by Dana R. Lynn
“Gut, go down the road. Onkel Jed’s farm is almost two miles down.”
“All right. I’ve never been to his actual house. When I worked with you guys on the housing mission, we always met at a church near Union City.”
“I remember that church. I haven’t been there in years.”
“Really?” She slowed at a particularly slippery spot. “I would have thought that you would have been very involved in the mission. Building houses was kind of your passion back then.”
Building hauser was his passion.
“I remember that,” he said slowly. A memory of sitting on a roof with Jennie bloomed in his mind. “I don’t know what happened. When I returned to my parents’ haus, I started helping my daed in his carpentry shop. I don’t build hauser but I do build furniture.”
She pursed her lips together. He could almost hear the words she was holding back behind those tightly clamped lips.
“It’s not the same, ain’t so?” he mused. “You’re right.”
“I didn’t say a word.”
He grinned at her prim voice. “Nee, you didn’t have to. Your face said it just fine.” He sighed. “That’s the haus.”
“The white one?”
He laughed. All the hauser on the block were white. “Amish homes are almost always white. No one’s haus stands out. We are all equal, and our homes and the way we dress proclaims that.”
“I wasn’t making fun.”
“Jah. This I know. Let’s go see if Onkel Jed and Tante Eleanor are home.”
Jennie started to slow down. They were almost to the driveway when she glanced up in the mirror and frowned.
“Hey!” Luke watched as she drove right past the place. “You missed the drive.”
“I didn’t miss it,” she growled, her voice sliding out between clenched teeth. “Someone is following us. I’m not sure if it’s one of Steve’s friends or not.”
Luke swiveled around in his seat to see the car behind them. The glare of the sun bouncing off the windshield made it impossible to see who was driving. It might have been Morgan, it might have been Steve, it might have been someone totally unrelated to what had been happening for the past two days. Although that seemed highly unlikely.
Apparently, Jennie wasn’t willing to take the chance, and Luke couldn’t find a single fault with that. The car hit a bump, and his head hit the ceiling. He sank back down in his seat, rubbing his head.
“You okay back there, LJ?” he asked.
“Fine, Daddy!” LJ sang back, completely oblivious to the terror stirring in both of his parents. Luke gave him what he hoped was a smile, but strongly suspected it was more of a grimace.
“That’s a dark blue sedan,” he remarked to Jennie in a low voice. “It looks like the same car that almost ran you over yesterday. Or at least, I think it does. I can’t be sure. Can we go any faster? Do you think we can lose them?”
Jennie bit her lip and glanced into the mirror again. “I don’t want to risk spinning out on this road. If we lose control, we’d be completely vulnerable.”
“Okay. Let’s do our best to lose him without skidding into a ditch, then.”
“Hold on.” Jennie’s face was grim as she leaned into the steering wheel, digging in to drive them to safety. Luke reached up and grabbed the handle near the top of the door, praying with all his might for their safety and that Gott would bring them out of this mess. Alive.
* * *
Jennie maneuvered the car to the next intersection, slowing down in order to look up the hill to her left to see if there was any oncoming traffic.
SLAM!
Her head whipped forward and banged against the steering wheel. She slid out onto the road. LJ cried out. A quick glance back assured her that he was uninjured. The car that hit them spun sideways at the impact. Maybe they had a reprieve, time to get away.
A horn blew. An eighteen-wheeler was barreling down the hill, and Jennie’s car was directly in its path. Shoving her foot down on the gas, she gunned the car forward, fishtailing on the icy road. The semi blew past her, horn blaring, its momentum sucking her car back for a second before she was able to move smoothly back into her lane.
She doubted it had been enough to deter the car that was chasing them. A quick glance in her mirror confirmed her fears.
“He’s still behind us.”
“Mama, I’m scared. I don’t like this anymore!”
Her heart bled at the fear she heard in her son’s voice.
“LJ.” Luke turned and looked at their son. “I know this is scary. Your mama and I are both here.”
She risked a quick look into the back seat to see tears dappling his chubby little cheeks.
“Maybe you could pray for us.” Had that really just popped out of her mouth? Judging from the disbelief on Luke’s face, it had. She winced. She’d never been one to turn to God. Asking for His help when she was in trouble seemed rather hypocritical.
“Jah, I can do that.”
While Luke prayed with LJ, Jennie rounded another curve. The road straightened out and started to slope downward at an alarming angle. The snow was coming thicker now, falling in heavy white flakes that clumped on her windshield wipers. They were already swiping the glass at full speed and having trouble keeping up.
The wind was howling, blowing the onslaught of snow across the road in blustery drifts. She could no longer tell where the road was. Every few feet, she’d catch a glimpse of dirt, and then she’d see the deep ditch on the side of the road. If they landed in that, there would be no way out.
She had no choice but to slow down.
Tapping the brakes lightly, she cried out when she felt the car starting to veer out of control. “God, help me!”
It was the first prayer she’d uttered since she was fifteen years old, but she meant it with her whole being.
The car slid another few feet before it came back under her control. She peered into the mirror. The blue sedan picked up speed and followed them down the hill.
