I waited for another hour, but Levi didn’t show up, so I finally headed upstairs. He must have gone straight home after his counseling sessions. I’d just gotten settled when the phone rang downstairs. I hurried down with both cats on my trail. Prince and Dora loved to follow me anytime they thought something exciting was happening. Unfortunately, they were very adept at getting under my feet. I almost fell on the stairs and had to scold them. I hoped whoever was calling wouldn’t hang up before I got to the kitchen, but thankfully, the phone continued to ring and I was able to get to it in time.
I grabbed it midring. “Hello?” I said breathlessly.
A woman’s voice came through the receiver. “Callie, is that you? It’s Dottie Hostettler.”
“Yes, Dottie. It’s me.” I loved Dottie. She was such a gracious, kind woman, and I hoped someday she’d feel like a real mother. That was something I wanted desperately.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but Levi hasn’t shown up, and I’m worried. Is he there with you?”
“N-no. Noah and Lizzie left a while ago and said they would stop by the church and check on him. He should have been home by now.”
“Oh, dear,” Dottie said with a sigh. “I’d have Marvin drive over to the church, but he’s out rounding up the animals and putting them in the barn. I guess I can get in the truck—”
“Nonsense,” I said, interrupting her. “I’ll run down to the church. If Levi’s there, I’ll send him home. Or if the storm gets into town before he has a chance to leave, I’ll tell him to stay put. Either way, I’ll call you when I get back.”
Dottie hesitated. “Are you sure, Callie? I don’t want to cause you any trouble.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s only four short blocks. I’ll be there and back before you know it. Long before the storm reaches us.”
The wind shook the building again. I didn’t feel as confident as I sounded, but I knew Dottie was worried. Frankly, so was I. Maybe I got lost in my thoughts sometimes, but Levi was worse. Noah teased his brother about being an “absentminded professor.” Deep thinkers like Levi were prone to losing themselves in thought and not being aware of present serious consequences.
“Well, if you’re certain . . .” I could hear the concern in Dottie’s voice. It only made me more determined.
“It’s fine. I’ll call you back in a little while.”
Dottie thanked me, and I hung up the phone. I ran back upstairs, changed my clothes, and put on my cloak. The cats seemed interested in my every move and once again followed me down the stairs, weaving in and out between my feet. When I stepped outside, they planted themselves on the window ledge and watched me as if I was the most interesting thing they’d ever seen.
It wasn’t a long walk, but after going only a block, the wind began to increase. The temperature seemed to plummet from freezing to bone-chilling. If I got to the church and found that Levi had already left, I would have to hurry back to the restaurant. If I wasn’t fast enough, I’d be caught in the ferocity of the storm.
The streets were completely deserted. Everyone had obviously gone home. Except for the light from the restaurant, and the streetlight outside the general store, the remainder of the town was hidden in shadows. I’d hoped Aaron might still be at the store, since some nights he slept there, but all his windows were dark. The flashlight I carried lit the way for me, but just barely. All of a sudden, the sheriff’s words about not being out alone jumped into my mind. Once again, I chastised myself for not taking Lizzie up on her offer to ride out the storm with them. What had I been thinking? A wave of panic rushed through me. By the time I reached the church, panic had turned to near hysteria.
As I approached the front of the church, I spotted Levi’s buggy. Stormy, his horse, was tied up to the post outside the church. Parked a few spaces away was a white van. I ran to the front door, fighting the wind, and pushed it open. Thankfully, it was unlocked. Once the door closed behind me, I felt incredible relief. Every sound had made me wonder if I was being chased. I locked the door and went looking for Levi. When I entered his office, I found him sitting behind his desk, someone else in the chair that faced him. Levi’s eyes widened when he saw me.
“Callie, what are you doing here?” There was a tone of annoyance in his voice.
“Your mother asked me to check on you,” I said. “There’s a storm on its way. You should have gone home hours ago.”
“It’s my fault.” The man in the chair turned around, and I saw that it was Aaron Metcalf. “I’ve kept him too long.” He turned back to Levi. “Forgive me, Pastor. I’ve been selfish.”
“It’s fine,” Levi said. “Are you staying at the store tonight?”
Aaron shook his head. “No, I don’t want to get snowed in. I’m headed home now. I hope you’ll do the same. And again, I’m sorry I’ve delayed you.”
“I’m here for you whenever you need to talk, Brother,” Levi said. “I must apologize for the interruption. Counseling sessions are supposed to be private.”
Indignation rose inside me, and I wanted to defend myself. Instead, I kept quiet. Aaron got up, said good-bye to both of us, and left. I waited until I heard the front door close.
