Plain Protector

by Alison Stone

  Nick gave Ruben a quick glance. He had the good sense to stay seated. Anger heated Nick’s wet skin.

  He checked her airway. Clear.

  He watched the quiet rise and fall of her chest.

  He felt Sarah’s neck for a pulse. It beat steady.

  Thank You, Lord.

  Nick leaned in close to the woman he had grown to love. “Sarah... Sarah...”

  She groaned. The most beautiful sound he had ever heard. She struggled, then pushed up on her elbow and hung her head, sputtering and coughing.

  “Ruben...”

  “I know. He’s not going anywhere.”

  Sarah tried to sit up, and Nick wrapped his arm around her to help her to a seated position. Her body trembled despite the humid evening. “Why are you here?” She lifted her eyes to meet his.

  “I came here to talk to you.” The reason could wait.

  Sarah lifted her hand and patted his cheek. “Good thing for me...”

  “No—” he ran the pad of his thumb across her wet cheek “—good thing for me.” Nick bent down and scooped her up. “Let’s get you to the house.”

  “I can walk.”

  “I know. But let me do this for you.”

  Sarah nodded and rested her head on his shoulder.

  Nick barked out orders to Ruben to stand and follow them. Nick wasn’t in the mood for nonsense.

  And good thing for Ruben, he followed Nick’s instructions.

  Lola ran ahead to the house.

  When they reached the back porch, Nick ordered Ruben to sit on the lawn. He carried Sarah up the porch steps and kicked the door to get Mary Ruth or Maggie’s attention.

  Mary Ruth appeared at the door. “What happened?” She pushed open the door, and Nick slipped in with Sarah in his arms. Lola scooted in and curled up on the couch.

  Mary Ruth grabbed a quilt from the back of the couch. Nick put Sarah down, and the young Amish girl wrapped the quilt around Sarah’s shoulders.

  Sarah looked up at Nick, her lips quivering. “I need to change and get out of these wet clothes.”

  “Are you okay? Should I call my sister?”

  “I’m fine. Thanks to you.” She pulled the quilt tighter around her neck and a shiver shook her body. She turned to Mary Ruth. “It was Ruben. He tried to chase me out of town.”

  Mary Ruth’s face grew pale, and she shook her head slowly. “Ruben’s been harassing you?” Her lips trembled. “I’m sorry.”

  Sarah touched her friend’s arm. “It’s not your fault. We all have to take responsibility for our own actions.”

  Nick smiled. Seemed Sarah had finally realized she wasn’t responsible for Jimmy’s horrendous behavior.

  “What brought you out to the path?”

  “Go change and then I’ll tell you.”

  Sarah smiled and tossed the quilt down on the couch and with Mary Ruth’s assistance, went for dry clothes.

  Maggie approached Nick, wide-eyed. “What happened?”

  “Turns out it was Ruben Zook who has been harassing Sarah.”

  “Harassing her? Why? He pushed her into the creek?” The questions flowed out one after the other without waiting for an answer.

  “He blames her for losing Mary Ruth.” Nick squeezed Maggie’s hand. “Sarah’s fine.”

  “Thanks to you.”

  “I need to call the sheriff’s station. Have someone take Ruben in.” Nick looked through the screen door. Ruben sat with his head bowed. He seemed truly deflated.

  FIFTEEN

  After Sarah changed into warm, dry clothes, she found Mary Ruth sitting between Nick and her mother on the couch. Lola curled up on Maggie’s lap. Sarah lingered in the doorway watching Mary Ruth bent over, sobbing, her face in her hands.

  Her mother patted the Amish girl’s back, and Nick seemed uncomfortable. Sarah shifted her feet and caught Nick’s eye. He stood and held out his arm, gesturing for her to have his seat on the couch.

  As she brushed past him, Nick placed his hand on the small of her back and whispered, “You look much better. You doing okay?”

