Amish Safe House

by Debby Giusti

  “Like your neighbor’s furniture.”

  “And the many items Sarah has stitched.”

  “She is an accomplished seamstress.”

  Abraham’s brow furrowed and his lips turned into an impish grin. “Sarah is a neighbor, Julia. Nothing more.”

  The look he flashed her took Julia’s breath. She glanced at the road and scooted over a bit to distance herself from his magnetism. Why was she so taken at times with him? Yet, at other times, like yesterday, he unsettled her peace and calm.

  “How long until we get there, Mr. Abraham?” Kayla questioned from the rear.

  “It will not be long. Why not sing us a song as we ride?”

  Kayla began singing a child’s tune about going to town and buying a toy so she could give it to a girl or boy who didn’t have toys. The song’s lyrics were simple, but the message was important for children to embrace as their own.

  When she stopped singing, she laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” Julia asked, turning toward her daughter.

  “We have everything we wanted, Mama. William is not in a gang, we have space to run and skip and jump, we have a nice house and food to eat, and a pretty dress for me to wear.”

  Her daughter’s gratitude was contagious. “You’re so right, Kayla. We have everything we need.”

  TWENTY

  Abraham was glad they had started for town early. By the time they approached the first intersection, the line of traffic was backed up for an entire block. Slowly they moved forward, part of a long trail of wagons and buggies interspersed with a few cars and pickups that waited to turn into the flea market.

  A huge steel barn-type structure stretched across the center of the expansive property. To the side, horses were tethered to hitching poles and more horses grazed in a rear pasture.

  As soon as they were able to turn in, Sarah pulled her buggy to a stop behind them. They found the man overseeing the flea market who showed them to their assigned tables. Abraham’s area opened toward the stables where he had rented a stall for Buttercup.

  He and William hauled the larger pieces from the wagon while Julia and Kayla moved Sarah’s quilts and other handmade items into her area. After unhitching Buttercup, Abraham and William settled the mare in the barn and then returned to the table to set up the wares. Julia had already arranged the majority of the merchandise.

  “It looks so inviting,” she told them as she looked over the two tables.

  “Only because of your eye for decorating, Julia. I have a suspicion we will sell a lot of Mr. Raber’s items.”

  “Are you a woodworker, Abraham?”

  He shrugged, unwilling to delve into his own talents. “I used to do woodworking and thought I might embrace it as a productive hobby, but after my wife and daughter passed, I gave that up.”

  “You should start again,” she encouraged him. “Especially if it was something you enjoyed doing.”

  He did like working with his hands, but he had given it up more as a personal sacrifice after what had happened. If Marianne and Becca had lost their lives because of him, he no longer deserved to do anything that lifted his spirits or brought joy to his life. It was ironic that Julia had mentioned something that once brought him pleasure.

  “How about a cup of coffee?” Abraham asked, needing to turn the conversation away from his past.

  “That sounds perfect.”

  He hurried to the stall across from them and returned with coffee for Julia and Sarah along with a cup for himself. “Children, would you like hot chocolate?”

  “Yah,” the two girls squealed.

  William nodded. “Yes, please.”

  Abraham laughed. “I should have known.” Taking the children with him, he purchased a hot drink for each of them and carried Kayla’s back to their table to ensure it did not spill. The children sat on folding chairs and enjoyed their hot chocolate as people started to enter the large, open area.

  Sarah’s quilts were a hit, and she soon had a gathering of women examining her stitches and admiring the patterns. Julia helped her and then returned to aid Abraham when Mr. Raber’s furniture attracted customers.

  The children stayed close and helped as best they could. Kayla met some other children who were with their parents at nearby booths, and all of them sat in a circle and ate pizza for lunch washed down with lemonade.

  “Could we have a funnel cake?” Kayla pleaded with her mother after she had finished her pizza. The sugary sweet smell of funnel cakes filled the arena, and even Abraham’s mouth watered.

  “You had a very large slice of pizza,” Julia reminded the child.

  “But the funnel cake is for dessert.”

  “Perhaps in a bit.”

  At the next lull in the crowd of buyers, Abraham grabbed Kayla’s hand and walked her to the booth at the opposite end of the market.

  “Your mother said you could have dessert in a bit. I do believe a bit of time has passed. Would a funnel cake be good?”

  “Oh, yes, Mr. Abraham. Funnel cake would be wonderful.”

  “You will share with William and Ella?”

  “I will share with everyone.”

  Abraham could not refuse the adorable child who had worked her way so quickly into his heart. William had a spot there, as well. The boy was becoming someone Abraham could count on to help him with the farm. For the last three years, Abraham had worked alone. Having William with him in the barn, mending fences, checking the cattle, made the days pass more quickly and the work more enjoyable.

  Soon the fields would need to be plowed. He was eager to teach William how to guide the draft horses to make straight rows for the new crops.

  “You should sit and relax for a while,” he told Julia. She was pouring her heart and soul into the flea market, and her ability amazed him. She even took orders for his neighbor, convincing customers who were merely looking that a kitchen table or chairs or a cabinet would be perfect for their homes. Sales continued throughout the afternoon, and they made more money than at previous flea markets.