“I came here because your mother was worried about you,” I said, my voice shaking. “I ignored the sheriff’s warning about being out alone because I care about you. Chastising me in front of Aaron was extremely inappropriate.”
Levi flushed, and for a moment, I thought he was angry. Instead, he covered his face with his hands. I immediately went to his side and dropped to my knees.
“Levi, I-I’m sorry. Forgive me. It was insensitive of me to say that.”
He shook his head and visibly gathered himself together. When he removed his hands, he looked upset. “I’m sorry, Callie. I really am. Forgive me. You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s my fault.”
“Of course I forgive you,” I said, taking his hand. “What’s the matter? Is it the murder or has something else happened?”
He was silent, but I could see the conflict in his expression.
“Levi, I’m going to be your wife. There isn’t anything you can’t tell me.”
He took my hands and pulled me to my feet as he rose from his chair. “No, there are some things I can never share with you.”
“I don’t understand.”
He let go of me and walked to the window. Snow had begun to fall, and the force of the wind carried it sideways. “As long as I hold this office, anything said in confidence can’t go beyond these walls.”
“Obviously someone has shared information that’s upset you. Surely it has nothing to do with the murder.”
Levi didn’t respond. He kept his eyes focused out the window, not even turning to look at me. A cold tickle of fear ran down my back.
“Levi, has someone confessed to the murder of that young woman? Do you know who did this awful thing?”
Still no response.
I could feel my legs lose strength, and I grabbed the edge of Levi’s chair with both hands, lowering myself into it before I collapsed.
“Levi, if you know something, you’ve got to tell the sheriff.”
He whirled around and glared at me. “You’re jumping to conclusions. I didn’t say anyone had admitted to murder.”
“And you didn’t say they hadn’t.”
He turned from me and grabbed his hat and coat. “We don’t have time to talk about this now, Callie. If I have any chance of getting home before it gets worse, we have to leave now.”
I pulled myself to my feet. “You don’t need to bother with me,” I said stiffly. “I’ll walk back to the restaurant. You get going. I’ll call your mother when I get back and let her know you’re on your way.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped. “I’m not going to let you wander around in a snowstorm even if it is only a few blocks. I’ll take you back to the restaurant, and then I’ll go home.”
After blowing out the oil lamp on his desk, he grabbed my hand and pulled me out of his office and partway down the hall. I jerked my hand from his.
“It’s too dark to see.” I switched on the flashlight so we could find our way in the thick blackness that surrounded us.
Levi didn’t argue. I trembled with emotion but wasn’t certain what I was more upset about—the idea he was hiding something that could lead to the capture of a serial killer, or the discovery that he didn’t trust me. I realized that confessions revealed in counseling were considered a sacred trust, but I was about to become his wife. Surely this edict didn’t apply to spouses. How could we share the sanctity and privacy of a marriage with secrets locked in our hearts?
We finally reached the front entrance, and I grabbed the door handle, since I was walking slightly ahead of him. Before I yanked it open, he grabbed me from behind and pulled me to him. Wrapping his arms around me, he spoke into my ear, his voice breaking.
“Please, Callie. I didn’t mean to speak harshly to you. I’m just worried—and confused. If you could just give me some grace until I figure out what to do. And don’t ask me any questions. Until I have clear direction, I can’t answer them.” His arms tightened as he held me. “I don’t ever want to do anything to hurt you. You’re so important to me.”
“I’ll try to be patient,” I said, returning his embrace. “But you’ve got to learn to trust me, Levi. How will we ever have a successful marriage unless we have faith in each other? I would never repeat anything you say to me in confidence.” I pulled my head back and gazed into his eyes. “We’re going to be one person. How can a human being keep a secret from himself?”
Levi’s eyes narrowed as he stared at me. “I hadn’t thought of it that way,” he answered slowly and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll think about it, Callie, I promise. But right now let’s get you home.”
He released me and pulled the door open. Wind and snow blew inside with such ferocity, I almost lost my footing. I heard Stormy whinny loudly, obviously frightened.
Fighting against incredibly strong gusts, we pushed against the wind, trying to make it to Levi’s buggy. His hat flew off his head and blew away in the darkness.
“I should have brought Marvin’s truck,” he yelled. “I’m sorry.”
I climbed into the buggy as Levi untied Stormy’s reins from the post. Then he struggled toward the buggy, finally pulling himself up into the seat next to me.
“I don’t know if we can make it,” I cried out, trying to be heard over the shrieking wind. “Maybe we should stay here.”
