Amish Redemption

by Patricia Davids

  “I don’t need a place to stay or someone to care for me or about me. Mrs. Davis and Pete’s family both need those things. Maybe a cat can bring them together.”

  He tipped his head slightly and regarded her with a bemused expression. “You know she has their cat, don’t you?”

  “The children came by the Red Cross tent earlier. They were showing people a drawing of a gray cat with three white feet. The little boy drew it since they didn’t have any photographs. They were hoping someone had seen her.”

  “And we just saw Mrs. Davis holding a cat like that.”

  Mary grinned. “It might not be the same cat. Then again, it might be. Or it might be another cat that needs children to love.”

  “And my family thinks I’m the optimistic dreamer. They should meet you. They would adore you.”

  Mary blushed a rosy red.

  The moment the words were out of his mouth, Joshua regretted them. What was he doing? He wouldn’t be in town for more than a few more days. He had no business implying he wanted her to meet his family. That wasn’t going to happen. He was on parole. Her father was an Englisch lawman. His family wouldn’t be comfortable with that.

  The last thing he needed was to fall for this woman with a sweet daughter and an even sweeter smile. It couldn’t work between them. As much as he liked her, he wasn’t able to trust her father.

  Maybe when his sentence was up. Maybe when he wasn’t afraid of being sent back to prison. Maybe. All his life he’d been taught to avoid the Englisch and shun their worldly ways except when he had to do business with them. His time in prison had taught him to fear them. Mary’s father was polite and it was clear he loved Mary and Hannah, but Joshua couldn’t bring himself to trust the man. He avoided Nick when he could and stayed silent when he couldn’t.

  Stepping away from Mary, Joshua said, “I should get back to Alvin. I’m sure he’s on pins and needles waiting to hear what I learned.”

  “Tell him Betsy needs time to think over his offer. I’m sure she loves him, but I think she’s afraid to admit that. She isn’t ready to settle down now, but she will be one day.”

  “I’ll tell him that. Danki. How will I find you when I’m done for the day?”

  “I’ll be in the Red Cross tent with Miriam or Nick.”

  Joshua nodded. Hopefully, her father would be out working elsewhere.

  Just then, Pete returned with his son and daughter. He waited at the foot of the steps while they went up to the door and knocked. When the door opened a crack, the little boy held up a piece of paper. “This is our cat, Socks, and she’s missing. Have you seen her? We miss her an awful lot.”

  The door opened a little wider. Joshua strained to hear the woman’s reply. “I have seen a cat like that, but she’s not so fat.”

  The boy turned his picture around to stare at it. “I’m not a very good artist. Where did you see her?”

  “Wait here.” Mrs. Davis closed the door. When she opened it again, she held the gray cat in her arms.

  The little girl began jumping and shouting, “That’s Socks. Socks, we found you.” She held up her arms.

  Mrs. Davis came out on to the porch and sat on a green painted bench. “She’s been very scared. You have to be quiet so that you don’t frighten her even more.”

  The little girl cupped the cat’s face between her hands and rubbed their noses together. “I missed you so much.”

  The little boy stroked the cat who was purring loudly. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

  The little girl gathered the cat in her arms. “I’m going to take you home now.”

  “Except we don’t have a home,” her brother reminded her gently.

  From the bottom of the steps, Pete spoke. “We appreciate you taking care of Socks. Our house was destroyed and we are staying at the inn. Could you continue to look after her until we find someplace more settled? We can pay you to board her, although it will be a few days before I have the money from our insurance settlement.”

  “But, Daddy, Socks wants to stay with me.” His daughter looked ready to cry.

  “I know, honey, but we don’t have a safe place to keep her. A lot of people are coming and going at the inn. She could get out and get lost again. You don’t want that.”

  “No.”

  Mrs. Davis rose to her feet. “She can stay here. Why don’t you children come inside and visit with Socks for a while? I have other cats. Would you like to meet them? If that’s okay with your father,” she added quickly.

  “That would be great. Thank you. I’ll get this mess in your yard cleaned up as soon as possible. Do you have other damage?”

  “My attic window is broken.”

  “There’s a fellow with glass and cutting tools over by the school. I’ll let him know you need some work done.”

  Mrs. Davis opened the door and followed the children inside. Joshua gave Mary a wry smile. “You were right. Children can help.”

  “The way having Hannah with us helped you when we were in the cellar.”

  That surprised him. Had Mary noticed how fearful he’d been that day? “It did help. I hate small places, but knowing Hannah and you needed me to remain calm gave me a way to control my fear.”

  Mary fisted her hands on her hips. “I reckon I’ll help Pete clean this yard so the children can play out here without getting hurt.”

  “I’m on my way to the Hope Springs Fellowship Church.”

  She smiled at him. “We’ll meet up again later.”

  Joshua thought a lot about Mary as he walked toward the church. She had a knack for understanding people who were afraid. She saw ways to help them. His admiration for her grew. When he reached his destination, he saw a dozen men working on the roof of the white clapboard church that had sustained serious damage. The young pastor was the only Englisch fellow among the Amish men with their shirtsleeves rolled up. Joshua stepped into line and carried a bundle of shingles up a ladder to where Alvin was hammering them into place. He stopped working when he saw Joshua.

