LEVINA TRIED TO FIND THE SHERIFF AT FOUR MORE BED-and-breakfasts, but she decided there were just too many places to check. Next stop—Yoder’s Pantry. Tillie was probably almost through with her shift, and Levina had a few questions for her.
Mamm! I’m just getting ready to clock out for the day. What “brings you here?”
Levina put her hands on her hips. “Tillie Mae, is it true that you and Freda have been running round town telling people not to tell a certain sheriff where your father lives?”
Tillie lowered her chin and twisted her mouth from side to side. “Hmm. You found out about that, no? How?”
“Rosemary heard from Rebecca, who heard from someone else, who heard from someone else.”
“Figures that she would tell you right away.”
“You should have told me, Tillie. I heard that he came here.” Levina glanced over Tillie’s shoulder to make sure no one could hear, but lowered her voice anyway. “Did he say why he is looking for your father?”
“I didn’t talk to him. Ellie did. But I saw him. He’s a big, scary-looking man with a big stomach.” Tillie clasped her hands in front of her, looked down, and shook her head. “What do you think Daed did, Mamm?”
“We don’t know that he did anything, Tillie, but you can’t involve the entire community by asking them to hide your father.” Levina let out a heavy sigh. “It could be a misunderstanding or any number of things.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know, Tillie. But let’s not presume the worst. Maybe your daed drove a car without a license or some other thing of little worry. The man, the sheriff, has already checked out of Beiler’s B & B, but—”
“Gut! Maybe he’s gone.”
“No. He wanted the room for another night, but Beiler’s was full. He’s around here somewhere.” Levina shrugged. “No use lookin’ for him, I guess. I’m sure he’s going to find us, so we’ll just wait.”
Tillie stood quietly for a while, which wasn’t like her. Then she gazed into her mother’s eyes. “Don’t let him leave again, Mamm. Whatever you do.”
Tillie’s eyes were brimming, and Levina swallowed back her own tears.
“I don’t want your daed to go anywhere, but if he did something wrong, Tillie . . .” She stopped when Tillie dabbed at her eyes. “Try not to worry, and I’ll let you know when I find out what’s goin’ on.” Levina pulled Tillie into a quick hug, then she decided there was nothing to do but go home.
As she left Yoder’s Pantry, her heart was heavy. Please, Lord, give me strength. She couldn’t help but fear that Naaman was only home because of whatever trouble he’d gotten into in Middlefield. Yet she’d allowed him back into her heart, further than he’d been in many, many years. She swiped at a tear as she flicked the reins, unsure whether to say anything to Naaman or just wait for the sheriff to show up.
LEVINA SEEMED NERVOUS AS A CAT. NAAMAN ASKED HER several times throughout the course of the evening what was wrong, but she said her stomach was just a little upset. It was more than that, he knew, but whatever it was, she wasn’t talking.
He looked over the rim of his reading glasses. Levina had her head buried in the Bible, but he didn’t think she’d turned a page since they sat down on the couch an hour ago.
“Levina, are you sure you’re all right?” He pulled his glasses off and closed his own Bible, then twisted slightly on the couch to face her. “I see you lookin’ out the window from time to time. You expecting someone?”
She pushed her reading glasses up her nose and kept her head in the book. “No. Are you?” She looked up at him, raised her brows.
Naaman grimaced. “No. I’m not expecting anyone. Should I be?”
Levina let out a heavy sigh. “I reckon not.”
“Do you want to go to bed?”
She glowered in his direction. “It’s too early for bed, Naaman. It’s not even dark yet.”
Her sharp tone of voice didn’t leave room for discussion, so he stayed quiet. They’d been going to bed early all week. But something had changed, and Naaman was desperate to find out what.
Two hours later nothing had improved, and Naaman was tired. “Do you mind if I go on to bed?”
She didn’t look up. “No, that’s fine. I’ll be there shortly.”
He took two steps and turned around. “Levina?”
This time she looked up and raised her eyes above her glasses. “Ya?”
“I love you with all my heart. I’m glad to be home. And I’m sorry, still, for everything.”
Levina swallowed hard. “I know, Naaman. I love you too.”
He kept his eyes locked with hers for a few moments, trying to figure out what was on her mind, but there were no clues in her staid expresssion. When she lowered her head, he eased up the flight of stairs to their bedroom, longing for his wife to join him and wondering what had changed between them.
LARRY SAT DOWN ON HIS BED AT THE HOTEL AND PUT HIS arm across his full belly. This was surely the worst case of indigestion he’d ever had. Bad enough to keep him from going back to Naaman’s house, and he’d been anxious to take care of things with Naaman so he could get home to Patsy. He popped two more Tums in his mouth, then he decided to take a shower before he called his wife.
He’d barely wrapped a towel around himself when he heard his cell phone ringing—a zingy little ringtone that Patsy had assigned herself.
“Hello, dear. Miss me?” Larry smiled as he spoke, hoping to forget about the heartburn that had settled in the middle of his chest.
“Have you not found that man yet, Larry? Good grief. You’re an officer of the law, for goodness’ sake.”
“Well, you know . . . the first day, there was shopping to do for my lovely wife. Then I didn’t want to bother the Amish folks on a Sunday, and yesterday I struck out. Not a soul around here would tell me where that man lives.”
“Why didn’t you just ask Bill to get the address?”
“I finally did, and I went there earlier today, but no one was home. I was planning to go back this evening, but I’m telling you, Patsy, I have the worst case of indigestion I’ve ever had in my life.” Larry cringed, wishing he could take back the statement.
“Larry Dozier, what have you been eating? You haven’t been sticking to our diet, have you? What have I told you about eating fat-filled, cholesterol-soaked foods that aren’t good for you—”
Larry held the phone a few inches from his ear as she went on. Good to be loved.
“Yes, dear. Yes, dear.” He just kept agreeing with her. Always best.
“You know I only tell you these things because I love you.”
“I love you, too, dear. And tomorrow morning, first thing, I’m going to Naaman Lapp’s house. I’ll catch the first flight out after that.”
“I can’t wait to see my quilt!”
Larry smiled. He loved to hear Patsy happy, and he couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when she saw the quilt. “I’ll call you tomorrow when I have my business wrapped up.”
“I love you. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Love you, too, dear.”
Larry changed into his pajamas, took two more Tums, then folded himself onto the bed. He flipped the channels on the television, but he couldn’t concentrate. The tightness in his chest was getting worse, not better, and he was having trouble catching his breath.
Oh no. As the possibility of having a heart attack hit him, he reached over to grab his cell phone, but he quickly fell back against the pillows. He was being crushed, something so heavy on his chest, he couldn’t breathe.
Why am I not breathing? He wanted to breathe but nothing was happening, and the weight on his chest was unbearable.
Dear Lord, am I dying?
Yes.
Larry heard the voice loud and clear, and he knew who it was.
I’m afraid, God.
Patsy’s face flashed in front of him, then each of his three children’s faces, then his entire life began to play in his mind like a slide show. He thought about how he had only recently turned his life over to God, after years of doubts as a nonbeliever. Six months ago he’d even been baptized. Patsy, who’d always been strong in her faith, said it was the happiest day of her life. Larry agreed with her. Getting to know God and His Son, Jesus, had changed his life.
My life. It’s over, isn’t it?
He heard the soft voice again. Yes. Don’t be afraid.
His body wasn’t moving. There was no air coming out of his lungs. But a white light filled the room and gave him an immediate sense of comfort.
And he was no longer afraid.