Unbreakable

by Nancy Mehl

  We weren’t able to close the doors until after eight thirty. It didn’t take long to clean up, since Noah was there to help. Papa offered to carry plates to the kitchen in spite of his legs hurting. But Noah found a way to reject his offer without making Papa feel bad. By a little after nine, the dining room was spotless and the last dish had been washed.

  “I feel funny leaving you two here alone,” I said to Noah and Lizzie. “Will you be safe?”

  Noah smiled. “We’ll be fine. After what happened, I don’t want Lizzie and Charity here by themselves at night until these people have been caught. Besides, I don’t have time to work at the house right now anyway. Rebuilding the church comes first.”

  “But what if they try to burn your house again?” I asked.

  “I’m pretty confident no one will risk doing something like that after what they did to our church,” Noah said. “But Jonathon and Roger have volunteered to keep a close watch on it since the house sits so close to the turnoff.”

  “Wouldn’t they be pretty stupid to come back to town?” Lizzie asked.

  He nodded. “I doubt they’ll come anywhere near us for a while, but I can’t take a risk. I won’t leave you here alone, Lizzie. I just won’t.”

  “Why don’t Hope and I remain here too?” Papa said. “We’ve got cots at the shop.”

  Noah slapped Papa on the back. “We really appreciate the offer, Samuel, but I don’t think that’s necessary. Aaron also volunteered to stay in town at night until things settle down. He intends to leave the store lights on so the street doesn’t look so deserted.”

  “I still think it would be a good idea for us to stay,” I said. “If anyone does make it past our borders, maybe a show of strength will force them to turn around and leave. The idea of you, Lizzie, and Charity here by yourselves doesn’t sit right with me.”

  “Well, remember that the road is being watched,” Noah said, sounding doubtful. “You two would certainly be more comfortable at home.”

  “The driver of the red truck got past them the other night,” I replied. “I’m sorry, but that really worries me. And what if Jonathon or Roger do see strangers headed into Kingdom? By the time they find additional help the way the elders have asked them to, these men could easily throw another Mol . . . Mol . . .”

  “Molotov cocktail,” Noah said, smiling. “It’s up to you. Stay if you want, but we’re not asking you to.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Papa said.

  “What’s settled?” Ebbie asked from where he was standing in the doorway. My heart fluttered when I saw him. He’d obviously cleaned up after working all day. He looked so handsome, and for once his hair was combed. I was pretty sure it wouldn’t stay in place long. Funny thing was, I’d begun to like his chaotic locks. Lizzie told me that out in the world, men actually paid a lot of money to have their hair styled just like Ebbie’s. I found it funny, but somehow knowing that made him look even better.

  “What are you doing here?” Noah asked.

  “I’m going to stay in town tonight,” he said. “I don’t want you three here by yourselves.”

  Lizzie burst out laughing. “I guess I should have stayed open. You people just won’t go home!”

  “Well, not for a while anyway,” Ebbie said. “For some reason, I feel I’m supposed to be here. So here I am.”

  “I’m afraid the floor is a little hard,” Noah said. “We’ve got blankets . . .”

  Ebbie waved his hand at Noah. “No need. I brought a sleeping bag and a pillow.”

  “Hope, why don’t you stay in the spare bedroom?” Lizzie said. “I’m sure it will be more comfortable than your cot.”

  I started to protest, but Papa interrupted. “I think that is a splendid idea.”

  “But I don’t want you to be alone downstairs,” I said.

  “He won’t be alone,” Ebbie said. “Samuel and I will bunk together in the dining room. That way we can keep an eye on the street.”

  “Thank you, Ebbie,” Papa said with a smile. “That sounds like a good idea, as long as Noah and Lizzie don’t mind all this company.”

  “We’d love to have every single one of you stay with us,” Lizzie said, chuckling. “You’re all such good friends. We appreciate your thoughtfulness more than we can say.”

  “If I’m going to sleep here again tonight, I want to get a few things from the shop,” I said. “Beau needs his blanket, and I’d like to get my quilt so I can work on it when we’re not busy. I’ll get the cot and a blanket for you too, Papa.”

  “I am afraid it is too much for you to carry, Daughter. I will come with you.”

