by Lenora Worth
Micah nodded. “The police were on their way. We didn’t want to wait around in the dark, in case one of them came to. I’m going to the station to talk to them and see what can be done. For now, Samantha is safe with her grossmammi.”
“We hope,” Jeremiah said. “Martha is formidable, but so is your enemy.”
An enemy Micah hadn’t asked for, one he’d gladly fight to save Samantha. “I’ll check on them, don’t worry.”
Jeremiah touched him on the shoulder. “I’m not worried. I can see in your eyes that you have feelings for this woman.”
“What would that matter?” Micah asked. “She is Englisch.”
“You’re asking me?” Jeremiah said with a smile. “I’ve been in that world, and I came back here. I was accepted and well, you know the rest of my story.”
“Ja, I do.” Micah chuckled. “I don’t think Samantha will return to the fold. She seems very much attached to her world.”
“She was attached to her work,” Jeremiah replied. “Maybe she could do that same work here.”
Micah didn’t want to hold out hope on that. He’d never heard of a woman animal doctor. This community could use one. “I have to go,” he said. “I’ll come around to get the twins as soon as I’m finished.”
“They will be fine,” Jeremiah said. “I’ll put them to hoeing vegetables and digging up potatoes.”
Micah left, longing for the old days when vegetables were all he had to worry about. Now he had to worry about his siblings and a woman he was beginning to care for way too much.
When he got to the station, the officer at the desk told him the Kemp brothers were not in jail.
“What do you mean?” he asked, stunned. He really wanted to talk to both of them and find out if they knew where Stanton might be. “Did they need medical assistance?”
“Probably, since we found traces of blood nearby,” the desk clerk said. “But we’ll never know. When our officers arrived at the location, they didn’t find anyone there. Found the gun and knife the caller reported. I’m sorry, son. The two men were gone.”
“But they attacked a young woman and me last night. They were both near unconscious when we left.”
“We have the details of the call and we came straightaway. The boys weren’t anywhere in those woods, Mr. King.”
“They must have woken up,” Micah said. “I should have stayed there with them.”
“And you might have been killed if you had stayed,” the officer said. “Look, we’ve got multiple complaints on those boys before. No one in your community is willing to press charges. This latest is concerning so if you want to give a detailed report on what happened last night and regarding the other peculiar events you’ve mentioned, we can take care of that.”
“I’ll give a thorough statement because I have reason to believe the Kemp boys are responsible for the property damage behind my barn and other such nonsense,” Micah replied. “I don’t have a problem pressing charges.”
The officer gave him an understanding nod. “They’ve moved from harassment and petty theft to attacking people. If we find them, we’ll bring them in and we’ll need someone to identify them and press charges. Or the DA can go after them, but he’s not likely to mess with the Amish unless they mess with our world. Too much on his plate already as it is.”
Micah’s anger boiled over, but he held it in check. He’d heard those same words when his parents were killed. In the end, the drunk driver had gone to jail, only for a few years. Vehicular manslaughter.
Would Leon Stanton and his cronies manage to go free after all? Or would he let his hired instigators take the fall for his evil ways? The Kemp boys were in over their heads and now they were hiding out. Or had they gone missing? Could Stanton be holding them or hiding them?
Bought and paid for, Micah thought as he left the jail. Did their poor mamm even know where her boys were? Leon Stanton had bought their help and now he could be buying their silence. What if they were never found?
He had no choice but to go and get the twins and head back home. Maybe he should go and check on their mamm. She’d need friends around her right now. And Samantha would need to be aware they were still out there somewhere.
He wondered what he should do about Samantha and her grossmammi. Someone needed to watch over them, too.
He left and hurried his horse toward home. When he passed the huge Bawell place, he had an idea. He’d have to convince Josiah and Raesha first, then he’d have to convince Samantha and her gramma, too. It just might work.
* * *
Martha stared at Micah for so long, Samantha wondered if she’d turned him to stone. “You want us to do what?” her grandmother asked, her tone full of disbelief.
It had been a whole day and a half since she’d seen him, a day where she and Gramma had laughed and cried and prayed together. They’d baked pies and cooked supper and talked well into the night. It felt right, being here in the little country house where she’d always been so safe and secure. She’d still lain awake half the night, listening. She’d opened her laptop long enough to find a little bit of information on Leon’s ex-wife. She’d remembered he had lived in Newark, New Jersey, before he came home to live in the family estate. She’d sent word in a note to Nathan, hoping he could come up with something based on that.
Samantha couldn’t sit still. She could dig a little as long as her laptop had power.
She’d brought this to her gramma now, so she planned to do something, one way or another.
Micah had shown up today with another idea in mind.
He glanced toward Samantha, uncertainty in his eyes. She gave him her own disbelieving glance. “So you come bursting in here and tell us that we’re to move in with the Fishers and Naomi Bawell. We’re getting used to being here together.”
She remembered Naomi and Raesha Bawell. When she’d lived here with Gramma, they visited each other often and saw each other at church. Gramma used to take Samantha to quilt frolics at the big Bawell home, where several women would gather to eat, gossip and pray while they stitched their beautiful creations.
