by Dana R. Lynn
He pointed in the direction. Abram had felt awkward going toward the office. It wasn’t in his nature to be nosy or intrusive. But Shane had seemed to believe it would be fine. As soon as he heard the gist of the conversation, he realized that Shane had wanted him to know that she was leaving her job and returning to him with no reservations.
It was a good call. He might have wondered if she’d shown up in Sutter Springs if she could truly be happy. Hearing from the captain that Kate had not been happy in Wallmer Grove went a long way in soothing the guilt that she had left a career she’d worked hard for to embrace their life.
“Abram, what are you doing here?”
Before he could answer, Captain Murphy stood and walked to the door. “Kate, I need to go check on something. Why don’t you and Abram use my office for a few minutes? Plenty of privacy if you shut the door.”
When she was gone, he stepped into the office and pulled the door closed. Then he turned to answer her question. “I’m here because I’m not gut at waiting. I know I told you I wouldn’t interfere, but I couldn’t do that. I’d forgotten something.” He reached out and took her hands. The arm he’d broken barely twinged anymore.
“I see your arm’s better.” She smiled.
A laugh built up in his chest. He restrained it, letting a chuckle break free. “Ja. I had a cast for a few weeks. The physical therapist gave me exercises to do at home to help me regain the strength.”
That was not what he wanted to talk about. Not at this moment.
“I had to see you. I love you, Katie. I loved you when we were younger. I’ve always known you were the one for me. Even after you left, my heart couldn’t open enough to truly love another woman. I didn’t think I could love anyone. Until you came back.”
She touched his cheek with her hands. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“Hush. I understand.”
“Yes, but I realized that part of me still blamed myself.”
His eyes widened. “You were a young maidel. How could you have been to blame for any of it?”
“I know. I believed I wasn’t worthy of love. Not from God and not from you. I was wrong, on both counts.”
His heart twisted inside his chest, imagining her alone and scared, feeling like she couldn’t even turn to Gott for refuge. He carefully slipped his hands from hers and encircled her. He hugged her to his chest like she was fragile and might break in his embrace. The ache inside him melted as she snuggled in closer. Resting his chin on her hair, he sighed, allowing himself to enjoy holding her close.
But only for a second. They must do this the proper way. Backing up slightly, he looked down at her. His gaze fused with hers. More of his fear vanished. Her eyes were clear and sure.
“You are worthy, Katie. So worthy. I’m sorry your mamm and daed were not supportive. None of what happened was your fault. In fact, your experience has saved others. Who knows how many others might have been hurt if you hadn’t put Gary in prison? Now that he’s in jail, though, any of his potential victims are safe.”
She pulled away from him. Had he said something wrong? Fear constricted his breathing.
“Dear Abram.” She placed her palm against his cheek. The warmth sank into him. “I love you, too. I always have. I’m sorry I ran, but I was able to leave and get the training I needed to bring him down. So, I think God was protecting me and guiding me, even while I was intent on ignoring him.”
“Maybe so.” He still hated to think of her hurting. “You’re coming home, then?”
She nodded. “Yes, but, Abram, even though I love you, we have a long road to go before we can be together.”
He knew that. Didn’t much care for it, but he understood. “Ja. You have to join the church.”
“Yep. That’s my plan. I hope to meet with Bishop Hershberger as soon as it can be arranged. I know it will take a while. I’ll have to meet with him several times.”
“I’d say it’ll be at least six months.”
She winced. He knew the feeling. “Well, six months will be worth it to get to where God wants me to be. I’m done trying to do things on my own. Then we can talk about courting.”
He grinned. He wasn’t thinking of courting. He was already planning on asking her to be his wife when six months were over.
Six Months Later
Abram hitched up his buggy and set out toward his brother Levi’s haus. It was a church weekend, and everyone was gathering there. He’d helped Levi, Sam and Daed move the furniture and set up the church benches inside the living room the day before.
Abram had never felt nervous about going to church before, but today was different. Today, Katie was joining them as a full member of the Amish church. He had every intention of asking her if he could drive her home after the service and the community meal.
He wasn’t nervous that she’d say no. They’d become so close the past six months their affection as teenagers seemed weak compared to what it was now. They were more than two people in love. They were best friends and told each other everything. He’d never been one to confide his deepest thoughts to anyone but Gott, but Katie was the one exception.
For the rest of his life, he would hide nothing from the amazing woman Gott had placed in his life.
First, he had to get through the rest of the day.
When he saw her in her deep rose dress with a matching apron and a crisp prayer kapp covering her lovely hair, though, his heart nearly burst from his chest. What an amazing woman! If it was in Gott’s plan, she would soon be his wife.
The day dragged on. He laughed and spent time with his family and friends, but in every instance, he was hyperaware of where Katie was. When the meal was done, he saw his chance and took it.
