Amish Safe House

by Debby Giusti

  “I held the reins, but I didn’t tell her to go. It was the car.”

  “What car?”

  “It came up from behind us and swerved close. Someone threw something from the window at Buttercup. It hit her rump. That’s when she spooked and started to run wild.”

  “You pulled back on the reins?”

  “I tried. I had my ice cream and somehow the reins slipped out of my hold.”

  Kayla wiped her eyes and wiggled to get down. “William’s right, Mr. Abraham. We were in the buggy, licking our ice cream cones, and then the car came so fast.”

  “What color was the car?”

  “I think it was red,” Kayla said.

  William nodded. “It was a red sports car. The driver looked like the guy the sheriff stopped the first time we came to town. There was another man, standing on the sidewalk. I didn’t see him until the buggy jerked forward. He had a camera in his hands.”

  Abraham studied the street. “Wait here. I want to find whatever was thrown.”

  “You’re both all right,” Julia told the children. She needed to be strong for them, but her heart was pounding so hard, thinking of what could have happened.

  Abraham returned carrying an unopened beer can. “I did not see the man with the camera, but I found this on the side of the road, near where I had left the buggy.”

  “Who would throw a beer can at the horse?” Julia asked.

  “Someone who wanted to make trouble.”

  Julia groaned, realizing who would have wanted to harm her children. “It was Pablo. He must have checked the bus schedule in Kansas City and realized where William’s bus had originated.”

  Abraham motioned Julia away from the children so they would not hear their conversation. “Jonathan assured me that Pablo and his friend were involved in the gang shooting the night we escaped. It escalated and they were killed.”

  Julia gasped. “As much as I wanted Pablo stopped, I hate to think of his poor mother. Oh, Abraham, there’s been too much bloodshed.”

  “The Philadores have stopped searching for William.”

  “But why? Although I’m grateful.”

  “Jonathan’s sources claim a teen was killed in the Kansas City shooting,” Abraham said, his voice low. “They got word that it was William. Evidently the Philadores thought Pablo had apprehended the boy and was taking him back to Philly.”

  “I don’t like to hear of any child dying.”

  “Neither do I, Julia. The report could be bogus. Grant and the two men who helped us could have started the rumor to ensure we eluded the gang members.”

  “You think Grant would have done that?”

  “If he thought William was in danger. No matter how the rumor started, I am relieved that the Philadores are no longer looking for your son.”

  “I’m relieved, too,” Julia said. “But who threw the beer can?”

  “The children mentioned a red sports car. It could have been the guys we saw outside Trotter’s Dry Goods. But they are not the only ones who might cause trouble.”

  He shook his head with frustration. “The Amish are frequently attacked by teens or people who find our way of life strange. They try to cause problems. Amish on bicycles have been run off roads and crashed while drivers of cars laugh at the damage they cause. Some of the so-called pranks can be dangerous, if not deadly. The world does not like people who are different, Julia.”

  “You can’t generalize about the world, Abraham. Some people are intolerant. They don’t have a strong moral compass and are inconsiderate of others. Those people have hate in their hearts, but that’s not everyone. The world is filled with good people, I have to believe that.”

  She sighed, feeling sad and unsettled. “Let’s go home. We have groceries to unload and dinner to cook. Perhaps on the farm we can forget what happened today. It’s time to think good thoughts and to heal from the past.”

  “The children are upset,” Abraham said, glancing at them.

  “Fresh air and caring for the animals will help them see another side of life, Abraham. That will be gut, very, very gut.”

  He smiled and her heart skittered in her chest.

  “Now you are talking like an Amish woman.”

  She glanced down at her long dress. “If I dress Amish, I must learn to speak Pennsylvania Dutch and embrace your culture. Gut is one of the few words I know, along with danke. Thank you, Abraham, for providing for us and for keeping us safe. You’ve gotten us through a hard time, but that’s about to change, especially with the news Jonathan provided today. I’m relieved and rejoicing that all of the hardship is behind us.” She held out her hand and took his. “Let’s think of better things than hateful people, whether they are in Philadelphia or Kansas City or Yoder. Let’s focus on all that is good and wholesome.”

  He nodded. “That sounds gut to me, Julia.”

  “Yah,” she sighed. “That sounds gut to me, as well.”

  They climbed into the buggy and headed back to the farm. The sun peeked through the clouds and warmed them. Kayla and William were quiet but seemed to have moved past the incident at the grocery. They were ready to embrace their new life, just as Julia was.

  EIGHTEEN

  For the next few days, Abraham refused to think about Julia and her family leaving Yoder. The children had eagerly accepted life on the farm. William rose early each day to help Abraham care for the livestock. Kayla gathered eggs and fed the goats and chickens. The children were flourishing. Color filled their cheeks and their eyes twinkled.

  Julia’s eyes twinkled, too, and each moment that they were together brought Abraham joy. He could not think about what would happen when she and the children were moved to another location. He had not called Jonathan again, although he and William checked for messages at the phone shack when they cared for his neighbor’s animals.

