by Debby Giusti
“The dawdy house,” Julia corrected.
“You are his sister?” the woman asked.
Julia shook her head. “Not family. I’m...”
Why was it so hard to provide the story Jonathan had told her to use? “I am the housekeeper. He lives alone and has a large farm. He needed someone to cook and clean.”
The woman raised a brow. “You have known him before?”
Kayla opened her mouth as if ready to answer.
“Do you know his sister?” Julia asked the woman.
“She does not live in Yoder so I have not met her. I believe her name is Susan.”
Julia smiled. “Susan knew her brother needed domestic help.”
The woman nodded, satisfied with an explanation that Julia hadn’t actually provided.
“Enjoy your shopping.” Julia pushed the buggy and pulled Kayla along behind her. They did not stop until they had rounded the corner and were headed to a far aisle.
“Do you know Mr. Abraham’s sister, Mama?”
“I didn’t say I did, Kayla.”
“The woman thought you knew her.”
“We will let that woman think what she would like to think. Next time, I do not want you providing information to strangers. We have talked about this before.”
Kayla looked at the floor, her bottom lip coming out in a half pout, half cry that stabbed Julia’s heart. She hated that her overly friendly daughter had to be reined in like Abraham’s horse.
“In Philadelphia, you told me not to talk to strangers,” the child said. “I thought it was okay here, especially if they were Amish.”
“Strangers can wear any type of clothing, Kayla. I do not want you to be unduly frightened, but you need to be able to trust someone before you engage in a conversation. Do you understand?”
“Do you trust Mr. Abraham?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because you started talking to him and let me talk to him right from the first morning we met.”
“Mr. Jonathan had told me about Mr. Abraham so I knew he was a good man.”
“But did you trust him?”
Did she trust him now?
“I trust him enough to talk openly to him, Kayla, and you can, as well.”
“What about Miss Sarah? You must trust her, since you let her take care of me while you and Mr. Abraham were trying to find William.”
Circumstances had made it necessary to leave Kayla with a woman Julia had only just met. Did she trust Sarah? The question was difficult.
“Miss Sarah seems very kind. She’s Abraham’s friend, and he said she is to be trusted. Still, she does not need to know everything about us.” Julia stared down at her daughter. “You didn’t tell her about witness protection, did you?”
“I did not.” Kayla made a cross on her chest. “Cross my heart.”
“Do you know who I trust?” Julia asked. She put her arm around Kayla’s shoulder. “I trust you. And I love you very much.”
“I love you, Mama.” Kayla thought for a moment and then added, “I love William, too. And Mr. Abraham.”
“Did I hear my name?” Abraham and William turned the corner and stood in front of them.
“We were talking about loving you, Mr. Abraham.”
His face brightened. He looked at Julia with expectation. “Such a nice thing to be discussing in the grocery. I am happy to know that I am loved.”
“It was Kayla.” Julia tried to backtrack. “She said she likes you very much.”
“I believe the word she used was love,” Abraham teased. He appeared to be enjoying Julia’s embarrassed discomfort.
“The word love has a number of meanings,” Julia informed him.
“Hmmm?” He tugged on his jaw. “I thought love was love.”
“No, it’s not. You can love ice cream or you can love a child.” She pointed to the ice cream area near the restaurant and then at both the children.
“Or you can love a woman,” Abraham added, “because she brings joy to your life and makes you a better man.”
Julia’s heart thumped. Her cheeks burned. Abraham stared into her eyes and wouldn’t avert his glance. Everything around them faded, and all she could focus on was the intriguing half smile that curved his lips, the lips she had wanted to kiss last night.
“Did you say ice cream, Mr. Abraham?” Kayla tugged on his hand.
The spell was broken. He glanced at the child. “What is your favorite flavor?”
“Guess,” she said.
“Chocolate.”
Kayla giggled. “Mama told you, right?”
“Your mother and I have never discussed ice cream, but I know what little girls like.”
“Do you know William’s favorite flavor?”
Abraham thought for a moment and then raised a brow. “Mint chocolate chip when available, otherwise strawberry.”
Kayla’s mouth dropped open. “You know everything, Mr. Abraham.”
“I know when it is time to check out so we can get ice cream cones for two very special children.”
He turned to Julia. “Have you finished shopping?”
“I still need a cookbook.”
“The next aisle over. The children and I will take the shopping cart to the checkout stand and meet you there.”
“I’ll stay with Mamm,” William said. Julia had a feeling he thought she needed someone to protect her in case there was a problem.
“We won’t be long,” she assured Abraham.
They found the book section and she quickly decided on a cookbook.
“Mamm.” William lowered his voice. “Abraham and I talked about ice cream before we saw you and Kayla. That’s how he knew my favorite flavors.”
“I thought as much. Kayla will find out soon enough, but right now she is impressed with Abraham’s uncanny knowledge. Letting her believe a bit longer isn’t a bad thing, William, and knowing Kayla, she will probably come to that conclusion on her own.”
