Dark Crossings

by Marta Perry

  “I’m not here to raise money. I merely wanted to let Wilfred know that someone has been poaching deer on his property.”

  Glenda frowned. “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve seen one of the dead animals myself. My students have seen others. We have heard shooting late at night and seen the bright lights the poachers are using. Have you not heard them?”

  “I’m a sound sleeper. That’s so sad. Grandfather is abnormally fond of the deer. He plans to leave all his land to the state to be made into a wildlife refuge. Have you told the authorities about this?”

  Lena shook her head. “It is not our way to involve outsiders. By coming here, I am pushing the boundary of what is permitted. But like your grandfather, I have a special place in my heart for the deer. They are some of God’s most beautiful creatures. Are you sure I can’t speak to Wilfred? I saw the curtain move at his bedroom window. I know he’s awake.”

  A man a few years older than Glenda moved to stand behind her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “That was me looking out the window. Grandpa is asleep.”

  “Miss Troyer, this is my husband, Chuck. Miss Troyer was just telling me she thinks someone is hunting deer at night in our woods. Have you heard shooting?”

  “I have, but I thought it was some of the Amish getting a jump on the hunting season. They don’t believe they have to obey our laws.”

  Lena pressed a hand to her chest. “I can’t speak for every Amish person, but my family and all the families in my church recognize and obey the law of the land.”

  Glenda looked over her shoulder at him. “She wants us to notify the authorities because she says the Amish won’t.”

  “I’ve heard they don’t involve the law. Don’t you pray for and forgive wrongdoers?”

  “We forgive others as Christ forgave us.”

  Chuck scratched his neck. “I don’t mind letting the game warden know we think something is going on, but I don’t expect they’ll do anything about it.”

  Glenda turned back to Lena. “Thank you for your concern. I’m afraid telling Grandfather about this may upset him unduly. His health is very fragile. You understand, don’t you?”

  Lena nodded. “Of course. Will you contact the authorities?”

  Chuck smiled. “We’ll be happy to pass along what you’ve told us.”

  “Danki. That is all I can ask. Let me know if there is anything I can do for you or for your grandfather. I’ve always been fond of him. My sister makes an excellent tonic from natural herbs. I’ll bring some by tomorrow.”

  “That won’t be necessary. I’m sorry, but I don’t put much faith in folk remedies. We’re doing everything our doctor has suggested. Grandfather mainly requires rest. I should be getting back to him.” Glenda smiled and closed the door in Lena’s face.

  Left standing on the stoop, she had no choice but to go home. She had done all she could do.

  On her way back to the highway, she was startled when a man emerged from the dense woods in front of her. Her foolish heart raced faster when she recognized Isaac. In his hand, he held a game camera exactly like the one they had found together during the class outing.

  “Lena. What are you doing out this way?”

  A shiver raced over her at the sound of his deep voice. She wasn’t sure if it was fear or attraction that triggered it. Finally, she managed to say, “I stopped in to see how Mr. Cummings was getting along.”

  She focused her gaze on the camera in Isaac’s hand. Here was the proof she needed. He was in league with the poachers. Her foolish heart had been wrong about him. Gathering her courage, she asked, “What are you doing here?”

  He held out his hand. “Ruby told me that the twins found three more slaughtered deer out this way. I wanted to check on the situation.”

  She folded her arms tightly across her chest. He was lying. “They didn’t mention it to me.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Are you surprised? I’m sure their parents have told them to keep quiet about it.”

  That could well be true. “Why do you have a camera?”

  “After a little searching, I found the carcasses, and this camera nearby. These poachers aren’t taking the trouble to hide their work. One of the deer was a doe. They left her to rot. The bucks had their heads taken.”

  A slight smile softened his stoic face as he hefted the camera in his hand. “When I saw this, I thought it was much too valuable an item to be left in the woods. I removed it for safekeeping. I’ll put an ad in the paper that I found it, although I doubt anyone will report it missing. Perhaps the deer can move about in safety for a few nights.”

  Was he telling the truth? Or had she happened upon him while he was getting ready to set the camera in a new location? She wanted to believe Isaac, but did she dare? So much pointed in his direction.

  The trouble had started after he came to town. No one knew much about him, but he seemed to know everything about the poaching trade. She’d seen him aiming a gun at Goliath. If she hadn’t scared the deer away, would the buck’s head be hanging on a wall somewhere right this minute?

  Part of her wanted to demand that Isaac tell her the truth about his activities. Was he poaching for the quick money it brought in?

  Another part of her didn’t want to ask, and that frightened her more than anything. If Isaac believed she thought he was poaching, and he wasn’t, where would that leave the relationship she sensed was growing between them? Not in a good place.

  * * *

  ISAAC WISHED HE KNEW what Lena was thinking. He expected her to be pleased that he had removed the camera. Instead, her expression grew more guarded. She didn’t return his smile. He wasn’t sure why, but he wanted her to.

