Until I Love Again by Jerry S. Eicher

Author:Jerry S. Eicher
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736965903
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Chapter Twenty-Three

Susanna and Emma stepped out of Joey’s car and hurried toward the parked buggy. Emma climbed in while Susanna turned to Joey and said, “I’m sorry for the trouble I’ve been today, and for—”

He silenced her with a touch of his finger on her lips.

Susanna trembled. Would Joey take her in his arms right here in front of Emma? Besides, weren’t they only friends? And yet, she wanted very much for him to hold her right now. She wanted to feel his strength. She wanted to forget the world that lay only a few short miles down Maple Ridge Road. She never wanted to see Ernest Helmuth again, or hear him speak, and she certainly did not want to say the marriage vows with him this fall.

Susanna took a deep breath. “I have to go back, Joey.”

His eyes searched her face, and he gripped both of her shoulders. “Susanna, I’ll always be your friend, but listen to me. Back there at the house, I heard with my own ears what’s in your heart. You are not what they say you are. You don’t have to marry this man if you don’t love him. There’s a way out. All you have to do is call me. I’ll help you.”

Susanna looked away and said nothing. What was there to say?

“You can break out of whatever is holding you back, Susanna. It’s in you. I know it is. Don’t let them do this to you.” His fingers dug in. “Do you want me to talk to this man?”

“No!” Susanna gasped.

“Then at least be honest with everyone about who you are.” Joey gestured toward the buggy. “Besides, think of Emma. She loves this Ernest. Wouldn’t moving aside and letting her have him be the reasonable thing?”

Susanna struggled to breathe. What Joey said was true. How could she marry Ernest when she knew Emma loved him and she didn’t?

“But how can I leave?” Susanna’s cry rose into the air. “My family is here. The life I know. It’s all I planned for myself.”

“You cannot go on like this,” Joey told her. “I think you know that.”

She reached for him and pulled him close. The sobs came quietly once his arms closed around her. She nestled her head against his shoulder, and the world seemed to float away. How wunderbah it would be to never leave Joey’s side. She could imagine the two of them as they floated off into the bright sky, high above all of this trouble. Oh, if only they could!

Joey’s soft voice broke into her thoughts. “Susanna, you must do something about this. I don’t know what, but something. You can stay at our house temporarily if it comes to that—whenever you’re ready. Mom and Dad would welcome you, and we’d find a more permanent apartment quickly. I have connections, and Mr. Kenny will give you your old job back.”

Susanna cut him off. “Joey, I don’t know what I can do—but you’re right that something has to be done. I have to face things.

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