by Dana R. Lynn
In a few hours, the children would arrive to find that their school had a tree on top of it.
Hopefully, he and Elise would be on their way before that happened. They needed to keep searching for Leah and Mikey. Who knew how many of the other eighteen districts they’d go through before meeting up with someone who knew her?
He wasn’t looking forward to the day ahead. He would, however, do whatever he had to do to erase the sadness from the face of the woman sleeping on his chest. The woman he was dangerously close to falling for.
No. He couldn’t fall for Elise. Sure, she was beautiful and brave, smart and funny. Not to mention a woman of faith, which was paramount to him. If he was ready to settle down, she’d be perfect for him. But at present, he had nothing to offer her. Nothing to offer Mikey. At twenty-seven, he was still new enough on the police force that his work hours were less than ideal. He lived in an apartment. And he still hadn’t earned his father’s approval.
If you’d become a doctor, like he’d wanted, none of this would be an issue.
He shoved that thought aside, refusing to give it credence. He knew he’d needed to become a cop. Ricky deserved it.
He stilled. Was he a cop because of a debt he thought he owed rather than because God wanted him to be? He’d told Elise yesterday that she couldn’t blame herself for her sister’s murder, had even told her his story, but had he been honest with himself?
Was being a cop his idea, or God’s?
He wrestled with the thought, his thoughts going around and around in circles. Doubt crept into his mind. He’d been so stubborn, so sure of himself. What if he was wrong?
He was so mired in his thoughts that at first he didn’t recognize the sound for what it what.
Then understanding struck.
“Elise! Wake up! Now!”
Elise woke up immediately at his shout, the top of her head banging into his nose. Spots danced in front of his eyes as pain ricocheted through his head.
“Sorry!” she cried.
“I’m fine. Listen to that, Elise. We’re in trouble.”
Reaching out, he pulled back the blanket covering the table enough for the barest hint of dawn light to seep through. He saw her expression, first confused, then awash with horror as she realized what was happening. A sound like the roar of a freight train surrounded them.
There were no train tracks anywhere near them.
They were sitting ducks in the middle of a field, in a tiny Amish schoolhouse, while a tornado touched down.
They were out of time. Ryan grabbed hold of the blanket and pulled it back over the opening. It would keep flying glass off them at the very least. Then he pulled Elise close to the ground, covering her as much as he could.
He could hear her whispering a prayer. He added his own “Amen” to it.
In his worst nightmares, he’d never imagined the sounds around him as the tornado ripped the world apart. The building shuddered as something landed against its side, hard. Probably another tree. The roar of the twister would seem to fade, then it would come back. He could feel Elise trembling as he held her.
Then it happened. The roar of the twister was directly overhead. He prayed it would leave without touching the schoolhouse. For a moment, he thought it would when the sound moved to the right. But then...
Slam!
For as long as he lived, Ryan would never forget the ripping noise as the tornado smashed into the small schoolhouse and the walls collapsed inward. The table above them cracked as the weight of the destroyed structure collapsed in on it. The air grew heavy.
Then silence reigned again.
The tornado was gone as fast as it had struck. Elise’s breathing was the only sound. He frowned as he listened. Her breathing wasn’t just loud. It was harsh. Almost rusty sounding.
“Elise? Honey, the tornado’s gone. Are you all right?”
She coughed, then choked.
She was desperately allergic to dust. He remembered her telling him that several days ago. That was why she’d hired Leah to clean her house and probably why she had wood floors instead of carpeting. Right now, she sounded almost asthmatic. He’d heard the sound of an asthma attack before. Jace’s wife, Melanie, had asthma, and he’d been present for one of her attacks. The way Elise was breathing, well, it sure sounded a lot like Melanie’s.
A new fear gripped him. He shoved himself free, hoping that the debris left by the tornado was loose enough that he could shift it and work his way out to free them. He was able to lift the blanket slightly. Using the flashlight app on his phone, he could see a wall of wooden debris had fallen on them. Could he make a hole through which they could crawl out?
He pushed and shoved at the blanket. Nothing. It wouldn’t budge. And Elise’s breathing sounded worse.
Had they come all this way to die? He refused to give in. Straining as much as he could, he continued to shove, all the while listening to Elise.
“Honey? Elise?”
“Ryan, it hurts,” she gasped, her voice faint.
“You stay with me, hear? I’m gonna get us out. You hold on.”
Nothing.
“Elise? Elise!”
She didn’t respond. With his heart in his throat, he kept digging, praying that someone would come for them before Elise died, buried alive.
TWELVE
Ryan was ready to cry in relief when he heard people yelling around the schoolhouse. The debris shifted and creaked as it was lifted, board by board. It felt like forever, but he could hear the voices getting closer.
“Mr. Ryan?”
Faith had come back. “Faith! We’re buried near the chimney. Elise is hurt.”
Feet stomped closer. Another few minutes passed before the table was finally pushed aside. Ryan lifted Elise off the floor and passed her to the hands that reached for her.
