Free The PIECES of SUMMER by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page A

Otherwise, to avoid scrutiny, visiting with Meredith would have to wait until he could
     stop by her house again. It didn’t help that he still had his foot in the immobility
     boot and couldn’t do much to help with any chores, but he would be getting the boot
     off soon and would be glad to get back to doing things again.
    Jonah was thankful he’d been blessed with loving, understanding parents. Not everyone,
     Amish or English, could say the same.
    After the noon meal, Jonah noticed Meredith and her sister head for their buggy. They
     were obviously going home, and he resigned himself to the fact that he wouldn’t get
     the chance to speak with her today.
    Sure wish it was me taking Meredith home instead of Laurie
, he thought ruefully.
I wonder if I’ll ever be able to tell Meredith how I feel about her
.
If I did, what would she say?

Philadelphia
    As Susan headed down the hall toward Eddie’s room in the rehab wing of the hospital,
     she thought about everything the poor man had been through over the past six months.
     From what Anne had told her, Eddie worked hard in therapy, consistently striving to
     improve his physical abilities. She credited his progress to a positive attitude and
     persistence, whereas many patients would have given up by now.
    Anxious to talk with Eddie on her day off about the possibility of moving to Grandma
     and Grandpa’s, she’d decided to visit right after church. Besides, she’d learned that
     Brian, the Hagens’ grandson, would be at lunch this afternoon, which made her suspect
     that Grandma was up to her old matchmaking tricks.
    Susan wasn’t having any of that, so as soon as the service had ended, she’d told Grandma
     that she was going to the hospital to see Eddie. She could tell by Grandma’s frown
     that she wasn’t happy about it, but at least she hadn’t put up a fuss. Maybe she’d
     changed her strategy and had decided that Anne and Brian would make a better match,
     because she seemed quite happy when Anne said she’d be pleased to join them at the
     Hagens’ house for lunch. Either way, Susan was glad she’d had an excuse to duck out.
    When Susan got to Eddie’s room, he wasn’t there. She checked at the nurses’ station
     and was told that Eddie had taken a walk. Thinking he might be in the garden area
     outside, Susan headed in that direction.
    When she stepped into the courtyard, she spotted Eddie sitting on a bench, with a
     fluffy white kitten in his lap. He looked like a cute little boy, content and relaxed
     as he gently stroked the kitten’s head.
    “I see you’ve made a new friend,” Susan said, taking a seat beside Eddie.
    His beautiful turquoise eyes sparkled as he grinned. “I heard some meowing in the
     bushes, and when I went to take a look, she leaped right out and started pawing at
     my leg, like she wanted me to pick her up. So I did.”
    Susan smiled. It was refreshing to meet a man with such a tender spirit. She wondered
     if he’d ever had any pets of his own. If he had, he’d probably treated them with the
     same gentleness he was using on this kitten right now, as it purred and rubbed its
     small head against Eddie’s hand. The kitten was definitely content lying there in
     his lap.
    They visited about the warm, sticky weather; then Eddie told Susan about his latest
     physical therapy session in a jetted spa tub. He mentioned that he enjoyed being in
     the water and felt like he was getting stronger every day.
    “I’m glad. I know it’s taken a long time and lots of patience, but it’s been worth
     the effort, don’t you think?”
    He nodded. “I’m hoping that as my body becomes stronger my brain will heal, as well.
     If I could just figure out who I am, I could leave this hospital soon.”
    “Has Anne said anything to you about moving to our grandparents’ home?” Susan asked.
    “Yes, she did, and I’m glad they’re agreeable, but now that I’ve had some time to
     think about it, I’m not sure it’s such a