Free Forsaken by Leanna Ellis Page A

Levi’s buggy. A minute later, he joined her, his strong muscles rippling beneath his white shirt and black coat, his actions fluid and assured. Even though they were both wet and shivering in the cold, he shared a warm smile with her that started a flicker of a flame inside her that could have melted a marshmallow.
    â€œSaw the clouds approaching and thought I’d pick you up and give you a ride home, spare you the wet, but I missed you at work.”
    â€œThank you. That was kind of you, Levi. Marnie told me to leave early when we saw the rain coming. But I suppose I wasn’t quick enough.”
    He nodded and clicked the horse back into motion. “Wouldn’t be such a bad walk if not for the weather. You’ll not take a cold, will you?”
    â€œI’ll be fine.” But she felt her skin contract and a shiver pass through her.
    â€œAnd how was work today?” he asked.
    â€œBusy. But that is good, ja ?”
    â€œ Ja . ’Tis.”
    The swoosh of the wheels and the clopping of the hooves filled the space and silence between them. It was already getting late, and Mamm would have supper on the table. Usually Levi left the farm by this time to go to the small house he rented from the Huffstetlers. When Levi’s father sold his carpentry shop, which included their home above the showroom, and moved the rest of his family to Ohio, Levi took over Jacob’s job with her father and moved in with the Huffstetlers.
    Did he miss his dat and mamm something awful? She couldn’t imagine being far away from her own parents for any length of time. He had told her once when he worked late in the fields during harvest and ended up eating supper with her family, “These rolls are near as good as my mamm’s.”
    His compliment made her smile and gave her a warm, gooey feeling inside, like a melted chocolate chip. “Oh, no one could make potato rolls like Sally Fisher.”
    â€œJust to be sure,” he’d said, “let me try another.” He’d taken a roll out of the basket. “ Ja ,” he mumbled, “just as good.”
    Mamm’s gaze had shifted toward her, and Hannah knew what she was thinking and it erased the smile she had felt blossom from Levi’s compliment. But was he really interested in her?
    Now, his steady gaze settled on her, not with the weight of a heavy hand but like the feather brush of a finger against her cheek. With her skin tingling, she tucked her chin downward.
    â€œThere was a man in the store today,” she said, not knowing why she was talking, babbling like a crazy, overflowing brook, “from New Orleans.”
    â€œHmm.”
    â€œIt made me think of…” her voice drifted, her throat closed and she stared out at the gray sky and falling rain. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œNothing to be sorry for. Jacob went to Louisiana.”
    â€œAnd he came home.”
    â€œHannah,” Levi’s voice dipped lower, “I know your feelings for Jacob ran deep but—”
    â€œYou’re going to miss the turn.”
    His gaze shifted back to the road and he pulled back on the reins, slowing the horse and turning into the lane that led toward her house.
    She stared down at her clasped hands and wished he would hurry. She felt a shivering start deep down inside of her, the quaking spreading through her limbs.
    Levi didn’t speak again until he pulled to a stop in front of her house. “Hannah…”
    She didn’t move, but her heart fluttered like an injured bird unable to flee.
    â€œI know you cared for Jacob. So did I. He was my brother.” Levi rubbed his thumb along the leather reins. “I loved him.” He too stared straight ahead, not looking in her direction. “I don’t know if he made you any promises, but he’s gone now.”
    Her fingers clamped hold and she squeezed until her nails bit into her palms.
    â€œAnd we all have to move on. This is