  “You are a natural,” Abraham told her.

  “I just know a good thing when I see it, and your neighbor’s furniture is lovely and is being sold at a reasonable price. Anyone would be foolish to let such an opportunity pass by, which is what I tell people who stop by the table.”

  “Mr. Raber will be pleasantly surprised that so many pieces sold.”

  “He has good merchandise, Abraham. Next year you need to have your own items for sale.”

  Sarah went to get a sandwich and left her daughter and Kayla to watch the table. A man approached with a camera around his neck. Abraham recognized him as the guy who had stopped by the phone shack to ask directions.

  “How much is this quilt?” the man asked Ella.

  “Three hundred dollars.”

  “That’s too expensive. What about this other one?”

  The girl checked the price tag affixed to the label. “That one is for a king-sized bed. It sells for three hundred and fifty dollars.”

  “Are there any cheap quilts?”

  Julia moved closer to help. “You mean smaller quilts that sell for less?” She pointed to a lovely pattern made in blue calico.

  “That’s what I mean. Listen, I don’t want to cause trouble, but I need some photos. You don’t mind if I take pictures of the quilts with that young Amish girl who’s manning the table?”

  Before she could say anything, he lifted the camera from around his neck and started to snap some shots of Sarah’s daughter.

  Julia took Kayla’s hand and backed her away from the table.

  Spying Kayla, the guy smiled and raised his camera. “What an adorable little girl.”

  “No.” Abraham placed his hand over the lens, startling the man.

  “What are you doing?” The guy squared his shoulders.
/>   “No pictures. Amish do not allow photographs.”

  The man looked angry initially and then calmed. “I’ve heard that before, but the little girl’s not Amish.”

  “She is a friend of the Amish and the same rule applies to her.” Abraham leaned closer to the man. “If you have heard of our ways, why did you attempt to take pictures?”

  The guy stared at Abraham, slack-jawed. “I...I’m not sure.”

  “You are not sure because your need for photographs is more important than our desire not to have pictures taken?”

  “I didn’t mean to cause a problem.”

  “You need to respect our ways just as we respect yours.”

  “Look, I’m sorry. A guy told me to get lots of pictures.”

  “Who is that guy?”

  The man shrugged. “He’s someone staying at the same hotel. He said I could sell the photos online.”

  “Did you take any knowingly of the Amish?”

  “Just the girl with the quilts, but I’ll delete those.” The guy held up his camera. “You can check my photo file.”

  Seeing remorse in the man’s eyes, Abraham glanced quickly through the more recent photos, deleted a few that included Sarah’s daughter and then handed the camera back to the owner.

  The man turned to Julia. “In hopes of making amends, I would like to buy one of the smaller quilts. The green one will look nice in my living room.”

  “You are from around here?” she asked.

  “I flew in on business last week and rented a car so I could see some of this area of the country.”

  “You are the part-time travel writer,” Abraham said, knowing the man had failed to make the connection.

  The guy smiled. “I knew you looked familiar. Look, I’m sorry about the photographs, but pictures sell. You know what I mean?”

  “Where’s home?” Julia asked.

  “Philadelphia.”

  The mention of Philadelphia unsettled Abraham. Even if Pablo and Mateo were dead, William could still be in danger. He should have studied the man’s digital photo file more closely.

  “Have a safe trip home,” Julia said, her face pale and her gaze wary.

  The man hurried to another stall. Abraham saw him snap a few photographs, but of the entire area instead of singling out specific people.

  By late afternoon, the crowds had started to diminish and Julia and Abraham sat behind their table, sipping coffee.

  Sarah was talking to ladies she knew and Ella was visiting with girls her own age.

  “You should take Kayla for a walk around the area,” Abraham suggested. “I will do the same with William after you return. Outside in the rear, they usually have puppies for sale.”

  “That’s not what we need,” she laughed. “Especially when we don’t know how long we’re staying.”

  Her face grew serious and Abraham turned away, wishing he had not mentioned the pups.

  “Perhaps someday, when you are settled,” he added, hoping to smooth over the rough edges of her comment.

  “You won’t mind us leaving you?”

  Abraham hesitated, not sure of what she meant.

  “Leaving you here at the table with William?” she hastily added.

  “Not at all. In fact, he might want to go with you.”

  But when she asked, the boy opted to remain with Abraham.

  Kayla took her mother’s hand and the two slowly made their way from booth to booth, examining everything for sale.

  “Have you enjoyed the day, William?” Abraham asked.

  “Yah, it is different but gut. I heard some of the boys around my age talking about plowing the fields and planting.”

  “It is almost that time.”

  “I wondered if you would teach me.”

  Abraham nodded. “We will do that together if you are still here when it is time to plant.”

  “I hope we’re still here.”

  Abraham hoped so, too. He watched Julia make her way through the crowd of people. She stood out, but not because of her Englisch clothing. Perhaps it was the way she held herself or her laughter or the way she had found a spot in his life. He wanted her to stay in his life, along with her children.

