Amish Refuge

“What he claimed has proven true, Miriam. Curtis Idler, the Willkommen deputy, said the police are searching for you. They suspect you killed your mother. Yet I do not understand how they could believe such an evil man with the serpent on his neck. He cannot be an officer of the law.”

“But his car had a flashing light and a sign that read Petersville Police Department.”

“The chief of police in Petersville is not to be trusted, so perhaps this Serpent, as you call him, is working with law enforcement, after all. I know my uncle will help you.”

“Then I must tell him what happened.”

Abram shook his head. “Samuel is traveling to Atlanta and will be gone for three days.”

“I can’t wait that long.” Miriam’s voice was insistent. “Serpent needs to be stopped now, before he hurts anyone else.”

Emma hurried into the kitchen and stared at both of them. “Forgive me. I thought you had finished talking.”

“You are right, my sister. We have finished our conversation.” Abram released hold of Miriam’s hand and stood. “Tomorrow we will go to Willkommen.”

“But—”

“Tomorrow, Miriam. Until then, you will stay with Emma and me.”

FIVE (#ue06aa252-b2ab-588f-8393-180bd5cd8139)

Miriam shook her head with frustration as she thought about what terrible things could have befallen her sister. She needed to find Sarah as quickly as possible.

“You are upset with my brother,” Emma said, drawing close. She placed a comforting hand on Miriam’s shoulder. “He is worried about your well-being.”

“Did you hear that the Petersville police suspect me of killing my own mother?”

Emma nodded and pointed to the small holes drilled through the ceiling. “The heat from the stove rises to warm the bedrooms. Abram’s voice travels, as well. I tried not to listen, but I could not help but overhear what he said to you.”

Miriam gazed into Emma’s blue eyes, not nearly as crystal clear as her brother’s but bright and filled with understanding. “How could they think I would do that? There is no evidence.”

“Except this man who held you captive. You do not know the lies he has told.”

Pulling in a ragged breath, Miriam fought the tears that welled up. She wiped her hand over her face and struggled to control her upset. “I’m usually not this fragile.”

Emma raised her chin and smiled. “I see strength when I look at you, Miriam. Not weakness. That is why you and Abram butt together. He is not used to a woman who speaks her mind.”

“Am I that demanding?” she asked.

“Demanding is not the word I would use. You see things one way. Abram sees them another way. Soon, you will learn to work together.”

“We could work together if he would take me to Willkommen.”

“But what good would it do if the Petersville police arrest you?”

Emma patted Miriam’s shoulder.

“Those who want to do you harm and those who suspect you of a crime would not think to find you here,” the Amish woman continued. “You must remain hidden from view. Abram is a man of his word. Tomorrow, he will take you to Willkommen.”

The clip-clop of a horse’s hooves sent both women to peer out the window. Emma grabbed Miriam’s hand when Abram appeared, guiding the horse and buggy to the back porch. “It seems my brother has changed his mind.”

Miriam squeezed Emma’s hand and then opened the door before Abram climbed the stairs to the back porch.

“We’re going to town?” she asked, her heart overflowing with gratitude.

“Yah. Nellie is hitched and waiting. We will talk to Samuel’s deputy, Curtis Idler. If my uncle left him in charge, then we can trust him.”

“You both must be careful,” Emma cautioned. “What if this Serpent is prowling about?”

“Hopefully he won’t look for a woman in Amish clothing,” Miriam said.

“Wear my bonnet.” Emma pulled the wide-brimmed hat from the wall peg. The shape reminded Miriam of what pioneer women wore to the keep the sun off their faces.

“We must hurry.” Abram removed the black cape from a second peg and wrapped the heavy wool around Miriam’s shoulders. Emma helped tie the bonnet under her chin.

“There is a blanket in the buggy if you are cold.” He opened the door wider. “We will leave now.”

Miriam’s heart raced, knowing she could be in danger. At least Abram would be with her.

He helped her into the buggy. “Sit in the rear,” he suggested. “You will be out of sight there.”

She crawled onto the second seat and nodded to Emma as the horse started on the journey to town.

Abram sat in the front, the reins in his hands and his focus on the road.

Was Miriam making a good decision? Or would she regret leaving the refuge of Abram’s home?

* * *

Abram’s neck felt like a porcupine with his nerve endings on alert. With each breath, his muscles tensed even more as he sensed a looming danger, although he did not know from where the danger would come.

Maybe he was being foolish to leave the security of his home and travel to town. Out in the open, anything could happen.

He flicked his gaze over his shoulder to Miriam. Her eyes were wide, her face drawn. She clasped her hands as if in prayer and looked like a typical Amish woman with her black cape and bonnet. Then her gaze turned to him and a bolt of current coursed through him, as palpable as the lightening that looked ready to cut through the darkening sky.

Why did this woman—this Englisch woman—affect him so?

He turned his focus back to the road and lifted the reins ever so slightly. Nellie always responded to the slightest movement of his wrists and today was no exception. The mare increased her pace, the sound of her hooves on the pavement as rhythmic as a heartbeat.

Abram eyed the darkening sky. If only they could outrun the rain that seemed imminent. A harbinger of what would come?

“The day is turning dark,” Miriam said from the rear. “What happens if it storms?”

“Sometimes we find shelter. Today we will continue on.” Although, he knew Nellie could be skittish if lightning hit too close and thunder exploded around them. He would not share his concern with Miriam. From the tension he heard in her voice, she was worried enough.

Approaching a bend in the road, Abram pulled back on the reins and slowed Nellie’s pace. He wanted to ensure nothing suspicious appeared ahead of them as they rounded the curve. His gut tightened when he spied police cars in the distance swarmed around a buggy. His pulse thumped a warning and his throat went dry.

“What is it, Abram?” Miriam leaned forward. Her hand touched his shoulder.