Authors: Shelley Shepard Gray
I
gnoring Simon, Lukas studied Amelia carefully. “I got here as soon as I heard. What in the world did you do?”
What had
she
done? That was the first thing he had to say?
She blinked. Though she knew he wasn't being insensitive on purpose, his words hurt. Suddenly, she felt like she was a young girl again. A young, pesky little sister who needed constant supervision and constant bailing out. Looking from Lukas to the rest of her family, her mouth went dry.
Simon cleared his throat. “You aren't helping things, Lukas. Calm yourself,
jah
?”
For the first time, Lukas looked directly at Simon. “I'm as calm as I care to be right now. Why don't you step aside so I can talk to my sister?”
Just as Simon was about to shake his head, Amelia spoke. “It's all right, Simon. I need to do this.” This was exactly the kind of scene that she'd hoped to avoid.
He leaned closer, warmth and worry in his expression. “You sure?”
“Jah.”
Gritting his teeth, Simon moved across the room. Though she
missed his presence already, Amelia faced her family by herself. They loved her and cared about her. She simply needed to stand up to them for once.
“What happened?” Lukas asked.
She waved a hand across her body. “I think it's fairly obvious. I've got a broken leg and a sore hand.”
Lukas's lips didn't even twitch. “I need you to be serious right now.”
“I know. Well, you see, it all started when Princess didn't want to listen. Then, when I attempted to put her away, there was a snake in Princess's stall.”
“A snake.”
“
Jah
. It seems one was hiding in the straw. When I was trying to get Princess into her stall, she pulled out of my grip and kicked me. Next thing I knew, I fell on top of a snake, which then bit me.”
“That goat broke your leg,” Lukas said.
“Well,
jah
.”
“We need to get rid of that goat,” Rebecca said, moving to stand by their brother. “She's been nothing but trouble.”
Amelia was starting to hate that she was lying down while her siblings were standing over her. “
Nee,
that ain't true.”
“We'll talk about it later, Amy,” Lukas said. “Now I'm going to go find someone to tell me how you are really doing.”
Amelia's bottom lip trembled in frustration. “Lukas,
I
know how I'm doing.”
But he wasn't listening to her. Turning away, he started ordering everyone around. “Becky, you and Darla stay here with her. Jacob and I willâ”
“That is enough,” Simon said firmly. Though he stood against
the window, his presence was still very apparent. Now his voice was so strong and forceful, Amelia was certain that the patients in the room next door had heard him.
Looking increasingly impatient, Lukas said, “Simon,
danke
for looking after my sister, but I've got it now. You can leave.”
“
Nee,
” she whispered.
But she shouldn't have worried.
“I don't think so,” Simon replied as he walked back to her side. Looking every bit the protector, he glared at her whole family. “For such a close-knit group, you all are fairly disappointing.”
Darla raised her brows. “What?”
“Don't you think it's time you stopped treating Amelia like a wayward child?” Simon asked impatiently. “Not a one of you has even given her a hug or told her that you were worried about her. Why?” Raising his voice, he added, “Why are you all so determined to control the situation while ignoring what is really important?”
Rebecca blinked. “Are you really standing in my sister's hospital room lecturing us?”
Simon crossed his arms over his chest. “What does it look like?”
Ack! This was going from bad to worse. “I'll be all right, Simon,” she whispered. “You don't have to intervene.”
“
Nee
. I'm pretty sure I do.” Looking around her room, his expression turned even more intent. “Someone in here needs to put your needs first.”
“Simon, you are right,” Rebecca said after a small pause. “We have been behaving pretty poorly.” Turning to Amelia, she looked contrite. “I'm sorry.”
Though it was good to hear the apology, Amelia couldn't forget that it had been brought on by Simon's interference. She
was so, so tired of her well-meaning siblings ignoring her wishes. “Rebecca, I'm glad you apologized, but that ain't the problem. You all came in here and started taking charge like I can't speak for myself. I don't like you all managing me. Stop it.”
Hurt showed in Rebecca's eyes. “You know we're simply trying to help you.”
