Amish Rescue Read online

“Father is in the house?” he asked, seemingly sidetracking the issue at hand.

  Rebecca shook her head. “He and Mamm are visiting Aunt Mildred and Uncle Frank in Kentucky. They will be gone for a few more days. Had you written that you were coming home, they might not have left.”

  Sarah was trying to follow the conversation and understand the undercurrent of what was really being said. The man had mentioned his father. No, his tone implied that it was their father. Was the woman not his wife?

  “Excuse me,” Sarah said, pulling away from him and peering at both of them. “You’re not married?”

  The woman huffed. “Why do you think this?”

  Evidently, Sarah had jumped to the wrong conclusion. She held up her hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to offend either of you.”

  She turned to Joachim. “Thank you for bringing me here. If I could stay in the barn until the storm passes, I would appreciate it.”

  His brow furrowed. “You plan to leave?” He shook his head. “This cannot be.”

  He climbed from the buggy and motioned to the Amish woman. “We must take our guest into the house.”

  Glancing back, his gaze burrowed into hers. “Your name is Sarah?”

  She nodded. “Sarah Miller.”

  “I’m Joachim Burkholder.” He pointed to the other woman. “My sister, Rebecca.”

  The weight on Sarah’s shoulders lifted ever so slightly. Sister. Not wife. Tears again stung her eyes.

  “She needs food and lodging, Rebecca.”

  The Amish woman stepped closer. Her earlier scowl softened but she seemed hesitant to offer Sarah a hearty welcome.

  “We must hurry,” Joachim said. “Before Victor returns.”

  Rebecca grasped her brother’s arm. “Victor Thomin?”

  “Yah. He is staying at his mother’s house.”

  “Ach,” his sister groaned, with a shake of her head. “Naomi said he is not a good man.”

  “You know Naomi?” Sarah asked. “Victor’s mother kept asking for her.”

  Rebecca nodded. “Naomi lived nearby. She cared for Ms. Hazel while Victor was away.”

  Joachim pointed to the open barn door. “The rain eases. We must go inside.”

  He reached for Sarah and helped her from the buggy. Taking her hand, he hurried her out of the barn.

  Dark clouds rolled overhead. Another storm was approaching, but Sarah breathed in the cleansing air, feeling a sense of relief. She had escaped Victor. She had a place to stay. At least for now, she was free.

  A bolt of lightning pierced the sky and struck nearby. The almost-immediate crash made Sarah realize everything could change in an instant.

  She would never be free of Victor, not until the hateful man was stopped.

  * * *

  The rain intensified just before Joachim and Sarah reached the porch. Another sound was discernable over the rain. He glanced at the drive and tensed. A horse and buggy scurried along the main road. For a long moment, Joachim stared after the buggy and then let out a deep breath.

  “You thought it was Victor, didn’t you?” she pressed.

  He squeezed Sarah’s hand, hoping to provide reassurance and bring comfort to her seemingly still-anxious heart. “Victor will not find you here.”

  At least that was Joachim’s hope.

  Together they climbed the steps to the porch. He opened the door and motioned her inside. She wiped her feet on the latched rug and hurried into the kitchen.

  A sense of calm and right order enveloped Joachim as he stepped over the threshold and stopped to take in the peacefulness that pervaded the space. Glancing at the familiar furnishings—the table and chairs, dry sink and cabinets—his datt had made, Joachim soaked in the aura of home and family he had missed for the last five years.

  “Rebecca can brew coffee,” he said, hoping his voice did not reveal the mix of emotions that had welled up within him upon entering the house. He turned to the newcomer. “Perhaps you would prefer tea?”

  Sarah glanced at Rebecca, who hurried in behind them.

  “I have cold cuts and cheese and fresh baked bread if you are hungry.”

  “Thank you both,” Sarah said. “But first, I need to wash my hands and face, if you don’t mind.”

  “Of course.” Rebecca pointed to the stairs. “I will take you to the room where you will stay the night. Joachim must tend his mare. We will eat after he returns from the barn.”

