“Hope? Hope, can you hear me?”
I could hear Jonathon’s voice, but I couldn’t figure out where I was. Then suddenly I remembered the sound of the gunshot. I opened my eyes and looked up to see Jonathon’s worried expression.
“I think I’ve been shot,” I whispered. “Am I going to die?”
He shook his head. “No, you’re all right. I’m so sorry—”
“But my chest hurts.”
“You weren’t shot, although it’s a miracle you weren’t. The bullet struck the tree, and a piece of bark smacked your torso. I’m sure it hurts, but you’re going to be fine.”
I sat up, more humiliated than sore. “I could have been killed. Was that your rifle?”
He took my hands and helped me up. “Yes. I found Sophie hiding from me. When I tried to take the rifle from her, she grabbed it, and it hit the ground. It went off.” His taut expression revealed his anger. “It was a stupid thing to do. She could have killed you. Or at the very least seriously injured you.”
It was at that moment I saw Sophie standing a few feet away, her usual sullen expression planted firmly in place.
Something rose up inside me, and I stomped over to her. “You could have really hurt someone,” I yelled. “Me or Jonathon. What in the world is wrong with you?”
“It was a mistake. Get over it.”
In my whole life I’d never seen anyone look at me with such contempt, but that’s what I saw in her face. It made me take a step back.
“Don’t talk to her like that, Sophie,” Jonathon snapped. “You took my rifle without permission, and then you came out here after I told you not to. You not only put yourself in danger, you could have cost someone their life. I’ve had it with you.”
Jonathon’s rebuke caused her face to crumple. Tears fell down her cheeks. “I-I’m sorry, Jonathon. I just wanted to help. Like you and Roger.”
“Roger and I are men,” he said crossly, “and we’re used to guns. You’re not.”
“Mary patrols with Roger, and she’s not a man.”
The indignation in Sophie’s voice seemed to upset Jonathon even more. “They’re a team, Sophie, and Mary doesn’t do dumb stuff like this.”
It was clear that Jonathon was getting weary of the young girl’s protestations. I didn’t want to feel sorry for her, but I knew what it was like to be on the outside of life, feeling as if you don’t quite belong. Ever since Mama died, I’d felt different from most of my friends who had both parents. As if they belonged to a club I couldn’t join.
“Look, Sophie,” I said, trying to sound a little gentler, “maybe we can work together to help Jonathon and Roger. Something that won’t be so dangerous.” I looked over at Jonathon. “Is that possible?”
“I’m not going to talk about that right now. I need to get you both back to town. It’s almost dark, and it’s not safe out here.”
I pointed toward the northwest. “Noah said he and the men staying with him will help keep an eye on the road. Surely that will help.”
“If they were actually watching out for strangers, that might be a great idea, but they’re so busy working, someone could easily slip past them.”
I frowned at the bitter tone in his voice. “You’re angry with them?”
He stared past me, his mouth tight. “I’m trying hard not to be, but I guess I resent their attitudes a bit. They could come out here with us. We’re trying to guard their town. Their families. Their homes. Instead, they treat us like we’re up to no good. Maybe if Noah had decided to join us, his house wouldn’t have been targeted. I only hope these men don’t feel emboldened to do more to us since they got away so easily with setting Noah and Lizzie’s house on fire.”
I frowned at him. “What do you mean?”
“Did Noah call the sheriff about the fire?”
I shook my head. “No, because the sheriff would just tell him there was no way to know how the fire started or who started it.”
Jonathon snorted. “My point is that whoever caused that fire got away with it. Noah did nothing to protect himself or to try to bring the perpetrators to justice. He could actually be putting the rest of us in more danger. And he’s still not out here trying to help us.” His frustration had made his voice grow louder.
“Maybe if you and Roger weren’t carrying guns, he and a few men might be willing to join you. They’re good men, Jonathon. You know that.”
“I’m not carrying a gun.”
“But Roger is.”
He shrugged. “I guess so.”
“Why don’t you ask him to put his rifle away? Then approach Noah and the others.”
