by Debby Giusti
“Both boys are being cared for, and we’ll determine if the papers you signed are legal later.” He wrapped a blanket over her, and she pulled it close.
“You saved me in the nick of time, Noah. I could not have lasted a second longer. The water kept rising, and...” She paused for a long moment. “I...I did not think I would survive.”
“And I didn’t think I would ever find you.”
“My uncle stopped me on the way to my aunt’s house and forced me into the trunk of his car. He hid the buggy in the woods. I am sure Buttercup is frightened to death by now.”
“We’ll get her. I looked for you when I drove to Mattie’s farm, fearing I would find the buggy crashed on the side of the road.”
“Which was almost the case. Where is Henry now?”
“In the back of my truck.”
“What?” Glancing through the rear window, she saw her uncle and sighed, overcome with regret that her own kin had tried to kill her.
“Henry needed to get rid of me so he could have the farm.” She explained about her father’s will that supposedly gave her uncle rights to the land if she ever left the property. “The foreman planned to buy the property from him, then changed his mind. Uncle Henry killed him and tried to kill me.”
Noah rubbed her shoulder. “It’s over, Ruthie.”
“Yah, but I will feel better once I know the boys are all right.”
“We’ll get to the hospital as soon as possible.”
“Did you talk to the real-estate agent about your land?” she asked.
He nodded.
Ruthie’s heart sunk. Why had she thought Noah might change his mind?
The flashing lights of the deputy sheriff’s squad car appeared on the road ahead. Noah pulled up beside the car and rolled down his window, obviously happy to see Deputy Warren.
“I got your voice mail, Noah. Looks like you didn’t need me.”
Noah explained what had happened and then pointed his thumb to the rear of the truck. “I’ve got the man who attacked Ruthie tied up in the rear. Arrest him, Deputy, for the murder of Brian Burkholder, as well as the attempted murder of Ruthie Eicher.”
The deputy looked at Ruthie. “Did he hurt you, ma’am?”
“He tied me up and left me in my flooded home to drown, but Noah saved me.”
The deputy stepped from his car and slapped Noah’s shoulder. “You’re a good man, Noah Schlabach. We could use you around this neck of the woods if you decide to stay.”
Noah squeezed Ruthie’s hand before he stepped to the pavement and followed the deputy to the rear of his pickup. Ruthie slipped from the pickup and watched as he lowered the back of the truck bed. Noah grabbed the tape binding her uncle’s legs, pulled him to the edge and then eased him to his feet.
“I’m innocent,” Henry railed. “Noah Schlabach trespassed on my property,” her uncle said to the deputy. “I’ve got the deed in my briefcase.”
“And where’s your briefcase?” the deputy asked.
“Probably floating down the river,” Noah said as he herded the guy toward the rear door of the squad car that Deputy Warren held open.
“We’ll take you downtown and have a long talk. You can tell me about beating up a defenseless woman and leaving her to die in a flood.”
Once Henry was secured in the rear of the squad car, the deputy addressed Ruthie. “Ma’am, I’ll connect with you later and take your statement. Don’t worry about this guy. He’s staying behind bars.”
Noah shook the deputy’s hand and then helped Ruthie back into the pickup.
The deputy raced down the mountain, siren screaming and lights flashing as Noah climbed behind the wheel.
“We’ll take it a bit slower,” he said with a smile.
“Just so we get to the hospital so I can see Simon.”
“We’re heading there now.”
People stared at Ruthie’s wet and muddy clothing when she got to the hospital, but she did not care. All she wanted was to see Simon and ensure her son was all right.
When she stepped into his room, her heart nearly burst with relief. Not only was Simon sitting up in bed looking bright-eyed and energetic, but Andrew and Aunt Mattie were also there. The boys were playing checkers while Mattie sat knitting in a nearby chair.
Andrew spied her first. “Mamm,” he shouted. Hopping off the bed, he raced with open arms to hug her.
“Oh, Andrew, it is so good to see you.”
She gave him a hug and, still holding his hand, hurried to the bed and hugged Simon with her other arm. “You are cool. Your fever is gone.”
“And I feel strong, Mamm. The nurse said I can go home tomorrow.”
Home? She worried where that would be with the flooded house on Amish Mountain.
“We were worried about you,” Mattie said as she placed her knitting on a bedside table and hurried to embrace Ruthie.
“I am a mess.”
“You look wonderful. One of the Amish farmers who lives near me spotted your buggy and mare. Both are safe in my barn. After that, Andrew and I called the Amish taxi and rode here in his car. We were worried. Simon and Andrew suggested we pray together, which is what we did. The boys knew that Gott would answer their prayers.”
Ruthie smiled with maternal pride and gratitude for her two sons. “Gott did answer your prayers, boys. He brought Noah, who saved me from that hateful man. The sheriff has him locked up now, so we no longer have to worry.”
“What about the farm, Mamm?” Simon asked. “Are we staying or leaving?”
“We are staying, Simon. Although we will have to work hard to clean the house after the flooding.”
Simon looked at Noah, his gaze intense. “What about you? Are you staying or leaving?”
