Summer Storms Read online

“Of course you can’t understand me. Your life is perfect.”

  “Perfect?” Jesse shook his head. “No one’s life is perfect.”

  “Ya, I suppose that’s true.” Tobias studied Jesse, a sardonic smirk spreading across his lips. “It must get tiresome for you to have to hear your dat compliment you for your hard work and skill all the time. Honestly, Jesse, how do you put up with all that love and appreciation, day in and day out?”

  Jesse balled his hands at his sides and fought to keep calm despite his best friend’s biting words. Be patient. It’s the alcohol talking, not Tobias. “You didn’t say today at the lake, but did you have an especially bad argument with your dat yesterday or this morning?”

  Tobias snorted again and then rested the bottle against his thigh. “Would it make any difference if I had?”

  “It would explain why you’re acting this way.” Jesse leaned against the barn wall beside him. “I know you’re upset with your dat right now, but you’re doing the best you can. Don’t let it get to you. Things will get better.”

  Tobias narrowed his eyes. “I came out here to be alone. I don’t need your platitudes and empty words.”

  A muscle ticked in Jesse’s jaw as his patience wore thin. He had to get the bottle away from Tobias and then get him into his buggy before he was too drunk to walk, let alone guide the horse home. He couldn’t possibly tell Ariana that Tobias had been drinking. She’d be furious, and the last thing Jesse wanted to do was ruin this special day. She’d been looking forward to it for nearly a month.

  Jesse leveled his eyes at Tobias. “It’s time for you to knock it off. You’ve wallowed in enough self-pity. Get it together.”

  “I told you. This is how I unwind.” Tobias lifted his chin.

  “This is how you unwind,” Jesse said the words as their meaning clicked into place in his mind. “Are you saying you drink often?”

  Tobias averted his eyes, staring at his shoes.

  “Give me that.” Jesse grabbed the bottle from Tobias’s hand and started spilling the contents onto the ground.

  “Stop it!” Tobias fought him, pushing Jesse out of the way before reclaiming the bottle.

  With a murderous glare, Tobias replaced the top on the bottle. “You act all high and mighty, but you have no idea what it’s like to argue with your dat every day. When you get home this evening, your dat will welcome you with open arms and ask you how your day was. Mei dat will tell me I spend too much time with mei freinden, I don’t work hard enough, I’m not a gut example for mei schweschder, and the list goes on and on.” His face twisted. “You and your bruders are everything your parents ever wanted, but I ruin everything I touch.”

  Jesse held up his hands as sympathy replaced his anger. “I’m sorry your dat makes you feel that way, but this isn’t how you deal with your problems. I tried to tell you this afternoon at the lake. You need to talk to your dat and work things out.”

  Tobias gave a bark of laughter. “Sure. It’s that easy with Marvin Smucker. You’ve met him, right?”

  Jesse sighed and scrubbed a hand down his face. There was no talking to Tobias today. Thunder rumbled in the distance and a light mist of cool rain trickled down Jesse’s arms. It was time to change his goal. Instead of convincing Tobias to stop drinking, he needed to focus on getting him home.

  “It’s getting late. The best thing you can do is get home before you’re too drunk to help with chores.” He held out his hand. “Give me the bottle.”

  Tobias hesitated.

  Jesse studied Tobias as his frustration returned. “What are you going to tell your schweschder when she sees a bottle of vodka in your hand?”

  Tobias blew out a sigh and picked up an empty paper bag from the ground. “Let me put it in my buggy, and then we’ll hitch up the horses.”

  “And what if your dat finds it?”

  Tobias huffed and then handed the bottle to Jesse, who emptied it.

  “I’ll take care of it.” Jesse took the bag and shoved the bottle into it. He’d toss it into the back of his buggy and dispose of it before he got home. Then he turned his glare back to Tobias. “What are you going to do about your breath? It’s a myth that vodka produces no smell.”

  Tobias smirked and pulled a pack of chewing gum from his pocket. “I got it covered.”

  Jesse gripped the paper bag as he studied his best friend. Lately he’d noticed Tobias chewing gum frequently. Did he have a drinking problem? Thunder clapped above them and the rain became heavier. “We need to get going.”

