His Promise

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  “Maybe. Now, what about you?”

  “Oh, where to start?”

  “That sounds ominous.”

  “It feels ominous. I’ve had quite the adventure here.”

  “Start talking. I want to hear all about it.”

  “I’ll share it when you get back. You’re in a phone shanty, ain’t so?”

  “Jah. How about the short version?”

  Grace smiled, then blurted out the most important parts. “I’ve reconnected with Miss Dorma Schultz. Do you remember her?”

  “Jah. Vaguely.”

  “Well, she had a fire at her house and now she’s living with me. In addition, Snooze and I connected with John Michael Miller.”

  “Wait! Isn’t he your sister’s old boyfriend?”

  “Yes, he is.”

  “How does he look?”

  That was why she loved Jennifer. She asked the things Grace would be embarrassed to tell anyone else. “He looks gut. Handsome.”

  “Is he really a firefighter?”

  “Oh, yes. He was one of the men to rescue Miss Dorma.”

  “So he’s a hero.”

  “He is. But he’s more than that.”

  “More than a hero?” Jennifer sucked in a breath. “Grace, has something happened between the two of you?”

  Feeling her cheeks blush, she continued on. “I’ve come to realize that the infatuation I felt for him was not one-sided.” Yes, that was a rather wordy way of saying it, but her head felt just that jumbled!

  “Wait a minute,” Jennifer said. “Are you saying that he likes you, too?”

  She couldn’t resist smiling. “Oh, jah.”

  “How did you know? Did he tell you?”

  “He did.” After the briefest of pauses, she blurted, “He also kissed me.”

  “Where?”

  “Where? On the mouth.”

  Jennifer burst out laughing. “Oh, Grace. Only you would take that question so literally. I meant where were you two when this big event happened?” Her voice lowered. “Was it somewhere romantic? Had he taken you for a sleigh ride?”

  Okay, now it was really good they were talking on the phone instead of sitting across from each other, because her face had to be beet red from both embarrassment and humor. “Nee, it wasn’t anyplace that romantic. He kissed me here in the kitchen.”

  Jennifer’s sighed. “I suppose romance can happen anywhere.” Before Grace could comment on that, Jennifer continued. “So, what are you going to do now?”

  “I don’t know. Everything is such a mess. Then, too, there have been burglaries in the area and lots of fires, too.”

  “Plus, Christmas is on its way,” Jennifer added.

  “Yes. Like I said, I can hardly keep up.”

  “Fires and love and danger and rescues,” mused Jennifer. “It reminds me of all those promises the Lord made in Isaiah, doesn’t it?”

  Jennifer’s family loved to memorize and quote verses. She easily knew three times more Bible verses than Grace did. “I don’t know what verse that is.”

  “You’ll have to look it up. It’s Isaiah forty-something, I can’t remember,” she said in a rush. “But in any case, it’s all about how you won’t be burned when you walk through fires.”

  “I have a feeling they weren’t talking about literal fires, Jen.”

  “Maybe I’m not, either. Oops! My uncle needs the phone. I’ll see you soon! Merry Christmas.”

  “Jah, Merry Christmas,” Grace said as she heard the phone click.

  Then she sipped the tea, cuddled Snooze, and stared into the fireplace as she made a mental note to look up that verse soon.

  She had a feeling she was going to need to glean that meaning as soon as possible. She was going to need all the help she could get.

  Chapter 27

  “Isaiah 43:2. ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flame will not set you ablaze.’”

  Grace paused, then read it aloud again, emphasizing different words this time. It all sounded very dark and meaningful. And, perhaps, confusing. She felt a burst of nervousness as she placed her finger on each word on the Bible’s page. She felt as if God and Jennifer were telling her something very important. But what was she supposed to learn, exactly?

  Annoyed with her suddenly slow-functioning brain, she read it out loud a third time.

  “Did you walk through the fire, Grace?” Dorma asked from the hallway.

