A Sister's Hope (40 page)

Martha was about to leave Irene’s for the day, when she spotted Luke’s buggy coming up the driveway. She stepped up to his buggy when he pulled up at the hitching rail. “This is a surprise,” she said. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”

“I wasn’t sure if you were working for Irene today or not, but I thought I’d stop by, just in case.” Luke’s face was bright red, and he swiped his hand across his forehead, glistening with sweat.

Alarm rose in Martha’s chest. “What’s wrong? You look really upset.”

He nodded. “I just came from Toby and Sadie’s place, and I wanted you to know what all was said before you heard Toby’s version of things.”

Martha’s forehead wrinkled. “What are you talking about?”

Luke motioned to his buggy. “Let’s have a seat, and I’ll tell you what happened.”

“Okay.” Martha stepped into the passenger’s side of Luke’s buggy, and he slipped in beside her.

Luke cleared his throat a few times and reached for her hand. “Do you still believe I’m innocent of the attacks against your family?”

“Of course I do. I trust you, Luke. Really, I do.”

“Good.” He drew in a quick breath and released a puff of air that lifted the hair off his forehead. “I’ve told you before that I think Toby might be the one doing the attacks and that he’s been doing them in order to get even with me. In the process, he’s trying to make me look guilty.”

“I thought you were thinking those rowdy English fellows you’ve been hanging around with might be responsible for the attacks.”

“I did think that at first, but not anymore. As time’s gone on, I’ve become more and more convinced that the attacks have been done by Toby.” Luke chewed on his bottom lip and grimaced. “Remember that work glove we found that looked like one of Toby’s?”

She nodded.

“And then there was that ballpoint pen you found. It had the name of the Farmstead Restaurant on it. Toby eats there a lot. I wouldn’t be surprised if that pen was his.”

Martha groaned. “I hate to think our own bishop’s son could have done anything so terrible. He’s a baptized member in our church, not to mention that he’s married to Ruth’s best friend.”

“I know, I know.” Luke sat staring at the floor. Finally, he lifted his gaze and turned to face her. “I had it out with Toby. . .told him what I suspect.”

“What’d he say?”

“He denied it, of course. Said if I thought he was the doing the attacks, I’d have to prove it.” Luke’s eyes narrowed. “Which is exactly what I plan to do, and I think it might be soon.”

“Why?”

“Before Toby got home from work, I spoke with Sadie. She mentioned that she’d talked to you earlier today when she came over to your place to look at a puppy.”

“That’s right,” Martha said with a nod.

“Sadie told me your daed’s planning to take your mamm and go up to Geauga County with the hope that it will settle her nerves.”

“Jah. I’d planned to tell you all this as soon as I saw you again. I guess Sadie beat me to it, though.”

“It doesn’t matter how or when I found out,” Luke said. “The important thing is that I know.”

“Why’s it important for you to know?”

“Because having your house sit empty for several days is exactly what I need.”

“Huh?”

“I’m planning to hide out in the barn during the nights your folks are gone, and if the attacker comes around again, I’ll hopefully catch him in the act.”

Martha’s mouth fell open. “Are—are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean, what if someone sees you there, or what if—”

“You worry too much. I’ll be just fine.” Luke leaned over and gave her a kiss.

Rosemary glanced in the rearview mirror at Judith asleep in the backseat of her car; then she looked over at Roman, sitting up front in the passenger seat, chewing on his fingernails. “You’re not nervous about taking Judith to Walt and Mary’s place are you?” she asked.

“Huh?” He dropped his hands to his lap. “Uh. . .no, I’m just. . .well, I’ve come up with a plan, and—” He turned and looked over his shoulder. “Good, Judith’s asleep. I’m glad we decided to head out this evening rather than wait until tomorrow morning.”

“I suppose it is a good idea to get Judith away from home as soon as we can.”

Roman glanced in the back again. “I wouldn’t want her to hear what I’m about to say.” He turned toward the front and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Not that she’d probably give much response. That medication the doctor prescribed keeps her so calm and relaxed she barely notices what’s going on around her.”

Rosemary nodded. “Maybe after some time at Walt and Mary’s, she’ll relax and her medication can be cut in half.”

“I’m hoping that’s the case.”

“How long are you planning to stay in Geauga County?”

“Uh. . .that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I’m only planning to spend the night, and then I’ll ride home with you after supper tomorrow evening.”

“Roman, I hardly think one night at Walt’s place is going to put Judith at ease enough to return home.”

He shook his head. “Judith will stay with Walt as long as necessary. I’ll be going home tomorrow with you.”

