by Mary Alford
“Thank you.” Willa turned back to the deputy. “I am sorry. I don’t know your name.”
“Megan Clark, and you’re welcome.” The woman smiled. “Our deputies and crime scene techs will be here for a while as we process the scene.”
The damage to the house would take months to repair. The emotional scars much longer for this child at her side.
“You’re safe now,” the deputy assured her. “Most of Bartelli’s men are in custody.”
But until Bartelli was in prison for good, along with his bruder, Samantha remained in danger.
Willa helped the child into the ambulance, then followed. Behind them, the sheriff had a police escort traveling with them to keep Samantha safe.
Willa watched the EMT monitor Mason’s vitals. He had lost consciousness, and he appeared so pale from loss of blood.
She fought to keep from falling apart. A hand covered hers. She turned to see her mamm watching her.
“Pray, child. Gott will listen.”
Willa nodded and wiped the tears away. She closed her eyes and poured out her heart to Gott.
Please don’t take him. Not after everything he did to protect this precious kinna.
She prayed for Erik and Ethan as the ambulance’s sad siren screamed through the dark night.
As soon as they reached the hospital, Mason was taken away to surgery. Willa and Samantha, along with their police escort, went with Mamm to be examined.
“Is Mr. Mason going to be okay?” the little girl asked while she and Willa waited for news on Mamm.
Willa looked into those guiltless eyes and did her best to reassure the young child that another adult she loved wouldn’t die.
“He’s a strong man and the doctors are going to do everything they can.”
Mamm’s doctor stepped from the room to speak with Willa. “I’d like to keep her overnight just to be on the safe side, especially after everything that happened at your home. I’m giving her an IV drip to help boost her strength. Your mother has been telling me what you all went through. It sounds absolutely horrifying.” The doctor’s gaze slipped over Willa’s soiled clothing. “And from the looks of you, I can’t even imagine.”
They’d gone through things that nightmares were made of and she hoped none of them would ever have to go through that again.
“You can head in and see her now if you’d like.”
Willa smiled gratefully. “I would.”
“I’ll stop back later to check on her.”
“Denki, Doctor.” With Samantha’s hand in hers, she stepped into the room where her mother lay on the bed, an IV hooked to her arm.
“How are you feeling?” Willa asked once they reached her bedside.
“Gut.” She indicated the IV. “Whatever is in this has helped.” She smiled down at Samantha. “Is there news on Mason and the others?”
“Not yet.” And Willa couldn’t stop worrying.
“You should go check on them. I will be fine.”
Willa hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“I am. Go. I think I’ll shut my eyes for a second. It’s been a long day.”
Willa squeezed her mother’s arm. “That it has.”
“I want to come with you,” Samantha pleaded.
With her mamm resting peacefully, Willa took Samantha with her, police officers trailing behind for their protection, and went to check on Mason.
“He’s still in surgery, miss. As are Mr. Connors and Marshal Timmons. If you want to have a seat in the waiting area, I’ll have the doctor come speak with you as soon as there’s news.”
“Denki.” Though not the news she hoped for, as the saying went, no news was gut news.
Willa found a chair near the nurses’ station. Samantha climbed up in her lap and wrapped her tiny arms around Willa’s neck. Tears filled Willa’s eyes at the child’s soft breath. Though she had only known Samantha for a short time, she loved her and worried about her future. She prayed Mason would be able to act as Samantha’s guardian.
“I wish I didn’t have to leave you and Mr. Mason. I like it at your house. I wish we could all stay with you there forever.”
The tiny confession was torture to hear. This little girl had worked her way into Willa’s heart. She’d give anything to be able to keep Samantha with her and have her grow up in the simple Amish world and hopefully away from any future violence.
Samantha snuggled close as the hours slipped by and Willa continued to pray with all her heart for Mason and the other wounded men.
“Are you here for Marshal Shetler?” a male voice spoke quietly nearby. Willa jerked toward the sound. A man in a white coat stood next to her.
“I am.” She slowly rose with Samantha in her arms.
“I’m his doctor. He’s back in his room now and he’s awake. The surgery went well. You can see him if you’d like.”
Thank You, Gott. Her heart rejoiced.
She sat Samantha on her feet and clasped her hand. “Jah, I would.” Willa noticed several people heading their way. Two wore deputy uniforms. The man and woman with them were dressed in Englischer clothing. Willa recognized the two deputies. She didn’t know the others.
“Samantha, hi, I’m Marshal Warren.” The woman introduced herself and then turned to the man beside her. “And this is Marshal Harris.” She looked down at Samantha. “We’re going to be protecting you for a while until Marshal Shetler is able to take over again.”
Willa remembered Mason telling her there was a mole within the marshal service. “I’m sorry, but I’m not letting you anywhere near this child.”
Samantha buried herself against Willa’s side.
Marshal Warren’s attention went to Willa. “I realize you don’t trust us, but I can assure you, we are here to protect Samantha and you.”
Still, after everything they’d been through, Willa couldn’t let her guard down for a moment.
She spotted Sheriff Collins coming toward them and told him her fears. At this point he was one of the few people she trusted.
