by Marta Perry
“I still say you should have told me.” Abe punctuated his words by pounding the nails into the stall door he was fixing.
Josiah, holding the door steady for him, moved his fingers safely out of the way. “Leah begged me not to. What else could I do?”
“You should have thought of something,” Abe said stubbornly, but it was clear he couldn’t think of a real answer.
“Anyway, if one of my sisters wanted your help, you would do it.” Josiah pressed his advantage.
Abe’s frown dissolved in a grin. “Your sisters are older and married and living clear out in Indiana. What would they want with me?”
“Nothing, but if they did…”
Abe tossed the hammer into his toolbox. “All right, ja. I’m glad you’re trying to help our Leah. But what can we do?”
That question was what Josiah had been hoping to hear. After a restless night spent thinking of how Leah had run into the house to hide her tears from him, he’d only been able to come up with one possibility.
“How about going with me to talk to Becky Lapp? She’s working at the Farm Market just down the road.”
Abe ruffled the sandy beard that marked his status as a married man. “Ja, I know, but what does Becky Lapp have to do with it?”
“She used to work for Mrs. Grayson in the house, just like Leah does. I figured she might be able to tell us something helpful about the woman.”
“Don’t see what it would be,” Abe grumbled, but he was already lifting the harness from its rack.
Josiah didn’t, either, but he had to do something, and talking to Becky was all he’d come up with. He didn’t seriously believe Becky would have gone back to the Grayson house and taken the ring, of course, but maybe she could tell them something that would help them understand the woman.
In a few minutes they were riding down the road behind Abe’s buggy horse.
“Like old times, ain’t so?” Abe flicked the lines. “I never thought you’d move back. I figured you were settled out there for gut. What made you komm?”
Josiah shrugged, vaguely uncomfortable at the question. “My uncle taught me a lot, but his own boys were coming along to be settled in the business. With my sisters married and my mother remarrying…” He shrugged. “I guess I figured I was better off here.” The truth was, he’d felt as if none of them needed him anymore.
Abe cocked an eyebrow at him. “Going to settle down, get married? You’d like it fine.”
“Just like a new husband, trying to push everyone else into marriage.”
“There are plenty of sweet, pretty girls here,” Abe said. “As many as there are in Indiana, I’d guess.”
Like Leah. Josiah studied the fields of pumpkins they were passing so he didn’t have to look at his friend.
“Maybe, in time. I don’t want to rush into anything.” Too bad that his heart seemed to be rushing ahead of his head in that department. “Here we are.”
Abe pulled the buggy up to the rail under the shade of the trees. The gravel lot at the Farmers Market was full of cars, and a couple of tour buses were parked along the edge.
“Market’s busy today, it being Saturday,” Abe said. “Becky might not have time to talk.”
“We can try.” Josiah slid down.
He had to make an effort to ignore the tourists who were gawking at them as they walked toward the building. He’d forgotten the hordes of tourists that descended on Lancaster County, especially on a fall weekend. There weren’t so many where he’d lived in Indiana.
A line of people with cameras stretched in front of the counter where Becky was selling hot soft pretzels and apple cider, but when Josiah waved at her, she grinned and jerked her head toward the rear door. They skirted the building to the back, and in a moment Becky joined them there.
“Ach, if it isn’t Josiah King, back from Indiana. I wondered when you’d come to see me. How are you?” She smiled up at him, all dimples, proving that he’d been wise to bring Abe along. Becky had been flirting since the first grade.
“Doing fine, Becky. Sorry to take you away from business.”
She shrugged, patting the blond hair that was swept back under her kapp. “No problem. Ginger’s glad to take over the window for a while.” She nodded toward the Englisch teenager who’d taken her place. “Hi, Abe. You two want some cider?”
“That sounds gut on a warm day,” Abe said.
Becky sauntered off, skirt swinging, seeming unaware of the people watching her. She returned in a moment with two paper cups of cider.
“Now, tell me what brings you to see me. You didn’t come to flirt, not with Abe along.” Becky fluttered her eyelashes at Josiah.