  Flustered, Grace hastily closed the Bible. “Miss Dorma, you surprised me! I didn’t expect you to wake up yet. How are you feeling?”

  Dorma shrugged off her concern. Instead, she asked the question again. “Did you walk through fire?”

  “Nee. I did not. But you did.” Struggling to regain her composure, Grace went toward Dorma, hoping to take her hand. “Remember, you had the fire, not me. And John Michael walked through the fire, too. He is the fireman, jah? He and his friends helped save you.”

  Walking toward her, Dorma nodded. “He did, but that isn’t of what you speak.”

  Grace paused, unsure if they were talking about the same things, then mentally shrugged her shoulders. What did it even matter, especially if talking about the verse with somebody else could only help? “You’re right,” she said slowly. “It isn’t. I’m speaking of other fires. The types of fires one can’t see or feel.” Brightening her voice, she continued. “Now, how about something to eat? I made chicken noodle soup.” She curved her hand around Dorma’s elbow. “Let’s go into the kitchen.”

  Dorma walked compliantly by her side, but she was gazing blankly around her.

  Grace’s spirits sagged. Dorma had acted so alert, Grace had started hoping that her condition was improving. Obviously, that wasn’t the case. Gently, Grace asked, “Do you remember that we are at the Lees’ haus now?”

  “Jah.”

  “That’s gut. Remember, we’re going to be staying—”

  Dorma interrupted her. “We are walking through our own fires now.”

  Grace stopped. “Wait, you’re still thinking about that verse, aren’t you?”

  “The Lord gives each of us fires and floods. Some are large and some are small.”

  “It certainly does feel like that, doesn’t it?” said Grace. “But He doesn’t make mistakes, so I guess we’re supposed to go through them. Luckily, John Michael works for the fire department,” she teased.

  Dorma stopped and pressed a hand to her arm. “You mustn’t forget the rest of it, Grace.”

  “What is that?”

  “That He promised He would help us through,” Dorma said as she pulled away from Grace’s grip, strode over to the kitchen table, sat down, and primly set her hands in her lap. Then, just as if she was sitting in a fancy restaurant, she looked at Grace directly in the eye. “I would like soup now.”

  Pulling a bowl out of a cabinet, Grace smiled. “Then I think you should have some.”

  Late that afternoon, John Michael returned to the Lees’ house. But this time he had Captain Butler and Sheriff Brewer with him. Grace was used to the men’s visits now and didn’t feel too alarmed at the sight of them.

  After they exchanged greetings and she took the men’s coats and set them on the back of a chair, Sheriff Brewer said, “We need to speak with you, Grace. Well, with you and Dorma.”

  Feeling dread in the pit of her stomach, she led them into the living room. “Dorma is upstairs. Do you need me to go fetch her right now?” She kind of hoped they would first tell her what they wanted, then she could help deliver the news to Dorma.

  But that wasn’t the case.

  “Jah. You’d best go get her right now,” John Michael said.

  Just as she started upstairs, she could practically feel the men’s eyes dart to the dry Christmas tree. “Don’t worry,” she said with a smile. “I’m still filling the tree’s container with water and not turning on its lights.”

>   Captain Butler looked relieved. “That’s good, but I have to tell you that it’s not safe this close to the fire. If a stray spark hits it, that tree could burst into flames before you are even aware what’s happening.”

  Turning to John, she asked, “Would you help me move the tree farther away from the fireplace?”

  “That’s a real gut idea,” John Michael said. Getting to his feet, he turned to the other men. “How about if we move the tree to the back corner of the room?”

  The captain and sheriff looked pleased to help, and they all crouched around the tree as she walked up the stairs.

  After coming to terms that she was going to be vacuuming up needles all afternoon, she worried once again about the purpose of their visit.

  It was obvious that they weren’t here just to check on her and Dorma. Something was definitely going on and it was serious. She’d seen John Michael wear many moods. She now recognized his glower when he was irritated with her but trying hard not to let it show.

