Jenny's Choice (Apple Creek Dreams #3)

by Patrick E. Craig

  “If you want to restrain me forcefully, you can do so,” Lapp said. “Otherwise, I am leaving now and returning to Lancaster.”

  He moved through the group of men. No one raised a hand against him. At the door he motioned to his one remaining follower, who went outside to get Johann’s buggy. Lapp turned to speak. “You have not heard the last of me, Reuben Springer.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Tragedy

  AFTER SAMUEL LAPP LEFT, THE men in the room looked at each other in amazement. None of them had ever seen anything like what they had just witnessed.

  “I am sorry to have been part of that,” Reuben said at last. “Perhaps Lapp was right. Perhaps I haven’t fully dealt with the violence in my heart.”

  Johann stepped over to Reuben and put his hand on his shoulder. “Nein, Bruder Reuben. You showed remarkable restraint. It was the bisschop who revealed his true colors today. And he is right. If he leaves for Pennsylvania, we can do nothing. I will write a letter to the church there, but I’m not sure it will do much good.”

  Another man spoke to Reuben. “We all deal with anger and rage at some time, Reuben. We would be liars to say we didn’t. You were angry with Lapp, but you did not sin. We know you to be a good and kind man. Don’t think badly of yourself for wanting to defend your daughter.”

  The other men nodded.

  Reuben thanked them and took Jerusha and Jenny outside, where Henry was waiting for them. They climbed into the car and headed back toward the village. As they drove down the street toward the train tracks, they saw some people running along the sidewalk. Ahead, the lights at the crossing were flashing red, but something was wrong with the crossbar. As Henry pulled up, they saw Bisschop Troyer’s buggy laying on its side. The harness had tangled around the horse’s legs, and the animal had fallen and was thrashing in the street. The crossbar had come down right on top of the buggy, knocking it over and breaking the bar. In the distance they could hear the whistle of the approaching train.

  Reuben sprang into action. “Henry—help me! Jerusha—you and Jenny wait here.”

  Reuben jumped from the car and ran to the buggy. The top was crushed, and Lapp was trapped in the back. Lapp appeared to be stunned. His driver had managed to crawl away from the wreckage before he collapsed, and he was now lying motionless a few feet away.

  “Henry, have you got an axe or a hatchet? I’ve got to cut this away.”

  “I’ve got one in the trunk, Reuben!”

  Henry hurried back to the car while Reuben struggled to pull Samuel Lapp free of the wreckage. He had him halfway out when Lapp’s eyes opened and he saw that he was in Reuben’s powerful grip.

  “Don’t kill me, Springer!” he cried, as he tried to wrench himself free. His frantic movements broke him loose from the buggy, and he rolled into the street. He rose unsteadily to his feet and shouted to the people that were gathered around.

  “He’s trying to kill me!”

  Lapp grabbed Reuben’s arms and tried to hold him.

  “Let go of me, you fool! We’ve got to get the horse free!” Reuben cried.

  Reuben shoved Lapp so hard that he sprawled on his back. A look of rage and fear came over Lapp’s face. Reuben turned his attention to the horse.

  “Henry! The hatchet! Now!”

  They heard the whistle of the approaching train—much closer this time.

  Behind Reuben, Samuel Lapp looked around. A support from the buggy’s top was lying in the street. He snatched it up and swung it hard down on Reuben’s back. Stunned, Reuben fell forward onto the horse. The frantic animal beneath him lashed out with its feet and knocked Reuben unconscious. Henry, his head in the trunk as he tried to find the hatchet, didn’t see what was happening.

  “Reuben!” Jerusha screamed.

  Before Jenny could stop her, Jerusha jumped from the car and ran to Reuben’s side. She tried to pull him away from the tracks, but he was tangled in the harness, and she couldn’t lift him. The engineer had applied the train’s brakes, but it was obvious to onlookers that it wouldn’t be able to stop in time, and the few who had approached to help now backed away in horror as the train bore down. Jenny jumped from the car and ran toward her parents.

  “Mama!” Jenny shrieked.

  Jenny sat in the waiting room at Wooster Community Hospital with Henry Lowenstein, both in a state of shock. After the accident, paramedics had arrived and pulled Reuben and Jerusha from the mangled wreckage and loaded them into an ambulance.

