Promise Lodge Read Online Free PDF Page B

all the time it took to move here, we’re late planting some of our vegetables for the produce stand. But it’ll all work out—especially with you helping us, Deborah.”
    As her friends showed her the rest of the cabins and the grounds, Deborah’s spirits lifted. The Hershbergers were hoping she’d stick around Promise Lodge for a while, and she had no doubt that she could be useful. Everywhere she looked, walls needed painting and windows needed curtains and floors needed scrubbing.
    When the three of them reached Rainbow Lake’s freshly mowed shoreline, several frogs hopped into the water. The lake sparkled with sun diamonds as it lapped gently around an old wooden dock that extended toward its center. A fish jumped out of the water and splashed back in. As the trees swayed in a refreshing breeze and Phoebe pointed out the overgrown apple orchard they hoped to revive, Deborah felt the tension easing out of her shoulders. Everything about Promise Lodge seemed so peaceful, so welcoming, that she dared to believe she might recover from being cast out of her home.
    A movement caught her eye near the entry to the grounds, where Noah was leading his Belgian from the plot he’d finished plowing. Even from this distance, he appeared forlorn, lacking the exuberant energy Deborah recalled from their childhood and courtship.
    I did that to him. I had no idea how much he loved me.
    Deborah sighed. How could she convince Noah to forgive her, to trust her again? And where could she go if he didn’t?

Chapter Three
    At supper that evening, Noah focused on his ham and beans to keep from looking at Deborah. It was no accident that his mamm and aunts had seated her directly across the table from him, probably figuring he’d get lost in her green eyes and gaze at the glossy brown hair she’d tucked neatly beneath her kapp, the way he used to. He buttered a square of corn bread, considering where he’d go after he’d finished eating. Someplace she wouldn’t follow him, pleading again for his forgiveness and affection.
    â€œNoah, now that you’ve finished plowing the produce plots,” Preacher Amos said, “I’d like you to putty the windows in the cabins and then paint the windowsills. You’ve got a steadier hand with a trim brush than I do.”
    â€œ Jah, I can do that,” Noah replied as he drizzled honey on his corn bread.
    â€œAnd, Deborah, your dat once told me you’d made quick work of painting the kitchen and bedrooms at your place,” Amos went on from the head of the table. “If you could help us out by painting the cabins’ interior walls while you’re here, I’d really appreciate it. I’ve got rollers and paint all ready to go.”
    When Noah glanced up, he couldn’t miss Deborah’s pleased expression. Was she tickled because Amos had complimented her, or because the preacher was arranging for her to work alongside him ? Noah’s temples pulsed when he clenched his jaw against a protest.
    â€œI’d be happy to help,” Deborah replied with a lilt in her voice. “Mamma has always said that Dat taught me how to paint when I was a kid so he’d never have to do it again.”
    As laughter rang around him, Noah’s frustration rose. Everyone had conveniently forgotten how Deborah had humiliated him. Rejected him. Beside him, Roman reached for the bowl of wilted lettuce with a chuckle. “There’s no escaping her, little brother,” he murmured near Noah’s ear. “You might as well make your peace with her.”
    Noah glared at him. “Who asked for your opinion?” he muttered.
    As the chatter continued around the long table, Noah quickly finished his supper and excused himself to tend the livestock chores. At least the horses, Christine’s cows, and Rosetta’s goats wouldn’t mock him as he filled their water troughs and put out their evening feed. When he