A Promise of Hope Read Online Free PDF Page B

stranger, who was chatting with the others across the bakery. “Look at him, Kathryn. Please!”
    Kathryn’s eyebrows careened toward her blonde hairline as her gaze followed Sarah’s pointed finger.
    “Tell me I’m seeing Peter. Tell me God raised him like He raised Lazarus.” Sarah wiped the tears that were suddenly escaping down her hot cheeks and wished her heart would stop pounding against her rib cage.
    “He does favor Peter a little.” Frowning, Kathryn took Sarah’s hand in hers. “Sweet Sarah Rose, Peter has gone to be with the Lord and won’t come back. I’m sorry.”
    Sarah swallowed a sob. In her mind, she knew her sister was right, but that man looked like Peter. Taking a deep breath, she willed her tears to stop flowing. “I think I need to get some air,” she said. “Will you take care of the customers for me?”
    “Of course.” Kathryn’s lips formed a sad smile. “Tell Beth Anne to come out front, and I’ll walk you home.”
    “I’ll be fine,” Sarah whispered before racing through the kitchen, past her sister, and out the back door.
    She wiped her eyes as she approached the small fenced-in play area where Lindsay sat with her nieces and nephews. Leaning on the fence, Sarah wished she could stop the pain strangling her heart. She prayed her soul would heal and stop playing cruel tricks on her, such as spotting Peter in the bakery. Hadn’t she suffered enough without having hallucinations?
    “Aenti Sarah?” Lindsay asked, stepping over to the fence. “Are you okay?”
    Sarah nodded. “It’s been a long morning. I needed to step out to get some air.”
    Lindsay reached for her. “Do you need help?”
    Sarah shook her head. “No. Danki.”
    The children ran around playing tag and swinging on the elaborate wooden swing set that her brothers and father had built. Sarah contemplated the two babies growing inside her, wondering what they would look like and how much they would remind her of Peter. Would the sight of her newborns cause her more heartache or would they give her the comfort she craved?
    “Sarah Rose?” a voice behind her called.
    Turning, she faced her mother standing in the doorway.
    “Would you please come here?” Mamm asked, her pretty face distraught.
    Sarah headed for the door, wondering what had upset her mother. She hoped Kathryn hadn’t told their mother that she was having a breakdown. The last thing she needed was another lecture about allowing Peter to rest in peace. It was much easier said than done.
    Mamm stepped out onto the concrete. When the mysterious man followed her, Sarah stopped, frozen in place as she assessed him. He seemed to study her also, his brown eyes fixed on her as he sauntered toward her, the swing of his arms echoing Peter’s movements.
    Sarah remained cemented in place, feeling as though her shoes were sinking in quicksand. Her mouth dried, and her heart thumped madly in her chest. Was she hallucinating again, or was this man who resembled Peter advancing toward her?
    Mamm and the man stopped near Sarah, and Sarah’s gaze never left his. While Peter’s eyes had been a deep hazel, the mystery man’s were the color of mocha, reminding her of the milk-chocolate pies she loved to bake.
    “This is Luke Troyer,” Mamm said, breaking through Sarah’s reverie. “Peter’s cousin.”
    Sarah gasped and clasped her mother’s arm to steady herself. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound escaped. After clearing her throat, she tried again. “That’s impossible,” she whispered. “Peter had no family. There must be some mistake. Troyer is a common Amish name.”
    “He was my kin,” Luke said. “His full name was Peter Jacob Troyer, and he was born on May 25 in Middlefield, Ohio. He had a strawberry birthmark on his upper left shoulder blade, and he was a talented carpenter.”
    Sarah’s hands trembled as she stared into Luke’s deep brown eyes. In her heart, she knew he was telling the truth, but doubt still filtered through