Free Sisters of the Heart - 03 - Forgiven by Shelley Shepard Gray

coming.”
    Eli looked at his older brother fondly. “He’s going to help with the plowing and planting.”
    “Really?” Winnie looked from one brother to the other. Since she’d known the Millers, she’d never known Eli to ever ask for help or for Sam to come out and assist. “Is that the only reason?”
    “Eli also explained how Jonathan and Henry sometimes lend a hand, but there won’t be time with the Lundy barn needing to be rebuilt. And, well, Jonathan also told me that you’ve got a follow-up appointment in a few days’ time. When Katie said she was going to hire a sitter and a driver to accompany you, I thought I’d just stay out your way and take you then.”
    “That’s mighty nice of you. A most generous use of your vacation.”
    “It’s what I want to do.” He sighed. “Plus, well, Caleb’s been around less than usual. It’s starting to be that no one can count on him for anything. Eli told me that last night Caleb went out and didn’t show up until almost midnight. I’m beginning to really regret my parents’ long trip north, especially since it’s during Caleb’s rumspringa . He doesn’t always want to listen to his brothers.”
    “That will pass soon, I imagine.”
    Winnie felt a bubble burst inside of her. For a moment, there, she’d been sure Sam was staying nearby to see her. But, surely, his reasons were far better. After all, he’d left their community. She needed to remember that.

Chapter 7
    “And then, of course, McClusky told everyone to behave themselves in his store. That caused a commotion, I tell ya,” Eli continued as Sam drove the three of them along the narrow, hilly lanes that made up the Amish community. After checking Winnie out from the hospital, they’d gone through a drive-thru for burgers, then started for the Lundy farm. And along the way, Eli had become a chatterbox, relaying neighborhood news with the exuberance of a gossipy maiden aunt.
    “You know how McClusky is,” Eli said, continuing. “Not much happens around here that he doesn’t know about.”
    “Uh-huh.” As Sam slowly curved the steering wheel right onto an unmarked street, he tried to remember who McClusky even was. But there was no use asking Eli to clarify things. Ever since they’d left the city and driven southwest toward the Amish communities, he’d becomedetermined to fill Sam in on every momentous—and not so momentous—occasion that had happened over the last six months.
    There’d been quite a lot of occasions. Sam appreciated the update. Truly, he cared about the people in this area very much but, nevertheless, felt removed, as if the people Eli were speaking of were characters in a story.
    And though he’d been the one to leave, Sam felt uncomfortable about it. And a little guilty. He wasn’t part of the Amish community anymore. This place was based on close family ties and sacrifices. Their parents both worked hard to see all their children’s physical and emotional needs met. He felt selfish to have only thought of himself over the past couple of years.
    “Don’t forget to turn left at the Johnsons’ place,” Eli cautioned. “It’s the house with the three flowering pear trees, Samuel.”
    Quickly Sam tapped the breaks and veered left. When Eli started up again about the day the trees were planted, Sam peeked in the rearview mirror.
    Winnie was still sleeping. Her head listed to one side, her lips slightly parted. She looked peaceful.
    For much of the drive, she’d dozed off and on. Sam couldn’t help but glance her way every now and then. During his visits to her bedside, the two of them had begun to converse enough that he felt more comfortable with her than with any other woman of his acquaintance.
    Winnie wasn’t afraid to have opinions. She was smart, too, and he appreciated that. During their visits, she’dentertained him with stories about her friends and her new job at the antique shop. But unlike Eli’s annoying chatter, Sam had been charmed. He