The Forbidden Read Online Free

to stare, Nellie forced herself onward, heart pounding with anticipation.
    Elias didn’t mention Reuben Fisher at all while Rosanna lay in the crook of his arm. She waited and wondered as she thought back to the peculiar things Cousin Kate had voiced with such conviction. Were they true?
    Elias did have something interesting to talk about between kisses. Maryann Fisher, who lived across the way with her husband, Ephram, had been home alone when her labor pangs began. Elias had stopped by to deliver some tools for Ephram, who’d gone to the town of Cains on an errand.
    “Honestly, I thought I might have to help deliver Mary-ann’s baby while her four young ones looked on.”
    “Oh, Elias . . . what on earth?”
    “Well, I was able to send the oldest boy up the road to the community phone booth—thank the Good Lord for that—and the midwife came just in time.”
    Rosanna shook her head. “Poor Maryann, she must have been terribly frightened.”
    “On the contrary . . . said she’d be fine if I would watch her littlest ones, Katie and Becky.”
    Rosanna couldn’t help but giggle. “You must be countin’ your blessings ’bout now.”
    He chuckled. “S’posin’ if I can deliver calves, I can help bring a baby into the world.” He paused, pulling her closer. “But watching them toddlers of Maryann’s and keepin’ them out of trouble . . . now, that’s another story yet.”
    Rosanna smiled up at Elias, who quit his laughing and looked at her with a familiar glint of yearning. “Let’s not be talkin’ of Ephram’s new baby, love,” he said softly, his face very near.
    Let’s not talk at all. She wrapped her arms around his neck, impatient for more of his kisses.
    The shadowy figure was a man, but not one young enough to be Caleb, Nellie decided as she cast another furtive glance. He inched his way toward the pond, and she could not tell if he was watching any skater in particular. Even so, the man was clearly observing them, and his presence made her uneasy.
    Who is it?
    She wondered if other skaters had noticed the man. It was obvious from his appearance he was Amish. Otherwise, Nellie would have been even more concerned.
    She sped twice more around the pond before stopping to wait for Rebekah on the side nearest the trees. When Rebekah spotted her and waved, heading that way, Nellie motioned her over. “Don’t look now, but there’s a man standing there . . . watching us.”
    Rebekah dug in the blades of her skates, spraying ice as she came to a stop. “Oh jah, I know.” She laughed softly. “It’s my father, come to take us home . . . when we’re ready.”
    Nellie felt silly. “Seeing a man there scared me.” She paused. “Well, just a little.”
    “I’m not surprised.” Rebekah acted a bit sheepish. “He’s overseein’ us, I’m guessin’.”
    Giving a quick squeeze of her hand, Rebekah headed off around the pond again, catching up with her sisters.
    Nellie Mae was now so cold her toes were numb. I should head home. She clumped to the bank, where she leaned against a tree to remove her skates, wishing for the wrought-iron bench where she and Caleb had sat and talked, his strong arms around her when she began to shiver.
    But the bench was on the other side of the millstream, and she dared not try and climb down to it, not when her feet felt like clubs. She wondered if her toes were frostbitten and attempted to wiggle them beneath her thick socks as she worked on her snow boots. Then she took the long way around the stream to a footbridge, moving toward the road.
    Forcing her feet forward, she looked up at the sky and at the many stars of the Milky Way, pondering the fact that while a good many of Caleb’s family were present this night, he was nowhere in sight.
    Squeezing her eyes tight, she fought back tears. I miss you so much, Caleb.
    After a time, she heard the clip-clop of a horse and buggy slowing down behind her.
    “Nellie Mae!” Rebekah Yoder called. “Come, get in the