Plain Protector

by Alison Stone

  “Let me guess. His truck’s not at his house.”

  “No. I checked every location he’s known to frequent. He’s gone.”

  A muscle ticked in Nick’s jaw. “Thanks for the heads-up. Call me if you find him.” Nick ended the call and pressed his foot on the accelerator. There was no longer a question as to where he was headed.

  When he reached Sarah’s house, he pulled around back, scanning the landscape. That’s when he saw it. The sun glinting off a piece of metal, the hood of a truck parked partially hidden by the barn. He shut off the ignition and climbed out.

  Hand poised above his gun, he strode to the back porch. Nick poked his head around and saw a pot of water boiling on the stove.

  He yanked open the screen door and cringed when it sent out a loud screech.

  Jimmy stepped into the kitchen with an obnoxious smile on his face.

  “What do we have here?” Jimmy asked, his words slurred. He glanced over his shoulder at something Nick couldn’t see. “Your boyfriend’s home.”

  “Jimmy, please, just leave.” Sarah appeared behind Jimmy, a haggard expression on her face.

  “Are you okay?” Nick asked, his hand lingering near his gun.

  She blinked slowly, but didn’t say anything.

  Jimmy’s gaze dropped to Nick’s right hand. “What are you going to do, shoot me?” Jimmy rolled his eyes. His cheeks were flushed from drinking.

  “The lady asked you to leave. I suggest you leave.”

  Jimmy twisted his lips. “I’ll leave when I’m good and ready.”

  “I say you leave now.” Nick took a step toward Sarah’s former boyfriend. Jimmy blinked slowly, assessing the situation.

  Jimmy smirked and sauntered toward the door. “I’m leaving.” He pointed a finger in Sarah’s face. “But I’ll be back.”

  Jimmy pushed out the screen door, and it slammed shut behind him. Nick watched as the man crossed the yard and got into his truck. The tires spit out gravel as he tore out of the driveway.

  “Are you okay?” Nick asked, pulling a trembling Sarah into his embrace.

  With her head against his chest, she nodded. Then she pushed him away and ran to her mother. She bent down and patted Maggie’s hand. “Mom, Mom?”

  The older woman stirred, but didn’t open her eyes.

  Sarah glanced over her shoulder at him, worry lines creasing the corners of her eyes. “We need to call Christina. Jimmy drugged my mom. She’s been out of it since I arrived home.”

  Nick dialed his sister’s number and spoke to Sarah while he waited for Christina to pick up. “Jimmy was here waiting for you?”

  “Yeah,” she said on a shaky breath.

  Nick nodded and then spoke to his sister when she got on the line. Assured she’d be right over, he hung up and called the dispatch to pick up Jimmy. He didn’t seem to be in any condition to drive.

  “Mom?” Sarah called again.

  Her mother turned her head and half opened her eyes. Certainly a good sign.

  “How do you feel, Mom?”

  “So...so...tired.”

  “Christina’s on her way.”

  “That would be nice.” Maggie was still groggy, but at least she was coming around.

  Nick paced next to Sarah. “What did Jimmy say?”

  “Same old story. He wants me to come home. I kept asking him to leave.”

  “I should have been here,” he scolded himself.

  Sarah touched his arm. “I’m okay. You came when it counted.” Then she cocked her head. “How did you know?”

  “Matt called me when he realized Jimmy was missing.” Nick rubbed his jaw. “Did Jimmy tell you how he found you?”

  “Yes, but it can’t be the whole truth. He claimed he got the info that my mom was here with me from a nurse at the hospital. But he knew I was here all along.”

  She shook her head, a distant look in her eyes. “He’s been harassing me well before my mother ended up in the hospital.”

  “He’s a known liar.”

  “I know. I learned that the hard way.” She dragged a hand across her hair. “Am I going to have to move with my mother?” Her gaze drifted over to Maggie.

  Nick’s heart sank. He couldn’t ask her to stay on account of him. But, then again, he couldn’t protect her if she moved away from Apple Creek.

