Unbreakable Read Online Free PDF Page A

counter. “Yes. Why don’t you clean up and close the store a little early? You may want to rest some.”
    I nodded. “Will you give Daisy some water before you leave? I’m sure she’s thirsty after our long trip.”
    â€œYes, I will do that.” He hugged me again, which surprised me, since Papa wasn’t usually very demonstrative in front of other people. I said good-bye to Aaron, and they left.
    I watched Aaron gently help my father up into the cab of his truck, obviously aware that he was having some trouble with his joints. Several townspeople who passed by greeted Aaron with enthusiasm. The whole town was excited about the new store. Of course, Lizzie was thrilled at the prospect of buying more of her restaurant supplies in town. Althoughshe bought a lot of food items from local farmers, there were some things that could only be found in larger cities like Washington. Having a general store would cut down on weekly treks out of town for the supplies she needed to keep her business running.
    After Papa and Aaron drove away, I headed to the back room to fix my hair and try to make myself more presentable. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a piece of polished tin Papa had purchased for the roof of our chicken coop. Horrified by how disheveled I looked, I untied the ribbon holding back my hair and shook it out. Jonathon had said that I looked like an angel, but I doubted seriously that angels were this dirty and messy. I got some water from the pump out back and washed myself off the best I could. Then I treated my scratches with Mercurochrome and put bandages on the larger cuts. Thankfully, I had an extra apron in the closet. I brushed the dirt and leaves out of my hair, pulled it into a bun, and put on a fresh prayer covering. One final glance in my makeshift tin mirror revealed the Hope Kauffman I was used to seeing. Gone was the wild-looking girl with the long, unkempt hair.
    I was just starting my chores when the front door opened and Ebbie stepped inside. “Hope, I heard you were assaulted on the road. Are you all right?”
    I smiled at him. “I’m fine, and I’m not sure I was assaulted . Someone in a truck thought it would be funny to force me into the ditch.”
    Seeing Ebbie made me feel better. I loved his ginger-colored hair that seemed to have no idea where it wanted to lie on his head and his deep brown eyes that reminded me of turned-over earth before planting begins.
    â€œStill, it sounds like you could have been hurt.” He came around the counter and put his hand on my cheek. “If anything had happened to you . . .”
    I was startled to hear him use the same words Jonathon had used earlier and stumbled over my reply. “I-I’m all right, Ebbie. Honestly.”
    He reached down and kissed me lightly on the cheek, and then he smiled at me. “I would give my life to protect you, Hope. I love you so much.”
    I felt my eyes mist. “And I love you too.”
    He looked me over and frowned. “You do look a little banged up. Maybe you should sit down. I can help you in the shop if you want.”
    I laughed. “No, really. I’m not incapacitated. Just bruised, scratched, and a little humiliated.”
    â€œYou’re sure?”
    I nodded. “I’m so grateful to Brother Wiese. If he hadn’t been there, I don’t know what would have happened.”
    Ebbie took a few steps back. “Jonathon Wiese? He was there?”
    My face suddenly felt warm, and I hoped I wasn’t blushing. “Yes. He was on his way back from Washington and drove up just as the man in the truck was getting ready to take another run at me. Jonathon chased him away.”
    Ebbie’s eyes widened. “Oh, I had no idea. I’ll have to thank him when I see him.”
    I nodded, wondering why I suddenly felt so uncomfortable. “That would be nice.”
    â€œAre you sure you don’t want me to stay