Promise at Pebble Creek

by Lisa Jones Baker

  “I enjoy your stories.” With the lift of a gray brow, amusement had edged her voice. “You’ve got quite an imagination, and your writing . . . for your young age, well, it’s superb.”

  As Hannah glimpsed the stern demeanor of her former teacher in the midst of the group, Hannah’s heart melted. Maemm had always stressed to her and her older brothers that a book could never be judged by its cover. Certainly with Mrs. Graber, that was the case.

  Hannah focused on her customers as she watched them shop. Judging by their past buying history, they might very well clean out Hannah’s new inventory.

  Hannah’s maemm had taught her that sometimes, customers liked to be left alone to look around, so today, Hannah heeded that advice and quietly stepped back to the register, trying to look busy. Inside, her heart raced. Because of her find. She knew that Marcus’s initials were MJ, and he’d recently stood in the place where the money had been found, so she was confident the money clip belonged to him. She wondered what he was doing with so much cash. Why wasn’t it in a bank? Or anywhere but with him?

  As she contemplated her surprising discovery and how to reach Marcus after her shop closed, the conversation between the women floated over to her. The voices carried, so it was easy to overhear what they said.

  “King’s Bakery?” The last thing Hannah wanted to do was to eavesdrop . . . Maemm had scolded her more than once for being too interested in other people’s business. Still, despite Hannah’s awareness of her guilt, she strained to hear the rest of the conversation.

  As she stood in the encircled area behind the cash register, she moved her pen on a pad of paper, trying to pretend interest in what was in front of her, but she wasn’t even paying attention to what she scribbled.

  She pressed her lips together, hoping the ladies would raise their voices a notch so she could overhear their entire conversation. The words “King’s Bakery” had immediately piqued her interest.

  For years, she’d attended church with the large King family. She’d also gone to school with over half their clan. And she adored the cinnamon rolls that had made the in-town, family-owned bakery famous. Her mouth watered at the thought of the delicious pastries.

  Martha Wagler lifted an excited voice as she leaned closer to the others. From Hannah’s peripheral vision, she could see the ladies’ eyes grow wide from excitement and anxious expressions appear on their faces, waiting for the rest of the story to spill out.

  “You heard me. They were robbed. After closing time.”

  She stopped to wag a finger. “I kid you not. John King himself said that it happened late last night or early this morning.”

  Another voice lowered. “Did he call the police?”

  Martha chimed in with her typical negative tone. “Jah, one of my nieces talked to Rebecca Conrad earlier this morning, and Rebecca said he filed a report, but the police and the King family have no idea who emptied their cash register.

  “I wonder who it was? There aren’t any new faces around . . .” She snapped her fingers. “Except the city guy who just moved into . . .”

  She glanced at Hannah and stopped whatever she was about to say. Pretending disinterest when one of the ladies glanced her way, Hannah ordered the urgent, fast beat of her heart to slow for three reasons. The first was that this conversation wasn’t meant for her ears. The second was that she wished she didn’t possess such a curious streak. Especially when most things that strongly interested her were none of her business. And thirdly because she’d just found a wad of money that obviously belonged to her new friend, Marcus, and that her find, unfortunately, might be linked with the conversation taking place inside Amish Edibles.

  Time after time, Maemm had scolded her for making things her business that weren’t. She’d once said, “Hannah, Gott didn’t bring you into this world to involve yourself in others’ lives. I’m sure He would prefer you spent your time serving Him.”

  A strong wave of guilt swept over Hannah and she shrugged to rid herself of the uncomfortable, unwanted sensation. But an even stronger feeling filled her stomach until it ached.

  Fear. Her role model had often reminded her that everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt. Hannah thought of Marcus, his kind demeanor, and his sudden emergence in her life.

  While she continued to listen, she immediately connected the wad of money she’d found with the gossip she knew she should ignore. She tried common sense. I’ve always been a gut judge of character, and I am sure that, even if I barely know Marcus Jackson, he did not steal from the bakery. But why was he carrying so much cash?