  * * *

  Sarah could finally breathe again when Christina showed up and assured her that Maggie would be fine. Groggy, but fine. Sarah and Christina helped Maggie into bed. Lola climbed in next to her. It seemed they both needed reassurance after their stressful day.

  The rest of them returned to the sitting room. Tension rolled off Nick as he paced the small space, making and taking phone calls. It seemed that all his fellow officers were on the lookout for Jimmy’s truck.

  Nick was like a caged animal, ready to strike but confined to this place to protect Sarah in case Jimmy made his way back here as he had promised.

  Jimmy’s angry face was seared in her memory. He had left drunk and in a blind rage.

  Nick opened his mouth to say something when his phone rang again. He held up a finger, then turned his back to take the call. Sarah listened—her heart thudding in her chest—as Nick gave a series of quick, one-word answers. When he turned back around, all the color had drained from his face.

  Sarah’s blood turned icy cold in her veins. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but the words got tangled in a knot of emotion.

  “That was Sheriff Maxwell.”

  “What’s going on, Nick?” Christina spoke up for both of them.

  “There’s been an accident.”

  Pinpricks of panic raced across Sarah’s flesh. She lowered herself onto the arm of the couch. “Jimmy?” The single word squeaked out. “Did he hurt someone?”

  Nick crouched down in front of her and pulled her hands into his. Sarah lifted her gaze to Christina, who had a hand pressed to her mouth. Sarah met Nick’s gaze and pleaded with her eyes to tell her what was going on.

  “He crashed into a tree. Barely missed Ruben Zook in his wagon on the way back from town.”

  “Oh, no,” Sarah breathed.

  Nick squeezed her hands. “Ruben’s fine.” They locked gazes, and Sarah knew what he had to say before he said it.

  “Jimmy’s dead.”

  The walls swayed, and sweat broke out on her brow. Sarah pushed to her feet and felt lightheaded. She touched the back of her mother’s recliner to steady herself. “Are they sure?”

  “Yes.”

  A myriad of emotions playing out on Nick’s handsome face. But most of all she saw compassion.

  Sarah lifted her hand to cover her heart. “God forgive me, but I feel relieved. Is my nightmare finally over?”

  A sad smile slanted the corners of Nick’s mouth. “Jimmy Braeden won’t be causing anyone any more trouble ever again.”

  THIRTEEN

  Sarah brought her mother tea out on the front porch, where she sat in a rocker. “How do you feel this morning?” She set the tea down on the small side table. A few days had passed since Jimmy’s fatal accident, and Sarah was still trying to get her head around it.

  Her mother’s chest expanded. “I don’t know what it is about the country air, but I feel good.” She covered her mouth and coughed. She leaned over and took a sip of the tea and waved her hand, apparently registering the concern on her daughter’s face. “I’m fine. Just a little tickle in my throat.”

  They both knew it was more than a tickle, but her mother seemed to be enjoying her respite in the country.

  “This place sure is quiet without Nick here,” her mother said, changing the subject.

  “Well, with Jimmy...” Sarah struggled to acknowledge his death. He had been a dark cloud hanging over h
er for so long.

  Jimmy was really gone. Dead.

  “Now that Jimmy can’t hurt me, Nick doesn’t have to protect us.”

  She traced the rim of her teacup. “Nick’ll be missed. He’s a good guy.”

  Sarah recalled the few phone calls Nick had made to her since Jimmy had driven his truck into a tree. Their conversations had been cordial, but always skirted around what was now at the forefront of her mind—could she and Nick have a future?

  Why? What’s the point? She’d be leaving Apple Creek soon.

  “I’ve been thinking,” her mother said.

  “Sounds like trouble.” Sarah laughed as she sat down next to her. There was a certain sadness in her heart knowing that Jimmy had lost his life. He had been a miserable man, but he was still someone’s son and brother. Needless to say, she didn’t go to the funeral or make contact with his family. They would feel nothing toward her but blame.