“I don’t know. Maybe.” He let go of a frustrated sigh. “Roger wants to be in law enforcement someday. He loves patrolling. At first I thought he was committed because of Mary and her folks. Now I’m not so sure that’s his main priority. I’m not certain I can talk him into putting his gun away, but I’ll try. And I’ll talk to Noah tomorrow.” He shook his head. “Still seems like I shouldn’t have to chase him down for help, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Kingdom secure.”
“A lot of good talkin’ to him is gonna do,” Sophie said sharply. “Noah cares more about what those church people think of him than he cares about keepin’ the rest of us safe.”
“That’s not true, Sophie,” I said, trying to control my irritation. “He cares very much, but he’s trying to do what he thinks is right. I’m sure it’s very difficult for him.”
Sophie pushed her dark prayer covering back. Strands of greasy dishwater-blond hair fell out onto her face. “It’s not the least bit difficult. If some creep tries to hurt someone I care about, I’m gonna put a hole through ’em.” I noticed her quick glance at Jonathon but he hadn’t seen it.
Jonathon sighed with exasperation. “We’re not going to ‘put a hole through’ anyone, Sophie. Frankly, after this incident, I’m beginning to question this whole idea. Something really tragic could have happened here today.” He pointed his finger at her. “No more. I don’t want you touching another gun, and I don’t want you out here again. Do you understand me?”
She didn’t answer, just hung her head.
“I mean it, Sophie. I’m very close to disbanding this group. This doesn’t seem to be working. Maybe we need another plan.”
Her head snapped up at his comment, a look of fear on her face. “You wouldn’t do that. We gotta protect Kingdom.”
Jonathon slowly shook his head. “The attacks happened out on the main road. These guys have never tried to come into town. Maybe they don’t know we’re here.”
“It would have been easy to follow one of our buggies, Jonathon,” I said. “I don’t think we should assume they don’t know where Kingdom is. They obviously know where Noah and Lizzie live.”
He shrugged. “Well, with only one road in, it would be difficult to get out without being seen. Why go to the trouble when it’s easier to hit churches in Washington and other towns?”
“Why?” Sophie asked angrily. “Because they know there’s a bunch of people here who won’t protect themselves! I’m telling you, they’re coming. You gotta believe me!”
I watched her grow increasingly upset. Sophie was lonely, looking for some place to belong. The idea that she might lose her “group” seemed to terrify her.
“I don’t know,” Jonathon said. “Maybe you two are right, but I’m not going to talk about this right now. Let’s get out of here.” He glared at Sophie. “You ride your horse back to your house and stay there tonight. I’ll drive Hope home.” As he looked at me, his eyes widened, and he stared at my chest. I looked down to see a small red stain on my apron. I pulled it down and found a larger spot on my dress that was slowing growing. As I stared at it, I felt a little nauseated.
“You need to tend to that right away,” Jonathon said. “It should be cleaned and bandaged.”
I guess I swayed a bit because he hurried over and grabbed me. “Sorry . . . sorry,” I mumbled. “After being thrown from my buggy, you’d think I’d be getting used to seeing my own blood.”
He chuckled. “I’m not so sure anyone should get used to something like that.” He pointed at Sophie. “Get going, Sophie. Now.”
I got a quick look at her face before she whirled around and headed toward her horse. I was glad she no longer had a gun in her hands. This time, shooting me might not be an accident.
“Just lean on me,” Jonathon said. “I’ll help you to the truck.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry to be such a baby.”
He laughed. “I still remember putting up a fence and slicing my finger open on a nail. Blood spurted out all over the place, and I fainted dead away. Fortunately I fell over on a soft mound of dirt.” He shook his head. “It’s a normal reaction, Hope. Nothing to feel embarrassed about.”
I laid my head against his chest and felt safe with his arms around me. He smelled of sweat and soap. It was almost intoxicating.
“It’s getting dark,” he said after we were both in the truck, “and I’m not comfortable letting Sophie ride all the way home alone. I think we should follow her.”
A full moon would have provided enough light for Sophie to safely find her way, but I had to agree that the small sliver in the sky didn’t provide very much illumination.
“You’ve spent a lot of time following women around in your truck, haven’t you?” I said with a smile.
