The Amish Cowboy's Homecoming Page 22

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “They think it’s the same boys who did all the vandalizing,” Hannah said. “And shot off fireworks.”

  “I guess that wouldn’t surprise me,” Grace replied, heartsick that anyone could be so full of hate that they’d purposefully cause major property damage. Not to mention the potential of lives being lost.

  Though it was still dark outside, the cleanup efforts had begun. Curls of black smoke rose from the pile of ashes that had once been Jeremiah Brenneman’s barn. Most of the women had gone home, though a few—like her best friend, Hannah—had stayed to help where they could, making sure the men were provided with plenty of water and dry clothing.

  Grace couldn’t offer much help with Sadie asleep in her arms. And she wasn’t about to let her go, not after she’d promised Isaac that she would be safe. She should’ve gone home, but she couldn’t seem to make herself move from the scene, hoping Isaac would reappear at any moment.

  “You look like a mother,” Hannah said, plopping down beside Grace.

  Grace straightened her shoulders. “Ya think so?”

  “Oh, jah.”

  “Well, you should see how hard my heart is beating. I feel like a complete fraud—I have no idea what I’m doing. Do…do you want to hold her?”

  “You’re doing grand.” Hannah leaned over to get a closer look at Sadie. “She’s adorable.”

  “I’m sure she was terrified to death, being dragged from bed and not knowing where her daddy was.” At the thought, Grace hugged Sadie a little bit tighter.

  “I saw you and Isaac arrive here at the same time,” Hannah said, rubbing black ashes off her arms. “Did you get word together and come over?”

  “Your dress is ruined,” Grace said, instead of answering the question. “The fabric is singed. Hannah, how close did you get to the fire?”

  Her friend shrugged. “A mite close. Our farm backs up to theirs, you know.”

  “Were you outside when it happened? Wasn’t it after dark?”

  “Jah.” Hannah sniffed and turned her head, looking the other way.

  “Were you alone?” When Hannah wouldn’t look at her, Grace sent a soft elbow into her ribs. “Who were you with all alone after dark?”

  “No one.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Just Peter Shetler.”

  “Peter?” Grace hoped her shriek wouldn’t wake Sadie. “P-Peter Shetler. I thought you said—”

  “I know, I know,” Hannah said. “But he really is a sweet man. He came over yesterday to help me pick green beans for lunch for Sunday services. Maam asked him to stay for supper and, I don’t know. I’d meant to walk him out to the gate, but the hours passed.” She began playing with a corner of her dress. “You know how that can happen.”

  Grace did. The hours she’d spent with Isaac yesterday seemed to fly by. But that wasn’t the topic at hand.

  “Did he ask you on a date?” Even with only gas lamps and flashlights, Grace could easily see her friend was smiling. “Hannah, I’m so happy for you. Peter is solid. He has a good job at the buggy-making company, and he’s always early to help set up the tables and chairs for church. Amos considers him a good friend.”

  “I think he has a kind heart,” Hannah said. “Always have.”

  Grace couldn’t help being excited for her friend. Maybe Peter would want to marry Hannah. Maybe yesterday was the last time Hannah would ever be alone. Grace looked down at Sadie, not allowing herself to think of a future like that with Isaac. That all seemed miles away as she stared at the last place she’d seen him before he’d left with the group in search of the arsonists.

  “Don’t think I didn’t see what you did there,” Hannah said. “You didn’t answer my question.”

  Grace adjusted the blanket around Sadie like she’d seen other mothers do. “Which question?”

  “Now you know that Peter and I arrived at the fire at the same time because we were together. Were you and Isaac together?” She touched Grace’s arm. “You don’t have to worry. I’m not one to judge.” She stopped to smile. “Obviously.”

  “He took me to a mud sale up in Reading,” Grace said, deciding to trust her friend with some of the information. “It wasn’t a date or anything like that. Daed’s still at the hospital with Maam, and he asked Isaac to buy some things for the farm.” She bit her lip, not sure how to phrase the next part. “He, uh, he asked me to go with him—he must’ve thought he’d need help.”

