Love Inspired Suspense June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2, page 29
The deputy climbed out of his patrol car and tipped his hat in her direction. Something flashed in his round eyes set deep in his full face. “Seem to be running into you a lot lately.” An undercurrent of amusement that came as no surprise threaded through his comment.
Liddie’s cheeks heated at the smarmy way he smiled at her. She didn’t want to worry about what he thought about her, but she couldn’t help it. He had found her on the side of the road after she had gone to the same bonfire as his son. Did he think she was a wild rule breaker?
“Thank you for helping me out last night,” Liddie said, trying to relax her jaw while portraying the model of wholesome Amish living.
“How are you doing?” he asked.
“Fine.” She smiled tightly.
“And your horse?”
“Seems to be fine, too. I appreciate that your son got her home for me. I’m not sure I properly expressed my gratitude last night. I had grown absolutely numb from the cold and couldn’t wait to get inside to warm up.” Liddie had decided to be gracious. “Did you have a chance to investigate?” She found herself holding her breath, waiting for the answer.
The deputy frowned. “The gunshot?” He surprised her with a quick nod in the affirmative. “Carl and I doubled back and I sent the spotlight into the trees. Didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.”
Liddie shrugged, not sure what to feel. “Maybe it was a car backfiring.” She really didn’t believe that. Not after everything else that had happened.
“I’ll keep asking around.” The deputy ran his hand over the back of his neck as the November sun beat down on him. “What’s going on out here today?”
“I was the one who called,” Jonah said, coming up behind her. “Seems someone is using my land to grow marijuana.”
The deputy’s bushy eyebrows drew down under the shadow of his hat. “Someone? Why do I feel like you know more than you’re saying?”
“Last night a friend of mine—” Liddie purposely left out Moses’s name so as not to get him into trouble “—told me Dean Johnson has been known to use vacant land to grow weed.”
“Dean Johnson again?” The deputy rubbed a hand across his jaw. “You have something against this kid?” The skepticism in his tone grated her nerves.
“I’m only telling you what I heard.” Liddie did her best to hide her frustration.
“Is that why you went to the bonfire? To see what you could dig up?” His obvious condescension made her cheeks heat. “Funny how you never mentioned that when I pulled you out of the ditch.”
“I asked around, yes,” Liddie said, hiking up her chin, ignoring the dig.
“For a group of people who want to remain separate, you surely have our number on speed dial.”
“We found the plants,” Jonah said with a flat affect. Liddie worried that sweet man had become beaten down by all his troubles.
“Really?” The single word left no mistake about how the deputy felt. “I suppose you want me to go out and arrest this kid.”
“We’ll leave you and your Englisch laws to figure that out,” Jonah said forcefully. “But for the safety of my family—” he held out his hand to encompass Liddie and something funny flickered in her belly “—this stops now.”
The deputy held up his hands, a practiced gesture, Liddie imagined, from years of trying to get agitated people in stressful situations to settle down. “Show me what you found.”
“This way.” Jonah turned and strode toward the greenhouse, a man determined to take back his land. Liddie started to follow when a small sedan turned into the yard and bumped over the ruts. Bitsy.
Liddie stopped and waited for her friend to get out of her car.
“Hello there,” Bitsy said. “I see Ed got here already.”
Liddie shrugged and bit back what would have been a negative reply.
“I heard the call over the radio.” Bitsy tugged on the zipper of her fleece jacket, pulling it all the way up to her chin. “What’s going on? Everyone okay?”
Liddie released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. The friendly deputy’s presence had a calming effect. She brought the newcomer up to date, omitting the part about her accident, figuring that was a footnote, for now. Liddie balled her hands and pulled them up into the sleeves of her coat as a chill raced down her spine at the memory of the icy water at the bottom of the ditch. She cleared her throat. “Jonah and Deputy Banks are in the fields now. It’s going to be a big job to yank all the plants.”
“We can get some workers in to help,” Bitsy suggested. “There’s no reason Jonah has to do this. The sheriff’s department is going to want to take the plants into possession and make sure they’re properly disposed of.”
