by Debby Giusti
“A knife.”
“You got that right. No prints but he probably wiped it clean. There was blood on the blade and we’re having Forensics check to see if it matches the foreman’s blood.”
“As you might recall, a black sedan tried to run into Ruthie and her children when we were in town. Does Zimmer own a second vehicle?”
“No, but the guys at the construction site usually leave their keys in their cars. Easy enough to borrow someone else’s set of wheels.”
“And what about tattoos?”
“Tell Mrs. Eicher that John Zimmer has tattoos on both arms.”
“I’ll tell her. Is he in custody?”
“We’ve spotted him outside of town. I’ll let you know when we make the arrest.”
After disconnecting, Noah stepped back into the hospital room. Simon was asleep, and Noah kept his voice lowered as he shared the information with Ruthie.
“Are you saying the assistant foreman decided to use force to get me off my land so he could buy the property without going through Prescott Construction?” Ruthie rubbed her hands together.
Noah nodded. “That seems to be right. Evidently he didn’t trust Brian Burkholder.”
“Greed is an ugly vice,” she said.
“And it caused one man to lose his life. Law enforcement is closing in on Zimmer. They’ve spotted him outside of town.”
“I will be glad when he is apprehended.”
Noah glanced at the clock on the wall. “Ivan Keim should have checked the buggy by now. I’ll walk to the repair shop and drive the buggy back here to the hospital. That way, as soon as Deputy Warren informs us that Zimmer is in custody, you can take the rig to Mattie’s house to check on Andrew while I stay with Simon.”
Ruthie smiled with relief. “That would be perfect, Noah.”
* * *
Ruthie hated to see Noah leave the hospital. She had appreciated his support and had been touched by his concern for her son. Their son, she corrected herself.
Simon’s eyes fluttered open when the nurse came in to check on his IV bag. “Your husband went home?” she asked Ruthie.
“He is running an errand in town.”
“Simon takes after his dad.”
The boy glared at Ruthie and nodded his head toward the nurse when her back was turned, as if to say she was totally confused.
“You should have corrected her, Mamm,” Simon said once the nurse had left the room.
Ruthie shrugged, trying to act nonchalant about the woman’s comment. “There is no reason to correct her, Simon. She thinks what she thinks.”
“Still, she should be told that Noah is not my datt.”
“Yet, he is a gut man.”
“Yah, I would be happy to be his son, but it is not so.”
Ruthie’s stomach was in turmoil. How long would it take before Simon realized the truth?
Knowing he might ask more questions, she remained on edge until he eventually fell asleep.
Her back and hips ached after sitting so long. Needing to stretch her legs, she rose quietly, headed into the hall and then walked at a fast clip to the far end of the hospital wing. Turning, she headed down another hallway and then another, enjoying the chance to get at least a little exercise. Before long she found herself in an older section of the hospital that appeared to be in a remodeling phase.
Realizing she had walked too far, she turned and started to retrace her steps. A noise sounded behind her. She glanced over her shoulder but saw no one. Concerned that she was alone in a secluded area, Ruthie hurried along the hallway and glanced at the overhead signage, needing to determine the way that led back to Simon’s wing.
Footsteps sounded behind her. Her heart rate, already elevated from the brisk walk, increased even more.
“Still trying to get away from me?” A man’s voice, coarse and belligerent, echoed in the empty hallway.
Glancing over her shoulder, she gasped, seeing his contorted face wedged within a woman’s stocking.
“You tried to run from me, Ruthie. Now that I found you, I won’t let you get away from me again.”
He tried to grab her arm. She saw scratch marks on his hands.
“No!” She shoved past him and ran down the corridor.
He chased after her. His footfalls caused her heart to beat nearly out of her chest.
She was lost in a maze of hospital hallways that all looked alike. As she ran, she tried to read the direction signs.
He was close behind her. Too close.
Her feet slipped on the waxed floor. She screamed, caught herself and raced on again.
Where was the door that led into the main section of the hospital? She had to get away from him and make sure Simon was all right.
Security! She needed hospital security.
“Help!” she cried.
He chuckled—it was a menacing sound that made her pulse race even faster. Fear jammed her throat and twisted along her spine.
Her stomach tightened.
The door dividing the old section of the hospital from the new appeared ahead. She ran full steam against the swinging doors and nearly knocked over an elderly gentleman when she burst into the newer wing.
“Watch where you’re going,” the man growled.
“I am sorry, sir.”
She skirted him and kept running.
Simon.
Everything inside her was screaming for her son. Was he okay or had the hateful man attacked Simon before he had come after her?
Ruthie moaned, unwilling to think about what could have happened.
She turned into Simon’s hallway and stopped short outside his room. Pulling in a quick breath, she pushed on the door and stepped into his room, still struggling to regulate her breathing.
Simon’s eyes widened. “Mamm, what is wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong.” She patted her chest in hopes of calming her pulse and her racing heartbeat. “How are you feeling?”
Ruthie glanced over her shoulder. Where was the hateful man? Had he left her, or was he outside the room waiting for her even now?