  “Reading’s nearly three hours away.”

  “Jah,” Grace said. She could see by the look on Hannah’s face that her friend was calculating how long it had taken them to drive back from Reading, knowing that the mud sale would’ve ended no later than three. “Don’t ask,” Grace said. “Because there’s nothing to tell.”

  “Sure,” Hannah said. “Just like I have nothing to tell, either.”

  The two women stared at each other for a moment, neither willing to spill their guts. From the pleasant distraction, Grace had nearly forgotten why she was sitting outside in the middle of the night.

  “Look!” someone shouted. “I think that’s Sol Hooley!”

  Grace took in a sharp breath and sat up. Sol had been part of the group that had ridden off on horseback with Isaac. Suddenly a dozen people were surrounding Sol, shouting questions as he climbed off his horse. Grace looked behind him, but no one else appeared. Was he alone? She couldn’t hear what he was saying, if something had gone wrong, causing her stomach to roil with nausea.

  Not more than five minutes later, Sol was off again.

  “What’s going on?” Grace asked as the group dispersed. “What happened?”

  “They’re still looking, Sol says,” Bishop Turner’s wife replied. “Apparently one of the group that set out is injured. I told Joseph it was too dangerous at night, but he didn’t listen.”

  “Injured?” Panic flooded Grace’s chest, her heart beating hard and fast. “Who was it? Does he know? Did he say?”

  “Didn’t say,” she replied. “Lucas is with them—he’s practically a doctor.”

  This brought a temporary calmness to Grace’s heart, but it didn’t last long. “Are they coming back soon?”

  “Doesn’t sound like it. They could be gone for hours.”

  Grace nodded, then stood up, keeping Sadie close to her body. She stared into the darkness, smoke making her cough. She couldn’t help worrying about the safety of every man out there, yet her heart kept returning to Isaac.

  If anything happens to him…

  Her heart pounded again, and her head began to ache, the pressure of tears in her eyes.

  “Please be safe,” she whispered into the night sky. “Please come back.”

  “Daddy?”

  “Shhhh,” Grace said as Sadie began to stir. “It’s me, Grace.”

  “Where’s my daddy?”

  “It’s okay, Sadie. There was a fire last night, remember? Your daddy…is helping.”

  “I wanna go home,” Sadie said, though her eyes were closed.

  Grace pondered that for a moment, not sure what was best for the child. “I…I think that’s a very good idea.” It would be better to get Sadie out of the night air, but also, Grace was becoming more and more worried the longer she stayed out there, surrounded by smoke and ashes, gazing into the dark.

  After making sure Sadie was bundled up, she carried her to the Chupps’ buggy, the one she and Isaac had used that day…or yesterday. The horses were tired, but it wasn’t a long way home. By the time they reached the front pasture, Sadie was stirring again. As carefully and quietly as she could, Grace hitched the horses and buggy then took Sadie inside.

  The family room was dark, but there was evidence that Sarah had been up late. Mugs half filled with hot cocoa and her sister-in-law’s favorite cookies were left out on the counter.

  For the tiniest of seconds, Grace placed
Sadie onto the sofa, needing a quick trip to the bathroom before the night got too long. When she returned to the living room, Sadie was sitting in the dark, both her hands up, palms out, whispering something singsong.

  “Sadie,” Grace said in a quiet voice. “What are you doing, sweetie?”

  “Playing,” Sadie said. “With Lilly.”

  Grace tipped her head to the side. “Who’s Lilly?” And where?

  Sadie glanced up at her then down at the empty sofa cushion beside her. “She’s my friend. Actually…” the child said after a little sigh. “She’s my pretend sister ‘cause I want a baby sister so bad. I keep hoping Daddy will bring me one.”

  Grace nearly lost her breath as her mind skipped ahead to a not-so-far-off future.

  If I go on a date with Isaac, I’ll probably want to go on another, and another. What if we get serious? What if… She paused as the happy flutter in her stomach from the idea of being courted by Isaac was replaced by a knot of insecurity deep in her gut. What if I want to marry him? Will he expect me to give Sadie a baby sister?

