Emma snapped her fingers. “When Jimmy asked where Paddock was taking us, she said same place as last time. What did that mean? Delaney said it didn’t mean they killed someone else.”
“On the previous pickup, the one where Sophia was killed, one of the bull elks had a reaction to the tranquilizer. He was dead before they could unload him. The helicopter dropped the animal at the top of the dune, the same place where you were taken, and left it there. Paddock and Agent Brownfield made sure it slid down the back of the dune, where scavengers would take care of the remains.”
“Surely there would still be bones,” Henry said. “Something to indicate what had been done.”
“More than likely, but the dunes are constantly shifting. Any carcass would have been covered with sand within a few days, and we’ve found no evidence of that particular crime. We’re still looking.”
“What about the scar on Sophia’s neck?” Emma asked. “I remember seeing it in the drawings, and Tess said Sophia didn’t have it at her husband’s funeral.”
“She didn’t,” Tess confirmed.
Grayson sat back, crossed his arms, and studied the other folks in the diner. “Sophia had tried to go to the police before when she was in San Diego. Clayton Clarke’s people were already on to her at that point. As she was walking toward the police station, someone attacked her and held a knife to her throat. She only managed to get away because she was carrying pepper spray. However, the incident left a scar where the knife scraped against her skin.”
And then there was nothing else to ask.
Grayson thanked them again for their help, told Henry he’d check on him later in the week, and wished Tess safe travels. He stood to leave, and then he reached into his pocket and pulled out the device Henry had found in his clock. Only now it was in an evidence bag. “I was right. This was an extremely expensive surveillance device.”
“Why would they be watching me?”
“That’s a question we haven’t answered yet, but we will. It had Paddock’s fingerprints on it. She admitted to planting Sophia’s fingerprints in your home.”
“If it weren’t for Lexi, she would have listened in on everything we said.” Henry shook his head in disbelief.
“If you ever want to get rid of the beagle, she might make a good police dog.”
“Not a chance,” Emma and Henry said at once.
When he was gone, it was just the three of them, and Emma realized she was going to miss the young woman she’d known such a short time.
“We’re sorry, Tess.” Henry waited until she raised her gaze to his. “We are deeply sorry for the tragedy you have suffered through and for your losses. We will both pray for you, that Gotte will be close and present and a real help in your time of need.”
Tess sucked in her bottom lip, but no tears spilled from her eyes.
She squeezed Emma’s hand, pulled her purse strap over her shoulder, and stood. When Henry stood too, she stepped closer and put her arms around him before embracing Emma. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she turned and walked out of the diner.
Seventy-Seven
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
One week later
Henry led Emma to his favorite viewing spot and motioned for her to crouch down in a sea of bulrushes and cattails. Emma raised one eyebrow, but she hiked up her dress so as not to trip over it and squatted beside him. Lexi sat quietly, her nose raised high, smelling, sensing, and abundantly pleased with the outing.
A soft breeze tickled the hair at the nape of Emma’s neck.
There was just enough light for Henry to see and recognize how beautiful she was. He was thinking on that, on how to say such a thing and not sound foolish, when the distinctive, rolling cry of cranes filled the morning.
Emma placed her hand on his arm, glanced at him, and smiled.
“So many of them.”
“Ya.”
“And is that”—she cocked her head—“a marsh wren calling?”
“It is.”
Emma was a fast learner, which didn’t surprise him.
As they waited, dawn’s light splashed over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the east, crossed the San Luis Valley, and settled on the foothills of the Rockies, bringing the sand dunes into sharp contrast against the mountains. Sunrise turned the marshland into a sea of gold. It reminded him of the enduring nature of God, of their rich harvest of blessings, and of the joy that was theirs to claim.
The heavens declare the glory of God.
“Indeed they do,” he mumbled.
“What did you say?”
“Look. There.” He passed her the binoculars and pointed to a spot ten yards away and northeast.
He heard the flat rattle call again. The air filled with one gar-oo-oo and then another and another.
“I’ve seen the cranes before,” Emma whispered, “but I never stopped to look at them, to watch them.”
The adult male nearest them took several steps east. Henry, Emma, and Lexi followed.
They watched the regal creatures for the next hour, moving whenever another group caught their fancy.
As the sun’s light rose against the face of the Rockies, Henry glanced around and recognized the section of marsh they had come to. He remembered finding Sophia among the bulrushes and cattails. He would never have wished to become involved in such a thing, but he had been, and there was no changing the past. God’s ways were not man’s, were certainly not Henry’s.
He reminded himself of the good that had come from even such a tragedy as this. Sophia had now been laid to rest. Her sister had found a measure of peace, although Tess would be grieving for some time. She had sent him a short note saying she’d contacted her local pastor and attended church on Sunday. She was young in the faith but intent on seeking God’s answers.