  Julia rang the bell, calling them to their noonday meal. He and the children finished the chores they were doing and washed their hands at the pump.

  “Mamm says we can wash up inside,” Kayla announced as she lathered soap in her small hands. “But I like using the pump. It reminds me of the olden days.”

  Abraham had to smile. “By olden days, do you mean a few years ago?”

  She giggled. The sound of her laughter filled him with delight.

  “No, I mean the really olden days, like the books I read written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Do you know her, Mr. Abraham?”

  “I do not know her, Kayla. I am not that old.”

  She giggled again. “In her stories, the people wash their hands in well water, too.”

  “Soon we will go to the library and get more books for you to read.”

  “William wants books on farming. He says he’s going to buy land and grow corn and wheat.”

  The boy nodded. “And raise horses.”

  “You are good with the animals, William. In fact, you will make a fine farmer or anything else you chose to do with your life.”

  “I want to be a teacher when I grow up,” Kayla announced. “Sarah’s daughter said she will teach at the Amish school. Do you think I can go there next year?”

  Abraham handed Kayla the towel. “Your mother will decide about next year. Right now you should study hard and learn as much as you can. Teachers must be very smart so they can teach their students. Therefore you must work hard to learn everything you can.”

  “Farmers have to be smart, too,” William added as he reached for the towel. “Plus they get hungry. Let’s go eat.”

  “I’ll race you,” Kayla said.

  She took off running, but William hung back a few seconds. Abraham appreciated the boy’s efforts to let his younger sister win.

  Arriving at the porch first, Kayla cheered for herself before she opened the door and stepped into the kitchen.

  Abraham approached William and patted h
is shoulder. “You are becoming a man, William. You put your sister before yourself, which is the mark of a considerate person.”

  The boy beamed with the praise. “Mamm said she is proud of me.”

  “As she should be.” Abraham placed his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I am proud of you, too.”

  William stood a little straighter. He removed his hat before Abraham pushed open the door.

  “It smells like your mother has something good prepared for us to eat.”

  “I feel like I could eat a bear.” William laughed.

  “Look at you, William.” Julia fussed as she glanced at the door. “You are getting so tall. Each day you grow more.”

  “Abraham said I am growing faster than the calves.”

  “The baby chicks grow fast, too,” Kayla added. She poured milk for herself and William and waited at the table for her brother to pull out the bench for her.

  “Kayla, someday you will have to seat yourself again.”

  “Mamm says it is nice to have a man hold her chair.”

  Abraham glanced at Julia, who quickly turned toward the stove, but not before he saw her blush. “Your mamm is right, Kayla. It is nice when a woman is given the attention she deserves. Your mother works very hard for all of us. If we can find little ways to make her life brighter, we should do that.”

  “You are much too kind, Abraham.”

  “Just truthful, Julia.” He held her chair as she took her seat.

  Julia had fixed sloppy joe sandwiches. The meat and tomato mixture filled the kitchen with a spicy aroma that made his mouth water. Chips, pickles and potato salad waited on the table.

  “We will give thanks.” Abraham bowed his head.

  They lowered their heads and prayed silently. Once he glanced up, Kayla caught his eye and then lowered her head again.

  “Did you add an extra prayer?” he asked.

  “I asked God for us to stay here with you, Mr. Abraham, forever.”

  He caught himself as he reached for his glass of water. “Forever is a long time.”

  “Yah.” The child gave the reply as if she had been raised Amish her whole life.

  “Did God answer your prayer?” Julia asked.

  “He said He’s working on it.”

  Julia glanced at Abraham, but she was not smiling. He worried she was wondering how much longer she would have to hole up in Yoder. He had been wrong in not calling Jonathan. Another trip to town might be necessary.

  “The Yoder flea market is tomorrow,” he announced. “The whole town will be there, along with the people who live in the surrounding area.”

  Julia passed him the potato salad. “You mentioned agreeing to help Sarah before we showed up on your doorstep.”

  “I had told her I would help.” He dropped a heaping spoonful of the potato salad onto his plate. “You wanted to do something nice for her, Julia. We could help transport her items, and I could also take a few of my neighbor’s things to sell.”

  “I’ve never been to a flea market.” Julia took a bite from her sandwich.

  “It would be fun to see the other families,” Kayla added.

  “William and I will ride to Sarah’s house to let her know. You will drive the buggy, William.”

  The boy’s eyes widened. He said nothing but his smile was answer enough. “Should we hurry through lunch?”

  Abraham held up his hand. “We have plenty of time. Enjoy the food your mother has prepared.”

  “There will be a lot of people at the market?” Julia asked.

  “Many. I will man a booth. All of you can help me. And we will help Sarah.”

  “What about our chores?” William asked.

  “I like the way you are putting the farm first, William.”

  The boy smiled at the comment.

  “We will rise early and get our work done before we leave.”

  “Kayla and I can make a picnic lunch,” Julia suggested.

  “That would be nice, but sometimes it is enjoyable not to cook. There will be food to buy, corn dogs and hamburgers, pizza and apple fritters and funnel cakes.”

