A Promise of Hope Read Online Free PDF Page A

blasted while voices boomed in Pennsylvania Dietsch. Luke crossed the room, his boots scraping the floor.
    A tall man stepped through the doorway. With blond hair and a blond beard, he stood an inch taller than Luke, approximately six one. His dark shirt, suspenders, and trousers were covered in dust and stains.
    When his gaze met Luke’s, he squinted as if to study Luke’s countenance. Luke could’ve sworn he saw recognition flash for a split second in the man’s eyes.
    “Wie geht’s?” the man asked. He extended his hand and gave a cautious smile.
    Luke shook his hand. “Gut, and you?”
    “Gut, danki.” The man swiped his hands across his shirt, setting off a cloud of dust. “Is there something I can help you with? Were you looking to order something? We’ve just reopened, so we’re a bit backed up right now. However, if you’re patient, we’d be happy to fill your order.”
    Pennsylvania Dietsch and nail guns continued to blast in the room behind him.
    Luke cleared his throat and straightened his straw hat, mustering up the strength to ask about Peter. “Actually, I’m visiting from Ohio.”
    “Welcome to Bird-in-Hand.” The man smiled. “What brings you here?”
    “I’m taking some much-overdue vacation time.” Luke yanked his straw hat from his head and fingered the brim.
    “That’s wunderbaar.”
    “I noticed your store has just reopened,” Luke said. “Did you do some remodeling?”
    “Ya.” The man frowned, shaking his head. “We had to do some major reconstruction after the fire.”
    “You had a fire?”
    “It was a tragic accident. One of our carpenters knocked over a lamp, igniting an oily rag. We lost everything.” The man’s gaze swept around the large room. “We had to completely rebuild.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that,” Luke said. “When did it happen?”
    “Nearly six months ago,” the man said. “It’s taken us a long time to get everything back on track with the shop. We’re still sorting through missing orders.”
    “I was wondering if you know a man named Peter Troyer.” Luke tightened his grip on the brim of the hat, anticipating the answer. “I heard he works in an Amish furniture store here in Bird-in-Hand.”
    “Peter Troyer?” The man’s eyes widened. “Have you come here to see him?”
    Luke nodded, his stomach tightening.
    “I’m sorry, mei freind, but Peter perished in the fire.”
    Luke swallowed a gasp as bile rose in his throat. He fought to keep his emotions in check.
    “It was a great tragedy.” The man shook his head. “He was my brother-in-law.”
    “Your brother-in-law?” Despite his pain, Luke raised his eyebrows in surprise at the news Peter had been married.
    “He was a gut man and husband. He also was one of our best carpenters.”
    Luke sucked in a breath, hoping to curb the surge of shock and grief coursing through him. “You own this shop?” he asked.
    “It’s a family business,” the man said. “I’m Daniel Kauffman.”
    “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Luke Troyer.”
    Daniel’s eyes widened with shock. “Troyer? Was Peter your freindschaft?”
    “Ya, he was my relative.” Luke’s voice was ragged with emotion.
    Daniel’s eyebrows knitted with confusion. “I didn’t know Peter had relatives left in Ohio.”
    “He has relatives, mostly cousins,” Luke said.
    An older man, also covered in wood shaving dust, appeared in the doorway. He stepped through, followed by a man who resembled Daniel, only younger.
    “Daniel, I thought Jake was running the front. Did he run to the supply yard again?” the older man asked.
    “Ya, I think so. Dat, this is Luke Troyer.” Daniel made a sweeping gesture toward Luke. “He’s Peter’s cousin visiting from Ohio. I just told him that we lost Peter in the fire.” He turned to the older man. “This is my dat, Eli Kauffman.”
    Eli shook Luke’s hand. “Welcome to Bird-in-Hand. Peter was a gut man. He was gut to my Sarah Rose.”
    “Danki.” Luke blew out a trembling