Apparently sensing Liddie’s unease, Bitsy said, “You’ve had a rough go of it, but I want you to know I’m on your side. Don’t let anyone shame you into staying quiet, especially not Deputy Banks. He has a chip on his shoulder because we’re charged with protecting all of the community. He resents that the Amish like to stay separate.”
“It doesn’t make things easy.”
Bitsy shook her head slowly. “No, I suppose not. But your job isn’t to make his easier. He has to learn to do all his duties, including protecting the Amish.” The deputy tilted her head to force Liddie to meet her gaze. “Remember, I grew up Amish. I’m on your side. I know how it is.”
Liddie smiled. “Thanks. It’s not often I feel like I have someone on my side.”
“Jonah’s on your side.”
“What?” Her defensive response slipped out before Liddie had a chance to call it back, embarrassment heating her cheeks.
Bitsy stepped closer and amusement sparked in her eyes. “I’m a very observant person. It’s a requirement of the job. I’ve seen Jonah look at you like you mean the world to him.”
“I don’t. He had Maggie.”
Bitsy reached out and touched Liddie’s hand. “I had the pleasure of meeting Maggie a few times in town. Beautiful woman. She’s in heaven now.”
Liddie’s ears burned.
Bitsy continued, “Jonah’s still here. And so are you.”
An awkward giggle escaped Liddie’s lips and made her feel silly. “Why are you giving me matchmaking advice? Aren’t you supposed to solve crimes?”
“That’s my first job.” Bitsy rubbed her lips together, apparently trying to suppress a smile. “Sometimes I like to throw in my two cents, even where it doesn’t belong.” She cleared her throat and grew somber. “Both of you have been through a lot and sometimes it’s hard to see the forest through the trees.”
* * *
Early the next morning, Liddie woke up and the rumble of thunder in the distance and the pelting of rain against the bedroom window made her roll over and pull the covers over her head. In the warm cocoon, she drifted back to sleep and dreamed that she and Daisy had gone for a walk behind the greenhouse. The mid-day sun beat down hot on them. The birds were chirping. As they walked and walked through the endless weeds, the clouds suddenly rolled in. It grew dark. Thunder rumbled.
Daisy turned and smiled up at Liddie, a genuine smile of a happy six-year-old. “Follow me,” she said in the dream. She stepped backward between two nasty-looking, prickly weeds and disappeared. Liddie reached out and swiped at the plants. The thorns slashed at her flesh. The vegetation grew lusher, taller, pricklier, swallowing up every last bit of space. Swallowing up the little girl.
“Daisy!” Liddie’s strangled, muffled cries woke her out of a fitful sleep. The sweet smell of French toast snapped Liddie back into the moment despite her racing heart and sweaty palms that made the nightmare feel so realistic. She ran her hand across her skin, reassuring herself that the nightmare thorns hadn’t ripped her flesh apart. She let out a long breath of relief, grateful she had been dreaming.
Liddie flipped back the quilt and got ready for the day. The plans to clear the fields would probably be hampered by the weather. Downstairs, she found Ellen stacking the French toast on a plate. “Morning,” Liddie said. The house felt eerily quiet. “Is everyone still sleeping?”
“The children are. Jonah is out in the workshop.” Of course.
“Can I help you?” Liddie asked automatically, surprised when Ellen held out her hand toward a melon.
“If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all,” Liddie said, pleased. The elderly woman had shut her out of the kitchen since she had arrived. She grabbed a knife from the block and began to slice the fruit. The sweet smell reached her nose and made her stomach rumble.
“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things,” Ellen said, making Liddie pause mid cut. She could only imagine what the elderly woman was going to say next. “A lot has been going on here since you arrived.”
Liddie wondered how much Jonah had shared with his mother-in-law and she didn’t want to overstep and worry the woman. She had already been through so much with the murder of her daughter.
Ellen glanced over her shoulder, as if to make sure little ears wouldn’t overhear. “Jonah told me about the marijuana plants.”