He wasn’t about to flirt. “We wanted to ask you about the Graysons. Abe’s sister Leah has been working over there. I hear you did, too.”
Becky made a face. “Ja, I was there for a while, but the woman drove me crazy. Nothing was ever done to satisfy her. I was glad enough to leave and start work here.” Becky jerked a nod to the shop behind her.
“It seems like this would be a lot more fun for you.” He leaned a little closer, smiling into her pert face. “But were there any other problems with the Graysons?”
Becky shrugged. “Not unless you count the way they argued all the time. Seemed like he always thought she was spending too much money, and she’d yell right back at him like she didn’t care who heard them.”
“Is that why you left?” Abe asked, finally breaking his silence.
Becky shrugged. “To tell the truth, Mrs. Grayson fired me. She caught me chatting with the fellow who was installing the new tile floor and said she didn’t pay me to flirt with every man that came to the house.” She grinned. “I’m only going to have one rumspringa, right? I might as well enjoy it.”
Josiah had a feeling Becky’s enjoyment of her rumspringa was probably giving her parents gray hair, but that wasn’t his concern.
“Anything else you can think of that seemed different about them?” Realizing how pointed that sounded, he tried to modify it. “Abe’s little sister is working there, so naturally he’s concerned.
“Sounds to me as if you’re the one who’s concerned, Josiah. Ain’t so, Abe?” She winked at Abe. “But I guess Leah would do all right there, as long as she doesn’t mind their fussing. And Leah’s not one to be flirting with anyone, not unless she was really serious about him.”
Those words seemed to hit Josiah square in the face. Becky had a point. Leah wouldn’t, which made him feel like a worm for having stolen that kiss.
He jerked his mind away from that. Concentrate on solving Leah’s problem…that was what he had to do.
So, did the fact that the Graysons were arguing about money lead them anywhere?
Maybe. And maybe someone like Geneva would know how to find out if they’d tried to claim insurance money on that ring.
Saturday afternoon seemed to be lasting forever. Leah came slowly down the stairs, trying to keep her mind on Sarah, who’d gotten up this morning with a sore throat and a slight fever.
Mamm and Daad had gone into town for groceries, taking the boys with them. She’d been happy to stay home with Sarah, not wanting to be anywhere that people might stare at her or whisper about her. And keeping Sarah amused might also keep her mind occupied.
But Sarah had fallen asleep, and in the silence of the house, Leah’s worries seemed very loud. On Monday Mrs. Grayson would go to the police. What would happen then?
She pictured police cars turning into their lane, sirens screaming, and her stomach tightened into a hard knot.
Geneva had said they’d find the truth. So had Josiah. But so far they’d learned nothing that helped. She hadn’t heard from Geneva today, and as for Josiah…
Josiah had kissed her and turned away, obviously regretting it. She pressed her palms to her hot cheeks. At least he hadn’t guessed what she felt for him. Maybe, eventually, she’d be able to look at him without feeling the pressure of his lips against hers. But not soon.
&
nbsp; Enough of this. She was being foolish, even sinful, by not trusting that God’s will would be done in this situation. She had her faith, and she had people who believed in her. Those two things would see her through this trouble.
Meanwhile, she would make herself useful and start apple pies for supper. Mamm would be pleased to find the baking already done when they returned.
Leah walked quickly to the kitchen and stopped dead, staring. Mr. Grayson stood just by the kitchen table.
“Leah, you’re here. Good. I thought no one was home, and I was just going to leave you a note.” He gestured with a piece of paper in his hand. He looked casual, even younger, in jeans and a knit shirt.
“I’m sorry I didn’t hear you arrive. I was upstairs with my sister.” Why was he here? Not with more bad news, she prayed.
“No problem,” he said. “I just wanted to tell you not to worry too much about this situation with my wife’s ring.”
Leah’s breath caught, her hope rising. “Did she find it?”
