Amish Christmas Secrets

by Debby Giusti

  Ezra smiled. “It was something my own mother said, along with the phrase ‘equally yoked,’ which she claimed referred to the balance between husband and wife, both working together and in step as they went through life and raised their family.”

  “My mother did not walk next to my father,” Rosie said. “She walked behind him.”

  Glancing at the passing countryside, Rosie wondered why she was sharing so much with Ezra. She did not want to disrespect her mother, although she questioned how telling the truth could be disrespectful. Still, there was something about Ezra that made her lower the barriers she usually had in place. A mistake on her part, no doubt. She wanted to trust him, but she had trusted the wrong man before and did not want to make a similar mistake again.

  * * *

  “The turnoff is just ahead.” Ezra glanced back, checking the road they had traveled. “Even though I am sure Larry Wagner is heading to town, taking the back path is still a wise choice. There is a northern access to the mountain, and he could come around that way, although it is doubtful.”

  “I am worried about Katherine.”

  “We will pass on the hill above your aunt’s house and will be able to see if a car is in her driveway.”

  “And if the white SUV is there? What will we do then, Ezra?”

  “We will decide what to do when and if we see his car.”

  “If I had gone to Katherine’s house—” Rosie pulled in a deep breath and glanced down at Joseph.

  “You are thinking of that which has not happened. Beside, you are not with Katherine.” He smiled. “You are here in the buggy with me.”

  She adjusted the blanket around her baby and nodded. “Yes, I am with you.”

  Ezra chuckled. “From the struggle I hear in your voice, this is not a good thing?”

  She glanced at him and laughed.

  His heart leaped in his chest at the sound, then abruptly, he turned his gaze back to the path, startled by his reaction and unsure of the mix of emotions that were playing havoc with him. How could her laughter cause him such confusion?

  Rosie seemed unaware of the effect she was having on him.

  “The mountain is beautiful,” she said, staring into the distance. “I have not taken the time to notice how tall the trees are here. Farther down the mountain, where I live, the land is more for farming. Trees have been removed and the ground cultivated for planting. I wish there were more rustic areas like this where I live.”

  Ezra looked anew at the forest that surrounded them. “My father, brothers and I would hunt near here and come home with fresh meat for my mother to cure and eventually serve. Our hunting trips were good memories I think too rarely about these days.”

  He smiled ruefully, recalling the jovial mood his father would be in whenever he and the boys hunted. “It is good for a man to be with nature. I must explore the forests more often myself.”

  Rosie pulled the blanket around Joseph.

  “You are cold?” Ezra asked.

  “A little.”

  “It is always cooler in the wooded areas. We are almost to the ridgeline, where we will leave the heavy tree cover and emerge into the sunlight.”

  “And will we see my aunt’s house?”

  “Yah, soon.”

  “I am worried, Ezra.”

  “But your worry does not change whether the man is with your aunt or not. My mother used to say that we will cross that bridge when we come to it.”

  “My mother said the same.” She glanced down. “I will probably say it to Joseph, as well.”

  “We humans allow worry and fear to have dominance in our lives.”

  She tilted her head. “I would not think you worry about anything, Ezra. You seem assured of where you stand in life.”

  Rosie did not realize what he carried within his heart and the weight that had settled on his shoulders a year and four months ago, a weight that would stay with him throughout his life.

  “There.” He pointed to a small white house, nestled on the hillside. “That is the house for which the man was searching.”

  “Aunt Katherine’s house.” Rosie smiled. “We visited often when I was young.”

  “She is a good woman. Katherine and my mother were friends.”

  “Then go to her house, Ezra. Talk to her. Tell her to beware of the man with the streak of white hair.”

  He looked at Rosie for a long moment. “You could tell her yourself.”

  “And if Mr. Wagner comes to her house, what will she do? She would not want to lie and might reveal where I am. You go, but do not mention that I will be staying at your house.” Rosie touched his arm. “Please. For me.”

  Her eyes were so blue, and her hand, gripping his arm, made his chest tighten. What was it about this woman that had such an effect on him?

  He pulled the buggy into a cluster of pine trees situated near an abandoned barn. “I will do as you ask. Stay here, Rosie. No one can see you from the road.”

  “Be careful, Ezra.”

  “I will return soon.” He jumped to the ground and started down the hill. Halfway to the house, he glanced back. Rosie had climbed from the buggy and was peering around the side of the old barn. His heart jolted as their eyes connected for one long moment before he turned back to the path and hurried toward the house.

  Rosie was taking over his life. Too quickly. Two days ago he had been his own man, then he had seen her ride past the hardware store. Something had snapped in him, bringing back all the memories of their time together in the schoolhouse. Rosie had never shown interest in him and probably thought of Ezra as merely an older boy who struggled with being Amish.

  What had been wrong with him then?

  Something was wrong with him now, but it did not involve his upset with the Amish way. It had to do with a pretty girl with big eyes who was too serious. Why would Ezra be interested in such a woman?

  He did not know why. All he knew was that he was interested—very interested—in Rosie.

