by Mary Alford
Relief and shock warred for control. “They didn’t happen to get a license plate number?” Noah was sure he already knew the answer. The couple wouldn’t be looking for anything sinister. Staring out the window, he watched as Isaac headed the buggy down the lane to the road.
“No, but they’re pretty sure they saw some advertising sign on the side of the vehicle. Unfortunately, they couldn’t make out what it said.”
Noah’s hope evaporated. “So we don’t have anything solid.” He stepped outside. The clean mountain air filled his lungs. Leaving the porch, Noah glanced around the property. An uneasy feeling robbed him of the ability to relax. He moved to the side of the house where the woods encroached and peered into them. Nothing moved. Was his reaction due to what they’d gone through?
“We have a description of the vehicle. It’s something. The couple said it was too dark to make out anything about the men.” Cole stopped, waiting for Noah’s response.
“Stay positive,” Cole said, reading his thoughts. “We’re going to get these guys. I know we are.”
Noah prayed they would, but he couldn’t be more discouraged. “Any progress on identifying the man in the lake?” he asked instead.
“Nope. His prints aren’t in the system. We’re passing out flyers to see if anyone around town knew him. I sure hope we can identify him to give his family some peace of mind. How are you feeling? That was some blow you took.”
His head still hurt like crazy. “I’m okay.” A door creaked behind him, and he spun around. Rachel came down the steps to where he stood.
“I’ll keep you posted on identifying the vehicle. As soon as we have anything, I’ll give you a call. Ryan is heading your way soon.”
“Good. Thanks, Cole.” Noah ended the call and put the phone away.
Rachel stopped beside him, her worried eyes scanned his face. “Has something happened?”
The last thing he wanted was to get her hopes up, but he couldn’t keep this from her. He told her about the SUV.
Relief softened some of the tautness from her face. “This is gut. If we can identify who owns the SUV, we can find Eva.”
“Yes, but it was dark, and the couple didn’t pay that much attention to the vehicle.”
Her expression fell, and he felt like a heel. She needed something to keep her going.
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to sound discouraging. It’s something.”
Noah stared at the mountains in the distance. The beauty of the snow-covered peaks always had the power to ground him.
The skies had cleared with the afternoon, though the chill remained. He noticed Rachel wrapped her sweater closer around her body.
“We should head back inside. It’s not safe out here in the open like this.” As they started toward the home, the noise of a vehicle approaching on the main road had him whirling on alert. It was too soon for it to be Ryan.
“Hurry,” he said and clutched her elbow, urging her toward the house. As they reached the side, the door opened. A masked man stepped out onto the porch. His heart slammed into his chest. Sadie.
Noah tugged Rachel out of sight, torn between protecting her and ensuring Sadie’s well-being. He pointed to the woods behind them. “We need to get out of sight,” he whispered. They ran for cover. Tucking behind a tree, Noah watched the man in the mask leave the porch. He stared down the lane as the vehicle noise drew closer. A dark brown SUV eased down the lane. Its windows were tinted dark, making it impossible to see inside. It appeared as if at one time, a company logo had adorned the door like the couple indicated, but someone had removed it recently.
The man in the mask moved toward the vehicle. The driver slowed as he reached the front of the house. When the masked man got inside, Noah caught a glimpse of the driver.
“He’s not wearing a mask,” Rachel exclaimed. Noah couldn’t believe it either. He got a good look at the driver’s face in those seconds before the door closed and committed it to memory. After what felt like forever, the SUV slowly turned around. They were leaving.
Noah grabbed his phone and called Ryan. “Where are you?” he asked as soon as Ryan answered.
“I’m about fifteen minutes out. Is everything okay?”
“No, they found us.” He quickly explained what they faced.
“I’m on my way. I’ll call in Cole to assist. Stay safe.” Noah ended the call without answering.
“Ryan’s close,” he said to ease Rachel’s fears. “Let’s get back inside as fast as we can. I’m worried about Sadie.”
As they moved through the woods, the SUV suddenly braked a little way down. Noah stopped and watched. The vehicle backed up.
Noah tucked Rachel close. The SUV eased backward.
It reached the house, then shifted toward the woods and stopped directly in front of them. They were trapped between the house and two very dangerous men who seemed to have nothing to lose.
FIFTEEN
The SUV continued to idle. Through the windshield, the driver appeared to be staring at something on the ground. Their footprints.
Noah slowly unholstered his weapon. Her heart accelerated at the sight of it.
“What if they come after us?” she whispered. The words barely left her mouth before both men climbed out.
Drawing her closer, Noah spoke against her ear, “Be as quiet as you can.”
She kept her face buried against his chest. The noise of the men tromping through the snow seemed to reverberate all around them.
Time slowed to nothing while all sorts of terrible outcomes raced through her head. She was terrified for them. For Sadie. Noah’s steady heartbeat against her ear kept her from losing it.
“Over there!” one of the men yelled. “I see them. Let’s get her and get rid of him.” She recognized the voice. He was the man who tried to kidnap her from her house.
Both men charged them.