  “Well? Is she seeing someone else? Did you find out anything?”

  “Mary was very helpful. Betsy is not seeing anyone other than you. She isn’t in a hurry to marry, and pressing her probably isn’t the right thing to do.” Joshua laid the bundle of shingles where others could reach them.

  “I don’t understand why she won’t marry me. Her sisters are all married. That can’t be the reason. Even her grandfather recently married, so it’s not because she has to take care of him. I don’t get it.”

  “Mary says to give her time.” Joshua pulled his hammer from the tool belt Alvin had loaned him and began setting the shingles in place. The two young men, both the same age, were quickly becoming friends after meeting that morning at the command center, where they’d been assigned to the same tasks for the day. The rat-a-tat-tat of hammers filled the air around Joshua as he and the other men made short work of the project.

  Alvin drove the next nail in with unnecessary force. “I’m tired of waiting. There are a lot of young women who would be pleased to go out with me.”

  “And yet none of them are Betsy.”

  Alvin put his hammer down. “That’s the truth. I like you, Joshua Bowman. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”

  “There are others who don’t think so.”

  “How long are you staying?” Alvin positioned the next shingle.

  “I need to be back in Bowmans Crossing before Thursday. I’ll have to hire a driver or take the bus if one goes that way.”

  “With all the people that have showed up to help, I’m sure someone from your neck of the woods is here. There’s a message board at the inn. You can put a note there asking for a ride.”

  “Good idea. Danki.”

  “Don’t mention it. It’s the least I can do after
sending you to question Mary. I appreciate it. I could’ve asked one of my friends or cousins, but I thought since you knew Mary so well she might tell you something she wouldn’t tell them.”

  “I don’t know her that well. We only met the day of the tornado.”

  “Is that so? But you’re staying with her and her family.”

  Joshua related the story of their night in the cellar while they worked.

  Alvin slipped the last shingle in place. “She’s a nice girl. She befriended Betsy when she and her sisters moved here. Have you got a girl back home?”

  “I don’t. You’re blessed to have found the right one.”

  Alvin shook his head. “Only if she’ll marry me.”

  “Don’t give up. Looks like we are done here. What do we do now?”

  “Go back to the command center and see what else they need us to do.”

  Would Mary be there by now? Joshua discovered he was eager to find out. It was sad—no matter how hard he worked at convincing himself he should stay away, he was ready to jump at the chance to see her again.

  He followed the group of men back to the center of town to find where to go for their next project. He spied Mary standing by Miriam and Nick at the back of the Red Cross tent. Both women wore shocked expressions. Nick’s angry scowl made Joshua hesitate, but Mary’s distress pulled him to her side. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  She looked at him with tear-filled eyes. “I was on the news. My face was on television and so was Hannah’s.”

  Chapter Nine

  Mary noticed Joshua’s perplexed expression. He didn’t understand how serious this was. How could he? She hadn’t told him anything about her former life. She was starting to like him too much. She didn’t want him to know what a foolish girl she’d been.

  What if Kevin Dunbar had seen her picture? Numbing fear made her heart pound. If he had, then he knew where she lived. Where Hannah lived.

  “I’m going to have them stop airing it.” Nick pulled his cell phone from his pocket and stormed out of the tent. As upset as she was, Mary couldn’t help noticing Joshua’s relief at Nick’s departure. Did he dislike her father? Was it because he was the English law? Many Amish distrusted Nick in the beginning, but they soon came to see he was honest and sensitive to their ways even when those ways conflicted with the law he was sworn to uphold.

  Miriam’s phone went off. She read the text and shoved the phone in her pocket. She gripped Mary’s hand. “I’m needed at the medical tent. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  After Miriam left, Joshua took a step closer. His eyes were filled with compassion. “Your church members will understand that you weren’t seeking notoriety. The news cameras must have captured many Amish people.” He pointed to the television. “Look, there’s Delbert helping clean out someone’s house.”

  The camera was panning a particularly hard-hit area of homes. It wasn’t a close-up of Delbert, but his size made him recognizable. There were several Amish men and women in the scene. Joshua believed she was upset because the Amish shunned being photographed. She wanted to explain but she couldn’t. Miriam and Nick had decided years ago to keep her past and her old identity a secret. The fewer people who knew, the safer she and Hannah would be.

  Besides, Mary didn’t want to involve Joshua. This was her father’s business. She needed to let him handle it.

  “It isn’t just you, Mary. I see the girls from the singing, too. Their faces are recognizable. You are worried for nothing.”

  She drew a deep breath. “You’re right. It’s foolish to be upset.”

  After all, what were the chances that Kevin had been watching? He was still in prison.

  A few moments later, Miriam came back. “Nick said he has taken care of it. The clip won’t run again. Joshua, would you take Mary home? I’m sure that Hannah is missing her, and I’d like someone to check on Ada. I have to stay. I’m the only nurse on duty right now.”

  “I don’t mind at all,” he said quickly. He seemed relieved to have something to do. “I’ll go get the cart and meet you out front in a few minutes.”