  Even though her rational side told her he had brought this downfall upon himself. Her soft heart couldn’t help but feel she had been partially responsible.

  She knew it was ridiculous. She hoped time could heal all wounds, as they said.

  “Are you going to tell me what you’re thinking about?” Sarah asked.

  “Staying here.” Her mother tapped the arms of the rocking chair. “Right here.”

  Sarah made a funny face. “On the front porch?”

  “You are a funny girl. No, right here in Apple Creek. It’s peaceful. I feel good out here. The old house back home reminds me too much of all the sadness in our lives. This place feels fresh. Like new possibilities.” A smile tugged at the corner of her mother’s mouth. “Or maybe it’s the fresh-cut grass I smell.” She tilted her head and glanced at the farm next door. “I love watching the Amish family work. It’s fascinating. It beats watching the soap operas and Mr. Davidson next door to the old house walk that yappy dog of his.” Lola lifted her head as if she knew what they were talking about, then settled back down.

  “Oh, Trinket—” Mr. Davidson’s Jack Russell terrier “—wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

  “I know. But that old man didn’t do the dog any favors by not training him.” Mostly her mother didn’t appreciate Mr. Davidson not cleaning up after the small dog. Sarah couldn’t blame her. “So, what do you think? Should we stay in Apple Creek for a little bit longer? Maybe until winter?”

  Sarah thought of the poor clients in the rural countryside, the young struggling Amish and Nick. A spark of hope blossomed in her heart. “It’s something we could consider,” she said noncommittally when her heart was thumping, yes, yes, yes.

  Sarah closed her eyes and tipped her head, resting it against the rocker. The sun warmed her face. She started to doze, then startled awake. She blinked a few times as the cornfield swayed in her line of vision. She no longer had anything to fear.

  Jimmy was gone.

  Yet a whisper of dread tickled her brain. What if Jimmy hadn’t been the only one harassing me? She shook away the thought, figuring a person couldn’t live under the constant threat of harm for so long without suffering negative aftereffects.

  Jimmy’s gone. Relax.

  * * *

  A few days later, Sarah said goodbye to the last young Amish man from her Sunday-night meeting in the church basement, then turned to Mary Ruth. “Let’s leave the sweeping for another day.”

  Mary Ruth set the broom aside and smiled. “Sounds good.”

  “Come here, sit down.”

  Mary Ruth’s eyes widened and her cheeks grew flushed as if she had done something wrong.

  Sarah smiled. “I want to talk. So much has gone on, and I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

  Mary Ruth’s hand flew to her chest. “You want to make sure I’m doing okay?” She angled her head in disbelief. “How are you?”

  Sarah paused and gave her answer thoughtful consideration. “I’m doing well. I’ve done a lot of praying about Jimmy and realize he made his own choices.”

  “And how is Deputy Nick Jennings?”

  Sarah reached over and playfully tugged on Mary Ruth’s dress, the long fabric draping over her legs. “You’ve been talking to my mother.”

  “I love visiting with your mother. You’re lucky to have her. My mem has been giving me what you’d call the cold shoulder since I called things off with Ruben. I suppose she assumes there are...what is the expression?...no more fish in the sea.”

  Mary Ruth’s joke didn’t mask the sadness radiating off her.

  Sarah looked her young Amish friend in the eye. “Don’t feel pressure to do anything you don’t want to do.”

  Mary Ruth laughed, a shy awkward noise. “You sound like you’re talking to the group about drugs or alcohol.”

  “I suppose that advice holds true for a lot of things. If you’re not sure about your future, give it some prayerful consideration.”

  “Amish life isn’t like Englisch life. Most of my friends are married. One is expecting a baby already.” Sarah thought she detected a whiff of longing in Mary Ruth’s voice.

  “Is that what you want?”

  “Someday, sure. But—” Mary Ruth shrugged “—I’m not sure. It seems my parents are harder on me ever since my brother left Apple Creek.”

  “Tell me, how would your life be different if your brother had stayed?”

