The Protective One

by Shelley Shepard Gray

  Instead of going right home after E.A. closed her door, Will walked over to the Brennans’ house and rapped on the door. David answered.

  “What do you want?” he asked.

  “We need to talk.”

  The first bit of unease flickered in his eyes. “We don’t have anything to talk about.”

  “Nee, that’s where you are wrong. I just left E.A. and she told me about you harassing her this afternoon.”

  “I didn’t do a thing,” he said, looking smug. “All I was doing was walking.”

  “No, you were bothering her. Spouting lies about her and me.”

  “Are they truly lies?”

  He’d never been a violent man, but boy, did Will have the sudden urge to shake some sense into him! Stepping closer, he lowered his voice. “I’m telling you they are. Not only would I never disrespect her that way, E.A. would never disrespect herself. You are hurting her, David, and it needs to stop. Do you understand?”

  Will could practically see David debating about how to answer him. But then finally—at last—he nodded. “I hear what you’re saying.”

  It wasn’t the firm answer Will had been looking for, but he felt it was enough. “Gut.”

  He turned and walked away, hoping that David had realized at last that his games had to stop. What he and E.A. had was too special to be tainted.

  TWENTY−SEVEN

  “I never found out what happened to all those mice.”

  ONE WEEK LATER

  Marta began making definite plans for her escape when Alan announced that they were still going to the county fair on Saturday morning.

  She’d been sipping coffee and nursing a bruise on her cheek when he’d stridden into the kitchen with a smile on his face—just as if the evening before had never happened.

  “Looks like all of your country ways are going to finally come in handy. Frank Zook’s son is showing a calf at the county fair.”

  “Oh?”

  “Frank is so proud of his boy that I told him we’d go out to the fair for a few hours instead of just stopping by.”

  She knew that fair like the back of her hand. At least, she had eight years ago. “That sounds like a lot of fun.”

  “We’re going to have to trudge around in the dirt, looking at cows and horses and pigs, but what can you do? I need Frank to approve my latest deal.”

  “I understand.” Marta walked to the coffeemaker, poured a fresh cup of coffee, and handed it to him.

  Taking a sip of it, he eyed her. “Your face better be healed by then.”

  It took everything she had not to cover the swollen bruise with her hand—the one he’d put there last night when he’d gotten mad at her because she’d forgotten to pick up his laundry from the dry cleaners. Instead she simply stared at Alan, silently daring him to blame her for his tirade.

  It was a minor difference in her usual behavior, but significant. It was the first time that she wasn’t cowing or apologizing for her looks. Thirty seconds passed. Maybe even a full minute. A new tension filled the air between them. And though her head cautioned her to not do anything to make Alan suspicious, the rest of her knew she needed to do this. She needed to remind herself that she was strong enough to leave.

  Looking slightly uneasy, he put his cup on the counter and picked up his briefcase. “I won’t be home until late. I’ve got to go get some jeans and a hillbilly shirt or something for the fair.”

  She relaxed, trying to make her voice sound caring and concerned. “Do you want me to make you a plate for supper?”

  “No. I’ll eat out,” he muttered before walking out the back door.

  After listening to the garage door open and shut, she peeked out the front window and watched his car roll out of sight.

  Only then did she pour his coffee out, get a fresh cup for herself … and sit down at the kitchen table with a smile.

  Alan wouldn’t be home for hours, and they were going to the fair on Saturday. Even the image of her husband walking in one of the barns at the fair was laughable. Alan rarely even wore jeans, and the only thing he knew about cattle was how well done he liked his hamburgers grilled. In fact, he often made fun of her country mannerisms that sometimes surfaced from time to time.

  But none of those things mattered now. All that did was that he was finally giving her the chance she’d been waiting for. The county fair would be crowded on a Saturday. Really crowded. And, if he was there for his boss, he wasn’t going to be paying much attention to her. That meant that she was going to be able to walk around on her own.

  And find a policeman or sheriff and beg him or her to help her escape. And then, buffeted by their protection and the money in her backpack, she was finally going to be free.

  All she had to do until then was retrieve her backpack from the sewing shop, carefully sew her money into the lining, and plan an outfit to go with the bright yellow print so Alan wouldn’t suspect a thing.

  Yes, all she had to do was survive for three more days. Compared to everything else she’d been through?

  Three days was practically nothing.

  * * *

  E.A. was feeling off, but she wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the disintegrating relationship with David. Yes, he was a jerk, but he’d been part of her life for years. It felt strange to now avoid his house and his parents after being over there all the time. Or, maybe it was because she had something new and unexpected with Will. She was a methodical girl, not an impulsive one. But everything with Will felt quick and out of her control.

  Or … perhaps it was because she was keeping a secret from Marta. She’d never told Marta that her husband had stopped by the shop to ask a bunch of questions about her.

  She was worried about her student. Marta had been acting so tense and nervous during their lesson that E.A. had come very close to turning off the Singer and asking how she could help her. But she hadn’t.

  Well, not until Marta had suddenly announced that she was going to take her backpack home.