As for Sophia, Henry continued to feel a deep loss for the young woman. It was a great solace to him to know that before he’d even stumbled across her body, Sophia’s soul had been reunited with their heavenly Father.
Lexi flattened her belly against the mud, stretching her legs in front of and behind her, and then she glanced up at him with a pleading look.
Henry reached for Emma’s hand.
“Can I interest you in some breakfast?”
“Maybe one of those slices of spinach and bacon quiche from the diner would be gut.”
“And hot coffee.”
“Perhaps a sticky bun to round it all out.”
They walked for a few minutes before Henry found the courage to say, “I spoke to Clyde last week about us.”
“Us?”
“I care for you, Emma. Surely you know that I do.”
“You do?” She shook her head as if she couldn’t fathom why she was repeating his last word each time he spoke. He gave her a moment, and she finally said, “I care for you as well, Henry. But what does that have to do with my son?”
When they reached the edge of the marsh, Henry pulled her over to a bench positioned near the walkway and they both sat down.
“I thought it best to ask his permission. I’d like you to marry me, Emma.”
“Marry you?”
“Indeed.”
“Oh.”
“Oh?”
Emma tugged at both of the strings on her prayer kapp, reminding him of a much younger girl. Then she smiled, and his anxiety over asking her melted. “That is…Ya, I’d like that very much.”
He looked down at their hands, or rather at her hands resting in his. He’d been unaware that he’d reached for them, just as he’d been unaware that he was falling in love with this marvelous woman, someone who had been his friend practically all of his life.
“You don’t think we’re too old?”
“Rachel says sixty is the new forty.”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m not sure. She tried to explain it…” Emma smiled so that the skin around her eyes crinkled. “Perhaps it means we have plenty of years ahead of us, Gotte willing.”
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“Ya, Gotte willing.”
Lexi put her paws up on the bench and sniffed at Emma and then Henry.
“She seems to approve,” Emma said.
“Indeed.”
They stood and started for the parking area, where Stuart was waiting to give them a lift back to Monte Vista.
“Where will we live, Henry? When will we marry? When should we tell the congregation?”
“All gut questions.”
“I suppose it’s something we can think on. It’s not as if we’re in a rush like two youngies.”
“I am in a rush, though. I want to spend my days and nights with you, share coffee with you on the front porch, and help to raise your great-grandchildren.”
“No great-grandchildren expected, though I believe Silas will marry soon.”
“And then Katie Ann.”
“It all happens so fast.”
“Children are a blessing of the Lord, as are grandchildren.”
“And great-grandchildren.” Emma smiled and touched his arm. “Before the new year, then.”
“Ya, before then.”
Lexi trotted at their heels as they left the marsh, the cranes rising and settling behind them like waves of majestic grain.
Discussion Questions
1. Our main character, Henry Lapp, feels drawn to Sophia Brooks. He believes he is supposed to help her in some way. Is this realistic? Are we ever “called” to help someone outside our circle of friends? What biblical examples can you think of that might relate to this? (Hint: Read Luke 10:25-37.)
2. Henry just happens to stumble across Sophia’s body. Is this believable? Could God have directed his steps in this way so that her body could be found and Tess could have at least that small measure of comfort? Proverbs 20:24 says, “A person’s steps are directed by the LORD.” How have you seen this in your own life? Give specific examples of times when God seemed to be leading you in a particular direction.
3. We learn that Sophia wore lines from the “Serenity Prayer” on a chain around her neck. What does this tell us about Sophia? Does what we wear and what items we have in our homes give others an indication of our faith walk? Why or why not?
4. Before Henry is arrested, he reads from Isaiah 14. Read back over these words, beginning in verse 24. “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be.” How do these words comfort you?
5. We have a strange collection of friends in this story: Emma, Henry, Tess, Grayson, and others. Do you think it’s possible to have friends from such different backgrounds? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
6. Maggie’s Diner manager Julie Hobbs tells Henry, Emma, and Tess she believes Henry is innocent. What reason does she give? What is her personal experience with the local Amish population? As Christians, how we conduct ourselves and interact with our neighbors says a lot about our faith. Give one example from your town where people of faith reached out to the broader community.
7. Henry has a dream about his mother urging him to hurry, but cautiously. He doesn’t completely understand the dream, but the memory of it stays with him as he rushes to aid Emma. Do you believe God sometimes sends us dreams? Or do you believe all dreams are merely creations of our subconscious? Dreams are mentioned often in the Old Testament. A few examples are Job 4:13-16, 1 Samuel 3:2-15, and Daniel 2:19.
8. Henry gives a birdhouse to Leroy and his wife to remind them that God cares and is watching over them. Matthew 10:29-31 reads, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” How do these verses encourage you at this time in your life?
