Free The Promise of an Angel (A Heaven On Earth 1) by Ruth Reid Page B

she whispered.
    “She said she heard that from God,” David added. “God spoke to her.”
    Judith closed her eyes as the crowd gasped.
    Bishop Lapp stepped forward. “Child, do you know what that statement implies?”
    Judith kept her focus on her shoes. She’d heard that people in cults sometimes claimed they heard from God. Surely they wouldn’t think she would join a cult or that she’d want to stray from the church. She loved God with her whole heart.
    “Answer the bishop,” her father demanded.
    Judith bit her lip. “I spoke with an angel.”
    Her father leaned forward. “No one heard your mumbling. Say it louder.”
    She lifted her head. Her eyes darted from the bishop to her father to David, then settled on Levi. “I have faith that Samuel will walk. I was told that . . . he would.”
    “We muscht accept Samuel’s outcome.” The bishop paused. “It is what God has decided.”
    “God’s decision is for him to walk.” Judith regretted her words the moment she spoke. She should have guarded her mouth.
    “You do not think like God thinks. To talk as though you have the power is blasphemy,” declared the bishop.
    Her father drew in a sharp breath and clutched his chest. He made a high-pitched wheeze, and Judith moved to his side. As he gasped for air, anger rose up in her chest. Her father hadn’t had a breathing attack in months.
    Why now, God?
    “I’ll be . . .” His breathing ragged, he leaned on David for support.
    “Amos, would you help him back to the house?” David turned to Judith. “ Daed doesn’t need any more stress, ain’t it so?”
    She swallowed hard.
    Her brother pointed toward the barn. “Wait for me in there. You and I will talk after the bishop and I finish speaking.”
    Judith walked with her head lowered. She didn’t want to look anyone in the eye, especially Levi. Speaking out of turn to the bishop, she had shamed herself and her family. Entering the dark barn, she didn’t bother to light a lantern. Somehow, the darkness felt comforting. Levi had told her to choose. After his public accusations, she understood. He had chosen for her. He would never marry her now.

    Andrew pondered what gave Judith the nerve to speak up against everyone, including his father. She’d never planted discord and had always been compliant with the Ordnung , even content. She hadn’t allowed him to cover for her whereabouts, and now she was at the hand of her brother. Where had her courage come from, if not from the Lord?
    “Something about her has changed.” Levi broke the silence.
    Andrew turned from watching Judith walk to the barn to see Levi shaking his head. If anyone understood Judith, it should be Levi. Yet he seemed annoyed and impatient with her stressful family situation, rather than sympathetic.
    Levi turned toward his buggy. Andrew walked alongside him.
    “Why did you do that to her?” Andrew tried to mask his irritation, but Levi’s smug attitude made him angry. He offered up a quick silent prayer for wisdom, then continued. “She deserves more from you.”
    “People need to know how sick her mind has become. I was planning to marry her.” Levi motioned toward the barn. “But even if David was to whip her, it wouldn’t change her mind.”
    “David said he planned to talk with her, not lash her.”
    “ Jah , so he said. How much gut talk will do, I don’t know.” Levi’s shoulders dropped. “Why was Judith the only one to see an Englischer the day Samuel fell off the roof?”
    Andrew shook his head. He hadn’t seen a stranger, but he had seen Judith run off into the pasture and head toward the apple orchard. He looked at Levi, but in the darkness he couldn’t read his expression. Maybe his cousin was actually worried about Judith. There was no telling. But Andrew decided not to reveal how he’d seen Judith running off that day. Levi had caused enough heartache. Andrew wouldn’t give him ammunition to hurt Judith more.
    Levi’s eyes narrowed. “If she’s