  She swallowed an emotional knot that blocked her throat. If what I’m currently hearing is true, someone robbed King’s Bakery. But the thief is not Marcus. But what will happen if people start thinking it’s him? Just because he’s new and because he’s from Chicago.

  While the background voices continued in a softer, more difficult-to-hear tone, Hannah’s mind kicked into high gear, like when she turned her battery fan to high and the blades picked up an immediate speed.

  I’ve got to return this money. There must be a logical explanation for the large amount. At the same time, I feel a responsibility to ensure that Marcus is aware of the theft I’ve just learned about. Or, at least, the rumored theft. He’s new in town. And people don’t know him.

  Even though the women seemed to be sure there had been a robbery, Hannah would withhold judgment until Maemm confirmed what Hannah had just heard.

  While she thought through everything, she nervously strummed her short fingernails to a nervous beat against the wooden cabinet that housed the cash register.

  She guessed that Marcus’s city upbringing, and that the theft had occurred right after he’d landed here, might cause brows to immediately rise, and the last thing she wanted was for him to be wrongly accused of something he hadn’t done.

  Suddenly, the conversation shifted to family and the relatives who, according to what Hannah understood, Mrs. Graber would be having at her house. When her former teacher stepped toward her, Hannah attempted to hide any indication that she’d listened in on their conversation. She forced a smile and returned her notepad and pen to the shelf in front of her.

  In her most helpful voice, she turned her attention to her former teacher. As the rest of the group split up to shop, Mrs. Graber smiled a little and met Hannah’s curious gaze.

  “It’s gut to see you, Hannah.”

  Hannah offered a genuine smile. “Gut to see you, too, Mrs. Graber.” After a short pause, Hannah put a palm on her hip. “How can I help you today?”

  She expelled a sigh. “Relatives from Ohio are coming for the weekend, and I was wondering which of your edibles you’d recommend for breakfast?”

  Relieved to break from the theft conversation and the wad of money Hannah had found, she pushed open the wooden bar that allowed her into the main area of the store. Behind her, it flipped closed.

  With an inviting hand, Hannah motioned to her and proceeded to the aisle of delicious jellies. In a confidential tone, Hannah pulled down a jar and held it in front of the teacher.

  “This is definitely my favorite.”

  The teacher lifted a doubtful brow while she eyed the shelf. “Usually I prefer strawberry.”

  Hannah offered a polite nod before meeting the woman’s gaze. Hannah took in the gray brows and crow’s feet underneath the hazy eyes. Serious lines accented the area around her mouth while thin gray hair was pulled back and tucked neatly under a white kapp.

  Hannah wasn’t surprised at the black dress that covered most of the woman’s petite body. Hannah wondered why the teacher never wore navy. In all the years Mrs. Graber had stood before her students, Hannah had never seen her in anything but black.

  Hannah realized that she’d just planted a strong seed of doubt in the woman’s mind as to which jelly to purchase for her guests. So Hannah decided to make the customer’s decision easier.

  She edged her voice with complete understanding, exchanging the container for
a strawberry jar and handed it to the woman she respected. “If you prefer strawberries, then definitely go with what you know you like.”

  The comment seemed to satisfy the teacher, and she nodded with appreciation. Hannah returned to the cash register, and her thoughts returned to the surprising conversation she’d just been privy to and the large wad of cash hidden close to where she stood.

  After thinking things through, Hannah acknowledged that the combination of the robbery’s timing and her finding the money prompted a lot of questions. So she definitely would return the money to Marcus. And not mention her find to anyone.

  Chapter Five

  A short time later, Marcus pulled into the parking area in front of Amish Edibles. Gravel crunched under his tires. The horse tied to the nearby post swished its tail before letting out a long-drawn-out whinny. Hannah’s empty black buggy was behind him.