“You look like you have been running, Mamm.”
She rubbed her fingers over her son’s flushed cheek. “A fast walk for exercise.”
“You never could tell a lie.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean you were running. Was someone coming after you?” He glanced at the door, worried.
“You are making more of this than you should. I hurried when I realized how long I had been gone. Did you sleep the whole time?”
“I woke up once and saw a man standing next to my bed.”
Fear gripped her heart. “What happened then?”
“He turned around and left the room, and I fell back to sleep. The next time I woke up, he was gone.”
Ruthie trembled and her stomach roiled. Was it the same man who had chased after her?
Would he ever leave her and her boys alone?
TWENTY-THREE
Ivan Keim greeted Noah with a warm smile as he entered the buggy shop.
“Your buggy is ready.” The shop owner wiped his hands on a towel. “You did a gut job reattaching the wheel to the axle. You have worked on buggies before this?”
“My father’s buggy had problems over the years. I was his mechanic, but not by choice.”
“It is a way to learn. If you need a job, I could use help.”
Noah appreciated the offer. “I’m here to sell my father’s land, then I’ll be moving on.”
“This area is a gut place to settle down, marry and raise a family.”
“I grew up here and am well aware of the benefits.”
“You were Amish, yah?”
“I was. Perhaps you knew my datt. Reuben Schlabach?”
Ivan rubbed his jaw
. “Reuben lived on the mountain.”
“You knew him?”
“I knew your mother. She was a wonderful woman. Your father was not the same after she died.”
“By chance, do you know of Prescott Construction? They are interested in buying my father’s land.”
Ivan shrugged. “So much building. We will lose our peace, yah, when so many move into the new homes north of town.”
“Castle Homes?”
The buggy maker nodded. “He buys farms from the Amish and then destroys the land. It is a shame.”
“You’ve heard he plans to have a lake there.”
Pursing his lips, Ivan shook his head. “I do not think his lake will find water.”
Noah agreed. He paid Ivan and hitched the mare to the buggy. Leaving the shop, Noah checked the surrounding area. At the next intersection, he spied a tall man in dark clothing hurrying along the sidewalk. If only Ruthie had been able to positively identify the man who had attacked her.
On a hunch, he stopped by the sheriff’s office. Deputy Warren was there. “Have you apprehended Zimmer?”
“Not yet, but we’re closing in on him.”
Noah told him about the man he had seen on the street.
“We’ll check it out,” Warren said. “And I’ll let you know when we have Zimmer in custody.”
Noah left, discouraged that the assistant foreman was still at large as he headed back to the hospital. Exiting the elevator on Simon’s floor, his heart lurched when he saw hospital security outside the boy’s room. He hurried forward to determine the problem.
Ruthie’s face was flushed and her eyes wide as she rushed to meet him in the hallway. Quickly, she explained what had happened.
“Did anyone call the sheriff’s office?” he asked.
The hospital-security folks shook their heads.
The man who seemed to be in charge stepped closer. “Our guards are searching for the man throughout the hospital, sir, but I haven’t notified the sheriff yet.”
Noah pulled out his phone. “I’ll call his office. I stopped in a few minutes ago and talked to the deputy we saw yesterday, Ruthie. He needs to know Zimmer might be in the area.”
“I saw scratches on his arms today,” Ruthie said. “I fought back both times he attacked me on the mountain. I am not sure if I scratched him or if they are from someone else.”
“Scratches on both hands?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yah, both hands.”
“I’ll pass that information on to Deputy Warren.”
Noah hit the prompt and connected with the sheriff’s department. The deputy came on the line and Noah shared what Ruthie had said about the scratches.
“Security is searching the hospital,” Noah explained. “Timing would have been right for the guy who attacked Ruthie to have been the man I saw on the street.”
“One of our deputies spotted someone who matches your description in the downtown area. We’re closing in.”
Noah and Ruthie left hospital security in the hallway and returned to Simon’s room. His eyes were closed and he moaned in his sleep.
“How is he?” Noah asked, stepping to the boy’s bedside.
“I am not sure. They thought he was improving, then he had a setback.”
“Another fever?”
She nodded. “The nurse took his temperature before calling security about the man who came after me. The doctor is concerned Simon’s medication might not be working. He said the organism could be resistant. If Simon doesn’t show more signs of improvement soon—”
The worry on her face told Noah what he needed to know.
Simon moaned again, then his eyes blinked open.
Noah stepped closer to the bed. “Hey, champ. How are you feeling?”
“Gut.” Simon smiled weakly.
Noah squeezed his hand. “Your mom and I are right here with you. You’re going to be okay. Get some rest now so the medicine can do its job.”
Simon nodded, then closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.
Ruthie moved to the bedside. “I have never seen him so sick.”
“The medicine will work, Ruthie.”
“Was it the well water? If so, I fear Andrew could be sick as well, yet I do not want to leave Simon when his fever is still high.”
“Do you know anyone who lives near Mattie who has a phone?” Noah asked.
She shook her head. “You are also worried.”