“The sheriff’s department said they’d take care of them,” Liddie said, feeling as if she somehow owed this woman an apology.
Ellen stopped what she was doing and turned to face Liddie, resting her hip on the counter. Liddie set the knife aside to give the woman her full attention. “My husband and I had a chance to sell this land, but we didn’t want to let it go. We wanted the next generation to raise their children here. So, we asked Maggie and Jonah to come back to Hickory Lane to take care of the land. To take care of us.” Ellen pushed off the counter and laced the dish towel through the handle on the cabinet. She kept her back turned momentarily, apparently gathering her thoughts, or perhaps her emotions. “Jonah never had any interest in farming.” She slowly turned around. “We let all this land go to waste. I feel like...” The woman’s voice warbled.
“I think it’s human nature to question your choices. I imagine your husband was happy to spend his final days on the land where he had raised his family,” Liddie said, hoping to bring this woman some comfort.
Ellen got a faraway look in her eyes. “Yes, but this land was all too much for him.”
“Gott has a plan.”
Ellen sighed and her shoulders sagged. “My eldest daughter is mad we didn’t offer the land to them. She has a big family.” She pressed her work-worn hand to her neck. “I thought they were settled on their own land. It was Jonah and Maggie who seemed like they needed our help more. What with Jonah off building those fancy homes. It’s not right for a man to have to leave his home to find work. We thought our farm would be the answer for them. My husband and I had a gut life here.”
“Jonah’s doing his best.”
Ellen watched her a beat, not indicating if she agreed or not. “On Sunday, I overheard Ruthann, my oldest daughter, telling Jonah that her family could take over the farm since he wasn’t using it.”
Liddie’s entire body tensed. “Is there enough room for Jonah and Ruthann’s family here?” Selfishly the one question that screamed at her, but she didn’t dare voice was, “Where does all this leave me?” Her cheeks heated at the selfishness of her worry.
Ellen pulled out a chair at the kitchen table and sank into it. “Ruthann offered to raise Daisy and Andy. She suggested they’d be happier as part of a big family.” The children’s grandmother looked up with tears in her eyes. “My own daughter suggested Jonah give up his children. That he get an apartment in Buffalo close to his work.”
Liddie’s heart broke. “Jonah’s not...” She couldn’t even say the words. He’d never leave his children.
Ellen shook her head. “Neh, neh... How could my own daughter be so cruel to Jonah, her sister’s widower?”
“I’m sure she didn’t mean to be.” Liddie defended the stranger, if only to bring comfort to Ellen.
The older woman waved her hand. “I haven’t been able to sleep worrying about this. I know Ruthann blames Jonah for not being here to protect Maggie. And I’ve been curt to you because I’m upset my daughter isn’t here to raise her own children. It’s a very cruel cycle.”
“We all need someplace to focus our negative energy.” Liddie smiled tightly, studying the top of Ellen’s bonnet as the woman bowed her head seemingly in grief.
Ellen looked up, her lips trembling. “I’ve been focusing mine on you and I’m sorry.” She ran the tips of her fingers nervously back and forth over the edge of the table. “Will you forgive me?”
“Of course.” Liddie wrapped her hands around the edge of the counter to steady herself.
“You’ve been good for the children. And Jonah.”
At the mention of Jonah, Liddie felt her face flush. Ellen continued, “He spends more time with them because of you. Before you arrived, he withdrew from all of us. I suppose he was mostly avoiding the memory of Maggie.” A shy smile creased her face. “I suspect this change is due to you. He seems to enjoy your company.”
“I’m the children’s nanny. He spends time with me out of necessity.” Ellen’s observation on the heels of Bitsy’s comments made Liddie’s knees go weak. Had she been too naive to see what was right in front of her? Neh, she hadn’t known Jonah very long. She was here for his children. Not him.
“I have a feeling you’re too hard on yourself,” Ellen said, interrupting her train of thought. “Perhaps Gott has brought you here for a reason.”