  E.A. had been caught completely off guard. And, perhaps, had felt more than a little left out. Marta had gone from needing her help to keeping her distance. Though she knew she was probably being too sensitive, she hadn’t been able to accept Marta’s request without commenting. The conversation still made her wish she’d kept her mouth shut.

  “Are you sure about that?” she’d asked.

  Marta’s expression had turned wary. “I’m very sure.”

  But still, E.A. had not been able to let it go. Tracing a finger along one of the seams, she said, “I thought maybe we could redo this.”

  “Why?”

  “Well … it’s not perfect.”

  Hurt flashed in Marta’s eyes. “I don’t need it to be perfect, E.A. I just needed it to be usable, which it is. Right?”

  “Yes. Yes, of course. It works just fine. I mean the zipper works perfectly.”

  “I’m going to take it home then,” Marta said in a rush. Turning very businesslike, she opened up her pocketbook. “May I pay you now?”

  Feeling terrible that she’d made such a mess of things, E.A. had nodded and walked her to the cash register. Five minutes later, she’d stood at the window and watched her student walk away, the backpack neatly folded in a paper sack.

  And she’d wondered if she was ever going to see her again.

  Ever since that moment, she’d been struggling, almost like she’d lost another friend. First Andy, then David, and now Marta. Though, of course, each of those circumstances didn’t change the fact that she was feeling their loss.

  Or that for each, she felt she hadn’t handled the situation well. She hoped that eventually the Lord would help her find a way to make things right.

  But until then? She was barely hanging on … and waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  TWENTY−EIGHT

  “Half of us piled into my parents’ van, the other half into Andy’s car. We decided to go to my house. It was the closest, and we knew my mamm wouldn’t ask a lot of questions
, only wonder if anyone wanted popcorn.”

  SATURDAY

  “E.A., come on now. Stop worrying so much about work and David,” Will said for what E.A. knew had to be at least the fifth time. “We’re together, Marie and John are somewhere close by, and we have nothing to worry about for the next five hours. Let’s enjoy ourselves.”

  They were at the fair, and everything Will said made sense. E.A. looked around at all the excited children running in front of their parents as they went from booth to booth, and smiled. Boy, being here sure brought back good memories. So did the brightly colored rides. Even after all these years, each one still looked more exciting than the last. She even enjoyed watching the great variety of people who were there. Everyone seemed eager to do the same things that Will and she wanted to do—to relax and have fun.

  If only she could actually enjoy herself. It was just too bad that she felt more comfortable in the midst of strangers than she did on her street.

  “You’re right, Will, I do need to relax and enjoy being with our friends.” And Will, too, she added silently. This outing was really the first time that she and Will were out together as a couple—not just two good friends. She loved the difference, too. He was so attentive and sweet to her, she felt taken care of and treasured. E.A. shook her head, trying to clear it. “This is a magical place. Being here is almost like taking a vacation.”

  Will laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far, but it never fails to make me feel more lighthearted. After all, where else can we eat fried corn, frozen custard, and walking tacos?”

  He certainly loved those bags of Fritos topped with chili and cheese! “Leave it to you to dwell on the food.”

  “Come on, there’s a lot of good food, and we’ve hardly tried any of it.” Reaching for her hand, he tugged her to a food stall.

  She willingly followed, only pretending to not be as enamored about the thought of eating a whole ear of fried corn dipped in butter. That attitude didn’t last too long, however. From the first bite, all her senses went on high alert. Had few things ever tasted so good?

  Seeing her bliss, Will laughed. “Here. Take my napkin.”

  Feeling sheepish, she wiped her mouth before taking another too-big bite.

  When Will did the same with his corn, she smiled at him, realizing once again that things between them had shifted. Yes, they still had their firm foundation of friendship, but there was something stronger pulling them together. She now was aware of every smile and frown on his face. Of the way his brown eyes darkened when he was upset … or when he gazed at her after sharing a kiss.

  And her own body was responding to him in kind. Her stomach got fluttery when she waited for him to come over after one of his shifts. Her pulse certainly raced whenever he leaned close and whispered into her ear.

  “Hey, are you okay?” he asked after throwing away their trash. “You got quiet.”

  “I’m fine.” She smiled up at him. “I guess I was just thinking about how things between us have changed.”

  “They really have, haven’t they? And to think, it all started as a game of pretend.”

  She nodded. “I’m not pretending at all, Will.”

  “Me, neither.” Stepping closer, he lowered his voice. “This probably ain’t the most romantic place to tell you how I feel, but I really like you, E.A.” He stopped. “Nee, it’s more than that. I’m falling in love with you.”

  “I’m falling, too.” Hearing the words come out of her mouth felt almost shocking—like a dash of electricity that she’d been afraid would hurt but only woke her up.

  She’d been so right to break things off with David!

  Even before he’d gotten so crazy, she’d known that there had been something missing between them. She’d found it in Will.

  “If we were anywhere more private, I’d give you a hug right now,” Will said.

