Amish Protector

by Marta Perry

  “What, then? There’s something more, yah?”

  “Yah.” She knew that Daad always seemed to be a step ahead. “Someone is out to harm Meredith, and Jamison feels that it’s connected to the money she was left by her grandfather.”

  There was no need to say they were rich, not to Daad and Mammi. They all agreed that money, no matter how much, wasn’t an excuse for doing bad things.

  “Does she...” Daad hesitated as if not sure how to refer to Meredith. “Wouldn’t she have some idea if her relatives were that sort?”

  It was a reasonable question, but she didn’t think Meredith and her relatives were all that close. Anyway, it didn’t matter as things stood.

  “She might, but she still doesn’t remember everything, although she’s doing better every day.” And the very fact that she was starting to remember might put her in worse danger. “Anyway, Chief Jamison wants to show her that little gold necklace and see if that prompts her to remember. Just knowing why she came here might help.”

  “She wouldn’t have come unless she knew about you.” The words startled her because they came from Mammi. She was convinced of that herself but had imagined Mammi might want to deny it.

  “Yah.” Daad sounded as if they’d discussed this and tried to prepare for it. He exchanged looks with Mammi. “We understand it all has to come out now.”

  “Your daad was right all along.” Mamm reached out tentatively to her, and Joanna clasped her hand, her heart aching. “We should have told you by the time you were grown, but we didn’t because I was afraid. That was wrong. But you...you must do what’s right, no matter...”

  She let that trail off, and Joanna wondered what the end of that sentence was going to be. Did Mammi fear it would send Joanna away? Or did she fear what the law might do? Somehow, she had to reassure them as best she could.

  “As far as the law is concerned...” She hesitated, wishing she knew more. “I really don’t think Chief Jamison will do anything. And surely my birth mother had the right to ask you to raise me if she thought that best for me.”

  “We have always told ourselves that,” Daad said. His face softened as he looked at Mammi. “And we tried our best to bring you up as loved as if you were our own by birth.”

  “I know that, Daadi.” She managed to get the words out, but it was a struggle when her throat was tight with tears. She put her hand in his, and they sat linked as she tried to foresee what the future would bring.

  But that was impossible. So she said what was certain in her heart. “We’re family, yah? Any trouble that comes, we’ll face it together.”

  Love seemed to flow through their clasped hands, and she felt it wash away all the doubts. Whatever happened, they would be together.

  * * *

  NOAH WAITED PATIENTLY with the buggy, knowing this was the sort of difficult conversation that was best done alone. Much as he wanted to make it easier for Joanna, that was impossible, even if he’d had the right to interfere. Which he didn’t, and never would.

  He hated to see her so stressed and worried. Some people would have avoided this encounter, but Joanna was too honest for that course. She couldn’t do anything else but what she was doing, but it was hurting her as much as she feared it would hurt her parents.

  The door began to open, and he swung himself back into the buggy, ready to help Joanna up but suspecting she wouldn’t welcome it. Sure enough, she ignored his outstretched hand and pulled herself up to the seat beside him. Her face was averted, but he had a quick glimpse of tears shimmering in her eyes.

  When Joanna didn’t speak, Noah picked up the lines and clicked to the horse. They started back along the farm lane to the county road, and he could feel Joanna’s parents watching them from the window.

  The distant trees were ablaze with color after the cold night, but neither of them was in a mood to appreciate it. As far as Joanna was concerned, she probably saw it through a sad gray cloud of misery.

  Once they were on the road toward the hospital, he ventured another look at her. She could probably stand to talk to somebody about now. He’d given up any right to her confidence, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a friend.

  Finally, he cleared his throat, hoping to find the right words. “If you want to talk about it...”

  She shook her head vigorously before he could finish, and he fell silent. So much for that idea. He wasn’t going to be allowed to help her.

  But a moment later she raised her head. After a fleeting glance at him, Joanna stared straight ahead between the horse’s ears.

