Amish Outsider

by Marta Perry

  “If you’d taken time to be sure—” That was Zeb Stoltzfus, cut off abruptly by Chief Jamison.

  “Teacher Cathy did exactly the right thing. Get the children inside—call us. We’d rather come out a hundred times for a straying tourist than risk something bad happening.” He looked around the circle of faces. “I don’t need to spell it out to you. We all know that bad things can happen anywhere. That’s why we talk to everyone involved with the schools. That’s why Teacher Cathy was prepared and did exactly the right thing.”

  Several people nodded in agreement, and there was a murmur of assent.

  Chief Jamison stood, apparently satisfied that he’d gotten his point across. “We’ll be keeping an eye out for anyone showing too much interest in your school and the other schools in the area as well. Thank you.”

  His tone made it clear he expected them to leave. After a moment’s hesitation, they filed out, leaving Cathy with the police.

  When they’d gone, Cathy looked up at Jamison, expecting more questions.

  His face crinkled in the beginning of a smile. “No, I don’t intend to badger you with more questions. You’ve already told us everything you saw and heard. I just thought you might want me to clear them out so you could get off home without answering silly questions.”

  Cathy hesitated, not sure how she felt about it. “If the parents want to talk to me more, I should be available.”

  “Maybe so, but not now. I’ll drive you home.” He took her elbow as she stood, then paused, frowning a little. “You did the right thing. Really. Don’t let anyone second-guess you, okay?”

  She nodded, but it would be difficult. If the parents of her scholars doubted her, it wouldn’t matter what the chief thought.

  When they reached the porch, she discovered that everyone hadn’t left, after all. Michael Forster stood, leaning against the side of his car.

  Chief Jamison glared at him. “Teacher Cathy has answered enough questions. I’m taking her home.”

  Michael straightened. “I don’t have any questions. And I came to take her home.”

  For a moment the two stared at each other, as if each daring the other to blink. Cathy stepped between them. “Denke, Chief Jamison. If you need anything else...”

  His face softened. “I know where you are.”

  Cathy walked to Michael’s car and slid inside before he could open the passenger door. Without a word, he got in and started the engine. It was only when they’d followed the police car out to the road and turned that he glanced at her.

  “Was I preferable to the police?”

  She smoothed her skirt. “I thought you said no questions.”

  “Just wondered.”

  His mild tone seemed to encourage an answer. “I thought my mother might be slightly less upset if I came home in your car rather than a police car. Though she’ll have heard by now and...well, I’m her baby, I guess.”

  “Are you all right?”

  Cathy looked at him, startled. “Yah, I am. Allie and Ruthie?”

  “Not as upset as I’d have thought. Ruthie strikes me as a kid who’d bounce back, and I guess she must be good for Allie.”

  “When you came to take them home, I thought...” She let that trail off. She’d thought he looked furious, to be honest. And she’d assumed that the anger was directed at her as the person who should be keeping his child safe.

  “I was frantic—we all were.” He wasn’t looking at her, so she felt free to watch his face. He stared at the road ahead, his hands gripping the steering wheel. “It’s a parent’s worst nightmare.”

  “A teacher’s, too.” Her throat tightened, remembering. “I thought maybe you were regretting putting Allie in our school. Feeling we should have done more to keep the kinder safe.”

  For a moment he didn’t respond, and her heart sank. If he took Allie away now, what would the result be? She couldn’t help feeling responsible, whatever his decision.

  “When I came back to the school, I intended to tell you I was taking Allie out. Putting her someplace that had locks and security guards and alarms. They were still inside talking, so I waited, but I could hear the whole thing.” Another long pause.

  “The chief was right,” he said finally. “All the locks and alarms in the world aren’t the answer. Human beings are the ones who protect the children.” He glanced at her. “No one could have done any better than you did.”

  Her heart warmed, and some of the tension eased out of her.

  “All I could do was remember what Chief Jamison said when we had a meeting back before school started. He told us then to memorize every step we should take—either inside the school or outside—because if it happened we wouldn’t have time to think, just act. And he was right.”

  “Yeah.” His face was grim again, his knuckles white on the steering wheel. He made the turn into Daad’s lane before he spoke. “We should be able to give our children safety. That was in my mind when I brought Allie here—to the most peaceful place I know. But there isn’t any peace.”

  “Don’t think that.” She spoke impulsively, reaching out to touch his arm. It was like an iron bar under her fingers. “I know, evil can be anywhere. But peace—peace is inside us.” She wanted so much to let him see it as she did. “There’s nothing magic about living Plain. We’re in the same world as everyone else, good and bad. But this place—it’s better than most, I think.”

  The car drew up to the house then. There wasn’t time for anything more. If she hadn’t said the right things, it was too late.

  But as she opened the car door, he spoke again. “Maybe.” His face twisted as if in pain. “I’d like to believe that. Anyway, Allie will be at school in the morning.”

  * * *

  BY THE END of the day the community seemed to have come to grips with what happened, at least from what Michael heard. Lige stopped by in the evening to give them the latest.

  “So we’ve set up for Teacher Cathy to have a helper there every day, instead of just a few days a week. And we’re scheduling fathers to check the school grounds several times a day.”

