His Promise

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  “Something happened last night that you need to know about, Miss King,” he said by way of greeting. “I think we need to talk.”

  She felt chill bumps rise on her arms but tried to ignore them. As she ushered him inside, she said, “I have some hot coffee and some chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen. Would you like some?”

  As he unzipped his jacket, he smiled at her. “I usually say no, but it’s been a long day already. I’d love some.”

  Pleased that she could do something productive, she set Snooze down on the floor.

  “He really is a cute little thing.” Before she could stop him, Sheriff Brewer knelt down. “Hi, little guy. How are you?”

  Snooze bared his teeth and growled before running to the couch.

  The sheriff’s light-blue eyes twinkled. “Is he any nicer to you?”

  “Sometimes.”

  He laughed. “I’m starting to think pet sitters are underappreciated.”

  Boy, had he called that right! “Every animal has his own unique personality,” she said diplomatically.

  “Some more than others,” he murmured.

  After they got to the kitchen and she’d given him a cup of coffee and plate of cookies, she sat down across from him. “What has happened?” Grasping at straws, she said, “Did something happen to Dorma?”

  “Dorma? Oh. Dorma Schultz. No. We had another robbery in the area last night. When we questioned the owners, they said that they’d thought someone had been walking around the house before. Maybe even gone inside through an unlocked window.”

  “Like what happened here.”

  “Exactly.”

  She felt kind of sick. “Did you catch the robbers?”

  “No. But we did find out more information. It was two men. Two young men.”

  She thought of Dorma’s nephews. “What did they take?”

  “Money. Electronics. Jewelry. Just about anything that they could get their hands on.” He frowned. “They did a thorough job.”

  “If I see more footprints, I’ll let you know.”

  He winced. “I deserved that. I should have taken your sighting more seriously.” After finishing one of the cookies on his plate, he wiped his fingers on the paper napkin placed in front of him. “Grace, they had guns.”

  Grace clenched her hands together, trying to stop the trembling. It didn’t help. “How did you know that?”

  “Because the family came home just as they were pulling away. One of the men pointed a gun at them.”

  Her stomach dropped. “Do you think they might come here?”

  “I think it’s a good possibility, Miss King. They’re targeting some of the most expensive homes in the area.”

  Still thinking about the people getting a gun pulled on them, she swallowed. “Was the family hurt?”

  “Thank the Lord, no. But Grace, I think you and that dog . . .”

  “His name is Snooze.”

  “That you and Snooze might be in danger. Y’all need to leave and go somewhere safer.”

  The sheriff’s words made sense, but where could she go? Taking Snooze to her empty house didn’t seem like a good option. “I don’t know where else to go. This is my job. Mr. and Mrs. Lee wanted Snooze to live at home while they were out of town. I need to stay here.”

  “I think they’d change their tune if you were in danger.”

  “I think their house would be more in danger if I left.”

  She knew it went without saying that the Lees had a beautiful home filled with many expensive items. She couldn’t in good conscience leave it empty. Then, too, she knew she wouldn’t feel much safer in her empty house. Actually, she was starting to feel like she wasn’t going to be safe anywhere until the burglars were caught.

  Sheriff Brewer sighed and told her that he thought her priorities were messed up. When she said nothing, he looked at her steadily. “Perhaps you don’t feel comfortable using the phone? I could call Mr. and Mrs. Lee if you’d like. I’d be happy to tell them about the situation around here. Explain how my deputies could drive by on a regular basis after you leave.”

  “If you are planning to stop by on a regular basis, then I doubt I’ll have anything to worry about. Besides, as a matter of fact, I just got off the phone with Mr. and Mrs. Lee. I can talk on the phone just fine.”

  “You know I didn’t mean to sound rude, Grace.”

  She exhaled. “I know. And I appreciate your care, I do. But I made a promise to the Lees, and I intend to keep it.” Plus, she only had to get through another few days. Surely, she could do that?