  “Let me go, Samuel,” Ebbie said. “You rest your legs.”

  “I would appreciate that, Brother Miller,” Papa said.

  Papa wasn’t the kind of man to let another man do things for him, so either his legs hurt more than usual or he wanted Ebbie and me together. I suspected the latter but hoped that wasn’t the case.

  “Thanks, Ebbie, but I don’t need any help,” I said. “The cot is light, and everything else will fit into one bag.”

  “I don’t believe you should be outside alone,” he said firmly. “I’m coming. No arguments.”

  “All right, but the shop is so close, I’m sure there’s no danger.”

  “Hope, quit arguing,” Papa said, frowning. “Either Ebbie goes with you or I do.”

  I sighed. “All right. I guess I could use some help carrying everything back.” I smiled at Ebbie. “Thanks for the offer. I appreciate it.” We’d started toward the front door when Lizzie called out my name.

  “Hope, wait a minute. Take this flashlight with you. It’s getting dark outside.”

  I thanked her and grabbed the light. Suddenly, I remembered something. “Is Leah in town? It might be best if she didn’t stay in her apartment alone tonight.”

  “She won’t be,” Noah said. “She’s staying with Lizzie’s parents for a few days. Then she’s traveling to Topeka to see her family. You don’t need to worry about her.” He looked up at the clock on the wall. “I’m supposed to drive her over to Matthew and Anna’s.”

  “I thought Leah had a car,” Papa said.

  “She does,” Noah replied, “but Levi is tuning it up before she drives all the way to Topeka.”

  “I had no idea Levi was a mechanic,” I said.

  Noah grinned. “Seems funny that someone so quiet, who loves spending every moment he can at the church, can make any motor he touches run like new. My brother has the kind of mind that can figure out how almost everything works. He started fixing our tractor engines when he was only ten. It’s a gift, I guess.”

  “Enough about Levi,” Lizzie said. “You need to get going. Leah’s probably waiting for you.”

  Noah smiled at his wife. “I feel a lot better leaving for a while knowing you’ll have protection.”

  Lizzie snapped her fingers. “Wait a minute,” she said. “I’ve got an apple pie for you to take with you. Mother loves them.”

  Noah rubbed his chin. “Hmm. I may have to stay a little bit longer than I planned to help them with that pie.”

  Lizzie grinned. “I’d better send two pies then. You think one slice is a quarter of a pie.”

  “You mean it isn’t?” he asked innocently.

  Ebbie and I laughed while Lizzie rolled her eyes.

  “I suppose those are the only two pies you have,” Papa grumbled.

  “You know me better than that, Samuel,” Lizzie said teasingly. “There’s plenty more. As soon as I get Noah on his way, I’ll bring you pie and coffee. How about that?”

  “I suppose that would suit me just fine.” Papa winked at me.

  I went over and hugged him around the neck. “By the way,” I whispered in his ear, “I know what you’re up to, and it won’t work. Ebbie and I are only friends. So stop it.”

  I let him go, and he gave me his most innocent look. Shaking my head, I grabbed the large flashlight Lizzie handed me. Once Ebbie and I got outside, we were happy to have i
t. The small porch light outside the restaurant didn’t glow very brightly, and although Aaron had the lights on in the general store, they didn’t do much to illuminate my side of the street. For some reason, he hadn’t turned on the streetlight yet. I kept the flashlight’s beam shining in front of us as we made our way down the sidewalk.

  Walking late at night in Kingdom was usually peaceful because the streets were deserted. In the spring, the scent of honeysuckle permeated the air, but sadly, tonight a burnt odor lingered from the fire. It wasn’t just the smell of destruction that hung over our town; there was also a pall of innocence lost. We were vulnerable. Kingdom’s founders had sought refuge from the world, but the world had entered anyway. Ebbie was quiet as we made our way to the quilt shop, and I wondered if he was thinking the same thing.

  He opened the door when we reached the shop. Like most businesses in Kingdom, our front door was almost never locked. In fact, even though there actually was a lock on the door, I had no idea where the key was. I swung the beam from my flashlight toward the counter where our oil lamp sat. Laying the flashlight down, I reached under the counter for matches. Suddenly I heard an odd noise behind me and turned to see Ebbie lying on the floor. Before I could react, someone grabbed me. A hand went over my mouth while an arm encircled my waist. I tried to cry out.

