Seeking Refuge

by Lenora Worth

  “What do you think of our little festival?” Abram asked as he handed Tobias a footstool they’d created out of thick grapevines a driftwood gatherer had sold to Abram.

  The legs and feet were twisted but sturdy and varnished a deep brown, the oval stool bottom covered with a padded navy twill cushion surrounded by small twisted and varnished vines. It would make someone happy to have this little stool to rest their tired feet upon.

  “I am impressed,” Tobias admitted. “This is a lot bigger than the mud sales and bazaars we had back in Kentucky.”

  He’d sold a lot of fresh vegetables at the farmers’ market in Orchard Mountain. That had given him the idea of the farm-to-table “side hustle,” as his Englisch friends had called it.

  “I could get used to this,” he admitted to Abram.

  “We aim to please,” Abram retorted with a wry grin. “I’m extremely pleased with the extra pieces you made, Tobias. Those little wooden toys will be a hit.”

  Tobias beamed with pride as he set out the horses, dogs, baby goats and kittens he’d carved in several sizes, sometimes late at night when he couldn’t sleep. He carved when he was worried or nervous, and he’d surely been both of those things over the last few weeks. He’d also brought some from Kentucky, which he hoped to sell today.

  Thinking of Josie, he searched the long alleyways to see if she’d arrived. The Bawell Hat Shop tent was a large one with rows and rows of straw hats with black bands around them, all made by hand with a team of experts. Something all Amish men would need for summer. He noticed prayer kapps in both black and white, aprons and women’s heavier winter bonnets, too. Theirs was a true, thriving business that attracted a lot of people in both cars and buggies, from what he’d noticed in passing.

  Would Josie be here to help inside the booth?

  He hoped so. He had prayed to find a way to reach her, but he was losing hope each day. He hadn’t sent her anything since the day he’d offered her a fruit pie. She’d ended their sweet time together there on the breezeway in an abrupt manner.

  Questions he’d held long inside his soul resurfaced each time he was around her, but he refused to give up.

  “Where’s your head?” Abram asked, giving him a worried glance.

  “Sorry, I was just lost in thought,” Tobias admitted. “I want a home, Abram. And a wife and children.”

  “Well, I want those things for you, too,” Abram replied, his hands on his hips. “Any word about the Fisher place?”

  “No. Not yet. I have a few more weeks.”

  “A few more weeks for what?” Abram asked.

  Realizing he’d slipped up, Tobias said, “To convince Josiah I’ll take gut care of the place.”

  “Oh, that. He’ll see that in your actions and your attitude. And meantime, I think my Beth is seriously working on finding you the perfect wife.”

  Tobias already knew who would be the perfect wife. He would have to tell Abram and Beth the truth, but not today. They had too much to do today, and he didn’t want to mar their plans to sell lots of furniture. He’d explain everything to them next time they sat down to a meal together at home.

  Home.

  Campton Creek was beginning to feel that way.

  He looked up and saw Josie walking toward the Bawell booth, her back to him. She carried a woven basket and wore a blue dress and a white kapp and apron, but he could find her slim form no matter how many people or things separated them.

  No matter how much she refused to admit that she still cared about him. Tobias would find a way, somehow, to make her see that they still belonged together. No matter what.

  Maybe he should tell her that so she’d see that, together and with Gott’s guidance, they could get through anything.

  * * *

  “Have you seen him yet?”

  Josie nodded at Katy’s impatient question. “Ja, so stop asking me that.”

  They were sitting behind the Bawell tent, eating a lunch of chicken-salad sandwiches and sliced apples. Josie had grabbed two oatmeal cookies for their dessert.

  “Well?” Katy’s blue eyes got even bigger. “I would like details.”

  “There are no details,” Josie said. “He’s still a very handsome man.”

  “You should go and visit with him.”

  “You should mind your own business. Where is Samson Miller, by the way?”

  Katy threw a potato chip at her. “He is in his family’s booth, selling fresh eggs and goat cheese.”

