by Debby Giusti
The hearty roast was hot and good. Even Ezra seemed to rally after his first sip. “I always drink my coffee at the table,” he said as if she should have realized his cup needed to be placed there.
He gripped the metal-frame headboard and pulled himself to his feet. The beagle stood next to him, and Abram hovered close by, ready to offer a hand. Ezra walked slowly, but without problem, to the table. With a huff, he pulled out a chair and sat with a sigh of relief. The dog dropped to the floor at his side.
Miriam selected a chair across the table and Abram slipped into a seat on the opposite end. Once they were situated, he looked at the old man and smiled. “Tell us what you do remember, Ezra.”
“Just the two cars racing along the roadway. I had fallen asleep sitting in the rocker by the fireplace.”
He looked down at the faithful mutt who wagged his tail as if begging for a treat.
“Gus woke me.” Ezra scratched the dog’s ears. “He needed to do his business. When I opened the door to let him out, I heard the squeal of tires and the sound of an engine. Peered through the trees. Didn’t see much except the flashing light.”
“Have you noticed anyone walking through your property recently?”
The old man’s eyes widened. “I told you about the sheriff’s deputy.”
Abram smiled. “You did tell us. Have you seen anyone else?”
Ezra closed his eyes for a long moment. Miriam wasn’t sure if he was thinking or if he had fallen back to sleep.
“I’ve got a face.” He blinked his lids open, a look of pride in his rheumy eyes.
“Someone you’ve seen recently?” Miriam pressed.
“That’s right.”
“Is it someone from around here?”
“Can’t say where he’s from. All I’ve got is his face. He’s skinny as a beanpole with sunken cheeks that make his eyes kind of bug out.”
Miriam’s heart fluttered. She leaned across the table and stared at Ezra. “You saw a thin man nearby?”
“Tall and thin, although I can’t remember exactly where I saw him.”
Her pulse raced. “Was there anything else about the man that stands out in your mind?”
Ezra nodded and pointed to the top of his head. “His hair.”
Miriam glanced at Abram, who was staring at her, his face tense.
“What was it about his hair?” she asked, knowing before Ezra said anything else.
“His hair was kind of wiry and puffed out around his pale face. But it was the color that I remember.” Ezra dropped his hand back to Gus’s neck. “The guy had bright red hair.”
A red-haired man, tall and skinny. The man she had seen at Serpent’s cabin. The man who had taken Sarah.
“Was a woman with him?”
Again the old man closed his eyes. Miriam counted off the seconds, but when he opened his eyes, he shook his head. “I don’t remember any other faces.”
“A young woman, blond hair, blue eyes,” she prompted, hoping to prod his recall.
Again he shook his head.
Miriam’s heart shattered. The red-haired man had been spotted, but Ezra hadn’t seen her sister. If only he could remember something more.
She glanced at Abram, hoping he could help, but all she saw was sorrow in his expression, as if he knew the questions that tugged at her heart.
What had happened to her sister?
And was Sarah alive...or dead?
* * *
Seeing the pain on Miriam’s face, Abram wanted to reach out and take her hand. The expectation in her eyes when the old man had mentioned the redhead had been dashed when Ezra failed to remember her sister.
Abram would never share his concern with Miriam, but he feared for Sarah’s safety—if she was still alive.
Had there been other women taken on the mountain? Travelers driving over the narrow roads, unsure of the terrain? Women were vulnerable and especially so at night.
Abram’s stomach soured, thinking of how women would be used. Gott have mercy on Sarah and on any other women caught in such a wicked net of perversion.
He and Miriam needed information about Serpent. They also needed to find the ring leader who had killed Miriam’s mother as well as the red-haired man who had Sarah.
“Ezra, keep thinking back over the last few days and try to remember what you may have seen. Miriam and I will visit you again.”
The old man reached down to pat his dog. “’Spect Gus and I will be here when you return.”
“Is there anything you need?” Miriam stood and glanced into the small kitchen. “Food or household items?”
“Don’t need a thing. My boy lives in Chattanooga. He comes down to visit at times and keeps me well stocked. You don’t need to worry about me.”
But Abram was worried. Something sinister was happening on the mountain.
Concerned for Miriam’s safety, Abram checked outside before he hurried her back to the buggy. Once she was settled in the rear seat, he flicked the reins for Nellie to begin the journey home.
Leaving Ezra’s property, they bumped their way down the potholed path and turned left onto the mountain road. Nellie picked up her speed once she turned onto the pavement, as if knowing they were headed home.
Nearing the next bend in the road the sound of a car alerted them to oncoming traffic. Abram eased up on the reins as a car zipped around the turn.
A black sedan with a stocky man at the wheel. He barely glanced at Abram before he accelerated and the car sped up the hill.
Miriam gasped. Abram glanced back, seeing the color drain from her face.
“It was him.” She groaned. “Serpent.”
Abram peered around the corner of the buggy, but the car had disappeared around the bend.
She grasped Abram’s arm. “Did he see me?”
Abram shook his head, wanting to reassure her. “He was looking at the mountain, Miriam. He did not notice either of us.”
