A Cousin's Promise by Wanda E. Brunstetter Page A

of homecoming he’d hoped for.
    “I asked you a question!” Dad bellowed. “Why didn’t you stay in touch with us?”
    “I—I was afraid you’d pressure me to come home before I was ready.”
    “Are you ready now?” Dad stared at Jake through squinted eyelids.
    “Maybe. If I can get my business going.”
    “What business is that?” Mom asked.
    “I want to breed and train thoroughbred horses.” Jake smiled. “That’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
    “Humph!” Dad grunted. “Shoein’ horses isn’t good enough for you anymore, huh?”
    “It’s never been about being good enough,” Jake said. “I want to do something I enjoy, that’s all.”
    Mom gave Jake a questioning look. “Does that mean you want to build your business here and join the Amish church?”
    Jake tapped his chin as he contemplated the best way to answer her question. “I can’t make a commitment yet. I need to wait and see how it goes.”
    “What’s wrong?” Dad hollered. “Are you opposed to our plain and simple lifestyle now that you’ve been out in the modern, English world?”
    “It’s not that. I just can’t make a decision about my future right now.”
    Mom gave Jake’s shoulder a little pat, as if in doing so, he would know that what he’d said had been good enough for her. “Are you hungry, son? Would you like me to fix you something to eat?”
    He smiled. “That’d be real nice. Danki.”
    “At least he hasn’t forgotten how to speak the Dietch,” Dad muttered.
    Refusing to let his father’s cool reception rile him, Jake followed his mother to the kitchen. He’d have a little something to eat, then head over to the Lambrights’ to see Wayne. He only hoped he’d have a better reception there than he’d had here and at Loraine’s.

CHAPTER 14
    A knock sounded on the back door, but Wayne chose to ignore it. He’d been sitting in his wheelchair, staring out the living room window ever since breakfast, and he didn’t want to be disturbed.
    A few minutes later, Mom stepped into the room and touched Wayne’s shoulder. “You have a visitor.”
    “Who is it?”
    “Jake Beechy.”
    Wayne’s eyebrows shot up. “Jake’s back in Indiana?”
    “Apparently so.” Mom moved to stand in front of Wayne. “He’s waiting on the porch.”
    Wayne’s palms grew sweaty. If Jake had come home, he and Loraine might get back together. After all, she wasn’t tied to Wayne any longer, and she had been Jake’s girlfriend before he’d gone away. On the other hand, Jake might just be here for a visit and nothing more.
    “Did you hear what I said, son?” Mom asked.
    He nodded. “I guess you’d better let him in.”
    “Are you sure you’re up to company?”
    “Jah.”
    Mom left the room, and when she returned a few minutes later, Jake was at her side. He looked good—suntanned skin; thick, shiny hair; and muscles in his arms that pointed to lots of hard work.
    “I was sorry to hear about your accident,” Jake said, stepping up to Wayne. “I came as soon as I heard the news.”
    “From what your folks have said, you haven’t had much contact with them since you’ve been gone. How’d you find out about the accident?” Wayne asked.
    “I read it in The Budget. ” Jake motioned to the sofa. “Mind if I take a seat?”
    “Suit yourself.”
    Jake glanced at Wayne’s missing leg and grimaced. “I’m real sorry that happened to you. Are you in a lot of pain?”
    Wayne nodded. “Sometimes it feels like my leg’s still there, and then the throbbing pain nearly drives me crazy. It’s called phantom pain.”
    Jake winced as though he were the one in pain. “I’ve never heard of having pain where there’s no limb.”
    “Guess most amputees experience it to some degree. It’s supposed to get better in time, but I’m not holding my breath.” Wayne shifted in his wheelchair. “My back’s been hurting ever since the accident, too.”
    “Have you been to see the chiropractor?”
    “Nope. Figured it