  “If we were anywhere more private, I’d want you to. But, as you said, we have all day.”

  “Jah. And all night. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even get you to ride the Ferris wheel with me.”

  “All you have to do is ask.” E.A. smiled softly.

  “E.A.? Will?” Marie called out. “What are you two doing? I thought you were going to go look at the lambs with us.”

  Elizabeth Anne smiled at her good friend. Marie looked as pretty as ever. She was wearing a bright green sundress, tan wedges, and her long golden hair was in a ponytail. In the midst of an ocean of Englischers all wearing jeans and shorts, she stood out like an exotic bird.

  “Ah, we had to get something to eat,” Will said.

  “Already? What did you get?”

  “Fried corn on the cob,” E.A. replied.

  “All those calories.” Marie frowned but still looked at the booth longingly.

  “And it was worth every one!” E.A. said as she walked to Marie’s side.

  “I’m going to get one later then.” Linking her arm through E.A.’s, Marie said, “Come on. Let’s go see the lambs first.”

  “Lead the way.” She was tempted to tease Marie about her fondness for baby animals but knew her friend was perfectly justified in her love of them. No doubt about it, baby lambs were adorable. As they walked a few feet behind the guys, E.A. asked, “Are you having fun so far?”

  “So much fun. Work has been so stressful—I needed to get away from everything. If John and I had stayed home, I would have gotten on the computer to work or done laundry or felt the need to get another ten thank-you notes written.” She took a breath. “All of those things are good, I guess, but sometimes it’s nice just to relax.”

  “Will was just telling me the same thing.”

  “Really? What has been on your mind?”

  E.A. didn’t really want to bring up either David and his lies about her or the stress she’d been continuing to feel at work, so she decided to skirt the question. “Just the usual, I guess.”

  Marie raised her eyebrows. “Which is—?”

  “Nothing that I need to worry about today.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure. It’s nothing out of the ordinary.” She smiled tightly, trying her best to retain a hold on the optimism she’d been feeling just moments before.

  Marie studied her for another moment then shrugged. “Good to know.” After another few steps, she grinned. “Oh, look at that little girl. Isn’t she sweet?”

  E.A. looked to where Marie was focused and smiled. The little girl was Amish and was wearing a bright orange dress. Her white kapp practically sparkled in the sunlight. Little wisps of blond hair fluttered out of its confines. Best of all, she was holding a stuffed donkey. “She is adorable. Just like a ray of sunshine.”

  “Look how she is trailing after her brothers. That’s how I always imagined Harley’s little sister, Betty, being. Remember how all of his siblings used to follow him around?”

  “I do. And I remember how you and I were always sad that we had such small families.”

  “Hey, at least you had a sister.”

  E.A. grinned. “Annie wasn’t all that easy, so I don’t know if I had the better situation.”

  “She wasn’t that bad. Was she?”

  Just as E.A. was about to answer, she caught sight of a man who was standing still in the middle of all the chaos. It took a few seconds, but then she realized who she was looking at: David.

  She inhaled sharply as she realized he was staring directly at her.

  “E.A.? What is it?”

  “David is standing just behind that little girl. Next to the exit of that building.”

  She turned to look. “Oh, for heaven’s sakes. He’s glaring at you!”

  E.A. felt a chill race up her spine. “I don’t know what to think anymore, Marie. Practically everywhere I look these days, he’s looking right back at me.”

  “What do you mean? Like he’s stalking you?”

  Stalking sounded so dramatic. But was it dramatic if that was what it was? “I don’t know what it is exactly. All I do know is that it’
s starting to stress me out.”

  Marie grabbed her hand, and they started walking faster. “This has been happening for a while?” she asked.

  “Yeah.”

  She frowned. “What have you done?”

  “I’ve talked to him and told him that he needs to move on.”

  “And Will?”

  “Will hasn’t exactly said anything to him, but he hasn’t been shy about letting David know that we’re together.”

  “Maybe Will needs to say something to him, E.A. Don’t you think?”

  E.A. shrugged. “I don’t want to make too big a deal about it.”

  “But it is a big deal, right?”

  “I’m sure he’ll get the idea sooner or later.” She gave Marie a wry smile. “To be honest, I can’t really figure out why he’s been so intent on getting me back. I mean, David never acted all that excited about me when we were together.” After a pause, she shared a little more. “I mean, it’s not like I’m some kind of prize.”

  Marie frowned. “Don’t say that.”

  “I mean it. I’m not like you, Marie. I’m pretty enough but not beautiful.”

  “I wish you could see yourself how the rest of us see you, E.A.,” Marie said just as they caught up with John and Will.

  Turning around and smiling softly at E.A., Will asked, “And how do we see Elizabeth Anne?”

  “Oh my goodness! Don’t say a word!” E.A. called out. She couldn’t be any more embarrassed.

  But Marie ignored her. “Like she’s something pretty special. That’s how.”

  Will took hold of her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “Well, of course. I knew that.”

  John spoke. “When I looked back at you two, you girls looked to be in an intense conversation. Is that what you were talking about?”