At least, that was Abram’s hope.
NINE
Abram was on edge the rest of the afternoon after seeing Serpent. Even while grooming the horses and handling the afternoon chores, he kept watch over the house in case the kidnapper came searching for Miriam.
He had cautioned her to remain indoors, away from the windows, and to hurry upstairs if anyone knocked at the door. The house would provide protection. At least, that was his hope.
By evening some of his anxiety had eased and he looked forward to seeing Isaac again, and especially Daniel. The young boy brought joy to his heart with his innocence and wonder.
For too long, caring for his farm had sapped the life from Abram. When had he changed? he wondered, thinking back to when life was good. Easy enough to realize. The joy had left the night Rebecca died.
The weight of his grief had been too much to bear at first. Each night he had reached for Rebecca in his bed, only to find nothing; even the sweet smell of her had disappeared all too soon. Some days he couldn’t remember her face, which caused him pain.
After finishing his work, Abram washed his hands at the pump outside. He shook off the water and dried them on a towel that hung nearby.
Daniel stepped onto the porch and waved a greeting. “Emma said to tell you that the food will be ready to eat in half an hour’s time.”
“That is good. I am hungry.” He smiled at the boy. “I am sure you are, too.”
“Datt says I am always hungry.” His blue eyes were wide with innocence.
Abram’s heart tugged, thinking of the son he and Rebecca had been expecting. A child who had died in delivery due to Abram’s stubbornness and failure to listen to his wife.
Suddenly, Abram was no longer hungry.
“Tell Emma I must go to the barn first.”
“I will t
ell her.” The boy scurried into the kitchen.
A chill blew off the mountain and pulled at Abram’s shirt. He hurried to the barn, needing time to collect himself before he sat at table.
Bear greeted him but he ignored the dog, passed the horses’ stalls and headed to a storage room. Opening the door, he pulled back a tarp and stood staring at the cradle he had made for his child. The hardwood gleamed with oil he had painstakingly rubbed into the cherry wood. Each spindle had been sanded with love for the child he never knew.
He let out a deep sigh, wishing he could in some way go back and start his life again. Then he realized the foolishness of his thoughts. Mistakes once made could never be unmade; a truth he had learned the hard way as a youth. Emma still bore the marks of his mistake. Trevor’s death was all too poignant of a reminder, as well.
“It’s beautiful.”
He turned to find Miriam staring through the doorway. Bear sat at her feet.
“Did you make the cradle?” she asked.
“Yah.” Turning from her tender gaze, he replaced the tarp, stepped from the small storage room and closed the door behind him.
“Your workmanship is lovely, Abram. Do you sell your cradles at the market?”
“I have only made one cradle.”
She nodded as if filling in the portion he did not wish to tell her. “I’m sorry about your baby.”
“It was Gott’s will.” Brought on by Abram’s stubborn pride to live the Rule as he felt his ancestors had done with no deviation. If only he had listened to his wife. Rebecca had said he was unbending because of the mistakes he had made in his youth and his desire to prove himself to his father. Perhaps she had been right.
“Emma sent you to find me?” he asked.
Miriam shook her head. “She and Isaac are talking. Supper won’t be ready for a while. I’m looking for my clothes. Emma said they’re soaking in a bucket.”
He pointed to the opening at the rear of the barn. “You will find the wash bucket through there.”
When she started for the doorway, he touched her arm.
“You do not need to be concerned about your clothing. Emma washes at the first of the week.”
“The last thing Emma needs is more work. I’m perfectly capable of doing laundry.”
“By hand?”
She nodded. “Of course. Do you think I’m some type of prima donna who shies away from work?”
He shook his head. “No, you are industrious and determined.”
She stopped and looked up. He could see the flecks of gold in her brown eyes.
His heart raced and a tightness pulled at his gut. How could he react so strongly to her nearness when seconds earlier he had been grieving for his wife? He did not understand his response to this woman who had made his life seem inside out and upside down.
“You surprise me, Miriam Miller.”
She raised a brow. “Because?”
“Because I do not understand the Englisch ways. What is it you need?” he asked, recognizing the deeper meaning of his question. What did this Englisch woman need or want with an Amish man who lived a plain life?
“I need to go to Willkommen.”
“Quigley told me the roadblock will not be lifted until tomorrow night. The following is market day. We will go to Willkommen then.”
“I’d like to go sooner than that so I can contact Hannah.”
“You have remembered your sister’s cell phone number?”
Miriam shook her head. “No, but I can email her.”
Even if the roadblock ended, going to Willkommen would be dangerous. Did she not remember Serpent passing them on the mountain road?
“Day after tomorrow will be soon enough,” he stated.
“Emma mentioned Englisch neighbors that might have a computer.”
Abram raised his hand as if to cut her off.
She sighed with frustration then turned and hurried out the door at the back of the barn. Bear scurried after her.
Abram wanted to grab her hand and tell her he would take her to town this instant if that was what she wanted, but making such a dangerous trip would mean he was losing his mind as well as his heart.