9. At the end of the story, we’re given the impression that the tragedy of Sophia’s death led Tess to explore a life of faith. Have you known anyone who turned to Christ after going through a difficult time? How can we help others when they are making this journey?
10. One of my favorite aspects of this story is the developing relationship between Emma and Henry. Do you think it’s possible for someone to find love at their age? Why or why not?
Glossary
AusbundAmish hymnal
Bruderbrother
Dankithank you
Datfather
Englischernon-Amish person
Freind(en)friend(s)
Gem gschehneyou’re welcome
GotteGod
Gotte’s willeGod’s will
Grandkinnergrandchildren
Gudemariyegood morning
Gutgood
Kappprayer covering
Lobliedhymn of praise
Mamm/Mammimom/grandmother
Neinno
Ordnungthe unwritten set of rules and regulations that guide everyday Amish life
RumspringaRunning-around years
Schweschdersister
Wunderbaarwonderful
Yayes
Youngie/Youngiesyoung adult/adults
Recipes
Breakfast Casserole
8 slices white or wheat bread, crumbled
6 eggs
2 cups milk
½ onion, diced
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. dry mustard
1 lb. fried sausage or bacon, crumbled and drained
1 lb. Colby cheese, grated
¼ cup margarine or butter
Preheat the oven to 325º. Spread the bread across the bottom of a greased 9 × 13-inch baking dish. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and then add the milk, onion, salt, and mustard. Sprinkle meat and cheese over the bread. Dot the margarine or butter over the cheese and pour the egg mixture over all. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until golden brown.
Recipe from Elizabeth Coblentz with Kevin Williams, The Amish Cook
Cheese Soup
¼ cup butter
¼ cup onion, finely chopped
¼ cup flour
4 cups milk
⅛ tsp. salt
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups fresh or frozen vegetables (corn, diced carrots, peas, celery, etc.)
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté. Remove the pan from heat. Add flour, milk, and salt. Return the saucepan to the heat and cook until thick, stirring constantly. Add the cheese and stir until melted. Add the vegetables. Let simmer for 30 minutes over low heat.
Recipe from Elizabeth Coblentz with Kevin Williams, The Amish Cook
Potato Casserole
2 lbs. potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2½ cups cream of chicken soup (or 1 10¾-ounce can condensed cream of chicken soup plus 1 can water)
½ cup butter, melted
2 cups cheese, grated
1 tsp. salt
2 cups sour cream
½ cup onion, chopped
4 oz. crackers, crushed
Preheat the oven to 350º. Combine the potatoes, soup, butter, cheese, salt, sour cream, and onion in a large bowl. Spoon the mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs over the top and bake for 45 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
Recipe from Elizabeth Coblentz with Kevin Williams, The Amish Cook
Shoo-Fly Pie
1 unbaked piecrust (8 inches)
⅓ cup molasses
¼ cup boiling water
¼ tsp. baking soda
1 cup all-purpose flour
⅓ cup sugar
¼ cup shortening
Pinch of salt
Preheat the oven to 350º. Mix together the molasses, water, and baking soda in a small bowl and then pour into the unbaked pie shell. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, sugar, shortening, and salt. Mix until crumbly. Pour into pie shell on top of molasses mixture. Bake for 40 minutes, until the molasses mixture seeps through the top and the top is dark brown.
Recipe from Elizabeth Coblentz with Kevin Williams, The Amish Cook
Ginger Crisps
¾ cup shortening
1 c
up sugar
¼ cup molasses
1 egg
2½ cups flour
¼ tsp. baking soda
2½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. ginger
Cream together the shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the molasses and egg and mix well. Sift in the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Chill for 2 hours. Form into 1-inch balls and then roll in granulated sugar. Bake on cookie sheet at 375º 10 to 12 minutes.
Recipe from Sallie Y. Lapp, Amish Treats from My Kitchen
Ham Salad Spread
1 pound cooked ham, coarsely chopped
3 small stalks celery, finely diced
1 large dill pickle, finely diced
1¼ tsp. dry mustard
¼ tsp. onion powder
½ cup mayonnaise
½ tsp. salt
1 T. lemon juice
Mix together the ham, celery, and pickle. In a separate bowl, combine the mustard, onion powder, mayonnaise, salt, and lemon juice. Stir together and then stir this mixture into the ham. Spread on sandwich bread or crackers.
Recipe from Elizabeth Coblentz with Kevin Williams, The Amish Cook
Potato Salad
3 hard-boiled eggs, cooled
3 cups potatoes with skins on, cooked, diced, and chilled
¾ cup salad dressing or Miracle Whip
1½ tsp. yellow prepared mustard
2 T. apple cider vinegar
¼ small onion, chopped fine
¾ cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
½ cup chopped celery
2 T. milk
When the Bishop Needs an Alibi Page 31