Free An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller Page A

right.”
    â€œI can pick you up tomorrow morning.” He took in a deep breath. “I better get back
to work. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
    She could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Please don’t let him notice. “Tomorrow, right.”
    He went to the door, opened it, then turned to her. “I love you.”
    â€œI . . . love you too.”
    As soon as the door closed she collapsed against the table, her legs trembling. She
needed to sit down, but she couldn’t move. A few moments later Abigail burst through
the back door. Joanna jumped and nearly fell, managing to hang on to the table as
she fought to steady herself.
    â€œI see Andrew was here.” Abigail walked over to her, a wide grin on her face. “I
guess you two talked.”
    â€œYa.” She was still looking down at the table, fighting for strength.
    â€œHe looked happy.” Abigail chuckled. “Very happy. Any particular reason why?”
    â€œWe’re getting married,” Joanna mumbled, finally looking at her sister.
    â€œMarried?” Abigail’s eyes widened.
    â€œYa.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œTwo weeks.”
    Abigail’s mouth dropped open. “What?”
    â€œHe said he wanted to get married right away.” The words were coming easier now,
and her heartbeat started to slow.
    â€œJoanna, are you sure?”
    She hung on to the edge of the table. Maybe getting married wasn’t a bad thing after
all. Perhaps after they were married everything would be right again. She and Andrew
would be together forever. For better or for worse. Her chest started hurting again.
    Abigail pulled out one of the kitchen chairs. “Sit down.”
    Joanna sank onto the seat. With the back of her hand she wiped her damp forehead.
    Her sister moved a chair closer to Joanna and sat. “Let’s think about this for a
minute. This morning you didn’t want to see him. Now all of a sudden you’re getting
married in two weeks?”
    Joanna nodded.
    Abigail leaned back, shaking her head. “I don’t get it.”
    â€œAndrew doesn’t want to wait.”
    â€œObviously. But what about you? Are you ready for this?” She peered into Joanna’s
eyes. “What do you want?”
    Andrew. She had always wanted Andrew. But now she realized something else. I don’t
want to be alone. Joanna touched the smattering of flour that had spilled on the
table. When she saw her finger shaking, she pulled back. “I want what he wants,”
she said, unable to admit her fear.
    â€œYou’re dodging the question.”
    She tightened her fingers into fists under the table. “We’re getting married. I’m
sorry if you’re upset about that.”
    â€œI’m not upset.” Abigail’s voice was calm and steady, the way she had been throughout
Joanna’s stay at the rehabilitation center. “I’m happy for you if this is what you
truly want and if you’re not feeling pressured.”
    Pressure pressed down on her from all sides, but she couldn’t acknowledge that out
loud. She could only try to manage the strain. She relaxed her tense shoulders, attempting
to create a confidence she didn’t feel. “Marrying Andrew is what I want.”
    â€œThen congratulations!” She gave Joanna a quick hug, then pulled away. A rueful grin
formed on her lips. “Seems that when it comes to marriage, both mei schwesters don’t
waste any time. Joel better hurry and catch up.” Her smile disappeared. “I haven’t seen him since we got back. I know he’s been busy working at Barton Plastics, and
then he’s been helping his older bruder finish building his new haus . I thought maybe
he would stop by the store today, but so far he hasn’t.”
    â€œI’m sure he’ll visit soon.” Joanna patted Abigail’s hand, glad for the change of
subject. “He cares about you,