The Forgiven by Marta Perry Page A

expression faded as she faced him, her green eyes intent. “Josh is shy with strangers. Just don’t pay much attention to him, and he’ll warm up.”
    That sounded like an assumption the boy would be seeing something of him. He wasn’t sure whether to take that as a hopeful sign or not. Maybe he’d better just get to the reason he was here.
    â€œI hoped maybe you’d had a chance to come to a decision about renting the stable to me. If it’s a question of the money—”
    â€œNo, no.” She shook her head, a flush coming to her cheeks at the idea that she might be bargaining with him for more. “I just . . .” She let that trail off, and Matt could feel the struggle going on inside her.
    Before he could speak, her face seemed to firm, and she met his gaze. “Tell me something first. Why? Why here? Why come back to Brook Hill at all? I know you said your uncle needs you, but there must be more to your decision than that.”
    Matt wanted to turn away from the insistence in her gaze, but he couldn’t. “That would make it a long story,” he said, hoping to deter her.
    â€œI have time.” Rebecca gestured toward the swing on the back porch. “Komm. Sit down.”
    He hesitated for a second, and then nodded. As he mounted the steps beside her, his shoulder brushed the bell that swung from the porch roof, and it gave off a faint reverberation, humming musically. Rebecca grasped the rope instantly, stilling the bell, an expression on her face he couldn’t interpret.
    â€œSorry,” he said. “I guess you don’t want to call the kinder for supper yet.”
    Rebecca’s lips were pressed together, her expression shuttered. She didn’t answer, and he had a sense of strong emotion moving behind the facade. Clearly there was more here than just a bell, common as they were on farm porches. Just as clearly, she wasn’t going to confide in him. Not that he wanted her to.
    Matt sat at one end of the swing, hearing the chain creak. Rebecca settled herself at the other, carefully leaving a space between them wide enough for another person to occupy. She clasped her hands on her lap, pressing them against the dark green apron that matched her dress and her eyes.
    She didn’t speak, so she must be waiting for him to start the conversation. The trouble was that he didn’t intend to tell Rebecca or anyone else his full reasons for returning to a place he’d long ago told himself he’d seen the last of.
    â€œYou already know about Onkel Silas. Isn’t it natural I’d want to help out until Isaiah comes back?”
    She gave a slight inclination of the head. “I suppose so. But what if he doesn’t return? Will you go into partnership with your uncle?”
    â€œIsaiah will be back.” Every day he felt that more strongly. If for no other reason, Isaiah would return for his mamm’s sake.
    â€œWhat makes you think so? Have you heard from him?” Rebecca’s face was troubled, as if she’d seen too much of things not turning out the way they were expected to.
    Matt realized he wanted to give her an honest answer, not a pat reassurance. “No, I haven’t, but I think I know what kind of man Isaiah is, even though I haven’t seen him in a long time.” He picked his words carefully, trying to articulate to her something he hadn’t bothered to spell out for himself. “Isaiah has a good heart. He’s responsible. He won’t be able to ignore the call of the way he was brought up.”
    â€œYou sound so sure.” Rebecca’s green eyes seemed dark with questions.
    â€œI am.” Or at least, he was trying to make himself believe it. “After all, I did.”
    Rebecca’s eyebrows lifted. “You? You mean you did leave the Amish?” Her hand moved in a slight gesture toward his clothing. “I thought people had all been wrong about you