by Marta Perry
That seemed to describe it very well. “Are there other people...friends, maybe...who might know more about why you came here?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” She rubbed her forehead. “I can’t seem to think straight.”
“Then you should stop trying.” Joanna leaned forward to take Meredith’s hand in hers, holding it gently until the restless moving stopped. “I’m sure it will come. Isn’t that what the doctor advised you to do?”
Meredith strained against her for a long moment, but then she let out a breath and relaxed a little. “Just about, but it’s so hard. It’s like...”
“Maybe you ought to wait...”
She shook her head. “I need to say it. It’s like I’m pushing against a fog. Every once in a while, some little piece comes clear, or maybe there’s just a hint, and I feel that if I can only grab it, I’ll understand everything. But it always slips away from me.”
“Now you’re making me feel that way, too.” She tried to keep her voice light, but Meredith couldn’t seem to accept the release she was offering.
Meredith shot a sharp look at her. “Why? I mean, you can remember it all. There’s no need for you to feel lost.”
“But there are things I don’t understand. I think I wonder just as much as you do about what brought you to my door that night. If only I hadn’t been away. If I’d been there, when you came, if I’d talked to you, what would things be like now?”
Meredith nodded, and they sat there holding hands for a moment. Then Meredith smiled and released her hand. “It’s funny. I keep feeling if I had one solid thing to hold on to, it would all come back to me.”
Something solid...like a tiny gold heart? That was something solid that had a story for Joanna, if not for Meredith. Would it help if Meredith saw it? Maybe it would mean something to her.
The words trembled on her lips, but a second thought made her clamp them closed. It was too dangerous for her to take on the responsibility of telling her. Meredith didn’t know about the DNA test yet.
The chief had been careful not to fuss when she’d told him the story of the necklace. But was he doing something about it without telling her? He might feel he had to. For a moment she regretted saying anything to him. How could she do anything that might hurt her parents?
Too many secrets were being kept—even if it was for good reasons. Secrets that strangled anything she might say or do. Whichever way she went, she could end up hurting someone.
No, she couldn’t say anything now. She’d have to think about it long and hard, and before she could say a word to Meredith, she’d have to talk to Chief Jamison, wouldn’t she?
It all came back to her parents. Why should they be hurt when all they’d done was take her in and love her? Any resentment she’d felt over the fact that they hadn’t told her the truth had long since been swept away by love.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
BY THE TIME Joanna left the hospital room, she was dreading the thought of having supper with Emily and her son, but there seemed no polite way of getting out of it. She couldn’t excuse herself by saying that she didn’t trust any of them, even though that was the truth. Still, what could they do to her at a public restaurant? And Aunt Jessie knew she was with them, and so did Chief Jamison.
It was possible that she could use this meal together as a chance to find out more from them about Meredith and the family. She must have been about the same age as Meredith’s father. Would she have known his sister, the one who’d apparently disappeared? It was possible that she was Joanna’s mother—the girl her mother had seen, who’d looked so lost.
Like Meredith. Her heart twisted at the thought of Meredith, groping her way through the fog, trying to remember whatever it was that seemed so important to her. She longed to protect her, and she felt as if she walked on thin ice whenever she was around any of Meredith’s relatives.
Were they her relatives, as well? Trying to think her way through the possible connections only left her more confused than she had been before. It didn’t matter anyway. It didn’t affect her lack of trust in them, whether they were related or not. She’d still have to be careful around them.
Joanna stepped out the front door, glancing around for her ride. Almost immediately a car pulled up to the curb, and Emily opened the car door, waving, and got out.
“You sit up front with Owen, and then you can give him directions to a nice place to eat. I’ll sit in the back.”
There was no good reason why she couldn’t give directions from the backseat, but Joanna obediently got in where she was directed. Owen rolled his eyes at his mother and nodded to Joanna.
“You’d better take us somewhere that has Amish food, or Mom’s going to be disappointed. She has her heart set on it.”
“We don’t want to disappoint her, ain’t so? Just go out of the driveway and turn right. I thought we’d go to Harvest Acres restaurant. It’s very pleasant and people love the food. You want to go straight about three miles. I’ll tell you when to turn.”
He nodded, pulling out, and Emily leaned forward to ask a question. “Is it really Amish cooking? I can’t go home without tasting the real thing.”
“We usually call it Pennsylvania Dutch cooking. The Amish, the Mennonites and most of the longtime residents have a lot of recipes in common. This place is owned by a Mennonite family, and a lot of the teenage Amish and Mennonite girls get jobs there during the busy season.”
Joanna could only hope she was making sense. It was hard to focus on trivial things when her mind kept darting around like a hummingbird, looking for answers.
She leaned forward, pointing. “You can turn left at the next corner, and then pull into the parking lot that’s on your left. That’s the restaurant.”
There weren’t many cars in the lot, about what she’d expect midweek in the fall. Most of the tourists were confined to the weekends now that summer holidays were over.
