“And, so have we. We got to keep all the entire profits.”
“Hmm. Which I’m guessing were next to nothing in the first years. You see, I was raised on a farm not too far from here.”
“We got by. We don’t need much.”
“What’s to stop Amos from selling it from underneath you?”
“He wouldn’t. Well, he might.” Magda had told her she heard that Amos had a buyer. She could see the detective’s mind ticking over. “If you’re thinking Amos had anything to do with my husband’s death, you’re barking up the wrong tree.”
“We have to follow every lead. We look at those closest to the deceased and work our way out. Take you for example.”
Jeanie flew to her feet and pointed her finger at him. “Don’t you dare say I might have employed that man to kill my husband.”
“Calm down, Mrs. Yoder. That’s not what I’m thinking.”
She sat back down rubbing her face. Her anger had flared again. When she composed herself, she looked up at the detective. “I apologize. Just find the person who did it.”
“That’s what we’re doing.”
Tears fell down her face and she covered her mouth. “What do you need me to do?”
“Go home. Go home and pray for us to find the people who did this to your husband.”
Jeanie nodded. “I can do that.”
“Will you be okay?”
She wiped her eyes. “Yes.”
* * *
On wobbly legs, Jeanie walked out of the police station. When she saw a nearby bus-stop seat, she sat down. Her buggy was parked a distance around the corner and she needed to rest a moment. She knew her eyes must’ve been red and she avoided looking at people who walked by.
The only thing she could do was keep her mind on positive things. What did the farm matter? She was soon to welcome her child into the world. Whether her husband was murdered or whether his death was an accident, he was still gone and there was nothing that could change that. After giving herself a stern talking to and willing herself to carry on, she stood and walked to her waiting buggy.
On the way back to the farm, she drove past Amos’s house and was surprised to see Zelda’s buggy there. It struck her as odd. Surely Amos told her that things wouldn’t work out between them and then she would’ve gone back home. It was just another worry to add to her ever-increasing list of things to try not to worry about.
When she got home, Magda came outside. “Where have you been?” she called out.
“I went to the police station.”
Magda walked closer. “Why didn’t you take me with you?”
“I don’t know. I wanted to save you the stress, I guess.”
“What did they say?”
“Nothing much. I talked with Detective Graeme. They’re still investigating and haven’t learned anything new.” She walked closer so Werner wouldn’t hear. “They asked questions about Amos. I think they are looking at him as a possible suspect.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I know, but that’s what they told me. They think he’ll profit with Malachi out of the way, and they said Amos knew the man who died in that car. They said they had him — Amos, I mean — at a club talking to him on CCTV footage. They think he paid that man to hit Malachi's buggy.”
“Is that so?”
“Jah, but it could’ve been any Amish man on that footage. They all look the same in their clothes, don’t they?”
“That’s right. It doesn’t sound like something Amos would do. Did you tell them that Amos offered Malachi the farm and had drawn papers up to give it to him?”
“Nee. I didn’t. Maybe I did leave that part out. I told him everything else about the arrangement Malachi had with Amos. Detective Graeme thinks Amos has a buyer for the farm, just like you heard.”
Magda looked out over the fields. “I don’t know if it’ll be profitable this year.”
“Most likely not, but still it’s better than the barren earth we found when we got here, and I’ve got last year’s figures to prove it.”
Magda shook her head. “You shouldn’t go anywhere by yourself. You could’ve fainted again. Take me with you from now on. Okay?”
“I will.”
Magda stepped forward. “You mean it?”
“I do.”
“I’ve made soup for lunch. You need to keep your strength up. I’ll have Werner handle the horse and buggy.” After Magda had yelled for her son to come back from the fields, Magda and Jeanie walked inside.
* * *
Jeanie sat quietly with her mother-in-law as they ate their chicken and corn chowder. “I don’t think Amos has a buyer.”
“That’s what I heard,” Magda said.
“He’s straightforward with things. He told me about Zelda’s brothers and if he had a buyer I’m sure he would’ve said so.”
“You might be right. Time will tell.”
Jeanie gazed upon her creamy soup. “Time is something we don’t have a lot of.”
Chapter 18
When Saturday rolled around, Jeanie asked Magda to meet Amos’s buggy at their regular time of nine in the morning when he arrived at the farm. Magda told Amos Jeanie wasn’t feeling very well. He sent his regards and went home.
Jeanie hoped she was doing the right thing, but if she spent any more time alone with him she’d have to tell him about the baby. They never talked to one another much at the meetings on Sundays in case they set tongues wagging. Through the week, they both worked, so Saturdays were all they had.
On Saturday afternoon, Magda and Jeanie once again worried about their future as they made a large evening meal, enough so there’d be leftovers for their day of rest.
“I should be relaxing and looking forward to my baby rather than worrying about everything.” Jeanie continued to chop carrots into small pieces.
“You can relax when this is all over.”
“But, what will the police reveal and who could’ve wanted Malachi dead? There must be some mistake.”
“What if Amos wanted him gone?” Magda said.