“
Jah
. But how would you feel if our situations were reversed?”
When Rebecca opened her mouth, then closed it in confusion, Jacob chuckled softly. “I think she's got a point there.”
A nurse came in. “Ah, Amelia, look at you,” she quipped in a bright voice. “You now have both your boyfriend and your family here. You are the most popular girl in town.”
Lukas stiffened. “Boyfriend?”
Oblivious to the new tension in the room, the nurse grinned. Practically gushing, she said, “Oh, yes. The whole nurses' station has been talking about how wonderful he is.”
“Simon?” Rebecca asked.
The nurse smiled at Simon. “I've never seen a more devoted man.” Turning to Amelia, she winked. “We're all jealous, Amelia. He's handsome as all get-out and doesn't want to leave your side. He's a keeper, for sure.”
As she picked up Amelia's wrist and took her pulse, Amelia felt her cheeks get hot. Her siblings and their spouses stared at each other in stunned silence.
And Simon? Well, he simply folded his arms over his chest and grinned before the nurse politely asked them all to give Amelia some privacy.
T
HE MOMENT THE
nurse gave them permission, Lukas, Jacob, and Rebecca rushed back into Amelia's room. Simon followed
on their heels. He not only wasn't in any hurry to leave Amelia's side, he didn't trust Lukas and Rebecca to hold their tongues.
“I think we should talk about this,” Rebecca said the moment she got to Amelia's side. “You and Simon courting on the sly ain't good.”
Amelia raised an eyebrow. “What are you wanting to do, Becky? Ground me?”
Simon had to bite back a smile as Rebecca exchanged a puzzled look with Lukas. It seemed Amelia was finally tired of her brother and sister treating her like she was a recalcitrant teenager.
“That ain't fair, Amy,” Rebecca said. “You know I'm concerned because I care about you.”
“I care about you both, and that is the reason I'm not yelling at you for acting like I'm a naughty child,” Amelia said wearily. “But I will if you push this.”
Looking troubled, Lukas said, “Maybe we should let Amy get some rest.”
“
Jah,
I think that's a good idea. Actually, you might even want to head home,” Amelia said. “I'm tired.”
Though she sounded sincere, Simon suspected she didn't really feel that way. After all, before they'd arrived, she'd been telling Simon how much she hated being in the hospital. Here she was again, trying to take care of everyone from her hospital bed in the same way she did at home. Amelia excelled at helping others, often at her own expense.
“We'll see ya later, Amy,” Rebecca said softly. “I am glad you're going to be all right.”
“Danke.”
“Come on, guys,” Rebecca said as she walked to the door. “Let's let her rest.”
“Simon, would you stay with me?”
Before he could reply, Lukas shook his head. “Simon and I have some things we need to discuss. Now's as good a time as any.”
Twin spots of color appeared on her cheeks. “Lukas.”
Simon's temper began to burn. Yet again Lukas was trying to make everything right instead of realizing just how wrong his interference actually was.
But Lukas was as stubborn as his sweet sister. Knowing that, Simon stood up. “He's right.”
Amelia frowned. “
Nee,
Simon.”
He hated that she was trying to look after him even when she was sitting in a hospital bed. “It's okay,” he said gently as he leaned close. “We need to clear the air. It might as well be now.” Ignoring Lukas's glower, Simon leaned closer to Amelia. “Did you forget that I said that I was going to take care of everything? I will.”
Still pointedly ignoring her brother, she shook her head. “But there's nothing to take care of.”
“I'm afraid I don't agree. Your brother isn't going to give either of us a moment's peace until he has his say.”
“Don't let him browbeat you,” Amelia cautioned.
“I won't. Try not to worry, okay? Why don't you rest for a few minutes? You could probably use a few minutes of peace and quiet.”
“But you'll come back?”
“Of course I will.” Turning to Lukas, he said, “Let's go out in the hall.”
The moment Amelia's door was shut behind them, Lukas folded his arms across his chest. “Where do you want to do this?”
