The Amish Wonders Collection by Ruth Reid

Author:Ruth Reid
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 2016-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

Your lip is cut open,” Grace said, dabbing a cool dishcloth on Ben’s face.

Ben winced.

Grace lifted the cloth. “I’m sorry.” His lip started to bleed again and she blotted it clean. “Do you think they’d leave if we packed up food and supplies for them?”

Footsteps trumped into the kitchen. “Who said you could talk!”

Startled, Grace dropped the rag and spun to face Jack. His eyes narrowed as he directed his gaze to each of them. Moving toward Grace, his glare had an unnerving flicker.

Grace inched backward. Lord, help us.

His form towered over her and when he leaned toward her, his nose practically touched hers. She gulped. Her stomach wrenched at the stench of his stale tobacco breath. She looked away, but he grabbed her chin and brought her face back in line with his. The man stroked his hand down her cheek. Vomit rose to the back of her throat. Grace backed up until she bumped into Ben.

Jack laughed. He stepped closer, sandwiching her between himself and Ben.

Ben backed up, giving her room to retreat, but the wall stopped him. Ben’s arm circled around her waist and he pulled her even closer to him, a comforting gesture.

“If this is your girl,” he said to Ben while letting his fingers linger on her neck, “keep her out of my way.”

The moment Jack dropped his hand, she spun around and buried her face in Ben’s chest. Behind her, the man’s footsteps moved away. Ben’s hand came up to rest on her back and an odd sense of security rippled through her core. Ben would figure out a way for them to escape. Her muscles relaxed. She took a few deep breaths, breathing in the scent of burnt wood embedded in Ben’s shirt.

“Are you okay?” he whispered next to her ear.

She nodded. Aenti sniffled behind her. Grace pulled away from Ben and wrapped her arms around Aenti Erma. “Ben will figure something out.”

“Pray, child,” Aenti whispered.

A knock sounded on the door. Grace’s heart leapt. She looked at Ben, wanting him to give her direction, but it wasn’t Ben who instructed her. Jack grabbed her arm and whirled her toward the door.

“Get rid of them,” he hissed.

Grace opened the door slowly, and only enough for her to poke her head out. “Mattie,” she said, willing her voice to stop shaking. She didn’t want to endanger her friend.

“What’s wrong? I saw the smoke.”

“Ben put the wrong wood in the stove.” She nodded.

“I was over at Ann Brennerman’s haus delivering some herbs and—Aren’t you going to invite me in? I have more tea for you too.”

“I, um . . .” Grace couldn’t think of anything to say.

Mattie frowned. “Grace, what’s going on?”

Jack pushed the door open, snatched Mattie’s arm, and yanked her inside, slamming the door closed with his boot. Mattie clutched her chest and heaved heavy gasps as if unable to catch her breath. Jack clenched his hands around her arms, lifted her off the floor, and shook her hard. “Shut up!” He dropped her midair.

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.