Plain Pursuit

by Alison Stone

  Katie Mae had flattened herself against a tree, a hand over her mouth. He clutched his sister’s arms. “Are you okay?” Katie nodded. The flames reflected in her terror-filled eyes. “Stay here. Don’t move. Do you understand?”

  Katie Mae nodded.

  Breaking into a full run, he approached the front of the cabin. The heat from the fire pushed him back. The bright glow of the flames made the surrounding area black as night. He heaved from the exertion. Adrenaline pumped through his veins. “Anna! Anna!” he screamed.

  No answer. The entire woods had turned silent.

  Black smoke clogged his lungs. Bending at his waist, he braced his hands on his knees. His pulse thrummed in his ears. He strained to hear. He wanted something—anything —to indicate Anna was okay.

  Okay, God. I haven’t come to You for much lately, but if You are really out there, I need You now. Don’t let me down. Please send Anna safely to me.

  The crackling of dried beams split the night air. The cabin was going up like a tinderbox. No way could anyone survive.

  Please God.

  Panic made his heart race. Frantically, he pointed his flashlight to the black edges of the yard. He strode around to the side of the cabin, searching for an alternate way in. The beam from his flashlight bounced off a side window.

  “Anna! Anna!”

  Exploding glass made him jump back. The flames licked the edges of the window.

  Please God, help Anna escape. Help me find her in time.

  Despite the roaring in his ears a calmness descended upon him. He strode around the back of the cabin as if driven by some unseen hand. He had to push aside overgrown shrubs and low tree branches to make his way to the back door.

  A twig snapped and he whirled his flashlight around. Anna stepped out from behind a tree, and she held a hand up to block the beam from his flashlight. Relief flooded his system. He pulled her into a fierce embrace. Glancing up, he whispered, “Thank You, God.” He leaned back to look at her. The oranges flames glinted in the whites of her eyes. “You are okay, aren’t you?”

  Anna nodded and buried her face in his chest. “I got out before the explosion. I hid behind a tree.”

  The taste of charred wood coated his dry mouth. Thank you.

  “What happened?” He traced her cheek with the pad of his thumb. Tears left tracks on her sooty face.

  “There was a man in there.” She swiped a hand across her wet cheek. “He ran toward me, but I got around him and escaped out the back door.”

  Eli ran a protective hand down her arm. “Did he touch you?”

  “No.” Her fair skin glistened from the heat of the fire.

  His eyes drifted toward the inferno. “I didn’t notice anyone leaving through the front.”

  “No, he followed me out the back. That’s why I hid.” She released a long shaky breath. “Hiding probably spared me getting hurt from the explosion.”

  “I shouldn’t have brought you here.” Obviously someone wanted them to stop investigating Mary’s disappearance. He couldn’t live with losing someone he cared about. Not again. The realization nearly knocked the wind out of him.

  Anna narrowed her gaze. “I wanted to come with you, remember? I have as much at stake as you do.”

  Shaking his head, he plucked his cell phone from his back pocket. No signal. Figures. “We’ll have to hike back to the car and get help. You think you can manage?” Anna took a step, testing her legs. He grabbed her elbow to steady her, his gaze scanning the darkened woods around them. Katie Mae. Sweat trickling down between his shoulder blades, he strode as fast as he could, guiding Anna by her elbow. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks when he saw Katie Mae standing exactly where he had left her.

  “What happened?” Katie Mae’s whisper was barely audible over the crackling of the timber.

  “Do you think we should look for a hose? I’d hate for the trees to go up,” Anna said.

  “No, we wouldn’t stand a chance with a hose. I hope the drenching rain we had earlier will buy us time to call the fire department.”

  Eli held Anna’s forearm tightly as they made their way down the path. He kept his flashlight beam pointed ahead, aware of his sister leading the way. The weight of his gun in its holster provided a measure of comfort. Whoever did this hadn’t gone far. They were probably still in the woods nearby. Watching them. If they had been desperate enough to blow up the cabin, they wouldn’t hesitate to come after them as they made their way across the rutted path to his vehicle.