“No, I’m afraid not.” Mr. Grayson stared at her, his gaze so intent that it made her nervous. “You know, I’d be willing to pay a substantial reward for the return of anything that disappeared from my house. Say a thousand dollars. Do you think that’s enough?”
“I…I don’t…”
“You don’t think that’s enough?” His voice was even, but he’d reddened slightly. “Maybe you’re right. Say two thousand. If any missing items were to be left on my porch, for instance, the reward would be paid and no questions asked.”
“Please, Mr. Grayson, I didn’t take anything from your home. I wouldn’t do that.” She was suddenly aware of how vulnerable she was, alone in the house with Sarah sleeping upstairs. “If I had any idea what happened to the ring, I would tell you.”
He took a step toward her. “You’re making a mistake by—“
The sound of a car in the lane outside cut off his words abruptly. A car door slammed, and in a moment she heard footsteps on the porch.
“Leah, are you here?”
Geneva’s voice sent a surge of relief though Leah. “In the kitchen,” she called. “Komm in.”
Geneva hurried through the door, her gray curls tumbled by the breeze. She sent a quick, inquiring glance from Leah to Phillip Grayson.
“Phillip. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
With Geneva’s presence, Leah’s uneasiness vanished like snow on a warm day. “He came to tell me he’s offering a reward for the ring,” Leah said.
“Is that right?” Geneva tilted her head to the side, and Leah had the distinct feeling that Geneva didn’t trust him.
“Well, my wife insisted.” His smile was stiff. “And I wanted to tell Leah that I’m doing all I can to dissuade Angela from going to the police. None of us wants the police involved, do we?”
“You know, the police might not be such a bad idea,” Geneva said. “I’m sure Chief Byler could get to the bottom of this in no time.”
“I doubt that Leah would enjoy the police attention,” he said. He moved quickly to the door. “It was nice seeing you both.”
In an instant he was gone, the sound of his car fading down the lane.
“Well, that was interesting.” Geneva peered out the window as if to be sure he was gone.
“It didn’t seem interesting to me.” Leah rubbed her arms, trying to brush away the uneasiness that had crept back at talk of the police. “I didn’t understand half of what he said.”
“But he’s offering a reward for the return of the ring, is he?” Geneva considered. “That would be a pretty strange move if he’s the one who took it himself.”
Chapter Six
After he dropped Abe off, Josiah headed for Leah’s daad’s place. Maybe today Harvey would be ready to listen to Josiah’s account of what happened with the Graysons.
Josiah couldn’t get that lost expression of Leah’s out of his mind. She felt alone, that was certain sure. Maybe she’d be cheered by what he and Abe had learned. Or at least she’d take comfort in the fact that her brother believed in her enough to look for the truth.
He’d almost reached the lane when a car came spurting out, spraying gravel in all directions. Josiah pulled the mare up short. Even as well trained as Susie was, she tossed her head at the treatment.
Recognizing cars wasn’t his strong suit, like it was for some Amish boys during their rumspringa. But he did recognize the driver—Phillip Grayson. What was Grayson doing here?
Tension rose in Josiah as he urged the mare into the lane. Something must have happened.
Geneva’s sedan was pulled up under the lilac bushes, and some of his strain eased. At least, whatever news Grayson had brought, Geneva Morgan had been here with Leah.
Hurrying to the back door, he found both of them in the kitchen. “Has something happened?”
Leah’s frown was one of puzzlement. “I’m not sure. Mr. Grayson said that he wanted to offer a reward, but he seemed…strange. And Geneva said that maybe he took the ring himself, but how can that be? Why would he?”
“Money.” Josiah’s gaze met Geneva’s, and he saw that they were on the same track. “Abe and I talked to Becky Lapp, because she used to work for the Graysons, before Leah.”
“Abe did?” Leah’s expression lightened. “Ach, I’m so glad.”
“He believes in you—that’s certain sure,” Josiah said gently. “People who know you know you wouldn’t steal.”
“I hope so.” Her gaze slid away from his, as if looking at him made her uncomfortable, and he hated himself for having created this strain between them.