  His sister turned as if to shoo him outside. But despite her prompting, he was slow to head to the door. He did not want to leave the home to which he had only now returned. He also did not want to leave Sarah.

  He gently touched her shoulder. “So much has happened, but you are not to worry. Victor is in town, searching for you there.”

  “And if he comes here?” she asked.

  “I will not let him into the house.”

  Belle needed to be groomed and fed. Rebecca would take care of Sarah until he returned. Still, leaving the house this time was almost as hard as leaving the mountains had been five years ago.

  How could he have grown so attached to a woman—an Englisch woman—in such a short period of time? He knew nothing about her except that she needed a safe place to stay for a day or two. He and Rebecca would open their home to her, but Joachim needed to be careful. As taken as he was by her in such a short time, he feared what might happen in the days ahead. He must guard not only Sarah, but also his heart.

  FOUR

  Joachim had said that he would keep her safe. As much as Sarah wanted to believe him, she was worried. Victor was unpredictable, and his mood swings had grown progressively more extreme. He had warned her never to leave him, but she’d done just that. Given how angry he’d been before over smaller infractions, what would his response be to this?

  Rebecca filled a pitcher with water and motioned for Sarah to follow her. “A diesel pump runs our well, so we always have water in the house,” the Amish woman explained as they climbed the stairs. “Propane heats our water for washing and bathing. Later I will fill a tub for you.”

  On the second floor, she ushered Sarah into a small but spotlessly clean bedroom. A beige patchwork quilt pieced with blue triangles covered the single bed. A chest of drawers, table and straight-back chair filled the room.

  Rebecca placed the pitcher on the chest next to a large porcelain bowl. She opened the bottom drawer and pulled out a thick terry-cloth towel, a bar of soap and a glass bottle.

  “I made the soap and shampoo and added natural oils to both products. I hope you will find them to your liking.”

  “Thank you, Rebecca. You and your brother have been so thoughtful.”

  Rebecca seemed to appreciate the compliment that hopefully would wash away her earlier concern about Sarah. The Amish woman offered a weak smile. Her cheeks glowed pink with a mix of embarrassment and appreciation. “Come downstairs when you are ready to eat.”

  Sarah glanced at the inviting bed, wishing she could hide under the covers and curl into a ball. Maybe then she wouldn’t worry about Victor finding her again. Was she safe here? Sarah needed to learn more about Joachim Burkholder and his Amish family. Thanks to them, she had a place to stay, at least for now.

  She scrubbed her face and hands and dabbed water through her hair, appreciating the clean, fresh scent of the bar soap and eyeing the liquid shampoo. Using the bath products Rebecca had made would be a welcome treat, although so much could happen in the hours ahead. Sarah needed to focus on figuring out what she needed to do to remain free from Victor instead of on creature comforts like having a long soak in a hot tub.

  After patting her face and hands dry, she returned to the kitchen.

  “The coffee is hot,” Rebecca said in greeting. “Or as Joachim mentioned, I could make tea.”

  “He’s still in the barn?” Sarah asked, knowing nothing a
bout farm life and feeling somewhat awkward around his sister.

  “Yah. Joachim feeds his horse before he feeds himself.”

  “You seemed surprised to see him.”

  The Amish woman nodded. “He has been gone from our home for a number of years. It is gut to have him back again.”

  “Do you have other siblings?”

  “A brother, Eli, died a few years ago.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It was Gott’s will.”

  Sarah didn’t want to think about a loving God taking anyone’s life. At the moment, she longed for something to keep her mind on anything other than death. “May I help you prepare the lunch?”

  “You can slice the bread. It is cooling on the counter.” Rebecca pointed to the raised loaf. A knife lay next to a cutting board.

  “It’s homemade?” Sarah asked, admiring the plumpness of the loaf and the golden brown crust.

  “Yah.” Rebecca arranged the meat and cheese on a platter. “I always make extra bread and sell it to tourists who stop at our driveway.”

