A Man of His Word (18 page)

“And a blanket to wrap around you,” he added. “And a pretty
wunderbaar
guy to take you home.”

“You are so full of yourself, you know that?”

“Not at all. Now you . . . that’s a different story.”

She looked at him. “Excuse me?”

“You know what I’m talking about.”

“No, I don’t.” She flung the quilt off her lap. “Stop this buggy. I’ll walk.”

“Don’t be dumb,” he said, the teasing hint in his voice disappearing.

“I mean it. If you don’t stop, I’ll jump out.”

“For the love of—” He yanked up on the reins. “This is what I’m talking about, Rachel. You’re the most difficult woman I’ve ever—”

Bright, fast-moving lights suddenly appeared out of the darkness. They headed toward the buggy. Rachel lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the blinding light.

“Rachel!” Tobias yelled as the lights came upon them.

The roar of an engine sounded in her ears as the car clipped the side of the buggy, causing it to flip over. Her scream pierced the air.

The buggy turned over, breaking loose from the horse’s hitch. Her body was thrown against the top of the buggy as it hit the ground. Her eyes slammed shut. Something cupped the back of her head. Then everything came to a stop.

A heavy body lay partly on top of her. Heavy and warm and solid. She opened her eyes. In the darkness of the upside-down buggy she could barely make Tobias out. But she felt him. His hand remained at the back of her head, his other arm stayed pinned protectively behind her back. Most of his body rested against the length of hers.

Their breathing intermingled in the small space, coming in short, gasping spurts. This was the first buggy accident she’d been in, and thank God they hadn’t been killed. But Rachel wasn’t completely positive she had to catch her breath solely from the accident.

“Are you okay?” he said softly, his mouth close to her ear.

A shiver traveled through her, but she wasn’t the least bit cold at all, not while she was cradled in Tobias Byler’s strong embrace, feeling his warmth against her. “I-I think so.”

“You’re trembling.”

Her mouth suddenly dry, she swallowed. “I know. I-I can’t seem t-to stop.”

Her eyes now adjusted to the darkness, she could see him move his head. Their eyes met, the lightness of his blue irises visible to her. She could read something in those gorgeous eyes. Something that made her shiver even more.

Her
kapp
had dislodged during the accident, and a lock of her hair was askew. She drew in a sharp breath when he slowly pushed it back from her face, his fingers lingering on her cheek, his embrace tightening.

Without thinking she kissed him.

It was barely a brush on the lips and lasted less than half a second, but it was a kiss nevertheless.

“Hey! Anyone in there?”

A beam of light shone on the buggy. Rachel saw the shock on his face, knowing it mirrored her own.

“Are you two all right?” A man knelt down beside the overturned buggy. “What happened?”

Tobias climbed out of the buggy’s opening, then turned and looked at Rachel with a strange expression, as if he didn’t recognize her. He extended his hand to help her out, and when she came to a standing position, he cleared his throat and said, “Got hit by a car.”

“What about you, hon? You okay?”

Rachel squinted at the kind man holding the flashlight. She tried to straighten her
kapp
, which was practically dangling from the side of her head, but she was fumbling so much she just made it worse. “I think so,” she finally answered, shoving in a pin and hoping the
kapp
would stay put. But she was anything but fine.

“My horse,” Tobias exclaimed, spinning around. His gaze darted around in a panic. He faced the helpful stranger again. “Have you seen my horse?”

“Down the road a bit,” the man answered. “Seems to be all right though. Scared, I imagine. Looks like you took quite a spill.”

Rachel turned and looked at the buggy, taking in the wheels. One of them was twisted, probably ruined. The full impact of what happened suddenly hit her. She’d known several people from her community and neighboring ones who had been killed in car-and- buggy accidents. That she and Tobias were still alive, much less with not a scratch on them, was a miracle.

“We should call the police,” the stranger said. “They’ll want you to file a report.”

“There’s no need to do that,” Tobias said. “I’ll get my horse, and I’ll come back in the morning for the buggy.”

“But, son, this was a hit and run. The person that did this needs to be caught and prosecuted.”

“That’s not our way,” he replied.

He tugged on his black knit skull cap, seemingly perplexed by Tobias’s response. “Well, all right. If you’re sure.”

“I’m sure.”

“How about if I give you two a ride home?”

Rachel met Tobias’s gaze. They were at least two miles from her house, and over three miles from his. It would be a cold walk, but she didn’t relish the idea of letting a complete stranger drive her home.

“We’ll be fine,” Tobias said, saving her from having to answer. “Thank you for your kindness. It’s appreciated.”

A confused look crossed the man’s face. “I feel bad leaving you two out here in the cold. I can drive down the road to a phone and call someone for you. I accidentally left my cell phone at home.”

“We’ll be okay. We must go now. I need to find my horse.” In dismissal, Tobias tilted his head at Rachel and started walking.

Rachel looked at the kind gentleman. “Thank you for stopping. We both appreciate it. Tobias . . . he’s just worried about his horse.”

“I can understand that. I’m glad you’re both okay.”

“Me too. And thanks again.”

When the man walked back to his car, she turned to follow Tobias, who was already heading down the road.

Tobias suddenly started up short. “Wait a minute,” he said to Rachel, then dashed back to the buggy.

