Forever. Karen Hopkins Ann

and my mind had been filled with remembering each and every word he’d ever said to me. I’d replay all of our meetings, analyzing his comments to the point of exhaustion.

      Mother thought I was sick and had offered to allow me to return to bed. My younger sister, Rachel, had mocked me for being an old woman with hearing problems when I’d ignored her while we’d hung the laundry together.

      My thoughts drifted back to this morning when I’d talked to Noah. I really did understand how he felt. The longing to be with someone could cause a person to do silly things. I’d already been thinking of opportunities to speak with Micah again, but hadn’t come up with anything even remotely promising.

      “Sarah, snap out of it. You’re missing every ball that comes your way,” Suzanna scolded.

      Wisps of her pale blond hair fluttered around her face in the evening breeze, and her cap was slightly crooked.

      The game stopped when I reached over and felt along the top of her head to pull out the pin. Suzanna stood still for me to set the cap back on straight while I answered her.

      “I’m sorry, I didn’t see them.”

      “And you didn’t hear me calling you?” She gently shook my shoulder and said, “Are you sweet on someone, Sarah Miller?”

      Of course, Miranda was standing in Suzanna’s shadow, and pudgy Maretta had appeared beside my elbow. All the girls stared at me, waiting for an answer.

      I nodded slowly, heat rising on my face. All eyes widened and Suzanna grabbed my arm, ushering me away from the nets. She settled on a grassy spot some distance from the games and pulled me to the ground. Miranda and Maretta followed suit, and I found myself sitting in the middle of their gawking faces.

      “It’s Edwin, isn’t it?” Maretta muttered.

      “Oh, Lord, I hope not. He’s so boring,” Suzanna put in.

      Miranda cleared her throat and said, “Hush and let Sarah tell us herself.”

      All eyes looked at me expectantly, and I whispered, “Do you swear to keep it to yourselves?”

      They nodded vigorously as I expected. Feeling a rush of giddiness, I said, “Micah Schwartz.”

      The looks on the girls went from interest to pure shock in an instant.

      Suzanna glanced around and then said, “Are you crazy? Since Noah quit Constance, Micah is off-limits to you.”

      Miranda, the most thoughtful of the group, must have pitied me when she chastised Suzanna, giving me a bit of hope. “I don’t see any reason why they can’t be together. Noah, Constance and Rose have nothing to do with Micah and Sarah. They’re both of courting age and members of our church. Once Mr. Schwartz settles down about the whole business, it will be fine.” She reached over and patted my hand.

      Suzanna stayed silent, but Maretta jumped and smiled. “Are you sure you don’t want Edwin, Sarah?”

      “I’m sure...why?”

      “I’ve always liked him. I think I’ll make eyes at him and see what he does.” She scowled at Suzanna and added, “I don’t think he’s boring at all.”

      I watched her jog away toward the nets with a deep sense of rightness. Maretta was meant to go after Edwin all along. She had just been waiting for me to make a decision about him. Now, she was free to pursue her heart.

      I was smiling broadly when Suzanna said, “I have to admit the two of them are perfect for each other. He’ll never have to talk with Maretta around, and that will suit him just fine.” Then her face became serious, and she said, “Have you and Micah discussed a courtship?”

      “No, not exactly, but he gave me a gift. Do you think he likes me?”

      “What did he give you?” Suzanna asked.

      I pulled the soft leather strap from my pocket and showed the girls. They each leaned in, and Miranda ran her fingers down the engraving of my name.

      “It’s very pretty,” Miranda murmured.

      “If he made this himself, then he definitely likes you,” Suzanna said with sureness.

      Her words made me feel lighter, but the worry was still present in my heart.

      “I’m afraid to say a word to my parents about it. They’re so worked up over the matter with Noah and Constance that I don’t want to burden them further.”

      Suzanna flicked her hand. “Two people falling in love shouldn’t be a burden. Old man Schwartz is overreacting if you ask me.”

      After another quick search of the area and seeing that the games were over and the boys were taking down the nets, I said, “Have either of you spoken to Rose? I do miss her so.”

      Suzanna and Miranda shook their heads, but even as darkness was setting in, I could see the twitch of excitement on Suzanna’s face and I was suddenly very worried.

      12

      Sam

      I tried to kiss Summer, but she wiggled out of my arms and said, “Where’s Rose?”

      “She’s upstairs, clutching her puke bucket to her chest as usual. She’s managed to hide the fact that she’s always sick from Dad—probably because he’s never around. She even convinced him to let her finish up her classes online so she doesn’t have to do the few weeks until the end of school here in Meadowview. You know, I’m close to the point of taking matters into my own hands.”

      Summer’s face tightened, and she pointed her finger at me. “You wouldn’t dare. You promised to give her some time to know for sure.”

      I left Summer in the foyer and went into the family room, saying, “I’m just worried about her health.”

      I wasn’t surprised that when I flopped on the couch, she was right beside me.

      “This is serious. Rose needs to be checked out by a doctor. Dad needs to know. Hell, Noah should know.”

      “You don’t even like Noah,” Summer nearly shrieked. She was cute when she got riled up. I just wished what we were discussing wasn’t so damned important.

      “He’s still the father, and he needs to step up and help Rose out.” It made perfect sense to me, but whenever I broached the subject with Summer, she always went into hysterics.

      Summer’s eyes narrowed, and she lightly punched my arm. “You better not say a word to Noah about this, Sam, or...”

      I cut her off. “Or what? It will be over between us? Please, don’t throw that one at me. You’re stuck with me and you know it. Besides, you’re way off base on this one.”

      Surprising me, Justin, who I thought was in a video game haze in front of the TV, spoke up quite clearly, “You’re both wrong.”

      “Spit it out, kid. What do you mean?” Summer asked, focusing her anger on the back of Justin’s head.

      “It’s Aunt Debbie who should be told. She’d know what to do to help Rose, and she can keep a secret, so none of us would be breaking our oath to not tell Dad or Noah.”

      I looked at Summer, whose face was scrunched in thought. When her gaze met mine, she shrugged and said, “What do you think?”

      Never a day went by that I didn’t think about Mom and wish that she was still alive, but this was one of those moments when I really wanted her to walk through the door and take charge of the hysteria that our lives had become. But that was impossible, and the next best option was her sister, Aunt Debbie. She was more of a free spirit than Mom, but she still had a commanding way about her. I trusted her to handle a family crisis like this one.

      “As usual, you surprise me, little bro. We’ll give Rose a few more days and then make the call.”

      The