A Dark Amish Night

by Jenny Moews

  Paul and Lily had no children of their own. Later I would learn that they’d had children, but all of them died at birth. They took us in and raised us as their own. I was grateful. I didn’t have to take care of Georgie by myself ever again. I learned about and embraced the Amish faith, but Georgie never could give up that dream of the new house with the swimming pool. It was all he ever talked about, and when he was seventeen, not long after I got married, he ran away.

  For several years I didn’t hear from him. Then the letters started coming. The letters would stop for a while and then they would come again. I figured out that Georgie was in and out of jail. When he was in jail I would get letters, and when he got out the letters would stop.

  I loved Georgie so much and he was all I had left of my real family so I sent him what I could, mostly candy and foodstuff. He would send cards and letters telling me about how when he got out he was going to come back and find that gold Jack hid in those woods, and take me away to a new house with a swimming pool. I never believed him.

  Then on the night Eric Hershberger died, Georgie showed up on my doorstep. I was glad to see him, but I was scared. Scared someone might find him with me and then I’d be shunned for fraternizing with a criminal. Eric Hershberger saw Georgie at my place when he came to bring me that pie.

  Pattie Sue stopped talking then and hung her head and cried. “I don’t know what happened after that. Eric gave me the pie and left. I fed Georgie and told him he had to leave. I haven’t seen or heard from him since that night, and I don’t know where he is now. He drove off in a beat up old pick-up truck and that’s all I know.”

  Quinn sat silent for a few moments. Pattie Sue’s story left him with several more questions. He just needed to think about it for a minute.

  “Okay, Pattie Sue, so you believe that your brother Georgie came back for the stolen loot your father hid some forty years ago?”

  “Yes, that’s why he came back. He searched for it when we were growing up here. He never did find it. It’s all brush land out there now, impossible to get through it.”

  “Yeah, I know real well how hard it is to get through that brush land, and I assume the gold is hidden in the woods somewhere near the Hershberger farm?”

  Pattie Sue lowered her head again and whispered. “Yes, Sheriff, you’re correct.”

  “You say you haven’t heard from Georgie since the night of Eric Hershberger’s murder, are you very sure about that?”

  “Yes, I’m very sure about that. I’ve told you the absolute truth.”

  “Alright, Pattie Sue, did you and your brother murder Eric Hershberger to keep him from telling others that he saw you with him?”

  “NO! I would never do such a thing. The Hershbergers are like family to me. I would never hurt any of them.”

  “Then did Georgie do it for you or did he do it to keep Eric from getting close to the gold?”

  The room got silent. An almost painful tension hung in the air before Pattie Sue found the strength to answer.

  “I honestly don’t know. God forgive me, I just don’t know.” More silence ensued before Quinn continued.

  “Pattie Sue, I think we’re done, for now. I just have one more question. Why didn’t you tell me all this sooner?”

  “Sheriff, I was scared. Scared for my brother, and scared of being shunned by the only people in this world who mean anything to me.”

  “Okay then. You’re free to go, but you are still under suspicion, and I need access to you day and night. So don’t even think of trying to leave. If your bother tries to contact you in any way you will come to me and let me know immediately. I need to know that you understand that completely.”

  “Yes, I understand you completely.”

  Quinn thought Pattie Sue was telling the truth and he turned to the Bishop.

  “Bishop Miller, thank you for coming in. I wonder if I might have a word privately with you.”

  “Sure, let me get Pattie Sue to my buggy and I’ll come back in to talk.” The Bishop picked up his hat and escorted Pattie Sue out of the detainment area. A few minutes later he came back alone to talk to Quinn.

  “Bishop, I need to know if what Pattie Sue said is possible. Could two children be adopted into the community like that?” Quinn was curious for more than one reason.

  “It is rare, but not unheard of and this was forty years ago. Things were different back then. However, I can assure you that Pattie Sue and Georgie did come here with the Hollenbecks as children. My father and mother were close to them and I know Paul Hollenbeck relayed this same story to my father many years ago.”

