Free Seek Me With All Your Heart by Beth Wiseman Page A

promise you a thousand times, I wil never hurt you. Do you understand me?
    Never. You’re safe here.”
    Emily lowered her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    He didn’t step forward this time as he spoke. “A fel ow doesn’t have to be too smart to figure out that something bad happened to you, or I figure you wouldn’t have got so upset at the store.”
    She opened her mouth to defend herself. Maybe it was the soothing tone of his voice or the gentleness in his eyes, but she paused for a moment, then realized how her behavior gave her away. She sighed. “I can’t talk about it.”
    David walked toward her again. This time she didn’t back away. “You don’t ever have to talk about it. I just want to be your friend. I don’t know anyone here.” He paused before speaking softly, “Go get something hot to drink. I’l be out here getting the buggy ready. Just meet me outside when you’re warm.”
    “Okay.” By now, her cheeks were so numb they burned. She slid by him and started toward the house while he went to the barn.
    Once she’d eased her way up the front porch steps, she pul ed open the screen door, which was hanging by one hinge, then pushed the heavy door open. She could smel coffee, but the soothing aroma was mixed with a stale odor that caused her to grimace. In the kitchen, she took in the blue and gold wal paper, a couple of cabinet doors also hanging by one hinge, and the many boxes stil left to unpack. So much work to do .
    She found a travel mug with a lid, similar to what her family used during cold weather. Then she helped herself to the coffee on the stove. The warm liquid helped to stifle the shakiness that consumed her entire body. She found another mug, fil ed it up, and secured the lid.
    Outside, she approached David, carrying both cups.
    “Ready,” he said when he saw her.
    “I brought you some too.” She handed him one of the cups.
    He smiled as he accepted it. “ Danki. ”
    She walked around to the other side of the buggy, climbed in, and saw a portable heater on the floor.
    “That wil keep your feet warm,” David said as he backed the buggy up. She leaned down and flipped it on.
    David waited until they were on the road before he said anything. “It’s a mess in there, huh?” He nodded over his shoulder toward the house.
    “It wil just take some time, that’s al .”
    He laughed. “A lot of time.”
    Emily smiled, enjoying the sound of his laughter. Her heart felt a little lighter, her burdens not as heavy at the moment. “I’m sure Mamm wil set up a Sister’s Day for Lil ian so we can al help her get the place in order.”
    David nodded. “I know Lil ian would be grateful for any help.”
    “I real y could have walked,” she said as David pul ed into her driveway less than five minutes later. “I told you it wasn’t that far. Barely worth the trouble of hitching the buggy up.”
    “A couple of miles in this weather feels like more. I don’t know about you, but I’m having trouble with the altitude. I reckon I couldn’t have lived with myself if I’d gotten word later that Emily Detweiler was found frozen in her boots.” He grinned, and Emily felt her face flushing.
    “Wel , I’m used to the altitude, but danki for the ride.” She pushed on the door and stepped out, then turned to face him briefly.
    “You’re welcome.”
    As she walked up the path to her house, she knew one thing had changed. She no longer wished to avoid David by not attending the singing. A thought that excited and terrified her.

    Five
    EMILY PULLED A CLEAN BLUE DRESS OVER HER HEAD. THE singing would begin soon, and she found herself thinking about the tender way David had talked to her the last time she saw him. “I don’t know what happened to you, but I promise you a thousand times, I will never hurt you. Do you understand me?
    Never.” And she wanted to believe him. She knew in her heart that James had been an exception, that most men were not like him,