The Chill of an Early Fall

by Mary Alford

  He dashed to the living room and checked the window. Deputy Harris appeared on the porch. Elam quickly opened the door. The deputy held an ugly reminder—a dozen dying roses in an evidence bag.

  “It was him,” Elam confirmed and noticed Sadie and Irene had come into the room.

  Deputy Harris agreed. “He took several shots at me, and I returned fire, but I don’t think I hit him. I pursued him on foot, but he had a car parked at the edge of the road. He got away.” The deputy blew out a breath. “Backup’s on its way. Until then, I need you all to stay inside and away from any windows and doors. Lock up. I’m going to take another look around.” With a nod, the deputy stepped back outside with the evidence.

  “We should pray,” Irene said. “Gott will hear us and help the deputies find this man.”

  Elam bowed his head with the others. For the longest time, he’d been focused on surviving. Taking care of Jonah after their parents died. Then after Jonah married, he found himself in flux. It was him alone in this house where a family had once lived. More than ever, he needed Gott’s guidance.

  Please help the deputies catch this man who means Sadie harm. Bring her peace. Make her decision about her future clear. Make mine. “Amen,” he whispered in a husky voice.

  Elam found Sadie watching him. Those telling eyes were so filled with worry for him. He’d give anything to believe the two of them had a future together. But if Sadie proved true to her past, as soon as this ordeal ended, she’d be gone. And he wasn’t sure he could live here after losing her again.

  Outside, the noise of a car coming down the drive was followed by doors closing and footsteps on the porch.

  Someone knocked. “It’s Deputy Anderson. I’m here with your brother and sister-in-law.”

  Elam unlocked the door. Deputy Anderson ushered Jonah and Willa inside quickly. Jonah set his and Willa’s bag near the door.

  “The sheriff will be in soon to explain what’s happening,” Deputy Anderson told them, then went outside.

  Willa glanced around with frightened eyes. She spotted Sadie, joined her, and hugged her close. “I cannot believe this,” she whispered.

  Sadie patted her arm. “I know. I am so sorry to involve you and Jonah. This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have brought my troubles home.”

  “It isn’t. This man is not a gut person. He must be stopped before he hurts someone,” Willa assured her.

  Elam turned to his brother. “You and Willa can stay in your old room. I’m sure Sadie won’t mind bunking with Irene for a few days.”

  “No, of course not,” Sadie confirmed.

  “Danki. It will be like old times.” Jonah was trying to make the best of the situation. “Us staying under the same roof again. Hopefully, we won’t cause as much trouble as we did growing up.”

  Elam chuckled as he recalled some of their escapades. Though Jonah was seven years Elam’s junior, they’d been inseparable. Still were at times.

  “I sure am going to miss you when you go to West Kootenai. The place won’t be the same without you here.”

  The second the words were out, the ground slid out from underneath Elam. This was not the way he wanted Sadie to find out.

  Jonah realized his mistake right away. “Oh, brother, I’m sorry.”

  Across the room, Sadie’s eyes sought him out. She waited for him to deny it. More than anything, he wished he could understand what that look in her eyes meant, because, for the life of him, it appeared as if her heart was breaking. Would it matter to her if he was gone? He sure hoped so.

  Chapter Nine

  Her mouth opened, yet not a single word came out. The awkward silence between them threatened to drown her.

  “We should eat the food while it is hot,” Mamm said to fill the emptiness. “Sadie, help me set the table.”

  Sadie tore her gaze from Elam. Without a word, she followed her mother into the kitchen. Her thoughts flew in a dozen different directions. Why would Elam choose to leave the St. Ignatius community? This was his home.

  “Sadie?” Her mother’s worried voice intruded into the chaos in her head.

  Sadie’s attention went to her mamm.

  “Please set the table,” her mother repeated.

  Without answering, Sadie took out the silverware and placemats and started setting the table while Mamm stirred the soup and took the friendship bread from the oven.

  “Did you know?” Sadie asked when she could finally get words out.

