Deadly Amish Reunion

by Dana R. Lynn

  Jennie dove for the floor when Brenda whipped out the gun. The sudden blast reverberated through the barn. LJ screamed, the sound quickly muffled when Theresa hugged him.

  Steve landed with a thud next to Jennie, a cloud of dust rising around him. She scuttled away from him, then stopped as Brenda moved to stand over her. She looked up into the face of death.

  “I guess I didn’t have to wait to shoot you, after all,” Brenda said. Tears tracked down her face. “I killed him and it’s all your fault.” She raised the gun again.

  Before she could shoot, the door swung open and a trooper charged inside, knocking the gun from her hand. Within seconds Brenda was in handcuffs and being led away as an officer read her her rights.

  Luke was at Jennie’s side. “Jennie? Are you hurt?”

  She shook her head. “No. You came.”

  When he folded her in his arms, she didn’t protest, just sank against his warmth, treasuring the kisses he planted on her head. LJ ran to them, screaming their names. She looked up to see Simon and Raymond hugging Theresa.

  All was well.

  * * *

  Jennie had trouble wrapping her mind around it. After so many years of living in fear that Steve Curtis would come after her, the man who had haunted her nightmares was dead. She stared at his body as the coroner confirmed his death and the paramedics covered him with a dark blanket. She half expected him to open his eyes, sit up and start spewing insults.

  Instead, his form remained still. The paramedics lifted him onto a stretcher and placed him in the back of the coroner’s SUV. When the doors were shut and the vehicle pulled away, she began to shake.

  “Jennie?” Luke sat beside her, his face, so dear to her, somber. She couldn’t understand the bleakness she saw in his eyes. They were free. Steve was gone.

  “He’s dead, Luke. You saved us.”

  He cracked a smile. There was no humor in it. It was the saddest excuse for a smile she’d ever seen. “Well, I had a lot of help saving you.”

  What was she missing?

  “Ma’am, are you sure you don’t want to go to the hospital?” She turned to see a young paramedic. “I really think we need to bring you in and get you checked out.”

  She was ready to protest. The hospital was not where she wanted to go.

  “Your son needs checked out, as well.”

  All protests died on her lips. She wouldn’t skimp on treatment for LJ.

  Luke stood.

  Panic hit her. He was leaving. She knew he was. She couldn’t let him go. They needed to talk. He needed to understand that she loved him. She and LJ needed him in their lives, and she’d do what was necessary to make that happen.

  Even if it meant becoming Amish. Because now she understood. God wanted them together. There was a reason that Luke had met her so many years ago. Going back to her old world no longer appealed.

  If only she could convince him of that.

  “Luke, come with me to the hospital.”

  His gaze flinched away from hers. She pleaded with him silently to not shut her out. Finally, he responded, “I will drive over in my buggy.”

  Before she could argue, he was gone. She was soon lost in the flurry of activity that followed. She and LJ were loaded into the ambulance.

  “What happened to Theresa?” she asked the paramedic who climbed in back with them. “You know, the young Amish girl who was rescued with us.”

  The paramedic nodded. “I know who you mean. She was only slightly bruised and shaken up. She declined treatment.”

  Vaguely, Jennie wondered if Theresa’s father had declined for her, but rejected that idea. Luke’s parents were warm and gentle-hearted people. She knew that they only wanted what was best for their children. Her eyes slid over to where LJ lay sound asleep on the stretcher beside her. Just as she wanted what was best for her son.

  “Can someone call my brother for me?” she blurted. The need to hear her older brother’s calm voice welled up inside. Aiden would help her sort things out. Without judgment.

  At the hospital, Jennie and LJ were wheeled inside and a series of tests followed. It took several hours, but both were declared out of danger. “We’re letting you go,” the emergency room doctor told her. “We need these beds for people who actually need them.”

  When he grinned, she knew he was teasing her.

  Still no Luke.

