From The Ashes

by Claire Sanders

Jacob took a deep drink of coffee. Judith hadn’t slept well during the night, and he didn’t want Mark to wake her. “Have you spoken to Beverly Lewis? She was in the truck with Judith.”

  “Yes, I talked to her late last night. Mrs. Lewis is certain it wasn’t an accident.”

  Jacob’s gut tightened. “But why would someone run them off the road on purpose?”

  “Probably trying to scare her. We’ve got a strong lead on a group that’s calling itself Hunters United.”

  “Never heard of them, but there are lots of hunters around here.”

  “These guys aren’t hunting wildlife.”

  He sagged against the wall as Mark’s meaning sank in. Jacob had always felt secure in his home town. He’d traveled the back roads of surrounding counties, gone wherever he’d wanted without fear or caution. But apparently, the same was not true for his neighbors. “Are the members of this group from this county?”

  “We’re not sure yet. As far as we can tell, they operate mainly in Shelby and Sabine Counties. Sheriff Miller is coordinating his investigation with the authorities there.”

  “Have there been any church fires in those counties?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes. During the last eighteen months, there have been two fires in Shelby County and one in Sabine.”

  “All of them arson?”

  “Yep. Very similar methods of combustion.”

  “And you think they’ve branched out to San Augustine County.”

  “More like recruitment. It could be that burning an African-American church is a type of initiation into the group.”

  Jacob shook his head in disgust. Burning a church was like spitting in God’s eye. “What does this group have to do with Judith’s accident?”

  “Try to look at it from their point of view. They burn down a church, and then a well-meaning person helps the displaced congregation. That’s like nullifying their actions. Makes them look weak in front of the group.”

  “So they tried to scare her into not helping Henry’s group.”

  “That’s what I think. Judith told me about her run-in with Dwight Thompson. I checked out him and his brothers, but they’ve got nothing worse than speeding tickets.”

  “Judith told me you want to set up cameras around her church.”

  “Right. My partner is taking care of that today.”

  “Do you still think someone will try to burn down her church?”

  “It’s possible. If I could get it on video, that would be gold. Do you know when Judith’s going to be released?”

  “No. Why do you ask?”

  “It would be best if she didn’t stay in that cabin alone. If someone is trying to scare her, they probably won’t quit harassing her until she stops helping Rev. Washington.”

  “Don’t worry about Judith being alone. I don’t intend to let her out of my sight until you find the people behind running her off the road and the arson.”

  Mark reached into his jacket pocket and removed a small notebook. “I do have one lead you could help me with.” He opened the notebook and scanned the information. “Sheriff Miller told me about a family named Buchanan. The grandfather has a history of passing out hate literature.”

  Jacob’s stomach tightened at the mention of the Buchanans. “That’s Lee Buchanan. He’s not liable to talk to anyone in uniform, or to the FBI.”

  “We’ll see about that.” Mark stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Nothing personal, Jacob, but you look like somebody ran over you with a two-mule team. Any chance you’ll get some rest?”

  “I’ll go home once I’m sure Judith’s all right.”

  “Fair enough.” Mark shook Jacob’s hand. “I’ll be back this afternoon.”

  After Mark left, Jacob returned to Judith’s bedside.

  Would she change her mind about lending her grandfather’s church? Risking the building was one thing, but risking her was too much.

  Jacob propped his elbows on the bed, and bowed his head. “Father,” he prayed, “what is Your will?” Allowing Henry’s congregation to meet in the old church couldn’t be wrong. Surely, the Lord would bless anyone who stood up for fellow Christians.

  Jacob thought of the service revolver he’d tucked away in a lock box when he’d resigned from the force. Was it time to start carrying it again? He could feel the gun’s cold metal in his hand, the heaviness of the pistol matched by the weight of his mistake. After what had happened in Houston, would he be able to shoot someone?