“Get down.” Noah pushed her to the ground, stepped from the tree coverage and opened fire.
Rachel covered her head with her hands as the men returned fire and the noise was deafening. Noah ducked behind the tree as several shots lodged inches from his head. It was two against one and she was terrified for Noah.
In the distance a siren screamed through the countryside. Help was on the way.
Noah waited for a lull in the shooting before returning fire.
When the men reciprocated, the shots sounded farther away.
“They’re leaving. They must have heard the patrol car coming,” Noah told her.
The engine roared. Tires squealed. “Stay here,” Noah said and headed after the SUV, aiming for the tires.
Rachel jumped to her feet and moved from the tree coverage in time to see the SUV’s driver hold something out of the open window. A gun.
“Noah!” she shouted.
Noah saw the weapon and took cover. The driver continued firing as the SUV flew down the lane and out of sight.
Noah ran back to her. “Let’s go inside and check on Sadie.” They headed across the yard and up the porch steps. Opening the door, Rachel stumbled across the threshold with Noah. He slid the lock into place.
“Sadie,” Rachel called out before heading toward the kitchen.
“I’m in here.” Sadie peeked out of her bedroom, her face drawn.
“Oh, thank You, Lord,” Rachel said and hugged her tight. “We were so worried about you.”
“I saw him coming from the window. I thought he would kill me, so I hid under the bed. I could hear him moving through the house, but he just left.”
“He must have heard Noah and me talking. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
Noah moved to the window, taking out his phone. “I’m going to see if Ryan can cut these guys off before they get away.” Rachel listened while Noah explained what happened.
“Those gunshots.” A sigh lifted Sadie�
�s shoulders. “I was so afraid they would harm you both. Gott protected you.” With a shake of her head, she said, “I will put on some kaffe and heat the fry pies. I think we all could use something to take our minds off what is happening.”
When she and Noah were alone, Rachel went over to him. “I thought he would kill you.” Tears hovered in her eyes.
“But he didn’t,” he said softly. “I’m fine.”
How many people would have to suffer because of these men’s evil intentions? If something happened to Noah, she would not be able to forgive herself. In spite of what they’d gone through in the past, she cared about him. A part of her heart would always belong to Noah.
He whispered her name, his voice rough with some emotion she wished to understand. She ducked her head. Noah deserved happiness in his life. More than anything she wished she could be the one to make him happy, but he needed someone who was whole. Someone who could give him the family he deserved.
* * *
Cole pulled up out front and Noah turned to Rachel. “I’ll be right back,” he told her and stepped out onto the porch and waited until she’d slid the locks into place. Glancing around the tranquil setting, his heart was in chaos. She was always in his thoughts. His heart. Being close to her again reminded him that he wasn’t over her. He doubted if he’d ever be over her.
Noah stepped off the porch and went over to Cole’s cruiser.
“Anything?” The question proved unnecessary after Noah got a good look at Cole’s expression.
“I just heard from Ryan. He drove past here and up the road for a bit. There was no sign of the vehicle.”
Frustrated, Noah ran a hand through his hair. “Which means they probably live around here.”
“Exactly. I have Stephanie running a check through DMV for Suburbans fitting the description you gave me. Maybe we’ll get a hit.”
“Let’s hope so. Rachel and I got a good look at the SUV’s driver. I’ll take her to the station and see if either of us can pick him out of the mug books.”
“That sounds like a good idea. Ryan’s heading back here now. He’s going to park at the edge of the lane near the road. We’ll keep watch on the family in case these guys come back.”
Noah was grateful for Cole’s help. “Thanks. I don’t think these men would harm the Yoders. Their only focus appears to be getting to Rachel. Still, I don’t want to take any chances.”
He glanced up at the house. For Rachel, he prayed for a happy ending, but nothing about what he’d seen so far led him to believe it would happen.
He stepped up on the porch and knocked. Rachel peeked through the window before opening the door.
“Did they catch them?” she asked.
He shook his head. “We should probably go to the station. If we can identify the driver, we can bring him in. Find out what he knows about Eva’s disappearance.”
Rachel nodded. “I’ll let Sadie know.”
Glancing out the window, Noah spotted Isaac’s buggy heading their way.
When Rachel came back with Sadie, Noah turned from the window. “Isaac’s home. I’ll let him know what’s happened before we leave. Will you do me a favor?” he asked Sadie, and the old woman nodded without hesitation. “Keep the doors locked. There will be a couple of patrol vehicles watching your home for a while, but I want to be sure you’re safe.”
He hated that he was responsible for the fear he saw in Sadie’s eyes.
Noah waited while Rachel slipped on the sweater Janine had given her and hugged Sadie. “I pray for Gott’s protection on the both of you and Eva,” Sadie told them.
“Denki,” Rachel managed and waved as they left the house.
Outside, Noah had a brief word with Cole before he and Rachel went to the barn. Isaac glanced up from his task of unhitching the mare. “Are you leaving us?” he asked.
“We are.” Noah explained what had happened earlier. “Please thank your father for allowing us to stay here, but it’s best if we find another place else to hide. I don’t want to put your family in any more danger.”