  Sarah looked out the window, suspicion growing within her. “Do people often come to your house?”

  “It is not something that should worry you,” Rebecca assured her.

  In spite of Rebecca’s comment, Sarah couldn’t shake off her concern about strangers visiting the Burkholder farm while she stayed there. She continued to peer from the window, hoping for some sign of Joachim—and for no sign of anyone else. The door to the barn hung open, and the interior looked dark and foreboding.

  Rebecca claimed Joachim was caring for his horse, but what if she was wrong? Victor could have returned and overpowered Joachim when he wasn’t looking. Perhaps Victor was ready to barge into the house and capture Sarah again.

  Minutes ticked by, only increasing her worry. “Why is Joachim taking so long?” she finally asked, unable to calm her unease.

  “You could go to the barn and ask him yourself,” Rebecca suggested. “Or you could join me in the main room where I have my mending. Joachim will come inside shortly.”

  Joachim had assured Sarah earlier that she was safe, but it felt to her as if too much time had elapsed since he had left the house. Rebecca moved into the main room and started humming. The tune, a childhood favorite, should have calmed Sarah’s unease. Instead, it only added to her concern. What was she doing in a strange house with people she didn’t know?

  She glanced at the oil lamps on the wall, the candles on the sideboard and the matches on the table. Her chest constricted and her pulse raced. A ringing sounded in her ears that failed to overpower the voice screaming through her mind.

  Fire!

  She wrung her hands. The memory of that night so long ago returned, constricting her lungs and leaving her gasping for air, overcome by the same panic that filled her every time she even thought about flames.

  She had to leave. Now.

  Ever so quietly, she opened the kitchen door and gulped in the damp air, all the while the voice continued to warn her.

  While in the buggy, she had seen a sign for Willkommen. Victor had mentioned Miriam was being held somewhere in that area. Their aunt lived in Willkommen, as well. At least that’s what their mother had told them. If Sarah could get to Willkommen, she might find her aunt, and together they could search for Miriam.

  She pulled in a fortifying breath and then raced down the steps and scurried past the barn, heading toward the pasture and a line of trees on the far side of the field. She would hide there until the roadway looked clear. Then she would cross to the opposite side where a thick patch of trees flanked the road. Hidden by dense underbrush, she would make her way to the narrow two-lane that veered off from the main road, where she had spotted the sign for Willkommen.

  As much as Sarah had appreciated Joachim’s help, she couldn’t rely on him to keep her safe. He was Victor’s neighbor.

  She checked the road for cars, saw that it was clear and crossed the pavement. The approach of a vehicle sounded in the distance. Her pulse raced. She turned to glance over her shoulder.

  Her heart stopped as a red pickup crested the nearby hill. Victor!

  She ran toward the trees, needing to disappear in the brush. She wouldn’t let him capture her again.

  The truck accelerated.

  She ran faster.

  The screech of brakes made her heart lurch.

  Victor had seen her.

  Footfalls pounded the pavement. He was coming after her.

  She’d been so foolish. Victor was more of a threat to her safety than the matches and candles and oil lamps. She never should have traded the security of Joachim’s house for the outdoors, where she was so vulnerable.

  “Sarah!” Victor screamed her name.

  She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then chastised herself for being so easily swayed.

  Fighting against the pull of his voice, she forced herself forward, remembering how he had choked her this morning until she couldn’t breathe.

  She pushed through the bushes, needing to escape his voice, his control. To escape him.

  “You won’t get away, Sarah,” he called, as if reading her mind. “I’ll follow you. You can’t escape from me.”

  The branches scraped her arms and pulled at her sweater, but she kept going, ignoring the cuts to her flesh. She couldn’t listen to her body. She had to listen to her mind, warning her to run fast, run hard, run away.

  She made a sharp turn to the right and ran all the faster. The only sound she heard was her own raspy breath and pounding heart. For an instant, she thought she had eluded him until the sound of his footfalls returned along with the rustle of leaves.