  “So you can corroborate her story then?”

  “Yes, I believe she has told you everything she knows about her past and her brother.”

  “Good, that’s good to know. Just out of curiosity, can any outsider join the Amish faith?”

  “Again it is rare, but should an Englisher come to the Bishop of a plain folk community and ask to join the fold, the Bishop would interview and pray with them about their decision. Then if the Englisher still felt strongly about it, and the Bishop felt they might be a good fit, the Englisher would then be placed with a host family. They will learn the ways and faith of the plain folk. Then after a time, the Englisher would petition the church to join, then the community would put it to a vote. If the vote goes well, the Englisher would then be a part of the community and would begin their life as an Amish person. It is not an easy life the plain folk choose to live, but it is a rewarding one for us.”

  “What happens when someone like Georgie McVey leaves the community? Could he come back if he wanted to?”

  “That would be a special case for the Bishop and the deacons of the church to decide, but it would not be an easy thing for someone like Georgie. He would most likely have to endure a period of shunning.”

  “Well, thanks for coming in, Bishop. Tell Pattie Sue I’ll be in touch.” Quinn held the door open and let the Bishop out.

  The sun was up and shining bright in the sky when Pattie Sue and Bishop Miller left the jail house. Quinn was exhausted, but he had only one thing on his mind. Hannah. He had a good reason to see her and this time she wouldn’t send him away. Quinn wished he had better news for Hannah, but he felt closer to finding Georgie McVey. He slugged back a cup of strong, hot coffee and went to relieve Jess.

  A Dark Amish Night

  Chapter Seventeen

  Abe and Millie brought Hannah some pumpkins from the farm along with some good news. Hannah was grateful for the rain they’d had through the summer to make a successful crop, but the good news was Millie was expecting her first child. And so life goes on. I still miss you, Eric. I wish you were here with us, but I’m moving forward the best I can.

  Hannah left her thoughts behind and got started on making some pumpkin bread. She set out a few smaller pumpkins on the tables for the customers to enjoy. Millie was going to stay with her, helping at the bakery for a few more weeks until winter came and it was more difficult for her to be traveling back and forth every day. Hannah made a note to herself to start looking for more help. The bakery was a huge success. Most of her business came from Englishers who already knew that Hannah was an excellent cook. Her baked breads were always in demand. The morning rush made breakfast items like muffins disappear by midmorning.

  It was going to be a busy day, but Hannah took the time to say a quick prayer for Pattie Sue. When she opened the bakery for business, Pattie Sue’s helper, Milo, came by to say that Pattie Sue was home, but she had taken the day off and he would be running the store. Hannah hoped that Quinn would come to see her soon. She wanted to radio him, but did not want to disturb his investigation. When the sun came up and Timothy left the bakery to go to school Hannah stepped outside to watch Timothy as he walked the block down the street to get to the schoolhouse. It was nice living in town with everything so close by. It made life a lot easier for her and the children. With winter weather coming soon, it would be even better not to have to try to navigate icy
roads in the wee hours of the morning. Yes, living in town has its advantages.

  Before she went back inside, she saw Quinn’s car coming up the road so she waited for him to get out. Quinn appeared to be exhausted. It was obvious that he had been up all night with no sleep, again. Hannah could not help but worry for him.

  “Quinn, you have got so stop this staying up all night and not getting any sleep.”

  “Well, as the saying goes, I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”

  Hannah gave Quinn a disturbed look.

  “Aw, Hannah, I didn’t mean it like that. Listen, you and I need to talk, right now.”

  “All right, let’s talk right here outside. First, let me get you something to eat.” Hannah ran back in the bakery and grabbed Quinn some slices of freshly baked pumpkin bread. Quinn did not argue with her. The smell coming from the bakery made his mouth water and stomach grumble. He could not remember when last he ate.