“Where will you go?”
“We’ll find someplace safe.” He held out his hand. “Thank you, my friend.”
Isaac clasped it. “You are both welcome here at any time. Be safe, Noah. I want you to be at my wedding. Don’t go getting yourself hurt.”
Noah smiled and waved at his friend. He and Rachel walked together to his truck. As he climbed behind the wheel, Noah couldn’t get Isaac’s parting words out of his head. With what they were facing now, Isaac’s wedding felt light-years away.
SIXTEEN
Rachel expected to see the man in the SUV around every turn along the way. Her heart wouldn’t slow down no matter how hard she tried to relax.
“You’re safe,” Noah told her when she glanced behind them for the second time.
She faced him. Noah was doing everything in his power to protect her.
He’d grown up from that boy she’d known so well. What might have been was there in the shadows of her mind, just out of reach.
Noah caught her watching him and reached for her hand, entwining their fingers. “Tell me about your husband?” he asked, the question taking her by surprise.
She pulled her hand free and focused her attention out the front window.
“He was a special man,” she said quietly. “Daniel was shy, but once he knew you, you couldn’t stop him from talking. And he loved farming. He and my daed spent long hours working the land, planting, harvesting. Daniel never complained. He loved everything about life.”
“He sounds like a nice man,” Noah murmured with a catch in his voice that made her curious.
“I think you would have liked him.”
Noah’s grip tightened on the wheel. “I’m sure. I heard about the accident, but I wasn’t on duty that day.” She sensed it wasn’t entirely true.
Talking about the moment when her life changed forever still hurt. “I’m still not sure what happened that day.” She stopped. They’d been talking about the baby. Rachel hadn’t been feeling well. The ride home had been uneventful until... “Something spooked the mare. She reared up, bolted. Daniel was thrown from the buggy right away. He hit his head on a rock. They said he suffered a brain hemorrhage.” She shook her head. “He never woke up.”
“I’m so sorry, Rachel.” She could feel his eyes on her, yet the emotions clogging her throat prevented words. “You didn’t deserve to lose your husband so young, and you certainly don’t deserve what’s happening now.”
She drew in a needed breath, forced aside the pain. “What about you? I can’t imagine how hard it was for you to lose your wife so young.”
His jaw tightened. “It wasn’t the same,” he murmured. “What happened between Olivia and me was nothing like you and Daniel.”
She didn’t understand. “Why?”
His mouth twisted in a bitter smile. “I didn’t love Olivia. In the beginning, I told myself I did, but I was just trying to get back at my father.”
The look in his eye sent her pulse racing. “But you married her,” she managed.
“Because I knew it would infuriate my dad. He hated that you and I were close and he did his best to keep us apart. When I started college, I met Olivia, and I convinced myself I cared about her, so we eloped. I couldn’t wait to tell Dad we were married.” He shook his head. “His reaction was everything I wanted. My father insisted we get the marriage annulled. We were too young to wed in his opinion, and he wanted me to finish school. Make something of myself. I refused. In his mind, it was just another act of rebellion on my part, and I guess he was right. We didn’t speak for a long time.” Noah flexed his hands on the wheel. “It didn’t take long for both Olivia and me to realize we’d made a huge mistake. We fought all the time. We were both going to school and working full-time just to pay the bills. Olivia and I rarely saw each other, a
nd when we did, we argued.”
Her heart ached for him. She’d had no idea what Noah went through. “I am so sorry,” she murmured, but he didn’t seem to hear.
“Then, one night after we fought, Olivia left. Said it was for good.” The bleakness in his eyes was hard to take. “I should have stopped her. The weather was awful, near blizzard conditions outside, but I let my anger consume me. The funny thing is, it had nothing to do with Olivia.”
“What happened?” she asked, knowing how difficult it was for him to continue.
“She lost control of the car and plunged off the side of the mountain. She died instantly.” He stopped. Focused straight ahead. “That’s when I hit rock bottom. I knew if I didn’t get help, I wouldn’t make it.”
With a lift of his shoulders, he said, “You know my family wasn’t much on believing in God growing up. I ended up going to one of the churches in town with Walker and Theresa. It changed my life.” He looked over at her. “I found God, and I knew He’d given me a second chance and I wasn’t about to screw it up. When I graduated from college, I came home and joined the sheriff’s department. In a way, I think God led me here.” He paused for a moment. “I couldn’t save Olivia, but what I’m doing now helps others. As hard as it was to let you go back then, I guess in a way I’m grateful I did. If I’d stayed and we married, the old me would have messed things up between us.”
She broke eye contact. Through the years she’d always been curious about what might have been had Noah not moved away. Imagined what their life together might be like. Now she knew. It was just a foolish childhood dream.
* * *
Megan’s voice came through the radio breaking the silence between them. “Dispatch, this is Deputy Clark requesting immediate backup at MT 37 south of Forest Road 92. I have a vehicle fitting the description reported by Deputy Warren on the side of the road. It appears abandoned.”