Raesha had been a young bride the last time Samantha had seen her. She’d heard they’d both become widows, and Raesha had remarried a man named Josiah Fisher. Gramma’s letters were always full of news. Samantha had good memories of the times they’d spent together. But staying in their home? Sooner or later, she was going to have to take a stand on her own.
Micah’s suggestion was surprising.
“I’ve talked to Josiah,” Micah said, his eyes full of hope now. “Raesha said you are both welcome to come and stay with them. They have lots of space and they’re known for taking people in.”
“I don’t need taking in,” Martha protested. “Leah...I mean...Samantha...can go and should. She’ll be safe there with so many people coming to visit the hat shop and the trinket store.” Turning to Samantha, she said, “You can blend in better.”
“I’m not leaving you, Gramma,” Samantha replied. While she appreciated seeing Micah again and was thankful for his help, she wished he had discussed this with her before asking Josiah and Raesha Fisher to get involved. “Micah, we’re doing okay here so far.”
“It’s only been a day or so,” he reminded her. “I would have come sooner, but I had to work yesterday and I had to talk to Josiah and Raesha. This man who wants to take you back has corrupted two members of our community and you said yourself he won’t stop until he has you.”
Martha frowned, worry in her eyes. “Do you think this man will find her here?”
“I do,” Micah said. “I know he will. So far, he’s had her driven off the road, destroyed her vehicle, hired people to harass her and me, and they tried to kidnap her the other night, not to mention he’s put my siblings in danger and terrorized the whole countryside.”
Stopping for a breath, he went on. “If we don’t hide her in the last place he�
��d suspect, she’ll still be in danger. That’s why I didn’t think she should stay here alone. It would be easy for him to connect her to you. Besides the Kemps probably told him she’s here in your home now.”
“She’s right here, listening,” Samantha pointed out. “You know I’m used to making my own decisions, so why can’t you trust in that?”
Micah shook his head. “I’m sorry. I know you want to do this on your own to keep everyone safe, but we’ve gone beyond that. We will shield you, so we need you to trust us. Can you do that?”
Martha gazed at Samantha. “He does have a point. You need to be hidden and hidden well. The Bawell women take in people, so no one would suspect and no one in the community would tell anyway. They’re all trying to protect you.”
“That’s the problem,” Samantha said. “Everyone is trying to protect me. I never meant for anyone else to get involved in this. Do I stay here and move from home to home? When will it end?”
“It will end when Leon Stanton is brought to justice,” Micah said. “Nathan assures me that some of Leon’s cronies are talking now. Since they’re behind bars and he’s not, they’re making deals.”
“That gives us hope,” Martha said. “But until then—”
“—until then you are still in danger,” Micah gently said to Samantha, his gaze holding hers, reminding her of the kiss they’d shared.
“I think we can manage here,” she retorted, apprehension making her sound less sure than she wanted to feel.
“How?” Micah questioned. “What if he sends those other men again, who are more dangerous than two kids out for kicks and money?”
Samantha let out a sigh. “I don’t know. I don’t want you to get hurt, Gramma. What do you think?”
Martha glanced from Samantha to Micah. “There is always safety in numbers. While I’m glad to be back in my own home, I’m not opposed to being around others who can watch after us—until this is over. And here in Campton Creek, we do tend to surround each other with love and strength. Those two combined will be better than you and I sitting here like perfect targets.”
Micah’s eyes softened. “There you have it. I’m not close enough to protect you and keep an eye on my own place and the twins, too.”
Samantha’s determined stance went away. “And if I stay here, you’ll be torn between doing both and your farm work. I could go back to Winter Lake and talk to the police there. However, my instincts say that’s a bad idea.”
“I agree,” Martha said.
“So do I,” Micah pitched in.
“Seems I’m outnumbered on this,” Samantha replied, glancing around. “Well, Gramma, we had one whole day and this morning to visit and enjoy the quiet.”
“Gott willing, we’ll have more such days,” Martha said. “For sure, it will be nice to visit with Raesha and Naomi. You’ll like Josie. She’s Josiah’s sister and she is now married and lives next to the Bawell place—in the old Fisher house.”
Samantha couldn’t help her smile. Gramma had always loved frolics and visiting with the community at church or any other event. “Sounds as if we won’t get bored.”
“Neh, and you’ll be much safer there,” Micah said.
Martha gave Samantha a knowing glance, then looked back at Micah. “And much closer to you, ain’t so?”
Samantha met Micah’s gaze, but neither of them confirmed what Martha was implying. Not with words, anyway.
SIXTEEN
“I feel like a vagabond,” Samantha said a couple of days later. She was dressed Amish in a dark green dress with a white apron. Glad she’d brought her own tennis shoes, she leaned down to tie one of them before she went back to stuffing things in her big tote bag. Now she had dresses mixed in with her jeans and T-shirts.
Gramma chuckled. Samantha could see the strain of worry on her face. “I feel much the same. I’m thankful your aunt Laura has recovered and I’m glad I got to see her and help her in her time of need. It’s nice to be home, but I’m concerned about you. My dream would be to see you staying here forever, safe and sound.”
