Proverbs 25: 26.
Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Chapter Ten.

 

Kate tugged at the stubborn weeds that sprouted amongst the roots of the various plants in the garden. On her knees in the dirt, she worked tirelessly under the warm glow of the sun as the morning dragged on. After finishing up one of the rows of plants, she pulled herself up and brushed off the muck that clung to her clothing. She then walked over to the work shed in order to refill the watering can, when all of a sudden, the sound of a horse pulling a buggy up the road set her nerves on edge.

Kate quickly turned around and saw Beckie and Jeremiah waving enthusiastically. As the buggy drew closer, she could see the happiness clearly stamped all over their faces. When the horse came to a stop, Kate placed the watering can down and walked over to greet the pair.

“Good morning!”

Jeremiah was the first to jump down from the buggy. He then turned to his cousin and assisted her down the moderately steep drop. Beckie looked up at Kate with a broad smile. “Good morning! It certainly is.”

“Yes, it’s so nice to be free again. I would never speak ill of anyone, but places like that are not meant for humanity. They try to strip you of your identity, but I refused to allow it. Fortunately, you and Beckie were amongst several who helped seek my freedom. For that, I am truly thankful.” Jeremiah smiled as he spoke, and then locked eyes with Kate. She could sense the sincerity and appreciation in his words, and despite his unfair incarceration, it was apparent to her that he held no resentment.

“We all knew from the very beginning that their claims and charges against you were false. Beckie’s been the driving force in everything that’s happened to free you, though.” Kate glanced over at Beckie and grinned. “She’s the reason truth and faith overcame its obstacles to set you free.”

Beckie nodded and smiled. “We all had an equal part in inspiring the truth to be heard. Let’s not forget Ryan and his role in all of his as well. Please send him our gratitude if you should happen to see him before we have the chance.”

“Of course; I’ll make sure he knows how grateful you both are for his help.” Just then, Kate heard a voice calling out from behind her. Kate turned to see Beth coming down the steps of the porch.

Beth made her way toward them. “Good morning!” she called out in a cheerful tone. “Would you all like to come inside the house for some tea?”

“Denki,” Jeremiah responded. Beckie and Kate exchanged quick glances and then nodded in agreement. Beth motioned for them to follow and headed back toward the porch.

They made their way to the dining area as Beth split off toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right back; I just need to get the tea.”

Kate walked around the table and pulled out one of the chairs. She sank into the seat and then looked up as Jeremiah and Beckie followed suit. She gazed around the dining area, hoping Beth would join them soon. Suddenly, Jeremiah broke the temporary silence.

“I have never taken anything in life for granted, but when your freedom is stolen from you erroneously, a mann comes to the realization that life is even more precious than we already believe it to be,” Jeremiah said in a solemn tone.

Just as Kate was about to respond, Beth came in with two large pitchers of iced meadow tea, one in each hand. She filled the cups that sat before each of them and then placed the pitchers in the center of the table. She sat next to Kate and smiled. “Did I miss anything?”

Beckie grinned. “You’re just in time!”

“Yes. I was just beginning to talk about my time spent caged up,” Jeremiah said. “I blame no one for my incarceration, but that is no place for a good man. Fortunately, I only had one confrontation with the others, and by the end of that night, he seemed to be a changed man.”

Kate listened carefully as Jeremiah spoke about his experience. She found solace in the strength and willpower. She looked down to hide her smile as she made a startling realization: if these people can be so strong and brave in the face of adversity and fear on a constant basis and placed their trust in God, who was she to be afraid or worried about a former colleague who was sent to harm her?

“We spoke long after he tried to attack me,” Jeremiah said. “I was unsure of his motives, but hostility seems to be a person’s only method of protection in places like prison. The man grew frustrated and confused because I would not show aggression toward him, despite his actions against me. I would not fight back. He kept yelling, ‘Why aren’t you defending yourself?’ My only response was that I forgave him. At first, he grew even angrier each time I said the phrase, but then he began to understand. Before that night ended, he was a changed man.”