  Tobias took a step and then stumbled before righting himself. He turned toward Jesse and held up his hand. “I’m fine.”

  “Maybe Arie should take you home.”

  “I’m fine,” he repeated with a growl. “Let’s go.”

  Jesse’s shoulders tensed as he followed Tobias to their waiting buggies. He tossed the paper bag into the back of his buggy, and Tobias started helping him hitch up their horses. Worry surged through him. He had to get Tobias home safely. Sleep would do him some good. Jesse could tell Ariana and her parents that Tobias wasn’t feeling well. Maybe Jesse could blame it on too much sun, and Marvin would be too distracted to notice the truth.

  Jesse stole glances at Tobias, who only stumbled once more. Thank goodness he wasn’t completely drunk. Now he had to figure out how to get him home.

  Ariana joined them just as they finished hitching the buggies to the horses. With her beach bag slung over her arm, she held a beach towel over her head to shield her prayer covering from the rain. “The rain is a nice break from the heat.”

  “Ya, it is.” Jesse tried to smile, but his lips refused to comply.

  She tilted her head to the side. “Is everything all right?”

  “Ya.” No. He pointed toward Tobias, who was leaning against his buggy. “I was thinking you might want to take Tobias home since he’s not feeling well.”

  “He’s not feeling well?” Ariana’s eyes widened as she rushed over to her brother. “I was worried about you when you disappeared from the porch. Was iss letz?”

  Tobias shot Jesse a glare before addressing his sister. “I’m fine. You can ride with Jesse.” He hoisted himself into his buggy.

  Jesse rubbed the back of his neck as a feeling of foreboding overtook him. He’d wanted to find a way to convince Tobias not to drive his own buggy, but Tobias’s stubborn streak had won out again. He forced a pleasant expression when Ariana turned toward him.

  “Ready to go?” she asked.

  “Ya.” Jesse turned toward the porch and called to Mariella, who was standing on the porch and still talking to a few friends. He waved and thanked her before climbing into the buggy.

  “It was a gut day,” Ariana said.

  He looked into her eyes and some of his worry eased. “Ya, it was.” He guided the horse down the long driveway toward the road, and Tobias followed.

  “I’m so glad our parents agreed to allow us to spend the day with our freinden.”

  “I am too.” Out of the corner of his eye, Jesse saw the reflection of Tobias’s horse speeding up in his side mirror. “What is he doing?” he mumbled.

  “Was iss letz?” Ariana turned, craning her neck to look out the back of the buggy. “Why is Tobias going so fast?”

  “I’m not sure.” Jesse sat up straighter and looked past Ariana as Tobias’s buggy came into view beside his. “What are you doing?” he called. He peered into the mirror, checking for cars. “I thought you were going to follow me.”

  “Let’s race!” Tobias yelled with a wicked grin.

  “Are you narrisch?” Ariana exclaimed.

  As Tobias’s horse took off running, Jesse prodded his horse in an attempt to catch up to Tobias. He had to stop him before he got hurt.

  “Jesse!” Ariana yelled, squeezing his bicep. “Slow down!”

  Slow down? Jesse kept his focus trained on the buggy in front of him. He had to concentrate on what he was doing, not try to explain it. Even if Ariana didn’t know her brother had been drinking,
wasn’t it obvious he couldn’t let Tobias race ahead like this?

  “Jesse, please!” Her voice broke.

  Rain pelted the buggy’s windshield as the two horses galloped down the two-lane road, Tobias’s seemingly at near breakneck speed. Ariana held on to Jesse’s arm, her fingers like a vise digging into his skin.

  As they approached a sharp turn, Ariana’s voice resembled a sob. “Please slow down. Please!”

  Afraid now that he, too, was indeed going far too fast for the road conditions, Jesse slowed down, gripping the reins. Fear coursed through him as he kept his eyes on Tobias’s buggy.

  He’s going to crash if he doesn’t slow down!

  Tobias’s horse took the turn too fast and the buggy wobbled. And then as if in slow motion, the buggy teetered just before the driver’s side slammed down onto the road. The horse reared and then struggled to drag the buggy around the corner.

  Jesse’s blood ran cold as the buggy scraped its way down the road with the rain pounding from the darkened sky.

  This has to be a dream. No, it’s a nightmare.