He chuckled. “Well, that sounds wrong. Maybe you shouldn’t repeat that to anyone else.”
I laughed. “You’re right. I won’t. Especially to Papa.”
Jonathon turned the truck around and drove slowly toward Sophie’s horse. When he reached her, he had me roll my window all the way down. He leaned across the seat so Sophie could hear him. “I’m going to drive behind you, Sophie. I don’t want you riding home in the dark by yourself. My headlights should help you see the road.”
She shrugged her shoulders, not even looking our way.
Jonathon shook his head and pulled around behind her, leaving several yards between us.
I glanced sideways at him. “You know she has feelings for you, don’t you?”
He looked at me with surprise. “She’s like my sister, Hope. I feel sorry for her. Her parents don’t pay any attention to her, and she doesn’t have any friends.”
“She doesn’t have friends because she’s pushed everyone away who’s tried to reach out to her. I’ve tried to befriend her, Lizzie’s tried, Leah . . . lots of us have offered our friendship only to be rebuffed.”
“When’s the last time one of you really put out any effort?”
I couldn’t stop my mouth from dropping open. “Are you blaming us for her bad attitude?”
“No, not really. But I’ve got eyes. When she’s in town, no one talks to her. Same thing at church.”
“That’s not fair, Jonathon. We’ve all tried. Many times. She doesn’t want anyone in her life. She’s made that very clear. Except for you, of course.”
He shrugged. “It’s not my job to tell you what to do, but I think you’re wrong. I think she wants friends very badly. She’s just afraid you’ll reject her like her parents have. There are some people you have to keep working on, Hope, and she’s one of them.”
I was quiet as I thought about what he’d said. Maybe he was right. After being rejected more than once, I’d basically given up on Sophie. Had I quit too soon?”
“All right. I’ll make you a deal,” I said. “You give Noah another chance, and I’ll give Sophie another chance.”
“Well, okay, but like I said, I’m not upset with Noah. I’m beginning to think that he was right all along.”
“So you’re really thinking about breaking up your little group?”
“My little group? You make it sound like we’re a bunch of children playing a game.”
“I know you’re very serious, and I appreciate everything you’re doing to help us.”
“You think I’m wrong to consider it?”
I sighed. “I can’t answer that question, Jonathon. I’m just as confused as everyone else.”
“I know what you mean. I believed we were doing the right thing until tonight. You could have been really hurt, Hope. If anything bad had happened, I would have blamed myself the rest of my life.”
“But I’m fine,” I said. “Besides, Sophie is responsible. Not you.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but I’m the one who started this whole mess. In the end, the responsibility lies with me.”
I honestly didn’t know what to tell him. Until recently, I’d been proud of the stance Mennonites took against violence, but when actually faced with its consequences, my faith had been sorely tested.
We slowly followed Sophie. A gentle breeze blew through the truck, and the scent of wild honeysuckle mixed with moisture drifted through the air. I was certain that before the night was over, we’d have rain. We rode in silence for several minutes.
“What time is Roger supposed to patrol tonight?” I asked. “It’s getting pretty dark.”
He shrugged. “I’m surprised we didn’t bump into him back there. He must be running a little late.”
I nodded, not sure Jonathon could see me in the shadows.
“So you’re mad because some people might think we’re engaged?” Jonathon asked suddenly.
“I’m worried about Papa. If he hears it, he’ll be angry. And hurt.”
Jonathon sighed. “What if he doesn’t want me in your life, Hope? Will you go against him? You’re old enough to make your own choices, you know. How long will you let your father tell you what to do?”
“I don’t know. He told me I could make my own decisions, but I still want his blessing. Not because I’m afraid of him, but because I love him.” I reached over and touched Jonathon’s arm. “If God wants us to be together, He’ll work it out. I just know it.”
“But you want to be with me, right?”
I turned my head and smiled at him. “I think I need you. You seem to be saving me all the time. Without you, I’m not sure I’d make it.”
He chuckled. “Speaking of your near-death experiences, how are you doing?” He pointed at my chest.
I gingerly pulled down my apron again. Thankfully, the stain hadn’t gotten much bigger. “I’ll live, but I sure am running through dresses. Glad I brought an extra one to Lizzie’s.”