  Turning off the engine, Marcus pressed his lips in a straight line, considering what he’d lost and contemplating that a shop in town had just been robbed. Before he’d left work, he’d heard about the robbery at King’s Bakery. And here he was, about to ask Hannah if she’d found his cash.

  Hannah was an innocent girl. At least, that’s what he figured. From what he knew, she’d grown up in a God-fearing community. Now, he was going to have to explain to her why he’d been carrying so much money.

  As he exited his car and stepped toward Amish Edibles, he could smell cinnamon wafting from the small building. He glimpsed Hannah on the other side of the front window and wondered how this unusual visit would go. Hannah didn’t know much about him, and if she’d found his money clip, he was sure she had a lot of questions. And some suspicions, too.

  * * *

  Hannah ran a paper towel over the front window at Amish Edibles to clear the Windex she’d sprayed on the glass. As she wadded up the paper towel to throw it into the trash, a car pulled into the parking lot. The speed of her heart stepped up a beat. Because she quickly recognized the vehicle. It was a white Chevy. Marcus stepped out on the driver’s side and strode to the entrance.

  She wasn’t sure why she jumped when the bell sounded, but she did. And moments later, she faced the new man in town, the person she already liked a lot but knew very little about.

  “Good afternoon, Hannah.”

  “Hallo, Marcus.”

  As they stared at each other, she took in his strained expression and the tense set of his shoulders. And her heart melted.

  He narrowed his brows. “Could we talk?”

  She nodded. “Of course.” After a lengthy pause, she went to the shelf next to the cash register and retrieved the money clip. Without saying anything, she returned to where he stood and handed him the green wad.

  He slowly took the pile of bills from her and stuck it into his wallet. “There’s so much I need to tell you, Hannah.” After clearing the knot from his throat, he softened his pitch. “I know this looks bad. I heard about the robbery. If you think I stole the money, I understand.”

  The shop was so quiet, Hannah could hear the clopping of Miracle’s hooves outside. She returned his serious tone. “I don’t believe you robbed King’s Bakery, Marcus.”

  She lifted the palms of her hand to the ceiling. “But I hope they find out who did. Especially because you’re new in town.” After a brief pause, she softened her voice. “Nothing like this has ever happened here. And because you just got here and people don’t know much about you . . . I don’t want anyone to think you had something to do with it.”

  He closed his eyes, and when he opened his lids, salty moisture stung his pupils. She motioned to the two rocking chairs in her shop. He followed her to them and they sat.

  Marcus cleared his throat and started. “Hannah, I don’t know what to say.” He lifted his palms to the ceiling and shook his head. “Your faith in me . . .” He lifted his shoulders a notch and took in a breath. “I told you that I came here to start a new life. A life for Christ.”

  She waited for him to continue.

  “The night I invited Him into my life, I knew I had to get away from my environment. In particular, my three brothers. They very much wanted me to sell drugs. To steal.”

  She drew in a shocked breath while she drew her hands over her chest.

  “And I was afraid that I’d eventually join them unless I left.” He raised a defensive hand. “Even though I knew it was wrong. It’s funny, but the night I was saved, I listened carefully to the pastor’s words. He said that you become who your friends are. That’s when I knew I needed a change.”

  For long moments, she absorbed what he’d just said. As she studied him, the green shade of his eyes deepened a notch. The hazy flecks shadowing the color did, too, reminding her of a summer storm cloud.

  Lowering his voice, he kept his gaze on her face. “I tried to figure out where to go. I knew it had to be away from the city’s chaos. I needed to be far from the temptations around me. A place where I could live a simple life and at the same time learn about Jesus and serve Him.”

  He lifted a set of defenseless palms in the air. “Even though I wasn’t sure how.”

  As she watched him, she noted the shadow behind his eyes and how he took on an even sadder appearance than when she’d first met him. His voice quivered. He sat with his hands resting over his lap, leaning forward, as if deciding what he would say next. His fingers shook.