  * * *

  A million stars dotted the sky as Eli climbed out of his SUV. He had called the fire department as soon as he had gotten cell phone reception—which happened to be where the car was parked. Then they stopped at the sheriff’s station to give a full report. Eli told Katie Mae not to tell their parents about Mary’s kapp. He didn’t want his parents to worry and he didn’t want the information to get out. Not yet, anyway.

  After seeing Anna and Katie Mae safely home, he drove to the closest neighbors with a landline. He didn’t have the patience to drive back into town to get cell phone reception. He made a few quick phone calls to work associates in Buffalo, then rushed back to his parents’ house, uneasy that he had left Anna out of his sight.

  He slipped off his mud-caked shoes at the back door and gave his mother a weary smile.

  Mariam looked up from her meal preparations. “She’s upstairs cleaning up.” His mother answered his unasked question. “Katie Mae told me there was a fire?” Her brow furrowed in confusion.

  “It’s a long story, Mem. But I’m going to take Anna somewhere else to stay. It’s too dangerous for her here.” His hand instinctively went to his gun. He could protect himself. Now he had to protect Anna. Someone didn’t want them to uncover the truth. “I’m afraid staying here isn’t a good idea.” He glanced around the tidy but plain kitchen, starting to understand how the simple life left room for so much more. His job—his responsibilities—weighed heavily on him. “I can’t do that to you and Father. You’ve already been through so much.”

  Mariam placed the wooden spoon down on the counter and turned around slowly. “I already spoke with your father. You must stay as long as you are in town.” His father would have never extended the offer personally, but his mother’s words spoke volumes.

  Eli rubbed the back of his neck. He had already called in a few friends from Buffalo to provide extra security. Whether he and Anna stayed here or not, he wanted someone keeping an eye on his parents’ property. No one was going to get to his parents’ house without raising a red flag.

  “Thanks.” Eli patted his mother’s hand and she met his gaze with a tired smile. “Maybe it would be best if I kept an eye on things here, too. I’m going to check on Anna.”

  Eli climbed the stairs and stopped outside Anna’s bedroom. The soft glow from the lamp flickered through the crack underneath the door. He knocked quietly. He heard a muted shuffling, then saw a shadow under the door. A second later, her clean, pale face shone up at him. Her hair was wrapped in a white towel, and she had on a T-shirt and gray pajama bottoms.

  Feeling his face redden—something he wasn’t accustomed to—he stepped back. “I’m sorry. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  Anna stepped aside and held out her arm, welcoming him into her room. He crossed over to the window. Under the bright moon, he could see the landscape. The barn loomed as an imposing figure across the yard. Someone had been stalking Anna from its loft. Despite his mother’s insistence, maybe staying here wasn’t the best idea. Indecision dogged him. He glanced down at his cell phone for the time. His reinforcements should be here soon.

  He turned around to face Anna. Something he didn’t dare acknowledge stirred in his heart, but he dismissed it as his protective instinct. Nothing more. “I talked to the chief of the fire department. They have the fire contained
. He thinks one of the propane tanks on the back porch blew.”

  Anna nodded but didn’t say anything. “There’s something I didn’t tell you.”

  Eli narrowed his gaze. She sat on the corner of the bed. “The person I saw...”

  “The person in the cabin?”

  “Yes.” The look in Anna’s eyes was tentative. She seemed to be searching for the right words. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Katie Mae, but he’s Amish.”

  A pounding started behind Eli’s eyes. He slumped against the windowsill. “Why do you think that?”

  Anna pulled the white towel from her head. Her curly hair spilled out around her shoulders, leaving wet spots on her dark-blue T-shirt. “I saw the outline of his—” She touched the crown of her head. “It had a brim, like the hats the Amish wear.”

