your buggy to see if it’s safe to drive.”
Ellen watched as he slid out of the vehicle. Despite the rising bump on her forehead, an aching cheek, a dull throbbing in her right shoulder and some red, burning fingers, she knew she was well enough to drive her vehicle. She kept silent as she waited for Isaac to finish checking the carriage for damage.
“Looks gut,” he said to her through the passenger window opening within inches of where she sat. “I’d suggest that Eli take a look, but I don’t see anything physically wrong with the structure. Still, you may want to think about taking it to him later to be sure.”
“Oll recht.”
He was too close. Ellen could see the long lengths of his dark eyelashes and feel the whisper of breath across her skin. He examined her with watchful gray eyes, and she shivered in reaction to the intensity of his regard. She moved to slide across the seat. His arm on her shoulder stopped her and she had to hold a cry so he wouldn’t realize that she’d hurt it when she’d been thrown against the door.
“I have to go.” Ellen shifted uncomfortably when he didn’t move. To her shock, he reached out to lightly stroke her cheek.
“You’re going to have a bruise,” he said huskily as he withdrew his touch.
Ellen was powerless to look away from the intensity of his gray eyes, the tiny smile playing about his lips. “I need to go—”
“You’re not driving.”
She gazed at him, more than a little annoyed. “’Tis a buggy, not a car. I can handle it.”
“Not in your condition.”
She scowled. She didn’t want to ride with him, with the man who hadn’t trusted her. Why should she trust him to take her anywhere? She realized that she hadn’t forgiven him for the past but at the moment she didn’t care.
“Ellen?” Isaac frowned. “Tell me the truth. Your head hurts, ja?” His tone was gentle.
She closed her eyes at his kindness, wishing that she could turn back time to before things had soured between them. Did he honestly think that she’d forgotten what he’d done? Why was he acting like her friend again when it had been two years since he’d cut off their friendship?
“Ellen?”
“Ja, it hurts,” she admitted rudely.
“You need ice for your cheek.” His voice remained kind, making Ellen feel bad. “I was on my way home. Let me drive you.” He leaned in through the open window and the scent of him filled her nostrils. Memories of an earlier time rose up and slammed into her. Her eyes filled with tears. She turned away so he wouldn’t see them.
“Ellen...”
She blinked rapidly before she faced him again.
He reached out to touch her forehead, his finger skimming over the lump beneath the surface of her skin. His touch was light but she couldn’t help a grimace of pain. His gray eyes darkened. “I’m driving,” he said in a tone that brooked no argument.
Isaac left her to skirt the vehicle. He seemed suddenly larger-than-life as he slid in next to her. She didn’t want him to drive her. She didn’t want him anywhere near her. The way he was making her feel made her afraid, afraid that she wasn’t over him, and despite the past and the way he’d chosen Nancy over her, she might still love him. It was better to stay angry with him. It was the only way to protect her heart.
With a click of his tongue and a flick of the leathers, Isaac urged the horse forward. Ellen sat silently in her seat beside him, and she could feel his brief side-glances toward her as he drove. She ignored them.
The remaining distance to the Samuel Lapp farm wasn’t far. Ellen saw the Lapp farmhouse ahead as Isaac steered the horse onto the long dirt lane that ended in the barnyard near the house. He drew on the reins carefully, easing the carriage to a halt as if he worried about hurting her. He parked the buggy near the house, then jumped down from the bench and ran to assist before she had a chance to climb out on her own. She shifted too quickly in her seat and gasped with the searing pain. Her head hurt and her right shoulder, which had slammed against the buggy wall, was throbbing. She was furious at how weak she felt. She didn’t want Isaac to be right. She didn’t want Isaac to be the one she had to rely on, even if just for a little while.
Isaac appeared by her side and gently clasped her arm. “Easy, now, Ellen,” he murmured. “Slowly.”
She winced as she swung her legs toward the door opening. She made a move to step down until, with a sympathetic murmur, Isaac released her arm to encircle her waist with his hands. He lifted her as if she weighed no more than a young child. Ellen was conscious of his nearness, his male scent and the warmth of his touch at her midsection as he held her a brief moment before he set her down. Tears filled her eyes. Her injuries hurt but so did her aching heart.
“Danki.” She didn’t look at him as she stood there, feeling weak. Reaction set in. The horror of what those boys could have done to her caused her body to shake. She drew deep calming breaths, hoping he didn’t notice.
“Ice. You need an ice pack,” he announced as he bent to retrieve her bag from the buggy floor. He tucked it under his arm, then reached for her with the other. Fortunately, Ellen had regained control. “Come. Let’s get you into the house.” He slipped his right arm about her waist and helped her toward the house. Ellen wanted to pull away. She felt her heart thundering in her chest and grew worried that she’d lose control of her emotions again.
“Ellen?” Isaac’s mother had stepped out onto the front porch of the farmhouse. She frowned as she saw Isaac leading Ellen with his arm about her waist. “What happened?”
Ellen felt the sudden tension in Isaac’s shoulders. “Some Englishers forced her off the road. The buggy came to a stop in a ditch.”
“Ach, nay. Poor dear.” Katie eyed her with concern. “Isaac, help her into the kitchen.”
Ellen wanted to insist on walking on her own, but she wasn’t about to protest in front of his mother. She still wasn’t feeling the best and was grateful for the assistance. Her head hurt and she felt woozy.
“Here.” Katie gestured toward a chair. “Sit her here.”
Isaac saw her comfortably seated, then promptly disappeared into the back room.
His mother bent to closely examine her injuries. “You hurt your cheek.” She narrowed her gaze as she studied her. “And your forehead.”
Ellen nodded. Her cheek throbbed and she had a headache. She reached up to feel the sore bump on her forehead.
Isaac returned and handed his mother an ice pack.
Katie smiled at him approvingly, then pressed it gently against Ellen’s forehead. “Hold it here for a few minutes and then shift it to your cheek.”
“Danki.” She tried to smile until the simple movement of her lips hurt. Isaac stood by the kitchen worktable, watching silently.
“The driver was reckless,” Katie said.
“Ja. ’Twas Brad Smith,” Isaac said darkly.
His mother shot him a glance. “You know him?”
“Ja.” Isaac’s scowl revealed that he wasn’t pleased. “He’s Nancy’s bruder.”
Katie frowned.
“Thank the Lord that Isaac came when he did,” Ellen admitted. The memory of the boys getting out of their car made her shudder.
“I’m glad I was there to help,” he murmured, his expression softening.
Ellen didn’t say anything as she looked away.
“You