Levi shook his head. “We’ve got to try. I need to let my mother know I’m okay. She’s just stubborn enough to get out in this if she thinks I’m in trouble.”
He spurred Stormy ahead, but for a moment, I wasn’t sure the beautiful black horse would move. After a high-pitched whinny that sounded full of fear, he jumped forward. The snow was so thick we couldn’t see more than a few feet in front of us. I tried to use the flashlight to aid us in our progress, but it was like holding a match up in the middle of a tornado. The weak light was useless against the gale.
Levi kept urging Stormy on, and finally a light cut through the darkness. It was the streetlight in front of the general store. At least we were headed in the right direction. More than once, Stormy stumbled, and I was afraid he’d hurt himself. After what must have been just a few minutes but seemed like an eternity, I could finally make out the glow from the restaurant on our right.
I grabbed Levi’s coat sleeve. “There it is!” I yelled.
He nodded and directed Stormy toward the light. When we stopped, Levi jumped out and came around to my side of the buggy. He held out his arms, and I fell into them. He held on to me as we fought against the wind, trying to get up the stairs. The snow was blowing so hard, it stung my face like thousands of little needles. Frankly, I was surprised I could feel anything at all. My fingers and toes had grown numb in the frigid air. We’d barely gotten to the top of the stairs when a frightening sound split through the roar of the storm. We turned to see the buggy flip over, Stormy still harnessed to it. The horse shrieked with terror. The weight of the buggy was pulling him over, but afraid to fall, he was scrambling to stay on his feet. I grabbed the porch railing and tore myself out of Levi’s grasp.
“Help him,” I screamed. “Get him loose before he breaks a leg.”
Levi struggled down the stairs and approached the panicking horse. Within seconds he’d released him from the harness.
I pulled myself down the steps, holding on to the railing with every bit of strength I possessed.
“Put him in Matthew’s stable,” I shouted. “There’s no way you can make it home. The stable’s unlocked, and Stormy will be safe there.”
“Get inside and wait,” Levi yelled. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He pointed a finger at me. “Do not leave the restaurant, no matter what. Do you understand?”
Although I didn’t want to let him go, I had no choice, so I nodded my agreement. We were all in danger in this blizzard, and unless the three of us found shelter fast, our lives were at risk. I watched as Levi disappeared into the storm. Then I fought my way toward the front door of the restaurant. It took great effort to get it open, but finally I did, falling into the dining room, exhausted, covered with snow, and shaking from the frigid temperatures. It took several attempts to get to my feet, and several failed efforts to close the door. When it finally latched, I stood there for a moment, totally drained. I wasn’t sure I could even make it to a chair without collapsing. Prince and Dora came running down the stairs to greet me but stopped a few feet away. They both eyed me suspiciously, not sure if this drenched, trembling, windblown creature could possibly be the person they lived with.
I wrenched off my cloak, made heavier by the quickly melting snow and pulled it over to the corner. Then I went to the window and stared out toward the street. It was impossible to see anything. Was Levi all right? Should I go after him or should I stay inside as I’d promised? I prayed out loud as I tried to make up my mind.
“Heavenly Father,” I said, my voice quivering from the chill that held me in its icy grip, “please take care of Levi . . . and Stormy.” I could feel salty tears on my face. They stung my frozen cheeks. “Give Levi the strength to get Stormy into shelter. And bring him back safely. Thank you for your loving protection.”
After what seemed like hours, I saw Levi fighting his way toward the restaurant. He fell to his knees twice but finally made it up the stairs. I forced the door open, almost losing it to gusts that threatened to pull it off its hinges. When he finally crossed the threshold, we both pushed hard against the door until it latched again. I threw my arms around him.
“Oh, Levi. I was so frightened. If you’d taken any longer, I would have come out to find you.”
After taking a few moments to catch his breath, I was surprised to hear him laugh. “A little slip of a girl like you? You would have been carried away in the wind. Then what would I have done?”
I looked up to find him smiling. I wanted to chastise him for his lack of seriousness, but as I gazed at him, I caught a quick glimpse of the young rambunctious boy I’d fallen in love with all those years ago. My fear and concern seemed to melt along with the snow that was causing puddles on the floor.
“Very funny,” I said. “But neither one of us will be laughing when the snow melts and our clothes are soaked.” I pulled myself away from him and collapsed into a nearby chair. “Noah keeps some clothes here in case he needs them. I’ll get something dry for you. Why don’t you go in the bathroom and get out of those wet things?” I looked down at my own dress which was beginning to cling to me, and I shivered. “And maybe you could add some wood to the fire? It’s going to be a cold night.”
