by Nancy Mehl
“He appears even more agitated than usual,” I told Ebbie. “I know he doesn’t like us, but at least he seemed willing to look into Avery’s death.”
Ebbie nodded. “You’re right. He’s a hard man to read.”
Lizzie came over and sat down at the table with Ebbie and me. “So how do you think the fire started?” she asked.
I shrugged. “It had to be the same people who set those other church fires. And tried to burn down your house. Whoever was driving the red truck.”
“I suppose so,” she said slowly, “but the whole thing seems strange somehow.” She shook her head. “The guys from the fire department were certain the fire was intentionally set?”
“That’s what I was told,” Ebbie said, “and I don’t have any reason to doubt it. No one in Kingdom knows anything about Molotov cocktails.”
“I do,” I said without thinking. When he looked at me oddly, I smiled. “Don’t worry. It wasn’t me. I was with you, Lizzie. Remember?”
She frowned. “I’d forgotten that you mentioned Molotov cocktails before. You said you knew they’d been used to burn other churches in the county.”
“But where did you hear about them?” Ebbie asked.
“Jonathon told me. He talked to someone at a church in Haddam. The fire in their church was started that way.”
I watched as Ebbie and Lizzie looked at each other. “Oh my goodness,” I said. “Don’t be ridiculous. Jonathon would never do such a thing. Besides, he risked his own life to save our pastor.”
“Of course he didn’t set the fire,” Ebbie said. “Jonathon’s not capable of anything like that.”
Lizzie was quiet, and I stared at her with concern. “Lizzie, surely you don’t believe . . .”
She sighed and cut me off. “Jonathon said something odd when Bethany told him Pastor Mendenhall was in the church. He said the pastor wasn’t supposed to be there.”
“For crying out loud,” I said. “He only meant that Daniel should have been at home that late at night. You’re casting aspersions at the wrong person.”
She held her hands up in a gesture of surrender. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to believe anymore. I’m beginning to suspect everyone. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one. All kinds of rumors are circulating through town. This situation is causing confusion and discord.”
“We can only pray it will soon come to an end,” Ebbie said. He rubbed his hands together. “You know, I was starving when I came in here, and I still haven’t eaten. If one of you lovely ladies wouldn’t mind—”
“Oh, Ebbie,” I said. “I came over here to take your order, but then the sheriff walked in.”
He chuckled. “It’s okay. But I’m already too skinny. Let’s put some good food in this body so I can go over to the church and get to work.”
“Get this young man whatever he wants,” Lizzie said to me with a smile. “Guess I’d better get busy too.”
She said good-bye and headed toward the kitchen.
“I haven’t see Charity or Beau,” Ebbie said. “Surely Charity’s not cleaning up rubble.”
I laughed. “Hardly. School was called off today, so she’s hanging out in the kitchen.”
“And Beau?”
“He’s with Noah. No matter how many times Noah told him to stay, he kept trying to follow him out the door. Noah finally gave up and took Beau with him. That dog has an overwhelming desire to help people.”
“Just like Avery,” Ebbie said quietly.
“Just like Avery,” I repeated. “I miss him so much.”
“So do I,” he said, looking away. I patted Ebbie’s shoulder to let him know I understood his emotion. Then I wrote down his order of pancakes and sausage and was almost to the kitchen when Papa came limping into the restaurant, his face pale. It took a few minutes to calm him down and explain that I was all right. He finally joined Ebbie at his table, and I ordered the same breakfast for him as I’d turned in for Ebbie. Papa kept rubbing his legs. The air was still moist from the rain, which seemed to aggravate his arthritis.
As I worked the rest of the morning, clearing tables and doing whatever I could to help out, I kept seeing the look on Lizzie’s face when I told her Jonathon knew how to make Molotov cocktails. It was absurd to think he was involved in the fire, but questions kept popping into my head. Who bombed our church? If it was the man in the red truck, why hadn’t anyone seen him actually start the fire? As far as I could tell, he’d never gotten out of his truck.