  Mary clutched Miriam’s arm when Joshua was out of sight. “Do you think Kevin might have seen this? Would he have television in his cell?”

  “Not in his cell, but there is a common room where the men can watch programing the warden deems suitable. This news channel is probably one of those. Even if he saw this, he’s still behind bars. He can’t hurt you.”

  “I’m afraid and I shouldn’t be. My life is in God’s hands. It has always been. I know that. He is my protection. He is Hannah’s protection.”

  Miriam pulled Mary close for a quick hug. “I believe that, too, but I can’t help worrying about you. Kevin may have friends on the outside. There is a multitude of strangers here. I think it would be best if you didn’t come back to help.”

  Mary pulled away, shamed by her doubts. “These are our friends, Miriam. I can’t hide when I see how much still needs to be done for our community. To remain at home would be cowardly.”

  “My Amish upbringing tells me you are right, but I’ve been married to a cop for too long. I know that evil exists.”

  “But it is not stronger than our faith.”

  “You are so brave.”

  Mary smiled at her adoptive mother. “I’ve had good examples to follow.”

  Miriam’s phone went off again. She quickly scanned the text. “I have to go. More people have been hurt by nails and saws, falls and falling limbs in the last two days than were injured by the tornado itself. Let Ada know that Nick and I won’t be by tonight or tomorrow morning. Nick is worn to the bone. He needs what little rest he can get. He’s been going nonstop since this whole thing happened. If I can steal an extra half hour of sleep for him, I’m going to do it. He gets cranky when he’s sleep deprived.”

  “I’ll tell her.”

  “Danki. Give Hannah our love.”

  “I will.” Miriam left and Mary went outside to wait for Joshua.

  Betsy stood by a card table handing out donated gloves. She was pointedly ignoring Alvin standing nearby. Mary walked over to her and whispered an old Amish proverb. “Keep your words soft and sweet in case you have to eat them.”

  Shooting Alvin a sharp look, Betsy turned to Mary. “That’s why I’m not talking to him. At all. Where are you going?”

  “Home. Miriam thinks Ada needs a break from watching Hannah, but I’ll be back Monday morning. What about you?”

  “I’ll be here. My sister Lizzie has decided the family needs something fun to do after all this work. She proposed we have a picnic by the lake next Saturday. I’d love it if you would join us.”

  “That’s very kind. I know Ada is always happy to visit with your grandmother.”

  “Goot. I’ll see you tomorrow at the prayer meeting. It’s at Adrian Lapp’s place. At least they didn’t have any storm damage.”

  “Am I invited to the picnic?” Alvin asked. He had moved closer while they were talking.

  “I reckon,” Betsy replied without enthusiasm.

  He stuck out his chin. “If I’m not busy, I might come.”

  “Don’t fret about it. If you can’t make it, you won’t be missed.” Betsy threw down the pair of gloves she held and marched away.

  Joshua pulled up with the cart. Mary gave Alvin a sympathetic look. “Don’t worry, Alvin. She’ll come around.”

  He glared at Betsy’s retreating back. “The question is will I be around to see it.” He walked away in the opposite direction.

  Mary climbed in beside Joshua and he set Tilly in motion. “Things are still not going well for them?”

  “Nee, and I’m afraid Betsy is just digging in her heels now.”

  “That’s a pity. Are you okay?”

  She knew he was referring to the new
scast. “I am. It’s not likely that there will be trouble because of it. It was just a shock. I had already been scolded for being too forward and then to see my face plastered on the television screen was upsetting.” It was true, but it wasn’t the whole truth.

  “I don’t find you forward. Who scolded you?”

  Mary folded her hands in her lap and kept her eyes down. “Miriam. She is right—sometimes I am too bold in my speech. She thinks that Nick is a bad influence on me, but he isn’t.”

  “I don’t find you bold at all. I find you refreshing.”

  She didn’t know what to say to that. She noticed a cardboard carton beneath his feet and decided to change the subject. “What’s in the box?”

  “Hannah’s wagon.”

  “I’m surprised that Levi Beachy had time to fix it.”

  “He didn’t, but he let me use his tools.”

  “Did you?” How kind was that? In the midst of all this destruction, he’d made time to repair her daughter’s toy. He was a good, kind man.

  “It didn’t take long. I had such a big breakfast that I didn’t need a lunch break.”

  “I remember you just picking at your breakfast this morning. I thought maybe you didn’t like my cooking.”

  That was the wrong thing to say. Now he would think she was fishing for compliments.

  “Your cooking is good, but it’s not like my Mamm’s.”

  That put her firmly in her place. “I’ll try to do better.”

  He grinned. “You don’t have far to go.”

  Okay, that was nice. “Thanks again for fixing Hannah’s wagon. She loves pulling that thing around.”

  “I noticed she had some paper chickens she wanted to take to market. Does she have other animals?”

  “She used to have a cow, but its head was accidently removed by Bella.”

  He laughed. “Better a paper cow than the real one.”

  Mary smiled at him, her fright forgotten for a moment as she relaxed in his company. “You haven’t tried to milk Rosie. You might change your opinion about that.”

  He laughed again and her spirits rose. Joshua Bowman was good company inside and outside of a cellar.