buggy, and he rolled into the street. He rose unsteadily to his feet and shouted to the people that were gathered around.

“He’s trying to kill me!”

Lapp grabbed Reuben’s arms and tried to hold him.

“Let go of me, you fool! We’ve got to get the horse free!” Reuben cried.

Reuben shoved Lapp so hard that he sprawled on his back. A look of rage and fear came over Lapp’s face. Reuben turned his attention to the horse.

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.