  “Sounds exciting.”

  Katy giggled. “Samson is a single-minded person. He can’t be bothered to eat lunch when he’s got eggs to sell.”

  Josie glanced up and thought about how earlier she’d spotted Tobias in the Schrock booth. She didn’t dare venture over to that side of the alley, but she could make out his form as he lifted a chair off a parked wagon, his arms strong and sure, his hair always curling underneath his hat. He had the bluest eyes, so like the sky today. His smile had always made her feel special, but now that smile only brought her pain and regret.

  Glad they had been busy, she tried not to think of him walking on the same soil as her. Tried not to notice the bevy of young Amish women who seemed to suddenly have a keen interest in furniture and wood carvings.

  When she saw Mary Zook walking by with a carved kitten, she knew instantly Tobias had created the work. Her gasp caught Katy’s attention.

  Katy made an eye roll. “Mary, such a flirt. I guess she had a long discussion with Tobias about wood shavings.”

  Josie spun to look back at the furniture tent. She didn’t see Tobias there. “Maybe he’s left already.”

  “Or maybe he’s searching for Mary, Mary, quite ready to marry.”

  “Stop it,” Josie retorted, her words sharp.

  “Just as I thought,” Katy said. “You are jealous.”

  Josie dropped her half-eaten cookie. “I am not jealous. I want Tobias to be happy.”

  “Without you?”

  “He cannot be with me.”

  “He could if you’d just talk to him.”

  Josie had talked to him, and each time only made things more painful. “He understands.”

  “Really?” Katy looked beyond her. “Maybe you can ask him if he truly understands, because he’s coming toward our booth right now.”

  Josie stood and went back inside the booth. She saw Tobias walking the alleyway between the merchants, people all around him, his gaze on the Bawell booth.

  Mary Zook walked back by and waved to Tobias, her dimples shining. He nodded, his gaze straight ahead. Mary looked discouraged and kept walking.

  “I’m taking a stroll,” Katy said before she darted away. Raesha had gone to their buggy to feed Daniel, and Dinah was home with Naomi and a neighbor who was watching them both.

  Josie was alone in the booth.

  Tobias walked right up to where she stood and leaned over the small wooden counter Josiah and some others had set up earlier. “Good afternoon,” he said, his smile soft and reassuring.

  “Hello.” She didn’t know what to say, so she sat back on the tall stool and stared at him. “Are you enjoying the festival?”

  “Very much.” He didn’t take his eyes away from her. “A lot of people around.”

  “Is Abram pleased? Are you selling a lot?”

  “We’ve been steady busy, ja.”

  Josie was running out of small talk. “Denke again for the peach pie. I enjoyed it.” Glancing at the people milling about, she asked, “Shouldn’t you get back?”

  “I’m on break,” he replied, his eyes full of that mischief she remembered so well. “I wanted to spend it with my best girl.”

  Josie’s throat caught. He’d always called her that. “I’m not that girl anymore, Tobias.”

  “Josie,” he said, his eyes serious now, “whatever happened, whateve
r you’re afraid of, I will handle it—for both of us. I will carry your burdens.”

  Tears burned but she held tightly to her control. “It is my burden only, Tobias.”

  Before she knew what was happening, Tobias came around, slipped inside the booth and sat down on the stool beside her without saying a word.

  “You shouldn’t,” she said, her voice shaky now. “You need to go.”

  “I’m going in a few minutes,” he said. He took her hand in his, careful that no one would notice. “I made you something.”

  He slipped the warm piece of wood into her palm and held it there between their laced fingers. “I will carry your burdens, Josie.”

  Josie couldn’t speak, couldn’t move. What if Raesha or Josiah came back? What if she had a customer?

  But the world around her seemed to recede as Tobias held her hand in his, the carving warm between them, the world away from them. The touch of his skin ricocheted through her system like a ray of warm sunshine, bringing a peace she hadn’t felt in years. She lifted her hand away and saw the delicate butterfly he’d shaped out of what looked like an exotic wood.