  Disappointment bubbled up inside her when she realized that Luke had no intention of stopping by to see her. She knew he was drawing back, but she never would have expected that. What about his son? Regardless of Luke’s feelings for her, she knew he loved his son.

  He loved her, too, she thought desperately. She knew he did. He just couldn’t or wouldn’t admit it.

  She was holding in the tears when she and LJ were wheeled out past the emergency room doors to the lobby area. The small area next to the reception desk was filled with a dozen chairs, most of them occupied by patients waiting for their turn to be seen in the emergency room.

  Don’t lose control here, she warned herself. There are too many people watching.

  The hospital doors whooshed open. A familiar face strode in, his face daring anyone to get in his way.

  Aiden.

  Seeing her brother, her control fled. Sobbing, Jennie held out her arms and found herself engulfed in a bear hug. Over his shoulder, she saw LJ was receiving the same treatment from his aunt Sophie. Closing her eyes, Jennie allowed herself to be a small girl again, crying on her brother’s shoulder as he comforted her.

  When she was finally in control again, she leaned back. Aiden released her, but he didn’t completely let go.

  “What happened, kid? The last time I talked to you, you were fine. Then I get a call that you and my nephew are in the hospital, and here you are dressed like the Amish. Speak to me.”

  “It was Steve, Aiden.”

  At the name of their monstrous stepfather, Aiden’s face went still, his eyes granite hard. “Where is he?”

  “He’s dead.” Relief leaked into the words. She’d never be thankful for another person’s death but knowing that she was free from Steve brought some semblance of peace. “And, Aiden, my husband, Luke—he’s alive.”

  Aiden’s jaw dropped. She wanted to giggle at his expression but bit her lip instead. She didn’t want him to think that she was hysterical.

  “Alive? How is that possible?” His jaw tensed. “Did he abandon you? Did he—”

  She put her hand over his mouth to silence him. “Nothing like that. He was in an accident and lost his memory. It’s true,” she hurried to assure him when his lip curled into a sneer of disbelief.

  “So where is this husband of yours?”

  Good question. She peered over his shoulder and saw an Amish buggy pulling into the drive. She recognized Luke and Raymond. Luke hopped down from the buggy, while Raymond stayed outside.

  “He’s on his way. Look, do you think you could take LJ somewhere? Maybe go get him something to eat? I need to talk with Luke alone, and I’m not sure how this chat will end.”

  Aiden and Sophie exchanged glances. Aiden didn’t want to go, Jennie could tell. But Sophie nodded. “We’ll leave you two to sort things out. Here’s my cell phone...” She handed the phone to Jennie. “Use it if you need us.”

  Gratefully, Jennie took the phone, wishing she had a pocket to put it in.

  Aiden gave her one last hug and then swung LJ up onto his shoulders. “Come on, cowboy. How about we go and get us some grub?”

  “Pizza!” LJ hollered, his fear replaced by the excitement of eating his favorite food with his uncle. “I want pizza. And root beer!”

  He’d never get that at home. Root beer was a very special treat.

  “You got it.”

  Aiden and Sophie left. As they walked out, they passed Luke. Aiden gave him a sharp once-over, the
n glanced back at Jennie, his head nodding toward Luke in question. He’d already figured out that her wearing an Amish dress meant her husband was Amish, too. She signed back, “Yes, that’s him. I’ll explain later.”

  She knew he’d understand. They’d both learned some sign language to talk with Celine since Aiden had married Sophie.

  If he responded, she missed it. All of her attention was on the man moving her way, his expression solemn. This didn’t bode well for their future.

  “Is there anywhere we can talk?” he asked.

  “Let’s go to the cafeteria.” It was far more public than she’d have liked, but it was the only place they could sit down without being under the gaze of the guards or other patients. This conversation might be the most devastating one she’d had in her short life.

  Jennie ordered a cup of coffee and added two creams and two sugar packets before joining Luke at a table in the corner. She ordered it more to give herself something to keep her hands busy with than because she was actually thirsty. Her nerves were getting the better of her.