  Invisible bands of steel tightened around Jacob’s chest as he thought of the very real possibility of having to protect someone he loved. The warrior in him was ready to battle Dwight Thompson, or anyone else who threatened Judith or his family. But his mistake was a shadowy monster lurking in dark doorways. Maybe it was time to face that monster.

  Jacob rested his chin on his hands. He’d believed a career in law enforcement had been the Lord’s will for him, but his failure had led to years of doubt. Could he ever go back? “Lead me, Master. Help me to know the right thing to do.”

  Judith stirred, opened her eyes, and smiled at him. She reached her right hand towards him and he held it against his chest. Then she closed her eyes and returned to sleep. Would Jacob shoot someone who endangered Judith?

  Oh, yes. He might live to regret it, but he’d protect the woman he loved.

  12

  “What do you mean you’re not ready to go back to Dallas?” Judith’s father was clearly concerned. Ever since his arrival, he’d been trying to convince her to leave Piney Meadow.

  “I’m not hurt seriously, Dad, and I’ve got things I want to do here.”

  “With a fractured collarbone? You won’t be able to take care of yourself.”

  “Judith is always welcome to stay at my parents’ house,” Jacob volunteered. “My mother would love to have her.”

  Judith waved her right arm. “I still have one arm that works just fine. I can take care of myself.”

  “Judith, this is not the time to be stubborn. Your health is at stake. Come to Dallas with me. After you’re completely healed, you can come back for a visit.”

  But she couldn’t leave Jacob now. Not when their relationship was just beginning. “I’ll be fine in the cabin, Dad. Beverly’s only a phone call away.”

  “And I intend to keep a close eye on her,” Jacob added.

  Her father paced the length of the hospital room. “Sometimes I wish you were still a kid. Back then you had to listen to me.”

  Judith reached out a hand and he quickly closed the space between them. “Dad, you’re worrying for nothing. I’ll be fine.”

  “Being run off the road isn’t ‘nothing’, Judith. If you won’t come home, at least stop living out in the middle of nowhere by yourself.”

  Maybe her father had a point. Someone had run her off the road, and whether it was a prank or malice, the results could have been much worse.

  “How about a compromise?” she asked. “If I stay with Jacob’s parents until I’m recovered, would you feel better then?”

  “What are the chances of getting you to come home to Dallas without a fight?”

  Judith had always been an obedient daughter, but she needed to stay in Piney Meadow. “I don’t want to fight with you, Dad. But I hope you’ll understand why staying here is important to me.”

  Her father’s face was impassive as he looked from Judith to Jacob. “All right,” he said after a long pause, “it’s a deal. But as soon as I’m finished with the merger I’m working on, I’ll be back in Piney Meadow to check on you.”

  ****

  Once he was satisfied that Judith was safely tucked away in his parents’ guest room, Jacob joined her father at the kitchen table.

  “What do you think about Judith’s accident?” Aaron Robertson was not a man who minced words.

  “Both Judith and the woman riding with her say it was no accident.”

  “Has anyone been bothering her?”

  “Judith had a dust up with a local business
man named Dwight Thompson. Judith said he threatened her.”

  “What kind of threat?”

  Jacob got a bottle of water from the refrigerator, purposely delaying his answer. Judith’s father had a right to know what his daughter had been up to, but, at the same time, Jacob felt a loyalty towards the woman he cared for. “Did you meet Beverly Lewis or Henry Washington?”

  “Yes,” Aaron answered. “I met them at the hospital. What do they have to do with Judith’s accident?”

  “Nothing directly.” Jacob leaned against the kitchen counter and considered the events of the past few weeks. “Henry’s church was destroyed by fire. It was a clear case of arson, and the local churches have all pitched in to help rebuild, but Judith allowed Henry’s congregation to use her grandfather’s church in the meantime.”

  “I remember that old church. I married Judith’s mother there. I can’t believe it’s in good enough shape to use.”

  “It needed some repairs but those were accomplished easily enough.” Jacob took another long drink of water. “There’s a possibility that someone—maybe Dwight Thompson—is trying to pressure Judith to stop helping Henry’s group.”