  Her mother placed the pan of bread on the stovetop and began slicing it. “Know what?” she asked without looking at her daughter.

  “About Elam moving away?” Her voice wobbled. Just saying the words hurt.

  Mamm faced her. “Jah, I’ve known for a little while Elam wasn’t happy. He’s spoken to me in depth about needing a change.”

  “But this is his home.” Before she could say anything more, Willa came into the kitchen. Both women stared at her.

  “I thought I could help with the meal,” Willa told them. She glanced from one to the other. “Am I interrupting something?”

  Mamm shook her head. “Nothing that cannot wait. We should call the men in.” Her mother held her gaze for a moment. “Are you alright?”

  Far from it. One of the few things she’d always counted on was now changing. She liked knowing Elam was here waiting for her. Their friendship was something to be valued. Would it remain so?

  Sadie struggled with an answer, not wanting to worry her mother unnecessarily. “I’m fine.” Even to her own ears the words didn’t ring true.

  Mamm left the room without responding.

  Willa took out bowls and ladled soup. Sadie let go of a breath and helped carry the food to the table.

  “It is good to see you again, Sadie. I hate that it has to be under these circumstances.” Willa smiled sympathetically.

  “Me too,” she managed, yet all she could think about was that her rock was leaving.

  Sadie struggled to let go of the hurt she felt. She had no right to feel this way. Elam was entitled to live his life as he chose.

  She carried bowls to the table while Willa brought over the bread.

  Once everyone was seated round the table, the room quieted. It was time to give thanks.

  As Sadie bowed her head, being thankful was something she couldn’t manage. Instead, she poured out all her worries to the Lord. Why does he have to leave? I don’t understand. Please help me understand.

  “Amen.” Elam quietly ended the prayer. She opened her eyes and stared at him across the table. The look on his face seemed distant. She dropped her gaze. Thoughts of the man stalking her disappeared. All she could think about was losing her best friend, and she didn’t want to let him go.

  The meal was a silent one. Sadie’s appetite was almost nonexistent.

  When a knock sounded at the front door, Elam went to answer it and returned along with Sheriff Mackenzie.

  “Sorry to interrupt your meal,” the sheriff said.

  “May I get you a plate?” Mamm asked the man.

  He shook his head. “No thank you, ma’am. I just wanted to share some news with you. We were able to lift some prints from the last note. I’m guessing he was sloppy and wasn’t wearing gloves.”

  Sadie listened intently as the sheriff told them the prints belonged to a man by the name of Adam Gamble.

  “Do you recognize the name?” Sheriff Mackenzie asked.

  Sadie repeated the name in her head. Nothing about it sounded familiar. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t.”

  This wasn’t the answer the sheriff hoped for, she could tell.

  “Who is this man?” Elam prompted.

  Sheriff Mackenzie blew out a breath. “Until about four months ago, he was a resident in the state mental hospital outside of Billings. He was committed there six years ago for killing someone.”

  Terror slithered into the pit of Sadie’s stomach. The man murdered someone. “Who did he kill?” She forced herself to ask.

  That the
sheriff was reluctant to answer only heightened her concern.

  “A woman by the name of Helen Kendrick.” Sheriff Mackenzie hesitated. “Gamble stalked her for months, then killed her because he was convinced they had a relationship, only she refused to acknowledge it.”

  Sadie’s gaze held the sheriff’s. “Because one didn’t exist.”

  “Exactly. Helen never knew anything about Gamble before he started stalking her,” he said. “She reported him to the police, but until he tried something, they were powerless to assist. Three weeks after she reported the stalking to the police, she was dead.”

  ◆◆◆

  The reality of the sheriff’s words were unsettling. Another innocent woman lost her life at this man’s hands simply because the guy became infatuated with her. No matter what, Elam was not going to let that happen to Sadie.

  “Why is this man out on the streets?” Elam asked with a sharp edge to his tone.

