Safe Hearts (Amish Safe House, Book 3)

by Ruth Hartzler

  “Yes,” she said.

  “Have you thought about what I asked? Leaving the Amish community?”

  “Yes,” Kate said.

  “Would you?”

  “Yes,” she said, again. Of course, the choice wasn’t a hard one for her, she wasn’t Amish at all. Ryan smiled, and he stepped forward, closing the slight gap that had existed between their bodies. Kate looked up to the man, her pulse quickening, her heart beginning to pound within her chest. He bent a bit, brought his head down, his lips going for hers.

  And Kate wanted to kiss him; of course she did, but then she thought that she was not acting like an Amish woman. She also thought about her real life. She didn’t live anywhere near here, not even in this state. She wasn’t Amish. She had a life, and a job, and it was across the country. And her time was running out. She would be going back to her real life soon; she knew that. It wasn’t fair to Ryan to pretend otherwise, and it wasn’t fair to herself.

  “No,” she said, moving her head back just before their lips came together. She pulled her hand from his.

  “No?” he asked. “No what?”

  “No. Not right now.”

  Ryan looked confused. He just smiled and nodded. “Keep that cut clean, all right?” he said, and then he turned and left in a hurry. Kate stood by her sink, her eyes on the door long after he had gone out. She didn’t know if she had made a mistake or not, but it sure felt like it.

  Psalm 125: 1 - 2.

  Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.

  Chapter 9.

  Everyone was in a celebratory mood as they milled around the room. The table was overloaded with pot pies, shoo fly pies, apple pies, and sandwiches. There were more snacks and desserts than they could possibly eat. There was more food than Kate had ever seen at one time.

  Maybe that’s a slight exaggeration, Kate thought, as she examined the overflowing table. She had thought her whoopie pies would be good offering, but they were barely a speck in all the bounty.

  The knitting circle ladies definitely had a lot to celebrate, and luckily for her, they were focusing today on Jeremiah’s release and a new quilting project, rather than on her pathetic attempts to knit.

  “Kate, what do you think of this color?” Lillian shoved some squares of cloth under her nose. Kate leaned back to get a better look.

  Before Kate could answer, the elderly Maria leaned over to her. “You’ve done so much for this little group. I can’t thank you enough.”

  Kate felt her face redden as Maria beamed at her as if she had just performed an amazing feat. “Maria, I didn’t do anything. The police did all the work.”

  “Jah, but who got the police to keep looking into the case?” Abigail raised a brow and smiled knowingly. “Our secret sources revealed that they saw you go into the police station.”

  “You mean your friend at the deli?” Kate asked, which caused half of the other ladies to burst out into giggles. Seeing Abigail’s sheepish smile, she guessed herself right. The deli was right across from the station, so in hindsight Kate should have been more careful. A woman in Amish clothes walking into a police station would certainly stand out.

  “It is a shame your memories aren’t as sharp as your mind, Kate,” Miriam said cheerfully. “You must have a lot of interesting stories locked away in there.”

  “Oh Miriam, shush.” Maria scolded the woman with a light swat to her arm. Even so, she her eyes smiled while she was giving her stern frown of discipline. Everyone was relieved to have Jeremiah home. “Such manners.”

  “Sorry, Kate.” Miriam gave a joyous smile, and looked at the doorway impatiently. “But goodness, where is Beckie? She’s making a habit of being late.”

  “Be patient with her,” Maria admonished gently as she started to go through the scraps of cloth. “Jeremiah only made it home last night. Now behave yourself and help sort these squares. This quilt isn’t going to make itself.”

  Kate smiled as Maria pulled the ladies into order, assigning tasks. It was a relief to be working on a new project today. While she couldn’t promise perfection, even she could stitch two pieces of cloth together with reasonable success. It made a lot more sense to her brain than the series of curling and counting. She wasn’t exactly sure what the exact reason was for quilting today, but as long as she didn’t have to look at a defenseless blob of tangled yarn, she had no reason to question it.