  She saw his patience when he was with Dorma, repeating the same words over and over when she was confused. His energy when he was working outside, a flirty side when he sat with her the other night and kissed her so sweetly.

  But everything he was exhibiting now was new to her. He seemed pensive and tense. Tightly wound up and nervous.

  After knocking softly on Dorma’s door, she peeked in.

  Dorma was sitting in the big easy chair next to the window and gazing out into the snow. In her lap were four magazines that Grace had given her. They were Christmas catalogs and a Better Homes and Gardens. Mrs. Lee had received them two days ago. Usually, Grace would never think of touching one of her clients’ mail, but she’d made an exception. Dorma seemed to enjoy looking at the pages over and over again. Perhaps it was a calming influence.

  Grace figured Dorma needed as many activities as possible that could ease her nerves.

  “Do you have another book?” Dorma asked.

  “Nee. I wish.” She paused, then gave her the news as gently as possible. “John Michael and some other men are here. They want to speak to us both.”

  Her eyes widened. “Because of the fire?”

  “Jah. I mean, I think that’s the reason. They didn’t actually tell me why they came.” Crossing the room, she helped Dorma get to her feet and smooth out her gray dress and apron.

  Then they went down to hear what the men had to say. She figured it was silly, but she hoped they were finally getting some good news at last.

  Chapter 28

  After they greeted Dorma and everyone sat down, John Michael knew they couldn’t put off the news any longer. The other men, thinking that Dorma might need to be talked to in Pennsylvania Dutch, had agreed to let him start the discussion. “We got the report from the fire investigator, Dorma,” he said quietly.

  “I did not set the fire,” she said in an almost defiant tone of voice. “I was looking at my letters.”

  “We believe you,” Captain Butler said. “Someone doused a cardboard box with an accelerant, set it on the back doorstep by the kitchen, and lit it on fire. That’s how the fire started. Everyone knows you were not to blame.”

  Grace’s eyes widened. “That is terrible! Dorma could have gotten badly injured or worse. Why would someone do such a thing?”

  Captain Butler nodded. “Exactly.”

  Grace shivered. “That’s horrible.”

  “It is,” John Michael agreed, wishing he could wrap an arm around her. “But luckily, they’ve started getting sloppy and began to make mistakes.”

  “Did they even realize Dorma was in her home?” She jumped to her feet. “She could’ve died.”

  John Michael walked to Grace’s side. “I know you’re upset, but you aren’t helping Dorma,” he murmured. “She needs you to be calm right now.”

  Grace glanced over to the older woman. She had wrapped her arms around her middle and was staring at them in concern.

  “I’m sorry everyone,” Grace announced. “I . . . well, I guess I just let the stress of it all get the best of me.”

  John Michael took her hand. “Let’s sit down. There’s more information to share.”

  After the others sat back down, Sheriff Brewer spoke.

  “Here’s what we know so far. At the beginning, I think they tried to be careful. They scoped out houses, looking for ones that had a lot of valuables, places that would be worth their time.”

  “We now think that’s what happened with you, Grace,” Captain Butler shared. “Someone was watching the Lees’ home, they saw you run off after Snooze, so they used the opportunity to look inside.”

  John Michael nodded, “When you went for a long walk the other day, they probably were going to get started, but then you came back early.”

  Grace’s eyes widened. “Someone’s been watching me?” When Sheriff Brewer nodded, she added, “But that doesn’t make sense. We found those tracks several days ago. No one has been back. At least I don’t think they have.”

  “I don’t know why they haven’t come back,” the sheriff said, frustration thick in his tone. “Things like this have been going on all over the county. At first, we thought only some areas were being targeted, but now the pattern has become more erratic.”

  “The things we have learned haven’t been especially helpful, either,” Captain Butler continued. “Sometimes they target a big place like this to rob. Other times, it’s a small home like the one two houses down from Dorma’s.”

  “The Franks were robbed during Dorma’s fire,” John Michael said. Two days ago, an Amish home out near Cub Run was burned and an English house at the end of that same street was robbed.