Owen parked near the entrance, and Joanna led the way inside, and exchanged a few words with the hostess, who took them to a table near a window. She hoped the other occupied tables near them might discourage Emily from too much talk about Meredith. There’d been enough interest locally in their mystery woman that probably everyone in the dining room knew who they were and thought they knew even more. Naturally, folks would be curious about why she was with them, but wasn’t it understandable that they would want to take her out to supper to thank her?
“This is charming.” Emily looked around with what seemed genuine pleasure. “We’re not all that far from Lancaster County Amish, of course, but that area is much too busy with tourists.” She gave a ladylike shudder. “I just don’t enjoy that sort of thing.”
There didn’t seem much to say to that, so Joanna didn’t speak, but Owen made a disgusted sound.
“Really, Mom. For all you know, Joanna might have relatives there.”
Emily’s eyes widened. “I didn’t mean anything. I wouldn’t...”
Joanna spoke quickly, annoyed with Owen for embarrassing his mother. “That’s all right. I do have relatives there, and they don’t care for all the tourists, either, except for the ones who are in businesses that deal with tourists.”
Owen should know better than to speak to his mother in that tone of voice. Their forced togetherness seemed to be getting on his nerves. But she could imagine Daad’s reaction if any of her brothers ever spoke to Mammi in that tone. They’d go straight to the woodshed.
“I like the hex signs,” Emily said, looking at the painted emblems arranged above the windows all the way round the dining room. “So bright and colorful.”
“They are, aren’t they? We don’t use them on our barns, but some people do.”
And when they did, they’d be quick to point out that it was “just for pretty” and not for protection. No one would want to be thought superstitious in that way.
With a little pus
hing on her part, they became engrossed in the menu, and she could sit back and try to relax, glancing at them now and then. It was impossible to believe that either of these normal people could have been involved in the attack on Meredith.
Certainly, Emily couldn’t have. The person she’d struggled with in the hospital room had been a man. Owen? It was possible, she supposed, but all he seemed interested in at the moment was getting back home to enjoy whatever was left of his fall vacation from school. Of course, it would be possible for any of them to have hired someone.
The very idea seemed outlandish to her, but she knew it happened. Just not here.
Chief Jamison seemed convinced that money was behind everything that had happened. No doubt he’d been investigating the question of who benefited if Meredith died.
Usually family members waited until after a person died to argue about who should benefit... That was what made for family feuds. Everyone in the community knew about the two elderly Fisher sisters who hadn’t spoken to each other in twenty years because they each thought they should have inherited their mother’s quilting frame. It was silly and sad at the same time.
Soup and salad came promptly once they’d ordered, along with a large basket of fragrant, freshly baked bread and rolls. A little food seemed to put Owen into a better frame of mind, and when his mother said again how important it was that they take Meredith home, he even agreed with her.
“You could go and stay with her for as long as she needs you,” he said. “I’ll be back in school next week, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
“What are you studying in college?” Joanna paused to make room for the chicken potpie that she’d ordered, smiling her thanks to the server. It wouldn’t be as good as her mother’s, of course, but the restaurant was known for it.
“I haven’t quite settled on what I want to do,” Owen said. “I’m just taking general courses and seeing what best suits my talents.” He waved his fork airily. “I know one thing for sure. It won’t be business. I wouldn’t be in Merry’s shoes for anything. I’d go crazy if I had to run that whole company.”
“That’s silly,” Emily said, almost sharply for her. “If her grandfather had been smart enough to leave it to you, you’d have been brilliant at it. Far better than Merry could be.”
Joanna had to blink at the expression of fierce maternal pride in Emily’s face. She looked ready to take on tigers for her young. This new side of someone she’d considered a rather silly woman startled her, making her see Emily in a new light. What might Emily be willing to do if she could persuade herself it was for her son?
Emily’s comment made her uncomfortable, although she didn’t think the others noticed. Joanna focused on the food, keeping her comments to brief ones about how the different dishes were made. She hadn’t given up hoping for some insight into the Bristow family, but she didn’t know how to bring up the subject.
“At least the doctor says that if Merry continues to do well, she can go home by the weekend. Or maybe before.” Emily looked satisfied that things were going her way. “I’m sure she’ll want us to take her, rather than Landon. She knows what a good driver Owen is.”
Owen indulged in a roll of the eyes, but he sounded polite enough. “You know I’m glad to take her, Mom. But I can’t hang around here much longer. I can’t afford to miss a day of classes.”
And she still hadn’t learned anything useful about the family. Maybe the only thing was to plunge right in. “It seems a shame that Meredith doesn’t have more family. Does she have any brothers or sisters?”
“It is sad, isn’t it? Our family just gets smaller and smaller.” Emily didn’t look especially sad, but she was used to it, Joanna supposed.
Obviously, she’d have to push a little more. “Owen said her mother had remarried. He didn’t tell me anything more.”
“I’m afraid my cousin...her father, that is...died in an accident.”
“Tell the rest of it, Mom,” Owen said impatiently. “He loved anything fast—especially fast cars. He was going way over the limit when he just missed a school bus and crashed into a bridge abutment. It was his own fault.”