“He’s moving too fast,” Luke observed, his voice harsh. She’d never heard him so grim. “If he hits us, we’ll both spin out of control.”
“I don’t know what to do.” Jennie gently put more pressure on the gas. When the car started to move sideways, she backed off and tapped the brakes again. This time, when the car slid, it stayed on the road. “We can’t go any faster than this and keep in control.”
They were out of options.
There was a road off to the right. Deciding she didn’t have any other choices, Jennie gripped the wheel and swerved onto the road. The vehicle dipped and bumped along as the back tire barely skimmed over the side of the ditch.
That was way too close.
This road was narrower than the one they’d just left. Tall, thick trees dotted the sides, close to the edge. If she went off the road now, she doubted she could do so without ramming into one of the trees.
Her tires skimmed over the myriad of potholes hidden by snow, the sound roaring in her ears.
“Is he still behind us?” she yelled out to Luke, not daring to take her eyes off the road.
He turned and looked back. “Still there.” He pointed at a barn in the distance. “There’s a side road just past that barn. It’s easier to navigate. Maybe turn there.”
It couldn’t be any worse than the road they were on now. When she was almost to the barn, she saw it—it was one of those roads with no sign. It might not have made it on the map, but all the locals would recognize it.
She turned on the road, slowing as little as she could. The blue car kept pace with her. By now, Jennie was starting to despair of ever breaking free of him. What would he do if he caught up with them? She shuddered, attempting to force her mind away from the thought. She only prayed that if he did catch up with them, somehow LJ would be spared. She didn’t hold out any such hope
for herself or Luke.
Their pursuer might not understand the concept of mercy.
The blue car barreled closer. Just when Jennie feared it would hit them, it started to slide.
“He’s losing control!” Her knuckles whitened as she gripped the wheel.
Looking in her mirror, she witnessed the exact moment when the blue car spun out, spiraling in two full circles before spinning across the road and going nose-first into a ditch.
“He’s out.” She flexed her fingers. Her hold on the steering wheel had been so tight, little darts of pain were shooting down her fingers.
“He’s not getting out of that soon,” Luke agreed. “I can’t see the license plate number. When we get to Onkel Jed’s, let’s call Trooper Carter. He can send someone out and we’ll maybe know who was after us.”
“Okay.” She frowned. “I don’t want to try to drive back up this hill. Without four-wheel drive, I doubt my car will be able to handle the hill. We don’t need to join our friend in that ditch.”
Luke nodded his agreement. “Let’s take the long way around. What do you say?”
She smiled. “The scenic route it is.”
Jennie followed Luke’s directions, taking the curves and turns at a safe speed now that they weren’t being followed. Her shoulders still twitched, feeling like someone would be coming after them at any second.
She had never wanted out of a vehicle so badly.
The light in the afternoon sky was growing dim by the time they finally made it to Jed Beiler’s home. There were no electric lights in the house, but Jennie could see the house was still fairly illuminated.
“It’s brighter than I expected an Amish home to be,” she commented as she drove into the lane leading up to the house.
“Jah. Onkel’s bishop has allowed the use of natural gas to light the hauser. It can create plenty of light. Onkel has the lanterns built into his home, although some members in the community have rolling lights that can be moved from room to room.”
“What do your parents use?” She wasn’t just asking to talk. She was sincerely interested. It wasn’t something she’d ever considered before.
“Neither.” He unbuckled his seat belt as the car rolled to a stop. “The community my parents live in is very strict. They use kerosene lamps. Not as bright, but they serve their purpose.”
She frowned. “Wouldn’t that be more dangerous, having kerosene lamps through your house?”
“Jah. Maybe so. We learn to be careful.”
She thought he was joking but there wasn’t a hint of a smile on his face. Getting out of the car, she marveled at how different his life was now to how it was when they were together. It was hard to imagine him being okay with all the things he had once rejected, but it didn’t seem to bother him anymore.
The fact that it didn’t bothered her.
The front door opened, and a tall man stepped out on the porch. He leaned forward, peering into the dim light. “Hallo? Who is here? Are you lost?”
“Onkel Jed, it’s Luke.”
“Ach, Luke, come on in.”
Jennie helped LJ out of the car. He resisted being carried, insisting on walking. She gave in, reminding herself to pick her battles wisely.
“Who do you have here?” Eleanor Beiler wiped her hands dry on a towel before joining them in the open family room.
The moment Jed stared Jennie in the face, recognition dawned. “Jennie Forster! I’d know you anywhere. I didn’t know you two were still friends.” She didn’t miss the anxious glance he speared his nephew with. Apparently, Luke’s family were all wary of the relationship that had developed between them.
She was so tired of it all. She slanted a glance at Luke, striving not to let it become a glare. She was not the enemy. She had no plans to lead him astray, and she was in danger.
Luke clearly tensed at the look his uncle and aunt exchanged. In fact, he looked irritated.
“Onkel Jed, Tante Eleanor, I’m glad you remember Jennie. It’s Jennie Beiler now.”
