A Time to Heal - By Barbara Cameron Page 0,4

he still advanced on him with the rake in hand.

"Let me explain," Chris said, striving for calm. "It's not what it looks like."

2

The other man's eyes were hard and his mouth was drawn in a grim line.

He wore the same Amish clothing Chris had seen others wearing today: black broadcloth trousers, a dark blue cotton shirt, work boots, and a black large-brimmed hat.

"I've never seen you before today, you're up in the loft with my sister, and it's not what it looks like?"

Matthew turned to Hannah. "Did he hurt you?"

"Let me explain," Chris repeated, making eye contact and keeping his voice calm and steady. "It's not what it looks like."

But the Amish guy didn't look like he bought it. Chris took measure of the man. Matthew was tall and sturdy, about the same height and weight as Chris, and looked to be in good shape from farming as opposed to weight training like Chris.

He could probably take him, especially with the special training he'd received in the military. But he didn't have any desire to fight this man. He would react the same way if he caught some stranger up in a loft with his sister.

The woman called Hannah grabbed her brother's arm."Matthew, he saved me from falling! I thought the kinner were up there playing, and when I saw him my foot slipped on the ladder and I almost fell. He caught me. Matthew, listen to me!"

When Matthew turned to look at her, Chris grabbed the rake and tossed it aside. Matthew jerked back and Chris held his hands up in the air again.

"I'm not interested in fighting you, but I'm also not interested in you overreacting and hurting me," Chris said. "Now, if you'll let me explain—"

"Matthew? What's taking so long?" Another woman hurried into the barn, one who looked familiar despite her Plain clothing.

Chris grinned and stepped forward. "Jenny!"

To his utter shock, he felt his arm grasped and pinned behind his back.

"Don't touch my wife!"

"Matthew!" Jenny cried. "What are you doing?"

"I found him with Hannah up in the loft—"

"Stop it!" Hannah shouted. "Just stop this right now! This man didn't try to hurt me and he was not doing something improper!"

Chris blinked and then glanced at Matthew and at Jenny; he saw that they were staring open-mouthed at Hannah. Evidently, neither of them had been expecting such a reaction.

"I know you," Jenny said, looking at him. She frowned and bit her lip. "Give me a minute; I'll remember."

"The veteran's hospital," Chris said.

"Yes! You're Chris!" She turned to Matthew. "I met him when I went to the veteran's hospital for tests. Before my last surgery."

Turning back, she beamed at him. "Chris, this is my husband, Matthew. Matthew, this is Chris. I'm sorry. I don't remember your last name."

"Matlock."

"And this is Hannah, my sister-in-law."

Chris nodded at Hannah.

"Last time I saw you, you were in a wheelchair," Jenny said.

"You too."

"Yes, those weren't the days, huh?" She sighed and then smiled. "I'm putting supper on the table. Why don't you join us and tell us what you're doing here in Paradise."

Chris glanced at Matthew and saw that the man still regarded him with suspicion. Many of the Amish men he'd seen that day all seemed to wear a rather stern look, but this one could top them all.

Jenny slipped her arm into Matthew's and looked up at him."Chris talked me through an anxiety attack while I waited for the doctors. I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't been there."

Matthew's expression softened as he looked at his wife, then at Hannah, and he nodded slowly. When he looked at Chris it seemed to him that the other man looked less grim. "Ya, join us, Mr. Matlock."

"Chris," he said, relaxing.

"Chris," Matthew said after a moment.

Turning, Matthew started to walk out of the barn, but his foot kicked something. He bent down, picked up a black book, and turned to the first page. Then he frowned.

When he looked at Chris, the suspicion clearly returned. "I thought you said your name is Chris Matlock," he said in an accusing tone.

Chris took his Bible from Matthew's hands.

"It is. This belonged to a friend of mine."

He tucked it into his backpack and, without looking at them again, walked out of the barn.

Hannah watched as the stranger left.

"I think you've offended him," she told her brother quietly.

"What do you expect from me?" Matthew demanded. "What was I supposed to think?"

"I think you should apologize."

Throwing his hands in the air, Matthew turned and strode from