* * *
Miriam had trouble eating her supper. The food was delicious, but the man sitting across the table from her was the problem. At least Emma and Isaac were having a nice time. From the flow of chatter, they didn’t seem to notice Miriam’s silence. Daniel sat next to her, equally quiet, although he kept glancing at her plate.
“You do not like the food?” he whispered, sounding much more grown up than his years.
She smiled, grateful for his thoughtfulness and relieved to have someone other than Abram on whom to focus.
“I nibbled on pie earlier and spoiled my appetite,” she explained, hoping to deflect his concern.
“I had a big slice of pie, but I am still hungry.”
“Growing boys need food.”
He nodded in agreement and then turned back to his plate.
“Do you want more potatoes, Daniel?” Emma asked.
“Yah, please. And a biscuit.”
“Son, you must wait until Emma asks,” his father quickly reproved.
“But she asked if I wanted potatoes.” The boy didn’t see the problem, which brought a smile to Miriam’s lips.
Forgetting herself, she glanced at Abram. Often pensive and solemn, tonight his eyes were bright. A smile curved his lips and caused her heart to skitter in her chest.
“My sister is happy to have a boy at the table who likes her cooking,” he told Daniel. “You can have seconds on anything you like.”
“You’ll spoil him,” Isaac cautioned.
“Not spoiled, but loved.” Emma placed a large spoonful of mashed potatoes on his plate and a biscuit topped with a pat of butter that melted over the side of the golden roll.
“Save room for pie,” she added.
“Datt says you make the best pies in the whole world.”
Emma’s cheeks pinked. She glanced shyly at Isaac. “Does he now?”
Daniel nodded. “And he’s right.”
Everyone at the table laughed, even Miriam. Again she glanced at Abram and felt more than a tug at her heart. Her earlier annoyance melted like the butter on the boy’s biscuit. Abram’s laugh was deep and warm and engaging, making her want to stretch out her hand to touch him as if even the distance across the table kept them too far apart.
For a moment she forgot about everything except sitting across from him, enjoying the delicious meal Emma had prepared and shared with neighbors. The moment offered a reprieve of hope and warmth. If only life could remain like this forever.
Not long after that she realized her mistake when Abram hurried from the table after dinner to feed his animals and tend to his livestock. Was he fleeing from her?
Miriam washed the dishes while Emma and Isaac talked on the front porch and Daniel played nearby with Bear. She could hear his laughter as he and the dog frolicked in the front yard.
With the falling twilight, the house grew shadowed. Miriam wasn’t sure when Emma wanted the gas lamps lit so she continued to wash and dry and put away the dishes by the natural light coming through the window.
A car’s headlights appeared on the road, which caused her to shudder. Was Serpent coming back for her? At least Isaac was still on the property and Abram nearby. No reason for Miriam to be unsettled. But she was.
She placed the last plate on the shelf then glanced up and spied the rifle lying on top of the cupboard. Knowing it was there brought comfort.
Working quickly, she poured out the wash and rinse water and wiped her hands on the towel, ready to scurry upstairs if the car turned into the drive.
She let out a deep breath when it continued on at the
fork, probably headed to Willkommen.
Emma had said the Rogers’s house was four miles away along the road that led over the river. She could easily walk that distance. If the Rogers had a computer and were connected to the internet, and if they didn’t mind her using their system, she could send an email to Hannah.
Although she knew Abram wouldn’t want her traipsing around the countryside, she needed to contact her sister, and if she left early enough, he might not notice she was gone.
Abram had ignored her mention of the neighbors earlier. She wouldn’t bring them up again. Nor would she ask Abram to accompany her. She didn’t want him exposed to danger. Instead, she could leave a note for Emma, if she could find paper and pencil.
Searching in a nearby basket of stationery, she happened upon a tablet and pencils. Ripping off a blank sheet, she took it and one of the pencils to her room.
She would need a good night’s sleep so she could get up before dawn. Abram rose early. She would have to be careful so he didn’t hear her.
Miriam didn’t want to disturb his life any more than she already had done. Serpent was ruthless and he didn’t care who he hurt. She could never forgive herself if something happened to Abram or his sister.
Her plan was to leave as early as possible in the morning. If she heard a car, she would hide in the woods.
Miriam wouldn’t let Serpent find her. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
* * *
Abram couldn’t sleep and it was not his wife he was thinking of as he tossed from side to side. His thoughts were on the beautiful woman who had sat across from him at dinner and kept her gaze lowered. Then Daniel had made her laugh.
The look she had shared with Abram stirred a cold place deep within him. Without stopping to think, he had laughed deeply, feeling the grief of the past slip away and a warmth and joy return that was restorative, like a spring shower or warm sunshine after a cold winter.
As much as he enjoyed the feeling, he was concerned by the ever-stronger feelings he was having for the Englisch woman.
What would the bishop say about Abram’s actions? The bishop would probably counsel Abram to guard himself from the fancy woman who would move on without looking back. He would also remind Abram that the Amish remained within their faith when they married. The only way his relationship with Miriam could develop was if she joined the Amish church.