“What are you saying?”
“Well, it’s possible it's his way of getting you and the farm, Jeanie.”
Jeanie narrowed her eyes at her. “Don’t joke about it.”
“I’m sorry. You’ve been spending time with him, so maybe he’ll changed his mind about selling. Just like he changed his mind about Zelda, and also Zelda’s brothers. That only proves what I said. He liked you a long time ago.”
“Let’s rethink what we believe to be true. Who would profit from Malachi being injured? Zelda, so she could have her brothers help run the farm and eventually take it over?”
Magda shook her head.
“Why not? What do we know about her?” Jeanie asked.
“Enough to know she’s not a murderer. It must’ve been an Englischer who did it.” Magda filled a pot with water and then set it on the lit stovetop.
“Why don’t we investigate things ourselves?”
Magda sat back down. “How?”
“We’ll invite them here to the farm, Zelda and her brothers. What if we say we’re considering leaving the farm, and we bring all the brothers here to teach them what to do?”
Magda grimaced. “That’s only a good idea if we’re convinced it was one of them.”
“We could find out.”
“How?”
Jeanie sighed. “I’m not sure. One of us would have to get closer to Zelda. She already doesn’t like me.” Jeanie hoped Magda would offer to befriend her.
“I think you’re wrong, Jeanie. She might not like you, but she might decide to be nice to you to find out exactly what’s going on between you and Amos.”
“He changed his mind about the brothers but I don’t know how else we can find out if it was one of them. They’re the only ones I can think of who stood to gain anything with Malachi out of the way. I’ll see if I can talk things over with Amos. I’ll tell him the farm is getting a bit much for us.”
“Then we’ll have to change our course when we find out more. For now, we go with what we know.”
Jeanie leaned back in her chair and held her head. She felt like she was in a family of gangsters plotting against someone. This was not the life she had thought she’d have when she joined the Amish and married Malachi.
* * *
That night, all Jeanie wanted was to be in a dark room, somewhere quiet, where she wouldn’t have to think. “I’ll have an early night if you can do my share of the washing up, Werner?” Jeanie asked.
“Of course.”
“Not feeling well?” Magda asked.
“It’s all a bit too much for me.”
“Mind those stairs.”
“I’ll be careful. Don’t worry.” Jeanie climbed the steep stairs that they’d always planned to fix, and opened her bedroom door. She pulled off her prayer kapp before she went and looked out the window across the darkened fields. When Malachi was alive, they’d look out that very window most evenings, and they’d both felt a sense of pride at what they’d accomplished. Was God now punishing them for that pride? It was God who gave the increase. Had they moved their focus away from God in their diligence to make a profit and keep the farm at any cost? Was He angry with them? She covered her tummy with her hand and prayed.
Would God want them to discover who paid that man to crash into Malachi’s buggy? She moved to her bedside table, unpinned and then unbraided her nearly waist-length hair. Then she slowly ran her fingers through it to loosen the tangles as she tried to untangle her thoughts.
She was reminded that there was no security in this world except with God. For her peace of mind and the health of her baby, she had to rely on Him. Without her husband to lean on, He was now all she had.
Standing by the window again, a cold shiver rippled up her spine. She was there alone in the room that she once shared with Malachi.
There was a gaping void in her life without having someone to share it with. Magda was right, it would be better for her child to have a male figure to grow up with. Even though Werner was living with them now, he wouldn’t be there forever. He’d meet some lovely girl and get married, then it would be just Magda and her alone. Two lonely widows raising a child.
She heaved a sigh, undid her apron and lifted her dress over her head. Reaching under her pillow, she took hold of her cotton nightgown and pulled it on. This place had been her home for so long it would be hard to leave it, but now it was becoming more likely every day. The only way she could cope with the future was to be carefree about the outcome. Whatever is your will, God. Thy will be done. She got into bed and slid under the quilt, closed her eyes and focused her thoughts on the pleasant times she’d had with Malachi.
As much as she tried, her mind kept going back to sorrow-filled places.
Never would she feel Malachi’s warm breath on her neck, never enjoy the caress of his fingertips, or the softness of his lips against hers. She had no hand to hold while drifting off to sleep. Her life would be forever filled with lonely nights in cold beds. Her thoughts turned to her child, who’d never see Malachi’s face and never even hear the sound of his voice.
Sleep came to Jeanie that night, but not before her pillow was soaked with her tears.
The next day at the Sunday meeting, Jeanie had one thing on her mind and that was what she’d say to Amos when she spoke with him. Jeanie looked over at Amos as she sat with Magda in one of the center rows waiting for the meeting to begin.
“I see Zelda’s here. She didn’t go home like you thought she would,” Magda leaned over and whispered in Jeanie’s ear.
“I just overheard that one of Zelda’s brothers is coming tomorrow and staying for a few weeks. They still want to move to this community.”
Magda’s eyes flickered with annoyance. “Make sure you talk with him and find out exactly what’s going on.”
“I will, don’t worry.”