There was one other thought I couldn’t wrap my head around. The man left quite a while before the fire started. If I understood the concept of a Molotov cocktail, the fire would blaze up quickly. It wouldn’t smolder for a long time, would it? Maybe he drove out of town and came back, but that really didn’t make much sense.
And how could Roger have missed seeing him when he came into town and again when he left? Once was an accident, but a second time seemed highly unlikely.
Lizzie had said that something about the fire seemed strange. Even though I was afraid to voice my agreement, she had a valid point. An extremely uncomfortable feeling burrowed itself into my mind and stayed there the rest of the day.
CHAPTER / 19
The town pulled together to remove all the debris from the church property. Men working at the site bunked outside, not only so they could start work early in the morning, but also because everyone wanted to make sure Kingdom was safe from further intrusion. It took only two days for them to clear most of the area where our church had stood for so many years.
Plans were completed for a new structure, but it involved some strenuous debate because everyone seemed to have an opinion about what was needed. The elders made the final decisions, and three days after the fire, the framing for the church began. Lumber piled up and supplies poured in.
No one left town alone, and only those with trucks or cars traveled the main roads. Even then, at least one other vehicle followed them. I hadn’t talked much to Ebbie since that first morning after the fire, but he came in several times to eat while he worked at the church site. I stayed with Lizzie so I could help out in the restaurant.
The quilt shop was closed, as was almost every other business in town. For now, restoring our church was the number one priority. Leah started school up again, but trying to get the children to concentrate on their studies was difficult at best, which made getting them through the last of their school work difficult. But Leah met the challenge with commitment and determination.
Jonathon worked as hard as everyone else, and we finally found some time to share lunch. “Lizzie can’t keep feeding everyone for free,” he said as we munched on chicken salad sandwiches.
I smiled at him. “Folks have been bringing all kinds of food by to help out. She’s got more supplies than she knows what to do with. The restaurant will be fine. Besides, she plans to start charging again tomorrow night.”
He laughed. “Maybe I’d better have a couple of sandwiches then.”
“I think you’re too honest for that.”
“Well, thank you. I appreciate the affirmation. At this point any positive comments about my character are welcome.”
Beau, who had curled up on the floor next to me, moved his head, resting it on my foot. “What are you talking about?”
Jonathon sighed and put down his cup of coffee. “A few people in town seem to feel that my efforts to protect Kingdom sparked the attack on the church. That I only succeeded in drawing attention to our town.”
“But . . . but you saved Pastor Mendenhall’s life!” I shook my head in disbelief. “I don’t understand . . .”
“In their eyes, if I hadn’t inflamed the wrong people, our church would never have been singled out.” He shrugged. “I don’t want to make it sound like the whole town feels this way. Most folks tell me they appreciate what I’m trying to do.”
I wanted to ask exactly who was blaming him for the fire but decided against it. Knowing would only make it harder to keep a
good attitude. “Jonathon, it just isn’t true,” I assured him. “You didn’t do anything to inflame anyone, and neither did Avery or Noah. Nor did any of the churches or people who were attacked in other towns. You have nothing to feel guilty about. The only people to blame are the instigators of these crimes.”
His blue eyes met mine. “Thank you, Hope. I wish I could be sure you’re right.”
I reached across the table and took his hand. “Look, I’ve listened to everyone’s opinion as to what we should or shouldn’t do. I may not have all the answers, but one thing I do know: You’re doing your best to protect us. So is Ebbie, and so are the other elders. Lizzie got a rifle the other night when she thought her daughter might be in danger, even though she’d usually never pick up a weapon.
“What I’m trying to say is that this is a difficult situation. I doubt that anyone is completely right or completely wrong. All your decisions have been about helping Kingdom and keeping us safe. Your motives are right, and I know God understands that. I think the thing that concerns Him most is our attitude toward our brothers and sisters. Especially those we disagree with.
