The Chill of an Early Fall

by Mary Alford

  Sadie turned to Elam. “I don’t want to hold you up.”

  He shook his head. “Stay as long as you like. I’ll take care of my errands, pick up the items Irene needs, and meet you here in a little while.” With a nod for Jane, Elam clamped his felt hat on his head and stepped out the back door.

  While she worked, Jane chatted. “How’s your mamm? I missed her at church service last Sunday.”

  “She wasn’t there?” Sadie asked with surprise. Her mother never missed a service.

  Jane seemed surprised she didn’t know. “Nein. I’m sure the cold spell played mischief with her arthritis. You know how she suffers.”

  Sadie managed to keep her shock to herself. She didn’t know. Mamm’s letters usually talked of other news around the community. She rarely mentioned herself.

  “Tell her I’ll stop by to see her this Sunday.” Jane plated food and carried it out to the couple while Sadie stared after her without really seeing. She’d been so caught up in her own troubles to see how difficult life was for her mother.

  “Want some coffee?” Jane’s question broke into her troubled thoughts, and she faced the concern on the older woman’s face. “We can sit and catch up over a cup.”

  Sadie forced a smile. “I’d like that.”

  Jane poured two cups and they sat at the corner table near the front window. Sadie stirred in cream and sugar and sipped her coffee, not sure what to say.

  “How long will you be staying?” the old woman asked and pinned her with those all-seeing eyes.

  “I’m not sure. I’m kind of in flux.” At Jane’s raised brows, Sadie explained. “I’m thinking about moving from Billings.” As much as she enjoyed her coworkers, after what she’d gone through the past few months, she knew she could never return there.

  “Well, Irene must be thrilled to have you home for however long. I know she misses you.”

  Outside a car backfired and Sadie stifled a scream. Her attention streamlined to the road out front. A black sedan slowly passed by. A man wearing a ski mask stared into the diner’s window. His eyes seemed to latch onto Sadie’s, and fear clutched her heart. He appeared to know her. She shivered involuntarily.

  “Child, are you okay?” Jane asked at Sadie’s unusual reaction.

  It took several steadying breaths before she could answer. “I’m fine. Tired, I guess. I’m not used to all this quiet.” It was a flimsy excuse she hoped Jane would believe.

  The older woman shook her head. “I cannot fathom living in a big city like you do. There’s something to be said for the peace of the country.” When the couple went to pay, Jane rose and headed to the cash register while Sadie stared out the window, her hands shaking. Few Englischers passed through the community, especially this time of year. Who was the man in the car? Though the weather was chilly, it certainly wasn’t cold enough for a full ski mask.

  Her pulse kicked against her chest. Was it possible the man stalking her had managed to follow her all the way from Billings to this peaceful Amish community? If so, how did she ever expect to escape someone so determined?

  ◆◆◆

  Night came early at this time of the year. As Elam guided the mare toward the Eicher place, darkness closed in upon them. Beside him, Sadie snugged her coat closer around her body and shifted toward him.

  “How is Mamm doing really? She tells me she’s okay, but Jane mentioned she wasn’t feeling well enough to attend church on Sunday. That’s not like her.”

  He hated betraying Irene’s trust, but her daughter should hear the truth. “She struggles. Her arthritis becomes worse with each year.”

  Sadie winced as if he’d struck her and stared down at her gloved hands. “I wish I’d known. She never mentions herself in her letters.”

  “Your mother doesn’t want to worry you.” When she kept her head averted, he skimmed her profile. If possible, she appeared even more on edge than she had that morning. Elam reached for her hand and she jerked away from him, a vulnerable expression on her face. “What’s going on, Sadie?” he asked quietly.

  When she didn’t answer, he pressed her. “You arrive at your mamm’s house nervous as a cat with a dog on its heels. When you received the call earlier, you practically destroyed your phone. You’re running away from something. Why can’t you tell me what it is?”

  She swallowed visibly. He could almost feel the struggle going on inside her.