Levi hadn’t moved, and I frowned at him. The humor he’d shown only seconds before was gone and his expression had changed.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I can’t possibly stay here,” he said.
I stood up, holding on to the chair to calm my shaking body. “What are you talking about? Surely you’re not concerned with decorum! We just barely survived a blizzard. No one, not even Matthew Engel, would think anything untoward about us.”
“You’re wrong,” he retorted, waving his arm around the room. “They will know that I allowed myself to get into a compromising position. They’ll think we spent the night inappropriately. They’ll think . . .”
I threw my shoulders back, anger shoving away my fear. “They’ll think, they’ll think? What is happening to you? You know the truth. And so do I. Are you really so worried about what everyone else thinks?” I felt a fire rise inside me. “Do you really believe God is condemning us for finding shelter? For reaching safety? Is that who you think God is?” I was quivering again, but this time it wasn’t because of the cold.
Levi just stared at me, his eyes wide. And I stared back, wondering where that burst of emotion had come from.
Without warning, he began to laugh. Then he grabbed me and kissed me with a fervor he’d never shown before. At first I was stunned, but stirrings of love replaced feelings of anger, and I wrapped my arms around him. When he finally let me go, my head was spinning. Too many feelings at one time had made me giddy.
Levi gazed down into my face. “Do you know when I first noticed you?”
I shook my head.
“We were kids,” he said smiling. “It was at a church picnic. You probably don’t recall this, but some of the boys were playing baseball. As a joke, I substituted an apple for the baseball and pitched it to Noah. He hit it and it made a huge mess.”
Levi brushed some hair from my face, and I realized that my prayer covering was gone. Blown away in the wind.
“No one laughed harder than you,” he said softly. “You giggled so hard you squirted cider out your nose. Do you remember that?”
I nodded as tears filled my eyes. It was the same day I held in my heart. I had no idea that Levi even knew I was alive back then.
“Then when you were a teenager, I fell desperately in love with you. I’ve loved you every day since then,” he said softly. “But after your mother left and your father got sick, you began to act differently. I wondered if you’d ever again be the girl who got my attention that summer on the baseball field.”
“So you asked me to marry you? Even though I wasn’t the girl you fell in love with?”
He blinked away tears. “Because I believed I could find you again. But instead of loving you the way I should have, I’ve kept you at arm’s length. I’ve been trying so hard to be a pastor, I forgot to just be a man.”
“But why didn’t you let me know how you felt? I had no idea. Except for polite exchanges at church or in public, you never showed any interest in me. Not until a few months ago.”
“You were taking care of your father, helping at the school, and working at the restaurant. I didn’t want to be a distraction.”
“A distraction?” I sighed. “Oh, Levi. Losing my father would have been so much easier with you by my side.”
“I’m sorry, Callie. You’re right. That was about the time I was elected pastor. I let that sidetrack me. If I could go back in time, I’d do it differently. You wouldn’t have had to face a single moment alone. Can you forgive me?”
I nodded. “As long as you spend the rest of your life loving me, I can forgive anything.”
His arms tightened around me. “You’ll never get rid of me. Ever.”
I involuntarily shivered. The fire in the fireplace was dying, and all the snow had melted into icy water. Levi let me go.
“You go upstairs and change your clothes. I’ll get the fire going and then take these things off in the bathroom. After you’re dressed, bring me a set of Noah’s clothes.”
“But what about staying here? Are you still worried about what people will think?”
He sighed. “I’m still concerned about being in a situation that looks wrong. But you and I know there’s nothing inappropriate about our being here together. At this point I don’t know what else we can do. We don’t seem to have any other choice.”
A huge gust of wind screamed past the building, rattling the windows.
Levi shook his head. “Anyone who would want me to venture out in this storm has no regard for my safety. The people who love us will respect our decision and trust us.”
“Oh, Levi. I just remembered. We’ve got to call your mother and let her know you’re all right.”
“I’ll do that. You get going.”
“Okay. I’ll be right back. After I change I’ll cook us a dinner you won’t soon forget.”
I turned to go, but he grabbed my hand before I had the chance to get away. I looked back at him.
“This is a night I’ll always remember, but it won’t be because of the food. It will be because we’re together.”
I smiled at him and then ran upstairs to change. As I picked out a different dress, I thought over what Levi had said. With the blizzard still raging, there was nothing he could do but stay the night here. Even so, I worried that when this storm passed, we would be left with consequences more damaging and long lasting than anything caused by the tempest that churned outside our door.