Bloody Ties (Serenity's Plain Secrets Book 8)

by Karen Ann Hopkins

  Bobby, Todd, and Heather sat together in the last row of chairs, across from Lester and Mary Ester. It was odd to see the small mixture of Amish and non-Amish sitting together. Sometimes the two cultures found themselves together for functions, but more often than not, they stayed apart.

  Joshua’s face had lit up when he’d seen that the bishop and his friend Lester had come. I knew how he felt. A normal Amish wedding would have hundreds of people in attendance, but when you went English, seldom would any of your Amish family or friends attend, unless there were other factors involved. Having even a small handful of them here, made it a very good day for Joshua and his children. It showed a level of respect and tolerance that would bode well for the couple’s union.

  When the girls reached their father, their faces were flushed and the littler one giggled. For them, this was completely new. They’d probably never even been to an English wedding before.

  Showing just how ignorant of tradition the girls were and how quickly the event was thrown together, not giving them a chance to practice at all, they stood right in front of their father. He placed a hand on each of their shoulders as they turned around, waiting for the next thing to happen.

  When Serenity came through the door, the breath caught in my throat. She wore a blue sundress and had let her hair down. She’d even left off the sunglasses. Though she wasn’t wearing a gown and we were on a hilltop yard, I still felt like she was once again walking down the aisle to marry me. My chest tightened uncomfortably at the wave of emotions that hit me when she looked up and our eyes met. She smiled coyly, and I could almost read her thoughts.

  Serenity was enjoying herself, and I was willing to bet she’d feel romantic later on tonight. Maybe she was really loosening up to a little more of a regular life. I could only pray she was.

  Joshua and CJ had insisted that we stand side by side when she reached me, and that’s what we did. I reached over and put my arm around her waist, pulling her in closer. She leaned into my side, bumping my hip. The love I felt for this amazing woman at my side was almost overwhelming. It took everything I had to keep a straight face and not tear up.

  CJ stepped out on the porch and Serenity straightened up. I followed her gaze. CJ was a beautiful woman on any given day, but the flowy gown she wore and the way some of her curls lifted in the breeze really flattered her.

  I glanced at Joshua. He stared at CJ with intense love. I saw his lips tremble when she stepped up to him. He reached out and pushed a stray curl back from her face in an automatic way that made CJ laugh a little.

  The judge began talking and I only halfway listened to her words. A mass of pink peonies bloomed at the corner of the yard and their sweet aroma reached my nostrils. A hawk made a shrill screech as it soared overhead and then glided down to a branch of the nearest tree. The countryside was quiet and peaceful, except for the far-off sound of an automobile on the roadway. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw two dark colored SUV’s moving slowly, and my immediate thought was that I was impressed that their drivers were intelligent enough to slow down inside of an Amish settlement.

  When I looked back at Joshua and CJ, I noticed that she held both of the girls’ hands, and that John leaned in close to his father. It wasn’t just a joining between man and woman, it was the formation of a brand-new family.

  “I, Joshua Miller, take you, CJ West, to be my wife, and I do promise and covenant, before God and these witnesses, to be your loving and faithful husband, in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, all long as we both shall live.”

  John handed his father the smaller ring and Joshua slipped it on CJ’s finger.

  CJ wiped tears away and drew in a long, shaky breath, before she recited the same vows to her husband.

  When CJ put the ring on Joshua’s finger, the judge said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” She turned to Joshua. “You may now kiss her.”

  Without any shyness at all, Joshua cupped CJ’s face and bent down. He kissed her until the girls began tugging on her dress and his coat. John looked away, completely embarrassed.

  Todd whistled loudly, and Serenity led the Englishers in applause. Poor Lester started to clap, but a swift look from the bishop dropped his hands quickly.

  When Joshua and CJ finally broke away from the kiss, I shook Joshua’s hand, congratulating him as Serenity hugged his wife. Soon enough, everyone crowded in closer to offer congratulations, and the judge motioned for me and Serenity to join her.