  He got to his feet. He looked strong and formidable. If she hadn’t just watched him eat three cookies, she might have even been afraid of him. “There are some promises that shouldn’t be kept,” he said, “especially if it puts you in danger.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  He put his tan hat back on. “You look sweet and tentative, but you’ve got an iron will, Grace King.”

  She smiled at him softly. “I like how that sounds. My parents always just said that I was as stubborn as an old mule.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe only a young one.” Rapping his knuckles on the table, he said, “You keep my number close at hand. Don’t be afraid to call if you feel you are in danger.”

  “Danke, Sheriff.”

  He shrugged on his jacket. “I don’t feel good about this, Grace. I don’t feel good about it at all.”

  And with those parting words, he took his leave.

  Making her suddenly wonder if she’d just made a very bad decision.

  Chapter 23

  They were ten hours into another twenty-four-hour shift, and thankful that so far it had been relatively uneventful. They’d only helped a pair of new homeowners who were afraid they had a natural gas leak. John Michael was sitting at the table and eating supper.

  It was his turn to do the cooking and he was proud of his efforts. He’d made beef-and-barley soup when he first got on, and put it all in a Crock-Pot to thicken and simmer over the day. He’d even brought in some of his mother’s biscuits and two of her pies to finish out the meal.

  “I did it,” Sean said as he entered the dayroom of the station house. “My brother and I just booked a trip to Cancun. We’re leaving the last week in January.”

  Captain Butler grinned as he got up to get another helping of soup. “Anxious for a few days at the beach, huh?”

  “Oh, yeah,” Sean replied with a smile. “We’re going to stay at one of those all-inclusive resorts. Food, beer, fun, you name it. Can’t wait.”

  “I always wanted to go to one of those resorts,” Anderson said. “What made you decide to book it for January? I like to take my vacations in the spring.”

  “Do you really need to ask?” Sean said as he cut himself a generous slice of pumpkin pie. “It’s been snowing like crazy, no one around here can drive in it, and we’ve got a pair of thieves who are starting fires for fun. I need a break.”

  “Shoot. When you put it like that, I think we all need a break,” the captain said with a wink directed at John Michael. “I bet my wife would love to spend a couple of days running around in a bikini.”

  Sean chuckled. “I have a feeling you might enjoy that, too.” Turning to John Michael, he said, “Any chance you could head to the beach?”

  “In Mexico? Nee, I don’t fly. But I’d like to go to the beaches in Siesta Key.”

  “I like Florida, too,” Hank said as he got another helping of soup. “It’s warm.”

  The bells erupted, interrupting all thoughts of vacations. Immediately, all four of them got to their feet. John Michael unplugged the Crock-Pot and put the remains of the pie back in the refrigerator, then headed down the stairs.

  “We got ourselves a house fire,” Captain Butler said as he scanned the information that came on the screen of his phone. “Address . . . oh, no.”

  Leading the way down the stairs, Sean looked at him in alarm. “What?”

  “I’m pretty sure it’s the address of the Amis
h lady you’ve been checking on, John Michael,” Hank said as he looked at the screen on his phone, too. “It’s Schultz.”

  Everything inside of him tensed up and before he could stop himself, John Michael shook his head. Then, remembering that whosever house they went to was a loved one of someone, guilt slid in.

  Glad for his experience, he fastened his emotions down tight and picked up his turnout gear. He needed to do his job. The other men in his crew were counting on him. That was what he needed to concentrate on. God would take care of the rest.

  The captain had been right. The fire was at Dorma’s, and when they arrived, the front of her small house was engulfed in flames. The moment Hank pulled to a stop, the captain started calling out orders.

  Training kicked in. John’s face mask was on and fastened tight, his breathing apparatus running. And he was completely focused on obeying his captain’s directives.

  Within seconds, hoses were pulled, the hydrant was being hooked up, and Hank was at the side panel, monitoring the amount of water and its pressure. Once again, the first rush of power made John take a step back as his muscles acclimated to the power.