  Maybe it was because the gentle smiles she gave her students reminded him of the way his wife used to look at him. Thinking of Ada Mae brought back the feelings of guilt he couldn’t shake. He did his best not to remember.

  Tipping his head toward the road, he said, “Come, I will walk you home.” The words came out sounding more like a command than an invitation.

  Her chin came up. “I’m perfectly capable of seeing myself home.”

  He softened his tone. “I didn’t mean to suggest you weren’t. I’m going in that direction. We might as well go together—unless you object to walking with me. Are you afraid our names will be linked by gossip if we are seen together?”

  Her mouth opened and then snapped closed on whatever she intended to say. Without a word, she began walking at a brisk pace.

  He had no trouble adjusting his stride to match hers. After a few hundred feet, he finally asked, “Have I done something to upset you?”

  Pausing, she stared at him intently. “Have you?”

  That wasn’t the answer he expected. “If I have, I’m sorry. I don’t know what I did or said that offended you. Enlighten me.”

  She chewed her bottom lip as she considered her reply. After a moment, she shook her head and started walking again.

  Totally confused, he followed after her. “Does this mean I have not offended you?”

  Stopping, she faced him once more. Her cheeks were red from the exertion and the cold weather. The wind played with her bonnet ribbons and a few strands of hair that had come loose. She was pretty; he admitted that. But pretty alone wasn’t enough to hold his interest the way Lena Troyer did.

  As if she suddenly became aware that she was staring at him, she glanced down and became the perfect image of a demure Amish woman. It was a look that didn’t
ring true. He had a feeling Lena was anything but demure.

  She said, “Nothing you have done or said has caused me distress. I’m sorry if I gave that impression.”

  Whatever had upset her, she clearly wasn’t willing to discuss it. Why, he wondered, was it so important for him to keep on her good side? Was it because she was Ruby’s teacher?

  No, this had nothing to do with his child. He wanted Lena to like him because he liked her. The last thing he’d expected to find in Mount Hope was a woman who stirred his interest, but Lena did just that.

  He didn’t want to care for anyone the way he’d cared for Ada Mae. She had been the best part of his life, and he’d let her down. He wouldn’t allow himself to be put in such a position again.

  He cleared his throat. “It will be dark soon. We should go.”

  Silently, they walked along the narrow lane. They had nearly reached the highway when the sound of a truck behind them made them step aside. The man at the wheel passed them with a scowl on his face. He turned his vehicle toward town and disappeared.

  Isaac glanced at Lena. “Do you know that man?”

  “He is Chuck Carter, the husband of Mr. Cummings’s granddaughter.”

  “He didn’t look happy.”

  Lena didn’t reply.

  Isaac said, “Ruby seems to like school. How is she doing in her studies?”

  “Well.”

  “That’s gut news.” His daughter was a safe topic of conversation.

  He caught the glance Lena slanted in his direction. “She still isn’t making friends. Has she always been a loner?”

  “Nay, only since her mother passed away.”

  “If you don’t mind my asking, how did your wife die?”

  He did mind. What would she say if he admitted as much? She would politely accept that he didn’t wish to talk about Ada Mae’s death, but she would still wonder what had happened. Perhaps it was best to admit the truth now.

  “My wife died of a punctured lung after she was kicked in the chest by one of our horses.”

  His throat closed around the words he wanted to say: that it had been his fault. He knew Ada Mae didn’t trust the young gelding he had been so proud to own. It had been his pride, in more ways than one, that had resulted in his wife’s death and his daughter’s affliction.

  “I am sorry for your loss. Was Ruby with your wife when the accident happened?”

  “Why do you ask?” He didn’t like this prying. He wasn’t ready to discuss what had happened.

  “I want to understand why Ruby stopped speaking.”

  “Only Ruby and God know why she remains silent.” Isaac hoped his tone conveyed that he didn’t wish to talk about it.

  Lena took the hint and fell silent. An air of tension simmered between them and that, too, was his fault.

  He shouldn’t spend any more time alone with Ruby’s new teacher. Emotions he didn’t want to face seemed to surface whenever she was near. Not seeing her was the best plan. He was becoming much too interested in Lena Troyer, not as a teacher, but as a woman.

  * * *

  IN THE DAYS FOLLOWING Lena’s visit to Wilfred’s house, the sounds of gunfire in the woods stopped. The Carters must have followed through and notified the law. Lena began to breathe easier knowing that the deer were safe, at least until the legal hunting season opened in a few more weeks. Even though she climbed to the bell tower every evening, she still hadn’t seen Goliath. She began to fear he had been killed, and she mourned his loss.

  She saw Glenda Carter once more, when she went to town on Monday evening. The woman was coming out of John Miller’s store, and Lena stopped to thank her for helping. Glenda assured her she was glad to do it, but couldn’t stay and talk because Wilfred needed his medicine. As Lena watched her drive away, she was glad her friend had such a devoted granddaughter to care for him.

