Unbreakable Read Free

new resident of Kingdom, wasn’t trying to hurt me. He’d just rescued me. His face was pinched with concern.
    â€œOh, Jonathon. That . . . that truck . . .”
    â€œWas out to get you.” He held out his hand and I stood up, almost losing my balance. He reached out to catch me. “Hold on tight,” he said as he lifted me out of the ditch andonto the road. He took the reins from my hands and led Daisy up, talking gently to her, trying to calm her rattled nerves.
    â€œYou . . . you may have just saved my life,” I said, attempting to catch my breath. “I was so frightened.” Without any warning, I suddenly felt dizzy and cried out. Jonathon grabbed me before I fell. Then he picked me up in his arms and carried me toward his truck. I laid my head against his muscular chest, feeling safe and protected. He held me as if I weighed almost nothing.
    â€œYou stay here and rest,” he said as he gently put me onto his passenger seat. “I’m going back to get Daisy.”
    Jonathon was a young man who had moved to our community with his family almost a year ago. He’d immediately started sharing his ideas about reforming Kingdom Mennonite Church. His opinions excited me as much as they upset my father. Right now, that argument didn’t seem the least bit important. I was just grateful God had sent him to help me.
    Realizing that something felt amiss, I put my hand on the top of my head and discovered that I’d not only lost my prayer covering, most of my hair had been tugged out of its bun. Since my hair is usually anchored in place by a ribbon and several pins, it takes a lot to pull it out of place. I tried to gather my disheveled locks back together, but it was useless. My ribbon was gone, and the few pins I had left weren’t enough to hold my long hair. Not knowing what else to do, I yanked out the rest of the remaining pins and stuck them in my pocket. Then I ran my hands through my hair to make it less unkempt. Having Jonathon see me like this made me want to cry.
    A few minutes later, Jonathon stuck his head inside the cab. His eyes widened as he gazed at me.
    â€œI . . . I’m sorry,” I said, trying to push the thick tresses back from my face. “My hair must have gotten snagged on a branch or something. My prayer covering is gone . . . and my ribbon . . .”
    Jonathon reached over and took my hand. I winced in pain. “Oh, Hope. I’m so sorry. You’ve been injured.”
    I shook my head, trying not to cry. “I’m fine, really. I was just so scared.” Compassion shone in his eyes. “I’m sorry you have to see me like this.” I touched my hair with my other hand. “I must look just . . . awful.”
    Jonathon didn’t say anything for a moment, and I realized with surprise that he was blushing. “Hope, you look like an angel. You’re so beautiful. . . .” He cleared his throat and the red in his cheeks deepened. “I’m sorry. I have no right to say something like that.”
    I wiped my eyes with my apron, which probably wasn’t a good idea since it was torn and dirty. I wanted to act like a proper Mennonite lady, but something inside me jumped for joy to know that he thought I was beautiful. Of course, acknowledging his compliment wasn’t appropriate, so I quickly changed the subject.
    â€œIs . . . is Daisy all right?”
    â€œShe’s fine, but your carriage is in bad shape. There’s no way you’ll be able to drive it back to town. I’m afraid we’ll have to leave both the buggy and Daisy here for a while because my truck is full of lumber. I can’t carry anything.”
    The idea of deserting Daisy filled me with despair. What if the man in the red truck returned? What would happen to her? Even if he didn’t come back, she was frightened. I couldn’t just drive