“You didn’t.” Rebecca wanted desperately to console him, but she knew he’d pull away. She was just happy he was finally opening up.
“Either way, I think you need to stop asking questions. It’s only causing us more problems. People are also still mad about Willard. We have to let it go and then things will die down.”
“We can’t let people get away with harassing us. When will it stop?”
“Leave it alone, and it will stop.” Samuel turned the key on the door, then picked up the knife and carried it into the kitchen. The metal blade clattered against the porcelain sink.
Was Samuel right? If she stopped asking questions, if she ignored the harassment, would whoever was doing this get bored and finally leave her family alone?
She closed her eyes and looked up at the night sky. Her wish was a foolish one.
*
Jake didn’t have to teach his Intro to the Amish class until noon, so he drove out to the Fishers’ farm early the next morning, hoping to catch the Yoder brothers and see what they’d been up to last night after they’d raced away from the Sunday singing in a car. He hoped the young Amish men he had gotten to know weren’t involved in the horseplay that had gotten Rebecca thrown off her buggy.
A dark foreboding knotted his gut. What if it hadn’t been horseplay and they had intentionally tried to hurt Rebecca?
Jake had called Sheriff Maxwell last night to ask if there had been any incidents, car accidents, things along that line, with the Amish last night. The sheriff claimed they hadn’t had any calls. It had been a quiet night for the most part. The sheriff said he’d send additional patrols by the Fisher farm. Jake hoped that wouldn’t cause more problems between Samuel and Rebecca.
Something about Samuel’s evasive answers had kept Jake awake most of the night. The young man was either up to something or afraid of something. Or both. Jake had to get Samuel to trust him enough to open up. But he had to be careful not to alienate him like he had Elmer.
Jake parked on the dirt driveway. When he pushed open his car door, he heard angry voices coming from the barn. Jake couldn’t make out the words, just the hostile tone. He broke into a jog and slowed at the doorway. Through the opening, he saw Samuel and Uri Yoder standing inches apart. Samuel had his arm up, ready to strike.
“Hey, hey, hey…” Jake yelled as he stormed into the barn. “What’s going on?”
The two young men spun around to face him. Samuel lowered his fist and his shoulders immediately sagged. He crossed his arms and huffed, as if struggling to contain his anger.
“What’s going on?” Jake repeated.
An aw-shucks smile spread across Uri’s face. He took off his straw hat and rubbed the back of his hand across his forehead. “I mucked out the stalls yesterday and I was trying to get Samuel to take his turn.”
Samuel’s head snapped up, to call him a liar or perhaps surprised at the comment as if that wasn’t what they had been arguing over.
Jake strolled in closer and dared put a hand on both men’s shoulders. “What’s really going on here?”
Samuel squirmed, stepping away from Jake’s touch. “What Uri said. But since we’re paying him to work here, he doesn’t get to decide what I do.” He hiked up his chin, daring Uri to defy him. “He and his brother are hired farmhands. We tell them what to do.”
Uri pulled away with a hard set of his jaw. He grabbed the pitchfork leaning against the stall. “Yeah, whatever. I thought we were friends.”
“Wait up,” Jake said to Uri. “Did you hear what happened last night?”
The two young men shared a quick glance that might have gone unnoticed if Jake hadn’t been watching them closely.
“I told him this morning.” Samuel glanced at the hay strewn on the barn floor and kicked it around with his boot.
“Is that the first you’d heard of it?” Jake watched Uri’s expression carefully.
The young man’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Are you accusing me of something? As if this day couldn’t get any worse…” Without waiting for an answer, Uri stomped into the horse’s stall and lifted a manure pile with the fork and dumped it into a nearby wheelbarrow.
Jake rubbed his jawline, realizing that antagonizing these young men wasn’t going to help him and his research or, more important, Rebecca. She needed these young men to harvest the crops or she’d be in serious financial trouble.
Uri swiped his brow with the sleeve of his blue shirt. “I only learned of Mrs. Fisher’s accident this morning.” He lifted another load into the wheelbarrow.
