by Mary Alford
They stood in the kitchen staring at each other.
“What do we do now?” Willa asked.
He pulled out the phone once more in a desperate attempt. The signal was nonexistent. With a frustrated sigh, Mason shoved it back into his pocket. “I was hoping with the storm easing we’d be able to pick up service.”
“What will we do if they try to break into the house next?”
“We keep fighting.” He exhaled the words. “We do everything we can to stay alive until somebody reports all this shooting. By now, someone has to have noticed.” He sure hoped this proved true.
He tugged her into his arms. “I know this is hard. I’m so sorry, Willa.”
She leaned back and looked at him, her green eyes filled with strength. “Nay, there’s nothing to apologize for. This isn’t your fault.”
But he believed differently. He’d brought these dangerous men to her and Beth when Beth wasn’t able to fight back.
She cupped his face with her hands. “Mason, you always took on blame that wasn’t yours. You feel deeply, and I admire this greatly about you, but what is happening here isn’t your fault. You’re doing everything you can to save that child. Everything.”
The words humbled him. “I’m the one who admires you. Even as a little girl you were courageous. Josiah and Miriam would be proud of you, just as Beth is.”
Her eyes widened. Before he could say what was in his heart, a board creaked near the front door. “Someone’s on the porch.” The whispered words filled the space between them. “Stay here.”
Mason slipped over to where he could see the door properly. Wind drove the light rain inside the broken window, soaking the floor where he stood. Two men stood beside the door. They were going to try to break in. Mason fired at one of the suspects through the broken glass. The man grabbed his leg and fell to the porch. The second man reached for his partner and hauled him up. They stumbled from the porch and ran for the woods.
Shooting came from the woods near where the two men had disappeared. “Stay down.” Mason ran toward the kitchen as bullets flew through the walls and all around them...then silence.
Willa moved to his side. “What are they doing?”
Mason believed he knew. “My guess? If Ombra is the one calling the shots, he’s waiting for darkness before mounting an all-out attack. Right now, they can’t be sure how many armed people are inside the house. He’s doing enough to keep us on our toes. We won’t be able to see their approach at night.” He turned to her. “Regardless, we need a plan B.”
All her doubts were there for him to see. He was desperate enough to take out the phone and hold it up to the lantern light. He almost dropped it when he noticed the signal indicator registered a single bar. “There’s service.” He dialed 9-1-1 and listened. The call didn’t go through.
Disappointment hit him like a blow. Keeping his reaction to himself was impossible. “I don’t know what to do next. It’ll be dark in a few hours. We’re surrounded. You and I won’t be able to hold them off once they storm the house.”
She reached for his hands, bowed her head and prayed.
To have such faith must be a comfort. He closed his eyes and waited until she murmured, “Amen.”
He’d gotten so many things wrong in his youth. With twenty-twenty hindsight vision Mason saw with clarity what he could not at seventeen. Through the years of beating himself up for the decisions he’d made back then, Mason hadn’t really thought about God directing each one of them, taking Mason’s missteps and using them for His purposes.
As he looked at Willa’s pretty face, the past and the things pulling him away from his home faded. She helped him see that his life wasn’t defined by the things he’d done. Despite the circumstances facing them, his heart swelled. Willa showed him the way back to God and for that he would always be grateful.
He brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles. She had endured more than her share of heartache and yet her faith in God never wavered. “I’m so sorry for everything you have gone through. Your family has suffered enough,” he said softly.
She steadied herself. “Life is filled with losses. Losing Miriam just about destroyed Mamm. And then we lost Daed.”
“And Beth’s illness. That can’t be easy for her or you.”
She swallowed several times. “It isn’t. I don’t want to lose my mother.” Her voice came out a hoarse whisper.
He gathered her close and rested his head against hers. “I don’t want that, either.”
She sighed deeply and pulled away. “I guess we both have struggles.”
But his were all self-inflicted. As he looked into her eyes, something important became apparent. He’d missed what had been right there before him all those years ago. Willa. She was the one he’d come to for comfort after Chandler’s death. The one he shared his dreams for the future with. The one he’d missed through the years.
Why hadn’t he seen the truth all along? Was it too late? It tore him apart to think after all these years the life God wanted for him might never be.
* * *
Above all else, Mason would always be her friend. Yet when he looked at her like he did right now, it hurt so much. The tenderness she saw in him, the caring, could never be hers.
Mason shifted slightly and placed his hands on her waist, drawing her closer. The expression on his face was all her young heart had wished for at one time. A whisper of air separated them. She searched his face, wondering if she was imagining this moment happening between them. Was she letting the past and her feelings for Mason create something that wasn’t there?
She wanted so much to kiss him. To have the right to call him hers, but that would never be. Willa placed her hands over his and then pulled them away. She stepped back, fighting hard to remain strong.
A bleakness replaced the gentleness on his face. He turned away, running a hand across his neck. “I’m going to check the back of the house,” he murmured, and started that way without waiting for her to answer.
Willa couldn’t even begin to respond. She stood where he’d left her and wondered how much more she would be forced to endure.
