by Mary Alford
Noah let the deputies know they were leaving while Rachel shut off the coffee and lights and locked up the store.
“The snow’s not letting up any,” Noah said as they stepped out into the blizzard. Darkness came early at this time of the year in the shadows of the mountains. Twilight settled around them.
They headed out of the town while Noah kept his speed low on the precarious road. Rachel noticed headlights behind them, and whipped around in her seat.
Noah covered her hand. “That’s Ryan and Cole. They’ll be watching the house along with me.”
She swallowed and faced the front. There would be police officers close by throughout the night. She was safe.
Reaching her turnoff, Noah eased the car down the drive. The dark house appeared in the headlights’ beam. Her home. Would she ever feel safe here again?
“Lock up behind me. I’ll take a walk through the house before you go inside.”
He exited and she locked the doors. Noah clicked on his flashlight. Headlights reflected in the side mirror. The second patrol car pulled up next to her. Both deputies got out. Cole headed around the side of the house while Ryan started for the barn.
Through the curtained windows, Noah’s flashlight skipped around each of the rooms. After what felt like ages, he came outside to get her.
“There’s no sign of anyone being here. Let’s get you inside and out of the cold.”
She stepped across the threshold to the warmth of the living room. Noah had made a fire.
Removing her cloak and traveling bonnet, Rachel wasn’t sure what to do with herself. Usually, she and Eva would prepare the evening meal together.
She headed into the kitchen and lit the lantern on the table. Standing in the middle of the room, Rachel rubbed her hands over her arms. The cold pierced down to her very heart.
Noah warmed his hands by the woodstove. The lanky young boy she’d known before was all grown up.
He looked up and caught her watching. Rachel’s chest tightened painfully and she turned away. Having him here in her home reminded her of all her foolish dreams. The ones that would never be possible for them.
* * *
“All’s clear,” Cole told him. “To be safe, Ryan and I will set up closer to the house. We can tuck the patrol car in there—” he pointed to the woods out front “—and still have a good view of the house and yard.”
“That should work,” Noah said. “If anything jumps off, call my cell phone. The radio isn’t secure. He could be monitoring our transmissions.”
“Will do.” Cole and Ryan headed out to their patrol vehicle.
Rachel stood close to the fire, watching him.
“There’s been no sign of the men,” Noah assured her.
She sighed. “So what will happen now?”
“We wait. If he tries something, we’re ready for him.” The panic on her face told him she wouldn’t sleep well. “Relax, Rachel. You have some of the best law enforcement officers around protecting you.”
She ducked her head. “I know, but it’s hard. All I can think about is Eva.”
Though Noah was close to his sister, Cassie, since she’d moved to Texas they didn’t see each other all that much. Mostly because his dad was there. “I know it’s hard. I remember how close you two were,” he said quietly.
“Do you think she’s still alive?” She held his gaze while he struggled to keep his doubts to himself.
“I do. The way these men keep coming after you, they need both you and Eva for a reason. They’ll keep her alive until they can get you, and that’s not going to happen.”
Hope dawned on her pretty face, and he prayed he hadn’t just lied to her. There was no proof except a gut feeling that told him both sisters were essential to whatever diabolical plan these men had.
“Are you hungry?” she asked. “It has been hours since we ate, and I have some ham-and-noodle casserole leftover.”
He recalled how Beth used to make the casserole for him because she knew how much he loved it. “I haven’t had ham-and-noodle casserole since your mom’s.”
Rachel smiled at the memory. “She loved making it for you, for sure. Mamm was always crazy about you.”
He’d spent many an hour with Beth and Ezra. Loved how they included him as if he were part of the family.
“She’s a special lady,” he said.
Rachel took the casserole out and placed it in the oven to warm. Soon, the aroma of ham and cheese took him to happier times.
Over the years, he’d thought about dropping by to visit Rachel’s family, but the way things ended between him and Rachel made it awkward, especially after she married.
“What about Cole and Ryan? Should we call them in?” Rachel asked, and Noah shook his head.
“I’ll take them each a plate.”
When the food was hot, Rachel dished helpings onto plates and Noah carried them to the table. Once they were both seated, he bowed his head and poured his heart out to God. Being amongst Amish people, seeing Rachel again, brought up all the old longings of his heart. He’d loved this way of life once. Thought about embracing their faith. He’d given up on that dream when his father moved the family away.
Lord, I need Your help. Direct my life. Help me to make wise decisions. As much as I want to let the anger I have toward my father go, it’s hard. I need You.
When his prayer ended, he glanced up and found Rachel watching him. Had she seen the longings that inundated his heart?
He dug into the casserole, unable to acknowledge the questions he saw in her eyes.
Noah ate in silence while Rachel barely touched her food.
“Why don’t you try and get some rest?” he suggested. “You look ready to drop.”
“I managed to sleep last night.” He had a feeling it was about as much as he’d gotten. A couple of hours at best.
“Still, you should try. I’ll clean up and take some food to Cole and Ryan.”