Jake held his breath against the pungent smell.
“Are you both going to stand there and watch me? I have plenty of work to do and I don’t appreciate an audience.”
Determined to lighten the mood, Jake said, “You guys free to meet for dinner at the diner? Tonight maybe?”
Samuel lifted a shoulder, then let it drop. “Sure.”
Uri set the pitchfork down and rested his elbow on the handle. “Food?” He smiled slyly. “I’m in.”
Uri went back to work and Jake led Samuel toward the barn door. “Everything okay here, for real?”
Samuel rolled his eyes. “Yeah, everything’s fine.”
Jake nodded slowly. “Your mem home?”
“Inside making breakfast.”
Jake didn’t want to get all sentimental and scare the young man away, but he had to keep reminding Samuel that he was available if he needed anything.
Samuel’s lips flattened into a thin line. He had reacted negatively when Jake first told him this. Perhaps the young man didn’t want to be reminded that he didn’t have a father. Even when he’d had one, the guy wasn’t much of a role model.
*
The delicious scent of bacon filled the small space of Rebecca’s kitchen. She lined the strips on a plate, careful not to let the grease splash.
Every muscle in her legs, arms and back ached from being thrown from the buggy last night. She was grateful the accident hadn’t been worse than it had been, but she couldn’t forget the angry exchange with Samuel in the middle of the night. Someone had stuck a blade in their front door.
Did it really have to do with Elmer’s death? Something niggled at her. What more was Samuel hiding?
She wondered if it was time to call the sheriff, but she was caught between a rock and a hard place. Would Samuel be held responsible because he knew Elmer had been doing drugs before his death? Would Samuel shut down for good if she betrayed his confidence? She drew in a deep breath and let it out.
She couldn’t think clearly. She had already lost so much. She tossed the tongs in the sink and glanced out the window. Her heart stuttered in her chest. Dressed in a handsome sport coat and clean shaven, the professor walked across the yard toward the house.
Instinctively, she smoothed what little hair wasn’t hidden under her bonnet. She ran a hand down her skirt. When she reached the front door, he was already on the porch.
He tilted his head and a half smile slanted his lips.
Exactly what she didn’t need.
“I didn’t expect you this morning.” She hoped her expression was inscrutable.
“How are you?”
Rebecca moved her arms as if to remind herself that her muscles did indeed still ache. “A little sore. But at least I’m in one piece…and dry.” She ran a finger under her chin. “Were you in the barn?”
The professor nodded. “I paid a visit to Samuel and Uri. They seemed to be having a disagreement over chores.”
“Hmm? That’s unusual.” Her mind went to Samuel’s sour mood last night.
He took a step forward, the wood creaking under his weight. “What’s on your mind?”
Rebecca worried her lower lip. “Someone stuck a knife in the door last night.” She turned and ran her fingers over the small scar the knife had left.
Worry creased the corner of his eyes. “That’s odd.”
“I thought so, too.” Rebecca nodded toward the inside. “Come in. I don’t want
Samuel to overhear.”
They walked into the kitchen, and she encouraged the professor to sit while she started the coffee. The smell of freshly cooked bacon and eggs hung in the air.
“Samuel finally opened up to me and I need someone objective to help me decide how to handle this.” She had never expected to be a single parent.
She paused and pressed her lips into a thin line. “You have to promise me to keep this in confidence.”
The professor gave her a quick nod.
“Samuel feels guilty because Elmer was living in our barn after his father kicked him out. He knew Elmer was on drugs the night he died.”
“You had no idea Elmer was staying in your barn?”
“Neh. None. And Samuel claims all the electronics in his room belonged to Elmer.”
“Did Samuel have an explanation for the knife in the door?”
“He thinks people are blaming him for Elmer’s death with some residual anger about Willard. That if I stop asking questions, things will quietly go back to normal.”
The professor got a faraway look in his eyes, as if he were processing all the information. “Samuel must think it’s one of the youngie harassing you. Why else would he tell you to stop asking questions? Your questions led me to go to the Sunday singing.”
