The Chill of an Early Fall

by Mary Alford

  “Sadie’s awake. She’s checking on Irene and Willa.”

  Jonah pinned him with a look. “So what’s been going on with you two?”

  Elam shot his brother a “don’t go there” look. “Nothing’s going on. Want some coffee?” Elam pivoted on his heel and left the room.

  After a minute, Jonah followed him to the breakroom where they waited for the coffee to finish pouring through.

  Lack of sleep was starting to take its toll. Elam’s limbs were weak. It was a struggle to pull his thoughts together.

  “Here you go.” Garza handed him a cup, then one for Jonah. “It’s hard to sleep on those cots, isn’t it?”

  Elam managed a smile. “It is. Not quite like home.”

  Garza chuckled. “No, it isn’t. Hopefully, you folks will be going home soon.” With coffee in hand, he left them.

  “Brother, I wasn’t trying to pry,” Jonah said. “I guess I hoped things were developing between the two of you since you were spending so much time together.”

  “There’s nothing developing because Sadie and I are no longer from the same world. She’s an Englischer now, Jonah. The sooner we both accept that truth, the better.”

  Jonah started to say something more when Sadie and Irene entered.

  Sadie glanced from Jonah to Elam as if picking up on their troubled discussion.

  “Is Willa still sleeping?” Jonah asked, then moved past them into the hallway.

  “She’s awake.” Irene smiled gently at Jonah.

  “Gut. I’ll see how she’s doing.”

  “Coffee’s fresh,” Elam said when the strain between him and Sadie became too much.

  “Danki,” she murmured and offered him a weary smile.

  He poured two cups and handed one to each woman. “I think I’ll speak with Deputy Anderson about the possibility of taking care of the animals once the storm passes.” He spun on his heel and left the room. When he found Deputy Anderson, he could tell something was wrong. “What’s going on?” he asked.

  The strain on Deputy Anderson’s face sent fear into the pit of Elam’s stomach.

  “The fire department found a body inside the house. They think it may be Gamble but can’t be sure.”

  Elam’s thoughts splintered in a dozen different directions. “Why not?”

  The deputy paused before answering. “The body’s too badly damaged. They’ll have to rely on forensics for a positive identification. That could take several days.”

  “So what does this mean?”

  “It means, in all likelihood, Gamble decided to kill himself rather than return to the institution. Sheriff Mackenzie’s on his way here now. This is almost finished,” Deputy Anderson said with a relieved smile.

  Elam wanted to believe it, but he needed proof positive Gamble was gone. He whirled at the slightest sound nearby. Sadie.

  “Is it true?” she asked.

  He wanted to reassure her. “We don’t know for sure,” he told her instead.

  “But you believe it’s him?” she asked Deputy Anderson. Elam understood how much she wanted to trust they’d finally found Gamble.

  “There’s a good chance it is,” the deputy said.

  She clasped Irene’s arm. “Thank goodness.” Her eyes shone with happiness.

  “This is gut news,” Irene said.

  “It is,” Deputy Anderson said. Someone knocked on the rear door. “That’s probably the sheriff.” Anderson left to answer the door.

  Elam still couldn’t let go of his misgivings.

  Sadie studied his expression. “You aren’t convinced.”

  He couldn’t hide the truth. “I’m not. Can’t explain. It seems a little too neat for me. I think Gamble is alive.”

  Gunshots jerked him away from Sadie.

  “He’s in the building.” There was no doubt in his mind. Elam clutched her arm and pulled her and Irene down the hall to the sheriff’s office.

  Jonah stepped out into the hallway as they reached the door.

  “Get inside,” Elam told him. More gunshots sounded.

  He pushed Irene and Sadie inside, closed the door and locked it.

  “Let’s move behind the desk.” Elam urged the women out of sight. “You too, Jonah.”

  There was barely room for them to hide. Elam tucked the women in the middle with him and Jonah on either side. He would do his best to protect his people no matter what.

  Someone rattled the doorknob. Elam held his breath. A weight rammed against the door. It gave way after several more tries.