Jogging to her side, he scanned the area to make sure no one could hear them. “Katie, can I drive you home?”
Flushing, she ducked her head, a smile hovering on her lips. “You may.” Then she whispered to him, “About time, too.”
He laughed. His Katie would always tell him exactly what she thought.
An hour later, they were on their way. Abram directed the buggy down a dirt road that had very limited traffic and pulled over to the side.
“This isn’t the way to where I live,” she pointed out. Her voice was prim, but her lips twitched with the effort to hold in a grin.
“I wanted to talk with you.” He half turned on the bench so he could take her hand. “You’re Amish now.”
He winced. Not an auspicious beginning.
Her eyes widened. “So I am!”
“Stop!” He laughed. “I’m trying to propose.”
Her face stilled. “What about a courtship?”
“Katie, we’ve known each other all our lives, with the exception of the ten years you were away. We’ve spent the past six months not courting, but still, I felt like we were walking out.”
She nodded. “Yeah, I thought so, too.”
He took a deep breath. “We are not a strictly farming community, so we have more freedom. I already spoke with the bishop. He said if you agreed to marry me, we can get married at the end of June.”
“June. That’s only four weeks from now.” Her eyes were misty.
“Ja. I’m ready to begin our life together. Katie, will you marry me?”
That grin finally broke free like a rainbow after a storm. “Yes, I will marry you! As soon as it can be arranged.”
Emotion stormed through him. He couldn’t speak he was so overwhelmed. Instead, he took her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers, letting the love in his kiss do his talking.
EPILOGUE
Two Years Later
Katie set her broom aside and pressed a hand to her abdomen. The pains were getting closer. She wasn’t worried yet. Abram would be home in the next ten minutes. An hour ago, she’d gone across the street to their Englisch neighbors and asked to
use the phone so she could arrange for a driver to bring her and Abram to the hospital. She’d also contacted her doctor to let her know of the baby’s impending arrival.
The baby’s foot pressed against her side. She massaged it. “Soon, little one. Soon. We have to wait for your daddy to come home.”
She hummed as she waited. Her overnight bag was sitting on the bench inside the door. Her gaze wandered around the open kitchen, lingering on the small homey touches. A needlepoint framed on the wall from her sister-in-law, Lilah. The new cabinets Abram and Sam had made. The buffet in the corner where she kept the dishes Fanny and David had given them for their wedding.
Walking over, she picked up a plate and smiled. Most girls picked their colors young, and they start getting their dishes to make their collection one at a time for birthdays and Christmas. That way, when they start their own home, they have what they need. Katie had had no dishes, or anything else, when she wed Abram. He hadn’t minded.
All I want, Katie, is you, he’d told her.
His parents knew this. They’d surprised her with a set, one very like the set her own folks had started to present to her before they’d been killed.
The gesture, and the love and acceptance behind it, had touched her. She and Abram had found a place close enough to his family that he could still assist them and continue working with his father and brother, but at the same time, they had their privacy.
Bailey had been moved, although Katie had no idea where. That was the nature of witness protection. She suspected that the woman was still being hidden in an out-of-the-way place. Lieutenant Greer had retired and gone with Bailey. She hoped they had found the happiness that she had found with Abram.
It saddened her that she would never hear from the woman, but she was happy that Bailey was safe.
Hooves clopping on the driveway brought her out of her reverie. Abram was home. A quiver of joy jolted through her. They’d been married almost two years, but her heart still sped up when he came home to her and the life they were building together.
Abram banged through the door, his face splitting into a wide grin as he spotted her. “Katie! It’s gut to be home.”
He swept her into his arms, rubbing his nose against hers. She laughed as his beard tickled her chin. Dipping his head, his mouth brushed against hers for a sweet kiss before he stepped back.
“I missed you today. How are things here?” He touched her cheek with a gentle hand. Before resting his palm on her belly. “And how is our boppli?”
She grinned. “Our baby is saying he or she will be born today.”
She waited.
He nodded. “That’s gut—”
She knew the exact second his brain caught up with what she’d said. Those dark eyes widened. His face paled.
“Today? Today!” His hands flashed up to cup her face. “How are you feeling? Are you well?”
She smiled. “Relax. I’m feeling fine.”
A sudden pain made her catch her breathe. She gritted her teeth as the ache spread across her lower back and into her lower abdomen. “Okay, that was the worst one so far.”
The remaining color fled from his face. “We have to call for a driver. Do you know where your bag is? And—”
She clapped her hand over his mouth. Abram was always so calm. It was strange to see him so discombobulated. Practically in a panic.
“I’ve already called for a driver. He should be here any second. And my bag is there, by the door.” Kate pointed to the bench.
Abram leaned his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry. You’re taking this better than me.” He looked into her eyes. “I just can’t bear the thought of anything going wrong.”