They sat through the meeting and Jeanie was so churned up about her uncertain future that she barely listened to a word of the teachings. After the meeting, she waited until Amos was alone.
“How are you feeling?” he asked when she approached.
“Much better, denke.”
“You don’t look too good.”
She raised her eyebrows. “That’s because I’m a little confused about something. Did you tell Zelda about us?”
“I did.”
“Then what’s going on with Zelda’s brother coming here?”
“I feel obligated to help her brothers because I told her I would. I mentioned I can find work for them here.”
Jeanie shook her head. “You mention a lot of things, Amos.”
He stared at her and she could see the concern in his dark eyes. “I’m only trying to help people.”
“What did you say to her?”
“Zelda?”
“Jah.”
He took a deep breath. “It didn’t go as well as I hoped. I told her I had feelings for someone else and she dismissed it. It was as though she didn’t hear. I tried, believe me. I don’t want to string her along or give her a false impression, but what can I do if she won’t listen?”
“That would be hard.” She shook her head. “I’m sorry, Amos. I’m just feeling out of sorts today. I’m grumpy.”
He chuckled. “It’s okay. I can understand that.”
“There’s no excuse for a bad mood.”
“Your life has changed in a short space of time. It can be excused.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want it to keep changing.”
He slowly nodded, and then they were interrupted by Zelda. “What are you two talking about?” Her attitude was fun and carefree and not at all like her usual self.
“Amos was just telling me your bruder is coming to stay soon.”
“Jah. One of them. I have three. They’re wanting to move here. I’ve told them all about this community and the opportunities here.”
“That’s good. I hope they move here.”
“Denke for your kind offer, Jeanie.”
“Um, what was that?” Jeanie asked.
“Magda told me just now that my bruder is welcome to stay at the farm, so Werner can show him how the place is run.”
Jeanie opened her mouth about to say something when she saw Amos staring at her in disbelief.
“What’s going on?” Amos asked Jeanie.
“It seems Magda has invited Zelda’s bruder to stay with us for a few weeks, or however long he wants.” She looked up at Zelda. Things hadn’t gone according to plan, but maybe that was for the best. “When did you talk with Magda?”
“Just now.”
“I’ve got to see someone about something. Excuse me.” Jeanie left them and walked away to the other side of the bishop’s yard. She looked back and saw Amos looking about for her, so she deliberately joined in a conversation with a group of people. Before long, Amos was right beside her.
“Can I have a word with you, Jeanie?”
“Sure.” She took a few steps away with him.
“What are you doing? Don’t you want the farm now?”
“I do. Nothing’s changed.”
“Then what was all that about just now? Why would you encourage Jeanie’s bruder? It doesn’t make sense.”
“It was Magda who invited her. Have the police been to see you?”
“About the accident?”
“Jah.”
“They have. They’ve questioned me on a couple of occasions, why?”
“It’s just that they think it wasn’t an accident.”
His eyebrows drew together. “What then if it wasn’t an accident?”
She looked around about her and then whispered, “They found a note at the man’s place, the driver of the car. There was a note explaining where to best hit the buggy to tip it over. Where to hit it and so forth and at what speed.”
“Nee.”
She nodded. “It’s true.”
“They didn’t tell me t
hat.” He rubbed his chin. “What does this have to do with having Zelda’s bruder —”
Jeanie took a deep breath, and thought it best to tell the truth. “Magda and I wondered if one or more of Zelda’s brothers wanted Malachi out of the way, to clear the farm for them. They might not have meant to kill him, just injure him. What do you know about her brothers?”
“Don’t tell me that you believe it too?”
“Well, I don’t know, but the police found … Did they tell you they think you were talking to the man who died in the car? I think that they think you might have paid him to do it.” She could see the horrified look on Amos’s face. “The driver was a criminal and he was paid to crash into the buggy.”
“I didn’t do it. I’ll talk to the police tomorrow and straighten this whole thing out. Why would someone want Malachi harmed?”
“I have no idea. Do you know Zelda’s brothers?”
“I’ve never met them, but they’re well-respected members of their community.”
Jeanie looked over at Zelda. “Why are they so anxious to leave their community then?”
“Lack of work. Look, I don’t think it’s a good idea to have him stay with you. He would’ve had nothing to do with it. Besides, what are you going to do, torture him, interrogate him?”
“My husband was murdered and I want to find out who did it.”
“What difference will it make? He’s gone.”
“I just need to know.”
“The end result is still the same. He’s not coming back.”
“I know that.” Her head was swimming. “I need to sit down.”
“Are you okay? You’re pale and you’re not making a lot of sense.”
She had to think fast. The last thing she wanted was for him to guess she was pregnant. “Ah, my blood pressure’s been a little low.”
He grabbed a nearby chair and brought it over for her to sit on. Then he took hold of another and sat beside her for a while. “I can’t allow Zelda’s bruder to stay with you.”
“You don’t trust us?”
“It’s not that. I can’t give him or Zelda false hope. I’ve already decided to leave the farm with you.”
The Amish Potato Farmer's Widow Page 8