  “Where’s Daddy?” Sadie said, blinking up at Grace as if she’d just realized she wasn’t at home.

  “He’ll be here soon,” Grace said as she sat on the couch beside her. “Shhhh. Don’t worry, sweetheart.” When the little girl didn’t settle, Grace didn’t know what else to do. She stared up at the ceiling, tears threatening to fill her eyes. “Shall we…shall we say a prayer for him?”

  Luckily, this seemed to comfort Sadie, for she adjusted herself on Grace’s lap so she could fold her arms reverently. “Dear Gott…”

  Sadie began the sweet, simple prayer, but when her voice began to fade out with sleep, Grace took over, asking the good Lord to please protect “Daddy” and all the other men out that night. To please bring them home safely. Privately, Grace continued the prayer, reminding Gott how much she cared for Isaac, how he’d become more than just a good friend, how special he was to her heart.

  Then she prayed for herself… For strength and guidance and to feel at peace in a world that was spinning out of control.

  Her heavenly pleading went on for so long that Grace didn’t remember saying amen. Eventually, her chin lowered, resting on the top of Sadie’s head.

  Two guardian angels fast asleep.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  It was just after dawn. Isaac stopped by the stables to check on the horses first. Despite not sleeping for over twenty-four hours, seeing that Cincinnati looked strong and alert lifted his spirits.

  He removed his hat and boots before entering the house, hoping he wouldn’t disturb anyone at such an early hour—everyone had been up late.

  The moment he stepped inside, he saw them.

  And his heart skipped.

  Grace was reclined on the sofa, propped up by a single pillow. Sadie was stretched out on top of her, tummy down, her chubby arms limp around Grace’s neck, while Grace’s arms were holding his daughter securely in place.

  After a moment, it was difficult for Isaac to look, for his heart was so full, so enamored by the scene. He never dreamed he could care for someone as quickly and naturally as he’d come to care for Grace.

  He quietly sat in the armchair opposite the couch, stretching out his weary legs, propping his chin in one hand so he didn’t have to move a muscle to watch them. So many thoughts were running through his head. Things he wanted to tell her, show her, do with her…when the time was right.

  They hadn’t even been on a date yet, and they wouldn’t until he figured out how to speak to John about it. The sudden nervousness about that conversation caused his stomach to clench. Could his feelings for Grace really jeopardize his future?

  Maybe he should have kissed her when he’d had the chance. With the way he anticipated the next few weeks would go, it might be quite a long time before they could have that first date.

  Isaac’s focus was diverted when he saw a shadow coming down the stairs. “Shhh…” He gestured at the sleeping pair on the couch, then placed an index finger over his mouth.

  Sarah froze in place, then she seemed to understand as she crept silently into the kitchen. She held up the coffeepot and raised her eyebrows at him.

  Isaac shook his head but mouthed, “Danke.”

  Sarah went about her early-morning routine while Isaac happily remained right where he was. Amos was next to appear in the kitchen. He said a few words to Sarah that Isaac couldn’t hear, then went out the door.

  Amos had been with him and the other men as they’d gone after the arsonists, but he’d returned to town with the first group a few hours ago. Isaac had been glad of that. He didn’t want Grace to have her brother to worry about, too.

  “Isaac?”

  “Hey.” He quickly got to his feet and moved to the couch, kneeling down. “Keep sleeping, if you want.”

  Grace blinked her beautiful blue eyes then breathed in a sharp inhale. “Are you okay?” She tried to sit up. “What happened?”

  “Shhh,” Isaac whispered. “I’m fine. Everything’s okay.” When Sadie began to stir, Isaac took the opportunity to pick her up, her warm little body slumping against him. “There, there, sweet angel. Thank you for taking care of her.”

  “Of course,” Grace said. “I should’ve taken her to the Chupps’ so she could sleep in her own bed, but…”

  “No, no,” Isaac said. “Here with you is where I pictured her the whole time.” He slid onto the couch next to her, smiling down at Sadie. He was sure Grace had taken good care of his precious daughter.