  “Let me see if I’ve got this straight. Henry Washington’s church was burned and now the arsonists are threatening my daughter?”

  “I intend to keep a close eye on Judith. She won’t be staying alone in her grandfather’s cabin anymore.”

  Aaron crossed his arms and raised one eyebrow. “Sounds as though you’ve got more than a passing interest in my daughter.”

  “Yes, sir. You may as well know I intend to marry her.”

  “Marry?” Aaron shook his head in obvious disbelief. “You’ve only known her for a few weeks.”

  Jacob held out his palms in a gesture of conciliation. “I’m not saying the wedding’s going to be any time soon. I’ll give her all the time she needs. But I know she’s the one.”

  “I’m not sure anybody’s good enough for my girl, but I’ll have to give you the benefit of the doubt. To tell you the truth, I felt the same way about her mother. I saw Rachel walking across a courtyard and knew instantly she was the girl for me. We dated for four years before we married, but she was worth the wait.”

  “I’ve been waiting for Judith. And now that she’s here, I don’t intend to let her get away.”

  “Well,” Aaron said as he sagged into a chair, “this certainly changes things. And here I was thinking she’d be coming home soon. I bet Rachel’s father is up in heaven having a good laugh at me.”

  “How’s that?”

  “I took his daughter away from Piney Meadow, and you’re going to bring his granddaughter back.”

  ****

  A few days later, Jacob was helping his brother fill an order when he spotted Dwight in the lumberyard. “Do we have an order for Dwight Thompson?” Jacob asked Richard.

  “Not that I know of,” Richard answered. “Why?”

  Jacob didn’t bother to answer.

  Richard’s nose was buried in a stack of papers, his attention lost in order forms and bills of lading.

  Jacob ambled over to where Dwight casually inspected a load of siding.

  “Morning, Jacob,” he hailed.

  Jacob shook the hand Dwight offered. “Morning. What brings you out to this way?”

  “Oh, just looking. I’m thinking about building an addition to my garage and wanted to get some prices.”

  “I’m sure we’ve got everything you’ll need. Let me call somebody to help you.” Jacob stepped away, but Dwight fell into step beside him.

  “How’s your family?” Dwight asked, his tone friendly and good-natured.

  “Everybody’s doing fine. How about you?”

  “Oh, good enough. I was sorry to hear about what happened to your friend.”

  “Who’s that?”

  “Isaiah Beecham’s granddaughter. What’s her name? Julie?”

  “Judith.”

  “That’s right. Judith. Serious name for a little bit of nothing like her.” Dwight had something on his mind.

  Jacob waited.

  “I heard she had an accident while driving Isaiah’s truck,” Dwight continued. “I guess that old truck was too much for her.”

  “It wasn’t an accident.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She was run off the road. It was a blessing she wasn’t hurt worse than she was.”

  “That’s awful,” Dwight said, looking genuinely concerned. “Must have been some kid driving too fast on those back roads. Any idea who it was?”

  “Not yet. But both Beverly Lewis and Judith described the vehicle that ran them off the road, so once the sheriff locates it—”

  “If the sheriff locates it,” Dwight interrupted. “Lots of old, rusty pickups around these parts.”

  Jacob hadn’t described the type of vehicle that had been involved. His suspicions rose by several degrees. “How’d you know it was an old, rusty pickup?”

  “Didn’t you say that?”

  “No.”

  “Oh…well…must have heard it from somebody.”

  That was possible.

  “I guess Judith will be leaving Piney Meadow soon.”

  “Why do you think that?” Jacob asked.

  “Who could blame her? Getting run off the road isn’t exactly my idea of a warm welcome.”

  Jacob decided to try a different tactic. “I suppose some people would say Judith was asking for it.”

  A flicker of surprise lit Dwight’s eyes. “I suppose you’re right. Still, I hate to hear about her getting hurt just ‘cause she didn’t know who her friends were.” Dwight was smooth. He was skating on the edge of condoning what had happened, but he wouldn’t flat out state it.