  * * *

  Joseph’s eyes blinked open. Rosie smiled at her baby and lifted the little one onto her shoulder. “Do not fuss, Joseph. We need to be quiet while we are close to Aunt Katherine’s house. She could be in danger, and Ezra is warning her.”

  The baby cooed and chewed on his hand. Rosie rocked him back and forth to keep the baby happy, and all the while her gaze was on Ezra, now standing on Katherine’s back porch.

  He knocked on the door a number of times and then hurried around to the front of the house.

  Was Katherine not home?

  As Rosie waited for Ezra to reappear, she noticed movement on the road below. Her heart stopped. The white SUV was heading up the mountain.

  She glanced at her aunt’s house, searching for Ezra. He must be oblivious to the danger that approached.

  Joseph whined. She patted and rocked and shushed the baby. “You need to be very quiet.”

  The little one tugged a strand of hair free from her bun and put it in his mouth. “Oh, sweet baby, that is not good for you to eat.”

  Rosie pulled her hair from his reach, hoping it would not cause an outburst from Joseph and somehow alert Wagner.

  The car continued up the hill.

  Where was Ezra?

  The palms of her hands were wet. She wiped them on her skirt.

  The baby started to fuss. “Shhh, Joseph.”

  Vulnerable and exposed, Rosie’s pulse raced as she watched the SUV turn into Katherine’s drive.

  She had to do something to protect her baby, but where could she hide to keep Joseph safe?

  NINE

  Holding Joseph with one hand, Rosie grabbed the reins and guided the mare and buggy into the dilapidated barn. She pushed the door closed and peered through a crack in the wall of the old structure.

  Mr. Wagner climbed from his SUV. He slammed the doo
r, sending a jolt to her heart. With quick, determined steps, he walked to Katherine’s back door and knocked. When no one answered, he put his hands on his hips and turned to stare at the hillside. He shrugged his broad shoulders, left the porch and climbed the hill, heading straight to where Rosie and Joseph were hiding.

  Her heart pounded nearly out of her chest. She rocked the baby and held the reins with her other hand, needing both Joseph and Bessie to remain quiet. One cry from Joseph or a flick of Bessie’s tail could alert Wagner to their whereabouts.

  He approached the barn. Rosie held her breath. Please, Gott, protect us.

  Joseph stretched his arms and sighed.

  She froze, fearing Wagner had heard.

  Rosie peered through the slats that covered the window. The man stood poised at the top of the hill, near the barn. He turned his ear, listening.

  As she watched, he reached for the barn door.

  Tears burned Rosie’s eyes. In another second, he would find them.

  “May I help you?”

  Hearing Ezra’s voice, Rosie shifted her gaze to where he stood near Katherine’s house.

  “You’re the guy in the buggy,” Wagner shouted back. “I thought you didn’t know where Katherine Runnals lived.”

  Ezra ignored the comment. “What do you want?”

  “I’m looking for a young Amish woman with blond hair. She worked at Shady Manor, the nursing home in town. She needs to pick up her paycheck.”

  “You work there?” Ezra asked.

  “I know the manager and told him I would help locate his missing employee.”

  “Buses leave from town every day. Your missing Amish woman is probably on her way to another state. Florida is a favorite destination for many Amish in the area.”

  Wagner sniffed and shook his head with frustration. He glanced back at the barn and pulled in a deep breath before heading back to his car.

  Rosie’s knees went weak. She let out the breath she had been holding and cuddled Joseph closer to her heart.

  “Thank You, Gott,” she said. “Thank You for providing this barn in which to hide, and thank You for sending Ezra to distract Mr. Wagner just a second before he would have found us.”

  Once again, Ezra had come to their rescue.

  * * *

  As soon as the SUV turned out of the drive and headed back down the mountain, Ezra ran up the hill toward the cluster of pines. His heart stopped. The buggy was gone. So was Rosie.

  Hearing a weak cry, Ezra hurried along the path, following the sound that grew stronger. The cry—a baby’s cry—was coming from the dilapidated barn.

  He threw open the door.

  Rosie gasped with surprise.

  Ezra ran to her, his heart nearly bursting with relief. “I feared Wagner would find you.”

  “He almost did. But Gott provided.”

  Ezra was not sure whether Gott had intervened, but he was overcome with gratitude that Rosie and Joseph were safe.

  “What about my aunt?”

  “No one answered the door so she must not be home.” Ezra motioned Rosie toward the door. “We must leave the barn and go farther up the mountain. You will be safe at my house.”

  “Are you sure?” Her eyes were filled with questions.

  “You can trust me,” he said, hoping she believed him. After everything that had happened, he wondered if she trusted anyone.

  “Perhaps we need to involve law enforcement, Rosie. The police in this area are not helpful. Some say they have their hand out and their eyes closed. It is different in Willkommen, some miles from here. The town has a sheriff who understands the Amish way. He was injured some time ago and is still recuperating, but an acting sheriff is filling his spot, and is well-thought-of by Englisch and Amish alike. We can talk to him if need be.”

  Rosie shook her head. “Not now. I do not want to involve anyone else at this time. Mr. Wagner will eventually give up his search for me, Ezra. If I can stay with you and your brothers and sisters for a short time, that will be a help. I must contact Katherine’s daughter about a place to stay in Ohio. Perhaps she will take me in until I can find a job there.”