He hovered over her as she stirred. The fresh air, cool but not cold, seemed to help. She was breathing, and the rasp had lessened. No thanks to him. For all his promises, he really hadn’t kept her safe, had he? After a few minutes, her long lashes fluttered open and he saw the dazed expression on her face fade as comprehension took its place.
He could see her shock as she gazed over his shoulder.
He turned. And whistled silently. He’d been so concerned about her, he’d not taken the time to assess the destruction. And it was vast. The schoolhouse was demolished.
“I guess they won’t have school today,” a weak voice joked.
He slanted a grin at Elise. His girl was quick to return to her own sassy self.
Only she wasn’t his girl. He really needed to remember that.
“We won’t have school today, it is so.”
Elise and Ryan both swung their heads to face the speaker. Elise’s face grew pink. Ryan could sympathize. She wouldn’t have made the comment if she’d known that Faith was close by.
“I didn’t mean to be callous,” Elise apologized, coughing slightly. “I just, I don’t know. Sometimes it’s easier for me to deal with shock with a joke. It probably wasn’t appropriate.”
Faith offered her a small smile. “Please. It is fine. I told my family about you last night. When we heard the tornado, my dat—” she indicated a bearded man walking along the edge of the demolished school “—he notified my brothers and my oncle.”
Ryan’s throat tightened as he looked around. At least fifteen people had gathered around to help. Mostly men and boys, but there were three girls, aside from Faith, who had gathered.
“Your family saved our lives,” Ryan said. “I was trying, but I know there was no way I could have dug us out. We would have been buried alive.”
Faith ducked her head, a shy smile on her face. “It is what needed to be done, jah? I think Gott had a reason why I needed to return to the schoolhouse last night. It was Gott who saved you. He is a gut provider.�
�
Ryan nodded his head. He couldn’t argue with that line of thinking. God had come through for them yet again.
Faith’s father approached. “I understand from my tochtor, Faith, that you are searching for a woman and a child.”
“Yes, sir.”
Elise bumped gently into Ryan’s side as she came to stand beside him. He inhaled her floral scent, now mingled with dust, and thought he’d never smelled anything better. “My nephew is the child,” she explained. “We believe that Leah is trying to keep him safe. They are both in danger.”
The man frowned, concern growing on his face as he looked at his own daughter.
Ryan hurried to reassure him. “We will be leaving soon. It is not our intent to bring trouble your way.”
“That is gut. Maybe so we can provide you with some food before you leave.”
“Excuse me, Dat. May I speak?” The small group switched their attention to Faith.
Surprised, the older man cast her a questioning glance. “Jah, what would you say?”
The young woman shifted, and Ryan got the distinct impression that she wasn’t used to having the attention of so many adults focused on her at once. His initial impression of a shy young woman was confirmed by her rosy cheeks.
“I wonder me, if I use the buggy, I could drive them around a bit today. I won’t be teaching today. I would enjoy helping them. It would be better if I drove them.”
When the father didn’t look convinced, she continued. “I could take my brother, too. Dat, the nephew is kind.”
There weren’t many German words that he knew, but he was pretty sure that kind meant child. He became aware of Elise squeezing his arm. It was probably painful for her not to add in her own arguments. Her face sparkled with new hope. If he had to guess, he would say she approved of the idea of having a way to get around to the other local districts. They wouldn’t be able to visit all eighteen, but maybe they wouldn’t need to if they hit on the right district today. And even if they didn’t, they’d cover more territory and eliminate some options.
Faith’s father reached a decision. “Jah, you may go, but not alone. Your bruder Isaac will go with you. Be back by the evening meal.”
“Jah, Dat. I will.” Faith beckoned to Elise and Ryan. They began to follow her. “Come. We will eat at my oncle’s haus before we leave.”
Breakfast was a simple meal. Homemade muffins and fruit, with some milk to wash it down. There was little talk beyond Faith telling them that the tornado had caused more damage to homes and several of the local Amish businesses. The community would be busy that day cleaning up the mess.
“When you eat all, come to the buggy. I will get the horses ready.” Isaac stood. He was a tall youth of about eighteen. His clean-shaven face was proof that he was unmarried. He nodded respectfully to his family before hurrying outside to prepare for the journey.
Under the table, Ryan reached out and touched Elise’s hand. Surprised, she swiveled her head to meet his eyes, a question in hers.
“Are you well?” He kept his voice down, not wanting to disrupt the others.
She nodded. “Yes. I’m anxious to get moving, and my chest hurts a little from coughing, but other than that I’m well.”
He frowned, blaming himself for her discomfort. When the others got up, he started to follow. Elise’s hand on his arm stopped him.
“What’s wrong?”
He sighed. “Elise, you could have died in there. And I couldn’t help you. If I’d been the doctor my father wanted me to be, maybe I could have saved you some suffering. Instead, I had to listen to you struggling just to breathe, knowing I was useless to you!”
Those lovely eyes widened. She reached out and put a hand on his cheek. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” He tried to move away. She wouldn’t let him. She had a strong grip for someone so slender. “I’m serious. Have you stopped to consider that if not for you I wouldn’t have been alive before the tornado? Ryan, your being a cop has already saved me. I think you need to take your own advice and remember that God’s got this.”