  “His defense attorney claimed he was mentally unstable when he committed the murder. The judge bought it. He was sentenced to ten years in the mental hospital, but get this. His doctor is Donald Lewis. Turns out Lewis is a psychiatrist. When Gamble was released, he was required to keep up his appointments with Doctor Lewis. He stopped about four month ago.”

  “The same time he started stalking me,” Sadie said.

  “Exactly. I had his file sent to my phone. I have a photo of him for you to look at.” The sheriff brought out his phone and showed the picture to Sadie. “Have you seen this man before?”

  She studied the photo. Elam could tell she recognized the man.

  “He came into the ER where I was working,” she said and placed her hand over her mouth. Eyes wide, she stared at the photo. “I treated him along with the doctor. He claimed he was having a heart attack, but we ran every test imaginable and found no sign of one. He was later released.”

  “Did you ever see him again?” Elam asked. Pulling his thoughts together was impossible. How was this man walking the streets after murdering an innocent woman?

  “Now that I think about it, I did. Once at the grocery store near my apartment. I ran into him at the produce section. I thought it was a coincidence. He asked me out to coffee, but I declined.” Sadie blew out a sigh. “The first flowers and note came about a week afterward. I never connected the flowers with that incident.” She shook her head.

  “Why would you?” Sheriff Mackenzie said. “To any rational person, it was an innocent encounter. You had no way of knowing that by refusing him, you would set off this chain of events.”

  Sadie shivered, and all Elam could think about was protecting her.

  “Now that we have his identity, it will help. We’re not working blindly anymore. But until we catch this guy, I don’t want you leaving the house,” the sheriff told Sadie.

  She had become a prisoner because of a madman’s obsession.

  “I’ll have one of my men take your desserts to the diner and get whatever you need from town. It’s not safe for any of you to be out in the public eye for now.” The sheriff shifted his gaze to Elam. “After what happened with you and your brother earlier, none of you are safe. This man is delusional and reckless, and that’s a recipe for danger.”

  Elam agreed and walked the sheriff to the door.

  Sadie gathered her and Irene’s bowls.

  Elam came back and helped clear the table. He took the dish towel from Irene. “I have this,” he told her. He and Sadie had things to discuss. She deserved an explanation.

  Irene held his gaze for the longest time before leaving them alone.

  Sadie washed the first bowl with a little more vigor than necessary.

  He took it from her. “This is gut news. We know who this man is. It’s only a matter of time before Sheriff Mackenzie and his men catch this Gamble.”

  She didn’t look at him. He knew what she wanted to ask.

  “Just say it,” he told her and waited.

  She plunged the next bowl into the soapy water and scrubbed with fervor.

  “Sadie—”

  She stopped washing and shot him a look. “All right, I’ll say it. Why are you leaving?”

  His heart wanted to read more into her hurt expression than was true, but he’d wasted so many years waiting for her to realize he loved her. He couldn’t go there again. “Because it’s time. I’m ready to try something new.” He shrugged. The explanation sounded lame. “I feel as if I’m stuck in place. I live in this big house alone, and Willa and Jonah share a house with her parents. When they have children, they’ll need a bigger place of their own and I need a change. Jonah will watch out for Irene as if she were his mamm, the same way I did. I’ve already made arrangements, and I’ve discussed this with Irene too, so she knows.”

  “But why West Kootenai?” She didn’t look at him, though her voice shook.

  He took the glass she’d washed. “My cousin Henry owns a successful dairy farm there. Since his daed’s passing, he’s been asking me to come help out. Jonah’s all grown up with a wife and soon a family of his own. There’s nothing holding me here. Besides, it’s not for forever.” His brother and Willa would be fine on their own. With Saul’s help all three farms would be productive. It was time to let go of the things he wanted and find a life for himself . . . beyond Sadie.

  Chapter Ten

  There’s nothing holding me here . . .

  What about me, Sadie wanted to say, but she didn’t have the right. “When will you leave?” she asked, still without looking at him. If she did, she was afraid she’d beg him not to go.

  “As soon as this matter is settled and I know you’re safe. I’ll make sure the fall planting is completed. I’d like to be there before winter settles in.”

