Amish Country Kidnapping

by Mary Alford

  The back tire on the passenger side was flat. Goose bumps popped up on his arms. Noah slipped around to the rear. Before he had time to react, a man dressed in black, his face obscured by a ski mask, jumped out from behind the vehicle.

  A second man ran to the door of the sheriff’s station. When he realized it was locked, he slammed his fist against the glass before running around the side of the building. He was going to try the rear door. Noah prayed Janine had time to lock it.

  The first man lunged for Noah, slamming into him full force. They stumbled backward, hitting the ground hard. Noah’s head bounced off the pavement, pain spreading from the contact point. The handgun slid on the snowy road out of his reach.

  The man landed on top of him, a gun in his hand. He tried to position the weapon to fire at Noah’s chest, but Noah seized the man’s arm. With all his strength, he managed to twist the hand holding the gun to the ground and pounded it against the pavement while the man yelled for his buddy, his dark eyes filled with anger.

  In the distance, Noah caught the noise of sirens. Help was on the way.

  While he continued to try to wrestle the gun from the man’s hand, the second man rounded the corner.

  “Let’s get out of here. There’s more coming.” Before Noah had time to think, the man on top of him slugged him hard with the butt of the weapon. Weight lifted from his body. Freed, Noah struggled to his knees. Through blurred visions he saw the two men running down the street away from the approaching patrol vehicle. Noah tried to get his feet under him. His stomach heaved. Inky blackness closed in. His last coherent thought was for Rachel. He’d failed her. He’d let them get away.

  THIRTEEN

  “Stay here. Noah’s hurt.” Janine ran from the station. Rachel didn’t listen. Noah was in trouble because of her. Outside, the storm had regathered its strength and the wind renewed its fury. Red-and-blue lights bounced off the snowy world.

  “Oh no.” The words slipped out when Rachel spotted Noah lying on the cold ground. He wasn’t moving. She ran to his side and knelt close. “Noah, are you okay?”

  He didn’t answer. She shook him gently, and he groaned.

  “He needs medical help,” Janine said, spotting the knot rising on the side of his temple. She ran for the approaching patrol car.

  Noah still hadn’t opened his eyes. “Noah, you have to wake up.” Rachel couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to him. In spite of their past, she would always care for him.

  His eyes slowly fluttered open. He stared up at Rachel, and it was the best sight ever.

  Two deputies reached them. Aden knelt by his friend. “Try not to move. Help is on its way.”

  Noah held a hand to his injured head and winced. “I’m okay.” Slowly, he sat up, closing his eyes for a second.

  “What happened?” Aden asked. “Ryan and I were on our way here when Janine called. She said two men were attacking you.”

  It took a moment for Noah to speak. “Janine saw someone near my car, so I investigated. They slashed the passenger tire. As I circled it, one of the men jumped me.”

  Aden glanced up at the falling snow. “Let’s get you inside and out of this.” Aden lifted Noah to his feet and led him into the station.

  Ryan returned a few minutes later. “It looks as if they had a car stashed around the corner. The footprints led me there. They appear to be heading out of town.”

  “The Ambo should be here soon. You need to let them take a look at your head,” Janine insisted as she hovered over him like a mother hen.

  Noah nodded, searching for Rachel amongst the group.

  “Has there been any news from Walker?” he asked. With everything that happened, Rachel had almost forgotten about the body.

  “No. The weather’s making the trip there difficult. I’ll head over and assist,” Ryan said. “Take care of yourself.”

  Noah lifted his hand as the deputy left the building.

  Minutes later, the ambulance pulled up out front, and two paramedics came into the building.

  While they examined Noah, Rachel stood watch next to Janine. All she could think about was that Noah could have died, and they were no closer to understanding why. More than ever she wished she had her mamm here with her. Beth had a way of helping Rachel find hope in even the worst of situations, including losing Daniel. She would give anything to possess Mamm’s strength, because it felt as if she were slowly unraveling inside.

