Rod shook his head. “Nope. The only pranks we’ve been involved in were some outhouse tipping and vandalism at a few of the local schools. We’ve had nothing to do with what’s been done at the Hostettlers.’ ” He looked over at Tim. “Ain’t that right, Tim?”
Tim nodded. “We might like to have a little fun now and then, but we’re not stupid enough to single anyone out or do anything that might get the law on us.”
“The law could get on you for vandalism at the schools if they knew you were the ones who’d done it,” Luke reminded.
Rod squinted his dark eyes at Luke. “Who’s gonna tell—you?”
Luke shook his head.
Tim grunted and poked Rod’s arm. “Lay off Luke, would ya? He’s never given us any reason not to trust him, so don’t be accusing him now.”
Rod scowled at Tim. “I never said I didn’t trust him. Just wanted to know if he was planning to rat on us or not.”
“Doesn’t sound like he is to me.” Tim looked back at Luke. “Do you want to go to New Philly with us or not?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’d better not. Don’t want to risk getting my boss mad at me for sloughing off.”
Rod nudged Tim’s arm. “Let’s go then. We’re burning daylight.”
Tim nodded and headed across the room. “See you soon, Luke,” he called as they went out the door.
Luke grimaced. If Rod and Tim knew he’d been hanging around with them all this time just so he could find out if they were the ones responsible for the attacks, who knew what they might do?
I just don’t think either Rod or Tim has anything to do with those attacks, Luke thought as he continued his work. It’s got to be someone who has a grudge against someone in Martha’s family.
Luke sucked in his breath. An image of Toby flashed into his mind. He may not have any specific grudge against the Hostettlers, but he does have a grudge against me. I think I’ll go over to Toby’s house after I close the shop for the day and have a little talk with him. It’s time we get a few things straightened out between us. If Toby’s responsible for the attacks, maybe I can get him to admit what he’s done.
That evening after work, Luke headed straight over to Toby’s. As he climbed the back porch stairs, he prayed that God would give him the right words.
He lifted his hand to knock on the screen door, but the door swung open before his knuckles connected with the wood. Sadie stood on the other side of the door, her apron covered with a dusting of flour. “Luke! I’m surprised to see you,” she said. “I heard a buggy rumble into the yard and figured it must be Toby.”
“Toby’s not here?”
Sadie shook her head. “He hasn’t come home from work yet.” She motioned to one of the wooden chairs sitting near the door. “If you’d like to wait for him, I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”
Luke shifted from one foot to the other as he contemplated what to do. Sadie seemed uncomfortable, so maybe it would be best if he came back some other time. Or he could try to catch Toby over at Kiem Lumber. Maybe he hadn’t left yet. He smiled at Sadie and said, “I think I’ll head over to Charm and see if I can catch Toby before he gets off work.”
“He might have already left,” she said. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather wait for him here?”
Luke rubbed his chin thoughtfully and shook his head. “I’d better not.” He turned and was about to step off the porch, when Sadie said, “I saw Martha earlier today when I stopped by their place to look at one of her pups as a possible birthday present for my mamm.”
“How are things with her?” Luke asked.
“Okay with the kennel business but not so good with her mamm.”
“She told you about the brick and Judith’s reaction to it?”
Sadie nodded, her dark eyes looking ever so serious. “I guess Judith has been getting more nervous after each of the attacks. This one must have put her over the edge.”
“That’s what I understand. From what I heard, the doctor had to put her on medication in order to calm her down.”
“Jah, and now Roman’s decided to take Judith away for a while. Martha said they’re hoping a change of scenery and being in a safe place might help heal her shattered nerves.”
“Where are they going, do you know?”
“To Geauga County, where Roman’s brother, Walt, lives.”
“Is Martha going with them?”
Sadie shook her head. “She said she has to be nearby to care for her dogs, and she’s got that part-time job with Irene to worry about.”
Alarm flooded Luke’s soul. If Martha wasn’t going with her folks, did that mean she would be home alone? He was about to ask when Sadie said, “Martha plans to stay at Grace and Cleon’s place while her folks are gone.”
Luke blew out his breath. “That’s good to hear.”
Sadie tipped her head and smiled at him. “You love her, don’t you?”
“Who?”
“Martha, of course. That’s who we’ve been talking about, right?”
He nodded as a flush of heat covered his face. “I do care for her,” he admitted. “For all the good it’s doing me.”
“You mean because of her daed?”
“Jah.” He stared at the floorboards beneath his feet. “Unless I can prove to Roman that I’ve had nothing to do with the attacks, I’m afraid there’s no chance of Martha and me ever being together as a couple.”
Sadie touched his arm. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Where love’s involved, there’s always hope.” She giggled, kind of embarrassed-like. “Look at Toby and me. For a long while, I thought we’d never get married, but look at us now. We’re an old married couple.”
“Come on, Sadie, you and Toby haven’t even been married a year yet.”
She smiled. “That’s true, but there are days when it feels like we have.”
