Stephen was standing on the main house’s back porch and watching the dogs when I stepped outside. I locked my door behind me. The dogs flounced over to me, and I felt a fondness for each one. I knew they would protect me from any harm and warn me if they smelled smoke. The barn fire still raged in the back of my mind when I let it. I liked to think Ralph had unwittingly set that fire, but I had no way of knowing what he might do to harm me. Not after he’d put that knife to my neck.
My arms encircled the bag as I climbed the porch steps. “I hope Harvey doesn’t disapprove of my spending the night here.” I figured he would object to this whole scenario, which was bound to get back to him.
“Don’t Amish sometimes stay in motels when traveling?” Stephen opened the door to the kitchen. The dogs scampered inside.
“Yah, I guess they do if on a long trip. I’ve even heard they watch TV occasionally.”
“No TV in this house, so no worries there.” He examined my face. “What’s got you worried?”
“Is my anxiety that obvious? Ach, I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
His phone buzzed. When he answered it, I gathered he was speaking to Beatrice. He told her he’d pick her up in the morning at six and then stuffed his phone into a pocket.
“Well?” I tried to keep my voice sounding calm, to no avail.
“Brandy had a baby girl in Jake’s car. He ushered them to the hospital, where he called Brandy’s oldest brother, Jeff. He’s coming from New York to pick up Brandy and her baby as soon as he can.” His eyes got glassy.
“What’s wrong? Is the baby okay?”
“Yes, and as it turns out, not premature and perfectly healthy.” He blinked. “Brandy named her Eva Ruth.”
“She named her baby after me and Ruth?”
“According to Jake, she said you two never judged her.”
My thoughts hurtled back to Jake and Brandy and the new baby. “Stephen, did Beatrice tell you what the baby’s last name is?”
“You mean Miller? She didn’t say. The fact you’re even wondering tells me you don’t trust or believe Jake. If I were you, I wouldn’t either.”
“Ach, I want to see the baby.” But I couldn’t tonight. Maybe ever.
“Jake might take a photo on his phone and show you,” Stephen said, as if trying to console me.
“Is he staying at the hospital?”
“For a while, but he promised to be home by the time I pick up Beatrice.” He backstepped a few feet. “Are you going to be okay alone in this big house?”
“I’m not alone. I have three canine companions to keep me company.”
“Just the same, please call me if you need anything. Any sign of Ralph, dial 9-1-1. Promise?” So he was worried about Ralph.
“Yah.” The thought of Ralph showing up made the hairs on my arms prickle.
“Evie, don’t open the door to anyone until I come in tomorrow. I’ll call and ask Wayne or whichever officer is on duty tonight to cruise through the nursery parking lot a few times. So don’t worry if you see a patrol car.”
“Yah, okay. I’ll be fine.”
“Beatrice said blankets, sheets, pillows, and clean towels are in the hall linen closet upstairs. You want me to help you find them?”
“I bet I can on my own.”
“Nah.” He headed to the stairs. “Better follow me up there and have a look around. Get the lay of the land, as they say.”
I trailed him up the wide wooden staircase. Off to the right I saw another set of stairs that must lead up to Beatrice’s quarters.
“Are you sure you don’t want to sleep in this cushy guest room?” Stephen pushed a door open and flicked on a ceiling light to expose a four-poster queen-sized bed, draped by a vibrant nine-patch quilt and wearing a pleated dust ruffle around its perimeter. I moved closer to see the quilt’s exquisite hand stitching and thought of my humble mamm, who was equally skilled but would never admit it.
The room’s windows were framed with flamboyant flowered curtains, and the floor was covered with a plush carpet. Another door led to a bathroom. I was surely being tempted.
“Want to see the master bedroom?” Stephen asked.
“Oh, no. Not without one of the Yoders here. Or at least Beatrice.” I envisioned this scene through Bishop Harvey’s eyes. He wouldn’t approve. Nor would Beatrice.
“The master bedroom and bath is next door, and then another room for Emmy. You should come and take a look. It’s quite a beautiful space.”
“I’d better not.” Although my curiosity was piqued.
Downstairs, Heath let out a throaty woof, followed by Minnie’s yapping.
“The dogs are restless, probably because they’re waiting for Beatrice.” Stephen glanced out a window into the parking lot. “I have an idea. You sleep in this guest room, and I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“What if someone’s at the door?” I felt anxious being alone with Stephen. Being in this house, period.
“We aren’t doing anything wrong. I’ll go check.” Yet his gaze landed on mine longer than necessary, until I turned away.
An instant later, Stephen left the room and stood at the top of the stairs. “I’d better go see what the problem is.”
I considered my options as I listened to his feet patter down the staircase. If I wasn’t guilty of anything, why was I hiding in the guest room? But I decided to stay upstairs as Stephen had asked. I tiptoed down the hall, passing an aged painting of a brown-eyed girl and a pony. I peeked into the master bedroom and saw a king-sized bed covered by an exquisite Double Wedding Ring quilt. Paintings and ornaments adorned the bedroom. I saw wall plugs, telling me everything was electric. I shouldn’t be here.
Near the bed stood a cradle. Rose and Glenn must sleep with their little Emmy near them until she grew old enough to sleep in a crib. I thought that if I ever