  Eli pushed a hand through his hair. “That can’t be.” Anna met him with an unwavering stare but didn’t say anything. “The Amish don’t believe in violence. They are conscientious objectors. They never resort to violence.” He realized the ridiculousness of this generalization. The Amish were people, too, who made good and bad choices. They had free will, just like everyone else.

  “I’m just telling you what I saw,” Anna said through gritted teeth.

  “Maybe in the confusion...” He stopped arguing when he met her steely gaze of determination.

  “The person in the cabin was wearing an Amish hat.” She lowered her voice. “Maybe he wanted me to think he was Amish.” Narrowing her gaze, she seemed deep in thought. “But I don’t think he was expecting me. I surprised him. Maybe I’m grasping at straws, but I think he was looking for something.” She scratched absentmindedly at a red mark on her arm. “Who knew we were going to the cabin?”

  “Only Dr. Christopher. Chase’s grandfather. I called him. He’s a good man. When he was still practicing medicine, he often treated the Amish for little or no fee. He owns the property and I wanted his permission to search it in case we found anything. Otherwise, if we found evidence, we wouldn’t be able to use it in a court of law.”

  “Why would he give his permission?”

  Eli shrugged. “I suppose he didn’t think we’d find anything.”

  Anna nodded slowly. “Maybe Dr. Christopher told someone...or someone overheard the conversation.”

  Eli rubbed his jaw. “Tom Hanson lives with him. I’ll talk to him.”

  Anna stood and crossed to the window. The scent of her hair coiled through him and against his better judgment, he took a step closer. The only indication she was aware of his proximity was the faint blush of pink blossoming up her neck. She stared out the window, her arms hanging loosely at her sides. He reached out and twirled a wet strand of hair around his fingers. Boldly, he cupped her cheek with his other hand and turned her face toward his.

  “You scared me today,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.

  A thin line, barely visible in the flickering glow of the soft light, creased her forehead. He traced the line with his finger, then let it drop to the softness of her cheek. “I reached out to God when I couldn’t find you during the fire.”

  A small smile played on her lips.

  He lowered his gaze before lifting it to meet hers. “Sometimes He does answer our prayers.”

  She blinked slowly as his finger moved down to tilt her chin. Leaning in, he brushed his lips chastely against hers, testing her resolve. He pulled back and studied her face. Her dark lashes rested against her pale cheeks.

  Under different circumstances.

  Something stirred deep within him. She smelled of lotion and soap. Her freshly scrubbed face had never been more beautiful.

  It was Anna who broke the spell swirling around them. She bowed her head, then stepped back from his touch. She crossed her arms over her T-shirt, as if embarrassed. “We’re both under a lot of stress.” Her clear hazel eyes locked with his. He wanted to tell her it was more than that. That he had started to care for her deeply. But could she ever trust him when he still had doubts about her brother’s involvement with Mary’s disappearance?

  “Anna—”

  A rapping at the door startled them. They stepped guiltily apart. “Come in,” Anna said, her voice scratchy.

  The door creaked open. Abram stood in the doorway, a stern look on his face. He waited for his father’s scolding as if he were a teenager again. But the scolding never came. “Two men are downstairs. I believe you called for them.”

  * * *

  Anna followed Eli downstairs, her hand skimming the top of the railing. Lightheaded, she didn’t trust her legs to support her. The sweet sensation from his tender kiss had affected her like no other. Could she be falling for this man? She didn’t even want to imagine that complication. Maybe her emotions stemmed more from loneliness now her only family was gone. She hated that needy part of her. She had always been so independent.

  Unexpected longing twisted around her heart. Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone to rely on? She rubbed her temples. Her thoughts suddenly shifted. Someone to let her down? To hurt her? To leave her?

  At the bottom of the stairs, two men dressed in jeans and dark golf shirts greeted Eli. He shook their hands and introduced them to Anna and Abram. Abram didn’t appear too welcoming.

  “I invited Dominic and William to help me keep an eye on things,” Eli said, his gaze trained on his father.