  “Miriam told me that more witnesses spoke up about seeing someone run from the cafe before Jeremiah got there,” Lillian chimed in as she squinted at the end of her needle and furrowed her brow. “Kate dear, could you thread this for me? I left my glasses at home.”

  “No problem.” Kate took the needle and tried to coax the thread through the tiny eye. She hadn’t done much stitching in her day, but she did know how to sew a button. She hoped that no one would expect her to make a dress of anything. Buttons and simple tears were the entirety of her experience. “I’m glad that they finally found some witnesses.”

  “With your help,” Lillian chimed in.

  Kate shook her head. “Really, I didn’t do anything.” She appreciated that the ladies were grateful that she went to talk to someone at the station. But they were going overboard in their gratitude. “I didn’t do anything but go talk to a police officer. If anyone deserves credit, it would be you ladies.”

  Nancy waved her hand dismissively. “We didn’t go to the police and convince them to keep looking into the case.”

  “Just don’t make a habit of spreading our talks to outsiders, young lady,” Maria said as she carefully stitched two brightly colored squares together. “This time it is fine, of course. You saved Jeremiah from that awful jailhouse.

  The women all nodded in agreement and started praising her effort again. Even Esther hobbled out of her rocking chair and hobbled over to pat Kate’s shoulder in thanks. “You have such a good heart, going out of your way to save Jeremiah’s nephew like you did.”

  Kate sighed in resignation. All she did was talk to Ryan, but the ladies were acting as if she herself were law enforcement. If only she were, but right now, she was plain Katie, the amnesiac Amish woman.

  “You are always at the right place, at the right time it seems,” Esther said speculatively as she hobbled back to her chair and picked up her knitting. “Never a case unsolved when you get involved.”

  Kate opened her mouth to protest, when Beckie burst through the door. The young woman looked positively radiant. Kate sighed in relief.

  Beckie headed straight for her. “Oh Kate, denki so much. I heard you talked to the police and they let Jeremiah out. I can’t thank you enough.”

  Kate’s protests were once again muffled as the women spoke at once. “They’ve cleared Jeremiah of all charges..”

  “Wunderbaar!” Nancy said in a high, excited voice as there was a collective sigh of relief from the ladies.

  “Have they caught the real killer then?” Lillian asked, ignoring Maria’s disapproving frown.

  “Nee, they haven’t caught any suspect yet,” Miriam said as she sighed contently. “What matters, though, is that Jeremiah is safe and sound. He even came home with us last night.”

  “I’m surprised you let him out of your sight today.” Nancy gave a soft laugh at Miriam’s eye roll in her direction. Maria scoffed and frowned at Nancy.

  “I promised you ladies an update today,” Beckie said cheerfully, “Honestly I was beside myself waiting for the meeting. But I just couldn’t find a minute to get away. Jeremiah has eaten like a horse since he got home.”

  The ladies laughed. It was a small consolation that all Amish women appeared to be naturals at everything domestic. Apparently these ladies were the elite force of the crafting and culinary arts - and information gathering skills.

  “Come now, we’re here to knit,” Maria scolded them as she waved a knobby finger. Th
e women tried their best to look chastised, but then they were soon smiling and whispering amongst each other.

  “Kate, denki again,” Beckie said gratefully. “I know you have your own reasons for being here. It does my heart good that you went out of your way for my Jeremiah.”

  “I didn’t do anything special; I’m just happy that he’s home.” Kate picked up a needle, and started to measure out some thread.

  “As we all are.” Beckie beamed. Esther nodded from her rocking chair as she regarded Kate and Beckie with a smile. It was probably the warmest the elderly woman had been to her since she got here. Esther was always polite, but she never seemed to approve of Kate vacationing here while she was recovering. At least up until today. It seemed her little chat with Ryan had won over the ninety year old lady.

  Kate glanced over at the table, seeing Lillian and Nancy both practically cheek to cheek as they poured over the dessert table. They were whispering something excitedly, though Kate could not hear what they were discussing with such energy. It was likely some juicy gossip they didn’t want a scolding for. Maria seemed to suspect as much too, as she kept her eye on them like a mother preparing to guide her wayward children.