  Before she managed an answer, a car appeared up ahead, coming straight toward them. The horse, sensing danger, shied toward the edge of the road and away from the peril. At the last minute, the car swerved before hitting them and raced past them leaving behind a whoosh of air that rocked the buggy.

  “Hold on,” Elam yelled and grabbed the reins tight, pulling back on them hard to keep the horse from bolting. “That was awfully close,” he murmured once the danger passed.

  The horse was still nervous, tossing her head, her eyes wide and nostrils flaring. Elam glanced back as the car continued to charge down the road. “Odd that someone would be driving down this road in a car.” His brows knitted together. Cars in the St. Ignatius community were rare. Come to think of it, something was familiar about this one. Was it possible that it was the same car he’d seen driving away from Irene’s property earlier?

  Immediately, Elam’s back stiffened in alert. He exited the road onto the Eicher drive. A set of tire tracks there appeared fresh. Had the car come back? What was the driver after? His gut assured him it was for no good.

  He stopped the buggy and climbed down to check Irene’s mail while he was close to the road. When he opened the mailbox, what was inside had him stepping back in surprise. A single red rose with a note beneath it. He removed the rose and note and read it.

  You’ll always belong to me.

  Elam swung toward the buggy. A look of horror covered Sadie’s face.

  He came around to her side. “You’ve seen these things before.” It wasn’t a question.

  After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded.

  “Where?”

  “At my work,” she said slowly, her voice barely audible. “And my apartment. I’ve seen them many times.”

  “Who’s doing this, Sadie?” he asked again. She didn’t answer.

  With a sigh, Elam tucked the rose and note behind the seat in the buggy, then climbed up and faced her.

  She shivered and stared down at her hands. The fall chill seeped through his jacket. He reached behind the seat for the blanket he kept there and spread it across her legs.

  “Tell me what’s going on, Sadie. Let me help you.”

  For the longest time, silence rested between them. Then, with an audible breath, she began a story that was as terrifying as it was mysterious.

  “I don’t know who he is,” she managed and lifted her eyes to meet his. “It started shortly after I returned from Jonah’s wedding.” She shook her head. “A dozen roses and a note appeared on my desk. No return address. My first name scribbled on the front. I opened it and read, ‘you’ll always belong to me.’” A nervous laugh escaped. “I thought it was a joke.”

  He frowned and considered what she said. “Did you ask the people who work with you about it?”

  She stared at the path ahead. “Not at first. As I said, I thought it was someone’s idea of a sick joke, so I threw it away along with the roses. Forgot about it. Several days passed before I received another delivery of flowers at work. Red roses again. The exact same words were written on the card.”

  Elam tried to make sense of it. “And you have no idea who could be behind this?”

  The desperate look in her eyes assured him she didn’t know who was stalking her.

  She shook her head. “No, none. I go to work. Come home. Attend church on Sunday. That’s my life.”

  Sadie had unwittingly confirmed how lonely her life had become.

  “What about the other workers? Anyone have a secret crush on you?”

  Her eyes snapped to his. “No, there’s no one.” She stopped as
if realizing the truth. “No one who stands out, at least.”

  Elam glanced around the deserted countryside. Even familiar noises put him on edge. “Let’s go into the house. We can talk about it more inside.” He shook the reins.

  “You can’t tell Mamm, Elam. I don’t want to worry her. She’s been through enough.”

  How could he keep such a terrible thing from the woman who’d been so good to him?

  “Please, you have to promise me you won’t tell her.”

  When he stared into her troubled eyes, he gave in. “For the time being, I won’t say anything. But it’s clear this man has tracked you here to St. Ignatius, and he’s not going to stop until he fulfills whatever deviant plan he has for you.”

  She flinched, and he felt like a heel. He couldn’t imagine what she was going through. Elam entwined his fingers with hers. “It will be okay. I’ll make up an excuse to stay close tonight. But tomorrow after the work is done around your home, we need to go to the phone shanty and call the sheriff’s department. They can tell us what options we have.”