Ruthie was not ready for the boys to learn that Noah was leaving. She needed to prepare them a bit before she gave them the news. They would be so disappointed, and she did not want this moment of reunion to be ruined with more upset.
“Perhaps Noah will tell us at a later time.”
“No, Ruthie, I can tell you now.”
“I do not think that is wise. Simon is just starting to improve, and we are all tired and have been through so much.”
“Which is the perfect time to tell you that I’m staying.”
“What?”
“Yay!” the boys cheered in unison. Andrew grabbed Noah around the waist and Simon slipped from bed and hugged him, as well.
“Simon, get back in bed,” Ruthie insisted.
She felt light-headed and unsure she had heard Noah correctly. “You are not selling your land?”
“That’s correct. I’m staying on Amish Mountain. It’s my home. I have wonderful neighbors and an Amish community that I never should have left.”
“But—”
“I made a mistake years ago, Ruthie. I left you and I left my heart with you. I’ve tried to make a life for myself, but I was going through the motions when all along I wanted to be back here with you.”
He glanced at the boys. “And with Simon and Andrew, these wonderful young men who have also stolen my heart.”
Ruthie was confused and unable to share in the boys’ excitement. Had Noah been away from the Amish faith so long he did not realize that which would continue to separate them?
“Is there a problem, Ruthie?” he asked, no doubt seeing her concern.
Why did he not realize they could never be together when...?
“You—you are Englisch, Noah,” she blurted out.
He smiled. “Not for long. I plan to talk to the bishop as soon as possible.”
Had she heard him correctly? “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“I’ve never been surer about anything. As long as you don’t mind me staying. I know you’re still grieving and—”
She gripped h
is arm and stepped closer. “I grieved for you when you left. We must have exchanged hearts because you took mine with you.”
“You’re sure?”
“Cross my heart.” She laughed as tears of joy flowed down her cheeks.
“I never thought you would want me back, Ruthie, so I never came home.”
“We both made mistakes, but that is in the past, and what is important is the present.” She looked at the boys. “And the future.”
“A future together, Ruthie.”
She nodded and rested her head on Noah’s shoulder as they both smiled at Simon and Andrew. “Yes, dear Noah, a future where we are all together.”
The nurse knocked and entered the room. “Looks like everyone’s been out in the storm.”
Ruthie explained to the nurse some of what happened.
“The doctor is at the nurses’ station. Let’s have him check you over. He might want to run some tests.”
Before Ruthie left the room, Mattie had Noah call the Amish taxi for her. “Andrew and I will go home and prepare the house. I want all of you to stay with me until the flooding ends and your homes are ready to be lived in again.”
“That is so generous,” Ruthie said.
“We are family, Ruth Ann. Family takes care of its own. We have been separated too long. We will not let that happen again.”
Ruthie hugged her aunt.
“I will ask the taxi driver to return to the hospital with clean clothes for you to wear,” Mattie said. “We are about the same size. I even have a new kapp that should fit you. I am certain the nurse will let you shower here. I doubt she wants the river mud in her hospital room.”
“Thank you, Mattie. We will see you tomorrow.”
After Mattie and Andrew left, Ruthie headed for the nurses’ station. The doctor prescribed an antibiotic due to the water she had swallowed. “If you start feeling sick, I’ll want to see you again.”
“What about our well situation?”
“I doubt your well water was the problem, Mrs. Eicher, since your younger son didn’t get sick, but you’ll need to have it tested after this flooding.”
Ruthie told him about the two milk jugs and her concern that Henry had contaminated one of the jugs.
The doctor rubbed his jaw and nodded. “That would certainly explain why only one of your sons became ill. If not for the flood, we could culture the jugs, although I’m sure they’re long gone by now. I’m just glad you brought Simon to the ER in time. We’ll keep him on oral meds for the next ten days. If he shows any signs of reoccurring infection, you’ll need to bring him back.”
“Thank you for taking care of my son.”
“He’s a good boy. I hope we’ll see more of you and your family in town.”
“Yah, we will come often, I am certain.”
Later, once she had showered and changed into the clothing Mattie sent, Ruthie started to relax. The deputy stopped by and had her write up what had happened and then sign her statement.
“Don’t worry,” Deputy Warren assured her. “Henry Plank won’t get out on bail. He’ll stay behind bars, and I feel sure the jury, when he goes to trial, won’t have any problem with their verdict. You’ll have to testify, ma’am, but he confessed to killing Brian Burkholder and attacking you. He also said he had tainted some milk left outside at your house.”
The deputy glanced at Simon. “That might be what caused your boy to get sick.”
Ruthie was relieved that the well water had not been the problem and thankful for the doctor and medical staff at the hospital.
“Mr. Plank said you had signed papers he had downloaded off his computer that deeded the land to him. We talked to one of the county lawyers who assured us the forms you signed, if they ever turn up after that flood, would not be legally binding.”
“I am relieved,” Ruthie said, “and I appreciate you checking with a lawyer.”
“Happy to help, ma’am.”