  Kate smiled as she suppressed a guilty twinge. These ladies were unlike anyone she had ever met.

  “When it’s time for me to go, they’ll be the first I’ll tell the truth to. They deserve that much for helping me keep my sanity.” Kate looked down at the bright blue cloth in her hands. She’d gone undercover before for a case, but she had never felt so anxious and fearful of revealing her identity. Would they resent her for lying to them all these months? Would they understand the necessity? Or would she end up shunned for tricking them for all this time, as they had shared everything with her without reservation?

  Proverbs 25: 26.

  Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

  Chapter Ten.

  Kate tugged at the stubborn weeds that sprouted amongst the roots of the various plants in the garden. On her knees in the dirt, she worked tirelessly under the warm glow of the sun as the morning dragged on. After finishing up one of the rows of plants, she pulled herself up and brushed off the muck that clung to her clothing. She then walked over to the work shed in order to refill the watering can, when all of a sudden, the sound of a horse pulling a buggy up the road set her nerves on edge.

  Kate quickly turned around and saw Beckie and Jeremiah waving enthusiastically. As the buggy drew closer, she could see the happiness clearly stamped all over their faces. When the horse came to a stop, Kate placed the watering can down and walked over to greet the pair.

  “Good morning!”

  Jeremiah was the first to jump down from the buggy. He then turned to his cousin and assisted her down the moderately steep drop. Beckie looked up at Kate with a broad smile. “Good morning! It certainly is.”

  “Yes, it’s so nice to be free again. I would never speak ill of anyone, but places like that are not meant for humanity. They try to strip you of your identity, but I refused to allow it. Fortunately, you and Beckie were amongst several who helped seek my freedom. For that, I am truly thankful.” Jeremiah smiled as he spoke, and then locked eyes with Kate. She could sense the sincerity and appreciation in his words, and despite his unfair incarceration, it was apparent to her that he held no resentment.

  “We all knew from the very beginning that their claims and charges against you were false. Beckie’s been the driving force in everything that’s happened to free you, though.” Kate glanced over at Beckie and grinned. “She’s the reason truth and faith overcame its obstacles to set you free.”

  Beckie nodded and smiled. “We all had an equal part in inspiring the truth to be heard. Let’s not forget Ryan and his role in all of his as well. Please send him our gratitude if you should happen to see him before we have the chance.”

  “Of course; I’ll make sure he knows how grateful you both are for his help.” Just then, Kate heard a voice calling out from behind her. Kate turned to see Beth coming down the steps of the porch.

  Beth made her way toward them. “Good morning!” she called out in a cheerful tone. “Would you all like to come inside the house for some tea?”

  “Denki,” Jeremiah responded. Beckie and Kate exchanged quick glances and then nodded in agreement. Beth motioned for them to follow and headed back toward the porch.

  They made their way to the dining area as Beth split off toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right back; I just need to get the tea.”

  Kate walked around the table and pulled out one of the chairs. She sank into the seat and then looked up as Jeremiah and Beckie followed suit. She gazed around the dining area, hoping Beth would join them soon. Suddenly, Jeremiah broke the temporary silence.

  “I have never taken anything in life for granted, but when your freedom is stolen from you erroneously, a mann comes to the realization that life is even more precious than we already believe it to be,” Jeremiah said in a solemn tone.

  Just as Kate was about to respond, Beth came in with two large pitchers of iced meadow tea, one in each hand. She filled the cups that sat before each of them and then placed the pitchers in the center of the table. She sat next to Kate and smiled. “Did I miss anything?”

  Beckie grinned. “You’re just in time!”

  “Yes. I was just beginning to talk about my time spent caged up,” Jeremiah said. “I blame no one for my incarceration, but that is no place for a good man. Fortunately, I only had one confrontation with the others, and by the end of that night, he seemed to be a changed man.”