“Becky said that the Graysons were always arguing about money, and she overheard them.” He frowned, thinking about that. “Surely, if they have money troubles, they wouldn’t want people to know, would they?”
Geneva shrugged. “Angela Grayson impresses me as a woman with very little self-control. Look at the way she burst into my house.”
“She has a quick temper, that’s for sure,” Leah said. “But I still don’t understand why they’d say the ring was gone if it wasn’t.”
“Insurance fraud,” Geneva said. “They can say the ring is stolen or lost, file a claim with the insurance company, collect the money and still have the ring.”
“But that’s like stealing,” Leah said. “Why would they? The Graysons already have everything anybody could want.”
“Unfortunately some people always want more,” Geneva said.
“If they did do that, how could we prove it?” It seemed to Josiah they’d come to a dead end. “Maybe the police…”
But Leah was already shaking her head. “I can’t. My daad is upset enough already.”
“As a matter of fact, I was able to find out about the insurance.” Geneva looked like a cat that’s been in the cream. “It happens that an old friend of mine is their insurance agent. A hint that there might be something wrong about the claim made him talkative. He said that Mr. Grayson insured the ring as soon as he purchased it.”
“Have they reported it lost?” That was the crucial thing, it seemed to Josiah.
“Mrs. Grayson called about it yesterday, asking how to file a claim,” Geneva said.
That seemed like good news to him, but Leah’s green eyes were still clouded.
“Why would he offer a reward today then? I don’t understand,” she said.
“Maybe he thinks it makes him look good to the insurance company,” Geneva said. “After all, he won’t have to pay it if we’re right.”
Leah shook her head. “I don’t know. The way he talked…it almost sounded like he was sure I had it.” Her lips twisted as if in pain.
“What exactly did he say?” Geneva took her hand, pressing it reassuringly.
“That if anything taken from his house should turn up again, the reward would be paid. First he said a thousand dollars, and then two thousand.”
Josiah whistled. “That’s a lot of money.”
“From what I heard, the ring is valued at fi
ve thousand,” Geneva said.
He shook his head. “I’ll never understand spending that much money for something to wear. How could that make life happier or easier for them?”
Geneva shrugged. “People have different definitions of what makes for happiness, I suppose. But what’s important now is deciding what to do next.”
“Ja.” He hesitated. “Would it do any gut to talk to Mr. Grayson again?”
“I think the person we need to talk to is Chief Byler,” Geneva said. She glanced cautiously at Leah. “I know your father doesn’t want to be involved with the police. But if Mrs. Grayson wants to file an insurance claim, she has to have a police report. So it’s going to happen anyway, and it’s better coming from us.” She clasped Leah’s hand. “Will you let me talk to Chief Byler? Please? Maybe he can find a quiet way of handling it without upsetting your father.”
To his surprise, Leah looked at him, eyes questioning. “What do you think, Josiah?”
He took a deep breath, knowing this was not to be said easily. “I think Geneva is right.”
Leah was turning to him, as if they were friends again. As if he’d returned to being the big brother she could trust. He should be relieved.
He was relieved. Except that he wasn’t sure big brother was the role he wanted in Leah’s life.
Leah actually felt a little relieved once Geneva left. She was truly thankful for Geneva’s support, but she just wasn’t sure what would happen if Daad came home while Geneva was there. While Daad liked and respected the Morgan family, he might not appreciate their involvement in his daughter’s trouble.
Josiah, however, showed no signs of leaving. He sat at the kitchen table, looking as if he belonged there, just as he had when he and Abe had been teenagers.
“I’m sure Mrs. Morgan will get in touch with you once she’s talked to the police chief.” He sounded as if he thought she needed reassurance.
“Ja, she will.” Leah took the canister of flour down from the shelf. “I’m going to start some apple pies for supper. You don’t need to stay, you know.”
Josiah clasped his hands on the tabletop. “I know. But I would not feel right about leaving you alone here with all that’s going on. I’ll stay with you until your folks get home.”