“And I’ve come to realize that life is about taking steps, not cowering in fear. I’ve been hiding behind my father, not wanting to make a mistake, afraid to fail, but life doesn’t work that way. We can only do our best with the information we have. That doesn’t mean we’re right. And it doesn’t mean we’re wrong. It means we’re growing. In the end, we’ve got to trust that if we veer off the course God has for us, He’ll point us back in the right direction. But that’s His job. Not anyone else’s.”
Jonathon put his other hand over mine. “Wow, that’s incredible, Hope. And you’re right. I’m sure I’ve been too harsh in judging our elders. They’re trying to be faithful to what they believe.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You know, in the end, this situation, as unpleasant and awful as it’s been, has forced all of us to examine our beliefs a little more closely. I guess faith isn’t worth much until it’s tested.”
“I believe that’s true.” I gently pulled my hand away. “So what happens now?”
“Roger, Mary, and I are still watching the road at night. For now anyway. As I said before, I’m not carrying a gun, loaded or empty.”
“So what if you see someone headed for Kingdom who looks suspicious?”
“Well, the elders asked us not to confront any strangers by ourselves. Instead, we’re supposed find Levi, Noah, Lutz Zimmerman, and Ebbie. They all live close to the main road. The elders will deal with any outsiders.”
I frowned at him. “That will take some time.”
Jonathon nodded. “I worry about that too, but for now, it’s the only plan we have.” He leaned forward a little and lowered his voice. “I locked up my rifle in a toolbox in the back of my truck. No one can get to it except me. At least it’s there if I need it.”
I didn’t say anything, since I’d just declared that people on both sides of the debate shouldn’t judge each other, but Jonathon’s admission made me feel uneasy. All I could do was pray he’d never be put in a position where he felt using his gun was necessary.
“What about Roger? Didn’t you say he’s still taking his rifle with him on patrol?”
Jonathon rubbed his hands together. “I said I wasn’t sure, but I believe he is.” He shook his head. “I can’t tell him what to do, Hope. He’s not Mennonite. I trust him though. I really do. He’s a good person.”
“Look, I hesitate to say this. I know we talked about not holding the past against Roger . . .”
“Go ahead.”
“I’m just not sure about him. I mean, he used to really hate anyone who lived in Kingdom. Now he’s protecting us? It bothers me, Jonathon. And it doesn’t have anything to do with forgiveness. How do we know he’s really changed? How do we know he isn’t involved somehow in what’s going on? Of anyone I’ve ever known, Roger has shown more animosity toward us than anyone else.”
“He married a Kingdom girl, Hope. And he and Mary are trying to heal the relationship with her parents. Isn’t it obvious that he’s changed? He may not be Mennonite, but he and Mary attend church. As far as I know, he loves God and would never do anything to hurt us.”
“Yes, he married Mary Yoder, a girl who left Kingdom behind. Basically, she disowned us. And just because she wants to see her parents, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Roger accepts us as a town.”
Jonathon didn’t say anything, just stared at me. Did he have doubts about Roger too? “Look, I’m not accusing him of anything, nor am I judging him. Like I said, that’s up to God, but at the same time, I believe we need to ask questions if something bothers us. Someone set the church on fire. It might not be anyone we know, but looking a little closer to home might be wise as well.”
“What about Mary? Do you feel uncomfortable around her too?”
I thought back to the beautiful cross Mary wore around her neck. “I . . . I don’t know. Not really.” I waved my hand at him. “Maybe I’m just overreacting.”
Jonathon smiled. “If you’re going to form an opinion about everyone by their childhood, you’d better lock me up right now. According to my parents, I was a handful.”
I laughed. “You’re still a handful.”
“Thanks a lot.”
He gobbled the last bite of his sandwich. “I’d better get back to work. If I can get away for a bit, I’m going to try for a quick nap before I patrol tonight. Not sure it will happen though. We’ve all got schedules at the church site, and woe to anyone who doesn’t stay on track. Mennonites can disagree about doctrine, but when it comes to building something, we’re as organized as ants.”