  If only she had stayed at Joachim’s house. He would have protected her.

  “Sarah!” He was close. Too close.

  She tripped.

  He grabbed her.

  She fought to free herself from his hold.

  No! She tried to scream, but his hand clamped around her mouth.

  “Sarah?” Victor called again. This time, he was farther away and moving in an opposite direction.

  If Victor wasn’t holding her, then who was?

  * * *

  Soft. Her skin was so very soft.

  Joachim dropped his hand, releasing Sarah from his hold.

  She stood ever so still, as if afraid to move.

  “He’s heading back to his truck,” Joachim whispered. “You lost him when you made that sharp turn to the right. I saw you cross the street when I left the barn, but it took me a while to catch up to you.”

  “Oh, Joachim,” she said, pulling in a deep breath. “Victor was following close behind me.”

  “But you outsmarted him, Sarah.”

  She turned to gaze up at Joachim with blue eyes that were crystal clear and filled with sorrow. His heart tripped in his chest, making him want to move even closer.

  “I never should have left your house,” she said, seemingly oblivious to the way her nearness affected him. “It wasn’t because of any distrust for you or your sister. It was me. I didn’t want to cause you any problems. If Victor found me at your house, I’m not sure what he would have done. Plus, I need to get to Willkommen. My sister Miriam—”

  She shook her head. “I haven’t mentioned my aunt. My sister, my mother and I came here to find her, but dirty cops hijacked our car. Miriam and I were taken and our mother was killed. Victor said he bought me so I could take care of his mother. I’m still so confused.” She pulled in a ragged breath. “It was crazy of me to think I could have found my way to Willkommen, yet it seemed like the best choice I had in that moment. I don’t have any place else to go.”

  “You have my house. Victor will not find you there. I will protect you.”

  At least Joachim hoped he could keep her safe. “Willkommen is a two-hour buggy ride from Peter
sville,” he tried to explain. “Even if you were strong, the trip would be difficult for you to manage on foot. You have been held captive. You must gain your strength first. I will take you when you are ready.”

  “I wasn’t thinking.” Sarah tugged at a strand of her golden hair. “Or maybe I was thinking too much about getting away from Victor.”

  Joachim held out his hand. She placed hers in his, her touch light, but she was trembling and her pale face gave him even more cause for concern. She needed time to rest and gain her strength. Good food and lots of sleep would help build up Sarah’s reserve. Then they could think about traveling to Willkommen.

  “Rebecca will wonder where we are,” he said. “We will go now and take a path that leads through the woods. The spot where we will cross the road is thick with trees on both sides of the pavement. We will move slowly and keep watch lest Victor be close at hand.”

  “I’m all right, Joachim. You don’t have to worry about me.”

  But he was worried. He was worried about the fatigue written so plainly across her sweet face. She was too thin and too pale, and no matter how strong she tried to appear, she needed rest and nourishment.

  He had to get Sarah to his house to keep her safe. Hopefully, she wouldn’t run away again because next time he might not be able to save her.

  * * *

  Once they arrived back at the Burkholder house, Joachim held the kitchen door open for Sarah and motioned her inside.

  “Rebecca has lunch ready,” he said, as they stepped over the threshold and into the warmth of the Amish home. “A good meal is what we both need.”

  His eyes were filled with understanding as he looked at her and smiled. “Is that not right?”

  “I am hungry,” Sarah admitted, grateful for Joachim’s focus on food instead of mentioning her foolish mistake of thinking she could outwit Victor.

  Just as Joachim had mentioned, she needed to gain strength before she journeyed to Willkommen. Besides, Victor said Miriam might be arriving at his house in a day or two. This wasn’t the time for Sarah to run scared.

  “Joachim, you are ready for a cup of coffee?” Rebecca asked as she entered the kitchen, her needlework still in her hands. From her casual gait and nonchalance, she evidently had not realized what had transpired after Sarah left the house.