  Warmth coiled around her heart. “Yes, thanks to you.” She kept her voice low, feeling a little disrespectful with Mary Ruth in tears on the couch. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  Nick glanced over at Mary Ruth as Sarah’s mother handed her a tissue. “I’m glad God put me in the right place at the right time.”

  “I am, too.” Then Sarah looked around, suddenly concerned. “Where’s Ruben?”

  “The sheriff picked him up. When you’re ready, we can go to the station and file a report.”

  Sarah nodded and joined Mary Ruth on the couch. Sarah leaned close to her friend’s ear. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

  Mary Ruth straightened and drew in a shuddering breath. “Ruben wasn’t the right man for me, but I never thought he was evil.”

  “Sometimes people become unhinged when they love someone.” Sarah’s thoughts went to Jimmy. “Let me rephrase that: they do crazy things for what they think is love. That’s not love. You were smart to kick him to the curb.”

  Mary Ruth swiped at her tears. “My family didn’t think so.”

  “Your parents want you to live your life in the Amish community. They thought Ruben was your future. But they couldn’t have known he had...issues,” she said, for lack of a better word. “I’m sure you and your family will reconcile and eventually you’ll meet another nice Amish boy.”

  Mary Ruth wiped her nose. Her whole body shook from a mix of laughter and tears. “I’m not getting any younger. Where will I meet someone?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with spending a little time getting to know yourself.” Sarah looked up and met Nick’s gaze and then quickly dropped it to Mary Ruth’s trembling hands. “You’ve had a terrible shock today. Give it time. Have faith.”

  Mary Ruth reached out and clutched Sarah’s hand. “Look at me bawling like a fool. You’re the one who nearly drowned. How can you ever forgive me for putting you in this position?”

  “It’s not your fault. You didn’t do these things to me. Ruben did.” A little voice niggled at the back of her head. All this time she had been bashing herself for all her bad choices and how she had ruined her life. But her only mistake had been trusting Jimmy. From there, his bad choices had been his own.

  Sarah closed her eyes and breathed in deeply. Despite the horrible day, she felt like a weight had been lifted. Just like she had told Mary Ruth to let it go and move on, to not blame herself, Sarah had to do the same.

  Sarah was only responsible for her own choices. Her eyes lifted and she met Nick’s gaze. And in the scheme of life, she had made some wonderful choices.

  * * *

  Nick drove Mary Ruth home. When they reached her house, he offered to go in and explain the circumstances surrounding Ruben’s arrest.

  Mary Ruth shook her bonneted head. “Neh, it’s time that I spoke to my parents. Really spoke to them. There’s been a lot of tension since I called things off with Ruben. If I bring law enforcement in, it won’t set the right tone.” She hesitated a moment. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, don’t be. I understand.”

  Mary Ruth nodded and pulled the handle, and the dome light popped on. “The benefit of the rumor mill in Apple Creek is that I probably won’t have to tell them much. I’m sure they’ve already heard.” She shook her head. “Well, they’ve probably heard a version of the truth.”

  Nick turned around in the driveway and as promised, headed back to Sarah’s house. He had left her to chat with her mother. They both needed reassurance after what happened tonight. Ostensibly, he needed to bring her to the station for her official statement, but more important, he needed to tell Sarah what had brought him to her home earlier tonight in the first place.
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br />   When he arrived at her house, he was surprised to find Sarah sitting in the front-porch rocker. Nick climbed out of his car and strolled toward her. The moonlight glinted in the whites of her eyes. He placed his foot on the bottom step and rested his elbow on the railing.

  “Mom was tired. She went to bed.” Sarah answered the unasked question.

  “Good. I’m sure she’ll sleep well.”

  Sarah lifted her eyebrows. “I know I will.”

  “The first time I came over tonight—” Nick shifted the conversation, eager to say what he had been waiting to say all night “—I had a bouquet of wildflowers in my hand.”

  She rocked the chair by pushing her bare toes on the wood slats. “Likely story.”