Oh, her sweet man. Katie’s heart melted. “All will be fine. Let’s just focus on getting through the next few hours.”
The driver pulled in, and within minutes, Abram and Katie were on their way to the hospital. Katie wasn’t feeling so sanguine when they arrived at the hospital twenty minutes later. The contractions had increased in frequency and intensity. She grabbed Abram’s hand and squeezed with each pain.
At one point, he winced. She opened her mouth to apologize. He kissed her forehead and shook his head. “Who else would you depend on at a time like this? Squeeze as hard as you need to, Katie. I can take it.”
She took him at his word.
Their arrival at the hospital was met with a flurry of activity. Katie wasn’t able to focus on anything but the birth of her first child.
Four hours later, Mary Frances Burkholder was born.
Abram held his breath as the nurse handed him his daughter, wrapped like a burrito in soft pink blanket. Her little face scrunched up, then relaxed in sleep. Doubtless, his mamm would say she looked like him or Katie. Mothers seemed to be able to point out similarities like that, though he had never been able to see it in one so small.
Mary opened her eyes and blinked up at him.
She had his Katie’s eyes, a deep blue. He said as much to his wife.
The nurse behind him chuckled. “Many babies have blue eyes. They may change.”
“Hmm,” Abram replied, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. She could say what she wanted, but he was sure he was correct.
Katie laughed softly from the hospital bed. “If you say so. Oh, Abram, she’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
Looking at his wife’s shining face, emotion lodged in his throat, making speech impossible. He contented himself with a nod. He carefully stepped closer to the bed and lowered himself into the chair. Mary yawned and closed her eyes.
He cleared his throat. “I can’t believe she’s ours.”
“We’re blessed,” she agreed, her voice soft with affection.
Abram straightened, lifting his gaze to her. “Katie?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re going to be a lot busier than before,” he murmured.
“I know.” She wiggled around until she was in more of a sitting position. “I was talking to your mamm and Lilah about that the other day. They had lots of good advice to offer.”
He could tell she was serious. “Do you ever regret not remaining a police officer? Your life was so much more exciting.”
“Exciting?” She frowned, tilting her head to gaze at him with those dark blue eyes. “Abram, I was living a lie. My heart was never in being a cop. I never wanted anything more than I wanted to be your wife and raise a family with you. It was, and is, my truest wish.”
Smiling, he glanced down at the infant sound asleep in his arms. “Sorry. I know I’m being silly. I just had to ask. There is nothing glamorous about our life. It’s very hard sometimes.”
“Yes, it is. It’s also an honest life, surrounded by good people who love God. I missed this life for so many years, but refused to dwell on it. Now, I’m home. Where I was always meant to be.”
Careful not to wake the baby, Abram scooted to the edge of his chair and leaned toward her. She met him halfway, her lips soft against his. The kiss flooded his soul with love.
She was right.
When they were together, they were both home, where they belonged.
* * *
If you enjoyed this book, don’t miss the other heart-stopping Amish adventures from Dana R. Lynn’s Amish Country Justice series:
Plain Target
Plain Retribution
Amish Christmas Abduction
Amish Country Ambush
Amish Christmas Emergency
Guarding the Amish Midwife
Hidden in Amish Country
Plain Refuge
Deadly Amish Reunion
Amish Country Threats
Available now from Love Inspired Suspense!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com.
Keep reading for an excerpt from High Stakes Escape by Elizabeth Goddard.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoyed Abram and Kate’s story. I first introduced Abram in Amish Country Threats. He had a small part to play, but I thought he’d make an interesting hero. A middle child, he’s one who has never doubted his faith in God. It has guided him his whole life and helped him navigate any troubles. The one wound God has not yet healed is his broken heart.
Kate was only sixteen when she abandoned God, Abram and all things Amish. A case she’s working on forces her back in close contact with all of the above.
I hope you were touched by her story to reclaim her faith and to fall in love with Abram all over again!
I love connecting with readers! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook and on my website at www.danarlynn.com.
Blessings,
Dana R. Lynn
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High Stakes Escape
by Elizabeth Goddard
ONE
Deputy US Marshal Ben Bradley stared at the covered body being retrieved by the medical examiner, struggling with disbelief. How could this brutal murder have happened here in this comfortable home situated in the quiet middle-class neighborhood in Snohomish, Washington, near Seattle? Minivans were parked in driveways. Kids played safely in their yards or in the park across the street even as fall temperatures quickly shifted colder. This place was supposed to be safe. The resident who had lived there was supposed to be hidden. Anonymous. Protected.
But inside this sheltered haven, a vicious crime had been committed.
Disturbing.
He stood outside the crime scene tape with the neighbors who looked on, and he listened to their murmurs, their shock joining his own disbelief. He didn’t have to look at their faces to know he would see a mixture of horror and grief. Tears and suspicions.