Shame seeped into his pores. Sorry, God. Immediately, peace swept away the guilt. He leaned forward to kiss her forehead. “Thanks, Elise. I guess I needed to hear that.”
It was another twenty minutes before they were on their way. “You should ride in the back.” Isaac held open the door for them.
That made sense, so they climbed in. Isaac and his sister sat on the bench seat in front. Their voices were too soft to hear as they traveled. As for Ryan, it was amazing how intimate the inside of the buggy felt. He tried without much success to keep his mind from reliving the kiss they’d shared the night before in the schoolhouse. It seemed much longer than fifteen hours since they’d shared that special moment.
The morning was full of disappointment. They drove to so many homes and businesses that they started to blend together.
When they crossed over the Banks Covered Bridge again, Ryan noticed that Elise tensed. “Do you think they’re far away?” she whispered.
No need to guess who they was.
“I would be surprised if they were still here, knowing the police are on the lookout for them.”
Five hours later, they stopped at yet another business, an Amish store. The small group went inside, pausing to let their eyes adjust to the darker interior. The store was small, but the shelves were packed. Baking goods, canned goods, candy... Ryan was impressed with the sheer variety kept on hand.
He followed Elise to the front counter. A woman stood watch, smiling at them while keeping a careful eye on the small child, probably around a year old, napping in a portable crib. He couldn’t help it. He flashed a small smile at the child. Someday, he’d be a father if God had it in His plan. Ryan cast a glance at Elise. Realizing he was treading on dangerous ground, he forced himself to look away from her.
Elise’s hand trembled as she used her phone to show the kind-faced young woman the pictures of Leah and Mikey. The woman gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Tears filled her blue eyes.
“Leah! Jah, I know her! That’s my friend, Leah!”
* * *
Elise sagged against the counter.
Finally! She had begun to think they’d never meet anyone who’d recognize Leah. Now, to find someone who not only recognized her but knew her well, Elise’s bruised heart soaked up the hope. Her sagging spirits lifted.
“Ma’am, have you seen her in the past few days?” Ryan stepped up to the counter, his hand resting on Elise’s back.
She was grateful for the comforting touch. She’d felt so lost for so long. His presence had helped her hold on to her courage in the face of the adversity they’d come up against.
The young woman smiled at her, the smile tinged with sadness. “Nee, she left soon after her parents died. She went to stay with a cousin.”
Elise nodded. “Yes, I know. We talked with him.”
“Maybe you should try her brother’s haus?” the woman suggested. “He is close by.”
Immediately brightening, Elise nodded eagerly. “That sounds like a fantastic idea. Would you have the address?”
If she could get the address, she could plug it into her phone. She looked at her phone. Oh. Maybe not. Her battery was low. The map feature would drain it in minutes. She glanced at Ryan. He seemed to know what was on her mind as he held up his own phone and shook his head, grimacing. Then he half smiled, apologetic. “Sorry, sweetheart. No can do. My phone is completely dead.”
“I do not know the address,” the woman murmured, her smile tinged with regret. “I will write directions for you, would that be gut?”
Appreciating the help, Elise nodded. The woman got down a pad of paper and began to draw a map. The baby in the crib woke and soon she was sobbing, her little chin wobbling as tears ran down her face.
“May I hold her for a minute?” E
lise asked, hoping she wasn’t committing some huge faux pas.
Apparently not, for the young mother bent and picked up the child before handing her over to Elise. Diverted, the baby stopped crying and stared at Elise with enormous brown eyes. She popped a chubby thumb into her mouth, her gaze never wavering from Elise.
After finishing her drawing, the young mother pushed the map toward them. Elise glanced at it, then handed her precious cargo back to the woman.
“Denke,” she murmured, accepting her child. The little girl twisted to keep Elise in her sights. “I hope you find Leah. She is a gut friend.”
“Thank you. I hope we do, too.” Anxiety colored her voice, but she couldn’t help it. She liked being in control, but it had been so long since she’d felt she had any control over the circumstances in her life.
Turn it over to God. She took a deep breath, thanked the woman again, then left. Isaac and Faith had already returned to the buggy. Elise appreciated the way they gave them privacy.
“You looked good in there,” Ryan said.
Huh? She raised an eyebrow at him.
“With the baby. You’re a natural.”
Pain caught her unawares. She stiffened her back and tried to smile, but she could feel her lips tremble. Without responding, she thrust the map into Ryan’s hands before hurrying to the brown covered buggy. Climbing inside, she strove to calm herself before Ryan joined her. She could hear him giving the map to the Amish siblings and explaining what the woman in the store had told them.
The pain and sadness from her experiences with Brady that had been shoved to the back of her mind for so long bubbled to the top and wouldn’t be forced back. For too long, she’d denied or ignored the agony that had once ripped her whole world apart. She couldn’t ignore it anymore. Having Ryan unknowingly rub it in her face so out of the blue, well, it was the last straw for her.
The door opened, and he climbed up beside her. The buggy jerked forward. Her shoulder bumped into his. Still struggling, she kept her face turned toward the window. For a full five minutes, they were silent.