  “Shut up right now.” The man’s voice was full of anger. “You give me a hard time and you’ll be sorry.”

  My mind couldn’t accept what was happening. Moments before I’d questioned whether Kingdom was still a refuge from the world. Now I knew the answer.

  CHAPTER / 20

  Although it was hard to see anything in the dark room, I could make out Ebbie’s body lying motionless. Was he dead? I couldn’t help him. I couldn’t move.

  “We’re walkin’ out the back door together,” the voice said with a snarl. “If you fight me or make any noise, I’ll snap your neck. You got it, girlie?”

  Unable to speak, I nodded. The man grabbed the flashlight and began pushing me toward the back of the shop. The thought flashed through my mind that if we left the store, my fate would be sealed. As he kicked open the rear door, I bit his hand as hard as I could. His grip relaxed as he yowled with pain. I took the opportunity to push away from him and run. But before I could get far, he seized me from behind and I fell to the floor. He grabbed my wrists and sat on top of me.

  The flashlight, which had dropped to the floor beside me, provided enough light for me to see my attacker. It was Tom Ford, the sheriff’s son. He lowered his face down close to mine, and I could detect the stench of stale cigarettes and something else. Liquor. A girl I’d known in school had a father who drank, and his breath had smelled the same way.

  “You try that once more, and I’ll kill you before you have a chance to regret it. Understand?”

  He let go of one of my wrists and slapped me hard across the mouth. I could taste blood. Fear kept me from being able to speak so I nodded to let him know I wouldn’t try to fight him again.

  “Stop bawlin’. No one is here to feel sorry for you.” He grabbed my wrist and stared at me. “I saw you lookin’ at me the other day. You probably wonder what real men are like, don’t you? You don’t got nothin’ around here except them wimpy pretty boys. Tonight you’re gonna find out what you been missin’.”

  “No,” I said, finally finding my voice. “Please. Please don’t do this.”

  “Why don’t you cry out to that God of yours?” Tom said, his face inches from mine. “See if He’ll help you. I bet He won’t. No one’s here. No one listenin’ to you at all.” He cackled, and his laugh made my blood run cold. “If there was a God, He’d strike me dead, and He isn’t, is He? You people need a big dose of reality, and tonight you’re gonna get yours.”

  He pulled me to my feet and took a gun out of his pocket, aiming it right at me. Then he yanked off my prayer covering. “Take your hair down,” he ordered.

  With trembling fingers I removed the pins and ribbon that held my bun in place. Then I shook my hair out.

  “That looks better.” He swung me around and stuck the barrel of the gun in my back. “Now get goin’. We’re not waitin’ around here so one of your Mennie friends can come to your rescue.” He sniggered. “’Course, they won’t help you none. They’re too busy hidin’ behind all that goody-goody religious junk. You’re on your own, girlie.” He picked up the flashlight and shoved it at me. “You keep that light in front of us. Drop it, and I’ll drop you.”

  I held the flashlight tightly, the beam shaking in my trembling hands. Then he pushed me out the back door and toward the trees that surrounded our town. We were almost to the tree line when I saw his truck. It was familiar. Red, with a dent in the passenger side door.

  “You . . . you tried to run me down on the road.”

  “Sorry about that,” he said, keeping his voice low. “If I’d seen how good lookin’ you was that first day, I would have tried harder not to ruin the merchandise. I saw it was you the other day though. You and some Mennie man. If it weren’t for my daddy comin’ to your rescue, me and my friend Todd woulda had you then. I didn’t like havin’ to wait, but it was worth it. You won’t get away this time.”

  “Did . . . did you kill Avery?” I had no desire to make him angry, but I had to know.

  He actually hesitated a moment. “Didn’t mean to kill that old man. We was just playin’ with him.” The slight tinge of regret in his voice disappeared with his next statement. “Stupid old guy shoulda just stayed on the road. We wasn’t gonna run into him. He ran himself off the road. It was his own dumb fault.”

  I could have pointed out that Avery had no way to know that, just as I hadn’t when I’d faced Tom’s truck barreling right for me. But my words would have been lost on him.