  He shook his head to a piece of apple crumb pie that Aunt Verna held out to him. “Denke, but we just finished supper.”

  “I’ll send some home with you, then.” She began transferring several slices of pie to a plate.

  Ignoring the byplay, Michael went to the heart of the issue. “I want to be in on that. Just tell me when to go.”

  He half expected an argument, but Lige nodded. “I said we’d do it tomorrow. I’ll take Ruthie to school and walk the grounds then, and you can do a midmorning check, okay?”

  Michael nodded. At least it was something positive to do about the situation.

  “Seems like mostly folks are saying it was probably a tourist.” Lige shrugged his shoulders in an irritated gesture. “I guess we’ve got to hope that’s all it was and not some crazy person with a grudge against schools. Or against us.” They all knew that prejudice against the Amish existed.

  “Yah.” Aunt Verna handed him the wrapped plate. “And pray.”

  “For sure.” He turned, and Michael walked out with him, holding the door.

  Once they were down the steps, Lige raised his eyebrows. “Sure I’m not taking pie you had your eye on?”

  “Certain sure.” He hesitated. “Do you think it’s enough? Not the pie. I mean, checking the school grounds and having a helper there most of the time?”

  Lige sobered. “Who can say? It’s doing something anyway. Cathy has a phone always with her and a good head on her shoulders. She did fine with just the two boys to help her. Besides, what else could we do?”

  “I don’t know.” He didn’t—that was the trouble. It was another area where he felt helpless. He hated that feeling. A man should be able to keep his family safe. Hadn’t he been telling himself that since Diana’s death?

&n
bsp; Lige gripped his shoulder for an instant before climbing into the buggy. “Yah. Me either.”

  The moment of shared concern heartened him, and he watched while Lige drove out the lane and turned onto the blacktop. Then he started back inside, but before he’d gone a few steps, he’d spotted a car turning into the driveway.

  He stood where he was for a moment before walking toward the plant stands. In theory they closed at five, but it wasn’t unusual for someone to stop by afterward. Aunt Verna never liked to disappoint a customer, no matter how inconvenient.

  Then the car drew up beside him. He stared in surprise as he recognized the driver. Alan Channing, their neighbor back in Harrisburg. Alan and his wife had been the only ones to offer sympathy and help in the days after Diana’s body was discovered, taking care of Allie, helping him find an attorney. He’d quickly found how rare that was—most people he’d considered friends greeted him with a muttered word and then hurried away.

  “Alan, what on earth brings you here?” He extended his hand as Alan got out of the car and felt it grasped in a firm grip. Alan’s open, friendly face was a welcome sight. Here, at least, was a reminder of his previous life that wasn’t horrible.

  “Came to see you, of course.” Alan brushed tousled blond hair back with a familiar gesture. In his pressed khaki pants and striped dress shirt, Alan always looked as if he could pose for a magazine ad.

  Too handsome, that had been Michael’s first impression of him, but he’d soon found a friendly, self-effacing human behind the glossy exterior.

  “All this way for us?” He raised an eyebrow, and Alan grinned.

  “I realized my sales route went not far from here, so I headed this way after my last call of the day.”

  Alan was a sales rep for his father-in-law’s pool and spa business—the top salesman, he always insisted.

  “Whatever brought you, I’m glad to see you. Allie is tucked up in bed already, but come inside and meet my aunt.”

  “Sure, but...” He hesitated, glancing toward the house. “First, tell me how you’re doing while we’re by ourselves. Beth and I have been concerned about you—both of you.”

  He couldn’t hold back a grimace when he thought of the past few days. “Ups and downs,” he said. “Allie has settled in well. My sister’s girl is just her age, so they’ve become fast friends.”

  “Good, good.” His voice was just a shade too hearty. Apparently he’d picked up on Michael’s ambivalence. He glanced around, taking in the greenhouses and the rolling farmland beyond. “This is far from what she’s used to.”

  “True. But here we both have family to rely on.” At least, some family. His thoughts flickered to his father. “And she loves her new teacher.”

  “That’s fine.” Alan hesitated, looking a little uncomfortable. “We were afraid...well, that it might be worse here, because Diana was from here, too.”

  His initial reaction was to keep his problems to himself. But Alan had proved to be a good friend, despite the fact that their backgrounds were as different as they could possibly be.

  “There’s some feeling against me,” he said finally. “I guess that’s bound to happen. But weighing it all, this was about the best choice I could make. The legal bills about wiped me out.” He forced a light note. “My aunt doesn’t charge us rent. And she’s about the best cook I ever met.”

  “So you feel like you’re settled here? I only ask because I heard of something that might suit you. A job with a guy I knew in college. He owns a construction business, along with a few other things, and he’s looking for someone to manage it for him. He’d treat you right, and it would pay enough to help you get on your feet again.” He glanced around, as if looking for evidence of prosperity. “I don’t know what you’re making here...”

  “Room and board.” Michael grimaced. He knew his help was needed and welcomed, but it still felt wrong not to be earning his living.