  * * *

  Noah’s stomach churned. His vision was less than clear. And he was terrified they’d find out Eva was dead.

  He had to find someplace safe for Rachel to stay. Other than his teammates, there was only one person he trusted to help him protect Rachel. His friend Isaac.

  Isaac had built his home a little ways from his parents’ place on the same land. He’d started out working as a carpenter for his father and uncle. Now, he ran his own crew of men. Because Isaac did work for both Amish and Englischers, his daed had approved him having a business phone.

  When he was able to get a moment alone, Noah would call Isaac and ask for his help.

  Next to him, Rachel cupped her coffee, her hands less than steady. Even though she’d been through so much, her beauty remained undeniable, as did his feelings for her. Noah shut down that train of thought. Rachel deserved better than him. He’d hurt her. And Olivia. He couldn’t put Rachel through that again.

  He shifted slightly and faced her. Even the tiniest of movements made him aware he hadn’t quite returned to his normal self. “You look exhausted,” he said. “There’s a sofa in Walker’s office. You should try and get some sleep.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t think about sleep now. Not until I find out if...” She couldn’t finish.

  The fear in her eyes was clear.

  He brushed his thumb across her cheek. She dropped her gaze, a soft sigh escaping.

  “Rachel.” There were so many things he wanted to say to her. Things that needed saying. Yet he couldn’t voice a single one. Aden came into the room and stopped short at witnessing the intimate moment.

  “Sorry to interrupt, but I have news.”

  Rachel rose to her feet. “Is it...?”

  Aden shook his head. “It isn’t your sister. The victim is male, around fifty-five to sixty in age.”

  Thank You, Lord. The prayer sped through Noah’s head. Please be with the man’s family. As grateful as he was that it wasn’t Eva, a family had lost someone they loved.

  “Do we have any idea about the man’s identity?” he asked.

  Aden shook his head. “He didn’t have any ID on him. Walker said there were skid marks on the road. It appears the man may have slid off the road and into the lake. The bridge was icy. It’s looking like he may have gotten free of the car and tried to swim to shore, but the water’s freezing. He probably died from hypothermia and his body washed ashore.”

  “So there’s a good chance it was an accident,” Noah said, surprised by the findings.

  “I’m guessing as much. The coroner’s there now. He’ll take the man to the morgue and do an exam. Walker had him fingerprinted. Hopefully, we can identify him by his prints. Otherwise, we can take photos and try to see if anyone knows him. Chances are his car is at the bottom of the lake.”

  As tragic as it was, Noah had hoped this would lead to answers. Time was running out for Eva, and they had no idea why someone was coming after Rachel so aggressively.

  Once Aden left, Rachel sank to her chair. “I am so grateful it wasn’t Eva. Is that wrong? Someone died, and all I can think about is how happy I am it wasn’t my sister.”

  Noah shook his head. “There’s nothing wrong with being happy Eva isn’t the one deceased. I feel the same way. It’s natural.”

  She smiled at his response. “As hard as I try, I can’t think of anything that will help us find her. I don’t know why these
men are coming after us, or who this man is she was seeing.” She shrugged her helplessness.

  “I’m guessing they have Eva stashed somewhere out of sight. But she’s alive, Rachel. I firmly believe that.”

  Her smile widened, and he struggled to keep his reaction to himself. When she smiled like that, it reminded him of that sweet young girl who’d stolen his heart. Being around her again made him wish for so many things. He stumbled to his feet.

  “I need to make a call,” he said. She stared up at him confused. “Hang tight. I’ll be right back.” Noah left her without another word. Once he reached Walker’s office, he closed the door and let the breath seep from his body. Foolish thoughts, and ones he’d best put out of his mind.

  He pulled out his cell phone and called Isaac’s business. When there was no answer, he glanced at his watch. Past five in the morning. While daylight was a little way out still, most of the Amish rose early. Isaac would no doubt be taking care of the chores around the homestead. Noah left a message but didn’t go back right away. He needed a minute. Being close to Rachel again reminded him of all the things his younger self had wanted for his life. At the time, he hadn’t given much thought to joining the Amish. He saw the difference between how his family interacted and the way the Amish treated each other, and he knew he wanted the Amish faith in his own life.