  “Her friends?” Jacob asked, his voice struggling to appear indifferent.

  “You know what I mean. People in Piney Meadow have always gotten along fine as long as they stay with their own kind. But a city girl like Judith probably didn’t know that.”

  Heat rose in Jacob’s face. If Dwight had said these things to Judith in the diner, no wonder she’d lost her temper.

  “Another thing to think about,” Dwight continued, “is the kind of people who’d burn a church. If their message is ignored, they might not stop at burning empty buildings.”

  “If you know about the crimes, Dwight—”

  Dwight threw up his hands in mock surrender. “Not me, friend. I’m just repeating what I’ve heard around town.” He stepped away from Jacob and glanced at his watch. “I’d best be getting back to the office. I’ll come back and check on those prices when I’ve got more time.”

  Jacob’s suspicions of Dwight Thompson deepened as he watched the man saunter towards the parking lot. But suspicions weren’t evidence. Neither Mark Grey nor Sheriff Miller would be able to act on Jacob’s misgivings.

  Best to keep an eye on Dwight and his brothers. If they had harmed Judith, they wouldn’t stop until she backed down.

  13

  Judith climbed into the passenger’s seat of Jacob’s truck and waited for him to close her door. Instead, he tossed her travel bag into the bed of the truck and rested against the open door.

  “I still don’t like this,” he said.

  “I need to go back to the cabin. Even though your family pampered me better than an heiress at a spa, I want my life back.”

  “I understand but…”

  They’d already talked about the possibility of further violence and she’d agreed to sleep at Beverly’s house. She’d keep her end of the bargain, but she couldn’t let fear have power over her again.

  “If anything happened to you, Judith…”

  She caressed his cheek. “I spent many years running from imaginary villains and monsters. In an effort to keep myself safe, I locked myself away from everyone except my father.”

  Jacob placed his hand over hers.

  “But I asked God to give me the strength to conquer my fears. Going back to the cabin is my way of not giving in to
those old, familiar anxieties. I want to reclaim my life.”

  Jacob dropped his gaze. He was thinking things over, or praying. After a few moments of silence, he looked at her and smiled. “I understand. I’ve always thought you were courageous. Guess I didn’t realize just how brave you are.”

  Judith kissed his cheek. “No one has ever called me courageous before.”

  “I won’t be the last. Now, if you’re ready, let’s get you home.”

  A full moon hung low in the sky as Jacob drove out of Piney Meadow and turned onto the main highway. A few miles later, a siren sounded and Jacob slowed his truck to a stop on the shoulder of the road. As the Piney Meadow Volunteer Fire Department engine and a line of pickup trucks passed, he dug his cell phone from his shirt pocket. “Darn it.”

  “What’s wrong?” Judith asked.

  “Phone’s off. Sorry, but I’ve got to follow that fire engine. I’m one of the volunteers.”

  “Of course.”

  As Jacob joined the caravan and sped down the highway, an uneasy feeling slithered through Judith’s gut. Fire had claimed Rev. Washington’s church. What if someone had sabotaged the construction of his new building?

  “Where is Henry’s new church?” she asked.

  “On the other side of town, not too far from the lumber mill. Whatever’s burning on this side of town, it’s not Henry’s church.”

  As the fire engine neared the county road that led to her cabin, one thought echoed through Judith’s head.

  Don’t turn. Don’t turn.

  The fire engine’s brake lights shone like angry eyes as it slowed and turned.

  “What’s down this road besides my grandfather’s property and Beverly’s house?”

  Jacob looked at Judith, his eyes brimming with concern. “Nothing,” he answered.

  Judith used her cell phone to call Beverly. The unanswered ring grated against her anxious ear. Snapping the phone shut, she looked at Jacob with a silent plea.

  “It could be nothing,” Jacob said without conviction. “Maybe just a small grass fire or somebody’s campfire got out of control.”

  But as they rounded a corner, an unnatural glow illuminated the sky. “That’s not a small fire,” Judith said.