Free A Promise of Hope by Amy Clipston

brushed at the moisture in his eyes and cleared his throat while unanswered questions swirled like a tornado in his mind. How had Peter—who had been anti-Amish and driven to become English, and who had left home in Ohio in a fit of anger—moved to another Amish community and quickly become a part of it? It didn’t make sense.
    Luke could tell the Kauffmans had loved and accepted Peter as one of their own. Peter had been a lucky man—probably luckier than he’d ever appreciated.
    While pulling on his clothes, anger entangled with envy surged through Luke. Peter had married sweet, angelic Sarah, and from the sound of her stories, he was a good Amish man.
    He contemplated that for a moment. Perhaps Peter had rediscovered his belief in God. Peter had joined the church in Ohio before he left, and maybe he’d found renewed belief when he met the people here in Bird-in-Hand.
    But still, it didn’t seem fair. All Luke had ever dreamed of was a family—a real family, with a loving wife and many, many children. He’d given it all up to care for his pop. Yet Peter had walked away from his family in Ohio and into a brand-new one in Pennsylvania.
    Balancing a kerosene lantern in his hand, Luke fetched his dirty clothes and moved through the kitchen toward the stairs. Scanning the room, he tried to imagine Peter and Sarah sharing a life in this house. He wondered if they’d been happy together.
    The sorrow reflected in Sarah’s eyes told him she missed her husband with all of her heart. Their home seemed haunted with a ghost of the love Peter had left behind. Luke’s heart craved the love Sarah held for Peter. He hoped someday he could find a woman who was as sweet, loving, and kind as Sarah seemed to be.
    Ascending the stairs, he focused on Sarah. Or, as her parents called her, Sarah Rose. How fitting her middle name was. She indeed was a delicate flower, but he’d also seen her thorns when she stood up to her family members. She was a complex woman. He hoped he could foster a friendship with her and be a part of her twins’ lives. It was the least he could do to help her through her loss and the rough road ahead.
    Luke yawned as he threw his dirty clothes into a pile on the chair near the bed. Tomorrow he would hitch up Molly and take a tour of Bird-in-Hand. Then he’d visit Eli and see if he could get some wood to start on that cradle.
    He would have to tell DeLana the news of Peter’s death, but first he wanted to find out more about the family Peter had left behind. He would contact DeLana when he traveled back to Ohio.
    He snuffed out the lantern light and climbed into the double bed. Closing his eyes, he imagined Sarah’s face. He prayed silently, thanking God for his safe passage to Bird-in-Hand and for the opportunity to find Peter’s family.

7
    S arah, is that chocolate cake ready yet?” Beth Anne asked as she crossed the bakery kitchen. “We have customers asking for one of your famous cakes.”
    “Ya.” Sarah swiped the knife over the icing one more time and then placed it on the counter. “Here you go.”
    “Wunderbaar.” Beth Anne lifted the cake plate. “Your best yet.” She paused and turned her concerned eyes to Sarah. “How is Luke doing?”
    Sarah shrugged. “Gut, I guess. I haven’t seen him in a few days since I dropped off some groceries and supplies for him. But Dat says Luke’s been visiting businesses and checking out Lancaster County. He’s stopped in to see Dat every day and helps out with the projects at the shop.”
    “Gut.” Beth Anne touched Sarah’s arm. “How are you feeling?”
    Sarah yawned. “Tired.”
    “You need a break. Sit for a while, and I’ll bring you some ice water.” Beth Anne ambled toward the front of the bakery. “I’ll be right back.”
    Sarah lowered herself onto a chair and took a deep breath. The past few days had been long. Although her mother had suggested she cut back on her hours at the bakery, Sarah couldn’t bring herself to stay home.