  Noah dropped to the sofa, his head in his hands, confusion warring with what he thought he knew about himself. For so long, he’d tried to convince himself this job fulfilled him, as it gave him a chance to help others. But lately the work he did was no longer fulfilling. The sense of community he’d found among the Amish, their ability to forgive those who wronged them, well...more and more lately he longed for those things in his own life.

  Foolish wishes. His life was here. This was his job, and he had plenty of things to make amends for.

  FOURTEEN

  Seated beside Noah in his patrol, the damaged tire changed, Rachel gazed out the window as they drove through the side streets of Eagle’s Nest. In spite of the sweater Janine lent her, Rachel could not stop shaking. Noticing, Noah cranked the heat up another notch. In the filmy daylight of another day dawning, a fresh foot of snow covered the countryside.

  “I spoke with Isaac, who talked to his dad. Bishop Aaron is pleased to have us stay with him and his wife.” He glanced her way. “Isaac will be there, too.”

  He was trying to put her at ease, but Rachel hadn’t felt safe since she’d woken up to find a stranger in her home.

  The side mirror showed the empty street behind them. No strange car followed. Still, she couldn’t relax.

  Noah turned off the main highway and crossed the Silver Creek Bridge, which served as an unofficial boundary separating the Amish community from the rest of the county. If it weren’t for what had happened, the beauty of the perfect world around her would be breathtaking. This morning, the mountains were almost completely obscured by low-hanging clouds indicating more snow was on the way.

  Noah exited onto the Yoders’ drive and slowed as he eased along the way.

  Pulling in front of the house, he killed the engine and faced her. “Ready?”

  She wasn’t. Putting Bishop Aaron and his family in danger was the last thing she wanted.

  Noah sensed her reluctance. “They’ll be well protected. Cole and Ryan will be stationed around the property later today.”

  She drew in a breath. “I can’t help but feel as if I should have some idea why this is happening.”

  “You had no way of predicting this outcome, Rachel.” He held her gaze for a long moment. “Come on. Let’s get you inside where it’s warm.”

  Bishop Aaron must have heard the car pull up because he and his wife, Sadie, both came out to greet them on the porch.

  “Welcome to our home. Please come in.” Bishop Aaron waved his hand toward the door.

  Inside, the warmth of the house slowly eased the chill from Rachel’s body.

  “We were getting ready to have breakfast,” Sadie told them. “Komm, join us.”

  Sadie had the table set and ready for them.

  “Isaac should be here soon. He helped me out with the morning chores. Ach, there he is.” Bishop Aaron glanced out the rear door where Isaac stomped snow from his feet before coming inside. A smile lit his face when he saw Noah.

  “It is gut to see you, my friend.” Isaac gave Noah a hug.

  “You, too, Isaac. I’m sorry it has to be under these circumstances.”

  Isaac’s smile disappeared and he pivoted to Rachel. “I cannot believe such a thing is happening to you and Eva.”

  Rachel was glad he and Noah stayed in touch. “Denki,” she murmured.

  “Sit, everyone. We must eat while the food is warm,” Sadie urged.

  Rachel claimed the chair Sadie indicated while Noah sat next to her.

  Once the table quieted, Bishop Aaron lowered his head in preparation for the silent prayer. Rachel folded her hands in her lap. So many things pressed in on her, but Gott knew her heart when there were no words.

  When Bishop Aaron said, “Amen,” she slowly lifted her head. Beside her, Noah stared at his plate, a single muscle working in his jaw giving away his soul’s disquiet. She wondered what he’d prayed for.

  Though the food was delicious, Rachel ate very little. Thoughts of her sister’s well-being took away her appetite. She was grateful for the conversation between Noah and Isaac. It helped to draw her attention from her concerns.