  “Really. I did. But then I had to rescue someone.”

  “Someone? Really? So, you’re a hero?” She pushed to her feet and crossed over to him. Nick climbed another step. She stopped at the top step looking down at him.

  “I wouldn’t call myself a hero.”

  “I would.” She reached out and cupped his cheek, her warm fingers sending tingles of awareness through him. “How can I possibly thank you for being there for me tonight?” Sarah’s voice cracked over the last words. “I don’t want to think what could have...” she shook her head, and a shudder traveled through her body.

  “Are you cold? Maybe you should go inside.”

  Sarah shook her head again. “It’s a beautiful evening.”

  Nick wrapped his hand around her wrist and kissed the palm of her hand. She smelled fresh and clean from the shower after her dip in the creek.

  Nick led her to the wicker love seat at the far end of the porch.

  He tracked the lines on the palm of her hand. “I came over earlier tonight to tell you how much I cared about you. How I hoped you’d stay in Apple Creek. How I hoped we could make a serious go at—” he flicked his fingers in the air between them “—whatever this is between us. I mean, I’ve had trust issues. My last girlfriend...” Suddenly, he found himself rambling.

  He had finally realized he couldn’t let the hurt from his past relationship with Amber influence his future happiness. Sarah was nothing like Amber.

  The pulse in his ears grew louder, drowning out his words. Why isn’t she saying anything? Maybe it was too soon. Maybe he was...

  Sarah leaned closer and brushed a kiss across his lips. She pulled back and stared deeply into his eyes. “I promised myself I’d never date another cop.”

  “I—”

  Sarah pressed her index finger against his lips and smiled. “When I made that promise, I didn’t know you.” She pulled away her hand and traced his jawline with her thumb. “I have never met someone as caring as you. I would love to take the time to get to know you better.” Her eyes lingered on his. “You can trust me.”

  “I know.” A weight lifted from Nick’s heart. “Does that mean you’ll be staying in Apple Creek?”

  Sarah glanced toward the door. “My mom loves it here. And full-confession mode—” she smiled brightly “—I do, too.”

  Nick took Sarah’s face in both his hands and gave her a proper kiss. “I love you.” He kissed her again, and he felt her lips curve against his into a smile.

  Sarah wrapped both her hands around his wrists and beamed up at him. “I love you, too.”

  EPILOGUE

  14 months later...

  Nick arrived home from work and strode through the empty house. He reached the back door, and his heart lifted. His beautiful wife sat under the shade of the oak tree in their backyard of a newly renovated home in Apple Creek. It was probably one of the last few warm days before the weather would turn cold and snowy.

  Nick still couldn’t believe they had been married almost a year now.

  Major life decisions took on new meaning when time was no longer a luxury.

  Mary Ruth sat on the blanket with Sarah. His mother-in-law sat in a lawn chair looking lovingly at her granddaughter in her daughter’s arms.

  Nick’s heart nearly burst with joy.

  Things could have gone far differently if God hadn’t been watching out for Sarah when Ruben had decided she was the root of his problems.

  Turns out, Miss Ellinor, the pastor’s wife, had confided in Ruben’s mother about Sarah’s need to get away from an abusive boyfriend. Her intentions had been innocent enough; Miss Ellinor was looking for a rental for Sarah. However, Ruben had eavesdropped. And when Mary Ruth had broken up with him, he used the information to try to scare Sarah. To make her think her ex had found her. Ruben had hoped to get Sarah away from Mary Ruth, whom he felt was unduly influenced by the evil Englischer.

  Ruben confessed to everything, from throwing the rock through the church window to luring Sarah to the empty house and pushing her off the ladder. He never revealed whom he paid to make the phone call, but the young girl probably didn’t realize what Ruben’s true intentions were.

  Thankfully, Ruben wasn’t internet savvy, or he may have tracked down Jimmy himself and sent him after Sarah earlier. Nick prayed Ruben would change during his three-year stint in prison.