  She had a paper for us to sign as witnesses of the marriage. We did it and then stepped back. I reached for Serenity’s hand and she clutched mine.

  “It was beautiful,” she said in a small voice.

  I smiled. “Are you getting sentimental?”

  She elbowed me, but I continued to hold her tightly. “Naw. I’m just happy it worked out for them. It gives me hope that the world isn’t such a bad place—that good things happen occasionally.”

  I couldn’t help lifting the corner of my mouth and leaning close to whisper in her ear. “I have a feeling more good things are going to happen tonight,” I whispered.

  Serenity looked up at me with her big blue eyes and a serious face. “Maybe it’s time to begin working on that baby thing.”

  My heart filled with joy. I almost wanted to clarify what she meant, just to make sure we were on the same page, but I didn’t say a word. Instead, I wrapped my arms around my wife and kissed her.

  Could this day get any better?

  30

  Serenity

  The small crowd finally thinned enough that I could get close to CJ. Joshua had his arm around her shoulders in an almost protective pose, like he wasn’t ever letting her go. It was cute. CJ’s brilliant smile said it all. She was a very happy bride.

  “Serenity, do you want some dervs?” Sylvia had latched onto my hand.

  “Hors d’oeuvres, silly,” Nora corrected her sister.

  “Sure, I’ll be there in a minute.” That satisfied the girls and they ran off toward the house, with John moving at a much slower pace behind them. I was getting hungry, so the thought of a snack and a piece of cake before returning to work was fine with me.

  “What do you think?” CJ’s voice bubbled out of her mouth.

  “A beautiful wedding, all around. I like that it was a quick ceremony—my favorite kind.”

  “I can’t believe we’re actually married.” She lifted her finger and stared at the ring. “There wasn’t time for an engagement ring, but I like just having the wedding band. It’s nice in an old-fashioned way.”

  “I’m sure it’s easier for Joshua too. Don’t forget, he came from a culture that doesn’t even have wedding bands.”

  “I know, it’s crazy.” She leaned in and her curls brushed my cheek, tickling me. “Can we get together in the next few days to look at the pictures you took?”

  “Aren’t you going on a honeymoon somewhere?”

  “We are—but not exactly what you’re thinking. As a surprise, we’re going to take the kids down to Tennessee next weekend. Joshua is talking to Lester about him checking in on the livestock while we’re gone.”

  “That’s a great idea. I’ll do you one better on the pictures. I’ll email them to you tonight. That way you have them all and can edit and use the ones you want. I’m probably going to be tied up for the next week at least.”

  “That’s a gorgeous dress, CJ, where did you get it?” Elayne had snuck up on us and her voice came out in a purr.

  Taking advantage of the opportunity to head into the house to grab something to eat, I offered CJ a smile and squeezed her arm as I slid by her. I had only gone a few steps when the bishop stopped my forward progress.

  “A word with you, Serenity.”

  His tone was overly grim, even for him. “Sure. What’s up?”

  “Moses came to me last night. He mentioned that his ne
phew, Zeke Bachman, was asking questions about your friend.”

  I studied the tall man’s face. If he wore a black top hat instead of the simple Amish hat, he could have been easily mistaken for Abraham Lincoln. His harsh bone structure and serious eyes used to give me the creeps, but not anymore. If you got past his rude and judgmental personality, he usually meant well.

  “Daniel mentioned it to me the other night. Sounds like Zeke might have heard some gossip about CJ’s relationship with Joshua and was just curious.” I cocked my head, crossing my arms over my chest. “I can’t imagine why else he’d be interested in CJ?”

  The bishop pursed his lip and glanced around. When he was convinced no was listening to us, he leaned in. “Moses and I discussed it. It sounds like Zeke was more interested in CJ’s old beau than in her.”

  I’d mulled it over in my head a hundred times. Although it was weird, it didn’t seem threatening in any way—even when I considered that Zeke worked with some unsavory people. The Amish and ex-Amish were gossipy people. Still, it was on my list to check into. Other than the few minutes with Ryan earlier, I hadn’t had much time to talk to him about it.