  Kate listened carefully as Jeremiah spoke about his experience. She found solace in the strength and willpower. She looked down to hide her smile as she made a startling realization: if these people can be so strong and brave in the face of adversity and fear on a constant basis and placed their trust in God, who was she to be afraid or worried about a former colleague who was sent to harm her?

  “We spoke long after he tried to attack me,” Jeremiah said. “I was unsure of his motives, but hostility seems to be a person’s only method of protection in places like prison. The man grew frustrated and confused because I would not show aggression toward him, despite his actions against me. I would not fight back. He kept yelling, ‘Why aren’t you defending yourself?’ My only response was that I forgave him. At first, he grew even angrier each time I said the phrase, but then he began to understand. Before that night ended, he was a changed man.”

  Kate looked back up as Jeremiah continued his story, and right then, she made the decision to make herself a promise. She would not let Glen Tryston, Victor Daxton, or anyone else, fill her mind with fear and torment. She would stand tall and have faith, no matter how dire the circumstances might seem at that moment. Kate had always been accustomed to being brave and fearless in her line of work, but this was the first time that she was actually the target. If Jeremiah could stand like an immovable tree through a raging storm of winds that threatened to knock him down, she wanted to be able to find the strength in herself to do the same.

  Jeremiah smiled and sipped his tea. “But that’s enough about my time spent in that place. I want to move on from it and use my experiences to strengthen myself. So, even though it was a trying and troublesome time, Gott put me there for a reason, and because of that, I will only allow it to assist me, never to hinder.”

  Beckie nodded. “I hope that man you met there truly changes for the better and repents for his sins,” she said in a soft tone.

  “I have faith that he will. I watched the hatred leave his eyes as we spoke, and as our conversation went on, he began to understand my rationale of thinking much more clearly. His name was Arthur, and he confessed to me that he had never spoken to an Amish person before, and that his perception of us had been entirely incorrect. If anything that has happened recently can be considered a positive occurrence, it is most certainly that man’s change of heart. He was facing charges of assault fo
r seeking vengeance on someone that hurt his sister. I helped him find the inner strength to forgive the person who hurt her, and to forgive himself for not doing so sooner.”

  Jeremiah turned to Kate. “Thank you, for that, for your kind visit with Beckie, and for convincing Ryan of my innocence. You encouraged him to get me released. Without each of you,” he said, making eye contact with each woman, one after the other, “I would still be trapped there, tried for a crime I would never commit.”

  Beckie spoke up. “Kate, we’d like you to come to dinner tonight at my haus, to thank you, and you, too, Beth.”

  Beth and Kate glanced at each other. “I’ll have to speak with Bill,” Beth said. “I’m not sure if he’ll want to leave the house unattended. That suspicious man could still be lurking about.”

  “Yes, that’s understandable,” Jeremiah said. “Kate?”

  Kate looked up, feeling like a deer trapped in headlights. She wasn’t sure if it would be such a great idea to leave the property, either. David Harper was on his way to extract her, and Glen Tryston could strike at any moment. The last thing she wanted to do was endanger others, but when the details of Jeremiah’s story flooded her mind again, she made the quick decision to not let the fear control her. Besides, Beckie only lived a short distance away; she didn’t even have to drive out on the main road to get to her house. “I’d love to come, denki,” she said.

  “Gut,” Beckie said. “This tea has been lovely as well. Thank you kindly, Beth.”

  Jeremiah nodded and smiled. “Jah, denki.”

  Beckie looked out toward the front of the house before speaking again. “I should probably head home to prepare the dinner. We’ll see you soon, Kate.” She then looked at Beth and continued. “And if you and Bill are free to join us, we would love the extra company.”

  Beth nodded and smiled. “I’ll speak to him.”

  Jeremiah nodded as he stood from his chair. Beckie then did the same, and after everyone exchanged goodbyes, the pair walked out to their buggy. Kate looked at Beth and smiled. “It’s so great to see the importance of humility and how it can be the saving grace for many who have lost their way.”