“I’m more worried about the man who wants to do you harm.”
Ruthie’s face was pale. “Too much is happening, Noah. You and I made mistakes in our youth, but I know God provides his mercy. Scripture says, For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. We are Simon’s parents. My mother always prayed for me and said Gott listens when parents pray for their children.”
She held out her hand. “Let us put aside our differences and the pain from the past and pray together for the health of this son of ours.”
Noah had been the one to make the mistake of leaving Ruthie. She had always done what was right. She loved her son. Noah did, too.
He took her hand and closed his eyes.
Please, Lord, he prayed silently. Help Simon. Help our son.
Ruthie’s voice faltered as she started to pray aloud. “Gott, You know we love Simon. He is a wonderful boy with a huge heart. Noah and I have made mistakes, but we love this child, and we ask for his healing. We also ask that Andrew does not get sick. Stop the man who wants to do us harm and let us both know what to do about our land.”
Her eyes fluttered open and Noah’s heart nearly burst with love for her.
He stepped closer. “Ruthie, I—”
“Oh, Noah.” She stepped into his embrace. All he could think of was her sweetness and how he had always loved her.
He pulled her closer and lowered his lips—
His phone rang.
She stepped away. Confusion lined her face.
“I’m sorry.” He raised the phone. “Noah Schlabach.”
“We got him.” The deputy’s voice sounded in Noah’s ear. “We’ve apprehended the guy in black. He’s got scratches on his hands. Said he was playing with a stray cat. He’s coming in for questioning. I’m hoping we’ll get a confession. Stop by my office later and I’ll fill you in on more details.”
“Thanks. I will.”
Noah disconnected and turned back to Ruthie. “They’re hauling someone into the sheriff’s office. Deputy Warren will interrogate him. They’re hoping for a confession.”
A tap sounded at the door and the nurse hurried into the room. “Sorry to bother you folks. The doctor wants Simon’s temperature checked again.”
She nudged the boy. He blinked his eyes open before she placed the thermometer in his mouth. Once the device buzzed, the nurse smiled at Ruthie. “His temp is down a bit, which is encouraging.”
“Gott is good,” Ruthie said. Tears filled her eyes and she took Simon’s hand and smiled.
A lunch tray arrived, and Simon sat up and ate slowly. Relief washed over Ruthie’s face and joy returned to her gaze.
“The buggy’s outside,” Noah informed her. “Why don’t you ride to Mattie’s house and check on Andrew. You’ll feel better once you know he’s okay.”
“You are right, Noah.”
“While you’re gone, I’ll call Willkommen Realty about listing my property with them.”
She frowned. “You still plan to sell your land?”
“I do. What about you, Ruthie? Have you decided about your land?”
“My family is buried on the mountain, Noah. My mother and father and baby sister.”
And Ruthie’s husband, whom she didn’t mention. Noah had made a mistake so long ago to leave Ruthie. Another man had taken his place.
Ruthi
e kissed Simon’s cheek. “I will be back as soon as I check on your brother.”
“Mamm, I want to go home.”
“Yah, you and I will go home soon.”
The boy looked at Noah. “What about you?” he asked. “Will you go home with us, Noah?”
Noah’s heart broke seeing Simon’s confusion.
“I’ll take you and your mother home.”
“And then what, Noah?” Ruthie asked.
She looked at him like she had the night he had left her ten years ago.
Noah had made so many mistakes, starting with abandoning Ruthie. He had also lost his brother and his brother’s family and didn’t deserve to find love or to have a family. No matter how deeply he cared for Ruthie, he could not stay on Amish Mountain. She needed to go on with her life. A life without him.
Ruthie squeezed Simon’s hand, then left the room, without saying anything more to Noah.
He didn’t blame her. He had left her once. He would leave her again, but she would be better off without him. He knew that to be true, even though his heart would break this time just as it had done before.
TWENTY-FOUR
Tears burned Ruthie’s eyes as she left the hospital and hurried to where Noah had hitched the buggy. She rubbed Buttercup’s mane. “How are you, girl? Ready to take me to Aunt Mattie’s house so we can check on Andrew?”
The horse nuzzled Ruthie’s hand as if expecting a treat. “Perhaps Aunt Mattie will have a carrot or an apple for you.”
She climbed into the buggy, upset with herself, and flicked the reins. All along she had been concerned about growing attached to Noah. Although she had tried with all her might to keep up her guard, once again she had been pulled in by his charm. Her heart did not have a chance.
Noah had done chores and fixed meals and made her boys take pride in who they were and the jobs they did around the farm. He had taught them to fix fences and how to shore up the barn, and they had helped to check the bridge to ensure it was stable.
Plus, he had given them positive affirmation, and showered them with attention. Both boys had yearned for signs of love from Ben, but he was never one to show his feelings. Ruthie was sure her husband had loved Andrew. She feared he had always harbored resentment toward Simon. Not that she had kept anything from Ben before they were married. She had told him about Noah and their youthful mistake. But Simon was not a mistake. He had been wanted and loved from the moment she realized she was in the family way.