  My cell phone vibrated in the tote that I’d just picked up. Pulling it out and seeing that Toby was calling me, I turned to the bishop. “Thanks for the heads-up. Now try to enjoy the day. We can discuss this later.” I walked away quickly, not giving him a chance to say anything and answered the phone. “Hey, what’s going on, Toby?”

  “Where are you?” His southern accent held a twang of nervousness.

  “At CJ’s wedding. They just got hitched, and I’m waiting for them to cut the cake so I can head back to the department. Why?”

  “Where’s the wedding?” His short, direct questions sounded alarm bells in my gut.

  “At the Miller farm, in the Amish community.”

  “Is Ryan there?”

  “Yes, he is as a matter-of-fact—”

  “Get Ryan out of there. They’re coming for him.”

  “Who?” I held my breath.

  “We got a hold of Rivas’ family. His two sisters are living in Kentucky. One of them used to be in the same MS-13 gang that Rivas was in. It’s a long, insane story, but she told me that’s why Rivas was in Blood Rock—to kill your ex-partner. She wasn’t sure why, but she assured me that others were also looking for him.” He paused to exhale. “I’m willing to bet my 401K that’s why your other three dead men were there.”

  I searched for Ryan and found him standing in front of the porch with Elayne’s arm looped around his. They were talking to Bobby, Todd, and Heather, who were directly behind them. The bishop, his niece, Lester, and Mary Ester stood on the steps. I figured the kids were still in the house, but I had no idea where Joshua or CJ were.

  “How would anyone find him here?”

  “There’s an inside person, I’d say. Look, I’m on the highway, just left Indy. I’ll be there in a couple hours. Just get Ryan out of there. I have a bad feeling in my bones about all of this.”

  “Right.” I hung up and dropped the phone into the tote.

  Stretching my legs, I tried to go faster, but the damn heels were a hindrance. Kicking them off, I shouted to Ryan. “Ryan, come over here. I have to talk to you.”

  Ryan turned around with wide eyes. He understood the clipped tone of my voice. He’d heard it before on the job.

  A gunshot blast shattered the quiet countryside. It’s too late.

  Everyone around the front of the house ducked down, except for the bishop who stood even taller, daring anyone to strike him down.

  I waved my arms. “Get into the house—go, go go!”

  Daniel came from around the corner of the house. The judge was with him. I saw it in his eyes that he wanted to run to me, but I furiously shook my head, gesturing for him to get the judge inside. I didn’t look back in his direction. Instinctively, I reached for my gun, but of course, it wasn’t on me. It would have been tacky to wear a firearm to a wedding, I’d thought. Now, I wanted to slap myself for being so stupid.

  It was chaos in front of the house. Mary Ester went through the front door, while her husband grabbed at the bishop, trying to pull him up the steps. Rosetta had already disappeared through the doorway. I couldn’t tell what was going on in the cluster on the ground, so I ran faster.

  I dropped into the grass beside Todd. He held Elayne’s head up in his lap. Heather was a nurse and she was frantically trying to stop the bleeding. It was a stomach wound. Elayne had been shot. Because Ryan had on a suit, he was able to wear his holster underneath his jacket. Out of all of us, he was the only one who was armed. He knelt beside me, handgun drawn, searching the hillside.

  We have to get inside. We’re completely exposed up here.

  “Is she going to make it?” Ryan shouted.

  “I don’t know—she’s losing a lot of blood,” Heather said.

  “Come on, Elayne, stay with us,” Todd urged.

  Another gunshot blast rocked the farm and this time the bullet just missed the bishop, striking the post behind him with a splintering smack.

  It came from the direction of the big barn. Ryan began returning fire at unseen targets and I took advantage of the cover he provided.

  Dammit. I leaped around Elayne and the others to reach Bobby. I gave him a shove up the steps. “Bobby, get inside and call for backup and ambulances!”