“They’ve been cleared,” he assured her. “I spoke to Marshal Shetler’s commander, who is here at the hospital by the way. They have the mole in custody. You can trust these two marshals.”
Relief swept the last of her doubts away. “Denki, Sheriff.” She wasn’t sure how much more drama she could take. Willa faced the two marshals again. “I’m Willa Lambright. Marshal Shetler and his partner were at my house when Bartelli’s men tried to hurt Samantha.”
Marshal Warren nodded. “We have our people helping the sheriff out with the investigation.”
“I have several of my people watching the entrances and guarding Marshal Shetler and Marshal Timmons, along with Ethan Connors,” the sheriff told her.
The added protection was reassuring. “We’re on our way to see Marshal Shetler now.” Willa glanced down at Samantha. “Can I take Samantha to see him? She’s been worried.”
“Of course,” Marshal Harris answered. “We’ll be right outside the door if you need anything.”
They went with the doctor to Mason’s room.
“What about the two men who were brought in at the same time?” Willa asked him.
The doctor’s smile brought immediate relief. “Both are recovering from their injuries. They should be fine. Someone definitely watched out for you all tonight.”
Willa couldn’t agree more.
THIRTEEN
Mason couldn’t believe what his commander told him. “Your son?” Still groggy from surgery, he hoped he’d heard Owen wrong. “Why would Patrick do such a thing?” He had to know why so many lives had been put in jeopardy. Why Samantha had almost died, and his partner and Ethan had suffered.
Owen Harper appeared to be a defeated man. He’d arrived at the hospital while Mason was still in surgery. As soon as the doctor gave him permission, Owen
told Mason everything. The mole Mason and Erik had suspected was none other than Owen’s son, Patrick.
“He got mixed up in gambling,” Owen said with a shake of his head. The tragedy of what happened had to be horrific for a father to learn. “I think Bartelli may have deliberately targeted him because he knew Patrick was my son, and he figured he could use him to get information on Samantha’s safe houses...and he did.” Owen exhaled wearily. “Patrick came to me a couple of hours ago and told me everything. I had to arrest my own son.” His voice broke.
Mason’s heart went out to his friend. “That must have been hard.” But another piece of the puzzle fell into place. The man who called the sat phone. Mason realized why he thought he recognized him. He’d met Patrick many times.
“Patrick will cooperate. With his testimony and Samantha’s, we can put Lucian Bartelli away for a long time.”
Good news, but another Bartelli deserved to go to prison. Mason told him about Dante’s part in what happened. “Dante is Ombra. And I believe he’s the one who forced Patrick to cooperate for the very reasons you suspect.” He explained about the odd call he’d received on the sat phone. “Dante mentioned giving the phone to the man we took it from.”
“So, Patrick thought he was calling Dante. Unbelievable. I’ll get started on an arrest warrant for Dante. Let’s see if he’ll remain loyal to his brother or sell him out.” Owen held his gaze. “I’ve assigned two marshals to watch over Samantha until this is over. We’ll need to get her to a safe house. You have any place in mind?”
He did. “Somewhere here in West Kootenai. She’ll be frightened and she’s been through enough. I want to be part of everything connected to her protection. I love that little girl.”
Owen’s surprise was obvious. Getting too close to a witness could be dangerous for everyone involved. But this was different. Mason wasn’t going to let Samantha be put into the foster system and he told Owen what he wanted. Owen’s wife worked for Child Protective Services. Mason hoped she could help.
“I’ll speak with Denise and Samantha’s caseworker and see what we can do. You might have to make some changes to your work, like taking a desk job. The child will need a lot of attention.”
Mason hesitated. He’d been searching for something for a long time. He just hadn’t realized that what he’d been looking for was what he’d left behind. More than anything, he wanted to make changes to his life. Just not the ones Owen spoke of.
Mason gathered his strength and told his friend everything.
For the longest time, Owen didn’t speak. “Are you sure this is what you want? You’ve been through something life-changing. Maybe you should give it time.”
Mason shook his head. “It wouldn’t change my mind. I know what I want, and it’s the life I left behind.” And the woman whose memory had always brought a smile to his face.
Someone knocked on his door. Willa stepped into the room along with Samantha.
The child’s eyes lit up when she spotted him. Samantha ran to his bedside. “Mr. Mason, you’re awake.”
Though he still had a long road of recovery ahead, the sight of Samantha put a smile on his face. He grabbed her tiny hand in his. “I am, and I’m going to be just fine.”
Mason looked to the woman who hovered near the door, her dark blue dress stained with his blood. Her hair was uncovered and falling from her bun. She watched him with uncertain eyes. They’d haunted him so much through their years apart. And she’d never been more beautiful.
He held out his hand to her.
Willa slowly crossed the room to his side and clutched his hand. “I was so worried.”
He didn’t look away. “I know.”
Owen cleared his throat and Mason introduced them to his commander.
Owen shook Willa’s hand and smiled at the child. “Looks like you are already on your way to gaining her affection.” He pointed to Samantha before starting for the door. “I’m going to check on Erik. I’ll stop by later to see you. It was nice to meet you, Willa.” With a nod for Mason, Owen left them alone.