  “Luke,” she started, but then she stopped. What should she say? How could she convince him that they belonged together? His face was shuttered. There was a hopelessness in his expression that told her he’d already given up on them.

  His next words confirmed it. “Jennie. You can go home now without fear, ain’t so? Your stepfather and all those he hired are either dead or on their way to jail.”

  She braced herself. “But what if I don’t want to go home? What if I want me and LJ to stay with you?”

  Pain flashed across his eyes, leaving them shadowed and somehow hollow. “Nee, you can’t, Jennie. I wish you could. But you’re Englisch and have no place in my world.”

  Fear tickled her throat. She had to make him see!

  “But what if I wasn’t? Englisch, I mean.” She leaned toward him as he started to shake his head, discarding her idea. “I’m serious, Luke. We could join your church, become Amish. I’ve seen the way you live, and I’m not scared of it.”

  “You’ve seen it for a few days. Nee, Jennie. You don’t know what you’re asking. Imagine weeks, months, years of living off the land, no technology. You’d be giving up modern conveniences, and what about Aiden?”

  She blinked. “What about Aiden?”

  “You’d not be able to contact him as often as you’d like. I can’t stand the thought that you’d learn to despise me, and the life you chose. Once you become Amish, you can’t leave. To do so would be to separate yourself from everything, even family. This way, I can still see LJ from time to time. He could get to know his grandparents.”

  He stood. “I wish you well.”

  He turned away, but then, as if he couldn’t help himself, he spun back and walked to her. Bending down, he gave her a quick kiss, nothing more than a chaste brush of his lips against hers.

  It was a kiss goodbye. Wordlessly, he strode out of the cafeteria, leaving her behind, tears stinging in her eyes while her heart quietly shattered in her chest.

  SEVENTEEN

  “You’re not happy.”

  Luke avoided Raymond’s eyes and shrugged, continuing to sand the table he’d been working on. Six days ago, he’d enjoyed the happiest Christmas he could remember, only to lose everything the next day. He’d done his best to pretend to be content with his life for the past five days since he left Jennie at the hospital. But every day, he got up with Jennie’s face in front of his eyes. And soon after that, the image of LJ always followed. Luke’s whole life had narrowed down to those two people, and he’d walked away from them as if they weren’t the very beat of his heart.

  It was a lie, but one he was helpless to change.

  “Luke, look at me.”

  Unable to avoid his brother any longer, he held in a sigh and put the sander down before turning to meet the concerned gaze of his younger sibling.

  “What do you want me to say, Ray?”

  Raymond’s brow furrowed. “Ach, I don’t know. I want to see you smile. You haven’t done so since you returned from the hospital.”

  Luke shrugged. It was true. But he hadn’t felt like smiling much. The only thing that kept him from total despair was knowing that whatever he was suffering through, Gott was with him. And he knew that Jennie wouldn’t keep him from seeing LJ. Although his heart would shatter a bit more inside his chest every time he saw her. Whether she was Amish or not, in his heart, she was still his wife, the woman that he loved.

  How did you get past that?

  “I haven’t felt like smiling. I’ll be fine. I need some time.”

  “It’s her, ain’t so? It’s Jennie.”

  A small spurt of anger shot up inside him. He smothered it. His brother meant no harm; he was concerned, that was all.

  “Jah, it’s Jennie. She’s my wife, and the mother of my kind. I love her. I love them both, and I miss them.”

  Raymond nodded and rubbed his chin. His eyes got that faraway look that meant he was considering his words, planning how to say what was on his mind. “Does she love you?”

  “Jah. She didn’t say the words, but I know she does.” Why else would she tell him she’d join his church? His way of life?

  “Have you ever considered asking her to become Plain? If she joined the church, there’d be no obstacles.”