Samantha turned from packing to smile at her grandmother. “I have to admit, in spite of the circumstances, it’s been good to be back at home.”
Gramma’s mouth dropped open. “You called this place home. Do you feel that way—that this is truly your home?”
“Yes, I do.” Samantha sat down on the bed and held her hands in her lap. “I always felt safe and secure here with you, Gramma. And these last couple days have been so precious. I love my work and I liked living in Winter Lake, and now...now I don’t think I can go back there.”
Martha sat down beside her and took her hand. “Are you saying you might consider returning to Campton Creek? For gut? Could you possibly find contentment here, maybe continue in your animal practice?”
Samantha thought about Micah and Emmie and Jed. She’d loved cooking for them and doing her part around the house. Other than her work, she really hadn’t missed a lot of her old life. She worked all day and for the most part, went home to read, watch a little television or study up on the medical journals required for any veterinarian. Dinners with Leon and hanging out at his big estate had been the highlight of her life. Could she leave all of that behind?
Gramma had instilled thrift and humility in her. Leon used to tease her about being so frugal when he wanted to lavish her with gifts. His money had been ill-gained and she was so glad she hadn’t accepted all of his gifts. The one lavish gift she had accepted—an engagement ring—had only brought her grief.
“I don’t know, Gramma. I’m confused about so many things. I fell for the wrong man and now my life is ruined and he wants to make me suffer. I won’t go through that, ever again. I won’t make any rash decisions right now. I have to wait until I know Leon is behind bars and out of my life before I can move forward and even practice being a veterinarian again.”
“What about Micah?” Gramma asked. “He is a gut man and he would willingly take care of you.”
“He’s great,” Samantha admitted. “I don’t need a man to take care of me, though. I want a partner who sees me as equal and independent. Leon tried to take care of me and I got used to it too much. I’ve always been capable of making my own money and living my own life.”
“Micah wouldn’t change that,” Gramma said. “I can tell he respects you. You’d be equal in his eyes, even if our ways are more traditional.”
Samantha thought about that. Micah did seem to respect her and since he played the role of parent to his siblings, he’d learned a lot about what a woman’s day could involve.
“He also feels responsible for me, but this is not on him. I’m the one who showed up here, scared and confused. I’d be long gone if I had my car. Leon is out there and he’s watching, so I feel trapped.”
“You’re not trapped, you are being sheltered from harm,” Gramma replied. “There is a difference.” Then she leaned close. “Do you have feelings for Micah?”
Samantha couldn’t look her grandmother in the eye. Lowering her head, she said, “I don’t know.”
Martha lifted Samantha’s chin and smiled at her. “I can tell you two care about each other, ain’t so?”
Did it show so clearly? Samantha swallowed and measured her response carefully. “I do care about him and the twins. They’ve been so kind to me and I enjoyed my time with them. It’s asking a lot for anything more.”
“What if Micah wants more?”
“I don’t think he wants anything except for me to be gone. The other night he indicated I’m nothing but trouble.”
Gramma laughed again. “Men have a funny way of trying to explain themselves, especially when it comes to love.”
Love?
Samantha shook her head. “It’s not that. Micah and I are from different worlds. I might not be accepted back here. I don’t know if I want to live here. It’s too much to compr
ehend right now.”
“Have you talked to him about this?”
“No.” Samantha stood and finished packing. “There’s no reason to talk to him when it’s clear he’s as frustrated and afraid for his family as I am. I want my life back, and that won’t happen in Winter Lake. It might not happen here. He wants his routine, a simple life, and I’m not a part of that routine. I’m a distraction and I’ve forced him to put himself in a dangerous situation.”
Gramma stood, too. “Maybe when this is over?”
Samantha shook her head. “I can’t predict that. I can only hope Leon will mess up and finally get put where he belongs, in a prison cell.”
Gramma hugged her close. “We will pray. Gott will see us through, no matter.”
“I hope so.”
Samantha wished her faith could be that strong. Why had she decided to come here of all places? She could have gone straight to the police or even the FBI. The fear of not being taken seriously had scared her out of doing that. Leon knew too many powerful people and he would have turned the tables on her. He’d tracked her here, so he had all the power.
She wanted to take her power back. At least, at the Bawell place she could go to the hat shop and recharge her phone and laptop. She was thankful for that. The more she could dig and compare with what Nathan had found out, the better her chances of surviving this. The police could only do so much.
Gramma pulled her out of her thoughts.
“Kumm, let’s have some tea while we wait for our ride,” Gramma said. “I’ve got bread and preserves to gift our hosts. And we will do our share of the chores, of course.”
Samantha finished up and once again brought her bags and set them by the door. When the kettle whistled, she said, “I only agreed to this because I want to keep you safe. But, Gramma, I’m not moving again. This is the last time. If something else bad happens, I will find a way to leave Campton Creek and I’ll find Leon myself. He wants me, so I’ll go to him to end this.”
“Don’t go taking things in your own hands,” Gramma warned as she handed Samantha her hot tea. “And don’t sacrifice yourself to a madman. Promise me you won’t do that.”