He smiled. “You’d look beautiful no matter what you wore.”
This was the second time he’d told me I was beautiful. I felt self-conscious and warm inside, all at the same time.
“Did I embarrass you?” he said softly.
“A little.”
“I’m sorry, but you are beautiful, outside and inside.”
I turned my head and smiled in the dark interior of the truck, not wanting him to know that his compliments pleased me.
We rode quietly until we reached Sophie’s turnoff. Jonathon pulled past her and got out. Then he walked behind the truck to where Sophie sat on her horse waiting. He spoke to her briefly and then watched as she rode off. When he returned I asked him what he’d said to her.
“I told her that we both forgave her for making a mistake.”
“Good. What did she say?”
He put the truck into gear and started back down the road. “Not much. Just begged me again not to abandon the patrols.” He shook his head. “She’s obviously more concerned about being a part of something than she is about the original reason we got together. I feel sorry for her, Hope, but I don’t know what to do.”
“You know, even if you decide to stop watching the road, that doesn’t mean everyone will.”
He looked over at me. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, Roger seems pretty intent on staying put.”
He turned his head to the side. “You and Lizzie don’t like Roger much, do you? Want to tell me why?”
I filled him in on our days back at school and the way Roger treated us.
“I had no idea. Noah introduced him to me, but he didn’t give me much background.”
“You can see why Lizzie isn’t thrilled to have him around.”
Jonathon was quiet for a minute. Then he said, “Why is it we’re all worried about whether or not we have the right to defend ourselves, but we’re not concerned about unforgiveness?”
I was surprised by his statement. “I didn’t say she hadn’t forgiven him. I just meant that she doesn’t trust him completely.”
“Aren’t they the same things? Forgiveness and trust?”
“I . . . I don’t think so.” I frowned at him. “Are you trying to make a point? If so, I’m not sure I understand.”
“I don’t know,” he said, drawing his words out slowly. “I guess I’m trying to say that it isn’t always easy knowing what’s right and wrong. For the most part, we’re all trying to do our best. Roger too. And judging his actions now by something that happened when he was a child . . . Well, I’m not so sure how fair that is.”
“You might be right. Maybe Lizzie and I need to work on our attitudes. I don’t want to hold something against Roger that occurred so long ago.”
“Sophie could use some forgiveness too. What she did was stupid and careless, but it would be nice if we both show her we’ve moved past it.”
I nodded. “As long as she understands it can’t happen again.”
“I agree.”
We drove into town and Jonathon pulled up to the restaurant. “You and Lizzie have a good evening. I’m going to drive back over to Noah’s and help out for a while. Talk to him about the incident with Sophie. I also want to check with Roger.”
I reached over and grabbed his arm. “Wait a minute. Are you sure you should say anything to Noah? I know he’s your friend, but he’s also an elder. If you tell him the truth, he may be forced to take some kind of action. What Sophie did could get her into a lot of trouble. I don’t trust her father. I’ve suspected that he hits her.”
“I hadn’t considered that.” He thought for a moment. “I guess I won’t bring it up, but I don’t like hiding things from Noah.”
“It’s up to you, Jonathon. Just be aware of the consequences.”
“I don’t want to make things any tougher for Sophie. She’s been hurt so much, and I’m confident one of these days she’ll turn around.”
I smiled and squeezed his arm one more time before removing my hand. “I’m glad she has a friend like you.”
He got out of the truck, came around, and opened the door for me. “Do you want me to go in with you? I don’t want Lizzie to think I had anything to do with your . . . injury.”
I laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll make sure she knows it wasn’t your fault.”
“How are you going to explain what happened? If you mention Sophie, she might tell Noah.”
“She won’t,” I said, cutting him off. “Lizzie and I share all kinds of things that we don’t tell anyone else.”
“But this is a little different, Hope. Do you really think she’ll keep something like this from her husband?”
“I don’t know,” I said slowly. “But I can’t lie to her.”