“You’re leaving Judith alone?”

“She won’t be alone; she’ll be in good hands with our brother and his wife. When I talked with Walt on the phone last night, he said Judith could stay with them for as long as necessary.”

“Is this about you not wanting to be gone from your business?”

“No.” Roman’s voice lowered, and he cast another quick glance over his shoulder.

Rosemary looked in her rearview mirror again. Judith was still asleep. “What is it you’re not telling me, brother?”

“I’m planning to return home and hide out in the house, hoping there will be another attack.”

“What?” Her mouth dropped open. “Why on earth would you want another attack to occur?”

“So I can catch the one doing it.” Roman pursed his lips. “I told as many people as I could think of that I’m taking Judith to my brother’s place and that we’ll be gone for several days. I did it in hopes that the word would get back to the one doing the attacks and he’ll think with no one at home that he’ll have the perfect opportunity to attack again.”

She slowly shook her head and groaned. “That’s the most foolhardy thing I’ve ever heard you say. It could be downright dangerous.”

He folded his arms in a stubborn pose. “I don’t care if it is. I’m tired of these attacks, and I’ve decided it’s time to take matters into my own hands.”

“What about trusting God to take care of your family?”

“I am trusting God. I’m trusting Him to help me learn who the attacker is and bring these harassments to an end.”

G
race had just said good-bye to Anna, who was being driven to school in Martha’s buggy, when she spotted Sheriff Osborn’s car coming up their driveway. “I wonder what he wants,” she murmured.

“Who?” Cleon called from the kitchen doorway.

“Sheriff Osborn. He’s heading this way.”

Grace stepped outside, and Cleon joined her on the porch. A few minutes later, the sheriff parked his car and got out. “I was down at Roman’s house looking for him, but no one was there,” he called. “Thought maybe he might be up here.”

Cleon shook his head. “Roman’s out of town.”

Sheriff Osborn stepped onto the porch. “For how long?”

“Several days, I believe,” Grace said. “He took Mom up to Geauga County to his brother’s place for a while.”

“Hmm. . .I see. Well, I just wanted your dad to know that I’ve been doing more investigating lately, and I’ve ruled out several of his original suspects.” The sheriff leaned on the porch railing. “I think I might know who’s responsible for the attacks, but I won’t know for sure until I follow up on a couple more leads.”

“What kind of leads?” Cleon asked.

“I’d rather not say anything more until I know something definite and the criminal’s been caught.” The sheriff raked his fingers through the back of his hair. “With your folks being gone for several days, it might be an open invitation for another attack, so I’m planning to keep a close watch on their place—hopefully catch the attacker in the act.”

Grace drew in a deep breath and released it slowly as a sense of hope filled her soul. Was it possible? Did the sheriff really know who had done the attacks? It would be such a relief for all of them if the person was caught. Maybe it would happen while Mom and Dad were gone. Maybe soon the family would find some peace.

As Martha guided her horse and buggy down the road toward Anna’s school, she thought about her folks being gone and how this would be the perfect chance to do some investigating without anyone knowing what she was doing or asking a bunch of questions. She planned to keep a close watch on things. If the attacker struck again, she would hopefully see who it was.

“Mama said she would take me over to Poppy’s new house soon, but probably not ’til Grandpa and Grandma Hostettler get back from Geauga County.”

Martha reached across the seat and touched Anna’s hand. “I know you want to see your poppy again.”

“Jah.” Anna fiddled with the strap on her backpack. “Is Grandma Hostettler gonna die?”

Anna’s unexpected question took Martha by surprise. “Ach, no, Anna. What makes you ask such a thing?”

Tiny wrinkles marred Anna’s forehead. “Mama says Grandma’s sick, and when my other
grossmudder
got sick, she died.”

Feeling the need to reassure the child, Martha reached across the seat and took Anna’s hand. “Grandma Hostettler’s not going to die. She just needs to rest and calm her nerves. That’s why Grandpa and Aunt Rosemary took her up to Geauga County to see my uncle Walt and aunt Mary.”

A look of relief flooded Anna’s face, and she smiled. “When they get back home, will Grandma be better?”

“I hope so, Anna. I surely do.”

Anna remained silent for the rest of the ride, and Martha hoped it was because the child’s mind was at ease.

Now if someone could only put my mind at ease.

As Luke headed down the road in his truck toward John’s shop, he glanced at the clock on the dash and grimaced. It was getting close to the time when he should be opening the shop, and if John showed up and Luke wasn’t there, he’d have some explaining to do. Since he was supposed to be sleeping in the back of the shop, John would expect him to be there and to open the place on time.