  Like that stormy night when he and Tobias were only sixteen.

  CHAPTER 3

  “TOBIAS!” ARIANA SHRIEKED, HER VOICE SLAMMING JESSE BACK to the present. “Tobias!”

  Jesse had no choice. He snapped the reins, signaling for his horse, Rusty, to speed up again. When he caught up with Tobias’s horse, he shoved the reins toward Ariana.

  “What are you doing?” Her voice pitched even higher.

  “Take them!” Glancing at Ariana just long enough to see her eyes widen, Jesse handed the reins to her and then leapt from the buggy, slipping and sliding on the wet pavement as he rushed toward the wreckage.

  “Lester,” he called to the horse, his voice trembling as adrenaline raced through him. “Whoa, bu. Whoa. Calm down, bu.” He took the halter in his hands to slow him down. Leaning forward, he grabbed the cheek straps and looked Lester in the eyes. The horse was so terrified that Jesse could see the whites of his eyes.

  “It’s all right, Les,” Jesse cooed in a soft, soothing voice. “Just calm down.” He breathed in deeply through his nose to calm his surging heartbeat and catch his breath. “You’re fine, bu.”

  The horse’s eyes returned to normal, and Jesse blew out a sigh of relief that seemed to bubble up from his toes. He quickly unhitched the straps and led Lester to where Ariana had come to a stop. He tied him to the back of his buggy, then raced to Tobias’s buggy.

  Ariana climbed out. “Tobias?” she yelled, her voice sounding wobbly. “Tobias! Are you hurt?”

  A muffled gasp escaped from inside the battered buggy, and Jesse’s heart pounded against his rib cage as he climbed in through the back.

  “Tobias!” Jesse hollered. “Are you all right?”

  “Ya.” Tobias groaned and then snorted. “That didn’t turn out the way I planned.”

  “Give me your hand.” Jesse held his out to him. “Let me get you out.”

  Tobias took his hand and Jesse pulled him out through the back of the buggy.

  “Ach, no!” Ariana touched her brother’s arm as she examined his bloodied face. “You’re bleeding.” She pulled a tissue from the pocket of her dress and began to mop up the blood on his face.

  “It’s nothing.” Tobias swatted at her hand and chomped his gum. “The windshield busted, but I’m fine.” He rubbed his right arm. “Just a little sore. I landed hard on my arm.”

  Turning, Jesse studied the buggy to survey the damage. The windshield was indeed smashed, the roof had caved in, and the frame was bent. He needed help flipping it back onto its wheels, but it wouldn’t ride correctly. How was he going to get this buggy home?

  Suddenly aware that his hat was gone, Jesse pushed his hair back from his face as the steady rain soaked through his shirt. He looked at his buggy, wondering if his hat had flown off before or after he’d jumped out of it.

  “Are you two narrisch?” Ariana’s brow furrowed as she turned her glower from Tobias to Jesse. “Why were you racing on a rainy night? Do you realize how dangerous that is?”

  Jesse held his hand up to her in defense. “I was only—”

  “I can’t believe how immature you both are,” she snapped, interrupting Jesse as she divided a glare between the two of them once again. “You two were acting like you were sixteen again instead of twenty-four.”

  Tobias gave a bark of laughter before cupping his hand over his mouth. He swayed slightly on his feet and then righted himself as a smirk overtook his lips.

  Jesse’s shoulders tensed as resentment crawled up his spine. Had Tobias’s drunken haze completely clouded his judgment? He turned to Ariana, but her eyes remained focused on Tobias. Couldn’t she tell her brother was drunk? Didn’t she realize Jesse was only trying to stop him?

  “You think this is funny, Tobias?” Rain trailed down her face and dripped onto her dress. “You could have been badly injured or even killed.” Her voice faltered, and she cleared her throat. “This could have been much worse. Lester was obviously spooked, and he could have run in front of a car or a truck.”

  Her lips trembled, and Jesse’s chest constricted. He longed to pull her into his arms and comfort her, to make sure she understood he was only trying to save her brother. As if on cue, a bright bolt of lightning skittered across the sky, followed by a loud crack of thunder that caused Ariana to jump with a start before hugging her arms to her chest. Now was not the time. He had to take charge of the situation and get everyone home safely before the storm worsened.