“Mr. Mason, come quick! Something’s wrong with Mr. Erik.” The child’s scared voice broke through the misery flooding Willa’s heart.
Mason ran past her to the kitchen. He quickly started down the steps as fast as possible. Willa hurried after him.
Samantha ran up to Mason, her tiny face consumed with panic. “I can’t wake up Mr. Erik.”
Mason moved to his partner’s side and felt for a pulse at the base of his neck. “He’s alive.” He turned to Willa. His ashen face was a reminder of the clock ticking away, marking their impending fate. He gently shook Erik enough to wake him. “Hey there, partner. How are you holding up?”
Erik’s eyes fluttered and his answer was muddled.
Mason collected himself before turning to Samantha. “He’s all right, sweetheart, but he’s sleepy because of his injury.”
Samantha grabbed hold of him. “I’m scared. He wouldn’t wake up.”
Mason wrapped his arms around the child. Over the top of her head he sought out Willa. “I know you are, sweetie. I am, too. You are being so brave. I’m proud of you. Can you keep being strong for me for a little while longer?”
The little girl nodded. “Y-yes.”
He smiled and wiped away her tears. With the child clutching his side, Mason knelt beside Willa’s mother. “How are you holding up?”
The tremors had visibly worsened with the stress of what was happening around her. Willa secured the blanket tight around Mamm’s frail body and wished there was more she could do.
“Don’t worry so,” her mother said, and clutched her hand. “I am holding up gut.”
Willa leaned over to kiss her mother’s forehead, then smiled.
“Were you able to get the ph
one to work?” Mamm’s keen eyes held Mason’s.
He shook his head. “The phone service here is nonexistent.” They had exhausted every possible means available to them. If Ethan or one of the other neighbors didn’t call the sheriff to report the gunshots, it was only a matter of time.
“I am praying for us, Mason. Gott will show you the way. I’m sure of it. Be careful. Take care of Willa. She’s all I have left in this world.”
Mason’s attention returned to Willa. The same look she’d seen before made her wish for things that were not hers.
“I promise I will,” he said softly without looking away.
“I’m thirsty, Mr. Mason. Can I come with you to get some water?” The little girl’s request drew his attention away and Willa exhaled.
Mason clasped Samantha’s hand in his. “Of course. In fact, we should bring down water and something to eat for everyone,” he said quietly, his attention returning to Willa.
They were facing a life-and-death situation. There were other things besides her foolish youthful dreams to think about. She let go of the hurt and nodded. “I will find something,” she managed, and climbed the steps behind Mason and Samantha.
“I’ll get you some water.” Willa went to the sink to fill a glass for Samantha. She turned to hand it to the child, but a whooshing sound grabbed her attention. The glass slipped from her hand and shattered in the sink. Willa spun toward the horrible sound coming from the living room.
“Stay with Samantha.” Mason didn’t wait for her response. He ran toward the noise.
“Mason, no,” she said fearfully, but her warning went unheeded. With Samantha hugging her side, Willa peeked into the living room. The curtains covering the shattered window had caught fire. Something that appeared to be liquid covered the floor and was now catching fire. It spread across the floor.
Horrified, Willa tugged Samantha farther into the kitchen and away from the danger. “Get down on the floor and don’t move.” The girl’s huge eyes were fearful, but she dropped down and curled into a tiny ball.
Willa filled a pitcher with water and tossed it on the flames. “Get a quilt,” Mason yelled while stomping at the flames. Smoke filled the room, making it hard to breathe freely. Her eyes filled with tears. They streamed down her face as she edged past the fire to the chest that held several additional quilts she and Mamm had completed before her mother’s hands became too unsteady.
She grabbed the first one and tossed it to Mason, then brought out a second to help him beat out the flames.
Working together, they managed to get the last of the fire put out. Willa couldn’t believe what had happened.
“That was close.” Mason wiped soot from his face. “I’m sorry about ruining your handiwork.” He tossed the singed quilts aside.
They were the last thing on her mind. She’d tried so hard to remain positive, wanting to believe someone would come to their aid, yet, after everything, her faith was running thin.
She clutched his arm and fought back tears. “Mason, what are we going to do?”
He pulled her to him and held her without saying a word. She couldn’t stop the sob that escaped as she listened to his frantic heartbeat and wondered how much more they could take.
Neither noticed Samantha had left the kitchen until she screamed. Mason jerked toward the sound. Samantha stood near the singed curtains.
“Samantha, no!” The child didn’t respond, so Mason hurried to her. She appeared to be fixated on something outside.
He tugged her away from danger.
Samantha buried her face against his side. “He’s out there.”
Mason whirled toward Willa, the confusion on his face matching hers. “Who’s out there?” He led both Samantha and Willa from the living room.
“The man who held Mommy,” she sobbed.
Mason stopped walking. “The man who held your mother is out there? You saw the man who held your mother while Lucian shot your father? He’s out there now?”
The child’s head bobbed up and down. “I saw him. He looks like he did that day.” Tears flowed from her eyes.
