.

      He didn’t move. He simply held her hand and gazed at her with affection that made her feel increasingly uncomfortable. He smiled and toyed with her fingers until Meg closed her eyes and silently prayed that he’d leave.

      * * *

      Peter couldn’t get Meg out of his mind. Which was why he drove the two hours to the hospital to make sure she was all right. He parked his buggy near a hitching post, tied up his horse, then hurried inside to the information desk. “Can you tell me where to find Meg Stoltzfus? She’s a patient.”

      The woman behind the counter searched the computer on her desk. “Room 202,” she said. “The stairs are to the right. The elevator is farther down the hall.”

      “Thank you.” Peter ran up the stairs to the second floor and followed the signs that led him to Meg’s room. His heart started to beat rapidly as he heard voices. He hesitated at the door, then peeked inside—and froze when he saw Reuben Miller at Meg’s bedside. The man’s face was bruised, but he was smiling affectionately at Meg as he held her hand.

      Peter quietly backed away from the room and headed downstairs, his heart aching at the sight of them together. His first instinct was to go home, but then he thought better of it. He had come all this way to make sure Meg was all right. He refused to leave without talking with her. She wouldn’t be glad to see him, but he couldn’t care less. He needed to know if he’d caused her serious injury when he’d pulled her from the water.

      It was well past noon, and he was hungry. He hadn’t eaten since an early breakfast. He’d grab something from the hospital cafeteria before he returned to Meg’s. If Reuben was still there, he’d go ahead and visit her, anyway. But he preferred to see Meg alone.

      After lunch, he took the elevator back to her room. He paused before entering. Meg lay in bed, staring out the window as if lost in thought. She was alone. He stepped inside, and as if sensing him, she turned.

      “Peter.”

      “Hallo, Meg.” He approached, noting a myriad of expressions crossing her face. He sucked in his breath as he studied her. There were bruises on her forehead and left cheek, and around her left eye. Had he done that to her? “How are you feeling?”

      Her lips twisted in a lopsided smile. “I’ve been better.”

      He nodded, taking in every inch of her features. Even battered and bruised, she was still the prettiest girl he’d ever known. “I... How bad are your injuries?”

      “Is your family here?”

      “Nay, I came alone.”

      “What are you doing here?” she asked abruptly, and he tried not to flinch. Would it always be this way between them?

      She released a sharp breath. “I’m sorry. I’m feeling out of sorts, but there is no need for me to be rude.”

      Peter cocked an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. Meg flushed, and he softened his expression. “You’re in pain. Do you want the nurse?”

      Relief settled on her features. “Nay, I’m oll recht. My leg aches, but I’ll live.”

      His gaze fell on the bedcovers, identifying the lump beneath them. “You broke your leg.” Did she break it when he’d pulled her from under the buggy? His belly burned at the thought.

      “Ja. That’s what hurts the most.”

      “Is there anything I can do for you?”

      She looked stunned by his concern. “I... Peter, I appreciate your concern but—”

      “You don’t want it.”

      To his shock, she shook her head. “I don’t deserve it.” She looked away. “I haven’t exactly been nice to you.”

      He shrugged. “As I recall, you were very polite the night of the singing, before you left.” He paused. “I was rude.”

      “You warned me about the rain.” She shifted in bed, and he saw her wince at the slight movement. “I don’t know how you knew.”

      “Ja, well, I have a confession to make,” he said. Curiosity entered her blue eyes as she waited for him to finish. His lips twisted. “I didn’t know it was going to rain when I said it. I was just...” He couldn’t continue. The knowledge that he’d said it simply to ruin her night made him feel small and ashamed.

      To his surprise, Meg laughed.

      He stared at her, then found himself grinning. “I’m glad you think it’s funny.”

      “I didn’t then, but I do now. I guess the accident put things into perspective for me.”

      Peter stared at her, mesmerized by her bright azure eyes, one sporting a black bruise. Something kicked in his gut as he studied her. If only things could be different between them. But he reminded himself that she was in love with Reuben, and he had Agnes now. “I’m sorry you went through that.”

      Her eyelashes flickered. “You sound sincere.”

      “Have I been so terrible to you?” he asked quietly. When she opened her mouth and then promptly closed it, he said, “I see.”

      “Peter.”

      “’Tis fine, Meg. I understand.” He shifted on his feet. “I’m sorry if what I said hurt you.” He was referring to when she was sixteen and hadn’t lived long in Happiness. “I’d hoped that after all this time, we could be friends.” He couldn’t read her demeanor. When she didn’t respond, he sighed. “You need your rest. I should leave.” He started toward the door, then stopped. “How is Reuben? Is he oll recht?” he asked, not wanting to give away that he’d seen the two of them together.

      Meg’s expression warmed. “He’s well. He’s been discharged.” She studied her hands as if her fingers were fascinating. “Did you know that he rescued me? He pulled me out of the water.” She rubbed the side of her face where another bruise had formed.

      “I hadn’t heard.” Something jolted in Peter’s chest, but he didn’t refute her statement. It didn’t matter that it was he and not Reuben who had rescued her. The only thing that mattered was that Meg was alive and well, and on the road to recovery. “He must be glad he was able to help you,” he said carefully.

      “I suppose.” She frowned. “When I thanked him, he seemed uncomfortable, as if he didn’t feel like a hero.” She looked thoughtful. “He told me he doesn’t remember what happened after the accident.”

      Peter nodded in understanding. Reuben obviously felt uncomfortable because he couldn’t recall pulling Meg from the creek. “He hit his head?”

      “Ja, he has a concussion.” She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.

      “Yet they are sending him home and keeping you here,” he murmured.

      “Just until tomorrow. Then I’ll be released.” She gestured toward her IV. “They’re pumping me with antibiotics to prevent infection in my lungs.”

      “That makes sense.” He saw her eyes drift shut and he stepped back. “I’ll be heading home. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?”

      Eyes closed, she shook her head.

      “Get well, Meg,” he said softly.

      Her eyelashes flickered before she looked at him. “Danki, Peter,” she murmured. “It was nice of you to come.”

      “Take care of yourself,” Peter said, before he turned and left—and fought the urge to glance back. Seeing her again made it difficult to forget her...and how much he’d loved her.

      As he climbed into his buggy minutes later, he had a sudden longing to see Agnes. He’d drive over to her family’s farm before heading home. Because it was suddenly imperative that he see her today.