  Quinn took the bag from Hannah, and swore he would eat as soon as he was done telling her everything that needed to be said.

  “Look, I’ve been tracking a fella by the name of Georgie McVey. Turns out he’s Pattie Sue’s long lost brother, and that’s not all. McVey is trying to find lost gold bars his and Pattie Sue’s real father hid out near Willow Creek.” Quinn stopped for a moment to let this all sink in.

  Hannah was dumbfounded. “How could this man possibly be Pattie Sue’s brother? Pattie Sue is Amish she came here with her family as a child long before I was even born. She has never mentioned a brother, but if he left the community before I was old enough to know anything about him no one would have spoken about him. Pattie Sue was a Hollenbeck not a McVey. How can this be?”

  Quinn spent the next several minutes explaining everything that Pattie Sue had told him to Hannah. “Don’t you see? Until McVey is found, Timothy is not safe. I need all of you under constant surveillance. I want to get you and Timothy and Ruth Anne into a safe house where I know you’re safe.”

  “No, we can’t possibly do that. I have a business to run. We have a chance at a new life, and the church has done so much to help me. I can’t leave now, it’s not possible. The community is watching over us. It’s enough. It has to be enough.” Hannah turned to walk away and Quinn went after her. He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her around. He saw the tears she had welling up in her eyes and pulled her close.

  “Hannah, don’t you see? Someone has threatened Timothy with his life and probably yours and Ruth Anne’s. I need you safe. I love you. I can’t bear to know that you and the children are at the mercy of a killer. Until I have that killer behind bars I’m begging you to please go to a place where you can be…”

  Before Quinn could finish Hannah shoved him away with a look of pure horror on her face. He looked around to see not only Peter Yoder and his wife, Rachel, but Bishop Miller with his wife all standing on the sidewalk staring wide eyed at him, as he had just been holding Hannah close declaring his love for her.

  “Thank you, Sheriff Ramsey, but that is not necessary. Our community is all we need. We are well looked after.” Hannah turned on her heel with her cheeks flaming red and went back into the bakery. Quinn tipped his hat to the Bishop and the others and left without saying a word. In his urgency to see Hannah and her children safe, he just may have ruined her in the eyes of her community. Dear Lord, what have I done?

  It took only two days for the matter of Hannah’s relationship with the Sheriff to be brought before the entire church. Hannah was mortified to find herself standing in front of the entire congregation. The Bishop questioned her.

  “Widow Hershberger, what is the nature of your relationship with Sheriff Ramsey?”

  “We have no relationship. He has a care for me and my children and he’s investigating the death of my husband. He is concerned that whoever killed Eric is now after me and my children. He thinks that someone has threatened my son with his life and that is why he has stayed close.”

  Everyone in the church gasped. The Bishop roared. “Be settled all of you, or I will ask you to leave these proceedings.”

  “And how do you feel about the Sheriff? Have you had intimate relations with him?”

  “NO! I have not lain in a marriage bed with him. I am true to my husband.”

  “Yes, but have you had impure thoughts about the Sheriff?”

  Hannah closed her eyes tight and clenched her fist. Tears streamed down her face. “Yes, I’ve had impure thoughts of the Sheriff.” Again the whole church gasped.

  “And are you now prepared to repent of that unholy sin of impure thoughts toward an Englisher who is not your husband?”

  For several seconds Hannah remained quiet and let the hot tears of damnation roll down her cheeks. Forgive me, Quinn. I must betray you or my faith. I have to do what I must. “Yes, I repent of my impure thoughts of Sheriff Ramsey, and I promise to never have any kind of contact with him ever again. I’ll let you and the church represent me and my children in any dealings he must have in order to continue his investigation. I throw myself on the mercy of the community and God. Please, forgive my terrible sin.”