“She told me she wants to call him datt.”
Julia stared at her son, perplexed. “What does she want to call him?”
“Datt,” William repeated. “The Pennsylvania Dutch word for dad.”
“She struggles to remember your father,” Julia said. “She was barely five when he left.”
“I remember him.”
From the look on her son’s face, Julia knew the memories weren’t good. “Your father loved you, William, even though he did not know how to show that love.”
“I would rather he loved me less and showed it more.”
“Of course you do. My own father did not show his love so I had to trust my instincts. He was my father, therefore he loved me.”
“I can’t do that. I know he was my father, but too much happened. I can’t trust him and I can’t love him.”
“I wish my love was enough for you, William.”
“Aw, Mom, it is enough. It’s just that I would also like to feel loved by my father.”
“Maybe someday.”
William shook his head. “It’s too late.” He motioned her to follow him. “Let’s go to the cash register. Then maybe we can buy ice cream.”
Ice cream might smooth over a little irritation, but not the deep-seated feeling of being abandoned and unloved. Julia had struggled with both throughout her life. She hated that William had the same feelings of unworthiness.
They walked together to the checkout counter. Kayla was helping Abraham take the items from the shopping basket and place them on the conveyer belt. Kayla laughed while Abraham smiled at her with a look that Julia would have loved to have seen on her own father’s face. Abraham was providing what both children needed, a strong bond with a good man who seemed to care deeply about their well-being, and for that, Julia was grateful.
* * *
“We would like two double-dip ice cream cones,” Abraham said to the lady scooping up ice cream. “Chocolate and mint chocolate chip.”
He looked at the children. “Waffle or cake cones?”
“Waffle,” they both answered in unison.
“What about you, Julia? Surely you would enjoy an ice cream cone.”
She laughed. “One scoop of butter pecan, if they have it.”
He glanced at the flavors. “They do, but make that a double.”
“And you, sir?” the lady asked as she handed the cones to the children.
“Not today.” He paid for the cones and then headed everyone outside where they loaded the groceries onto the buggy. “You children stay here and eat your ice cream. Your mother and I need to make a phone call.”
“May we sit in the buggy?” William asked.
“Of course. We will be on the phone just inside the grocery if you need anything.”
Abraham lifted Kayla into the buggy and placed her on the front seat. William crawled in next to her.
“I’ll play like I’m driving,” the boy said as he licked his cone.
“Before long you will know how to handle the buggy, William. Plus, Buttercup takes to you. Be patient now and all that you wish will come to be soon enough.”
He and Julia walked back inside to place the call.
Jonathan answered on the second ring. “I was just thinking of you, Abraham, my friend.”
“I hope good thoughts. We came to town to use a pay phone in case Pablo’s brother has given my neighbor’s number to the Philadores.”
“You no longer need to worry. The gang is focused on other issues. We have had no mention of their search for William in the last twenty-four hours.”
“I am not sure that means anything.”
“It will when I tell you what we learned from Kansas City.”
Abraham pushed the receiver closer to his ear.
“Pablo Davila,” Jonathan continued, “and his friend, Mateo Gonzales, were killed in the gunfire that erupted the night you were in the city.”
“Both men are dead?”
“That’s it exactly. The police haven’t confirmed the details, but our sources are reliable. Plus, there’s an added bit of information that’s come out of the shootout.”
“Tell me the Philadores have all been arrested, and I will be very happy.”
“If only. That’s what I dream about at night.”
“I thought you would dream about your pretty wife and the children you will have someday.”
Jonathan chuckled. “Actually, Celeste is pregnant.”
“Congrats, buddy. You will make a great dad.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence.” Jonathan hesitated before adding, “Here’s what we’ve learned about the Kansas City street fight. The word is that a young kid was killed in the shootings. Some sources say the kid is William.”
“I am confused.”
“And rightfully so. For whatever reason, the word from Kansas City is that Pablo and Mateo were gunned down. A young teen who was with them died, as well. The name I hear is William Bradford.”
“William is outside, waiting in the buggy.”
“But our informants claim he was killed. The Philadores called off the search for William because they believe he died in the crossfire. I hate that anyone had to die, but having them call off their search plays into our hands perfectly.”
“So someone else’s loss is good news for us?”
“We’re not even sure a teen died, Abraham. Rumors can start that are completely unfounded. We’ll learn more as time passes. But you can all breathe a little more easily. Tell Julia.”
“She is here with me and wants to talk to you.”
“Great. Before you put her on, I just wanted to say thank you, Abraham. You’ve done an outstanding job keeping the family safe. I told you William would be a problem.”
“The issue has turned around,” Abraham assured him.
“Only because of your guidance, I have a feeling. I apologize about leaving you high and dry in Kansas City, but we couldn’t buck Mother Nature. Who would think we’d have a snowstorm this late in the season or that it would stop everything on the East Coast? Thankfully, you handled it.”