  A relieved smile spread across her face tugging at his heartstrings.

  “Danki, Elam. I will feel safer having you close.”

  He prayed he’d be able to keep her protected from this unknown stranger who seemed intent on claiming her as his.

  Chapter Four

  “Are you sure you’ll be comfortable on the sofa?” Mamm’s expressive face held doubt as she stared down at the sofa.

  Not that Sadie could blame her. The sofa in question was small and never comfortable. And Elam was more than six-foot tall.

  “It will be fine, Irene. I’m grateful for the use. It will give me a head start on the harrowing tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll be planting in a few days’ time.”

  Her mother’s expression cleared. “If you are sure. I’m happy to have you close.” She faced Sadie. “Help me with the coffee.”

  Sadie was only too happy to have something to take her mind off the realization that the man stalking her had followed her here. In the kitchen, Sadie took the percolator from the back burner and filled it from the faucet using the battery-powered pump that carried water to the house. Then she added coffee to the basket and placed the pot on the lit burner while Mamm brought out some whoopie pies to go along with the coffee.

  Soon the aroma of the fresh-brewed liquid filled the house.

  “How was Jane?” her mother asked, then went to the refrigerator to get cream for the coffee, and the pantry for sugar.

  “Very well. She missed you at church Sunday. Were you not feeling well?”

  Mamm held up her work-worn hands. “These were giving me trouble, but they’re much better today.” Although her mother tried to dismiss the extent of her pain, Sadie was almost positive Mamm’s hands had become worse since she’d last seen her.

  Once the coffee finished perking, Sadie carried a cup of the fresh brew along with a whoopie pie to Elam, who was staring out the window. Though he smiled, she could tell from his rigid frame he was concerned.

  He took a bite of the cookie and closed his eyes, savoring the flavor. She suspected he was trying to make her smile.

  “Everything okay?” she asked, her eyes darting to the darkness outside.

  “Fine as far as I can tell.” He’d brought in his shotgun and told her mamm it was to ward off any hungry bears searching for a last meal before hibernation. He held up the whoopie pie. “This is delicious, Irene. I will not want to leave if I stay here too long.”

  Irene chuckled. “You need a little spoiling, Elam Beiler. You’ve always been there for others. Raising your bruder when you were a young man yourself. And since Daniel’s passing, you’ve watched over me.” Mother shook her head. “You deserve happiness.”

  Elam brushed off her compliment. “I am happy. I have the farm. My brother. You.” His gaze fell to Sadie. “What more could I want?”

  Mamm waved her hands in front of her. “A family to call your own. A wife. Children around your table.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched. Seconds ticked by before he answered, “Who has time for such?”

  Sadie had never considered the possibility of Elam being married. The thought of him with another woman settled in her mind like a prickly burr in her boot. Why should it bother her if Elam found someone with whom to share his life? Was she so petty, or was there more to her reaction?

  Mamm smiled gently and let the matter drop. “It’s late. I think I’ll turn in. Sadie, will you clean out the coffee pot for me?”

  Sadie kissed her mother’s cheek. “Of course. I’ll take care of it. Good night, Mamm.”

  “Good night all.” With a smile for Elam, her mother left them alone.

  When it was the two of them, a nervous feeling churned in Sadie’s stomach and she didn’t understand it. Elam was her friend. They used to be inseparable. Doing everything together. They’d spend hours together, just the two of them. What was different now?

  She carried her cup to the stove and poured more coffee. “Would you like more?” she asked.

  With a nod, he moved to her side. Her heart ticked off each of his steps. Why had she never noticed how handsome Elam was?

  Holding out his cup, he waited while she refilled it with fingers that shook. Some of the coffee sloshed over the side. Elam took the pot from her and placed it on the stove, then cleaned the spilled coffee from the floor. “Come, sit down. You look ready to drop.” He’d misunderstood her reaction for stress, and for that she was grateful.

