Sara sat on the couch, too stunned to say a word. So this is the same man who sent that letter to Michelle, thinking she was my grandparents’ granddaughter. Brad was completely in the dark about Michelle’s deceit. No wonder he looks so confused and somewhat disturbed. Poor guy.
“I—I should go,” Brad mumbled, shuffling toward the front door. “I need time to think about all of this.”
“Wait, Brad. Please let me explain.” Michelle’s voice shook as she clasped his arm.
He stopped walking. “Think I’ve heard enough.”
Grandma stepped forward. “Brad, I think you ought to at least hear her out before you go.”
He sank into the closest chair. “Okay, Michelle, you have my undivided attention.”
Sara could tell by the way his knee bounced that he’d rather be anyplace but here. She couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. The unsuspecting man had been duped, just like she and her grandparents had. But now it was time for him to hear the full story—or at least, Michelle’s version of it. When the pretender finishes telling her side of things, maybe I’ll jump in with my part of the story. She clasped her hands tightly together. Or maybe it would be best if I kept quiet and let her do all the talking. No matter what Michelle says, unless Brad is gullible, he will surely see her for what she is.
Sara still couldn’t get over all the drama Michelle had caused by pretending to be her. Why couldn’t she have just told Grandma and Grandpa she wasn’t their granddaughter when she met them at the bus station in Philly?
Turning her attention fully on Michelle, Sara watched as she sniffed, then swiped at the tears on her reddened cheeks. She was either fully embarrassed to be forced into confessing her misdeed to Brad, or Michelle had become an actress.
Sara noticed Michelle’s obvious discomfort as she leaned slightly forward with her arms held against her chest. No doubt she was using these few extra minutes to think about what she wanted to say.
“My real name is Michelle Taylor, and I’m no relation to Mary Ruth and Willis. I was at the bus station in Philadelphia, needing a place to go, when I met the Lapps, and they assumed I was their granddaughter.” Michelle took a seat in the recliner. It was the one Grandpa usually sat in. Then more explanation spilled forth.
“Desperate to get out of Philly, I went along with it and came here with them, pretending I was the woman they’d been looking for.” She paused and drew a shaky breath. “I’m sorry for deceiving you, Brad. What I did was wrong, and I hope, like Mary Ruth and Willis did, that you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Sara glanced at Brad, waiting for his reaction. Would he be as forgiving as her grandparents had been, or would this man put Michelle in her place? She hoped it would be the latter.
“I forgive you, Michelle.” Brad spoke softly. “But I wish you had told me the truth on your own during the time we spent together this past summer.”
“I—I wanted to, and I almost did on one occasion, but I was afraid of your response. I was worried it would ruin our friendship, and I was afraid you would tell the Lapps.” Michelle blotted the tears on her cheeks. “Also, I’d gotten in so deep with my trail of lies, I didn’t know how to get out without hurting someone.” She looked at Sara’s grandmother. “Especially Mary Ruth and Willis. During the time I was living here, I came to love them and almost felt as if they were actually my grandparents. In the end, it seems I hurt everyone.” Michelle glanced in Sara’s direction.
Sara grimaced at the sour taste in her mouth. She pressed her lips together to keep from blurting out what she thought. Nice performance, Michelle.
“We felt love for Michelle too—when we believed she was Sara, and yes even now,” Grandma put in.
Sara could hardly hold her composure. I knew it. I bet they love her more than me.
“When did you tell them the truth?” Brad’s question was directed at Michelle.
“A few months ago. I had been intercepting Sara’s letters, and when her last one came, saying she’d be coming here soon, I realized it was time to go.” Michelle lowered her gaze, fingering the ties on her head covering. “I couldn’t face Mary Ruth and Willis with the truth, so I took the coward’s way out and left a note on the kitchen table, confessing what I’d done. Then I asked one of their drivers to take me to Harrisburg. And that’s where I lived till Ezekiel came and talked me into coming back here.”
“After she apologized, we invited her to stay with us again.” Mary Ruth smiled as she gestured to Michelle. “Now she is preparing to join the Amish church.”
Brad’s eyebrows lifted. “So that must be why you’re wearing an Amish dress.”
Michelle nodded. “Ezekiel and I are both planning to join the church in the spring. We’ve already started taking classes.” Her tone was enthusiastic. “He and the Lapps have been helpful with teaching me how to speak the Pennsylvania Dutch language.”
“Michelle is a good learner. I think she’ll do just fine becoming Amish like us.” Mary Ruth’s face seemed to radiate with joy.
Sara sat, biting her tongue through all this “Michelle” time. Please give me strength … Oh, how I want to say what’s really on my mind about the pretender. I’d like Brad to know how she has pushed her way into my grandparents’ lives. Sara hoped he wasn’t taken in by Michelle’s sob story.
Brad rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, this is certainly a surprise. I’m happy for you, Michelle.”
“Does that mean I’m forgiven for deceiving you?”
“Of course, but I’ll admit, I am disappointed you didn’t come and talk to me about this when I was here during the summer.”
