A Simple Vow Read Online Free PDF

“I’m not finding any broken bones, but you’ve got some bruised ribs and a bloody forehead. You’re going to be sore for a long while.”
    The guy sighed again as he refocused on Andy’s questions. “Clifford.”
    Andy bit back a grin. “I assume we’re talking about a town rather than the big red dog that’s in a lot of kids books?”
    Asa’s expression went blank.
    “Sorry. I shouldn’t be teasing about stuff like that,” Leitner said.
    “Clifford’s a little town a ways south of here,” Luke replied. He was relieved that Asa seemed to be regaining his memory despite his obvious discomfort. “Did you come up to Willow Ridge for the wedding festivities?”
    Asa again appeared confused, but then his lean face settled into a scowl. “I wouldn’t liken my reason for being here to any sort of festivity,” he muttered. “And frankly, I’d rather not discuss it. If you’ll just let me get back on my horse—”
    “Nope, can’t do that,” Andy insisted, holding Asa’s broad shoulders so he’d remain seated. “Since we don’t know how long you were out, I’m taking you to the emergency room for an MRI, in case you’ve got a concussion—”
    “And your horse is in no shape to travel, either,” Luke chimed in. He led the tall black gelding a couple of yards and noticed it was favoring a leg. “How about if I take him over to my brother’s place? He’s our local farrier.”
    The man seemed torn between concern for his horse and reluctance to stick around much longer, so Luke pointed in the general direction of Ben’s shop. “I’ll just lead him up the road a few blocks, and we’ll take it real slow. I’m Luke Hooley, by the way, and this is my aunt, Jerusalem Gingerich,” he added. “We’re glad she and Naz found you when they did. We’ll look after you and your horse until you’re both road ready, all right?”
    “Gingerich, eh?” Asa murmured with a hint of suspicion.
    “ Jah , I married Vernon last year,” Jerusalem replied. “He’s the bishop of Cedar Creek, ya know.”
    “Ah.” Asa smoothed his black hair away from his face as he assessed them all. He winced again as he shifted his position. “Guess I’m not too fired up about riding, now that you mention it—especially if Midnight’s lame,” he murmured. “I sure have to wonder who raced his rig past us so close—and so fast—that I got thrown to the side of the road.”
    “And I have to wonder who would’ve left you this way, too,” Luke added. “Even Plain boys racing down the back roads for the sport of it would have the decency to stop if they made a horse throw its rider.”
    “ Jah , you’d think so,” Andy agreed. “Asa, for safety’s sake, we’re going to put you on a stretcher and carry you to the wagon.”
    As Luke helped the nurse get their visitor into the clinic wagon, he couldn’t help wondering about the real story behind this incident. Had someone from Willow Ridge run this fellow’s horse off the road? And why had Asa reacted so sourly to the name Gingerich? Families by that name lived all over this part of Missouri.
    Maybe Detweiler was hurt and confused—as any fellow would be after hitting the ground so hard—yet Luke also found himself speculating about the stranger’s reasons for being here. The shadow that had passed over Asa’s face when he’d refused to answer that question suggested ulterior motives . . . hidden hostility.
    Better keep your eye on this guy , Luke thought. Who knows what secrets he’s keeping?

Chapter Four
    Edith stood beside her bed gazing down at the twins in awe. So small they were, and so sweet—like little angels—now that they’d eaten and fallen asleep. She’d arranged them in large cardboard boxes padded with towels, and finding them beds and more clothing was her first priority. Will’s box of supplies had included a very short stack of cloth diapers, half a dozen onesies, a blanket apiece, a half-used canister of powdered formula, and a few