“You shouldn’t talk that way about him,” Emily said. “It was still sad. He was spoiled, that’s what he was. He was his father’s pride and joy, and whatever he wanted, he got. We were afraid he’d made the same mistake with Meredith, but he seemed to have done better.”
“I’m so sorry. Meredith must have been fairly small then. What about her mother?”
Emily’s face set in disapproving lines. “A year later she married again. The man had a business in California, and she insisted on moving out there. Naturally, Gregory didn’t want to lose his only grandchild, and in the end, she left Meredith with him and off she went.” She reached across the table to grasp her son’s hand. “I can’t imagine a mother doing that. I wouldn’t leave my son for anything.”
Owen eased his hand away, flushing. “I know, Mom. Hey, look at the time. Do you want any dessert?”
Of course his mother did, and the talk turned to whether she should get pie or bread pudding. By the time they’d finished dessert, Joanna was relieved that the evening was nearly over.
Her bruises were beginning to complain, and she no longer knew what she thought about any of Meredith’s relatives, except that she shouldn’t confide in any of them.
The drive back to the shop was taken up with Emily’s description of how pleasant her house was and how perfect it would be if Meredith agreed to move in with her. Owen, catching Joanna’s eye, raised his eyebrows and shook his head slightly.
Owen slowed as he approached the shop, flipping on the turn signal. “Do you want us to drop you off at the front of the shop?”
“That’s fine. It looks as if my aunt isn’t back yet, but she’ll be here soon. Thank you again for supper.”
“It’s our pleasure, Joanna.” Emily reached forward to pat her shoulder. “We’ll have to be sure not to lose touch with you once we’re all back home. We do appreciate your care for our Merry.”
Joanna nodded, feeling as if Emily wanted to remind her that Meredith was part of their world, not hers.
That was true, of course. And if she believed Meredith could leave and have a safe, happy life, she’d leave it at that, even if she never had any answers. But she couldn’t.
With final goodbyes, Joanna slid out of the car and stood watching as they drove away. Relieved, she turned to walk around to the back door, fumbling for her keys. There was no sense in going in through the store. Aunt Jessie would have closed up, assuming she’d come through the back.
The light Noah had installed allowed her to unlock the new dead bolt without resorting to a flashlight, and she quickened her pace as she went up the stairs. Looking at the tiny necklace wouldn’t give her any answers, but she felt a need to hold it in her hand. She’d have to decide, and soon, whether to show it to Meredith or to keep silent. Once Meredith left River Haven, it would be too late.
Joanna paused on the top step as she unlocked the door. Meredith must have been about here when she’d fallen. A shadow of foreboding slipped through her as she pictured it. Had Meredith knocked, and, hearing no answer, turned away and fallen? Or had someone else been there—someone who slipped up the steps behind her, someone who wanted Meredith out of the way?
Trying to shake off the grim thoughts, Joanna stepped into the hall, reaching for the battery lamp they kept on the small table by the door. Her fingers found nothing but empty air. Leaning to the side, she reached farther.
Something...a creaking floorboard, the brush of a sleeve against the wall...warned her. She turned. A blow brushed the back of her head, striking her shoulder, and shooting pain down her arm to her hand. She cried out, reaching for something, anything, to hold on to, and fell into darkness.
* * *
NOAH HAD PERSUADED his brother to go home, but he’d lin
gered in the storeroom, checking supplies while keeping an eye out for Joanna and wishing she hadn’t gone to supper with those people. Even if they weren’t a danger to her, they could draw her closer to the Englisch world and away from him.
The back lights went on, and he reached the window in time to see Joanna disappear into her entrance and the door shut behind her. She was home safely, then. He could relax.
But he couldn’t. He stood where he was. When it was this quiet, he could imagine the faint echo of her footsteps going up, sense the momentary pause when she unlocked the upper door.
And then came a sound he wasn’t imagining—a cut-off cry and a dull thud.
He moved before his brain caught up with reaction. Joanna. His heart stuttered and began thumping so loud that he felt it would fly out of his chest as he grabbed the key from its hook, flew out the door and raced toward Joanna’s apartment. Thank the Lord Joanna had suggested he keep a copy of the key in case of an emergency. He had the door open in a moment and plunged into the dark stairwell, transported back to the night Joanna had found Meredith. He shouted Joanna’s name, thundering up the stairs.
But this time it wasn’t a stranger who lay sprawled, head down, at the top of the stairs. Joanna lay there, with the faint light from the upstairs windows letting him see her face. He dropped to his knees and gathered her into his arms.
“Joanna, say something. Are you all right?”
She moved, turning her face to his chest. “All right,” she murmured.
Relief flooded through him, but when she fell silent again, the fear crept back. “Don’t try to move,” he murmured. “You’re safe now.”
He could feel her breathing and thanked the Lord for it. She shifted her head a little, and he realized she was looking up at him. He touched her face gently and she turned her cheek into his palm.
“You’re here,” she whispered. “I knew you’d come.”
She moved, or maybe he did, and it was the most natural thing in the world to kiss her, murmuring the words of love that he’d been longing to say.