  “They’re putting on a brave front.” Her voice was husky with suppressed tears. “But they’re hurting, and I’m the one who’s hurting them.”

  He couldn’t let that pass without comment. “They must have known all along that the truth of your parentage would come out someday.” He was about to say more but feared it might sound critical of her parents. That certainly wouldn’t help her just now.

  “I’m sure Daadi realized it, but he took the risk for Mammi’s sake.” Her voice had eased a little as if saying something had helped. “If I’d found out in some other way, if I weren’t involved with Meredith already... Well, wishful thinking can’t help now.” She rubbed the center of her forehead with her fingertips, maybe trying to release the tension that had built up moment by moment.

  “They’re afraid of losing you.” He spoke gently, saying the thing she couldn’t lose track of in all this. What had come over him, that he was defending the bishop, of all people? Seemed that this situation had changed him, almost without his noticing.

  “I’ve already told them that this doesn’t make a difference in the way I see them.” She flashed a defiant look at him.

  “You may be sure of that, but I’d guess they can’t quite believe it, no matter how much they want to.”

  Did she even believe it herself? She’d already changed since the night she found Meredith on her stairs, although she probably didn’t realize it. She was more confident, and certainly more daring about the need to find out about her past and to protect Meredith.

  “No, you’re right.” She spoke after a long moment during which that momentary flare-up ebbed away. “They’re afraid of losing me. I’m afraid of hurting them. And you’re afraid of hurting me, but not, I guess, of losing me.”

  For an instant he felt as if someone had jammed a pitchfork into his chest. He struggled to breathe. Finally, he said the only thing he could.

  “It’s not the same.”

  “No, it’s not.” The anger threaded through her words. “Because in your case, it’s not necessary. You aren’t your father. You aren’t in the least like him. You’re not an alcoholic.”

  “I’ve never had alcohol, not even when everyone else in my rumspringa group was hiding beer cans under the hay bales. I didn’t dare, because I’d seen the costs and I knew the seeds of it were in me. Just like I know my father’s temper is alive in me.”

  “That’s ferhoodled,” she snapped. “I’ve never even seen you angry.”

  If she could look into him, she’d see the anger stirring, even now rousing because she couldn’t accept what he knew. “You haven’t seen it because I clamp down on it. You could have last night, when I chased after the man who hurt you. If I’d caught him, I’d have taken it out on him. As I didn’t, I slammed my fist into the door frame instead.”

  He held out his bruised knuckles for her to see. Her quick, indrawn breath was audible. There, maybe that had done it. He almost congratulated himself when she was silent.

  But not quite. How could a man be congratulated when he’d just hurt someone he loved? Still, it was better to be brutally honest. Better a little hurt now than a terrible life. He could never bear to see her turn into someone like his mother used to be—terrorized, loving and fearing at the same time. That was no way to live.

  Joanna didn’t speak the rest of
the way to the hospital. He longed to know what she was thinking, but for once he couldn’t begin to read her expression, except to know that she was fighting pain.

  It probably would be best for both of them if he’d been able to drop her at the hospital entrance and keep on going, but of course he couldn’t. Jamison would expect him to stay close to her until he’d delivered her safely to him, if not longer. So he tied the horse to the posts that had been provided for Amish patients and visitors, and hurried after her.

  Jamison waited for them just inside the door, and he nodded as they came in. “Good timing. I got here a few minutes ago. Landon Bristow was already talking to the doctor, his attorney in tow, I guess to force us locals to get out of his way.”

  “You’re not going to let him take Meredith away, are you?” Joanna sounded appalled at the prospect.

  “Not if I can help it.” Jamison didn’t look very happy about any of this. “I want you two with me. You can agree that she doesn’t want him telling her what to do.”

  Noah’s mind spun. Could he say that? He knew it from what Joanna had told him, but he didn’t think Meredith had said anything the times he was there.