  When the meal finished, Rachel helped Sadie clear away the table, then wash the dishes.

  It felt as if this exhaustion growing inside her bore down to her soul. She wanted to this nightmare to end. Wanted Eva home safely.

  “Noah will do everything he can to find Eva,” Sadie assured her, as if reading her thoughts.

  Rachel shifted to find the kind woman watching her. “I know, but I am worried about my schweschder. It has been days without any word.”

  Sadie placed a hand on her arm. “Gott will take care of Eva, I know it.”

  Rachel so wanted to believe. She nodded. “Jah, Gott will take care of her.”

  “I made up a room for you. It belonged to my Faith. You know she married a few years ago and moved away. I miss her terribly,” Sadie said, a watery smile on her face. “But she and her mann will be coming home for Christmas in a month’s time. I received a letter from her. She has a surprise for me. I think she is with child.”

  Rachel’s smile slipped. No one but her mother and Eva knew about the baby she’d lost. The possible barrenness that resulted from the accident. Even though a year had passed, the pain followed her each day.

  “That is gut news,” she forced out, happy for Sadie’s blessing.

  Sadie beamed. “Ach, and I have a dress that once belonged to Faith along with one of her prayer coverings. You and she are close to the same size.”

  Sadie showed her to the room and opened the chest at the foot of the bed. Pulling out a dark blue dress and white prayer kapp, she held them up for Rachel.

  “I know you are in your mourning period, but I am sure it will be oke.”

  Rachel took the garments from her. “Denki.”

  “You look tired, kinna. Why don’t you try to get some rest? Things will appear much better once you’ve slept.”

  Sadie moved to the door and touched the handle. “And when you are awake, I will make us some kaffe and apple fry pies. You hardly touched your breakfast. You must keep your strength up, Rachel. For yourself and for Eva.”

  Stepping across the threshold, Sadie quietly closed the door. For the first time since she woke up to find a stranger in her home, Rachel sank to the bed and wept.

  * * *

  “It’s a surprise to see you and Rachel together again,” Isaac said, as direct as always. He stirred the fire in the stove, then pivoted in time to catch Noah’s reaction.


  Isaac was one of the few people Noah had ever shared his true feelings for Rachel with.

  “It’s my job.” Noah tried to downplay the situation.

  Isaac agreed with a nod. “Jah, but I see the way you look at her. You still have feelings for her.”

  As much as Noah wished to deny the truth, he couldn’t. “Well, it doesn’t matter. You know I’m no good at relationships.”

  “I know you are too hard on yourself,” Isaac said instead of agreeing with Noah.

  “I have a job to do, and when that’s finished, when Eva is home safely, I will return to my life and Rachel will return to hers. I’m not Amish, Isaac.”

  “But you wish to be. Always have, admit it. Who knows what might have happened if you had been allowed to follow your heart.”

  Noah had to put an end to the direction of their conversation. It served no purpose. “Things turned out the way they were intended. Rachel married. I became a deputy. All’s well.”

  Before Isaac could respond, Bishop Aaron came into the room. His gaze shot from his son to Noah as if sensing the tension.

  “I must make my rounds. Many people are sick in the community. I will keep you and Rachel in my prayers.”

  Noah was grateful for the bishop’s timely interference. “Thank you,” he murmured.

  After the bishop left, Noah was saved from continuing the conversation when his phone rang.

  “I need to take this,” he told Isaac.

  His friend nodded. “I must be on my way. I have orders to fill. I’ll speak with you later.” Isaac grabbed his coat and hat and headed outside while Noah answered the call.

  “We may have something,” Cole’s excited tone came through the phone crystal clear.

  “That’s great,” Noah said, and under his breath, he murmured, “Thank You, God.”

  “The news of Eva’s disappearance has spread through the Amish community, and a couple stopped in a little while ago. It seems they were returning home on the night Eva disappeared and saw a vehicle on the side of the road. As they passed, they noticed a couple of men in the large SUV. They were pretty sure there was a woman in the back. It could have been Eva.”