  “Tobias,” she whispered, ready to pour out her heart.

  Tobias stood, his expression full of love and understanding. And hope.

  “Excuse me.”

  They both looked up to find an Englisch man standing there, his world-weary gaze reading them with a sharp clarity.

  Josie stood up, the small carving still in her hand. She recognized Nathan Craig, the private investigator who helped the Amish with missing people or legal problems. He’d helped her brother find her. “Nathan, it is gut to see you.”

  “Nice to see you, Josie,” Nathan said. Then he turned to Tobias and introduced himself, giving Tobias a handshake. “Actually, Mr. Mast, I’ve been looking for you. I didn’t want to do this here, but it’s a timely matter and I had to locate you today.”

  Tobias looked surprised. “Me? Why?”

  Josie didn’t know what to say. Why was a private investigator looking for Tobias?

  “Maybe we should speak in private,” Nathan suggested, his tone determined.

  Tobias glanced at Josie. “I don’t mind Josie hearing. I trust her.”

  Josie felt the volt of appreciation from that comment, only to be followed by a sharp pang of regret. “I cannot leave the booth anyway. What’s going on, Nathan?”

  Nathan said, “I got a call from an associate in Kentucky. He says an English couple is trying to track Tobias down because you were once friends with their son.”

  Tobias looked perplexed. “Ja, I knew a lot of Englisch during my rumspringa. Who is this couple?”

  “Theodore and Pamela Benington,” Nathan said, his shrewd gaze sweeping over both of them. “They have a son named Drew. Do you remember him?”

  Josie grabbed the stool and sank down on it, her heart on fire, her pulse pounding like a hammer to nails.

  Drew Benington?

  Tobias glanced at Josie, concern in his eyes. “I did know him. But I heard he got into some trouble and is now in prison.”

  “He is,” Nathan said. “They only want to ask you some questions and I’m not at liberty to say what they are looking for. My associate only asked me to alert you so you can plan accordingly. The Beningtons are flying up here and they should arrive late tomorrow afternoon. They’d like to meet with you at the Campton Center on Monday if possible.”

  Tobias nodded. “I have no idea why they’d want to see me,” he said. “I haven’t talked to Drew in years.”

  Nathan shot Josie a look that could have been a warning. “As I said, I don’t have the details, but can you be there around two o’clock?”

  Tobias nodded. “I’ll be there. I have to get back to my booth now.” He turned to Josie. “We will talk later.”

  She couldn’t speak. She only nodded, the wooden butterfly carving clutched in her hand.

  After Tobias hurried back to the furniture booth, Nathan looked at Josie. “Are you okay?”

  She shot up off the stool, her hands holding on to the counter with a painful grip. “You know everything, don’t you?”

  Nathan rubbed a hand over his chin. “I know enough, but I had to find Tobias and give him the message. Josie, do you also know Drew Benington?”

  She moved her head, tears pricking at her eyes. “I did.”

  Nathan didn’t ask any more questions. He only nodded. “Josie, if Drew was your attacker and Tobias doesn’t know the truth, you need to tell him. The Beningtons are here to make amends for what their son has done. I can’t be sure what they already know and it’s not my place to ask. But Tobias needs to hear the truth from you before they tell him. If you need me or Alisha, let us know, all right?”

  “Why would I need a lawyer?” she asked, knowing his wife did legal work for the Amish.

  “You might not, but if their son told them what he did to you, they might want some answers and they might ask to see you, too. I couldn’t tell you that in front of Tobias, since I wasn’t sure. Always a good idea to have counsel in the room since this is a delicate and difficult situation.”

  Josie gasped and put her hand to her mouth. “I went to them early on and tried to tell them, but they refused to listen to me. They didn’t believe me when I told them I was pregnant, but, Nathan, I tried to explain. They told me to go away.”

  Nathan glanced around to make sure they were alone. “If they’ve somehow verified your pregnancy, the Beningtons might be coming here to talk to you, too. Just be aware. They’ll want to speak to you if they have all the facts and they’ll want definitive proof.”