Luke wasn’t sure what Sadie meant by that, but he didn’t feel he had the right to ask. Besides, he needed to get back in his buggy and head for Charm if he was going to catch Toby before he left work.
“I’d best be on my way,” he said, turning to go. “If I should miss Toby, would you let him know I was here and that I’d like the chance to speak with him soon?”
“Jah, sure.” Sadie gave Luke another smile and stepped into the house.
As Luke headed for the buggy, an idea popped into his head. If no one would be at Roman’s house for several days, it would be the perfect time to go over there and look around. He might camp out in the barn for a few days. If the culprit showed up at the Hostettlers’ again, Luke hoped he might catch him in the act.
Luke unhooked his horse from the hitching rail and was about to climb into his buggy, when Toby showed up. Good. That’ll save me a trip to Charm.
Toby scowled as he climbed down from his buggy. “What are you doin’ here, Luke?”
“I came to speak with you, but when Sadie said you weren’t home from work yet, I decided to head over to Kiem Lumber and see if I could catch you there.”
“What did you want to talk to me about?” Toby asked as he unhitched his horse.
“It’s about the attacks that have been going on at the Hostettlers’.”
Toby grunted. “You’d know more about that than me.”
Luke balled his fingers into the palms of his hands. “What makes you so sure I’m the one behind the attacks, and how come you’ve been trying to make it look as if I’m the guilty one?”
“You’ve been irritated with Roman ever since he fired you.” Toby led his horse to the barn, and Luke followed.
“I’ll admit, I was irritated at first, but I’ve got a better job now working for John. I’m not carrying a grudge against Roman. I’m not the one responsible for any of the attacks against them.” Luke ground his teeth together. “You, on the other hand, have been carrying a grudge against me for some time, and it makes me wonder if—”
“If what?” Toby put the horse inside its stall and leveled Luke with a piercing look. “What are
you accusing me of?”
“For some time now, you’ve been bad-mouthing me to my folks, to Roman, and to anyone who’ll listen.” Luke’s voice shook as he struggled to keep control of his emotions. He should have had this discussion with Toby a long time ago.
Toby grabbed a brush from the shelf overhead and started grooming his horse.
“You know, Toby,” Luke went on to say, “instead of pointing fingers at me, you ought to be more concerned about making yourself look innocent.”
“Innocent of what? I’ve done nothin’ wrong.”
Luke grunted. “You think running off at the mouth and telling tales about me isn’t wrong?”
Toby’s face turned bright red. “Well, I—”
“I have to wonder if it’s not you who’s been terrorizing the Hostettler family.”
“Me? What reason would I have to hurt the Hostettlers?”
Luke shrugged. “The only thing I can think of is that you did it to get even with me.”
“Huh?”
“You thought that if you could make it look like I was the one doing the attacks, then I’d be in trouble with the Hostettlers—not to mention the law.”
Toby shook his head. “No way! You don’t know what you’re talking about, and you sure have no proof of such a crazy notion.”
Luke nodded. “I think I do have some proof.”
“Wh–what kind of proof?” Toby sputtered.
“Martha and I have found some evidence, and a couple of the items point to you.”
The color in Toby’s cheeks deepened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. What kind of evidence did you find that points to me?”
“A work glove and a ballpoint pen.”
“What?”
“I said—”
Toby held up one hand. “I know what you said. I just can’t figure out what a pen and a glove would have to do with me.”
“A work glove,” Luke said through clenched teeth. “Just like the ones you wear at Kiem Lumber.”
Toby’s eyebrows furrowed. “I told you that I’d lost my glove, so what does that prove? And I don’t know anything about a pen.”
“The pen Martha found came from the Farmstead Restaurant in Berlin. I know you eat there a lot, so you could have picked up the pen during one of your meals.”
Toby shook his head. “I had nothing to do with any of those attacks, and unless you can prove otherwise, I’d appreciate it if you’d stay away from me!”
“Fine then!” Luke started to walk away but turned back. “Just remember one thing. I’ll be watching you, Toby!”
Martha was about to leave Irene’s for the day, when she spotted Luke’s buggy coming up the driveway. She stepped up to his buggy when he pulled up at the hitching rail. “This is a surprise,” she said. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“I wasn’t sure if you were working for Irene today or not, but I thought I’d stop by, just in case.” Luke’s face was bright red, and he swiped his hand across his forehead, glistening with sweat.
Alarm rose in Martha’s chest. “What’s wrong? You look really upset.”
He nodded. “I just came from Toby and Sadie’s place, and I wanted you to know what all was said before you heard Toby’s version of things.”
Martha’s forehead wrinkled. “What are you talking about?”
Luke motioned to his buggy. “Let’s have a seat, and I’ll tell you what happened.”
“Okay.” Martha stepped into the passenger’s side of Luke’s buggy, and he slipped in beside her.
Luke cleared his throat a few times and reached for her hand. “Do you still believe I’m innocent of the attacks against your family?”
“Of course I do. I trust you, Luke. Really, I do.”
“Good.” He drew in a quick breath and released a puff of air that lifted the hair off his forehead. “I’ve told you before that I think Toby might be the one doing the attacks and that he’s been doing them in order to get even with me. In the process, he’s trying to make me look guilty.”