  Abraham handed William a few dollars. “The man in the booth across the way has some carrots for sale. Buy half a bushel and then take a couple to Buttercup. I know she would like to see you.”

  William face lit up. “Danke.” He hurried over with the money and bought the carrots.

  The barn sat adjacent to the market and the crowd was thinning. William grabbed two of the carrots and left the half bushel beside Abraham before walking toward the barn. Abraham nodded approvingly. Buttercup and the boy would enjoy being together.

  Abraham needed to keep focused on today and not think about what might happen in the days ahead. Live life in the present, which was what he was trying to do.

  * * *

  Kayla was enamored with the puppies and begged to have one.

  “Someday, perhaps, but right now we are still unsettled,” Julia tried to explain.

  “Look how little they are.”

  “You can hold them.” The Amish lady selling the puppies placed two in Kayla’s arms.

  She cuddled the puppies and giggled as they squirmed and licked her neck. “They’re so cute.”

  “And not housebroken,” Julia pointed out.

  “I could ask Abraham. He bought me funnel cake today.”

  Julia narrowed her gaze. “Kayla May, the funnel cake was a treat. A puppy would be with us for a long time. You will not ask Abraham. He has a big heart, but we do not want to infringe on his good nature.”

  “He likes animals.”

  “You’re right. I’m sure he likes dogs, but these puppies will find a home with someone else.”

  Reluctantly, her daughter handed them back to the lady and then took Julia’s hand.

  “There’s William.” Kayla pointed to the barn as William entered. “He just went inside. He was holding carrots. He probably went to see Buttercup. May we go too, Mamm?”

  Visiting Buttercup was a good trade-off, especially if it took Kayla’s mind off the puppies. Julia had to admit they were sweet, but she had two children to care for. She wasn’t ready to take on a pet.

  A number of buggies had already left the flea market. Soon Abraham would want to load the wagon and head home. As much as she and the children had enjoyed the day, Julia knew it was time to leave.

  “We’ll see Buttercup and then return to help Abraham. He will need to pack up soon,” she said to prepare Kayla, knowing it would be hard to have today come to a close.

  The barn was dark when they stepped inside. Julia heard a shuffle that worried her. “William?”

  He didn’t answer. She hesitated, trying to adjust to the darkness.

  Someone groaned. Her heart raced. “William, where are you?”

  Something heavy slammed against one of the stalls. She ran, fearing for her son.

  “Kayla,” Julia called over her shoulder. “Get Abraham. Hurry.”

  The child hesitated, her eyes wide.

  “Go! Now!”

  Julia raced from one stall to another, looking for William.

  A back door opened. Light broke through the darkness.

  She stopped, unsure of what she saw. Realization hit hard. A man had his hands around her son’s neck and was pulling him through the open doorway.

  She raced forward and grabbed his arm.

  He turned.

  Pablo?

  “Let go of my son.”

  He pushed her away.

  She lunged and dug her fingernails into his cheeks.

  “Agh!” Pablo’s hold on William loosened.

  Her son collapsed onto the straw-covered floor, coughing.

 
A car waited outside, the motor running. Mateo peered at them from the driver’s seat.

  “What are you doing?” she screamed at Pablo. “You’ve got a mother who loves you. You’re breaking her heart.”

  “I need to prove that I’m a man.” He grabbed Julia and started to drag her out of the barn toward the car. She kicked and bit his hand.

  Mateo opened the driver’s door. “Where’s the kid?”

  “Run, William!” she screamed. “Get away.”

  Dazed, the boy regained his footing and staggered toward her. “Mom?”

  Pablo tightened his hold on Julia.

  Removing a ballpoint pen from her pocket, she shoved it into his neck. He sputtered, released his hold on her and took a step back.

  Mateo reached for William. The boy stumbled away from him.

  Footsteps sounded, running toward them. Julia looked up to see Abraham.

  TWENTY-ONE

  Pablo and Mateo raced to their car. They climbed in, slammed the doors and squealed away from the barn.

  Abraham reached for her. “Are you hurt?”

  Julia shook her head and tried to catch her breath. “Only frightened. It was Pablo and Mateo. I... I thought both of them were dead.”

  She dropped to the ground where William had fallen.

  “I’m okay,” he told them as they helped him up.

  “What happened?” Abraham asked.

  “I gave Buttercup the carrots and then heard a noise behind me. Before I could see who it was, Pablo jumped me. He said I needed to go back to Philly with him.”

  Julia looked at Abraham. “Jonathan’s information about Pablo and Mateo was wrong.”

  “Maybe Pablo started the rumor so we would let down our guard.”

  One of the deputy sheriffs hurried into the barn. “Someone said there had been trouble.”

  “A guy was throwing his weight around.” Abraham put his hand on William’s shoulder. “This young man was in the way.”

  He provided a description of Pablo and Mateo and the car they were driving. “Both guys are members of a Philadelphia street gang. If you see them around town, haul them in for questioning. They need to be in jail and off the streets.”