  Jenny and Henry had followed the ambulance to the hospital and watched helplessly as Reuben and Jerusha were rushed into the ICU. Now they were waiting for a report from the doctors.

  Just then the swinging doors of the ER flew open, and Sheriff Bobby Halverson rushed in. Jenny stood up, and Bobby took her into his arms.

  “Jenny, what in the world happened?”

  “It’s Mama and Papa…they’ve been hurt badly…oh, Uncle Bobby, what if they die?”

  “Pray, Jenny! Pray that they don’t.”

  Two hours later, a doctor came out of the ICU and took off his mask. He approached Jenny and said, “I’m Doctor Beck. Are you the Springers’ daughter?”

  “Yes, I’m Jenny Hershberger. How are they, Doctor?”

  “I’m afraid they’re not doing well. Mr. Springer is unresponsive, and Mrs. Springer is in and out of consciousness. She has called for you, but you need to wait. We’re moving them into a shared room in the ICU, where we can monitor them closely. Both your parents have severe internal injuries and broken bones, and I’m afraid the outlook isn’t good. As soon as we get them moved you may come in.”

  “Can Uncle Bobby come in with me?”

  “Is this a police matter, Sheriff?”

  Bobby took off his cap and scratched his head. “I’m not sure yet, Doctor Beck. I haven’t really had a chance to interview anyone. When I went out to the wreck, some of Reuben’s friends were there, and they told me that Reuben and Jerusha were hurt, so I came right over. My men are doing the fieldwork right now, so I should know more when I get back to my office. If the Springers are conscious, I would like a few words with them.”

  “All right, Sheriff. Just let me know if you need anything from me. Mrs. Hershberger, I will come get you when you can come in.”

  “Thank you, Doctor.”

  The doctor turned and went back through the door. Jenny stared after him as an awful darkness enveloped her. She felt faint and put out her hand. Bobby and Henry took hold of her and helped her to a chair.

  “Sit here, Jenny,” Henry said. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  “Yes, Henry. Could you pick Rachel up at school and take her to Amanda Bechler’s house? Explain to Amanda what’s happened. Ask Amanda if Rachel can stay there until I come for her.”

  “Sure, Jenny. I’ll go right now. I need to be doing something. This waiting is too much for me.”

  “Thank you, Henry. You’ve always been there for my family, and we love you for it.”

  Henry blinked and wiped his eyes with the back of his sleeve. “I’ll tell my folks too, and we’ll be praying. I’m so sorry, Jenny. This is just awful.”

  Henry turned and walked out of the room. Bobby and Jenny sat together without speaking. In about half an hour, a nurse came out.

  “Mrs. Hershberger?”

  “Yes, I’m Jenny Hershberger.”

  “You can come in now, Mrs. Hershberger. Your mother has been asking for you. You can come too, Sheriff.”

  They went through the swinging doors and down a long, linoleum-tiled hallway. When they came to the nurses’ station, they were directed down the hall to room 104. The door was open and Jenny went in, afraid of what she might see. Reuben and Jerusha were lying in separate beds, but they had been pushed close together. Jenny walked over and looked down at her parents. Reuben had a large bruise on his face, and his head was wrapped with a bandage. His face was calm and his eyes closed. Jerusha had a cut above her eye that had been stitched closed. Her face was peaceful a
nd lovely as though nothing else were wrong with her. Jerusha’s right hand and Reuben’s left were clasped together as they lay side by side.

  Jenny and Bobby stood beside Jerusha’s bed. In a little while Jerusha’s eyes opened. She looked up at Jenny and Bobby.

  “Hello, my darling girl.”

  Jenny bent over and kissed her mama’s cheek. “Oh, Mama, you’ve just got to get well. I need you and Papa so much.”

  Jerusha lifted her hand and brushed a tear away from Jenny’s cheek. “You must not be anxious, Jenny. Du leiber Gott is working all things together for gut. Our times are in His hands.”

  Jerusha looked over toward Reuben. The bruise marred his strong face, and his breathing was shallow. He had tubes in his arms, and bandages covered his head.

  “How is your papa?” Jerusha asked.

