Seasons of Sugarcreek 02. Spring's Renewal Read Online Free PDF Page B

glanced her way in surprise. Elsa was being especially close-mouthed. Was it because she didn’t think it was any of his business? “Aenti Elsa, I don’t mean any disrespect toward her. I’m merely interested.”
    At first he thought that perhaps she didn’t hear him, she took so long to reply. But then finally, she spoke. “I invited her over because I thought you two had formed a friendship. But I hadn’t imagined there might be something more between you.”
    “I don’t know if there is. We just met.”
    “That is true. But Timothy, I thought you already had a sweetheart. Isn’t that true?”
    “It is, kind of.” With some surprise, he realized he hadn’t thought of her for hours.
    “What is her name?”
    “Ruby Lynn.”
    “And is she special to you?”
    “I think so. Maybe.” Actually, he was far less sure of how well they were suited. But it wouldn’t be fair to her to talk about that. “She’s been a good friend to me,” he said loyally.
    Elsa looked sideways at him. “Most every day, the mail delivers a letter from her to you.”
    “I write her often, too.”
    “A woman’s heart is softer than a man’s I think,” she said finally. “It does no good to play with it. This Ruby Lynn—let her be your sweetheart for now.”
    “There’s no chance of a future with Clara?”
    “I didn’t say that,” she hedged.
    “But if you were going to make a guess?”
    “If I was going to say anything about that, I would mention that Clara’s heart might be more tender than most. She’s a wonderful- gut woman and a mighty fine teacher. But as a girl in love…she has no experience. She might expect more than you can give. She’s a sweet girl. I’d hate for her to be disappointed.”
    “I wouldn’t mean to hurt her.”
    “ Jah , but sometimes we can all get hurt by surprise, yes? Accidents are the opposite of intentional problems, I think. And not all accidents only hurt the skin. Some make scars far deeper, and those are less easily healed.”
    Tim said little the rest of the way home.
    What was making him even think about Clara, anyway? Was he simply bored and trying to pass the time?
    Or was there a reason every time he talked with her, interest sparked inside him? Had the Lord guided him to this meeting? Was He bringing the two of them together for a purpose?
     
     
    “Mom, I’m in trouble,” Lilly said outside her parents’ door at three A.M .
    With a rustle of sheets, both of her parents bolted upright in bed. “Lilly?” her dad said groggily. “Are you sick?”
    She folded her hands over her stomach, trying to ignore the pain that rolled forth. “I’m bleeding.”
    Her mom sat up. “Bleeding? Are you sure?”
    “Yes.”
    In a flash, her mother reached her side and drew a comforting arm around her shoulders. “We better go to the hospital,” she said, thankfully not asking any more questions about her condition. “Do you need help getting ready?”
    “I’m dressed. Just…hurry, please?”
    Her parents looked at each other in concern. Lines of worry flickered across her father’s forehead as he darted into their bathroom to change.
    Arm still circling her, her mom guided her down the stairs to a living room chair. “Can you sit down?”
    Lilly simply nodded as she sat. But inside, she felt as if every part of her was coming undone.
    Within five minutes, her dad was heating up the car and her mom was waking up her brother Charlie with instructions to take care of Ty and get him off to school.
    The pains grew worse. Every few minutes, her stomach contracted and sharp pulses radiated outward. Lilly clung to her chair for support, then to her mother’s hand as they walked into the garage and then got into the car.
    Seconds later, the tires screeched as her father pulled out of their driveway too fast.
    “Careful, Scott. It’s raining out.”
    “I know Barb.” Glancing at Lilly in the rearview mirror, he caught her eye. “Are you hanging in there, Lilly?”
    She wasn’t.