  Lester was finally able to get the bishop moving. When the three of them cleared the threshold into the house, I shouted, “Cover us, Ryan!”

  Without worrying about his own vulnerability, he started firing down the hill. The sound of pounding hooves could be heard through the gunfire as horses galloped through the field, away from the booming noises. Out of the corner of my eye, I even saw a herd of cattle stampeding in the corral next to the barn.

  Elayne’s eyes were closed and her head lolled to the side in Todd’s lap. I grabbed her ankles. “Todd, we have to get her in the house. Heather, keep applying pressure. The girls can find whatever you need to keep her alive.”

  I made eye contact with Todd and then Heather. I nodded and we lifted her. Our movement up the steps was choppy, but quick. Mary Ester held open the door as Lester ran to meet us. He took over for me and they rushed inside together. “Come on, Ryan!”

  He stood up and continued firing as he stepped backwards up the steps. Several more gunshots struck the front of the house, but Ryan was unscathed when he cleared the last step. I felt completely useless without a weapon. All I could do was wait for him to close the distance.

  “Here, Serenity!” I looked over my shoulder. It was Daniel. He rushed toward me with John right behind him. I caught a glimpse of the judge sitting on the floor, next to the wood burning stove. Sylvia was in her lap. Nora and Rosetta crouched beside them, and the bishop sat at the kitchen table, his eyes closed and his mouth moving as if he was praying.

  Mainly, I only had eyes for one thing—the rifles that Daniel and John carried in their arms. I quickly counted six—all hunting styles.

  Daniel tossed one of the rifles to me and then reached into his pocket, pulling out a box of ammo. I grabbed for it and quickly loaded the gun. Spinning around, I joined Ryan on the porch, using the post for semi-cover, I began firing.

  “Get inside, Ryan—that’s an order!”

  Ryan fired off two more rounds, touched my arm and we both made it through the doorway. Mary Ester slammed the door shut.

  “Stay away from the windows. They have high powered weapons. If they get close enough, their shots will go through the walls.”

  The adrenaline pumping through my body made my vision and all senses sharper. The scents of bacon and gun powder were sharp in the kitchen. Todd, Daniel, and Lester loaded the weapons. Bobby stood in the hallway, talking calmly into the phone, and the bishop was still praying. Nora had retrieved the first aid kit and a stack of towels that sh
e gave to Heather, who tended to Elayne. In any other situation, I would have been right there on the floor with her as she tried to save the assistant district attorney—and my friend. But I would have to leave her care to Heather.

  Mary Ester didn’t need me to give her orders. She dropped beside Heather and began helping her. I had good reason not to like the Amish woman after my first criminal investigation in the Amish community. Her oldest son, David, had murdered Naomi Beiler, and she’d protected him. I liked to believe that people could redeem themselves, and over the past couple of years, she’d been doing just that.

  “How many shooters, Sheriff?” Todd called out.

  “Six or seven—”

  “No, I counted nine,” Ryan interrupted. He reloaded quickly.

  “How can we fight a small army with .22 calibers?” Daniel asked. I was proud of how level headed he was.

  “It’s better than nothing,” I replied. “Judy and Rosetta, take the kids to the basement. Nora show them the way.”

  Rosetta helped the judge get swiftly to her feet. She clutched Sylvia’s hand and nudged Judy to follow Nora into the hallway and through another door. John continued loading his rifle.

  “John—John, go with your sisters,” I ordered.

  He raised his chin defiantly. “I can shoot. Let me help,” he begged.

  “Where’s your father and CJ?” I looked around. Everyone’s eyes that met mine were fearful and didn’t have answers.

  “I don’t…know.” John’s voice cracked.

  “Down the hill, toward the chicken coop.” The bishop finally woke from his silent chanting. “When we talked earlier, I spotted them heading in that direction.”

  “Why would they go there?” Mary Ester spoke up. She had her hands pressed down on a bloody towel to Elayne’s stomach as Heather rummaged through the first aid kit.

  “Probably to get another smooch in,” Todd said.