  On Wednesday afternoon, when the children finished their lunches, Lena read them a story about a young man who loved to draw, and how he turned his gift into a business by painting wooden boxes to sell to tourists so he could help support his aging parents.

  When she closed the book, Lena looked over the young faces so intent on her words. “Art for art’s sake is worldly and unacceptable to us. Art must have a purpose. God has already made a beautiful world and nothing we make can add to that beauty. What are some of the ways we can use art?” Lena still didn’t know how her own art could be used to better someone’s life.

  Katie held up her hand. “The quilts we make are pretty and useful.”

  Lena nodded. “That’s right.”

  She pointed to David when he raised his hand.

  “I sent a picture of my new horse to my cousin so he would know I have a better horse than he does.”

  “That is prideful, David. Can you think of a nicer reason?”

  The boy scrunched up his face and then said slowly, “No.”

  Ruby held up her hand. Lena walked to her desk to read what she wrote. “Ruby says her father uses art by carving furniture to sell. Very good, Ruby.”

  Lena moved to the front of the room. “Today, I’d like you to use your art to show me one kind of animal that lives on your farm. It can be any animal you want.”

  An hour later, she had pictures of horses, cats, dogs, pigs and an owl. One by one, she hung them around the room so that everyone could see. It wasn’t until after school was out that she realized Ruby hadn’t turned in a picture.

  When Lena left the school that afternoon, she caught sight of someone peeking around the edge of the barn. The fleeting glimpse of a black prayer kapp and red-gold hair was enough to tell her who it was.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  LENA CALLED OUT, “Ruby, won’t your father be worried if you don’t come home on time?”

  The child stepped out from behind the building and came forward with lagging steps. Lena descended the stairs and waited for her. Ruby stopped in front of her and began writing. She held her board up for Lena to see. “He doesn’t care.”

  “I find that hard to believe. Your father is very concerned about you. Why didn’t you go home with the other children?”

  Ruby scribbled her answer: “I wanted to walk home with you.”

  Lena was secretly pleased. Not only was it good to find someone who enjoyed her company, but she’d grown quite fond of Ruby. “All right then, let’s go.”

  Walking side by side, they followed the dirt road down the short hill and through the covered bridge. Lena resisted an overwhelming urge to check the woods for watchers, and kept a one-sided conversation going until they reached the lane leading to her father’s house.

  Looking down at Ruby, she smiled. “I appreciate you keeping me company. I will see you tomorrow at school.”

  The girl wrote a question on her board and held it up for Lena to see. “Can you teach me to draw as well as you do?”

  “I don’t see why not. God has bestowed considerable talent upon you. If you are sure your father doesn’t mind, come up to the house with me.”

  After introducing Ruby to Anna, Lena led the child upstairs to her room. From a cupboard in the corner, she withdrew a tattered book. “This book has easy-to-follow lessons for developing your talent. If your father agrees, you can keep it if you want.”

  Ruby’s bright smile told Lena she’d made a friend for life. She wrote on her board, “Will you ask him for me?”

  Lena nodded. Staring at the child’s happy face, she prayed Isaac
wouldn’t object.

  Ruby jotted another note and held it up. “Please?”

  After getting the child’s hopes up, how could she refuse? “Is he at work?”

  Ruby shook her head and pointed to the floor. Lena took that to mean he was at home. He must be worried that Ruby wasn’t home yet. They should hurry. At least the walk to the old Stoltz farm was closer than walking into town.

  “Come,” Ruby whispered, excitement glowing in her eyes. She took Lena’s hand and tugged her toward the door.

  Lena stood rooted to the spot. “Ruby, you spoke!”

  The girl gave her a funny look and shook her head.

  “You did. You spoke. You said, ‘Come.’”

  Shaking her head again, Ruby scrawled, “No, I didn’t” on her board.

  Lena leaned close to examine the writing. “What does this say?”

  Rolling her eyes, Rudy whispered, “No.” Then her eyes grew wide and she snapped her mouth shut.

  Lena dropped to her knees and hugged the child. “Ruby, this is wonderful. God is so good!”

  Holding her at arm’s length, she coaxed, “Say something else. You can do it.”

  Ruby opened and closed her mouth. No words came out. Finally, she cupped Lena’s face between her hands. In a tiny whisper, she pleaded, “Don’t tell Papa.”

  * * *

  ISAAC HAD FINISHED the wash and was hanging the wet clothes on the line when he heard a muffled laugh behind him. Turning around, he saw Samuel standing by the back door of the house. His brother looked tired and worn, but he was smiling.

  “What are you laughing at, little brother?”

  “The sight of you doing woman’s work.”

  Isaac secured one of Ruby’s dresses to the clothesline with wooden pins. “At least I know how to wash clothes. You look like you could use a lesson or two.”