A headache started behind her eyes. “What are they trying to hide?”
“Drug use? Or are they just angry and lashing out?”
She lifted a shaky hand to her collar, suddenly feeling very hot in her small kitchen. “I don’t know. I don’t know anything anymore.”
“Do you think Samuel is into drugs?”
All the color drained from her already pale face. Isn’t that why she had gone to the professor initially? To find out what was going on with Samuel, even if it included drugs.
“I don’t know. I pray he isn’t,” she whispered.
The sound of footsteps on the back porch had Rebecca swiping at unseen tears. Uri and Samuel burst through the back door.
“Breakfast is ready.” She glanced at Uri and Samuel. “Where’s Jonas?”
“He’ll be in shortly,” Uri said. He smiled at Rebecca, and washed his hands at the sink. “Everything looks great, Mrs. Fisher.”
“Eat up. I know you boys have more work once you get home to your own farm.”
The boys filled their plates and sat down.
“Working the land is gut. I feel close to Gott.” Uri rubbed his hands together before picking up a piece of bacon and biting into it.
“Would you like to eat, Professor?”
He smiled at her and nodded. “Thank you.” He filled a plate and took a seat at the head of the table. No one had sat in Willard’s chair since he had left. The sensation that rolled over her was a strange one. She turned toward the counter and collected herself before joining everyone at the table.
They bowed their heads in silent prayer. A few minutes later, Jonas walked through the back door. “Sorry, my chores took a little bit longer this morning.” He washed his hands, then sat to eat, too.
“Where are the little ones?” Jonas asked, curiosity in his eyes.
“They spent the night with their cousins.”
“Oh.”
The empty chairs at the table emphasized her daughters’ absence. She missed her little girls. She hoped the day at the diner went quickly so she could pick up her daughters and bring them home. She felt out of sorts with her family scattered. She looked at Samuel who ate silently, a forlorn expression on his face.
And the one who was here seemed the farthest away.
SIX
“I was hoping I’d see you here.” Hannah Spencer strolled into the diner midafternoon. She had a shopping bag in each hand.
“Nice to see you.” Rebecca always felt a sense of loss when she saw her old friend. They were still friendly, but not like they had been while growing up. How could they be? Rebecca’s husband had killed Hannah’s sister and brother-in-law. No amount of time would allow either of them to forget that.
Hannah sat down at the counter and glanced around. “Place is quiet.”
“Usually is around now. It’s the lull between lunch and dinner.” Rebecca grabbed a mug and poured a cup of coffee for her friend.
Hannah took a long sip. “Ahh…just how I like it.”
Rebecca wiped the counter, mostly for something to do.
Flo grabbed a couple empty mugs from the other side of the counter and lifted them in greeting. “I’m going to take a short break before the dinner crowd starts rolling in.” She turned and pushed open the door into the kitchen with her shoulder. As it swung back, the hinges creaked until the door finally stopped.
Hannah caught Rebecca’s hand and squeezed it. “You seem…tired, sad.” She tilted her head. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
Rebecca glanced over her shoulder, trying to hide her emotions. Hannah was such a dear friend and she really missed her. Had missed her long before she’d left to marry Spencer. Hannah had run away from the Amish as a teenager only to return when her sister Ruth had been killed. By then, Willard had made it nearly impossible for Rebecca to have friends.
“I’ll be okay.” Rebecca fidgeted with the metal napkin holder, grabbing a stack of napkins from under the counter and refilling it.
Would she ever shake this guilt?
Rebecca looked at her friend, who was studying her. “How are things with you? Are you happy?” The question flew out of her mouth before she had a chance to call it back.
Hannah’s brow creased. She tucked a strand of her neatly bobbed hair behind her ear and leaned forward. Probably a throwback to her Amish days, she didn’t wear any makeup, yet she was one of the prettiest women Rebecca knew. Or maybe it was her personality Rebecca had always been drawn to.