“I wouldn’t expect you to. You do whatever you need to do. Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it.” Jonathon bent down and kissed me on the forehead. “I’ll talk to you soon.” With that he got back into his truck and drove down the street toward the edge of town.
I stood there for a moment, trying to decide what to say to Lizzie. Finally I trudged up the steps and into the restaurant.
“I thought I heard Jonathon’s truck,” Lizzie said when I came in. She was sitting at a table with Charity, playing Candy Land, Charity’s favorite game.
“Mama, Hope’s hurt,” Charity said, her eyes wide. Beau, who was lying under the table, got up and came over to me, whining softly.
Lizzie stared at me, seeing the bloodstain on my apron. She jumped to her feet. “Hope, are you all right?”
I smiled. “I’m fine. Just a stupid accident. If you two don’t mind, I’m going upstairs so I can change my clothes.”
Lizzie came over to me to get a closer look. She lifted my apron and inspected my dress. “This looks pretty bad. How did it happen?”
I gently pushed away from her. “I told you. It was an accident. You two go ahead and play. I’ll be right back.” I hurried away before she could ask anything else, but I could feel her eyes on me as I went up the stairs. She wouldn’t let this go. I was certain of that.
When I got to the apartment, I went into the spare room, where my satchel sat on the bed. It only took me a few minutes to remove my stained clothes and put on a fresh dress. I inspected the wound. It was deeper than I thought it might be, and I knew I should clean it. I also needed to rinse out my bloody clothes with cold water so the blood wouldn’t set. Since the only water was downstairs in the bathroom or the kitchen, I bundled them all up and hurried down to the dining room.
“I need to wash these out, Lizzie,” I said. “Can I use the sink in the bathroom?”
She nodded but didn’t say anything. I went into the bathroom and rinsed out my dress, apron, and bra. I also washed the cut on my chest with soap and water. It stung when the soap touched it. I’d just pulled up my clean bra when someone knocked on the door.
“Can I come in?” Lizzie asked.
I quickly yanked up the top of my fresh dress to cover myself. Then I turned around and opened the door. Lizzie stood there with a bottle and a box of bandages.
“I want to make sure your cut is clean. Soap and water isn’t good enough. Do you want me to take care of it? If not, you need to do it yourself.”
I shook my head. “I can do it. Thanks. I appreciate it.”
She handed me a spray bottle of antiseptic cleaner and the box. Then she shot me a look that made it clear I was going to have to explain what had happened.
After I closed the door, I lowered my dress again and sprayed the liquid on my wound, having to bite my tongue to keep from crying out. Although it stung, I felt better knowing it wouldn’t get infected. As I dried my skin and applied the bandage, I thought about what Jonathon had said. How could I not tell Lizzie about Sophie? I didn’t want to get the girl in trouble, but was it right for me to ask her not to tell Noah? I’d been taught that the husband is the head of the house and asking a wife to keep secrets from her husband is wrong.
When I finally came out, Lizzie had hot chocolate and cookies ready for us. We played two games of Candy Land before Lizzie sent Charity upstairs to bed.
“But I don’t want to go to bed,” Charity whined. “Hope’s here.”
“You have school tomorrow,” Lizzie said firmly. “This is the last week. We’ll have Hope back after you’re out for the summer, but tonight, you’ve got to get to bed. I already let you stay up later than normal.”
Faced with her mother’s irrefutable argument, Charity grudgingly accepted her fate. After good-night kisses for both of us and a trip to the bathroom, she headed up the stairs. Beau got up and followed after her. It was as if he knew Charity needed him more than I did right now.
“Call me when you’re in bed, and I’ll come up and pray with you,” Lizzie called after her.
There was no response, and Lizzie grinned at me. “I can hardly wait until she’s a teenager. Should be a barrel of laughs.”
I wrinkled my forehead, and Lizzie shook her head. “A barrel of laughs means . . .” She frowned for a moment and then burst out laughing. “Oh my goodness. I have no idea where that phrase originated. It really doesn’t make any sense at all.”
We both giggled. I’d spent my school years in Washington, so although my speech wasn’t as proper and old-fashioned as Papa’s or most of the older residents of Kingdom, there were still phrases I didn’t comprehend. Lizzie had spent five years living in the world, so every once in a while she said something I’d never heard before. Usually she could explain it to me. This was the first time she hadn’t been able to.