  Abram hiked his chin. “We have had enough of the outside world to last us a lifetime.” Cutting his gaze toward his son, he continued, “This is my home. You should have asked before you invited these men here.”

  Eli stared resolutely at his father. “You would have said no.”

  “Then I think you’d understand why I find this disrespectful. You have never respected our ways. You made that abundantly clear when you left Apple Creek. You can continue your way of life but not under my roof. If you ever decide to join us fully in baptism, we will welcome you with open arms.” Abram’s tone was sharp, angry. Although he had always been stern, Anna had never heard him raise his voice. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Eli wince.

  “Father, I respect your position. However, Dominic and William are with a private security firm. I have hired them to patrol the premises until we can figure out who has been trying to hurt Anna.” Eli slid his hand across the small of her back. She resisted the urge to lean into him, to find strength in him. “I promise you they will not interfere with your way of life.” Eli seemed to pick his words carefully.

  Abram’s mouth flattened into a grim line and his shoulders shifted. It seemed as though he might walk away without saying anything more. She sensed this was how Eli’s father dealt with his rebel son. Guilt and silence. Didn’t these men know they were the only family they’d ever have?

  It was then that Mariam stepped into the foyer. “I have trust in God to protect my family. I also trust Eli knows what’s best in this situation.” She looked at her husband, pleading with her eyes. “If he deems it’s necessary to have these two men here as extra eyes and ears against the evil that is out there, I ask you to please reconsider, Abram.” Anna detected fear in Mariam’s voice.

  “The small bedroom near the back of the house is available for when they need to rest. It’s not much, but it has a cot.” Abram turned and walked away.

  “Thanks,” Eli called after his father. Lowering his voice, he added, “I respect your home, Mem. Dominic and William will rotate rounds. I want to make sure my family is safe.”

  Anna’s heart tightened in her chest from a twinge of jealousy. Even though he was estranged from them, he still had a family to protect.

  Mariam retreated to the back of the house to join her husband. Mariam had effectively gotten her way while still deferring to her husband. Anna hung back, her arms crossed over her T-shirt, suddenly feeling very conspicuous, as Eli walked outside with Dom
inic and William. But curiosity got the best of her. She stepped out onto the porch and listened to the men talk. It was decided they would both watch the property but then alternate shifts when they got tired.

  Clutching the hem of her shirt, she scanned the darkened yard. Was someone out there now? Watching? An idea slammed into her and she found herself forcing her shoulders back. Her comment would have to wait. She didn’t know these two new men and didn’t want to share her thoughts in front of them.

  A horse neighed loudly near the road. Squinting, Anna made out the outline of a wagon turning toward the house. The Amish man hopped off and Anna tracked his movements as he strode toward them. The image from the cabin of a man—Amish hat perched on his head—solidified in her imagination. Should she be suspicious of all Amish men? The idea seemed preposterous. There must be hundreds of men in this community alone who wore these wide-brimmed hats.

  She found herself stepping back, ready to retreat into the house. She glanced at the three strong men standing next to her, guns strapped to their bodies. If she couldn’t feel safe now, would she ever? Maybe if she went home...? Away from whatever danger lurked here in Apple Creek.

  She couldn’t run forever.

  Dominic was the first to come down the steps, one hand hovering over the handle of his gun. Anna’s heart jackhammered in her chest. Eli seemed to shift, blocking her view, a protective gesture. “Hold up, there,” Dominic said in a deep voice, one that commanded authority.

  “What’s this all about?” Anna recognized the male voice. She peered around Eli to see Isaac leaning casually on the post at the bottom of the steps. “Something else going on I don’t know about?” A look of amusement graced his narrow face as the corners of his mouth quirked into a grin.

  “Isaac, we have a lot going on here. Maybe you can pay a social visit to my sister another time.” Eli crossed his arms over his broad chest.

  Isaac cocked his head in obvious confusion. “Samuel came running over and left a message with Mem about some kind of accident. That Katie Mae was shaken up. You can’t tell me I can’t see Katie Mae.”