  “I like pizza.” Kayla’s eyes were wide.

  “I do, too,” Abraham said. “It is agreed. We will eat lunch there.”

  Everyone was excited, and Julia seemed to be even more excited than the children.

  “You have been holed up here on the farm without having an opportunity to talk to other women,” he told her. “I should have thought more about your needs.”

  “You have thought of nothing other than our needs since we have come here, Abraham. Although I must admit a day in town will be fun. The children are looking forward to it, and so am I.”

  “Before it gets too late, I must have William drive the buggy to Sarah’s house as I promised him.”

  “He will enjoy the opportunity to guide Buttercup, but are you sure he is ready?”

  “Most boys around here are driving teams by age seven or eight. The girls learn early, too.”

  Julia held up her hand. “Let’s wait on Kayla.”

  “As you wish.” He reached for his hat on the peg by the door. “We will not be gone long.”

  “Tell Sarah I am looking forward to seeing her.”

  “This I will do.”

  After giving William thorough instructions on how to handle Buttercup and what to be aware of, he climbed into the buggy seat next to the boy and sat back to enjoy the ride. Julia and Kayla stepped onto the porch and waved farewell.

  “We will be back soon,” Abraham assured them as the buggy headed away from the farm and onto the main road.

  * * *

  Julia hurried Kayla inside after the buggy drove out of sight. Abraham and William were not going far, but after a couple of hours, Julia became concerned. Probably because her son was holding the reins, and she remembered all too well what had happened outside the grocery.

  She checked that the doors to the house were locked and then sat with Kayla at the table to do her lessons. As the child read the directions and marked her workbook, Julia kept glancing at the clock on the wall.

  The distance to Sarah’s house could not be far, yet at the end of the next hour, when she went to the window to watch for the buggy’s return, she saw nothing and no one on the road.

  Her stomach flip-flopped as troubling thoughts floated through her mind.

  “May I color?” Kayla asked.

  “First, read aloud to me.”

  Kayla pulled a favorite book from the box of school supplies, a story in the Little House on the Prairie series, and turned to where she had placed her bookmark.

  As her daughter read, Julia fidgeted due to the pent-up energy with which she had trouble dealing.

  “Would you like a glass of lemonade?” she asked when Kayla came to the end of the chapter.

  “Could we make cookies?”

  “Why not?” Anything to keep her mind off the time, and her son and Abraham’s failure to return.

  Julia turned the baking into a teachable moment. Kayla had to measure the ingredients and then they talked about fractions and how the various parts made up the whole.

  Kayla grasped the concepts quickly, although her arm tired when she mixed the dough.

  “Will you help me, Mamm?”

  “Of course. You’ve done such a good job with measuring everything into the bowl.”

  “The dough is too stiff,” Kayla said as she handed the spoon to Julia.

  Mixing the cookies helped Julia get out some of her own frustration.

  “Pull the cookie sheet from the cabinet, Kayla.”

  Using spoons, they dropped round balls of dough onto two baking sheets and placed them in the oven.

  “Quickly, now, we must clean up our work area.”

  Julia wanted everything to look nice when
Abraham got home, but as twilight began to fall, she was overcome with worry. She stood at the window peering down the lane and forgot about the cookies until a burning smell alerted her to a problem.

  Pulling the pans from the oven and seeing the crisp edges on many of the cookies made her spirits sink even lower. She put the cookies on a rack to cool, thankful some of them were salvageable.

  “May I eat one now?” Kayla asked.

  “Of course. Sit at the table. I’ll pour milk.”

  As Kayla enjoyed her snack, Julia returned to the window and stared at the road, longing for sight of the buggy.

  “Mrs. Fielding told me a watched pot never boils.” Kayla brought her plate and glass to the sink and put her hand in her mother’s. “I had to ask Mrs. Fielding to explain what that meant. Do you know what it means, Mama?”

  Julia looked down at Kayla. “You tell me, honey.”

  “It means you need to stop worrying about William and Mr. Abraham. They will get home soon, but it won’t seem like it’s soon if you keep staring out the window.”

  Julia let out a deep sigh. Kayla was right. Staying busy would help to pass the time and calm her frayed nerves. “Let’s get dinner ready,” she suggested.

  But when the table was set and the pork chops were fried and the leftover potato salad from lunch were all on the table, Julia feared even more for her son and Abraham.

  Without a phone, she had no way of contacting them. Even if she used the neighbor’s phone, who would she call? Sarah didn’t have a phone.

  If only she knew how to catch a horse in the pasture and harness it to the other buggy. As much as she enjoyed Amish life, she didn’t know the first thing about horses or buggies or how to get herself to Sarah’s farm without walking.

  She turned to look at Kayla, who was coloring a bright picture of spring flowers. The child could not walk that far, which meant Julia was stuck in the house and would remain here until Abraham and William returned or until someone came to tell her what had happened.

  Because she was sure something had happened to them.

  Tears burned her eyes. She blinked to keep them back, her heart pounding and her pulse beating much too fast. The top of her head felt like it would explode with the tension that had built up over the last few hours.