“Why not four scoops?” he said. “I see four goats.”
“Three scoops,” she repeated. She began to move some straw with the pitchfork. She wanted the goats to be warm and cozy tonight. A warm goat was a happy goat. And happy goats or any farm animal seldom got sick with the proper care. Her dat had taught her that.
Evan measured out the goat food and poured it into the feed bin.
“How did you know?” she asked him.
“About your missed fitting or the fact that you were there when Moses was arrested?” He shrugged and his brow wrinkled. Evan had such an expressive face, open and youthful. He couldn’t hide anything from her, and she loved that about him. “Babs called me. From the dress shop. Sharpe talked to me end of shift. He wants me to get my woman under control.”
Rachel was tempted to laugh; instead, she frowned. “I called and left a message at Babs’s. I didn’t just not show up. I’ll reschedule.” She hung her pitchfork back on the wall. That was another of her dat’s rules. Tools went back in their proper places. That way you can find them next time, and no one trips over them. “I don’t think it was necessary for her to call you,” she added.
“Were you going to tell me?”
“Of course. I didn’t get a chance. I tried to call you when we were on our way out to the Studers’.”
He folded his arms over his broad chest. He was being so reasonable, so calm. It set Rachel’s teeth on edge. It would have been better if he just came out and said he was upset with her. She wondered if all weddings were this stressful.
“I can’t believe how the whole thing went down with Moses.” She stole a glance at him. “Something’s definitely off. He wouldn’t do that. He couldn’t. He’s an odd guy, but he’s no killer.” She pushed her navy scarf back. It was sliding down over her forehead, threating to fall over her eyes. “I wish you’d been there. Three policemen? Lucy was there. Lincoln and Detective Sharpe. And I’m beginning to be sorry you gave up the badge, because that man has no idea how to deal with people.”
“Let’s talk about your fitting, first. Three times? You’ve missed three fittings? I’m beginning to wonder if . . .”
“Don’t be silly. I had a perfectly good reason. Every time. Was I supposed to leave Hulda lying on the floor in pain? Let the house fill up with water?”
“You’re sure you’re not getting cold feet again?” His voice was husky, deeper than normal, and she knew he was concerned.
“Ne, Evan, I’m not. Of course not. I love you, and I want to be your wife. It’s just that stuff . . . well, my life is complicated.”
He held out his arms, and she walked into them. She closed her eyes and laid her head against his chest as his hug tightened. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“I love you so much, Rachel. I just don’t want anything to go wrong, this time.”
Emotion made her stomach go all fluttery. “It won’t,” she assured. “And I’ll get the fitting. Everything will be fine. I promise.”
He tilted her face up with two fingers and tenderly brushed her lips with his. “I’m holding you to that,” he murmured.
Rachel breathed in the scent of him. She was doing the right thing. She knew it. Before, they’d put a hold on the wedding because she didn’t know if she was ready to fully commit to him, but she didn’t feel that way now.
She and Evan had been through so much together, and she could depend on him. He understood her, and best of all, he made her happy. “I had to go today,” she whispered. “It could have gone bad. I mean, it could have gone worse. He was just ignoring their orders, swinging an ax. I think he had them spooked.” She stepped back out of his embrace. “Evan, I’m not convinced that Moses is the one who killed Daniel. It doesn’t feel right.”
Evan considered her statement. “How well do you know this young man?”
“Not well, hardly at all. But Mary Aaron knows him. She’s pretty sure he has Asperger’s syndrome, which is why his behavior might have been . . . different today. But she doesn’t think he did it, either.”
Evan shook his head. “Hardly evidence. The law is concerned with facts, not hunches. I’ll admit, you’ve had some good ones, but this time, I think it’s best if you let the system do its job.”
“And if Moses is innocent?”
“If he’s innocent, why did he confess?” Evan asked.
“I don’t know.” She threw up her hands. “They wouldn’t let me talk to him after they arrested him.”
He thought for a moment. “I’ll talk to Lucy. Get her take on this. If she was there, she must have thoughts on how the boy acted, if his confession seemed genuine. She’s a good cop.”
“So are you,” Rachel said. “And you know that sometimes the truth isn’t what it first appears.” She pushed her sliding scarf up again. “And you’re the one who got me involved in this when you asked me to be there when Sharpe spoke to the family.”
“That didn’t go too well, did it?” Evan grimaced. “I know how hard it is for you, but try. For my sake. Don’t push into official police business, unless you’re asked.” He gave her a half smile. “And if you’re so worried about Moses, make sure he gets a public defender now rather than later. Unless the community is willing to pitch in for a paid lawyer. A good defense attorney is expensive, and I wouldn’t guess that the Studer family has the money.”
“I’ll make some calls first thing in the morning,” Rachel promised. She switched off the lights, said good night to her goats, and they were just closing and latching the door behind