  Sadie carried her coffee into the living room and sat close to the fire while Elam closed the curtains. She cupped her mug to warm her hands and breathed in deeply, letting the steam and scent comfort her. The warmth of the fire eased some of the chill away. One of the logs shifted, startling her. Her nerves were on edge and had been for months.

  “Do you think he’s out there?” She kept her voice low so as not to alert her mother.

  “I don’t know.” Elam answered truthfully as always. “But we can’t take any unnecessary chances.” He sat next to her. “I’ll be happy when we’re able to tell the sheriff about what’s happening.”

  She shifted in her seat to face him. “Why haven’t you ever married, Elam?” The question came out before she could stop it, surprising her as much as him.

  He stared at the crackling fire before answering. “I guess I never met the right woman.” His brilliant eyes sought hers. “Or maybe I’m waiting for the right one to realize she’s where she belongs.”

  Sadie’s heart slammed against her chest when he touched her cheek. Her eyes swept closed. “Elam,” she whispered his name in a broken tone.

  “Are you home to stay this time?” His question was equally soft. His voice rough. “You have all your possessions in your car. Will you stay, or are you passing through?”

  Sadie stumbled to her feet. “I can’t talk about this now,” she murmured and dashed to the kitchen. Without thinking, she washed her cup and the pot and left him without another word.

  ◆◆◆

  He’d made a huge mistake by letting his emotions get in the way. Because of it, he’d scared her off just when she seemed to be trusting him again. “Gott, please help me,” he prayed quietly, the silence of the house answering his question.

  After cleaning out his cup, he was too keyed up to settle down. He reached for his coat and shoved his arms into it, then took the lantern from the kitchen table. He’d check on the animals before turning in.

  As he stepped from the porch, a banging noise came from the side of the house and drew his attention away from the barn. It sounded like something hitting against the wall.

  Elam eased toward the sound. As soon as he reached the edge of the house, the banging stopped. His breath came quickly as he rounded the side of the house. There was nothing there. He shone the lantern the ground. The pit of his stomach tightened at what he saw.

  A single set of footsteps.

  Before he had time to think, something was slammed again
st his side. Elam dropped to his knees. Breath whooshed from his body. His attacker kicked him hard. He fell forward. A man wearing a ski mask grabbed him and slugged him. Elam saw stars while fear slithered up his spine as the man dropped him and headed toward the house. All he could think about was Sadie asleep in bed and vulnerable.

  He staggered to the front door. It stood partially ajar. Elam shoved it open. The man stopped midway and charged Elam, slugging him hard once more. Elam reeled backward. The man took advantage and hit him again.

  The noise must have awakened Sadie. She opened her door and peeked down the hall.

  “Go back inside,” Elam shouted at her.

  The man spotted Sadie, then rammed an elbow in Elam’s stomach. The breath left his body. He struggled to hold onto the man who was twisting and turning to break free and go after Sadie. Though close to Elam’s height, his attacker had a good thirty pounds on him. Unable to hold the man back any longer, he broke away and charged for Sadie’s room. Elam kept his legs under him and went after the attacker.

  The man turned when he heard Elam and charged toward him once more. With his arms outstretched, he slammed into Elam’s body. Knocking him off balance, Elam hit the floor and slid across it while the man ran out the open door.

  Elam slowly rose and slammed the door shut, then slid the lock in place. Adrenalin shot through his body at the encounter he’d just endured while his thoughts swirled in chaos. This man was determined. He would stop at nothing to get to Sadie.

  The object of his thoughts emerged from the bedroom and bolted to Elam’s side. “What happened?” she asked with panic on her face. Elam rubbed his jaw where the man had slugged him.

  “I went out to check on the animals.” He explained how the man had been waiting for him.

  Sadie sank to the sofa and covered her face with her hands. “I can’t believe this is happening.” She stared up at him. “What do we do now?”

  The fight he’d just survived whirled through his thoughts. The man was determined bordering on unstable. “I want to call the sheriff tonight, but I don’t think it’s safe to leave you and Irene alone.”