  Grace now looked even more apprehensive. She reached for Dorma’s hand. “I thought I was doing the right thing by bringing her here.”

  Sheriff Brewer got to his feet. “Everyone at the sheriff’s office is beyond frustrated. Our resources are getting low and my deputies are getting stretched to the limit,” he said slowly. “Plus, there have been other matters to see to besides these robberies and fires. I would like to tell you that I can ensure your safety here, but I’m afraid that’s impossible.”

  “Of course you can’t promise that,” Grace said slowly. “None of us can predict the future.”

  John Michael breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe she was finally going to be open to some other options.

  “How can I help? What should I do?” she asked.

  “I need you to be even more alert and keep your eyes open. If you see anything suspicious at all, I want you to call us immediately.”

  Grace nodded. “I can do that.”

  Still on his feet, Sheriff Brewer continued. “I got on the phone and called the departments in other counties and asked if any of their men or women could help us out. That will help with patrols, and with tracking down the guys who are doing this . . . but until then, I’m worried about you and Dorma being here alone. Is there someone who could stay here with you?”

  After darting a glance John Michael’s way, she said, “I’m not sure.”

  Unable to help himself John Michael said, “Wouldn’t it be better if she left?”

  Before the sheriff answered, Grace shook her head. “Houses everywhere are getting targeted. Who’s to say Dorma and I would be safer someplace else?” She lowered her voice. “Besides, I don’t want to only concentrate on our safety. I need to consider what is best for Dorma. She’s finally settled. She’s sleeping and eating again. And she’s calmer and more at peace. That’s important, too.”

  John Michael knew she had a point. Every person in the county couldn’t abandon their home just in case something terrible might happen. They needed to continue to live their lives and care for the people they loved. And for Grace, that included Dorma.

  Just as she was leaning back against the cushions on the couch, Snooze pattered into the room. After eyeing them all, he trotted toward her and looked up. Grace leaned down to carefully rub his back.

  Then, to John’s su
rprise, Snooze got up on his hind legs and pressed his tiny front paws on her thigh. A tender smile appeared on Grace’s face. She picked the pup up and held him in her lap.

  Then Grace turned to John Michael and smiled.

  There was so much love and affection in her eyes for that little dog that he knew exactly what he was going to do.

  “Actually, Grace does know someone who could stay here with her. Me.”

  When Grace smiled at him, he realized that was what she’d been hoping for all along.

  “That sounds like the best solution,” Sheriff Brewer said. “Even with extra manpower, we can’t be everywhere at once. I’ll feel better knowing that Dorma and Grace won’t be here alone all the time.”

  Captain Butler grinned at her. “You’re collecting houseguests left and right, Miss King.”

  Looking pleased as punch, she looked directly at John Michael. “Indeed, I am.”

  Chapter 29

  Feeling both exhilarated and confused by the meeting, Grace knew she couldn’t simply sit on the couch. John had left a few minutes after the men and promised to return as soon as his shift was over. Now she needed some fresh air, and thought Snooze probably did, too.

  She helped the dachshund into another sweater—this one cranberry-colored—fastened his leash, and invited Dorma to take the short walk with them.

  To Grace’s delight, Dorma didn’t hesitate. As if she’d owned them for years, she slipped on the thick wool cloak and warm boots that the nurse from the hospital had dropped off a few hours ago.

  “I used to walk my dog Charlie every morning,” she said as Grace fastened her cloak and ushered all of them out the door.

  “I didn’t know you used to have a dog,” Grace said as they walked down the drive toward the mailbox, stopping often for Snooze to sniff.

  “Oh, jah. She was a black cocker spaniel.”

  “Named Charlie?” Hoping to encourage Dorma to talk some more, she said, “Charlie is a boy’s name.”

  “It wasn’t a common name for a spaniel,” Dorma agreed. “But I always liked the name. My Abraham and I had always wanted to name our son that.”