“I thought you were thinking those rowdy English fellows you’ve been hanging around with might be responsible for the attacks.”
“I did think that at first, but not anymore. As time’s gone on, I’ve become more and more convinced that the attacks have been done by Toby.” Luke chewed on his bottom lip and grimaced. “Remember that work glove we found that looked like one of Toby’s?”
She nodded.
“And then there was that ballpoint pen you found. It had the name of the Farmstead Restaurant on it. Toby eats there a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised if that pen was his.”
Martha groaned. “I hate to think our own bishop’s son could have done anything so terrible. He’s a baptized member in our church, not to mention that he’s married to Ruth’s best friend.”
“I know, I know.” Luke sat staring at the floor. Finally, he lifted his gaze and turned to face her. “I had it out with Toby. . .told him what I suspect.”
“What’d he say?”
“He denied it, of course. Said if I thought he was the doing the attacks, I’d have to prove it.” Luke’s eyes narrowed. “Which is exactly what I plan to do, and I think it might be soon.”
“Why?”
“Before Toby got home from work, I spoke with Sadie. She mentioned that she’d talked to you earlier today when she came over to your place to look at a puppy.”
“That’s right,” Martha said with a nod.
“Sadie told me your daed’s planning to take your mamm and go up to Geauga County with the hope that it will settle her nerves.”
“Jah. I’d planned to tell you all this as soon as I saw you again. I guess Sadie beat me to it, though.”
“It doesn’t matter how or when I found out,” Luke said. “The important thing is that I know.”
“Why’s it important for you to know?”
“Because having your house sit empty for several days is exactly what I need.”
“Huh?”
“I’m planning to hide out in the barn during the nights your folks are gone, and if the attacker comes around again, I’ll hopefully catch him in the act.”
Martha’s mouth fell open. “Are—are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, what if someone sees you there, or what if—”
“You worry too much. I’ll be just fine.” Luke leaned over and gave her a kiss.
Rosemary glanced in the rearview mirror at Judith asleep in the backseat of her car; then she looked over at Roman, sitting up front in the passenger seat, chewing on his fingernails. “You’re not nervous about taking Judith to Walt and Mary’s place are you?” she asked.
“Huh?” He dropped his hands to his lap. “Uh. . .no, I’m just. . .well, I’ve come up with a plan, and—” He turned and looked over his shoulder. “Good, Judith’s asleep. I’m glad we decided to head out this evening rather than wait until tomorrow morning.”
“I suppose it is a good idea to get Judith away from home as soon as we can.”
Roman glanced in the back again. “I wouldn’t want her to hear what I’m about to say.” He turned toward the front and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Not that she’d probably give much response. That medication the doctor prescribed keeps her so calm and relaxed she barely notices what’s going on around her.”
Rosemary nodded. “Maybe after some time at Walt and Mary’s, she’ll relax and her medication can be cut in half.”
“I’m hoping that’s the case.”
“How long are you planning to stay in Geauga County?”
“Uh. . .that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m only planning to spend the night, and then I’ll ride home with you after supper tomorrow evening.”
“Roman, I hardly think one night at Walt’s place is going to put Judith at ease enough to return home.”
He shook his head. “Judith will stay with Walt as long as necessary. I’ll be going home tomorrow with you.”
“You’re leaving Judith alone?”
“Is this about you not wanting to be gone from your business?”
“No.” Roman’s voice lowered, and he cast another quick glance over his shoulder.
Rosemary looked in her rearview mirror again. Judith was still asleep. “What is it you’re not telling me, brother?”
“I’m planning to return home and hide out in the house, hoping there will be another attack.”
“What?” Her mouth dropped open. “Why on earth would you want another attack to occur?”
“So I can catch the one doing it.” Roman pursed his lips. “I told as many people as I could think of that I’m taking Judith to my brother’s place and that we’ll be gone for several days. I did it in hopes that the word would get back to the one doing the attacks and he’ll think with no one at home that he’ll have the perfect opportunity to attack again.”
She slowly shook her head and groaned. “That’s the most foolhardy thing I’ve ever heard you say. It could be downright dangerous.”
He folded his arms in a stubborn pose. “I don’t care if it is. I’m tired of these attacks, and I’ve decided it’s time to take matters into my own hands.”
“What about trusting God to take care of your family?”
“I am trusting God. I’m trusting Him to help me learn who the attacker is and bring these harassments to an end.”
Grace had just said good-bye to Anna, who was being driven to school in Martha’s buggy, when she spotted Sheriff Osborn’s car coming up their driveway. “I wonder what he wants,” she murmured.
“Who?” Cleon called from the kitchen doorway.
“Sheriff Osborn. He’s heading this way.”
Grace stepped outside, and Cleon joined her on the porch. A few minutes later, the sheriff parked his car and got out. “I was down at Roman’s house looking for him, but no one was there,” he called. “Thought maybe he might be up here.”
Cleon shook his head. “Roman’s out of town.”
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