The Bridge of Peace Read Online Free PDF Page A

place isn’t nearly as fun as reliving it together. Don’t you know anything about pranks?”
    Cara pulled into the driveway of Ephraim’s cabinetry shop. “Nope. Pranks are for rich girls.” She set the brake. “And you can trust me, Deb. In every way that matters—faith, family, friends, food, and shelter—you grew up rich.” She hopped down and strode to the entryway of the huge warehouse-type shop.
    Ephraim . He stood near the center of the vast building, scrubbing sandpaper over a cabinet that was sitting on a pair of sawhorses. Dark blue pants. Light blue shirt. Brown suspenders. Although it was a couple of hours before dark, he had lit several gas pole lamps. Under the glow of them, his hair looked more reddish brown than the usual strawberry blond.
    The glimpse of him filled her soul. She’d once been so empty, and now it was as if he’d stolen the awfulness of her past and buried it somewhere. But it’d taken more than his physical strength to help her. He’d given up everything for a season—had been shunned and disgraced, all the while hiding the truth from her of what he was going through. And sacrificing.
    He stirred her in ways she didn’t figure the Amish were familiar with—physical desire. But she bridled it and tried to behave like an upstanding Amish woman.
    Deborah nudged her, whispering, “Is this what you meant by seeing him?”
    Cara took a deep breath. “No, but I could stay right here all day and just watch him.”
    “We have a cake to deliver.”

    Ephraim looked up, a gorgeous smile instantly erasing the blankness that’d been there moments before. He tossed the sandpaper onto the cabinet and headed for her. Cara moved to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. The warmth and power of his hands made her feel both strong and weak. How was that possible?
    He released her. “I wasn’t expecting a visit.”
    “Deborah brought something for Lena. And I said I’d go with her to deliver it.”
    He looked past Cara and seemed to notice his sister for the first time. “Hi, Deborah.”
    “Hey. I think I’ll go say hello to everyone at Daed’s. Meet you at the buggy in ten?”
    “You’re only here for ten minutes?” Ephraim looked disappointed.
    “No, we’re coming back after we see Lena for a bit.”
    “Good. That’ll give me a chance to finish up here and catch a shower.”
    Movement inside the office area of the shop caught her attention.
    Anna Mary .
    Ephraim’s ex-girlfriend stood in his office with the phone to her ear. Anna Mary knew the language, customs, and all the ways of the Amish. Cara knew almost nothing. If she’d been raised here as her mom had wanted, she would’ve grown up knowing all the Amish ways too. Anna Mary put the receiver in its cradle, blew out the kerosene lamp, and came out of the office. The moment she saw Deborah, her eyes lit up, and she hurried over to her friend. She engulfed her in a hug the way best friends do. The two whispered something before Anna Mary turned toward Cara and Ephraim. “Hi, Cara. How are you?”
    “Hello. I’m good. You?” The words caught in her throat and tumbled out sounding rather frozen. Ephraim traced his fingers along the side and back of her neck until settling his hand there.
    “She came to use the community phone.”
    Embarrassed that he felt the need to reassure her, she forced a smile and turned to Anna Mary. “I … I hope everything is okay.”
    “Ya, just making plans to visit one of my sisters who doesn’t live in Dry Lake.”

    Cara shifted, trying to think of how to make small talk with her. “That sounds like fun.”
    “Ya, should be.”
    “I’ll see you at the buggy in ten.” Deborah waved, and then she and Anna Mary left the building.
    Ephraim squared himself in front of her and placed both his hands on her face. “I’m glad you’re here.” He kissed her forehead before gazing into her eyes. “I have something I want to show you.” He led her to his office. After he lit the