  Next to him, Anderson did the same thing, then motioned him forward.

  Though he wished he could be out in front, following the captain into the burning building, he knew he was needed manning the hose.

  He was vaguely aware of the sheriff’s cruiser coming to a stop and Noah Freeman’s team pulling up in the ambulance.

  “Steady now,” the captain called out.

  “On it,” John Michael said into the microphone attached to his face shield and helmet. He held firm, carefully spraying the source of the flames as he’d been taught.

  And quietly reciting the Lord’s Prayer to himself.

  Two minutes passed, then he heard the captain’s voice. “We got her. She’s out but breathing.” He called out a couple of more codes, but John Michael barely heard. All he could do was stare at the building. Hoping and praying for both the captain, Sean, and Dorma to appear.

  When they did, he felt like he could breathe at last.

  “Let’s get this done,” Hank called out, motioning John Michael to the building, which was now only smoking.

  His heart sank as he realized that the building was ruined. There would be no saving it—or any of the things that Dorma had been so fond of.

  Remembering how she’d showed them her grandmother’s quilt and a wall hanging that her mother had made, he felt sad. She had been precariously holding on to her memories. Clinging to things like the hanging and the quilt. Now they were all gone.

  “We’re good. The fire’s out,” Hank called out. “I’m shutting it down.”

  While Sean and the captain went back into the building, which was now only a mess of burnt wood and ashes, Hank loped down to the hydrant to disconnect the line. John Michael pulled his face mask up and looked around the scene as he started to wind up the hoses.

  There was a good crowd around them. Some were staring at the captain and Sean enter the building; others were watching the EMTs load Dorma into the ambulance.

  Several others were around the sheriff. He was calmly answering questions and cautioning everyone to stay back and to keep out of the way.

  Almost a half an hour later, most of the men were gathered around the truck and unfastening the toggles on their coats. “We did good, men,” the captain said. “We got her out.”

  “I’m just glad she wasn’t struggling to breathe,” Sean said. “It made our jobs a little easier.”

  “Did y’all notice how she was holding on to that box?” Anderson said. “I can’t believe out of everything inside there, that’s what she grabbed.”

  “Grace told me that it contains some special letters inside,” John Michael supplied.

  Captain Butler’s expression softened. “We saved two important things, then,” he said with a smile.

  John Michael tried to concentrate on the positives. They’d gotten to Dorma’s in time to pull her to safety. The preliminary reports were that she was going to be fine. None of the men on his crew were hurt. There were many blessings for which to be thankful for.

  But he couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen to Dorma Schultz next.

  And how that fire had started. Had she had an accident . . . or had it been set on purpose like so many others in the area?

  For the first time, he almost didn’t want to know the answer.

  Chapter 24

  Grace had never been so grateful for both the Lees’ telephone and the availability of English drivers. From the moment John Michael called to tell her about the fire at Miss Dorma’s house, she’d been anxious to see her.

  The Lord had obviously been on her side, because Grace had gotten to the hospital less than an hour after she’d received John Michael’s call. Now all she had to do was hope and pray that Miss Dorma would make a full recovery.

  “May I help you?” the receptionist asked.

  After giving her name and Dorma’s, Grace was taken to a small curtained area just off the reception area.

  “Miraculously, Miss Schultz hasn’t sustained any serious injuries,” the nurse said as she escorted Grace down the hall. “The doctors and nurses treated a few minor scratches and have had her on oxygen, but she is responding well. She should be able to be released within a few hours.”

  “That is wonderful-gut,” Grace replied. “Wonderbaar.” Realizing she’d been speaking Pennsylvania Dutch, she shook her head as if to clear it. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m real rattled. I mean that is good news.”

  “I understood you. My grandmother is Amish,” the nurse said with a smile. “And for the record, I completely agree.” After they passed two more curtained areas, they stopped. “Dorma is back here.” After pulling back the blue curtain, she escorted Grace into the small area.