Though Simon would rather not have their much-needed conversation in the middle of the hospital, someone needed to put Lukas in his place. Because Levi was nowhere to be found, it looked like he was getting the job.
“Since you're in such a hurry,” he said, “how about right here? I have nothing to hide.”
“Absolutely not,” said Lukas. “I want to talk to you without half the hospital listening.”
“Fine. Let's go outside, then. “There's a picnic area. We have less chance of being interrupted or observed there.”
Lukas started walking toward the elevators. “That'll do.”
Neither of them said a word as the elevator dinged, the doors opened, and they descended three floors. Together, they walked silently down the hallway, out a side door, and along a covered walkway until they were standing in front of a freshly painted wooden picnic table.
Simon sat down on one of the benches while Lukas perched on the tabletop of another nearby.
Though he was feeling more than a little uneasy, Simon was good at pretending otherwise. He did that, leaning back and stretching his legs out in front of him. “What did you want to discuss?”
Lukas rolled his eyes. “Don't play innocent with me. You know I ain't happy about your interest in my sister.”
“Yeah, you've made your feelings well known.” He didn't even attempt to hide his sarcasm.
“Since you know how I feel, why have you ignored my wishes?”
“Because I'm not interested in courting
you,
Lukas. What's happening between Amelia and me is between the two of us.
Not you. And not Rebecca,” he added, just in case Lukas was of the mind to bring her up, too.
“I'm head of the household.”
Simon brushed off the statement. “Amelia is old enough to make up her own mind. You know she is.”
“She is,” Lukas agreed after a pause.
“If you agree, then why are you being so difficult?” Unable to keep the derision from his voice, he added, “It makes no sense. You are acting as if I'm an Englisher stranger up to no good.”
“Hardly that.”
“It would ease your sister's mind if you would stop this foolishness and give us your blessing.”
Looking increasingly uncomfortable, Lukas said, “You know I cannot.”
Tired of going round and round, Simon got to the heart of the matter. “You know that I would never hurt her. You know my intentions are honorable. Honestly, Lukas, what is the problem?”
“The problem is that Amelia doesn't know everything about you. She doesn't know what you did.”
Unease made his teeth clench. “What I did?”
“During your
rumspringa,
Simon.” Lukas closed his eyes, then pulled off his hat, slapped it on the picnic table, and ran a hand through his hair. “You're my best friend. I know you're a good man. One of the best.”
Simon shifted uneasily. “But?”
“But you are not the right person for my sweet and innocent sister.”
“I was baptized. I joined the church. Everything that you're referring to is behind me now. You know that.”
“How can it ever be? You have marks to prove what you did. Those can never be erased.”
“Those marks are tattoos, Lukas. Simple tattoos. Not marks of the devil.”
“She will be shocked when she sees them.”
“I think Amelia will be surprised, not shocked. And even if she is, she'll get used to them.”
Lukas slapped his hat back on his head. “We both know I'm not talking just about a couple of tattoos.” He stared at him meaningfully.
Which, of course, drove Simon crazy. “Why don't you just say it?” he taunted.
“You got those tattoos in prison. In
prison,
Simon.”
Even after all this time, the reminder hurt as badly as his father's cane used to. “Not all of them. Only the first.”
Lukas ground his teeth. “Are you truly going to brush off your time in prison, too?”
Simon actually wished he could delete it from his memory. “I was in prison for nine months for participating in a carjacking,” he said succinctly. “At the time, I didn't even know the men I was with were doing such things. I thought they were only buying drugs.”
“
Only buying drugs.
Do you hear yourself?”
“Oh,
jah
. I do, for sure. And I remember everything from that time. How lost I was. What a fog I was in. How that prison smelled. How I regretted my actions, but I had no choice but to pay the price.” Lowering his voice, he added, “I accepted my punishment like a man. I did my time and I went directly to the bishop and pleaded with him to let me atone for my transgressions. And I have, Lukas. I have admitted my
sins, asked for forgiveness, and have since vowed to live a life that I'm proud of.”