  “Ohio is a long way from Georgia.”

  Rosie nodded. “This is true, which means a long way from Larry Wagner.”

  And a long way from Ezra. He did not want to think about Rosie leaving the mountain. To go so far away would end any hope Ezra had of getting to know her better. Pretty and courageous, Rosie would find an Amish man in Ohio who would take interest in her. She would forget about all she left behind, including Ezra.

  * * *

  After the adrenaline rush of nearly being confronted by Larry Wagner, Rosie now sat in the buggy next to Ezra, feeling totally depleted. She also felt a bone-chilling cold that was due to the drop in temperature, and also to the realization of how twisted her life had become.

  Joseph was awake but content and warm in her arms. Tears stung her eyes when she thought of what could have happened to her child.

  “Ezra, you have done so much for me, but I have something to ask of you.”

  He must have heard the seriousness in her voice because he pulled up on the reins and stopped the buggy. Turning to her, he nodded as if encouraging her to continue.

  “If—if something happens to me—”

  “What are you talking about, Rosie?” His face was washed with a mix of worry and concern.

  She raised her hand to stop him so she could explain what she needed.

  “I am worried about Joseph. If something happens to me, will you ensure he is reunited with either my mother or Katherine?”

  “Rosie, you and Joseph will both be safe at my house. Wagner thinks you have left the area. You do not need to worry.”

  “I fear you are too optimistic, Ezra. As much as I appreciate your help, and I do so much, I still must know that my son will not be abandoned. He is all I have, and I am all he has. To find peace, I must know he will be cared for.”

  Ezra nodded. He reached for her hand. His eyes were as blue as the nearby lake, flecked with gold and filled with tenderness that was like a balm to her troubled soul.

  “Joseph will be well cared for, this I promise. We have a full house at the mountaintop, but we always have room for more. If your mother or aunt are not able to care for him, he will come into my family. You will see how quickly my brothers and sisters accept him.”

  He pointed ahead. “The house is not far. Shake off your concerns. My family will welcome you, Rosie. They will welcome little Joseph, too.”

  True to his word, Ezra guided the buggy around the bend in the path, where she caught sight of a rambling house that sat almost at the top of the mountain. An expansive yard surrounded the home and a drive led from the road to the wide back porch. A tin roof stretched over the rear of the house and the door that, she surmised, led to the kitchen.

  “The two younger children are at school, but Susan, Aaron and Belinda should be at home.” He pulled the horse to a stop, climbed from the buggy and hurried to the far side to help Rosie down.

  Carrying Joseph in her arms, she glanced back at the panoramic view of the valley that spread out in front of the house. “It is so peaceful. The view reminds me of a painting of the Alps that hangs in Shady Manor.”

  “I have heard many things about these mountains, but never has anyone compared them to the Alps.”

  “The beauty, Ezra. It takes my breath way.”

  “Which is not good. I want you to keep breathing.”

  She laughed, seeing the seriousness he tried to exude while the joviality of his voice gave away his true feelings.

  She glanced at the far side of the property to where a workshop stood. Stoltz Buggy Shop, the sign over the door read.

  “Your father was well-known for his craftsmanship. I have heard my father mention his work. I am sorry about what
happened.”

  Ezra nodded, his frivolity gone, replaced with a tightness that revealed the pain he still carried. His parents had been murdered sixteen months earlier, if Rose recalled clearly. Not long before Will was killed. Life had changed for both Rose and Ezra at that time. Darkness had overshadowed each of their lives. She still felt that darkness no matter how much she wanted to move into the light.

  She glanced again at the road that twisted up the mountain. No matter what Ezra said, she was vulnerable even here.

  “What will stop the man from finding me, Ezra?”

  He pointed to the roadway that snaked up the mountain. “We will see his car, Rosie. He will not approach us without warning.”

  “And if he comes at night when we are sleeping?”

  “Then I will ward him off and keep him away from you. You have my promise.”

  The door to the kitchen burst open and a pretty girl in her late teens stepped onto the porch. “You have brought company,” she said, stretching out her hand to grip Rosie’s. “Welcome. I am Susan, the oldest girl in the family.”

  “This is Rose Glick and her son, Joseph. They will be staying with us for a period of time.”

  A hint of confusion washed over the younger woman’s face before she pointed to the kitchen. “It is cold. Let us enter the house. I have hot coffee and cinnamon rolls that have just come from the oven. You are hungry?”

  Rosie had thought only of Joseph’s hunger and not her own, but the mention of fresh-baked rolls made her realize how hungry she was.

  “Both sound inviting, Susan. You are as generous as your brother.”

  She followed Susan into the house and was taken with the well-appointed kitchen, the quality of the oak table, sideboard and dry sink, as well as the furnishings in the main room, visible from where she stood near the door.

  “Come in. The heat from the stove will warm you along with the coffee.”

  “Could I wash my hands first?”

  “Of course.” Susan stretched out her arms. “Let me hold your son while you remove your cape. You will find a basin and pitcher of water in the small room to the right.”