The Dawn of Christmas by Cindy Woodsmall

said if the person was Amish.” Andy studied Sadie for a moment, and she tried to make her expression neutral. But when she saw realization dawn on his face, she knew she hadn’t been fast enough. He grinned, a welcoming thankfulness radiating from him. “We owe you a great deal of thanks.”
    She shook her head, unsure whether she should admit she was the mystery woman. But dishonesty was not among her many faults. “I didn’t know where I was when I stumbled upon him, and I certainly wouldn’t have been riding through someone’s hayfield had I realized what it was.”
    “Then I’m glad God used you. Old Man Hostetler told us a few weeks back he wouldn’t be cutting that field again this year. I’m sure that’s why Levi was there too.”
    He looked down and wiped sweat from his brow. “I got to the hospital before sunrise and spoke with a doctor not long after. Since that conversation I’ve been haunted by how things could have turned out.” His brow furrowed. “When I returned home, I saw Amigo in the pasture.”
    “I tethered Amigo and rode my horse here earlier today, but no onewas home.” She glanced out the screen door. “My driver will return in a few minutes, and I would like to see Levi before I leave Apple Ridge.”
    “He’s pretty groggy and not himself. He’s a little more … bold and outspoken about what he’s thinking and feeling.”
    “I can deal with that.”
    Tobias planted his feet and put his hands on his hips. “Uncle Levi’s sleeping, and he said not to wake him up.”
    “You should listen to your uncle.” Sadie touched the end of his nose, half expecting him to take a step back or complain. He didn’t. “But I’m going to wake him.” She looked at Andy. “Which way?”
    Tobias looked at his Daed, and Andy nodded.
    “Follow me.” The little boy took off running and skidded to a stop several feet from a bed set up in the living room. “Don’t touch the bed. Uncle Levi said to stay three feet away.” Tobias held his hands apart, looking as if he were telling a fish story. “That’s about this far. And he meant what he said.”
    “I’m sure he did.” She couldn’t believe how pale and stiff Levi looked. His left leg was in a full cast. A neck brace was fitted tight against his jawline. The base of the brace—a three-to-four-inch flat, circular piece—covered his chest and shoulders.
    She turned to Andy. “I didn’t expect this.”
    “It’s an odd injury. He has a tiny neck fracture, and the doctor said it’s the kind that can worsen until a person feels his arms and legs go numb. He could have done permanent damage. The kind that might have left him paralyzed from the neck down. As it is, Levi should be in a wheelchair in a week and on crutches later. He’ll have to wear the neck brace for three to six months. The leg cast should be off in six weeks.”
    Sadie remembered Levi’s pleas to help him up. God’s mercy had surely extended to both of them last night.
    Last night she’d seen that Levi was long and lanky with big shoulders. Now she could see his thick, curly hair, light brown with streaks of golden blond. It needed cutting—probably two months ago—but she liked his rugged, unkempt look. It meant that he, much like herself, wasn’t interested in keeping every Amish rule of thumb.
    His bed was midway between two double windows on opposite walls, inviting a cross breeze to cover him. But July afternoons weren’t much for stirring air. A sheet lay over his uninjured leg and covered his hips and chest, but he looked uncomfortably warm, even without a shirt.
    Levi shifted and groaned.
    Sadie leaned over the bed, staring into his face. “Every time I see you, you’re lying around and moaning.”
    His eyes remained closed, but a faint smile crossed his face. “Sadie.” His gravelly voice was barely above a whisper and told of his exhaustion and, no doubt, of whatever pain medicine he was administered. “You
are
real.”
    “Ya, but I’m no