“We may not be very modern in Kingdom,” I said, still chuckling, “but at least we know what we’re saying.”
Lizzie nodded. “You’ve got me there.” She took a sip of her cocoa, watching me over the rim of her cup. When she set it back down on the table, she cocked her head to the side and stared at me through narrowed eyes. “Okay, now give. What happened to you? How did you get hurt?”
Stalling for time, I bit into my cookie and chewed slowly. What should I do? I truly didn’t want to cause trouble for Sophie. If she had a chance of turning her life around, it would take lots of compassion and understanding.
“Is it really so bad you can’t tell me?” Lizzie asked, obviously not fooled by my hesitation. “You know I’ll keep it to myself.” She looked hurt, and it made me feel guilty.
“What if you can’t tell Noah?” I asked softly. “I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable situation.”
“Wow. I mean, I don’t always tell Noah everything, but I’m not sure how I feel about purposely keeping secrets.” She wrapped her hands around her cup. “You can trust him too, Hope. You know that, don’t you?”
I shook my head. “I’m afraid he wouldn’t be able to keep this to himself. It could put him in an awkward position. I’m trying to avoid that.”
She didn’t say anything for quite a while. I could hear the clock on the wall ticking. She’d just opened her mouth to respond when we heard Charity calling from upstairs.
“You wait here. I’ll be right back. And I won’t say a word to Noah if you don’t want me to.”
She dashed up the stairs as Charity continued to holler for her. I pushed my chair away from the table and walked over to the large window by the front door. The moisture I’d felt in the air earlier had been a precursor of rain, as I’d predicted. A light drizzle wet the streets and shimmered in the light. Besides the illumination from a small lamp near the entrance to the restaurant, there was now a new streetlight outside the general store. The streetlight marked the beginning of even more changes in Kingdom. Although I worried sometimes about losing some of the doctrines that set us apart from the world, I loved the soft light that now flooded the street. The streetlight had been added as a safety measure because in the winter the store would be open while it was still dark outside. I liked being able to see our town more clearly at night, and I knew Lizzie and Noah appreciated it too.
The only other person living downtown now was Leah, who had a small apartment in the back of the school building. Although the elders had approved the use of electricity for the store, a few folks in Kingdom weren’t quite as supportive. Elmer Wittenbauer, Sophie’s father, had stated clearly that he would never set foot inside Metcalf’s General Store. But I figured that would last only until he really needed something. Brother and Sister Wittenbauer’s convictions were subject to change based on need.
As I waited, I wrestled with my decision to tell Lizzie about the incident with Sophie, but in the end, I felt the need to share it with her. All I could do was hope she would still be able to keep her word after I told her the truth.
Another thought was swirling around in my brain. Lizzie had cautioned me to not make any decision about Jonathon until I was sure I knew God’s will. The more I thought about it, the more I realized she was right. “God,” I prayed softly, “I want your will. I’m at a crossroads with no idea which way to go. If I’m ever to be married, I want the man you have for me. So until I’m sure, I’m not going to do anything. All I’ve done so far is made a mess of things, and I’ve hurt a good man.” I turned my face upward. “I won’t change my mind, and I won’t break this covenant, Lord. No matter what. Your will, not mine.” A feeling of peace washed through me for the first time in days.
By the time Lizzie returned, it was raining harder. Before she’d gone upstairs, she’d turned the lights down in the restaurant, saying it would be best for us to stay downstairs until Charity fell asleep. The low lights and the sound of the rain gave the room a cozy feeling that I loved.
Our house had a balcony on the second floor, but there was no door to access it. On rainy nights, I liked to climb out my window and sit there. Our overhanging roof kept me dry unless the wind blew the wrong way. Tonight I had the same feeling of protection and peace I experienced when I sat out on my balcony. I knew it was because I’d finally released my future to God instead of trying to plan it myself. I was also feeling a sense of freedom not having Papa around. More like a grownup and less like a child.
“So where were we?” Lizzie asked as she came down the stairs.