  Nick needed to shove those memories aside, but he found they made him profoundly grateful.

  He pushed open the back door and strolled across the lawn. “Hello. Did my little princess nap for you today?” He studied his wife’s face. She was tired, but she always assured him it was tired in the very best possible way.

  Sarah shook her head and planted a kiss on her daughter’s forehead. “I had help, though, so I was able to take a little nap.” She handed their daughter over to Maggie and adjusted the blanket around the baby.

  Sarah came to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He cherished the easy nature of their relationship. Sarah took pleasure in the little things. She had been through so much and seemed to share in his feelings of gratitude. He kissed her forehead, impressed with how well the scar from the broken glass had healed.

  A lot of scars had healed over the past year.

  The baby let out a little cry and Sarah spun around, ready to take their daughter into her arms.

  Maggie held up one hand. “I’ve got this under control. Did you forget who raised you?” Maggie smiled, her thin hair a soft halo around her head. She had defied all the doctors’ expectations for life expectancy. Through both the Gardner women, Nick had learned to take each day as it came. Sarah’s family was different from his, who were always looking for the next achievement. The next goal. The next honor.

  Nick loved the family that he was born into, but he loved the contentedness and satisfaction he felt with his new family: Sarah and little Emma May.

  * * *

  Sarah reluctantly pulled out of Nick’s embrace. Every time he came home from work—every time he entered a room—a flush of warm emotions wrapped around her heart.

  Her life had been a nightmare when she first moved to Apple Creek; now it was more than she could have ever hoped. She glanced over her shoulder at her mother and Mary Ruth cooing over her fussing baby—Nick’s and her baby.

  “I better start dinner.” Sarah moved toward the house.

  “Oh, no, let me do it.” Mary Ruth stood and swatted at the back of her long dress. Sarah waved her off.

  “I enjoy cooking, especially if Emma May is content with her auntie Mary Ruth and Grammy.”

  Mary Ruth beamed. “I’m really going to miss you all.”

  A thin line creased Nick’s brow. “Miss us?”

  Mary Ruth shook her bonneted head. “I’ve decided to spend some time in Florida.”

  “Florida?” Nick asked, obviously only able to get one or two words out at a time.

  Sarah placed her hand on her husband’s forearm. “Mary Ruth is going to spend some time with her grandmother in an Amish community in Florida.”

  �
�It’ll be a nice change of pace.” Mary Ruth ran her hand down Emma May’s soft head. “But I’ll visit.” She lifted a shoulder. “The community is in affiliation with Apple Creek. I’ll be free to come back if I wish. I have to figure out what I want to do.”

  Marriage was a well-respected institution among the Amish, and it had become apparent that Mary Ruth felt alone among all her married or soon-to-be married friends.

  “I’ve made some money selling my quilts to buy a bus ticket. I leave next week.”

  “Well,” Nick said, “we’ll miss you, too.”

  “Absolutely. Well...dinner isn’t going to make itself.” Sarah went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

  Nick came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. “You smell nice.”

  Sarah turned around in his embrace and hugged him back. “What did I ever do to deserve you?”

  Nick whispered in her ear, “You’ve deserved only good things all along. I’m just glad I was here when you finally realized it.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from TACTICAL RESCUE by Maggie K. Black.

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  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed another trip to the Amish community of Apple Creek. This time, I told Sarah’s story, an Englischer, who is forced to hide from her stalker ex-boyfriend among the Amish. But she doesn’t simply hide—she uses her skills as a social worker to help the young people of the community, both Amish and non-Amish, who are struggling with everything from addiction to the stresses of adjusting to adult life.

  When I first started researching the Amish, I was saddened to learn that even though they choose to live apart from the world, they are unable to escape some of the same issues, such as drugs and alcohol abuse, that are prevalent in the outside world. And in some ways, the struggle may be greater because of the extreme pressure to conform to the Amish way of life. I used this idea as a stepping-off point to plot Plain Protector.