Her grateful smiled warmed his heart. That she didn’t protest proved he’d been right.
With the dishes washed, he took two covered plates out to his friends.
As he stepped off the porch, something caught his attention and Noah stopped midstride. Was that a light in the woods to the side of house?
Sitting the plates on the porch, Noah called Cole immediately. “There’s someone in the woods.”
A second passed before Cole said, “I see it. Looks like they’re heading behind the house. We’re on it.”
“I’ll wait with Rachel.”
“Roger that,” Cole said and ended the call.
Noah went back inside and locked the door. As much as he wanted to be part of the search, he didn’t dare leave Rachel alone.
The hair on Noah’s arms stood at attention. He crept to the front window and caught sight of something. Before he had time to process what was happening, the door crashed open. A man dressed entirely in black, his face covered with a mask, charged Noah, swinging what appeared to be a board. Before Noah could dodge, the man slammed it against his temple. Pain exploded from the contact point. Noah fell to his knees. His vision distorted.
Rachel!
The man dropped the board and headed toward the back of the house. Noah stumbled to his feet and went after the man on unsteady legs. Before the man could open Rachel’s bedroom door, Noah slammed into him. He staggered into the door and slid across the wall.
With his vision still blurry, Noah reached for the man and hauled him up to his feet. He slugged him hard. The man’s head flew sideways. Before Noah could get in another punch, the man smashed his fist against Noah’s jaw, knocking him backward.
At a disadvantage, the man punched Noah in the midsection. The breath whooshed from his body. Noah doubled over. From somewhere outside, voices carried into the house. Cole and Ryan were close.
With o
ne final look at Noah, his attacker bounded for the open door.
His breathing labored, Noah grabbed his cell phone. “He was just in here. He’s getting away,” Noah said when Cole picked up.
“We’re almost to the house.”
Noah shoved the phone into his pocket and tried to clear away the cobwebs.
These men were just going to keep coming until they had Rachel. Something was important enough for them to risk jail if not death to get to her. Noah had to figure it out soon. Because the next time, they might succeed.
NINE
The noise of a scuffle outside her door shot her out of bed. What was happening?
Crossing the room, she listened. Silence. Rachel opened the door. A shadowy figure came toward her. She screamed. Someone clutched her arms.
“It’s okay, Rachel. It’s me.” Relief made her knees weak.
“What happened? I heard a noise.”
“Someone broke in.” She noticed blood trickling from a plum-size knot forming on the side of his head.
“You’re hurt,” she exclaimed.
“I’m okay.” But he didn’t appear so. Noah slumped down into the closest rocker.
Rachel quickly closed and locked the door.
Moving to his side, she gently examined the wound.
He winced and pulled her hand away. “I’m okay.”
She sank to the empty rocker and couldn’t stop trembling. Someone had been in her house again. “They are not going to stop, are they?”
Noah opened his eyes and looked at her. “There’s no way I’m going to let them hurt you again.”
As she peered deep into his eyes, she wanted to believe him, but these men had proven to be more than determined.
He touched her cheek. “I know this feels like an impossible situation, but we will find out what’s truly going on. I just need you to trust me.”
The sincerity on his face made her believe he would move mountains to protect her and bring Eva home. But would it be enough?
Something shifted in his eyes. He appeared so serious. Her breath lodged in her throat. Feelings she thought were just part of a childhood fantasy resurfaced.
Having him close made the past and what might have been impossible to face. If Noah hadn’t left her, would they have married? Had children of their own? It was too painful to consider. She would probably never know what it felt like to be called Mamm by a kinna.
A knock sounded at the front door, and Noah’s hand fell away. When he went to answer it, she could breathe again. The past had no place between them anymore, but part of her didn’t want to let it go.
Cole and Ryan stood in the entrance. With a glance back at her, Noah stepped out onto the porch.
Touching her hands to her heated cheeks, Rachel stirred the fire and added a couple of logs for warmth. She had to find a way to deal with her feelings for Noah. There could be no future for them. He was not Amish...and she was damaged goods. Noah deserved a wife that could bear him children. Not someone like her.
She’d loved Daniel, but in a different way. They’d shared so many beautiful years together, yet through all the happy memories, the accident stood out in her mind. She’d never forget that dreadful day.
Tears were close. They always were whenever she thought about Daniel and the baby.
“Are you okay?” Noah asked from the doorway. She hadn’t realized he’d returned. Rachel scrubbed the back of her hand over her eyes before facing him. He came in and closed the door.
“Jah, I am fine.” But nothing could be further from the truth, and she was grateful Noah accepted her answer without prying.
“There was no sign of him.”
Despair rose inside of her, and she fought to keep it down. “What do we do now?”
“It’s not safe to stay here any longer.”
Her heart sank. She would be forced to leave her home. For how long?
“I know it’s not ideal, but you will be safer. I spoke to Walker, and he suggested you stay with him and his wife. They have a spread a little ways from here. It’s beautiful there and secluded. I will be there the entire time.”