  She finished the plate and handed it to him. They worked in silence after that because she knew she could say nothing to change his mind. “Excuse me.” Sadie dried her hands and left without another word. She needed time alone. With her heart breaking, she desperately needed Gott’s comfort.

  Once in the room where she’d slept the night before, Sadie closed the door, and leaned against it. She couldn’t envision coming home to St. Ignatius and not having Elam here. Tears blurred her vision, and she scrubbed them away. Why was she so upset? Elam deserved happiness in his life. He’d been forced into adulthood way too young when his parents passed away. He’d given up so much of his life to be there for Jonah. This was about Elam’s happiness now, not about her.

  Sadie remembered she and Mamm would be sharing a room for a few days. The thought of having her mother close soothed her. She carried her paper bag into the living room where Willa quietly talked to Mamm. Elam and Jonah were nowhere in sight. Good, she needn’t face Elam again.

  After placing the bag in her mother’s room, she joined the two women. “Where is everyone?” she asked as she slipped into the rocker near the fire.

  “Jonah and Elam are doing some chores in the barn. Sheriff Mackenzie left, but his two deputies are out front.” Mamm smiled gently. “You are safe, child. That man is not going to hurt you.”

  If only Sadie could believe that. Safe was the last thing she felt.

  Outside, the afternoon skies turned darker with heavy clouds. A storm was on the horizon. The mountains had a way of making their own weather at times.

  Her mother followed her line of sight. “Looks like we’re in for some bad weather.”

  As if in answer, a flash of lightning shot across the sky. A shiver sped down Sadie’s spine as the thunder boomed. She couldn’t relax knowing a madman was out there somewhere obsessed with her. “I’ll put on some coffee. Something to take the chill away.”

  “Let me help you,” Willa offered, but Sadie shook her head.

  “I’ll do it. Stay seated.” Not waiting for Willa’s response, she headed to the kitchen, needing something to do with her hands. And more importantly, she desperately wanted to understand why Elam’s leaving was so upsetting. She lit the burner and prepared the water and coffee before placi
ng the percolator on the stove.

  While she waited for the coffee to perk, she placed some of the extra molasses cookies on a plate and moved to the refrigerator for milk.

  The sound of the backdoor being pushed in sent her whirling from the refrigerator door.

  He was inches away. Adam Gamble. Her stalker.

  Before she could scream, he clamped a hand over her mouth. Another strong arm circled her waist as he hauled her toward the rear door. Sadie tried to fight him, but he was too strong.

  She thrashed against him trying to free herself, but Gamble kept a firm hold on her. He moved toward the woods beyond the barn. If he got her in there, her instincts told her she wouldn’t live.

  All she could think about was the innocent woman who had died at this man’s hands. If she wanted to live, she’d have to find a way to escape. Ignoring her nonresistant upbringing, she kicked Gamble as hard as she could. He yelped. His vice like hold loosened just a smidgen.

  With all her strength, Sadie continued to kick his legs and claw at his face.

  “You belong to me. Not him,” Gamble growled. Sadie landed another strong kick, and he dropped her. Frantic, she screamed as loudly as she could, her frightened eyes glued on the man.

  Shouts came from close by. With a worried glance in their direction, Gamble turned and fled into the woods. She could hear him thrashing through the trees, but she was incapable of moving. Terrified he’d change his mind and come back.

  With her heart in her throat, she pushed herself up, but her legs wouldn’t support her. She sank to the ground. A cold rain began to fall.

  Someone gathered her close. For a moment, she fought against the arms holding her until Elam whispered, “You’re safe. I’ve got you. I won’t let him near you again.”

  “I heard a noise near the barn and left my post near the back door. What happened?” Deputy Anderson asked.

  Finding her voice was hard. “I was making coffee in the kitchen. He shoved the back door in. He put his hand over my mouth. I couldn’t speak or yell. And he dragged me off. I thought he’d kill me.” She couldn’t stop shaking.