  Footsteps entered the room heading for the desk. Elam prayed with all his heart—it’s all he could do. Gamble stopped next to him. Elam rose and faced the man whose countenance was distorted with rage. Eyes glazed and unhinged. Pure evil radiated from Gamble.

  With a low, lupine growl, the man charged at Elam. The full weight of Gamble’s body slammed against him and sent him flying across the room. Elam struggled to stay conscious as he crashed against the wall. His feet slid out from under him and he hit the floor.

  Gamble stood over him with a gun in his hand. He aimed the weapon at Elam’s chest. No way to escape. Elam closed his eyes.

  A shot rang out, but the expected pain didn’t come. He opened his eyes in time to see Gamble clutch his midsection and drop to the floor nearby.

  Elam’s gaze flew to the door where the dispatcher stood in the doorway with a handgun still in the ready position. Elam blew out a breath. Thanks be to Gott. A few minutes later, and he’d be dead.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Sadie’s heart threatened to explode in her chest when she heard the shot. Silence followed, then someone came around the side of the desk. Her troubled gaze flew to the man standing near. It was Elam, his face bloody and swelling.

  Without thinking, Sadie leapt to her feet and threw her arms around his waist. “You’re alive. I was so afraid,” she whispered against his chest, her voice unsteady.

  “I am.” He untangled her arms. “But I think he hurt Deputy Anderson, according to Garza. Jonah, let’s take everyone to the breakroom?” Elam said. His brother nodded and reached for Willa’s hand.

  Sadie kept her arm around Elam’s waist. With Mamm close, they followed Jonah and Willa.

  Garza stood in the doorway, holding his shoulder. Blood soaked through his shirt.

  “You’re hurt,” Sadie exclaimed.

  Garza shook his head. “It’s a flesh wound. Deputy Anderson’s in bad shape, though. He needs immediate medical attention. I’ll call for an ambulance for Anderson and this guy.” He indicated Gamble before he reached for his phone and made the call.

  Sadie let Elam go. “I’m a nurse. I’ll see if I can help Anderson.” She headed toward the fallen deputy when Sheriff Mackenzie stormed into the station, saw Anderson, and dropped next to his downed deputy.

  “Help is on the way,” Garza informed the sheriff. “The shooter is injured in your office.”

  While Garza disappeared with Elam, Sadie knelt beside the downed deputy to assist. Deputy Anderson was conscious and holding his side.

  “I’m a nurse. Let me take a look.” The deputy removed his hand. His shirt was covered in blood. Sadie ripped the shirt free from a two-inch diameter wound that continued to bleed profusely. She took off her sweater and balled it against the wound, applying pressure while she felt beneath the deputy. There wasn’t an exit wound. The bullet was lodged inside.

  “I need you to stay as quiet as possible. Once the paramedics arrive, they’ll stabilize you and get you transported to the hospital. It doesn’t appear as if the bullet hit any major organs. You’re going to be okay.”

  The siren of the approaching ambulance filled the night. Relief swamped her. The sooner Deputy Anderson was in surgery the better.

  Two paramedics raced in and took over for her.

  “We have two other gunshot injury.” Sadie explained about Garza’s wound as well as Gamble’s. “According to the dispatcher, the bullet grazed his shoulder. I’ll bandage the wound and sen
d him in for a follow-up. I’m not sure about the third victim.”

  “I’ll call a second ambulance to the scene. We need to get the deputy to the hospital as quickly as possible,” one of the paramedics said and gave her the necessary supplies to treat Garza’s wound. Deputy Anderson was loaded into the ambulance, the driver disappeared through the predawn grayness.

  Sadie took the medical supplies and searched for Garza. She found him standing outside of the sheriff’s office talking to Mackenzie.

  “It appears Gamble injuries aren’t serious,” Garza told her.

  “That’s something, I guess.” Sadie wasn’t ready to feel sorry for the man who’d caused her so much pain yet. Perhaps in time. “Why don’t you let me have a look at your shoulder?” she asked Garza.