  “The doctor said he has a concussion and he is hurt inside, like you.”

  Jerusha tried to raise up to look closer, but she could not. The pain from her injuries was too much, and she fell back in the bed. Bobby walked around to Reuben’s side and looked down at his old comrade in arms.

  “What a long, strange journey this has been, gyrene. You can pull through, old friend. It’s not any worse than the Battle of the Ridge, and you made it through that one.”

  Bobby laid his hand on Reuben’s and swallowed hard.

  “You’ve always been a good friend to him, Bobby. And to me,” Jerusha said. “You were here the last time I was in the hospital.”

  Jerusha managed a weak smile.

  “That was a long time ago, Jerusha—a different time.”

  Bobby came back around to Jerusha.

  “I just want you to know that except for my mom and dad, you and Reuben and Jenny are the only family I have. You mean a lot to me.”

  “Why, Bobby, sie haben ein weiches Herz schließlich. You old softie,” whispered Jerusha.

  Just then the nurse came in. “They should probably rest now,” she said.

  Jenny looked at her parents. “May I please stay with them? I want to be here if anything…if anything happens.”

  “Yes, I’ll have a chair brought in,” the nurse said.

  Bobby gave Jenny a hug. “I’ve got to go back to my office. Please call me if you need anything. I’ll come by after work and look in on them.”

  “Thank you. Oh…and, Uncle Bobby, you need to find Samuel Lapp. He’s the man who hit Papa and knocked him down. Then the horse kicked him. I watched it from the car. Papa couldn’t get up, and that’s why he and Mama got hurt.”

  “He hit Reuben?”

  “Yes. When Papa was trying to clear the harness so the horse could get free, Samuel Lapp snuck up behind him and struck him with a piece of wood. Then he ran away.”

  A grim look came over Bobby’s face. He put his hand on Jenny’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Jenny. I’ll get this all sorted out.”

  Bobby turned and walked out of the room.

  And then Jenny was alone with her mama and papa in the darkened hospital room. The ICU machines sat impassively on carts behind Reuben and Jerusha, their red lights glowing like strange eyes in the dim light. The only sound was the tiny beep as the monitors kept time with the beating of their hearts.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  The Truth

  BOBBY HALVERSON SAT AT HIS desk at the Wayne County Sheriff’s office. Johann Troyer sat across from him.

  “Where is this Samuel Lapp now, Bishop Troyer?”

  “He’s at my house, Sheriff. He showed up at my door in a terrible state. He was semi-coherent and ranting about how Reuben tried to kill him. We hadn’t heard yet about the accident, so we took him in.”

  “Well, I’m going to need to speak with him. Is he in any shape to talk?”

  “He had a gash on the top of his head and some cuts and bruises, but ja, I think he’s come to his senses. What about Amos Stutzman? Have you spoken to him?”

  “Who is that?”

  “He’s the man who was driving Bisschop Lapp back to where he is staying. He must have seen what happened.”

  Bobby clicked down the intercom switch. His secretary answered.

  “Yes, Sheriff?”

  “Jill, I want you to call the hospital and find out if anyone else was brought in with the Springers. Specifically an Amish man named Amos Stutzman. I need that info right away.”

  “Sure, Bobby. I’ll call right now.”

  “How are the Springers doing, Sheriff?” Johann asked.

  “Not good, Bishop. They both have severe internal injuries, and Jenny told me Reuben was kicked by the horse as he was trying to free it from the harness. I need to find out what in the world happened out there.”

  The intercom buzzed, and Bobby pushed the button.

  “Yes, Jill.”

  “The hospital does have an Amos Stutzman. He was semiconscious when they brought him in, but he’s awake now. They’re holding him for observation, but you can talk to him if you need to.”

  “Thanks, Jill.”

  Bobby looked back at Johann. “Now, what’s this about Lapp saying Reuben was trying to kill him?”

  “We had a meeting at my house this afternoon. Reuben and Jenny brought an accusation against Bisschop Lapp.”

  “What kind of accusation?”