Jennie nearly fainted. She wouldn’t have been surprised if his aunt and uncle had, as well.
“I didn’t know it when I woke from my accident, but while I was away from New Wilmington, Jennie and I were married. She thought I was dead for the past five years.”
Their eyes all widened. Then they zeroed in on LJ.
Luke wasn’t done. “LJ, come here.”
LJ immediately went to his father.
“Tante, Onkel, this is Luke Junior. My son.”
NINE
Luke would not allow himself to feel guilty for dropping that announcement in the middle of the room and watching it explode. The look his uncle had sent toward Jennie, as if she were somehow at fault for his troubles, infuriated him. No one had the right to judge her. No one. Not even his family.
“Your wife.” Tante Eleanor’s voice was a thin whisper cutting through the silence.
“Jah. My wife. She and LJ are in danger. We came here hoping to find a refuge where her life would be safe.”
At the mention of danger, the atmosphere changed. Jed and Eleanor would good people. He’d never doubted that they would embrace Jennie and LJ once they were aware of the whole story.
“Danger!” Jed strode forward. “Cumme! Cumme! You look tired.”
Luke put his hand on the small of Jennie’s back. When she glanced at him, startled, he dropped his hand. He could not treat her as if she were his wife in truth. He had no reason to be touching her. He clenched his fist at his side and followed her into the kitchen area.
“Dinner won’t be for an hour or so.” Eleanor brought a pitcher of water to the table. “We can talk for a bit until the others are finished with their chores.”
Luke loved his cousins, but he was relieved to know that he and Jennie would have some time alone to give his tante and onkel the main points of what was happening. The fewer people who knew the sordid tale, the better.
As expected, his relatives were full of sympathy for Jennie. Although, he did detect several concerned looks cast his way. Well, he wasn’t backing out. He would help Jennie as long as he needed in order to ensure she and LJ were safe. It was the right thing to do.
He also couldn’t bear the idea of returning home with no assurance that they were well. Whatever happened, for now, they were in his care. He would not fail them, no matter what it cost him.
Some of his determination must have shown when Jed met his eyes. The older man’s gaze dropped, his shoulders sagging slightly, resignation stamped on his face.
LJ’s lids began to droop before their conversation was over. Jennie pulled him into her arms. Luke couldn’t keep his eyes off the beautiful sight of the mother cradling her child.
If only...
He blocked the thought. When the rest of the family arrived, all conversation about the danger that was hunting Jennie ceased. Eleanor and Jed introduced her as Luke’s friend who’d be staying with them for a short time. His cousins accepted the information calmly.
Luke tried to suppress his annoyance at the way she was introduced. He wanted to be able to tell them that LJ was his. His uncle laid a stern eye on him. He nodded, understanding the warning, though he didn’t like it.
When he went to bed that evening, he shared a room with one of his cousins. He lay awake in bed long after his cousin drifted off to sleep, reliving the moment when the gas had exploded in Randi’s house. Regret filled him that he had been unable to save her. It wasn’t his fault, he knew that. He had managed to get Jennie and LJ out, it was true, but he would never forget the memory of Randi’s still body lying in the snow. It should never have happened.
None of this should be happening.
He squeezed his eyes tight, shying away from thoughts of what could have happened on the road earlier that day. It seemed everywhere they went, danger followed.
Inhaling deeply, Luke prayed for guidance. He prayed that Gott would continue to protect them and bring those who would cause harm to Jennie and LJ to justice.
He also prayed for help guarding his heart.
But he feared that prayer was too late.
The next morning, he awoke early to find his cousin had already left. Ach. Luke should have risen to help with the morning chores. Dressing quickly, he left the haus to go find his cousins and onkel.
The day passed in an uneventful manner, for which he was grateful. It didn’t stop him from looking over his shoulders, waiting for someone to take a shot at them or to attempt to run them over.
At least they went to bed that night with no additional injuries. That was a blessing, for sure.
* * *
On Sunday, no chores were done. Luke and Jennie took advantage of the time to get rested up. When he’d mentioned that Trooper Carter had told Jennie to go off the grid and hide, his tante had suggested that while they were here, Jennie dress in his cousin’s dresses. He supposed she thought that Jennie would blend in more and not be so easy for her attackers to find.
It made sense. The problem, as far as he was concerned, was that it was harder to remember why Jennie was off-limits to him when she looked like a lovely Plain woman. His cousin’s pink dress and crisp white kapp, in his mind, enhanced Jennie’s natural beauty. She used to wear cosmetics, and she’d been beautiful. But he thought she was breathtaking now without any additional products.
Monday morning dawned clear, though Luke had an ache in his leg that he knew from experience meant it would snow later. Somehow, he always knew. The doctor told him that he might be more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure. So far, the doctor had been correct.
Luke was given the chore of chopping more firewood. His relatives used it for their own haus, but they also sold wood to the surrounding area. “It’s gut business and it helps our friends.”
Luke liked the manual labor. As he worked, the motion of chopping the wood brought back an image of working on a haus with his onkel. He paused briefly, willing the image to become focused.