  They stepped into the breakroom. Mamm, Willa and Jonah left the room so Sadie could examine the wound.

  Once it was just the two of them, Garza unbuttoned his shirt. Sadie cleaned the wound. It didn’t appear serious. After applying antiseptic to the graze, she bandaged it.

  “You should be fine, but you might want to follow up with your doctor to make sure it doesn’t get infected. Your shoulder will be sore for a few days, though.”

  “Thank you. How’s Anderson?”

  “He’s strong. I believe he’s going to be okay.”

  “Thank you, God,” Garza said and left the room.

  Sadie gathered the used materials and tossed them in the trash. When she turned, Elam stood in the doorway. The sight of him took her breath away. She loved him. Now, after she’d finally realized who she’d been searching for all along was just next door, Elam was leaving.

  She didn’t know what to say to him to change his mind.

  Sadie opened the refrigerator, put some ice in a plastic zippered bag, and placed it against his jaw where Gamble had struck him. Elam winced and took the bag from her.

  His dark gaze fixed on her face, seeing things she couldn’t hide.

  She had so much to say, but she wasn’t sure she had the nerve. “If Gamble was here, then who is the body found at the explosion?” she asked. Had Gamble killed another innocent person simply to make the police believe it was him?

  Elam shook his head. “It could take weeks to find out the man’s identity.” He tossed the bag of ice on the table. “Sheriff Mackenzie believes Gamble will be put away for the rest of his life. He won’t ever be able to hurt anyone else.” He held her gaze. “It’s finished, Sadie. You don’t have to worry about Gamble stalking you ever again.”

  She should be relieved, but her heart was breaking. Was this goodbye? Elam would be leaving, and she might never see him again. Did she dare take the risk of telling him the secrets of her heart? What if he didn’t feel the same way about her?

  When she didn’t respond, he started to leave, his shoulders sagging. It was now or never.

  “Wait!” The word rushed out. She held her breath when he stopped. Seconds slipped by.

  Elam slowly pivoted. The look in his eyes gave nothing away. He waited for her to speak.

  Please give me the right words, she silently prayed. “Being home, spending time with Mamm—” She caught herself before she included being with him. “It’s made me realize I want to return to the Amish way of life.” She waited for him to say something.

  A single muscle worked in his jaw. Dark eyes held hers. Not exactly the reaction she’d hoped for.

  “I’m coming home to St. Ignatius, Elam. I realized how much I missed my mother . . . and you.”

  Nothing. No reaction. Had she been mistaken about his feelings?

  “What I’m saying is, I love you, Elam. I’ve probably always loved you. I let Samuel and my own youthful foolishness get in the way of realizing my true feelings.”

  He took a single step into the room. “And you’ve come to this conclusion because you faced down danger?” His mouth twisted into a smirk.

  She stepped toward him. “No, facing danger brought things into focus. I never loved Samuel. His ending our relationship was the best thing to happen to me because it kept me from making the worst mistake of my life. From marrying the wrong man.” She touched his cheek and prayed he would want her too. “I love you, Elam. Please don’t go to West Kootenai. Stay with me. I need you.” Her voice broke in a sob.

  His eyes burned into hers. “I’m going to West Kootenai.”

  Those simple words took away all hope. She moved away. Tears she couldn’t hold onto blurred her vision. All she wanted to do was run away again.

  Elam caught her hand. Then he reached for her arm and forced her to face him. “You didn’t let me finish,” he said gently. “I’m going to West Kootenai to learn the dairy business. But I’ll be back.”

  Her gaze shot to his. Hope took root in her heart.

  A smile lifted the corners of Elam’s mouth. His hands cupped her shoulders and drew her close. “I’ll be there for six months. That will give you time to settle your affairs in Billings and move home for good. Start working on the steps to be baptized and join the church.” He tugged her closer and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Six months is a long time.” And it was. She hated the idea she wouldn’t see him each day.

  “It is, but it will be worth it for our future.”

  Our future. She liked the sound.