  To her surprise, Dorma wasn’t in a hospital gown. She was dressed in her regular clothes and was even sitting up in bed. She had a cozy-looking blanket across her lap and an oxygen tube inserted in her nose.

  She also smiled when she saw her. “You came to visit,” she said after the nurse checked her vitals and left.

  “Of course I did,” she said as she rushed to her side. “I came the moment I heard about your accident.”

  Her smile faded. “Accident?”

  Worry bubbled up inside of Grace. Was Dorma so confused she didn’t even remember what had happened? “Yes,” Grace said slowly. “Do you remember the accident at your home?”

  Dorma shook her head. “Nee. I only remember the fire.”

  Grace sat down in the one chair by the bed. “That’s what I’m speaking of,” she said gently. Instead of dwelling on how the fire started, she decided it would be better to concentrate on the positives. “I’m mighty glad you weren’t injured too badly. I was worried about you!”

  Looking more coherent than usual, Dorma gripped the blanket over her legs. “It was scary. I was looking at my letters when I smelled smoke. At first I thought I was imagining things, but I wasn’t.” Her voice quivered. “And then the flames got bigger and bigger. I didn’t know what to do. All I knew to do was hold on to my box of letters and pray.”

  Grace covered Miss Dorma’s hand with both of her own. “I would have been frightened, too.” Eyeing the cherrywood box, she said, “And you even saved your letters!”

  “I wouldn’t leave them.”

  “I am proud of you,” Grace said softly. “And the Lord was looking out for you, too! John Michael and the other firemen got there and saved you.”

  “Jah. The men carried me out of the house.” Looking sad, she added, “Everything is gone but my letters.”

  “We’ll worry about that tomorrow. Today is for giving thanks.”

  Dorma nodded. With a cough, she leaned back against her pillow. After Grace helped her take a sip of water, Dorma said, “I don’t know how the fire started. It happened fast.”

  Grace wasn’t sure what the right thing to say was. Should
she redirect the conversation so she wouldn’t get even more flustered? Or let her speak about what was on her mind?

  Hesitantly, she said, “Did you leave something on the stove?”

  “Nee.”

  “Maybe a candle knocked over? Or something happened with a kerosene light?”

  “After the firemen came, we changed everything to batteries. I don’t use candles anymore. Only flashlights. The same with kerosene light.” Looking perplexed, she said, “I don’t know how it started, but I didn’t do it.”

  Grace racked her mind. “Did you clean out your fireplace? Sometimes, hot ashes or coals can start a fire.”

  “Nee, Grace. I did none of those things. I didn’t make the fire.”

  Miss Dorma sounded so sure. So coherent. She didn’t want to argue with her, but Grace knew how absent-minded and confused Dorma was now. Though it could have been set by the arsonists, Grace feared this one might have been set on accident by Dorma.

  But no matter what was the cause, she knew this wasn’t the time to talk about it. “Let’s not talk about it anymore,” she soothed. “You need to rest.”

  “Nee.” Her voice sounded frantic. “It’s important, Grace.”

  “I agree. But it already happened. We can’t go back in time, right?” she said gently. “The fire investigators will figure out what happened and let us know.”

  Continuing to become agitated, she nodded. “I hope so.”

  The curtain shifted, bringing in a doctor, a nurse, and John Michael.

  “Looks like you have someone looking after you, Dorma,” the doctor said. Turning to Grace, he held out his hand. “I’m Dr. Metzger.”

  After smiling quickly at John Michael, she shook the doctor’s hand. “I’m Grace King.”

  “Grace, I’m glad you’re here to help with our patient.” Turning back to Dorma, he said, “How are you feeling?”

  “I can breathe better.”

  “That’s good,” he said with a warm smile. He looked over at John Michael and Grace. “We’re going to check her lungs again. If you could step outside.”