Love at Pebble Creek
Page 22
After a lengthy silence, William addressed the Sommers in a reassuring voice. “I’ll take good care of her. You can be sure of that.”
Rebecca’s dad raised his chin and directed his attention to William. “We expect nothing less.”
Long, tense moments passed while her father and William locked gazes. Several heartbeats later, Eli Sommer stepped forward. “I don’t approve of my Becca going so far away. I’m holding you responsible for her, William. If anything happens . . .”
William darted an unsure glance at Rebecca before responding. “I understand your concern. That’s why I didn’t encourage her to come.”
Rebecca raised her chin and regarded both of them. “I’ve given this a lot of thought. I’ll go. And I’ll come back, safe and sound.”
Rebecca listened with dread as her father continued making his case. She knew William wouldn’t talk back. And she wasn’t about to change her mind about going.
“Daed, it’s my decision. Please don’t worry.”
Before he could argue, she threw her arms around him and gave him a tight, reassuring hug. After she stepped away, William motioned toward the black Cadillac. As Rebecca drew a deep breath, her knees trembled, and her heart pounded like a jackhammer. Finally, she forced her jellylike legs to move. She didn’t turn around as William opened her door.
Before stepping inside, Rebecca put Mamma’s Scripture book inside the hope chest. William took the box from her and placed it in the middle of the backseat. Rebecca brought very little with her. Just one small suitcase that her father placed in the trunk.
With great hesitation, she waved good-bye. She forced a confident smile, but her entire body shook. She sat very still as Daniel’s second cousin, Ethan, backed the car out of the drive. Gravel crunched under the tires. This wasn’t Rebecca’s first ride in an automobile. Car rides were not uncommon in the Amish community.
Trying to convince herself she was doing the right thing, she gently pushed the down arrow by her door handle, and the window opened. Rebecca turned in her seat and waved until the sad faces of her family, their plain-looking wooden-framed house built by her great-grandfather, and Old Sam, disappeared.
William turned to her. A worry crease crept across his forehead. The cleft in his chin became more pronounced. “Rebecca, your dad’s right. I should have made you stay. The last thing I want to do is create tension between you two.”
“It wasn’t your choice. As far as my father’s concerned . . .” She gave a frustrated shake of her head. “I don’t like displeasing him either. On the other hand, it’s not right for me to stay here and send you off to save Daniel’s shop all by yourself.” She shrugged.
In silence, she thought about what she’d just said. She nervously ran her hand over the smooth black leather seat.
“You can adjust the air vents,” Ethan announced, turning briefly to make eye contact with her.
She was thankful she didn’t have to travel to the Indiana countryside by horse and buggy. She rather enjoyed the soft, barely audible purring of the engine.
Next to her, she eyed the cardboard and pulled out the mini hope chest, setting the box on the floor. She smiled a little.
“Old Sam is something else.” William’s voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Jah. I can’t wait to tell him about our trip.” Rebecca giggled. “I’ll miss listening to him grumble while he works in the barn. I enjoy watching him make those elaborate chests that he sells to the stores in town.”
William gave a small nod. “He loves you three girls.”
“Thank goodness that Annie and Rachel will be around to keep him company.”
The three friends had loved Esther. Now they took care of Old Sam. He was like an uncle to them. But Rebecca was leaving the world she knew. Would she fit in with the English?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LISA JONES BAKER grew up near a small Amish town in Illinois that she frequented with her family on weekends. She’s also a dog lover and a fan of Scottsdale, Arizona, where she spent nearly two decades. Lisa graduated from Illinois State University with a French major, has been on 5 out of 7 continents, and considers her parents the best in the world. Raised in a Christian home, Lisa has always been blessed with love and support. Visit her online at LisaJonesBaker.com.