  “For one, my parents wouldn’t be so focused on me all the time. I’m their second-oldest kid. I think they’re having nightmares about how bad it will reflect on them if another one of their kids leaves.”

  Sarah reached out and caught Mary Ruth’s hands. “Stop worrying about everyone else. What do you want to do?”

  Mary Ruth blinked slowly. “I don’t know.”

  “And that’s okay.” Sarah squeezed her hands. “Give yourself time.”

  Mary Ruth pulled her hands away and swiped at her long dress in a self-conscious gesture.

  “Is that what you’re doing?” Mary Ruth asked, her voice barely a whisper.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Giving yourself time to figure things out? Deputy Jennings sure seems to be sweet on you.”

  It was Sarah’s turn to squirm in her chair. “My focus is on my mom.”

  “I’ve talked to your mom. She’d like you to channel some of that focus on something else.”

  Sarah laughed. “I guess I’ve been a bit of a hoverer.”

  “Like I said, you and your mom are lucky to have one another.”

  “You’d think she’d be bored at the house all day, but she enjoys being out in the country.”

  “Didn’t you guys used to do some crafts? Maybe you could do that.”

  Excitement bubbled up in Sarah’s chest. “That’s a great idea. I should collect some of the flowers growing by the creek, and we could dry them out and make a wreath for the door.”

  “Sounds like fun. I could also teach your mom how to quilt.”

  Sarah nodded. “Sounds like a great idea.” She tilted her head toward the door. “Should we call it a night?”

  “Yah,” Mary Ruth said, her Pennsylvania Dutch slipping through.

  They climbed the stairs and pushed the door open, stepping out onto the church parking lot. Sarah turned the key in the door.

  “Want a ride home?” Sarah asked. She had picked up a secondhand car recently. Reliable and affordable.

  “I better walk. I don’t want to give Mem or Dat a reason to scold me tonight.”

  Sarah lifted her hand and waved to the pastor’s wife standing in the window with the curtain pulled back.

  Turning her attention back to Mary Ruth, Sarah said, “Honoring your father and mother is a good thing, a very good thing. But you need to pray on your own future. God wants you to be happy, too.”

  Mary Ruth tipped her he
ad shyly. “The Englischers’ ways are so very different than Amish ways.”

  “I know, and I could never understand what it means to be Amish. So, please, consider that when you weigh my advice.” Sarah lifted her eyebrows to emphasize the point.

  “I hope you’re praying on your future, too.”

  “Prayer is my constant companion,” Sarah muttered.

  “Then I think you’re not listening too hard, because there’s no way God would bring a man like Deputy Jennings into your life and expect you not to grab hold and start a new future.” Mary Ruth lifted her eyebrows, mimicking Sarah.

  “I’m the trained professional.” Sarah forced a laugh, referring to her degree in social work.

  “Fancy college degrees aren’t necessary when it comes to affairs of the heart.” It was Mary Ruth’s turn to tip her head and study her friend closely.

  Sarah shook her head and walked over to her car. The sun was hanging low on the horizon. “You’ll want to hurry home before it gets dark.”

  Mary Ruth waved and strode across the parking lot toward the dark country road leading to her family’s farm. Sarah started the car and pulled up alongside her. “Are you sure you don’t want a ride?”

  Mary Ruth hesitated for a moment, then scrunched up her face. “Neh, best if I hurry along.”

  Sarah sat in the car and watched her friend. Guilt rankled her for allowing the girl to walk home alone. But then again, it wasn’t Sarah’s choice. The young woman had a lot of choices to make for herself. Difficult ones that her Amish family may or may not agree with—depending on the road she took.

  Another thought whispered across Sarah’s brain. Maybe I really am needed in Apple Creek. One thing she knew for sure: when she left Apple Creek, she’d really miss it.

  * * *

  Nick’s sister claimed the low-tire-pressure indicator kept popping on in her car’s dash despite having put more air in the tire last night. Now, she needed a ride to check on Maggie. Nick suspected her car troubles were Christina’s sly attempt at matchmaking.