The deputy glanced out the window. “I doubt you folks have heard what happened. That dam the guy managed to put in place detoured a good bit of water into that northern valley, which means the south side of town suffered no flooding.”
“So his plan had positive results.”
“The townspeople who didn’t get their shops flooded feel that way, although the construction in the Castle Homes area has a problem.”
“What happened?” Noah asked.
“Water washed out some of their new construction. A number of folks who planned to purchase homes have changed their minds. The Atlanta paper published an online story about the foreman’s death and people are calling to say they’re not interested in buying a Castle home.”
The deputy held up his hand. “There’s more. The bank said if Castle can’t make this month’s mortgage payment, his land will go to foreclosure.”
“Castle will lose everything?” Ruthie asked.
“Yes, ma’am. He’s talking about a development in Mississippi that he plans to tackle next.”
“He’s always trying to make it rich,” Noah said.
The deputy nodded in agreement. “Money and power are important to Mr. Castle. That is a shame. He needs to learn the importance of truth and service to others.”
Deputy Warren paused for a moment and then added, “There’s an interesting side story that the Atlanta reporter uncovered. Brian Burkholder’s son, Prescott, lived in Mr. Castle’s Chattanooga development that flooded. Seems Prescott saved a lot of folks’ lives that night, including children who couldn’t swim and wouldn’t have survived without him. He went back to get a young family with a little girl named Mary, but he didn’t make it. They all perished, but the young man was a hero for sure. That’s why Burkholder named the company after his son. He planned to use any profits he earned from Castle to help the survivors of that flood.”
“By any chance, do you know the name of the family Prescott tried to save?” Noah asked.
“Seth was the man’s first name.” The deputy rubbed his jaw. “Give me a minute and I’ll remember the last name.”
Ruthie looked at Noah’s expectant gaze and reached for his hand.
The deputy nodded. “Seth Schlabach.” His eyes widened as he glanced at Noah. “Any relation?”
Stepping closer, Ruthie wrapped her arm around Noah’s waist. She could sense the lump in his throat when he spoke.
“Seth Schlabach was my brother.”
The deputy patted Noah’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“It helps to know that someone tried to save them.”
“Just like you saved me,” Ruthie said.
Deputy Warren stood quietly for a long moment and she knew he had been touched, as well.
Finally, he said, “I talked to some of the local townspeople, Mrs. Eicher. They want to help clean up your property.”
“I—I never thought they cared, although the bishop and some of the women stopped by the farm a few times, usually when Ben was in town gambling. I refused to see them. It was my hurt pride after the church had shunned my husband. I understood why it happened, but my heart remained closed to their outreach even after Ben died.”
The deputy nodded. “Folks feel real bad about you having to manage the farm by yourself. I talked to the bishop. He plans to visit you soon. The district will pay for Simon’s hospital bills.”
Tears burned Ruthie’s eyes.
“The bishop said he hopes you’ll come back to Sunday services.”
She smiled and looked at Simon. “That would be gut.”
“I need to talk to him, as well,” Noah said.
“You all are staying in town for the next few days?”
“My aunt Mattie has room for us. You can find us there.”
The deputy smiled. “I’ll let the bishop know.”
Noah and Ruthie walked the deputy to t
he elevator and said goodbye to him there.
A small waiting room was across the hall. Noah took Ruthie’s hand and guided her into the room, then pulled the door closed behind them.
“I wanted to talk to you in private, Ruthie.”
“What is it?” she asked, suddenly worried. “Have you changed your mind about staying?”
“No. I’m here for good. But I wanted to ask you something and perhaps it’s too soon with Ben gone such a short time.”
“What is it, Noah?” She was even more concerned.
“Ruthie, I’ve loved you forever. I told you that earlier, and it’s true. You’ve always had my heart. Coming back, I realized how foolish I had been, how stupid. I had everything, and I left it here so that I could make my own way because of my father and my lack of understanding. I wasn’t man enough to forgive him, so I caused you and Simon so much pain.”
“It is over, Noah.”
“No, Ruthie. I don’t want it to be over. I want it to be the beginning of us together. You and the boys and me. I’m not doing this very well because I’m not sure what you will say and that has me tongue-tied.”
He hesitated and then took her hands and stared into her eyes. “Ruthie, will you forgive me and let me make it up to you? I want to marry you when you have time to sort through everything that has happened. I love both your boys as my own and promise to be the best father I can be to Simon and Andrew. Will you give me a second chance?”
He hesitated for a moment and then added, “Will you marry me?”
“Oh, Noah, you do not need a second chance. You have always had my heart. I have never stopped loving you. Yes, I will marry you. Nothing would make me happier and I know the boys will be overjoyed, too.”
“We don’t have to rush into anything. I’ll need to be baptized first.”
“We have waited so long. Your baptism cannot come soon enough.”
He pulled her close and lowered his lips to hers, and everything she had ever wanted in life came to fruition in that one kiss. The promise of a future together, of more children, of a new home on the mountain and a wonderful life with Noah as her husband.
“I have never loved anyone else,” she whispered as he kissed her again and again.