  “Jonah and I will split our time between the fields and the dairy farm. We can provide for our families and pass the business and the farming on to our children.”

  She smiled up at him. What he said sounded like heaven, but the one thing he hadn’t said taunted her. Did he love her?

  “Our children. Does that mean you love me too?” she asked and bit her bottom lip. Needing to hear him say it.

  Elam leaned down and claimed her lips. All her doubts evaporated.

  He ended the kiss and held her close. “Jah, I love you. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. And I will love you until the day I die.”

  Tears spilled from her eyes. “I wasted so much of my life feeling sorry for myself. Being embarrassed by Samuel’s rejection, when true happiness was standing right in front of me all along. You are my future, Elam. My past. The one I will love for the rest of my life.”

  Epilogue

  Six months later…

  Sadie glanced out at the window where snow was piled up, deep even though March was ending in a few days. She’d awakened well before dawn. Truth be told, she hadn’t slept much the night before. This was the day. Elam was coming home for good.

  While Mamm slept, Sadie slipped from the bed, put the coffee on to perk, and finished the morning chores by lantern light.

  “He will be here when he’s here, Sadie,” Mamm called from the kitchen.

  With a final glance at the snow-covered world, Sadie returned to the kitchen and placed silverware on the table while her mother plated scrambled eggs and sausage patties along with homemade buttermilk biscuits.

  Mamm carried the plates to the table while Sadie brought coffee.

  Inside the pocket of her apron, Elam’s final letter from a week ago rested, the love he had for her engraved in each word as he let her know he was coming home. He’d worked hard to learn the business of running a dairy. In exchange for the work, Henry agreed to provide Elam with all the equipment and cows needed to start a small farm himself.

  Excitement laced Elam’s words on the page. He was coming home. He’d stay in the dawdi haus until he and Sadie married in the fall. Plenty of work lay ahead to get the barns ready for the milking equipment, but it didn’t matter. All Sadie could think about was Elam was coming home.

  For the past six months, knowing she would belong to Elam one day kept her going. She’d gone to Billings and packed up her apartment. With her knowledge of medicine, she planned to help the community with their medical needs as well as become a midwife. She couldn’t wait to help her future sister-in-law deliver her baby when the time came.

  Sadie had worked hard to regain her position in the community. She’
d worked hard to become baptized and join the church. She and Mamm attended the bi-weekly services and the after-church meals. Occasionally she’d run into Samuel and his wife and family. She was happy for him.

  “Sit. Your eggs are getting cold.” Mamm smiled up at her.

  Sadie slipped into the chair across from her mother and bowed her head.

  Please bring him home safely, she prayed. As if in answer to her prayer, the noise of a buggy heading down the path to their house tore her attention away. “Amen,” she murmured, then jumped to her feet and ran to the door. Slipping on her cloak and traveling bonnet, she shoved her feet into warm boots and opened the door.

  There in the distance, the man she loved appeared. Her future. She took the steps two at a time. Ran across the yard. With the cold air burning her lungs, she raced toward him.

  Elam spotted her and reined the horse to a stop. He leaped from the buggy and ran toward her.

  Sadie stopped short. She bent over to catch her breath.

  He reached her side, and his hands circled her waist. With his eyes shining with happiness, he lifted her up and swung her around. When he set her down, he drew her into his arms.

  The moment his lips found hers, she knew that no matter what, she and Elam would be there for each other through all the challenges of their life together. All the adventures. Everything. They’d love each other until their last heartbeats. And she couldn’t wait for their adventures to begin.

  AMISH MOUNTAIN SECRETS SERIES

  The Chill of an Early Fall – Book One

  Blackbird - Coming January 23, 2020

  COURAGE UNDER FIRE SERIES

  Summer of Suspense – A USA Today Bestselling Anthology that includes Storm Warnings, the prequel to Mary’s Courage Under Fire Series

  Distant Thunder (The Prequel to Storm Warning) – October 2019

  Strike Force – Book one of Courage Under Fire Series – Coming December 2019

  And Coming in 2020

  Zero Visibility – February 2020