  “You were in Kingdom the other night,” I said. It wasn’t presented as a question, but just a statement of fact. I knew it was him.

  He hooted as if I’d just said the funniest thing he’d ever heard. “I was lookin’ for you. Didn’t plan to take you though. Not then. Had to check on somethin’ and see if I could get into town without too much trouble. Trial run, I guess. Easy as pie. After that, I knew I could come back whenever I wanted. Wasn’t sure where to find you tonight, but my daddy said you worked in the quilt store so I headed here. Nice of you to keep it unlocked for me. Even more considerate of you to walk right in like you did.”

  I didn’t feel like talking to him, but for some reason I couldn’t shut up. My emotions were swinging out of control. “If . . . if you were just looking for me, why did you set our church on fire?”

  He guffawed. I was beginning to realize that Tom Ford was either insane or on some kind of drugs. His eyes were wild and his physical actions jerky and uncontrolled. “I’d like to take credit for that, but it weren’t me or my friends. Only fire we started was at that Mennie house on the edge of town.”

  I wasn’t really listening to him, since there was no way I could believe a word he said. However, if I could keep him talking, maybe I could stall him long enough that someone would find us. Before it was too late for Ebbie. And for me. I dug my heels in, unwilling to reach the truck. If he got me inside, all would be lost.

  “H-how did you get into town tonight?” I asked, my voice sounding small and shaky. I hated it, but my entire body was trembling, and I couldn’t control it. “We have people watching the road.”

  He laughed, his tone cold and harsh. “It was a little harder than the other night. I had a plan to distract your little friend sittin’ out there, but he helped me by fallin’ asleep. Great protection you people got.” He snorted. “Tonight took a little more effort. That Mennie won’t be watchin’ nothin’ for a long, long time.”

  “Oh no. Jonathon. Did you . . . did you . . .”

  “Kill him? Don’t know. Don’t care.”

  We were almost to the truck when the fear that had enveloped me began to dissipate, and I heard Ebbie’s voice speaking clearly in my mind. “Do we try to protect ourse
lves, or do we walk through the crowd because we believe God is actually with us?” I began to say the only thing that came to me. “‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper. No—’”

  “Stop it,” Tom hissed. “Stop callin’ on your made-up God. You do that again and I’ll—”

  “You’ll what?”

  Tom whirled around, keeping his grip on me. I swung the flashlight toward the voice. Ebbie stood there, staring at us. A thin stream of blood ran down the side of his face.

  Tom swore loudly. “I thought I took care of you, Mennie boy. Doesn’t matter though, does it? What are you gonna do about it? You got a gun or anything?”

  Ebbie shook his head, not taking his eyes off me. “I don’t have a gun, but I won’t let you take her away.”

  “And just what do you intend to do about it?”

  Ebbie’s eyes bored into mine for a moment. Then he turned and glanced quickly behind him, toward the back of the restaurant. When he swung his gaze back to us, I saw something in his expression that made my heart drop to my feet. I suddenly remembered the story he’d told me about his mother being burned by hot grease, and in that moment, I knew exactly what he was planning to do. If he could get Tom to fire his gun, someone might come here and help me. But Tom wouldn’t fire into the air the way Ebbie had when he’d tried to get help for his mother. Tom would shoot Ebbie.

  “No!” I cried out. “No, Ebbie. Please.”

  “I love you, Hope. With all my heart. I always have, and I always will.”

  “No!” I tried to fight, tried to get away, but Tom’s grip only tightened on me. He took the gun from my back and aimed it at Ebbie. Obviously, he hadn’t figured out what Ebbie already had. All I could do was whisper “‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.’”

  “I don’t think I’d do that if I were you.”

  I swung the flashlight to the right of Ebbie. I’d been so busy watching him that I hadn’t seen Jonathon advance toward us. He’d been beaten badly. One eye was closed, and the other was swollen. He had blood on his cheek, and his left arm lay useless against his side. In his good hand he held his rifle, and it was leveled right at Tom. I felt the young man tense and the arm he held across my neck tightened, making it hard for me to breathe, let alone quote Scripture. All I could do was repeat the familiar verse over and over in my mind.