Mason struggled to find the right words.
“I spoke to the doctor who treated you. Erik and Ethan are both going to be oke,” she said when the silence lengthened between them.
Samantha climbed up in bed beside him. Despite the pain of her movements, he was happy to have her close. He loved her...and he loved Willa. But would she forgive him for making the wrong choice all those years earlier? Did she love him back? He believed she did.
“I’m leaving the marshals service, Willa.” The words came out in a rush. He hadn’t meant to say it like that.
“You are? But why?” Her brows gathered together as she stared at him.
“Because I haven’t been happy for a long time. Truth be told, I’ve never really found fulfillment in my work since I left West Kootenai.” He tried to understand what she might be thinking, but that frown gave nothing away.
“I made a mistake by leaving. By letting the guilt I felt over Chandler’s death fester for so long. If I’d dealt with what happened instead of pushing it aside, I wouldn’t have overreacted to what happened between Eli and Miriam. I would have seen it as the blessing it was meant to be.” He stopped for air. “And that my heart belonged to someone else.”
Her eyes widened. Tears hovered there, yet she remained silent. What if he’d misjudged things? What if all she wanted from him was friendship?
“What I’m doing a really bad job of saying is I should have seen the truth back then. It was always you and me—not Miriam.”
He tugged her closer.
“Mason...”
“I’m saying I love you, Willa. I guess I always have. There were too many other things getting in the way of me seeing the truth until now.”
“Mason...”
“But I do love you. So much.”
Tears spilled from her eyes and she tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. “What is it?”
She didn’t speak.
“Willa, I think you have feelings for me. I know I’ve made a mess of things, and I have a long way to go to be able to return to the Amish faith completely, but I want to, and I will because I want to marry you.” And he wanted to make Samantha part of their family.
A sob escaped and she turned away. “I can’t marry you, Mason.”
His world collapsed. “Tell me why. Is it me?”
Her mouth twisted in pain. “No, it’s not you. How could it be you?”
“Then what? Let me fix it.”
“Oh, Mason.” She wiped tears from her cheeks and sat beside him. “You can’t fix this. No one but Gott can fix it.”
He stared at her for the longest time before he figured it out. “It’s your mother’s disease. It can be inherited.”
Willa nodded. “There’s a test to see if I have it, but I’m scared. I haven’t taken it yet because I’m not sure I want to know.”
He cupped her cheek. “Whether or not you have Huntington’s doesn’t matter to me.”
“But it does to me. How can I ask you to watch me go through what Mamm is struggling with? How can I saddle you with such a burden?”
He loved her so much he would do anything in the world for her. Even take her illness if it were possible.
“Willa, if working as a marshal has taught me anything, it’s that none of us are guaranteed another day.” He glanced down at Samantha, who had glued herself into the crook of his arm, content to listen to the grown-ups talk about things she didn’t understand.
“We have now. This time. And I want to spend it—however long it is—with you. It doesn’t matter what the future holds. If we’re together, we’ll get through whatever life throws our way.” He paused to look into her eyes. “Please let me share your future.”
A sob escaped, and she stared at him for a long moment before she leaned down and kissed
him gently.
Samantha covered her face at the expression of love, and Mason chuckled.
“I love you, Mason. I’ve loved you since...well, forever.” Willa was crying but also smiling. “And the thought of putting you through what I’ve watched Mamm suffer with is horrible.”
“It doesn’t matter. None of it matters as long as we are together.” He inhaled and was glad he’d been right about her feelings for him. “I love you, Willa Lambright. Will you share your future with me? Will you marry me?”
A radiant smile spread across her face and her eyes sparkled with happiness. “Yes, oh, yes.”
His heart soared. The future never seemed brighter.
“You’ve made me so happy,” he said. “And if everything works out well, then we will have a kinna to share our lives with us.” He mouthed the last because he didn’t want to get Samantha’s hopes up yet. When he had the go-ahead from the child’s social worker, he’d tell her.
Until the trial and Lucian Bartelli’s imprisonment, Samantha would require protection. Though he and Erik would not be physically able to safeguard the child, he planned to be part of every decision regarding her safety.
He prayed Samantha would be allowed to share their happiness, because if anyone needed the love he and Willa could give her, it was this beautiful child.
A tap on the door had them both turning.
It opened and the past he’d left behind came pouring in.
His mother hurried to his side. “Mason, oh, my boy.” Her words came out in a sob as she bent down and hugged him close while Samantha watched with big eyes. “We received news from Sheriff Collins you were hurt.” His mother wept openly.
“I’m fine, Mamm. Don’t worry.”
Willa smiled and stepped aside to let his family draw close. Soon, she and her mamm would be part of Mason’s wonderful family. And maybe, just maybe, Samantha, as well.
Mason clutched his mother’s hand. It had been several years since he’d seen this precious woman, and he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
She turned to the family gathered around. His brothers. Each face held love for him that he would do everything he could to be worthy of receiving.