Free A VOW for ALWAYS by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page B

eyes stung
     with tears as he looked at everyone and said, “I have a home that I can share with
     you now, and boy, does it ever feel good to say that.” A lump formed in Luke’s throat,
     and he bowed his head as he tried to find his voice. Looking up, all Luke could do
     was swallow and whisper, “Thank you, everyone. Thanks a lot.”

    Philadelphia
    The rain had stopped, and the roads were drying off. In less than two hours, Luke
     would be in Lancaster. Although time seemed to drag, waiting these couple of hours
     didn’t compare to the months he’d been away, trying to remember who he was.
    Luke looked down at his jeans, along with the flannel shirt and his red baseball cap.
     That hat had become part of his daily attire since he’d seen it hanging on the closet
     door of his room when he’d first arrived in Darby. Luke had gotten used to the English
     clothing that had been uncomfortable to him at first, but he couldn’t wait to get
     back into his own Plain clothing. He realized that was why these other clothes had
     never felt quite right.
    Luke leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he remembered that he’d been
     on the bus over a year ago because he’d been heading to Indiana to learn a new trade
     from his uncle. By now Uncle Amos must have sold the headstone engraving business
     to someone else.
    I’ll worry later about how I’m going to support Meredith
, he thought.
Right now I just want to get home to her
.
    Another thought popped into his head.
Will Meredith be happy to see me? Will she even recognize me in these clothes, with
     no beard?
    “I’d better pull in here and gas up,” Susan said, directing her car into a gas station.
     “If anyone needs the restroom, now’s a good time.”
    Norma and Luke stepped out of the car, but Henry had his eyes closed and appeared
     to be asleep.
    When Luke was about to leave the restroom a short time later, he stepped up to the
     sink to wash his hands. He took a quick look in the mirror, and more memories came
     flooding back. He remembered going to the restroom at the bus station in Philadelphia
     and seeing a rugged-looking man approach him. The fellow had asked for Luke’s clothing
     and then his wallet. That was the guy who had assaulted him and put him through months
     of pain and rehab. In those few minutes, Luke’s life had changed. The only thing good
     that had come from the attack was the new friends he had made during his recovery.
    I wonder where the attacker is now?
Luke thought.
Guess I really don’t need to know, now that I’m finally heading home
.

    Bird-in-Hand
    “What are ya doin’ out of bed?” Elam asked Sadie as she stood in front of their bedroom
     window, staring into the darkness.
    “I couldn’t sleep,” she replied, turning to face him.
    “How come?”
    “I was remembering the day Luke and Meredith got married. It wasn’t that long ago,
     but it seems like forever.”
    Elam stepped up to Sadie and slipped his arms around her waist. “It’s hard not to
     look back and remember our youngest child’s wedding day. Especially since this is
     the eve of Meredith and Jonah’s wedding.”
    “Jah. Levi is a part of our Luke, and I know Meredith and Jonah will make sure Levi
     knows his father, even though he never had the opportunity to meet him.”
    “Meredith and Levi are lucky to have Jonah in their lives.” Elam paused. “I’ve seen
     with my own eyes how Levi looks at Jonah and wants to be held by him.”
    “You’re right. It’s hard not to see and hear the love Jonah has for Meredith and Levi.”
     Sadie sighed. “It couldn’t have been easy for Jonah to come here and approach me about
     his feelings for Meredith and Levi some months ago, but I saw right then that Jonah
     was a sincere, genuine person. How could I fault him for loving Meredith, or deny
     her and Levi the happiness they deserve?”
    Elam gave her a hug. “Luke would be happy to know that his wife and son will be well
     taken