  Josie’s stomach roiled. “You mean about Dinah. You don’t think they’d try to take her?”

  Nathan’s expression turned grim. “I don’t know and I shouldn’t be speculating with you. But they’re coming, regardless of why. Even though Alisha helped Josiah and Raesha with all the legalities of the adoption, you still need to warn your family.”

  Alisha Braxton, the lawyer who’d guided them through making sure Dinah could stay with Josiah while Josie was still missing. And now Nathan’s wife. She’d assured them everything had been by the book. What if she’d missed something?

  Nathan looked her over. “Do you want me to call someone for you?”

  “Neh.” She straightened some crocheted doilies. “Raesha would worry. I’ll explain all of this to them when we get home, not here.”

  “I’m sorry I had to be the one to alert you, but Tobias was here with you, so I didn’t know how to handle it. Let me know if you need anything.”

  She nodded again, grateful that Nathan and Alisha had helped Josiah find her and figure out what had happened to her and Dinah. Along with Judy Campton, they had helped her family in many ways. Nathan had no choice but to tell his associate the truth—that Tobias was here now.

  She only wished Nathan had warned her earlier, but he’d found her and Tobias together and had to move fast. Why did Drew’s parents want to see Tobias? Would they try to turn Tobias against her? Or would they try to take Dinah away?

  She couldn’t let that happen. It would destroy her whole family. They all loved Dinah.

  Nathan wouldn’t repeat anything to anyone not involved. But her friend Sarah back in Kentucky knew everything. Had Sarah been forced to tell Drew’s parents the truth? Or did they remember how, in a fit of desperation, Josie had blurted out the facts? Facts they’d refused to believe.

  Raesha came back to the booth, smiling down at little Daniel as he bounced in her arms. “Was that Nathan Craig?” she asked, her keen gaze sweeping over Josie and then back to the departing man.

  Josie nodded while Raesha settled the babe inside his portable crib. “He was just passing by.”

  She’d have to tell her family about this, but right now she felt a panic attack about to overtake her.

  Her world,
which just moments ago had seemed to right itself when Tobias was holding her hand, had come crumbling down once again.

  The parents of the boy who’d assaulted her would soon be in Campton Creek. And they needed to talk to Tobias.

  She had no choice but to tell him the truth. But when and how could she do that?

  Chapter Eleven

  The hours seemed to drag as heavily as the weight on her shoulders. Josie watched the Schrock booth and saw Tobias talking to customers and helping people load furniture. He had to be wondering what was going on.

  Josie tried to engage with customers and friends, but finally she told Raesha she wasn’t feeling well. Tobias had left the furniture booth and she had no idea where he’d gone.

  “Do you want to go home?” Raesha asked, concern in her eyes. “I can get someone from one of the other booths or from the youth group to help.”

  Josie nodded. “I can walk home. That might do me good.”

  Raesha smiled at some lookers and then turned back to Josie. “Are you sure? You look pale.”

  Josie pushed at her sleeves. “I think it’s all the people. I thought I could do this, but I’m sorry, Raesha. I just need to be alone and I don’t mind walking.”

  Raesha smiled as she handed a bag of bread and homemade strawberry jam to an Amish woman and took the payment. Then she pivoted around to face Josie. “A walk might do you good. Just be careful.”

  “I’ll be fine. The road is very open. I’ll take the shortcut.”

  Josie glanced down the way at the furniture booth. She hadn’t seen Tobias since he’d left an hour ago. Maybe she’d get word to him before he talked to the Beningtons.

  “I’m going to tell Katy I’m leaving,” she said, giving Daniel a kiss and nodding to Raesha.

  Making her way along the alley filled with people, she went to the Schrock Furniture booth. Abram saw her and waved.

  “Hi,” she said, glancing around. “I was looking for Tobias.”

  Abram gave her a knowing smile. “He went to lunch and then he had a delivery to make. I doubt he’ll be back until time to load up and clear out.”