  It so closely mirrored what he had been thinking, for a moment Luke stared at his brother. “Nee, I have not asked her. How can I? It’s not an easy life.” He paused. “She offered, but I—”

  Raymond’s eyes bulged. “Your woman, your wife, offered to join the church, and you said nee?” If he’d been Englisch, he would have probably told Luke he was crazy.

  Was he? Why had he shut her down so fast?

  “What if she went through the classes and decided it wasn’t for her?” Luke asked. Could he go through that pain?

  “Jah, that’s possible. Then you would know for sure, jah? But if you don’t let her take that step, neither of you will ever know. You’ll be alone your whole life, and your son will grow up outside of your haus.”

  Luke straightened and clenched his fists. “I never gave her a chance.” A sense of certainty poured through him. “I need to go to her.”

  “Jah, you do. Should I come with you?”

  “Nee.” Luke shook his head, already striding toward the phone. “This is a trip I need to make alone. I don’t know how long I will be gone.”

  “I will explain to Mamm and Daed for you.”

  Luke was already picking up the phone to call a driver. He nodded to let Raymond know he’d heard him. Now that he had a purpose, he didn’t want to waste any more time. He was fortunate.

  “Hey, Luke. I had a cancellation just twenty minutes ago. I can be at your house in forty minutes,” the driver said.

  He felt he’d received a confirmation that he was on the correct path. Danke, Gott.

  This time Luke wouldn’t let fear or his own doubts get in the way. Hanging up the phone, he strode briskly to the haus. He would have run, but the last thing he needed now was to fall on the ice and break his leg again. He smiled at the thought, his first smile in a week.

  His mamm called after him as he came inside and took the stairs two at a time. At the top of the stairs, he turned to look back.

  “Go,” Raymond ordered. “I’ll explain.”

  Luke didn’t wait to hear more. He had packing to do. His pulse was thrumming through his veins. Soon, he’d see his Jennie. Was she still his? Had she changed her mind in the week they’d been apart?

  When Sam arrived, Luke was ready for him.

  “Happy New Year, Luke.”

  Luke blinked. It was New Year’s Eve. He’d totally lost track of the time in his misery. One day had blended into the next since he’d left Jennie at the hospital. Wow.

  “I hope it will be, Sam. Same to you.”

&nb
sp; As they drove closer to Meadville, the muscles in his shoulders grew taut. He wouldn’t let himself think of what would happen if she told him to go. He wouldn’t blame her; he’d done that very thing when he’d turned down her offer to become Amish.

  How arrogant he’d been! He’d never given her a chance. Nor had he asked Gott if that was His will.

  When Sam pulled up in front of her apartment, Luke’s heart was pounding in his ears. He forced himself to get out of the van to meet his fate. He laughed at the thought, but the laugh was shaky.

  There were voices inside Jennie’s apartment. He almost turned around, but instead he steeled himself and rapped his knuckles against the door. When it opened, he found himself speechless as he stared into the eyes that had haunted him for the past week.

  “Luke.” Those beautiful brown eyes were swimming in tears. Or was it his own eyes?

  It was both.

  “Jennie. Can we talk?”

  She hesitated, then nodded. Swinging the door open, she gestured for him to enter. “Come meet my brother first.”

  Aiden Forster looked at him with suspicion, but then, what protective older brother wouldn’t? Sophie Forster, however, looked between Luke and Jennie, and her face broke open wide in a smile.

  “Finally,” was all she said.

  Celine waved at him. She looked like a younger version of Sophie.

  Jennie looked unsure for a moment, glancing around the apartment.

  Sophie came to the rescue. “Go. Have your talk. Figure things out. We’ll stay here with LJ.”

  “Let me get my coat,” Jennie told him. He nodded.

  As they left the apartment, he wanted to take her hand in his. Jennie, however, shoved both hands in her coat pockets. He could feel the distance she was placing between them, and not just physically.

  He knew she was protecting herself, but inside he was struggling to hold his growing anxiety at bay.

  Outside, Sam was still waiting.

  Luke moved to the van. “Sam, could you drive us to the Diamond?”