Pulling in a breath, she asked, “When do we need to leave?”
“As soon as you can be ready.” He held her gaze. “We’ll make sure no one follows us, and you’ll love Theresa. She’s like a mother to all of us deputies.”
She forced a smile. Noah was trying to make the best of things, and she should try, as well. “She sounds nice.”
He held her gaze. So many questions needed answering in her heart. She’d give anything to know why he’d left her when she was younger without so much as a word. But now was not the time.
Rachel cleared her throat. “I’ll go pack.” Without waiting for an answer, she hurried to her room. Closing the door softly, she wondered if there would ever be a time when she and Noah could move beyond what happened in their past and be friends.
* * *
Noah kept his attention on the road ahead while periodically checking the rearview mirror. So far, no one had followed them. He prayed that wouldn’t change. Cole and Ryan would make sure they weren’t tailed. Megan and Aden would take over their watch and return to Rachel’s house. The fewer deputies around Walker’s place to draw attention to it the better. If the men chasing them proved true to form, they’d return to Rachel’s house looking for her.
He could feel Rachel watching him. He knew he’d been quiet, but his soul was troubled.
“When did Cassie get married and move to Texas?” she asked when he couldn’t think of anything to say.
“About three years ago. She and her husband live near Austin now. My parents moved there when Cassie’s little girl was born.”
“Your parents must be pleased to have a granddaughter to dote on,” she prompted when he fell silent.
Keeping his voice from reflecting his emotions was hard. Every time he spoke about his father, the anger was still there. “I guess so.”
He snuck a quick look her way. That frown line had appeared again between her eyes. “Do you keep in touch with them?” She kept her attention on his face.
A breath escaped before he answered. “I call them a couple times a month. Mom mostly answers. My dad and I don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things, including what he thinks is best for my life.” The bitterness in his tone was evident and he hated it.
The argument they’d had when his father informed him the family was moving to Eagle’s Nest was always close at mind. He’d felt as if his world ended. He loved Rachel, and he’d tried to make his dad see the truth, but his father insisted Noah would end up hurting Rachel in the long run if he stayed with her. He’d grow tired of the Amish way of life in time. Where would that leave Rachel? Noah had allowed his father to get into his head. Convince him leaving her was the right decision. For a while, he’d believed his father.
After he’d been away at the university for about a year, Isaac told him Rachel had married. That’s when Noah’s rebellion had reached another level. Rarely coming home, his grades suffered. Then he’d met Olivia. Noah knew he didn’t love her. He was trying to get back at his father for interfering in his life. After Olivia’s death, the chasm between him and his father widened.
When his parents moved to Texas it made things easier. No more awkward holiday meals. Noah used the excuse of work to keep from visiting whenever possible.
Yet since he’d started attending church, God was convicting him of his bad behavior toward his dad. Noah knew he needed to set things right between them. He just wasn’t sure how.
Beside him, Rachel appeared restless. “You okay?” he asked, rousing himself from his troubled thoughts.
She shook her head. “Not really. I’m trying to make sense of what’s happening. Why do you think they want us so badly?”
To that, he had no answer. “Nothing about it make
s sense. You and your family live a simple life. As far as you know, there’s no one holding a grudge?”
Surprised flickered in her eyes. “Why would someone have a grudge? We are rarely in the Englisch world.” She lifted her palms. “I can’t understand any of this.”
Neither could he. “If they were after money, I think we would have received a ransom request by now. It’s safe to say, this isn’t about extorting money from your family.” Frowning, he focused on the road again. “So far, we’ve run into nothing but dead ends in our search to identify A. Miller.”
A sigh escaped her lips. “I know everyone in our community, Noah. He is not from here.” Rachel had lived her entire life in the West Kootenai community, and it was a small one, with a single church district.
“We’ve expanded our search for Miller to outside the community. He could be an Englischer who lives in the county. Hopefully, something will turn up soon from the expanded search.”
She brushed a hand across her cheek. Her tears melted his heart.
Noah took her hand and held it as a sob escaped. He’d give anything to have some news of comfort.
He spotted the turnoff to Walker’s ranch and pulled in. The gate had a keypad lock. Noah rolled the window down and punched in the correct code.
When the gate opened, he drove through. The house sat some distance from the road, secured from sight by a thickly wooded area filled with spruce and ponderosa pines.
The woods cleared and the log home came into view. He’d spent many recent holidays here with Walker and Theresa, pouring his heart out to Theresa. She knew all about the way he’d once cared for Rachel. She had been the one to urge him to reach out to Rachel after Daniel passed away, believing if Noah ever stood a chance at having a future with someone, he’d need to settle his past. Yet his demons wouldn’t let him. He’d hurt Rachel by leaving the way he had. She wouldn’t want to hear from him.
He stopped the car out front and shifted toward Rachel, seeing the anxiousness on her face. “Relax. Theresa will be mothering you in no time.”