“A guy named Grant is a regular at the Fellowship Church shelter we stayed out. He was instrumental in getting us out of a very bad situation and deserves the praise. The manager of the shelter—a woman named Muriel—does, as well, if anything can be done on your end. Either a financial contribution to the shelter or connecting Grant with agencies that can help him as he reaches out to the kids on the street. They both took a liking to William and were instrumental in keeping us safe and ensuring we left the city unharmed during a very dangerous time.”
“You’ve got me thinking, Abraham. Either of your Good Samaritans could have started that rumor about the kid’s death so no one would follow you back to Yoder.”
And to ensure William remained safe. Abraham nodded, realizing Jonathan might be right.
“I’ll contact some folks in Kansas City,” the marshal continued, “and put in a good word for both of them. We’ll see what can come of it, although your name won’t be mentioned.”
“I do not want to be connected in any way, Jonathan. Julia and I need to remain completely out of the picture.”
“I hear you and agree completely.”
Abraham lowered the phone from his ear and motioned Julia closer.
“The kids are sitting in the buggy as if they’re an Amish couple leaving the market,” she said.
“I will check on them while you talk to Jonathan.”
A smidge of ice cream hung on the edge of her upper lip. Abraham used his thumb to lift it off. Touching her sent a jolt though his body. Their eyes connected and more was exchanged in that one glance than they had said last night at the house.
What was wrong with him? He felt like a pool of wet cement when he was around Julia, unable to get back into the form he used to be. Now all he could think about was her, and how much, even in this grocery store, he wanted to wrap her in his arms.
Abraham handed her the phone and then stepped away to keep from reaching out to her and embarrassing both of them. There was something magnetic about Julia, something that made him feel stronger and more protective when he was around her. He had never felt that way before. Perhaps it was because he knew how fleeting love could be and feared it as much as he wanted it in his life.
“Jonathan?” She raised the receiver to her ear. Her voice sounded strained as if she, too, had felt that pull between them.
Abraham needed fresh air and space away from Julia to think straight again. She and her children were with him for a limited period of time. With the Philadores no longer looking for William, the family would probably leave the Amish area and take up a new residence after William testified at the gang leader’s trail. Once they left Yoder, they would never return.
They would live their new lives free of the gangs, and Abraham would be left alone to remember all the special memories and blessings they had brought to his life. He needed to remain strong. Later he would grieve their leaving, which was bound to happen. Without the children and Julia, life would not be the same. Life would never be as good as this again.
SEVENTEEN
“I’m not ready to leave Yoder,” Julia said to Jonathan. She moved the receiver closer to her ear, grateful that Abraham was heading outside so she could have the chance to speak truthfully.
“I don’t understand.”
“I’m not sure how long you planned to leave us here, but I wanted you to know that the children have bonded with Abraham. He’s had a positive influence on them and I hope you’ll let us stay in Yoder.”
“That’s good to know, Julia. I thought Abraham would provide a welcome refuge for you an
d the children. Hold on a minute.” Someone spoke to him before he came back on the line. “Sorry to cut our conversation short, but I need to get to a meeting. Have Abraham tell you what we learned about the Philadores.”
Julia hung up and started for the door, but when she stepped outside her heart stopped, seeing the chaos that had had erupted.
Buttercup was running wild, galloping down the middle of the street, eyes wide and ears back, pulling the buggy with Julia’s two children in it at breakneck speed. The buggy creaked and shimmied as if ready to snap apart.
Kayla’s frantic screams filled the air. William sat in the front, ashen-faced, his hand stretched toward the dropped reins that dragged along the road. Abraham ran alongside, arms flailing to stop the runaway horse.
Julia dropped her half-eaten cone and ran after them. “God,” she cried. “Help my children.”
A car approached from the opposite direction driving much too fast. Didn’t the driver see the buggy?
“No,” Julia screamed. The car turned onto a side street and accelerated.
Abraham grabbed Buttercup’s mane and leaped onto the horse’s back. Grabbing the harness, he pulled back. “Whoa. Whoa, Buttercup. Calm down, girl. Whoa.”
The horse fought his control, but slowed and eventually came to a stop.
Julia gasped with relief and ran toward the buggy.
“Mama,” Kayla cried, her arms outstretched.
Julia pulled her daughter into her embrace and offered a hand to help William down. His palms were sweaty, his face white. He leaned into her embrace, visibly shaken.
“You’re okay,” she soothed.
Abraham slipped off Buttercup’s back and patted the horse. He reached for the reins that had fallen to the ground and guided the horse and buggy to an asphalt parking lot at the side of a nearby building. He tethered the horse to the hitching rail and continued to speak calmly to the frightened mare.
Julia, still holding Kayla in her arms, approached the buggy. William followed, his head hanging.
“What happened?” Abraham asked.
The boy said nothing.
“How did Buttercup come unhitched, William?”
