flopped down on the bed and closed her eyes. She nearly groaned when she remembered she’d have to retrieve her suitcase from her car. She had packed for a week, knowing she’d have to take care of her brother’s apartment in Apple Creek and other details.
“Are the accommodations okay?”
Anna sat up and adjusted the hem of her shirt. Eli leaned on the door frame, a strange look on his face. He had shed his suit coat and rolled his white shirt sleeves to his elbows. Realizing she was staring, she dropped her gaze.
“Oh, man, you’re a lifesaver.” She stood, relieved to see her suitcase at his feet.
“I try.” He stepped into the room, brushing past her, and set the case on the trunk at the foot of the bed. She was keenly aware of him sharing the small space. “I still had your car keys from this morning.” Eli tossed them on the dresser. “I’ll let you get settled.” He turned to leave.
“Wait.”
He paused in the doorway and glanced over his shoulder.
“I appreciate all you’ve done for me today.” She held up her palms. “Including this room. But tomorrow I’ll go to the motel, because I really don’t think I could stay at my brother’s place. It would just be too hard.” She bit her lower lip.
“One day at a time.” The kindness in his eyes warmed her heart.
She tilted her head, studying him. “You grew up here? You’re Amish?” She blurted out the questions on the tip of her tongue. She had no right to be intrusive, but she couldn’t help herself.
Smiling, he pivoted on his heel. Dark whiskers colored his square jaw. “There is nothing to tell. I was born into the Amish community, but I am not Amish. I left before I was baptized.”
Anna narrowed her eyes. “And your parents are okay with that? I thought if you left, you were shunned for life or something.”
Eli stepped back and leaned against the windowsill. He undid the knot of his tie. Pulling one end, he unlaced it from his collar, then he ran the silky material through his fingers. “They tolerate the occasional visit, but I’m careful not to overstay my welcome. I don’t want to cause them any trouble.” He looked like he wanted to say more but didn’t. “My parents were disappointed I didn’t choose to stay. All Amish parents dream of their children accepting their way of life.”
“But it wasn’t for you?”
He folded the tie accordion style and gripped it in one hand. He looked up and met her gaze. “It’s complicated.” He crossed the room and adjusted the brightness on the lamp. “Do you have everything you need? There should be a flashlight in the drawer, too.”
Unable to hide her amusement, she shrugged.
“A few less modern conveniences than you’re used to?”
“How’d you guess?” She arched an eyebrow.
“The light is fueled by a propane tank in the nightstand.”
Anna jerked her head back, marveling at the ingenuity.
“Are these accommodations okay with you? I didn’t want to offend my mother when she extended the invitation. I think you’ll find it far more comfortable than the Apple Creek Motel.” He stuffed his hands into his pocket and crossed his ankles.
“It’s fine. Thanks. Really, you’ve been too kind.”
He pulled out his cell phone. “You won’t get reception here, either. If there’s someone you need to contact at home, a boyfriend, maybe, we can go to the neighbors. I don’t mind driving you.” Was there a glint of expectation in his eyes, or was she imagining it?
“No. There’s no one.” A pain stabbed her heart and she sat back down on the edge of the bed. Then realizing how pathetic she sounded, she added, “I’ll update work next week.”
“I’m sorry about your brother,” Eli said. “It’s hard to lose someone close to you.” He spoke the words as if from experience, but she figured she had pried enough already tonight.
“I can’t believe he’s gone.” She ran her hands up and down her arms. “I dread going to his apartment. It’s going to be hard to pack away his things.” Once again tears burned the backs of her eyes. “My brother had called me a few times recently, but I never called him back.” Her voice cracked.
Eli left his perch at the windowsill and sat next to her on the bed, pulling her hand into his. “Take it one day at a time.”
Their eyes locked. An emotional connection sparked between them. The walls of the bedroom seemed to close in on her, and she closed her eyes to stop the swaying. Exhaustion was catching up with her.
“I avoided my brother’s calls because I couldn’t deal with him and the demands of my job. He seemed so different after the war. Paranoid. I used to tell him he reminded me of Mel Gibson in Conspiracy Theory.” She ran a shaky hand over her mouth. “Remember that movie?” She bowed her head. “I’m so ashamed. I spent my life helping the students at school but I couldn’t take five minutes to answer a call from my brother.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. You didn’t know.” He squeezed her hand.
Her mouth twisted in skepticism. “But if I hadn’t avoided him, I would have known something was wrong. Now I’ll never have another chance to talk to him. To tell him I love him.”
Bowing her head, she covered her face and fought her emotions. Eli placed his solid hand at the back of her head and pulled her into his chest. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she settled into his arms. A mixture of laundry detergent and his aftershave filled her senses.
“Eli—” Anna sat upright. A man with an unkempt beard and blunt-style haircut stood in the doorway “—I need to talk to you downstairs.” His cool manner and stare tightened Anna’s gut.
“Father,” Eli said, his tone even, “nice to see you. This is Anna Quinn.” He turned to Anna. “My father, Abram Miller.”
The man gave her a curt nod. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to talk to my son in private.”
After his father left, Eli angled his head and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “You okay?”
Anna forced a smile. “You better go talk to your father.”
* * *
A man of few words, Eli’s father descended the stairs and headed outside to the porch. Eli flinched when the screen door slammed against its frame. He caught his father’s profile against the backdrop of the night sky. His father was a commanding figure and Eli knew he’d talk when he was ready to talk.
With work-worn hands wrapped around the rail, his father stared out into the distance toward the crash scene. “I never understood man’s need to fly. It seems to go against nature.” He hesitated a moment before adding, “I pray the man is in God’s hands now.”
Eli bowed his head. It had been a long time since he had said a prayer. Not so much because of disbelief, but because of apathy, distraction and his job. He scrubbed a hand across his face. Wasn’t that part of the reason