  “Jenny accused Lapp of striking her with his fist. She did have a swollen face. We tried to resolve it, but Lapp was adamant that Jenny attacked him and he was just defending himself. One of Lapp’s men bore witness to the testimony, but the other refuted it. We couldn’t force Bisschop Lapp to stay, so he left. Reuben was very angry with Lapp, and Lapp was frightened. Reuben controlled himself, but such a look he gave Samuel.”

  Bobby smiled. “I’ve seen that look before myself. I can tell you that once you see it, you don’t want to push Reuben any further.”

  “There were other, more serious allegations brought by Jenny and one of Lapp’s men that are internal church matters. But I can tell you that Bisschop Samuel Lapp is not what he appears to be. However, that matter is out of my hands. It’s for the church in Lancaster to decide.”

  “Well, whatever happens, I’m going to bring this guy in for questioning. There’s the matter of the assault on Jenny and now Reuben. I’m going over to the hospital to talk to Stutzman, and I’m sending someone over to pick Lapp up for questioning.”

  “Ja, Sheriff. I’ll tell him to wait for you.”

  “Thanks for your help, Bishop.”

  Bobby got on the intercom. “Jill, would you send Bull in?”

  “Yes, Sheriff.”

  In a few minutes, Bull Halkovich, Bobby’s chief deputy, walked into the office. “What’s up, Bobby?”

  “Bull, I want you to go over to Bishop Troyer’s house and pick up a man named Samuel Lapp. I don’t want the guy to leave town before we get there. When you get him, bring him over to the hospital. I’ll be there with a man named Amos Stutzman. There are some serious allegations being made, and I need to get to the bottom of this.”

  “Sure, Bobby. Consider it handled.”

  Amos Stutzman looked nervous. He looked at Bobby and then looked away.

  “I’m going to ask you again, Mr. Stutzman. What happened at the train crossing? I need to sort this out. Two very dear friends of mine are lying in this hospital badly hurt. There are serious allegations being made against your friend, Samuel Lapp—that he’s responsible for what happened to Reuben and Jerusha. They are not in good shape and if they…if they die, I will have to detain you and Bishop Lapp on manslaughter charges until I get it sorted out. So why don’t you just give me your version of the story now and avoid any complications. Verstehen sie?”

  Amos Stutzman wiped his forehand with his sleeve. “Ja, Sheriff, I don’t know how I got involved in this in the first place. First of all, Bisschop Lapp is not my friend. I work for him on his farm. I testified falsely for him this afternoon, and that’s why he was even on the road. If I had gone against him, Bisschop Troyer would have instigated immediate discipline
.”

  “What happened at the train tracks?”

  “We were approaching the tracks, and the red signal lights began flashing. I wanted to stop, but Samuel was afraid that Reuben Springer would come after him. He yelled at me to cross the tracks before the crossbar came down.”

  “Then what?” Bobby asked.

  “We were crossing the tracks and something frightened the horse. Maybe it was the bells and the motion of the crossing arm—I don’t know. But the animal stopped dead and reared up. He wouldn’t move. The arm came right down on top of the buggy, and the horse bolted. The arm hit me and crushed the roof. The horse was terrified and pulled the buggy over on its side. I fell out and hit my head. I think I managed to crawl away, but Samuel was still trapped in the buggy, and the train was coming.”

  “Jenny Hershberger says that Lapp hit Reuben with a board and knocked him down into the wrecked buggy. Is that true?”

  “I don’t know, Sheriff. I don’t remember anything more until I was being put in the ambulance.” Stutzman looked down at his hands. “Are the Springers going to live?”

  “I don’t know, Mr. Stutzman. For Samuel Lapp’s sake, I certainly hope so.”

  A nurse walked in and signaled Bobby. He walked out in the hall with her.

  “Officer Halkovich is here with an Amish gentleman. They’re in the waiting area.”

  Bobby walked briskly down the hall. He couldn’t quite comprehend what was happening.

  Fighting among the Amish! I’ve never heard of such a thing. Leave it to Reuben to be in the middle of it!

  When he walked into the waiting room, Bull was standing with a very short, very nervous-looking bald-headed man. Bobby noticed right away that his face had a tic and that right now it was very pronounced.

  “Mr. Lapp?” Bobby asked.

  “I am Bisschop Lapp, and I resent your officer hauling me down here like—”