Michelle dropped her gaze. “I know.”
At that moment, Grandpa entered the room. “My chores are done.” He grinned at Brad. “Now we can sit and visit awhile. I’d like to know how things have been going for you these last few months.” He looked at Grandma. “But before we do that, why don’t the two of us go to the kitchen and get some coffee and something sweet to serve?”
Grandma rose from her seat. “That’s an excellent idea, Willis.”
Sara was on the verge of asking if they wanted her help, when Brad turned to her and said, “Sorry if it seemed as though you were being ignored or left out of the conversation since I got here. I’d like the chance to visit with you too.”
“Maybe some other time. I have a few things I need to do in my room.” She fled the room and raced up the stairs. She needed time by herself to process things. Apparently Brad was taken in by Michelle, like her grandparents were. Sara wondered if there was anything she could have said to make him see what Michelle was really like.
Upstairs in her room, Sara went to the window and opened it, sucking in some much-needed air. Snowflakes blew in onto the window ledge, while others melted onto the floor. She’d never expected Brad would show up, or that he’d be sucked in by Michelle and her excuses.
Sara stood, immersed in thought, continuing to calm herself as she breathed in the fresh, crisp air the opened window allowed. As the snowflakes continued falling and a squirrel scampered through the backyard, she watched this tranquil moment while using her fingers to rub circular motions around her throbbing temples. I hope Brad finds out for himself what a fake Michelle is. She can’t fool everyone forever. Sooner or later the imposter is bound to trip up and someone will finally see through her.
As Brad sat in the living room, enjoying coffee and some of Mary Ruth’s delicious sticky buns, his thoughts went to Sara. She was a beautiful young woman, with shiny blond hair that reminded him of spun gold. But she had been anything but cordial. In fact, throughout his conversation with Michelle, Sara seemed agitated. Could there be something about him she disliked, or was she upset with Michelle for stealing her identity? If that was the case, he couldn’t blame her, but then why would she be living here at the Lapps’ with Michelle? For that matter, it seemed strange Mary Ruth and Willis would invite Michelle to live here, knowing she had impersonated their granddaughter. Not to mention that the real Sara was here too.
Licking his fingers, Brad reached for another sticky bun.
Michelle giggled and handed him a napkin. “Here, looks like you need this.”
“Thanks.” Brad’s answer was stiff as he watched Michelle’s smile slowly fade and her eyes look downward.
He shifted on his chair. Wish I had a chance to talk to Sara privately. I’d like to know what her thoughts are about Michelle. If she’s holding a grudge against her, I might be able to help—or at least offer some support if she needs it.
“Say, Brad, didn’t you hear what I asked?”
Willis’s question pulled Brad’s thoughts aside. “Uh no. Sorry, I must have spaced out.” He turned his attention to Willis. “What did you ask?”
The older man held out the plate of sticky buns. “Wondered if you’d like another one of these.”
“No thanks, I’d better not.” Brad thumped his stomach. “I’ve already had two, and if I eat another I’ll be too full to join my friend Ned for lunch.”
“You could stay and eat here,” Mary Ruth suggested. “We’d be happy to have you share our noon meal.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I should get going. Ned will probably be wondering why I haven’t shown up yet.” Glancing out the window, Brad set his coffee cup down and stood. “The snow hasn’t let up, so it’s probably good I’m leaving now. I’ll be back for Christmas dinner though.” He grinned at Mary Ruth. “Wouldn’t want to miss out on your holiday meal, which I am sure will be delicious.”
“You don’t have to wait until Christmas to come over,” Michelle interjected.
“That’s right,” Mary Ruth agreed. “Feel free to come over any day you like.”
“How about tomorrow?” Willis poured himself another cup of coffee. “Sara will be working at the flower shop in town, but the rest of us will be around.”
“I can’t say for sure whether I’ll be by tomorrow, but it will be soon, I promise.” Brad’s face radiated heat as he noticed Michelle watching him intently. It looked as if she might say something, but she sat quietly with one hand on her hip.
Brad said his goodbyes, put on his jacket, and went out the door. When he climbed into his van and waited for the engine to warm, he saw Michelle rush out of the house with a shawl around her shoulders, as she ran toward the barn.
I hope she’s okay. Brad thought to himself. I probably should have stayed and talked to her more. She’s been through quite an ordeal and had a lot of guilt to deal with before she admitted the truth to Mary Ruth and Willis.
Brad rubbed his hands in front of the vent, where the heat was now flowing. He waited a few minutes longer to see if Michelle would come out of the barn. Should I go in and talk to her—see if she’s upset? He thumped the steering wheel. No, I’d better go. If Michelle went there to be alone, she might not appreciate me barging in.
Brad put the van in reverse and turned toward the road. Maybe tomorrow I’ll take a ride into Strasburg and see if I can find the flower shop where Sara works. If I go shortly before noon, I might be able catch her before she takes a lunch break. There are a few questions I’d like to ask.