Free Forsaken by Leanna Ellis

pies, cookies, and breads, Hannah spotted a man who seemed more intent on studying the customers and Amish behind the counters than the apple dumplings and whoopie pies. He had dark hair pulled back and fastened with a rubber band. His dark complexion only made his scowl more menacing. “May I help you?”
    He turned serious brown eyes upon her. “I’m looking for someone.”
    Someone, not something? His statement surprised her. “Where are you from?”
    â€œNew Orleans. Have you been there?”
    He might as well have asked her if she’d been to the moon. She shook her head but said, “I know someone who went there once.” Suddenly she wanted to change the conversation’s direction. “Do they have apple dumplings in Louisiana?”
    The skin between his dark brows furrowed, then he glanced toward the display case where snickerdoodle cookies were wrapped in Saran Wrap, along with tiny loaves of pumpkin bread and gingerbread and cherry crumb. “I don’t know. Maybe. Maybe not. Did you make these?”
    â€œSome.”
    â€œShow me something you made.”
    â€œThis chocolate shoo-fly pie.”
    â€œIs it good?”
    She gave a shy smile. “Of course.”
    He laughed. “All right then. I’ll take it.”
    Hannah scooped it up and gave it to him, his fingers brushing her hand, and she pulled back abruptly. Gesturing toward the cash register, Hannah said, “You can pay over there.”
    â€œThanks, ma cherie . And…”
    Hannah turned back when she would have turned away. “Yes?”
    â€œHave you seen a stranger hereabouts?”
    She glanced around the shop, busy with tourists perusing the Amish quilted potholders, aprons in bright fabrics that no Amish woman would ever wear, postcards and books telling about life in Lancaster County. “Like you?”
    A burst of laughter erupted from him. “You’re quick. And yes, exactly. Someone like me. From far away. But more dangerous.” His words gave her an odd prickly sensation at the back of her neck. “What’s your name?”
    She hesitated only a second. His gaze, though brazen, had a trustworthy glimmer. “Hannah.”
    â€œI’m Roc.” He took a step toward her. “Do you know Ruby Yoder?”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œShe’s missing.”
    Hannah glanced down at her hands, twisted her fingers together. “She ran off with her boyfriend.”
    â€œThat’s not necessarily true.” Roc touched her forearm with one finger, just a glancing contact, not even something anyone else would notice. “You be careful. All right, Hannah? I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
    She met his concerned gaze. “Nothing can happen to me that isn’t the Lord’s will.”
    Those words came back to her like a belch while she rode her red scooter home later that afternoon. Her hypocrisy nettled inside her like a sticker burr. She’d once believed in God’s will whole-heartedly, but now…How could she have believed God wanted her to marry Jacob and yet God took him? Why would He do that?
    A cold rain began to fall, slowly at first and then gaining strength. Thankful for her coat, she tucked her chin and hurried, pushing off the road with one foot and pressing into the handles of the scooter with her hands. The clippity-clop of hooves behind alerted her, and she glanced back through the slant of rain and saw a horse moving toward her. She scooted onto the side of the road so as not to be sprayed by the wheels rolling through puddles. But instead of passing her, the buggy pulled over and came to a stop. A dark figure swung down from the buggy and Hannah caught a glimpse of Levi’s face beneath the rim of his hat.
    â€œHurry into the buggy.” Levi reached for the scooter. “I’ll take care of this.”
    Nodding and full of gratitude, Hannah hurried ahead and climbed into