Unbreakable Read Online Free Page A

Jonathon drove slowly behind Daisy and me, keeping enough distance so as not to spook my skittishhorse. It took almost an hour and a half for us to reach Kingdom. I was very relieved to enter the safety of my hometown.
    We passed the large white church building that sat on the edge of town. A few houses dotted both sides of the street, and then our small business area came into view. I loved the wooden walkways that lined the street. Some of the town’s women had planted flowers along the sidewalk. Marigolds, zinnias, and petunias bloomed with vibrant colors, decorating the town with red, yellow, purple, orange, and blue. We rode past Eberly’s Hardware and Menninger’s Saddle and Tack Store. A large sign had been painted and mounted for our newest enterprise, Metcalf’s General Store .
    By the time I rode up in front of Kingdom Quilts, I was hot, tired, and thirsty. Jonathon’s presence had certainly made me feel safer. The fear that felt like a tight band around my chest had relaxed, and I’d begun to feel like my old self again.
    Jonathon waited until I dismounted and tied up Daisy before getting my packages from his truck. Then he followed me inside the quilt shop, still holding the supplies I’d bought from Flo.
    As I entered the store, Papa came from behind the corner. His eyes took in my hair and disheveled condition. “Hope! What has happened to you? Are you all right?” He glared at Jonathon. “Did you have something to do with this?”
    â€œNo, Papa,” I said quickly, embarrassed by his outburst. “Jonathon may have just saved my life.”
    Jonathon, who had come in behind me, quickly explained what had occurred on the road.
    Papa’s face went white, and he rushed up to me. “Were you hurt? Are you injured?”
    I shook my head. “A few cuts and scrapes. That’s it. But our buggy will have to be repaired.”
    My father hugged me tightly and then frowned at Jonathon. “I am grateful, Brother Wiese, but how is it you happened to be on the road at the same time as my daughter?”
    â€œPapa!” I said. “What a question. I thank God he was there.”
    My father let me go. “I do thank God, but I am concerned about the coincidence.”
    Jonathon took a step back and stared at Papa through narrowed eyes. “Although I don’t believe I need to explain myself to you, Brother Samuel, I was coming back from Washington after picking up lumber for Noah Housler. I just happened to come upon Hope. Perhaps it was God who arranged for me to be there.”
    â€œPerhaps,” Papa said slowly.
    I wished I could sink into the floor and disappear. Feeling I had to say something, I turned my back on Papa and addressed Jonathon, hoping my face wasn’t bright red with humiliation. “I’m very grateful, Jonathon. If it wasn’t for you, I might have been seriously injured today. Thank you so much for your bravery.”
    â€œYou’re very welcome.” After giving me a warm smile that made my toes tingle, he left. But first he shot my father a penetrating look that should have made him feel ashamed for his unchristian attitude.
    â€œPapa,” I said forcefully after the door closed behind Jonathon, “what were you thinking? That man risked himself for my safety. How could you talk to him like that?”
    He stared down at me. The look on his face was one Iknew well, and it meant we weren’t going to talk about this any further. Trying to discuss his attitude toward Jonathon would get us nowhere. If it had been anyone else, my father would have gone out of his way to show his appreciation. Papa and I were so close, yet there were times when he seemed like a complete stranger.
    â€œI saw Aaron Metcalf over at the old feed store building,” Papa said, his tone confirming that our discussion about Jonathon Wiese was at an end. “I am certain he will help me fetch the buggy. Tell me exactly