“Yes, I’m very happy. I’d worried about the girls adjusting, but they seem to be doing well.”
Rebecca ran her hand along the molded edge of the countertop. “Everyone has been through so much. I feel selfish for only thinking of my own problems.” It wasn’t the Amish way. The Amish considered community and not individuality.
Rebecca noticed a puddle of water on the counter, so she picked up the dishtowel and wiped it up. Then, twisting the towel in her hands, she said, “Maybe I should leave Apple Creek. Take the girls—Samuel if he’ll go—and make a fresh start in another Amish community.” She stared off into the middle distance, not really aware of her surroundings. “I could move closer to Rochester. There are a few Amish church districts that are in fellowship with Apple Creek.”
Hannah reached out and clutched her friend’s hand. “Oh, you can’t run away. We’d miss you too much. Apple Creek is your home.”
Hannah’s voice grew soft. “This is your home.”
Rebecca’s friend’s face grew blurry. “It doesn’t feel like home anymore.”
*
Jake smiled as Rebecca approached their table that evening. She handed a menu to him and Samuel. “Are you expecting anyone else?” she asked, all business.
“Yes.” Jake held up three fingers. “Three more.”
She set three extra plastic menus at the edge of the table. “I’ll be right back with the silverware and water.”
“Thank you,” both men said in unison.
Rebecca turned and walked away.
Resting his forearms on the edge of the table, Jake leaned toward Samuel and lowered his voice. “You have no reason to feel guilty over Elmer’s death.”
Samuel’s mouth fell open, then his posture sagged. “Of course my mem told you everything.”
“She’s worried about you.”
The young man rolled his eyes.
Jake tapped his fingers on the table, trying to figure out how to broach the subject. Be direct.
“If anyone should feel guilty, it’s me.”
Samuel slowly met Jake’s gaze but didn’t say anything.
“During one of our meetings, I sensed Elmer was high. I confronted him. At first Elmer denied it,
but then he finally told me he was just—” Jake lifted his hands to use air quotes “—smoking a little pot. No biggie.”
Jake ran a hand across his face, then glanced over his shoulder to make sure Rebecca wasn’t coming. “I forced him to tell his father.”
Samuel tucked his chin closer to his chest and a deep line furrowed his brow in disbelief. “Why would you do that?”
“I watched my own father die from addiction. Alcohol.” Jake slowly shook his head, reliving every misstep he had taken with Elmer. “I thought I was doing the right thing.” He shrugged, hoping the nonchalant gesture would ease the weight bearing down on his chest. “But as you know, his father kicked him out. He spiraled downward from there.” He studied the palm of his hand, unable to look into Samuel’s eyes. “If anyone’s to blame, it’s me.”
Samuel let out a long breath.
Jake finally lifted his head and pinned the young man across from him with his gaze. “I want you to know that if you need someone to talk to I’m here. Guilt is an unrelenting companion.”
The young man snorted. “You’ll tell my mem.”
Jake shook his head. “Not if you don’t want me to.” He set his clasped hands in front of him on the table. “If you’re caught up in drugs, I want to help you.”
“Wait a minute—” Samuel stopped whatever he was about to say. Jake glanced over his shoulder and saw Rebecca returning with a tray of glasses filled with ice water.
Just then the door opened and Tommy, Jake’s teaching assistant, strolled into the diner and slipped into the seat next to Samuel.
Rebecca smiled. “I’ll give you a few minutes to read the menu.” Jake suspected that no one who frequented the Apple Creek Diner actually needed to consult the menu.
A muscle ticked in Samuel’s jaw and Jake regretted that they hadn’t had a couple more minutes to talk in private.
Fidgeting in his seat as if he had somewhere else to go, Tommy drummed his fingers on the plastic menu. “Uri called me a few minutes ago. He and Jonas can’t make it. They had some chores at home.”
“Maybe we should meet another time.” Samuel suddenly seemed agitated, glancing over his shoulder at the window.
Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #1 Page 26