  But Jamison didn’t give him time to come up with an argument. He ushered them down the hallway. “They’re in the lounge with the doctor. He’ll be the one to decide where Meredith goes, and Bristow is putting up a convincing argument.”

  They entered the lounge to see the two sides lined up—Bristow and his attorney confronting the young doctor who looked at bay against the two of them and Emily Graham and her son on the other side.

  Bristow seemed to have reached the crux of his argument as they came in. “...best if I’m responsible for Meredith until she’s well, if she ever is. I’m the only other Bristow, and as a close relative, it’s the only reasonable solution. As a businessman, I’m capable of taking care of the business interests for my cousin, which Emily Graham clearly isn’t.”

  It sounded impressive to Noah, even though he knew that Joanna had taken a dislike to the man. Still, as he was apparently single, how was he going to take care of a young woman?

  The Graham woman struck immediately at that point. “And how would you take care of Merry? That’s the important thing while she’s recovering. I would be happy to have her stay with me, or if she wants to be in her own home, I’ll stay with her there. What could you do?”

  Bristow looked like a thundercloud. “I’m sure the doctor will agree with me that my young cousin needs more care than you could provide. A business acquaintance has an interest in a private nursing home that could provide her with the physical therapy and emotional support she needs. Isn’t that the best choice, Doctor?”

  Appealed to directly, the young man wavered. “Well, I suppose—”

  Joanna, with her newfound confidence, stepped forward. “I think you’re missing an important point.”

  Bristow looked at her as if a piece of furniture had spoken. “This isn’t your concern, Miss...”

  “Kohler,” the attorney supplied, with an apologetic look at Joanna.

  “Ms. Kohler has been with Meredith since her accident. I’m sure the doctor wants to hear what she has to say.” Jamison was more official than Noah had ever heard him.

  The doctor seized upon that point. “Yes, Ms. Kohler?”

  If Joanna was embarrassed, she didn’t show it. “Meredith has recovered much more in just the past day. She’s perfectly capable of deciding what she wants to do herself. Don’t you think so, Doctor?”

  He nodded, looking relieved. “I’m inclined to think you’re right about that. She should make the decision, with medical advice, of course.”

  Bristow elbowed the attorney. “Why aren’t you saying anything? You’re supposed to be representing me.”

  Watson looked at him coolly. “I represent the family interests. That includes Meredith. If she’s competent to decide in the doctor’s opinion, that’s where my duty lies.”

  “Right,” Jamison said quickly. “I have a few questions to ask her myself right now, so I’ll have to insist that the rest of you wait. I’ll have questions for you, as well.” He glanced at Joanna. “I’ll want you with me, and I’ll have you driven home afterward.” He looked at Noah. “If you’ll keep an eye on things at Joanna’s place...”

  Noah nodded, trying to avoid catching Joanna’s gaze. She was in safe hands with Jamison, and it was time for him to fade out of the picture. In fact, the sooner, the better. Moving quickly, he headed for the parking lot.

  * * *

  JOANNA TRIED NOT to watch as Noah walked away, but her mind’s eye followed him out of sight. Despite the distraction provided by Meredith’s relatives and the difficult challenge of keeping her safe, Joanna knew that underlying everything else was the pain in her heart that would strike without warning.

  If she wasn’t so sad, she’d be furious. How could he do that to both of them? How could he sentence them both to a lifetime of loneliness for a foolish scruple? She knew Noah, maybe better than he knew himself. Whatever his father’s failings, they didn’t apply to him.

  Determination welled up in her. If he thought this situation was resolved, he’d better think again. She wasn’t giving up without a fight.

  “Joanna?”

  She came back to the present with a start, finding Chief Jamison looking at her with concern. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, trying to arrange a normal smile on her face. “Fine. Are we going to see Meredith now?”

  “That’s the idea.” He hung back for another moment to let the others clear the room and then guided Joanna to the elevator.