The sound of heavy feet grew closer and Andy appeared with a book in his hand. “Can you read to me, Liddie?” She had never been more grateful for an interruption.
“Isn’t that the book Amity read to you yesterday?” Liddie took the book and turned it over in her hands. “You must be tired of it by now.”
“She didn’t read to me.” The mild disgust in his tone suggested he was mimicking the adults in his life.
“No?” Liddie said, curiosity prickling her scalp.
Daisy drifted into the kitchen, as if she had been waiting for her cue from the other side of the wall. “Yah. She’s very nosy. She stood at the window the whole time.” She heavily emphasized the word whole.
Liddie bit back a reprimand, thrilled that Daisy was opening up to her even if she was being critical of Amity. There didn’t seem to be any love lost between Daisy and the teenaged neighbor. Perhaps Daisy feared she’d take back the puppy. “Amity has been very nice to you.” Something about the teenager spying out the window rubbed Liddie the wrong way, but she didn’t want to say as much in front of the children.
Daisy quickly looked down at her feet. Liddie crouched down in front of her and touched her arm. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
The girl’s expression grew shuttered and she shook her head tightly. If Liddie hadn’t been watching her so closely, she might have missed the flash of fear on Jonah’s daughter’s face.
“Honey?” Liddie coaxed.
“I wanted to hear the story,” Andy interrupted, apparently feeling like now was a good time to vent his grievances among his supporters.
Liddie gently squeezed Daisy’s arm in a show of support. “I suppose I can read it to the both of you now. Unless your grandmother has more for me to do.”
Ellen smiled. “I believe I have everything under control.” This time, her words held a bit of humor and Liddie was grateful that she had finally broken the ice with the children’s grandmother. The idea that Ellen might be playing matchmaker both horrified Liddie and warmed her heart. The conflicting emotions twisted and wound their way around her chest, making it difficult to draw in a decent breath. How could her boss—Daisy and Andy’s father—court her? What would that even look like? And what if it went bad? Liddie didn’t want to jeopardize her position, or more importantly, her relationship with these precious children.
Butterflies of romantic anticipation turned into a sour taste in her mouth. What exactly had Amity been looking for out the window?
Liddie shoved the spiraling thoughts aside and ushered the children into the sitting room and onto the bench. She had gotten halfway through the book when she heard Jonah entering through the mudroom where he discarded his raincoat.
Ellen called the children into the kitchen and Jonah pulled Liddie off to the side where the children couldn’t overhear. “Deputy Banks called me this morning on my work phone.”
Liddie felt her heart racing in her ears. “Oh.” The single word came out as a squeak.
“Dean Johnson seems to have gone missing.”
“What do you mean? Missing?”
“He’s not home and his mother claims he hasn’t been there in over twenty-four hours. The deputy assures me they’ll bring him in for questioning once they locate him.”
Liddie’s eyes drifted toward the icy rain pelting the window. A chill raced down her spine that had nothing to do with the wicked weather outside.
FOURTEEN
Jonah was never a big fan of hunting or guns, never mind bringing a weapon into his home. All the same, after taking off his coat, he stashed his shotgun in the corner of the pantry and stored the bullets in the kitchen cabinet next to the coffee. Until whoever was using his land was in custody, he needed to protect his family.
The weather outside was fierce. The wind howled and the freezing rain had turned to windswept snow, pelting him as he crossed the yard from the barn. The only perk of winter was the additional time he could spend in his workshop. Other than that, he’d trade these freezing temperatures for a warm summer day in a heartbeat.
Jonah had already checked on both horses, making sure they had blankets to get through the frigid night. No one had come from the Millers’ to pick up Brownie, and he suspected with the inclement weather, they wouldn’t be coming any time soon. The cold seeped into every inch of his being as he swiped the water droplets from his beard. He couldn’t wait to settle in next to the fireplace and warm his weary bones. He doubted he’d get any sleep. Not until Dean was brought in for questioning. The kid might be innocent, who knew? Yet, none of this felt right.