  The thought gave him pause. When he’d asked her for a date, he hadn’t yet considered the whole picture. What if they went on a second date? Ten dates? What if things progressed and he wanted to marry her? How would Grace feel about being an instant mother to his child?

  Another stab of nervousness made him wonder if following his heart was the right thing to do.

  “I’m glad you’re home safe.” Grace put a hand to her chest. “I was so worried, I…” As her voice faded away, she moved her other hand to cover her mouth. “I didn’t know if you…”

  “Hey, hey.” Isaac moved to her quickly. “I’m sorry I made you worry. I won’t do that again.”

  Grace dipped her chin. “Promise?”

  Those early concerns and wonders didn’t seem to be so important now. Not while they were together.

  As he sat with Grace, Sadie in his arms, he felt peaceful and safe for the first time in years.

  “Glory be—why don’t you just take her upstairs to the bedroom?” Sarah said.

  Isaac frowned at the lewd suggestion, breaking his gaze on Grace to see Sarah watching them as they sat close and snug to each other.

  “Sadie, I mean,” Sarah added. “Take Sadie to the bedroom. Lord have mercy.”

  The heat of embarrassment rushed into his cheeks at where his thoughts had gone. “That’s a…a good idea,” he said. “Do you mind?”

  Grace cleared her throat, sending a hasty, surreptitious glance toward Sarah. “Up the stairs,” she whispered to him, “last door to the right.”

  Isaac stood up and headed toward the stairs, not bothering to look in Sarah’s direction but feeling her eyes boring into him the whole way. Once at the top of the stairs, he breathed out an exhale. He needed to be more careful. Still, he couldn’t help chuckling inside at how they must’ve appeared to Sarah.

  Not wanting to invade Grace’s privacy by examining her room, he quickly pulled back the covers and placed Sadie on the bed, tucking the soft quilts up to her chin. He gave his daughter a quick kiss on the forehead before creeping out of the room.

  He should’ve made more noise while coming down the stairs, for when he reached the bottom, he found Grace and Sarah huddled close together in the kitchen. Looked to Isaac as if Sarah was giving Grace an earful.

  “It’s fine, it’s nothing,” Grace was saying in
a speedy whisper.

  “What if Jane saw you? Or Leah?” Sarah whispered back. “She’s getting old enough to wonder. She asks questions.”

  Grace put her hands on her hips. “There’s nothing to tell.”

  “Mm-hmm.” Sarah shook her head, and pulled out a big saucepan. “Guder mariye, Isaac King. Since we’re all up, why don’t you stay for breakfast?”

  He looked at Grace first, gauging her reaction. She nodded, pulling back a smile that made his heart melt. “Danke,” Isaac said. “Can I help?”

  “What you can help with,” Sarah said, “is to sit down right there”—she pointed to a chair at the kitchen table—“and tell us what happened last night.” She dumped dried oats into the pot, more violently than was necessary. “Amos won’t speak more than two words about it.”

  “I’d like to hear about it, too,” said Grace.

  Isaac massaged the back of his neck, knowing he’d have to tell them about it sooner or later. “Like I told you last night, Grace, Lucas knew who’d set the fire—or he thought he knew. There were two witnesses to confirm it.”

  “One of them was Hannah,” Grace said to Sarah. “She was hanging out with Peter Shetler alone after dark.”

  “Ain’t so?” Sarah said, her mouth holding the “O.”

  “It’ll be all over town by morning.” Grace glanced to the window. “Oh.” She smiled and shrugged. “I guess it is morning.” She held a mug of coffee up to her mouth, unsuccessfully hiding a grin. “Poor Hannah.”

  “Are you finished?” Isaac said, his voice mock-stern, though rather enjoying the temporary truce between Sarah and…well, everyone.

  “Jah—sorry,” Grace said, lowering her mug and straightening her shoulders. “Continue.”

  “They were English; two of them had been to see Lucas at the medical center a year back. He remembered them because of their bad language, and also because they were there to be treated for burns on their hands.” He addressed Sarah. “They’d been caught setting a neighbor’s doghouse on fire.”