Kate looked back up as Jeremiah continued his story, and right then, she made the decision to make herself a promise. She would not let Glen Tryston, Victor Daxton, or anyone else, fill her mind with fear and torment. She would stand tall and have faith, no matter how dire the circumstances might seem at that moment. Kate had always been accustomed to being brave and fearless in her line of work, but this was the first time that she was actually the target. If Jeremiah could stand like an immovable tree through a raging storm of winds that threatened to knock him down, she wanted to be able to find the strength in herself to do the same.

Jeremiah smiled and sipped his tea. “But that’s enough about my time spent in that place. I want to move on from it and use my experiences to strengthen myself. So, even though it was a trying and troublesome time, Gott put me there for a reason, and because of that, I will only allow it to assist me, never to hinder.”

Beckie nodded. “I hope that man you met there truly changes for the better and repents for his sins,” she said in a soft tone.

“I have faith that he will. I watched the hatred leave his eyes as we spoke, and as our conversation went on, he began to understand my rationale of thinking much more clearly. His name was Arthur, and he confessed to me that he had never spoken to an Amish person before, and that his perception of us had been entirely incorrect. If anything that has happened recently can be considered a positive occurrence, it is most certainly that man’s change of heart. He was facing charges of assault for seeking vengeance on someone that hurt his sister. I helped him find the inner strength to forgive the person who hurt her, and to forgive himself for not doing so sooner.”

Jeremiah turned to Kate. “Thank you, for that, for your kind visit with Beckie, and for convincing Ryan of my innocence. You encouraged him to get me released. Without each of you,” he said, making eye contact with each woman, one after the other, “I would still be trapped there, tried for a crime I would never commit.”

Beckie spoke up. “Kate, we’d like you to come to dinner tonight at my haus, to thank you, and you, too, Beth.”

Beth and Kate glanced at each other. “I’ll have to speak with Bill,” Beth said. “I’m not sure if he’ll want to leave the house unattended. That suspicious man could still be lurking about.”

“Yes, that’s understandable,” Jeremiah said. “Kate?”

Kate looked up, feeling like a deer trapped in headlights. She wasn’t sure if it would be such a great idea to leave the property, either. David Harper was on his way to extract her, and Glen Tryston could strike at any moment. The last thing she wanted to do was endanger others, but when the details of Jeremiah’s story flooded her mind again, she made the quick decision to not let the fear control her. Besides, Beckie only lived a short distance away; she didn’t even have to drive out on the main road to get to her house. “I’d love to come, denki,” she said.

“Gut,” Beckie said. “This tea has been lovely as well. Thank you kindly, Beth.”

Jeremiah nodded and smiled. “Jah, denki.”

Beckie looked out toward the front of the house before speaking again. “I should probably head home to prepare the dinner. We’ll see you soon, Kate.” She then looked at Beth and continued. “And if you and Bill are free to join us, we would love the extra company.”

Beth nodded and smiled. “I’ll speak to him.”

Jeremiah nodded as he stood from his chair. Beckie then did the same, and after everyone exchanged goodbyes, the pair walked out to their buggy. Kate looked at Beth and smiled. “It’s so great to see the importance of humility and how it can be the saving grace for many who have lost their way.”

“I agree with that sentiment completely,” Beth replied. “Now, I need to be getting back to work, but feel free to finish up your work in the garden so you can go get ready for that dinner.” She smiled before disappearing toward the kitchen.

As Kate walked out of the front door and headed back toward the garden, she wondered what would happen once her boss arrived. The last thing she wanted was for these people that had become her friends, to think she was nothing but a liar. She knew they would forgive her regardless of her actions and lies, but the thought of disappointing them tore at her.

Kate went to the barn to get a root cutter, and walked over to the next row that needed to be weeded. Kate dropped back down to her knees and began working, but her mind would not stop thinking about Glen Tryston. She felt his impending encroachment, but still wasn’t sure what she was could do about it.