I almost choked on my sandwich.
Jonathon looked concerned. “Are you all right?”
I coughed a couple of times while nodding. Stupid ants. Would they always remind me of Ebbie? How silly was that?
Jonathon wiped his mouth and stood up. “When things settle down, we need to talk about our future.”
“Yes, I know.” He turned to leave, but I called him back. “Jonathon,” I said softly, “how did the driver of the red truck get into town Tuesday night?”
He shrugged. “Roger fell asleep in his truck. After working all day, he was just too tired to stay awake. He feels awful about it.”
“What about when the man drove out of town? Was Roger asleep then too?”
“Roger says he slept until he was awakened by Noah and the other men heading into town after Ebbie alerted them to the situation.”
Jonathon’s answer certainly didn’t quell my concerns about Roger. It only made me more suspicious. “Can I ask why you were in town that night? I thought you said you were going back to Noah’s house to work.”
“That was my plan, but I had a flat tire. By the time I ate dinner, found a spare and put it on the truck, it was so late I decided not to go after all. I was outside our house when I smelled smoke and decided to drive back to town.” He frowned at me. “Why are you asking, Hope? Is something wrong?”
“No. Not at all. I just wondered why you were so close, that’s all.”
“I’d like to believe it was God. He knew our pastor would need help.”
“Yes. I’m sure you’re right.”
He said good-bye and left.
I finished my coffee and thought about what Jonathon had said. Maybe Roger really did fall asleep. However, it was certainly convenient timing. I hated feeling so suspicious, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there were too many odd twists of fate working in the situation. And why had Jonathon seemed so surprised when he found out Pastor Mendenhall was working late in the church?
But the question that worried me most was how strangers could enter our town, bomb our church, and slip out without anyone seeing them. There was only one way into downtown Kingdom, and it was almost impossible for anyone to drive down Main Street without drawing some attention. Of course, it was late, and since almost everyone lived away from town, I suppose it could hap
pen. And it was raining, so any resident who might have noticed the truck was safely tucked inside, keeping dry.
I still couldn’t get past the time difference between the man in the red truck leaving town and the discovery of the fire. Why not start the fire before he left the first time? Could the bomber be someone else? Someone we hadn’t considered? Was I missing something, or were all of us failing to pose questions that should be asked?
I tried to forget my concerns while I helped Lizzie the rest of the afternoon. By three thirty the dining room was empty. Lizzie wasn’t sure if tonight would be a regular night since the men who’d been camping out at the church grounds were going home until the supplies that had been ordered were delivered. Since it would be a couple of days before they arrived, it gave everyone a much needed break and a chance to spend some time with their families.
Charity came bouncing in the door about three forty-five, a big smile on her face. School was over until the fall, and she had gotten a hundred percent on her last math worksheet, even with the distraction caused by the fire. Lizzie was ecstatic, and Beau jumped up to greet Charity as if celebrating her achievement. But as usual, his tail stayed down. I was beginning to believe that Avery was the only person who could ignite that kind of joy in the small dog.
I wasn’t the only one waiting for the little border collie to become himself again. I’d caught Papa looking closely at Beau’s tail, trying to see if it was injured in some way, just as I had. But his examination didn’t reveal any kind of physical disability either. Beau’s lack of tail wagging was becoming a topic of conversation in Kingdom. Everyone seemed to be waiting for some kind of breakthrough.
Callie came into the restaurant about four thirty, just in case we got busy, and Lizzie prepared her usual fare. A few minutes before five, the doors opened and people began to file in. Working together all week seemed to have bonded them more tightly together. Before long the restaurant was full. Even though our gathering wasn’t over a pleasant situation, the atmosphere was joyous. As I looked around the room at these lovely, warm-hearted people, I felt honored to be one of them.