  The Bishop went to confer with the Deacons and came back to face Hannah and the congregation. “Widow Hershberger, the church has no choice but to declare you shunned for the sin of fornication with impure thoughts and in not keeping yourself from being personally involved with an outsider to the Amish faith. You are forthwith shunned for three weeks. No one in the community may have any business dealings with you. They may not speak to you, give or take anything from you, or break bread with you for three weeks. This shunning does not extend to your children who are innocent in the eyes of God. You will, as the mother, of Timothy and Ruth Anne Hershberger, continue to care for them. After three weeks, you will again come before the church to be forgiven of your sins and welcomed back into the community. You must now put aside any and all communication or contact with Sheriff Ramsey. If he tries to contact you, you must shun him. Turn away from him and never speak to or look upon him again.”

  In a matter of minutes, Hannah’s worst fear had been realized. She was now shunned. As she walked down the aisle everyone turned their entire bodies away from her. It was deathly silent when she walked out the doors. Timothy and Ruth Anne were outside the church playing with the other children. She called them both and they came to her side with Timothy holding Ruth Anne’s hand. Timothy did not say anything. He already knew without having to be told that his mother had been shunned.

  Later that night as the children were sleeping, Hannah stepped out onto her porch. She pulled out the radio handset and spoke into it.

  “Quinn, are you there?”

  “Hannah, yes of course I’m here. I am always here. I’ve been so worried. How are you? I’ve tried so many times to reach out to you these last couple of days. Are the children okay?”

  “We’re all safe and good. Look, I’ve been shunned. For three weeks, no one in the community can have anything to do with me. They cannot do any business with me, or talk to me, or even look at me. Thankfully, they’ve not shunned the children. But it’ll be hard for them none the less. I’ll have to run the bakery by myself, but I can do it.” Hannah paused. Her heart was breaking to say what she needed to say to Quinn, but she had to do it.

  “Quinn, I can never see you again. I can’t talk to you, or even look at you. If you come into the bakery, I cannot wait on you. I have to turn my back and walk away from you if you are near me. This is the last time I will ever speak to you again. I want you to know that I wish things could’ve been different between you and me. I will always regret you. Goodbye, Quinn. I wish you happiness and love. Please, I’m begging you, do not ever try to contact me again.”

  “Hannah, wait please keep the radio with you. I’m begging you for the safety of your children to keep it. I’ll always be here.”

  Hannah clicked the radio off and went back into the house. Her heart was shattered into pieces. She never thought to love another as she loved Eric. Espec
ially so soon after losing him, but she did love Quinn. There was no doubt of that. For the sake of her children and for her community that had done so much for her in the months following Eric’s death, she had made the right decision. This was final.

  “Hannah? Hannah, are you there? Please, Hannah, please say you’ll keep the radio with you always.” Quinn sat on his couch and listened to nothing but static for a long time. He was at a complete loss, and almost threw his handset across the room in frustration, then thought better of it.

  “Damn it!” he yelled at no one. “Lord, please help me. Please, tell me what I have to do? Please don’t let me be alone like this again. I can’t take another loss like this. It’s just not right to bring her into my life and then take her out again.” Quinn slid from his couch down to the floor. He drew up his knees and put his head down between them. He felt the depression that had dogged him unmercifully after Kathleen’s death rear its ugly head again. He sat in despair knowing it would come like it did before and take over his life.

  After a long night in which he dreamed of Hannah, Quinn woke with a pounding headache that almost matched the ache in his soul. He dreamed Hannah died like Kathleen did, and he had no way to save her. He knew this was his mind’s way of coping with the loss of Hannah. The good thing was that Hannah was not dead. Her children were safe, and so was she. This was the thought that allowed Quinn some measure of peace.

  Hannah was alive and as long as there was breath in his body she, with Timothy, and little Ruth Anne, would always be safe. He accepted that he would never have contact with Hannah again. This was the right decision for her to make for her family. She needed her community, and Quinn wanted her to have it. He would move on. He knew that he could do it as he had done it before.