Water streamed in her eyes as she ran to her buggy. Her horse was antsy, shifting nervously as she whinnied. Concerned for the animal despite her fear, she took the time to stroke the animal’s neck. “I’m going to get you inside where it’s safe, girl.”
After one last pat, she lifted a leg to climb into the vehicle, slipping on the wet wood before she managed to get seated. Leah grabbed the leathers and steered the horse toward the Yoders’ outbuilding. Her heart gave a lurch when she saw that Henry had dragged open the two huge doors for her. He stood back and waved her into the building, but as she urged the mare closer, he grabbed hold of its halter and led her horse inside. The interior of the structure was dark except for the brief flashes of lightning that lit it up. Leah waited until he maneuvered her vehicle in as far as it could go before she let go of her tight hold on the reins and climbed down. Henry waited for her at the rear of the buggy.
“’Tis a little noisy, but she will be safe here,” he said. Rain plastered his dark hair to his head. Rivulets of water ran down his handsome face and his clothes were soaked, but he didn’t seem to mind. “Come on. Let’s get back to the store.”
Leah opened her mouth to refuse, to tell him that she would wait with her wagon inside the building, but then she closed it and nodded. She couldn’t be rude to Henry after he’d come to her aid. Besides, she wasn’t going to let the man see her as anyone other than a strong-minded individual who wasn’t fazed by anything. Especially by him. Bright lightning flashed, followed by a thunderous boom. She gasped. Except by thunderstorms.
A bright white bolt shot from the sky, and there was an explosion as it hit something in the distance. “Come on!” Henry urged. “Let’s go now before things get worse.” She was shocked, conscious of the warmth of his fingers when he caught her hand and tugged her with him as he ran.
* * *
Aware of Leah’s hand in his, Henry hurried to safety. The storm was a doozy. It had been a long time since he’d seen one this bad. He pulled open the door, tugged her inside, then shoved the door shut against a gust of wind.
“Are you oll recht?” he asked when he saw how hard she was breathing. Her eyes refused to meet his as she inclined her head. A crack of thunder made her flinch, and he reached for her and eased her away from the door. He flipped on the light in the storage room and urged her inside.
She glanced at him with alarm that told him she was as afraid of him as she was the storm. Hurt, he hid his reaction and softened his expression. “’Tis safer here,” he explained. He gave her a crooked smile. “No windows.”
Understanding flickered in her eyes and he was glad to see her relax.
She shivered. He realized that she was cold, soaked through like he was. “I’ll be right back,” he said. He hurried to the front of the store. Behind the counter hung a quilt made by his mother. His mam had hoped to sell it, but with the Amish as their main customers there was little opportunity for a sale, so it hung high on the wall simply as a decoration. Henry reached up, slipped it from the wall rack and returned to the storage room. He caught sight of Leah, off guard, hugging herself with her arms. She was bent forward as if she could shield herself from the raging storm outside.
He felt a painful lurch in his chest as he studied her without her knowledge. Wet blond hair, the bluest eyes and prettiest face he’d ever seen, Leah Stoltzfus was something to behold even as clearly upset as she was. He longed to pull her into his arms to comfort her, but from the look on her face when he’d answered the door, he knew she wouldn’t welcome his hug. She’d wanted to flee when she saw him and he understood why. Years ago Leah’s cousin Isaac and he had befriended some young Englishers during their time of rumspringa. Late one night, while Henry waited for Isaac to join them, Brad Smith and his English friends had spray-painted graffiti over the exterior of Whittier’s Store. When Isaac had arrived on the scene, Brad had shoved a can of spray paint into Isaac’s hands, then dragged Henry with him as he fled while the sound of police sirens echoed in the distance. Brad had warned Henry against telling the authorities who was responsible and promised retribution against him, his family and Isaac if Henry did. This new side of Brad had terrified him, and so Henry had kept his mouth shut and allowed his best friend to take the blame. Isaac had stayed silent and suffered because of it. Henry had waited too long before he’d finally come forward, confessed before the church congregation and asked for forgiveness. The community had forgiven him and so had Isaac. But given her cousin’s suffering because of Henry, and the fact that Leah had avoided him ever since, he didn’t think she had forgiven him.
Henry sighed with disappointment before he eased back to where she couldn’t see him. He made a loud sound to give her warning of his return. With the quilt draped over his arm, he entered.
“Here,” he said as he approached. He tried unsuccessfully not to be offended when she instinctively backed away. He exhaled loudly. “Leah, ’tis just something to warm you.”
Her eyes flickered as she saw what he held. “I’m sorry.” He saw her swallow hard. “I...I’m not exactly fond of thunderstorms.” She seemed surprised by her admission.
He smiled as he moved closer, relieved that she didn’t withdraw as he draped the quilt gently around her shoulders. He gazed at her and she stared back. The room was small, and he could see her fear of the storm in her pretty blue eyes, hear it in her heightened breathing, although he could tell she was struggling to fight it. “Are you warmer now?”
“Ja, danki.” She glanced away.
“I don’t bite, Leah.”
Her head came up and anger lit her expression. “You think that’s funny?”
Holding her gaze, he shook his head. “Nay.” He was glad to see her angry and less afraid.
“How long will this storm go on?” she complained after another clap of thunder reverberated throughout the store.
“Are you asking me for an answer?” he quipped with amusement.
He felt happy when Leah narrowed her gaze at him. Anger was so much better than fear. She’d endure the storm better if he continued to taunt and tease, keeping her fury alive.
“What are you doing out in the storm anyway, Leah?” he asked.
“I was—” She stopped. “What business of it is yours?” she snapped.
Henry shrugged. “None, I guess. I’m just curious.” He leaned casually back against a stack of cardboard boxes filled with merchandise. “Doesn’t seem smart to venture out in a storm so far from home.”
She opened and closed her mouth several times, clearly trying to come up with a retort. Her lips firmed. He hid his pleasure when her eyes shot daggers at him. “It wasn’t storming when I left this morning for New Holland,” she replied through tight lips.
“You went to see Mary and Ethan Bontrager.”
She looked shocked. “How did you know?”
He was starting to feel uncomfortable with his wet hair and soaked clothes. “I know that you and Mary are friends and Mary married Ethan, then moved to New Holland.”
She looked horrified. “How do you know who my friends are? You’ve not been coming to church services or any Visiting Sundays!”
“Ja, but I’m friends with Isaac.”
“Isaac and you are spending time together?” She gasped.
He had to stifle his own spark of anger. “Ja, your cousin has forgiven me as the other members of the community have.” He paused. “Except for you.”
Her eyes widened as she gazed up at him. She was obviously at a loss on how to respond. He detected a flash of remorse in her eyes before she looked away. The fact that she didn’t deny it hurt. “I forgave you,” she mumbled,