The River by Beverly Lewis Page B

whispered. “Just keep walking.”
    Ruth had never expected to find herself in such a predicament. She could no more describe what she was feeling than she could describe the smell of the air after a soaking summer rain. And while she purposely kept her head facing forward, allowing her sister to lead her up the road, Ruth felt drawn in two directions, by Tilly at her side, and Will pleading behind her.
    “Are ya goin’ to be at Preachin’ tomorrow, maybe?” Will asked, sounding farther away.
    “Just leave her alone!” Tilly hollered.
    “Tilly—” Ruth said.
    “What?” Tilly exclaimed.
    Ruth jerked to a halt. “I’d honestly like to hear what he has to say.”
    Groaning, Tilly released her. “Oh, Ruthie . . . what am I going to do with you?”
    With that, Ruth turned and disregarded Tilly. She raised herchin and walked back toward Will Kauffman, who evidently didn’t see her and was getting into his carriage. Oh, but she was still too far away to be heard even if she had the nerve to call out, and she certainly didn’t want to make herself look foolish.
    “ Be careful who you love.” The old warning swathed her thoughts.
    Watching him go, Ruth stopped walking and stood still as a stone. She would not run after him. No, she’d just let Will go and be done with it. For good.

Chapter 16
    M elvin went back to oiling harnesses once he returned home. It was a rather good thing that Susannah was busying herself, too, inside the house, across the backyard from his shop. The temptation for them to sit and further rehash what had happened over at Daed and Mamm’s was all too strong. Overall, things could have gone better between Daed and Tilly, what with the obvious apprehension from everyone. But Daed’s weakened state had prevented much interaction. Melvin was thankful Sam and Josie had offered to stay around and keep an eye on Daed. Their children, Sammy and Johanna, had been outside playing on the tree swing when Melvin left for home.
    Susannah had mentioned during the ride that she thought there had been a slight improvement in Daed’s color and responsiveness after the cup of hawthorn berry tea. Knowing his wife as he did, Melvin trusted her opinion.
    Even so, what tomorrow held was a mere guess. Only the heavenly Father knew the end from the beginning. Melvin had learned that he could readily trust that, regardless of thecircumstances. Once again, he committed Daed’s health to the Lord God, then continued to process the week’s orders, wanting to finish prior to the Lord’s Day . . . and the Preaching service over at his brother Allen’s place tomorrow. Ruth had said she would be attending. Seeing Ruthie in the house again surely must’ve bolstered Daed’s spirits, Melvin thought.
    Alas, having Tilly there might have had the opposite effect. Melvin was glad Susannah hadn’t commented on that, one way or the other. It was hard enough contemplating the past—Ruth’s departing the area had definitely increased Daed’s anger toward Tilly.
    Will he ever forgive her?
    Melvin set aside the harnesses to look in on his sick mule. Thankfully, the vet had made time to check on the animal before Melvin and Susannah had to leave for the anniversary cake and coffee. “Thank the Good Lord for doctors,” he muttered, wishing Daed might come to the same conclusion.
    On Melvin’s walk toward the house, he thought he smelled cigar smoke but dismissed it as his imagination.
    The day has enough worries of its own.

    “Honestly, do you really want to spend time with the likes of him ?” Tilly said as she and Ruth rounded the bend toward Uncle Abner’s property. The three-story house loomed over the expanse of fields bursting with field corn ready for harvest, tassels dried to a golden brown.
    Ruth hadn’t wanted to, not at first, but curiosity was getting the best of her. What did Will want to say? Apparently, there was something. “I should at least hear him out,” Ruth protested.
    “Oh,