  Once they were inside the elevator with the door closed, he turned to Joanna. “What did you think of them?”

  She refocused her thoughts. “Mostly, I thought they all wanted their own way. Well, except for the lawyer. He seemed embarrassed at the whole thing, but I suppose if he’s employed by Bristow, he has to do what the boss says. Still, he seems clear that Meredith is his client, too. I don’t think he’d do anything against her interests.”

  “I agree with you. The question is, is it safe to let Meredith go off with any of them?” The elevator reached the floor, and he kept his finger on the button that held the door closed. “If Meredith remembers anything, it could clear up this whole muddle. That’s why your relationship to her is so important. It could unlock those memories.”

  “Could,” she repeated, emphasizing the word. “We can’t be sure. Did you find out any more about the financial arrangements?”

  He nodded. “Meredith’s a wealthy woman since her grandfather’s death, but the other family members benefited, as well. The Philadelphia cops have been trying to find out who benefits if she dies, but they haven’t been able to shake that loose from anyone yet.”

  “If she remembers, she will tell us.” Joanna tried to look on the bright side, if that was how it could be described.

  “Right.” The door had started an irritating buzzing, so the chief let go of the button. The door opened, and they stepped out. “That’s the key to everything.”

  Joanna took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. But how could she be calm when it seemed everything relied on her?

  That’s foolish, she told herself sharply. She would do what she could, but if Meredith didn’t respond to what she had to say or to the baby necklace, it wouldn’t be her fault.

  She was tempted to blame Chief Jamison for putting so much pressure on her, but that probably wasn’t fair, either. He was a good man, and he was trying so hard to keep Meredith safe. He probably knew that all she could do was try. The rest was in the hands of the Lord.

  When they walked into the room, the first thing Joanna saw was the flow of dark auburn hair. Meredith stood...yah, stood...at the dresser, brushing her hair while looking in the mirror. She caught sight of them and turned, smiling.

  “I’m glad the
doctors didn’t have to cut off any of my hair.”

  “I am, too.” Smiling with pleasure at the sight of her obvious improvement, Joanna moved toward her. “Do you usually wear it down?”

  “Yes, but if I don’t...” She stopped, then laughed. “I remembered that. When you asked the question, it popped right into my head. That keeps happening. I wear it down unless I’m doing something like weeding the flower beds. Too hot and messy doing that.”

  “Do you have a lot of flowers?” Joanna sat down on the bed, watching her.

  “Elaborate gardens at my grandfather’s house, but a service takes care of them. But at my town house, I have a nice little backyard with lots of mums this time of the year. What about you?”

  Joanna shook her head. “There’s no space at the shop or the apartment, but Mamm makes up for it by putting me to work in the garden whenever I’m at the farm.” She said a silent prayer that Chief Jamison wouldn’t plunge into questioning too quickly and cut off this flow of memories.

  “Speaking of home, my flowers are probably dying from lack of water.” She looked at Jamison inquiringly. “What about it, Chief? Can I go home?”

  “You sure that’s a good idea, being home alone?” Jamison asked. “You might need some help until you’ve got your strength back.”

  Meredith plopped down on the bed next to Joanna and grimaced. “That’s what good old Cousin Landon says. He wants to pop me in a nursing home, of all places. Those are for eighty-year-olds with broken hips. Not for me.”

  Joanna couldn’t help but smile at that description. “No, you’re certain sure not that. But what if you did too much and felt faint? You might want someone around.”

  “I could get one of my girlfriends to stay. Or Cousin Emily would. She’s always eager to move in.”

  “And your cousin Owen?”

  “No, not for a minute. Not that Owen would want to. He’s busy living it up at college these days. A nice kid, but so immature.” She wrinkled up her nose.

  Jamison cleared his throat and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Clearly, he wanted her to get on with it, but Joanna was having trouble thinking of a way to switch to a different subject. Especially the subject of who would benefit if she died—how could anyone bring that up in casual conversation?