“What do you mean, he looks like he did then?”
“He’s wearing a suit. He held my mother so she couldn’t get away.” Mason gathered Samantha close while she cried.
“Let’s get her back to the cellar,” he told Willa. While Mason carried the crying child downstairs, Willa poured water into another pitcher, then gathered glasses and as many packages of crackers and peanut butter as she could carry in her apron.
“She’s never been able to identify the man before. This is big,” he said as Willa joined them. “Can you stay here with Samantha? I’m going to cover the window so they can’t see into the house.”
As much as she wanted to stay down here where it was safe, Mason needed her. “Let me help,” Willa said. “I’m not leaving you to handle what’s happening up there alone.”
He immediately rejected the idea. “It’s too dangerous. If something happens to you...”
She reached for his hand. “I will be fine. I know you hate putting me in the line of fire, but we’re fighting an innumerable army that’s steadily increasing their attacks. It’s way beyond one man’s capability. Let me help you.”
“All right,” he said at last, but she could see how hard it was to say those words. Mason left the cellar. Before she followed, Willa poured two glasses of water. One she handed to Samantha, then she held the second up to her mamm’s lips.
Mamm managed a couple of sips. “Denki, dochder.”
Willa sat the water on the floor. “Are you hungry? I have crackers.”
Her mother shook her head. “Give the child something, though.”
Willa helped Samantha open the cracker packets before she clasped the child’s shoulders. “Stay here with my mother and Mr. Erik.” The little girl didn’t want her to leave, but Willa had to make her understand. “Samantha, this is the safest place for you, and Mr. Mason needs me. He can’t fight them off alone.” She clasped the child’s tiny face and said, “You have been so brave. I need you to stay strong for me and Mr. Mason.”
Samantha hugged her. “I will be strong. I promise.”
Willa pulled away. “Thank you.” She searched the young girl’s face, wishing Samantha didn’t have to be so grown-up. “Call out if you need us like you did earlier.”
The little girl’s frightened eyes held hers for the longest time before she slowly nodded. “I will take care of your mother and Mr. Erik.”
This brave child had learned to be strong through all the storms in her life. Willa would, too. “Denki, Samantha.”
“It will be oke.” The child parroted the Amish word she’d heard while those stoic brown eyes held so much strength.
Willa smiled. “You said that perfectly.” She hugged Samantha close, fighting back tears. If they were unsuccessful, this innocent child would lose her life. There was no room for error, and she had no idea what the outcome would be.
She kissed Samantha’s cheek, then let her go. “Thank you for being so brave.”
Willa moved to the stairs and looked back in time to see Samantha clutching Mamm’s hand. The two of them together filled her with hope.
Upstairs, Willa secured the cellar and covered it with the rug, then went to find Mason. He stood at the side of the window securing a sheet at the top and bottom with nails.
He turned when he heard her come in. “It won’t keep them out, but at least they can’t see in.” He clasped her arm and guided her into the kitchen before extinguishing the lantern. The room around them darkened.
Willa hugged her arms around her body. With the afternoon closing in, the temperature dropped drastically, and she was cold. Not so much from the chill in the air, but from the hopelessness taking root in her heart. Her thoughts went to the ones in the cellar. Would they be warm enough with the quilt
s she’d brought down? “Let’s take a look around back,” Mason said. She believed the plan was mostly intended to take her mind off everything.
The view outside the window showed the enclosed buggy and, beyond, the family’s old smokehouse slowly crumbling to the ground. It hadn’t been used for several years, since before her daed’s passing. One of the many things that needed attention.
“Over there.” Mason pointed to a man standing on the opposite side of the smokehouse and barely in view. “There’s another one at the edge of those trees.” He leaned closer. “Wait, that man has a sat phone.”
Willa had no idea what he was talking about. “What’s a sat phone?”
“A satellite phone. It operates off satellites in the sky instead of towers like regular cell phones. And that’s the same man who got away earlier. I’m guessing he’s the one in charge.” He studied the man for a long moment. “For some reason, the guy who ran away from a fight didn’t strike me as Ombra.”
Willa got a good look at the man. “He’s the one who called the shots when he barged into the house.”
Mason let the curtain drop. “Willa, I have an idea, but it’s risky.” He skimmed her face before telling her. “If I can get to that sat phone, we should be able to make a call.”
Her eyes widened. If they could make a call, there was a chance at being saved. “What do you need me to do?” Whatever it was, she would do it.
“I’ll need you to cover me. I’m going to try to sneak up on the man with the phone and disable him. Take the phone and his weapon.”
“What about the second man? And all the others who might be out of sight?” Surely, they would hear the struggle.
“That’s why I need you to cover me. I’ll do my best not to make much noise, but if I do, the second man will come to investigate.”
Willa understood. She would have to immobilize the second man. “I’ll cover you.” She didn’t hesitate.
He squeezed her arm. “Thank you,” he murmured. “I know it isn’t easy.” The tenderness she’d seen in him earlier returned to take away the chill from her heart. No matter what the future held, she would always care for Mason. Always remember his courage against so many.