  Alan’s expression said it all. He couldn’t imagine that, no matter how natural it might feel here. Michael found himself looking at it through the world’s eyes, instead of Amish ones...looking and judging.

  “This job,” he said abruptly. “Where is it?”

  “Out in Arizona. Jason has a lot of business interests in the Phoenix area.”

  “Arizona,” he repeated. Not just a long way in distance, but a completely new way of life. He could do it, but what about Allie? What about his promise to her?

  It felt like burning a bridge, but he knew what his answer had to be. “I couldn’t do it, Alan. It sounds terrific, but Allie—well, Allie’s really started feeling secure and happy for the first time since Diana’s death. I can’t uproot her again.”

  “You sure?” He raised an eyebrow.

  Michael nodded, more than a little regretful. “I’m sure. But, man, I appreciate it. Other than family, you’re the only one who’s held out a hand to me. I won’t forget it.”

  “It’s nothing.” Alan turned away, looking embarrassed to be thanked. “You’d do the same for me.”

  If he were in a position to, he would. But he didn’t have the advantages that Alan did, with his Ivy League education and his wealthy father-in-law’s business. Still, he knew he’d do what he could if their positions were reversed.

  “Anyway, thanks.” He clapped Alan on the shoulder. “Now, come on inside. If I know Aunt Verna, she’s already making coffee and slicing the pie.”

  “Sounds great.” Alan followed him to the door. “But don’t forget. I think the job will be open for a time, so you can let me know if you change your mind.”

  “I won’t.” He couldn’t. Allie needed to know she could trust him...that if he promised a thing, he’d deliver. He might not have been the greatest of parents in the past, but from now on, Allie came first.

  CHAPTER SIX

  BY MIDMORNING THE next day, Cathy sensed that her scholars had settled back into the school routine. She could only trust their parents had handled the situation sensibly, rather than resorting to a lot of what-ifs in front of them.

  Allie sat in her usual place next to Ruthie. If she’d had any qualms about coming, they didn’t show in her face. Cathy studied that small, serious face. Allie was still keeping her thoughts to herself. Surely she must have questions—she must be wondering why her life had been torn up so abruptly. But she wasn’t letting anyone in who might help her find answers.

  If only Cathy could breach that barrier she’d erected against the world. Yesterday’s events might well have driven the child deeper into her shell. She couldn’t be allowed to go so deeply that she couldn’t find her way out.

  Cathy had considered what she ought to say to her scholars about the previous day and decided to speak to them about it near the end of the day. That way, anyone who had additional questions or seemed unduly worried could stay afterward for a private talk.

  And since her helper this morning was Lizzie Stolzfus, she was doubly glad of that decision. She’d been feeling Lizzie’s critical eyes on her for the past two hours and had begun to find it made her second-guess herself.

  At least she’d be leaving soon. Joanna Kohler, who happened to be one of Cathy’s dearest friends, would be arriving to take her place, and Cathy suspected her own anxiety level would drop appreciably with her friend at hand.

  With a glance at the clock, she brought the fourth-grade arithmetic lesson to a close. “You may put your papers in your desks now, and we’ll get ready for recess.” She nodded to the youngest scholars to use the restrooms first.

  Almost before the words were out of her mouth, Lizzie hurried to her desk, her face set in lines of disapproval. “Surely you’re not going to send the kinder outside after what happened yesterday.”

  Cathy made an effort to ignore the scolding tone. It wasn’t easy, but she tried.

  “It’s much better for the students to keep to their usual routine. We wouldn�
��t want them to fear going out to recess, would we?”

  The conciliatory question didn’t have any noticeable effect. “They’re safer inside,” Lizzie declared. “Anyone would say so.”

  Anyone probably being the daughter that she thought would fill Cathy’s position admirably. She shouldn’t think that way, she knew. Lizzie was worried, just like all the other parents were.

  She was as well. But she’d made a decision, and she’d stay with it unless there was a good reason not to.

  “The school board has trusted me to use my own judgment in dealing with this matter.” She tried to sound assured. “We will stick to our regular routine.”

  Lizzie glared at her for a moment before jerking a nod. “You’re the teacher.”

  But not for long? Was that the unspoken message behind her words? Doubt swept over Cathy. Who was she to think she had all the answers? What if she were wrong? What if she was exposing the children to danger?

  With an effort, she shoved the doubts aside. She had made the decision she thought was best for the children. She’d have to trust it was the right one.

  By the time the children had been ushered outside for morning recess, Cathy had succeeded in beating down the doubts. She kept a careful eye on the small faces as they passed her, looking for any sign of fear or anxiety, but didn’t notice anything. Other than a tendency to clump together in small groups for play, her scholars seemed to be taking the situation normally.

  Cathy circled the group of children slowly, nodding to Lizzie to do the same. She couldn’t seem to keep her gaze from straying to the spot where she’d seen the figure yesterday. No one there, of course. She’d been aware of Lige circling the school when he’d dropped Ruthie off, and most likely someone else would check by soon.

  The clip-clop of hooves and the creak of buggy wheels announced Joanna Kohler’s arrival. Cathy walked to meet her, her face relaxing into a smile.

  “Joanna, I saw you’d offered to help today. Who is watching the shop?”