Plain Promise Read Online Free PDF

ever since Ben died. Then she mechanically smoothed the tangles, careful of her cut. Sometimes, like tonight, her loneliness was beyond tears as she remembered the feel of Ben brushing her hair before bed, something he’d said he enjoyed doing. And, oh, how she’d loved the feel of his hands in her hair, the brush sweeping downward to her waist. She cringed, recalling that Kade Saunders had seen much of her hair when it fell from beneath her kapp . So wrong . Only a woman’s husband should see her hair in length. She drew in a breath, blew it out slowly, and continued to brush, thinking about Ben, about Milo, and strangely enough . . . about Kade.
    He was an odd fellow. Void of enough sense to protect himself from the cold too. But one of God’s children , she reminded herself when judgment cut in. Still she speculated. Why was he here for three months? Why does he seem so angry one minute and then rather heroic the next? But was he? Heroic, that is. It had been unfit for him to be so close to her on the couch. But she was hurt and . . .
    She twisted in the bed, pushed the covers aside, and examined her shin. She still wasn’t sure how she had acquired the bruise.
    Her mind played back and forth about Kade. He embarrassed her when he told her he knew she was listening to the music from the porch. So brazen when he’d said it too. She shook her head, decided not to give him another thought, and closed her eyes to pray

    It was only an hour later when Sadie was startled out of a deep sleep. It took her a few seconds to focus on the battery-operated clock by her bed, illuminated a soft white. Nine o’clock. What could all the ruckus be about? Four o’clock came early in the morning. No one she knew would be visiting at this hour. The noise grew louder, and it was quite clear that someone was pounding on the front door. Loudly.
    She pulled her thick robe over her nightgown and headed down the stairs as fast as she could, holding the handrail for support. She couldn’t see a thing at first, but the cooler temperature downstairs hit her when she neared the first floor. The fire was still flickering in the fireplace, and the glow from the hearth offered enough light for her to stumble her way across the den. She reached for the doorknob but stopped when she heard him yelling—hollering like a madman.
    “Sadie!”
    Only one thought came to mind, as silly as it seemed. Serial killer . She’d read about people like that in the newspaper. He yelled again.
    “What is it, Mr. Saunders?” She was shaking all over.
    “It’s freezing out here! Can you open the door?” His tone was agitated, and she wasn’t sure what to do.
    “What’s the matter?” She fought the tremble in her voice.
    “For heaven’s sake, woman, please open the door.”
    Sadie reached for the knob. Then hesitated. “Is anything wrong?”
    “Yes. Something is wrong!” he yelled.
    She heard him mumbling from the other side of the door. She reached for a scarf hanging on a peg nearby and draped it over her head.
    “What is the problem?” She tossed one end of the wrap over her shoulder and assumed she must look a mess.
    “I need your help with a problem at the cottage. Can you please open the door?”
    Silly, silly woman , Sadie thought. There is something wrong at the cottage, of course. She opened the door. “I’m sorry, I just . . .”
    The Englischer scooted past her and went directly to the fireplace, stretching his arms near the dwindling fire.
    “Don’t you own a coat, Mr. Saunders?” Sadie folded her arms across her chest.
    He looked down at his jeans and white sweatshirt, then shook his head. “I don’t know why I keep running out the door without it on.” He shook his head and returned his attention to the fire. “
    What is wrong that brings you here at this time of night?” She held her place firmly by the door . . . just in case.
    He turned to look at her. “Were you asleep?” He sounded shocked. “It’s only nine