I twirled around and smiled at her. “You were trying to wrestle information out of me.”
She put her finger up in the air. “Oh yes. I believe you’re right.” She pointed at our table. “Spill it, girl.”
We both sat down as the sound of the rain hitting the roof above us grew a little louder. “Okay, but what about Noah?”
She sighed. “I’ll do my best, Hope. But if I feel it’s important and he needs to know, I’ll have to tell him. That’s the best I can do. Of course if you’ve killed someone, all bets are off.” She crossed her arms across her chest and scowled at me with a rather comical look on her face. “You haven’t killed anyone, have you?”
“No. I don’t think you need to worry about that.”
“Well, if that’s not it, you’d better tell me what’s going on.”
The peaceful atmosphere and the tranquility I felt inside helped me to finally get the words out. I told her about going after Sophie and how the rifle had gone off.
“Hope!” she exclaimed when I finished. “You could have been killed! How could Jonathon allow Sophie to get anywhere near that gun?”
“It’s not like he told her to break into his truck and take his rifle. She did that on her own.”
Lizzie bit her lip as she stared at me. I was already beginning to regret my decision to tell her what happened. I’d been worried about Sophie getting in trouble with the elders. For the first time, I realized that Jonathon could be implicated as well. Lizzie’s first admonition hadn’t been directed at Sophie. Her anger was toward him.
“Look, I know I told you I wouldn’t say anything to Noah, but has it crossed your mind that Sophie might be dangerous?”
“Lizzie, she wasn’t trying to shoot me. She dropped the rifle, and it went off accidentally. I think you’re overreacting. She’s not really a bad person. Her parents have a very negative influence on her.”
“You’re right about that,” Lizzie admitted. “And now they’re paying the price for their neglect. She won’t pay any attention to anyone, and they don’t seem to know how to control her. I think they’ve just given up.”
“No wonder she’s so angry.” I picked up another cookie even though I didn’t need it. Lizzie was such an incredible baker, and her oatmeal raisin cookies practically melted in my mouth.
“Leah told me that when Sophie was going to school, she’d come without a lunch almost every day. When Leah asked her about it, Sophie mumbled something about being allowed to eat only once a day because she was being punished.”
“Well, she’s getting food from somewhere. She doesn’t look like she’s missing any meals.”
Lizzie cleared her throat. “I wonder where she’d find food in Kingdom.”
My mouth dropped open. “Elizabeth Lynn Housler. You’re feeding her?”
“Kind of.”
“How in the world do you ‘kind of’ feed someone?”
She shrugged. “I kind of send food to the school every day at lunchtime. There are only twenty-one children attending right now, so it’s not a lot. Besides, most of those children eat the lunches their parents send with them. This food is just something extra that the kids can have if they want it—or need it.” She pointed her finger at me as I made a clucking sound with my tongue. “Would you rather I throw the food out? And just so you know, I send fruit, sandwiches, and—”
“Dessert?” I asked.
“Hmm. Maybe sometimes,” she said innocently.
“But Sophie doesn’t go to school anymore.”
Lizzie grinned. “She might not officially be enrolled, but that doesn’t mean she’s not welcome to eat lunch with everyone else.”
“Oh, Lizzie. You’re just too much.” I shook my head, unable to hide my amusement at her big heart. I was about to make a comment about what kind of food Sophie’s parents were serving her at home, but before I could get the words out, I was interrupted by the sound of a vehicle outside.
“Maybe Noah changed his mind and decided to stay in town tonight,” Lizzie said, jumping up and hurrying to the front of the restaurant. She suddenly stopped a couple of feet from the large picture window. Without any warning, she reached for the light switch, and the dining room became dark.
“Lizzie, what in the world—”
She shushed me. “Hope, didn’t you say that the person who harassed you on the road drove a red truck?” Her voice shook as she spoke, causing a cold thread of fear to wrap itself around me.
I nodded in the dark, not realizing that she couldn’t see me. “Yes. Red with a dent in the driver’s side door.”
Lizzie gasped and threw herself against the wall—away from the window. “Get down on the floor, Hope. Now! I think that same truck is sitting in the street, right outside our door.”