  “Arie,” Jesse said, “go sit in my buggy. You’re soaked.” He reached for her arm, and she took a step back, away from his reach. He gaped at her with surprise. In the three years they’d been dating, she’d never rebuffed him.

  Jesse shoved away his concern and nodded toward his buggy. “You should go home so your parents don’t worry. Lester is tied to the back of my buggy, so you can guide him. Tobias and I will stay to take care of his buggy.”

  She glowered at him for a moment before stalking over to his buggy and climbing back into the driver’s side.

  Jesse checked to make sure Lester’s reins were secured and then leaned through Ariana’s window as rain continued to soak through the back of his shirt. She was still frowning. Sending her home alone might not be the best idea.

  “Are you comfortable riding home alone?”

  Her brow creased even more. “I know how to guide a horse.”

  Jesse winced at her biting words, but pushed on. “Tell your parents Tobias will be home soon. I’ll figure out how to get the buggy home as quickly as I can.” He tapped the door. “Be safe, all right?” He opened his mouth to remind her he loved her, but before he could speak, she turned, snapped the reins, and started on the trek to her house.

  As Jesse watched the buggy’s taillights move down the road, cold surged through his veins. But the cold wasn’t from the pouring rain soaking his skin. It was from the frosty expression Ariana gave him before she left. She always told him she loved him before they parted ways. But this time she seemed as if she couldn’t wait to leave him by the side of the road.

  Worry drenched him far more than the rain.

  “Don’t cry, Jesse,” Tobias drawled sardonically as he smacked Jesse’s shoulder. “You’ll see mei schweschder again soon.” He swayed and then pointed to the buggy. “So, genius, how are we going to get that home now that you’ve sent Ariana on her way in the only functioning buggy we have?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” Jesse spat back and then eyed him with disgust. “How much did you drink? Did you finish off another bottle before I got there?”

  Tobias’s eyes narrowed. “Only one, but I don’t know how much I drank since you decided to pour out the rest. Do you have any idea how expensive that vodka was?”

  Jesse rubbed the back of his head as frustration overtook him once again. Could this night get any worse?

  Lightning flashed, followed immediately by a loud rumble of thunde
r.

  Jesse looked toward the road as ideas swirled through his mind. He could jog to his older brother Nathaniel’s house and use his phone to call his driver and ask him to come with his pickup truck. But how would they lift the buggy into the bed of the pickup truck without a tractor? Nathaniel’s farm was also nearly four miles away, and getting there would mean a grueling run in the pouring rain.

  Tobias sank down onto the wet grass and crossed his long legs before pulling his pack of gum from his trouser pocket. After shoving another piece of gum into his mouth, he held the pack up, offering Jesse a piece. Jesse shook his head and gritted his teeth while resisting the urge to smack the pack of gum out of Tobias’s hand. Tobias shrugged and slipped the pack into his pocket.

  Headlights flashed in Jesse’s eyes as a pickup truck motored toward them. It came to a stop beside them, and the driver’s window lowered. Jesse held his breath, hoping the people in the vehicle would offer help instead of gawking at the soaked and stranded Amish men with the broken buggy.

  “Do you two need help?” a man asked before recognition flashed in his eyes. “Is that you, Jesse Zook?”

  “Ya.” Jesse approached the truck, recognizing the driver as one of his father’s customers. “Hi, Brian.” He gestured toward the buggy. “My friend Tobias had an accident. His sister took the horse home, but we need help transporting the buggy. Any chance you know someone with a flatbed tow truck?”

  A man sitting beside Brian leaned forward. “I have one. We’ll go get it and be right back.”

  “Oh, thank you. I can pay you,” Jesse offered.

  “That’s not necessary,” the other man said. “We’ll go get it right now. I just live up the road. I’m Todd.” He reached across Brian, and Jesse shook his hand.

  “Thank you so much.” Jesse pushed his wet hair back from his forehead. “I appreciate it.”

  Brian nodded and then hesitated. “You two are soaked to the bone. Do you want to ride back to the house with us?” He pointed toward the bed of his truck. “There’s no room in the cab, but you can sit back there.”

  “No, thanks.” Jesse shook his head. “We’ll be fine.”