  “First of all, Hannah, I got away from my three brothers. And I want to make sure you understand that I’m not like them.”

  She parted her lips, awaiting the rest of his story. “They’re older than me . . . they used to be good people, I mean, when Mom and Dad were alive. But after my folks passed, my brothers took a bad road.”

  The admission nearly took Hannah’s breath away.

  “They’ve all been in jail at one time or another.”

  “Oh . . .” She drew her arms over her chest in disbelief and surprise.

  “Hannah, I couldn’t let them influence me.” He shook his head. “I never broke the law, but I lived for me. Not for Christ. I want my brothers to know their Creator.”

  After an emotional clearing of his throat, he added, “I want them to go to heaven.” He looked straight ahead, as if he were living in the past. “After my parents died, Colby, the oldest, started drinking heavily. I did the same. My nights were spent at bars. My life was going south, and I knew it.”

  He expelled a sigh and sat up straighter. A small smile curved the corners of his lips upward. “Until I went to church with Matt, my friend. The night Jesus came into my life.”

  Hannah swallowed the knot that blocked her throat.

  “A long time ago, my mom made me promise I’d follow my heart. I did. I decided to leave it all behind.”

  His amazing story prompted a sudden pain in her chest. She’d never dreamed that he’d been through so much. That his family was involved with the law.

  “Anyhow, while I was deciding where to go, I pulled cash out of the bank and closed my account. I realized I might go some time without a permanent address to give my credit card company and a financial institution.”

  Locking her gaze with his, she said, “I understand all that. But you’ve got a home now. Why didn’t you leave the money at your place?” She lifted her shoulders. “You surely didn’t think anyone would steal it there. At least, I don’t think they would.”

  He shrugged. “I know. I guess with starting my new job and adjusting to my new life, I just didn’t think about it. I’m so used to being around my brothers, I felt safer having it on me, not in a place where it could be taken.”

  He pressed his palms against his thighs and straightened a bit, as if he’d made an important decision. “But I’m not sorry this happened, Hannah. And I hope you believe me when I tell you I had nothing to do with what happened at King’s Bakery.”

  She parted her lips in surprise.

  “My carelessness prompted this conversation. And after talking things out with you, I realize how very lucky I
am to just be here with you. In this town, where I’m at ease. Where I can get my thoughts in order. Get my life straight.”

  She smiled a little. “I understand. Apparently, though, your cash wasn’t safe in your pocket either.”

  He grinned. “You’re right about that.” After a slight pause, he lowered his voice to a more confidential tone. “By the way, thank you for returning it.”

  She lifted a challenging brow, and the corners of her mouth lifted in amusement. “How d’ya know it’s all there?”

  She took in his surprised expression and laughed, throwing her palms in the air. “I’m just kidding.”

  He joined her in laughter before his face took on a more serious expression. She immediately noted the shift in his mood.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s the other thing I need to talk to you about, Hannah. The robbery at King’s Bakery.”

  She continued looking at him to go on.

  “Hearing about it brought back everything I wanted to forget. For the first time, I acknowledged how very serious my situation in Chicago was. How much my brothers need God.”

  A long silence ensued before he went on in a voice that was barely more than a whisper. “What’s most important to me right now is keeping you safe. Until they catch whoever did this, how do I know they won’t try to rob your shop next?”

  * * *

  That evening, Hannah helped her maemm serve their family at two large dining tables and one small card table. There were eighteen mouths to feed. Tonight, five of Hannah’s brothers and their wives and children had joined them.

  Hannah was carrying a chicken and noodle casserole to the largest table when one of her young nephews ran in front of her, chasing his brothers.

  “Oh!” Hannah stopped, nearly dropping the dish.

  “I’m sorry,” the small voice apologized, catching a breath.

  Immediately, two adults scolded the youngster. Hannah pressed her lips into a straight, thoughtful line. Most of the time her nieces and nephews were well-behaved, but of course, they weren’t perfect. No one was, for that matter. Maemm had always told her that.