Free A Son's Vow by Shelley Shepard Gray Page A

swore she heard a faint bark.
    For the first time in memory, the sound didn’t make her flinch. Instead she wondered if it was Rose.
    And then, as she watched Christopher reach out a hand for one of his toys, Hannah wondered about Rob, what he was like.
    And she realized, with a bit of surprise, that she wasn’t filled with sadness and regret for the loss of Paul.
    Instead, she merely felt at peace.

Chapter 7
    March 25
    U h-oh,” Amanda Jefferson called out from the counter of the post office. “Don’t look now, Darla, but you’ve got company.”
    It was five minutes before the end of a very long day. In the back, Darla was just locking up the cash drawer and closing down the machines. She looked at Amanda curiously. “Tell whoever it is that we’ll be open tomorrow at nine. I’ll help them then.”
    Amanda poked her head into the room. “I don’t think it’s gonna be that easy.”
    Darla bit back a sigh of impatience with effort. Amanda was eighteen and rather enthusiastic. She also was a little scared of making decisions or confronting anyone by herself. Darla understood that, and could even sympathize, but it was time for her to take some responsibility.
    â€œAmanda, it will be all right. People know what time we close.They might not like having to come back, but they’ll understand.”
    â€œBut—”
    Deciding that maybe it would be best to illustrate how to be firm, Darla pointed to the clock. “Amanda, as of right now, we are closed. Tell whoever is out there that I couldn’t help them even if I wanted to. The postal machines have been turned off.” With a feeling of satisfaction, she flicked the machine’s switch and listened to its steady humming fade into silence. “There now. Our day is done. Go lock the door if you’d like.”
    Yet Amanda remained, wobbling on the balls of her feet and looking a bit like a small child in need of a bathroom. “Um . . .”
    â€œAmanda, please do this. I’m ready to pack up and go home. It’s been such a long day.”
    And it would have been just as long if Mary Troyer hadn’t come in to inflict her daily dose of accusations and threats. But Mary had, and today her anger and screeching had risen to new heights. Darla had had to press her palms down on the countertop so Mary and the other customers wouldn’t notice how badly she was shaking.
    Amanda cleared her throat. “I hear what you’re saying, I really do. But simply closing the door on our newcomer ain’t gonna be that easy.”
    â€œBecause?”
    â€œBecause I don’t think your visitor is gonna leave just ’cause I told him he needed to.”
    Darla stopped sorting the papers on the counter. “Visitor?”
    â€œ Jah . That’s what I’ve been trying to tell ya. It’s Lukas Kinsinger who’s here.”
    â€œLukas?” She was surprised. The last time he’d been in,Lukas had announced that he wouldn’t be back. And though she hadn’t been entirely pleased that she’d gotten her way—she hadn’t thought he would back down so easily—it wasn’t like him to be back so fast.
    â€œI’ll go say you’ll be right out,” Amanda announced before Darla could ask her to send him away.
    Seconds later, the girl’s voice drifted to her. “Darla’s in the back, Lukas, but I’m thinking she’ll be out presently. And by the way, we’re closed,” she chattered on. “She turned off the machines, so we can’t be doing any work right now even if we wanted to. Which we don’t.”
    â€œIs that right?”
    Darla pressed her hands to her cheeks as Amanda continued spouting off information. “Oh, yes. Now, you gotta step aside ’cause I’m gonna have to put on the Closed sign and lock the door.”
    â€œThat’s fine, do what you want. I didn’t come to do