Rachel watched the red taillights from the car disappear into the darkness. She crossed her arms in a vain attempt to keep warm.

Tobias ran up to her, carrying the quilt. Without a word he wrapped it around her shoulders, then started walking again. Although the moon wasn’t completely full, it cast enough silvery light for them to find their way.

A flurry of emotions swirled inside her as she tried to process what had just happened between them. She’d kissed Tobias Byler. Not only that, but she had felt
something
when she did it. A warm, fuzzy feeling. A good feeling. No, not just good.
Wunderbaar.

She’d never felt that way about Christian. Guilt overpowered her. She shouldn’t be feeling about Tobias this way. Or thinking about him this way. Or wishing they hadn’t been discovered so soon. Her thoughts and loyalties should only lie with Christian.

But they didn’t.

She was the lowest of the low.

Burdened by her guilt and falling farther behind as Tobias hurried his steps, she heard the whinny of his horse up ahead. The animal stood a few feet from the road, beside an open field. Tobias ran and caught him by the bridle. She heard him talk in soft, hushed tones to the horse, calming the animal until he came to a complete stop.

The buggy hitch was still attached to the harness. Tobias quickly detached it and left it in the field. Another piece of equipment he would have to get in the morning.

Rachel had finally caught up to him when he turned and faced her. There were a few houses on the road, interspersed among wide open fields. The glow of a single streetlamp mixed with the moonlight, but she couldn’t see his expression. She wasn’t sure she wanted to.

Why, oh why, had she kissed him?

“We can ride home,” he said matter-of-factly, as if nothing had happened between them.

“There’s no saddle.”

“I’ve ridden him bareback before. Don’t worry, he’s a good horse. Smart too. He’ll lead us back to your place.” He held out his hand to her.

She looked at it, hesitating. Her shoulders had started to hurt, undoubtedly from the spill in the buggy, and her toes were numb with cold. To refuse his offer would be stupid. Slipping her hand in his, she allowed him to help her on the horse. When she was situated, he slung his body up in one smooth motion, then positioned himself behind her.

She could feel the heat seeping from his chest to her back, even through the quilt. His nearness embarrassed her, but thrilled her at the same time.

“Hand me the reins,” he said, his tone as assured and confident as it normally was.

She did as he asked, and they were on their way. Sometime during the ride he wrapped his arm around her waist. When she turned her head to look at him, he said, “Don’t want you to fall off. We’ve had enough accidents tonight.”

“I’m sorry about your buggy,” Rachel said, though she knew he wasn’t just talking about his buggy.

“Just glad we weren’t hurt,” he said.

It didn’t take long for them to reach her house. Before he could get off his horse, she slid down the animal’s back and handed him the quilt.

Looking up at Tobias, she knew she had to fix this. “I’m dating Christian,” she said, a little too loudly, as if the volume of her tone could hammer that point home for both of them.

“I know,” he said solemnly, laying the quilt in front of him over his horse’s back.

“Just wanted to make that clear.”

He nodded, looking down at her. “He’s my friend. I don’t want to hurt him.”

“
Gut
. I’m glad we understand each other.”

Tobias paused for a moment, as if he wanted to say something. Then he nickered to his horse and steered the animal around before making his way down the driveway.

Rachel watched him go, her heart heavy with guilt over the kiss. He must think her an idiot. Worse yet, a betrayer. Yet guilt and shame weren’t the only emotions pulsing through her. Something had awakened inside her tonight after she kissed Tobias. She wasn’t sure what it was, but she knew she would never be the same again.

Chapter 8

M
oriah awakened before sunrise, double-checking her suitcase to make sure she had packed up all her belongings the night before. She looked at the clock Levi had given her on the nightstand, but she didn’t care about the time. For a few moments she contemplated taking the clock with her. But what would be the point? It would only serve as a reminder of her failed marriage. Turning, she left the clock behind as she exited her and Levi’s bedroom for the final time.

She entered the kitchen and set her suitcase against the wall next to the back door. As she glanced around the kitchen, taking in the old-fashioned wood stove, gray Formica countertops, and the unadorned window over the metal sink, she fought back tears. She had spent so many hours in here, preparing meals, studying recipes, trying to make sure every bit of food she made would satisfy her husband. Yet it was all for naught. This was no longer her kitchen. No longer her home.

The door opened and she turned around. Gabriel walked in, a few pieces of wood in his arms. He laid them down next to the stove and removed his hat. “I didn’t expect you to be up.”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Neither could I.” He held her gaze for a moment, then put his black hat on one of the three pegs next to the door. “I’ll make some coffee.”

“
Nee
. I can do it.”

Gabriel held up his hand. “Are you hungry? I make a mean plate of scrambled eggs.”

The thought of food made her stomach flip over, but she nodded. He seemed so eager to prepare breakfast for her that she couldn’t bear to turn him down, even though she knew he was doing it out of guilt over Levi. She remembered other times he had taken on his brother’s burden. More than once when they were in school, the teacher would confuse the twins. Often it was Levi getting into trouble, but Gabriel didn’t protest if he was the one being punished. Since Levi wasn’t here to make things right, she had no doubt Gabriel would try to.

Gabriel squatted in front of the stove and threw a couple handfuls of crumpled up newspaper into the firebox. He added two small pieces of dried cordwood, then struck a match and lit the fire. “This will be going in no time.”