A Sister's Secret (30 page)

“Sounds like fun.”

“I came by to see if you might be free to come. Your sister Martha’s invited, too, of course.”

Ruth’s first thought was to decline the invitation because she hadn’t felt like doing anything fun since she and Luke broke up, not to mention the stress she’d been under because of all the trouble at home. But as she thought about it more, she decided that she and Martha might need an evening of fun with others their age. “I’ll speak to Martha this evening and see if she’s wants to go.”

“Good. I hope to see you on Saturday then.” Martin hesitated but finally turned and headed out the door.

Ruth smiled as the door clicked shut behind him. For the first time in many days, she felt a sense of anticipation.

***

After Cleon went to his house to speak with Grace, Martha decided to take Anna out to the barn. Mom had gone to visit Alma Wengerd, who’d sprained her ankle a few days ago, and Martha figured Mom might stay awhile, which meant she’d probably have to keep an eye on Anna for most of the day.

“Can I play with the puppies?” Anna asked as they neared the end of the barn where the kennel had been built.

“Jah, sure.”

Anna grinned up at her. “I like Rose the best.”

“Rose?”

“That one right there.” Anna pointed to the runt of the litter—the pup no one wanted.

Martha smiled and patted the top of Anna’s head. “How would you like to have Rose as your own?”

“You mean it?” Anna’s blue eyes lit up like a firefly.

“If your mamm says it’s okay.”

“You think Mama will let me keep her at the new house?”

Martha was pleased that Anna had referred to Grace as
Mama.
She finally must have accepted Grace as her mother. “You can ask your mamm after supper tonight. How’s that sound?”

Anna’s smile quickly faded. “Is that man gonna eat supper with us?”

“What man?”

“The one who came to our house today.”

Martha nodded. “I think Cleon will be joining us. He was on a business trip for a while, but his home is here with you and your mamm.”

Anna thrust out her chin. “I don’t like him. I wish he’d go away again.”

Martha was about to reply when she heard the barn door open and shut. She turned and saw Grace heading their way with shoulders slumped and head down. Martha figured things hadn’t gone so well between her sister and Cleon.

“I’ll get Rose out of the kennel, and you can sit over there and play with her,” Martha said, leading Anna to a nearby bale of straw.

“Okay.”

Once the child was seated, Martha stopped by Grace. “I’m going to get one of the pups for Anna to play with, and then the two of us can talk.”

Grace nodded.

“As soon as Anna and the puppy are settled, I’ll meet you in the tack room.”

Grace glanced over at her daughter, who sat on the bale of straw with her chin resting in the palms of her hands. “That’s fine.”

Grace headed for the tack room, and Martha hurried to the kennels at the back of the barn. A few minutes later, Anna had a sleeping pup nestled in her lap.

“Your mamm and I need to talk, but we’ll be back soon.” She gave Anna’s shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Don’t leave the barn, you hear?”

“I won’t.”

Martha hurried to the tack room and found Grace sitting on a wooden stool, her head down. “Why do you look so sad?”

Grace lifted her head. “Cleon’s back.”

“I know. He came by looking for you, and when I told him your place had been finished and that you were over there, he headed that way.” Martha slipped her arm around Grace’s shoulders. “Did he speak with you?”

“Jah. He had some bad news.”

“You mean about his beehives being burned?”

Grace nodded. “He’s going to Dad’s shop to see if he might be able to work there.”

“I thought he helped with the farm at his folks’ place.”

“He’s never enjoyed farming that much. I think he’d be happier working in Dad’s woodworking shop.”

“What did Cleon say when you told him about the baby?”

“I—I didn’t tell him.”

“You didn’t tell him you’re pregnant?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“He made it clear that he’s only staying with me out of obligation.” Grace drew in a quivering breath. “From now on, Cleon and I will be sleeping in separate bedrooms. He’ll be my husband in name only.”

Martha had known Cleon was upset about Grace’s secret, but she didn’t think he would still be nursing a grudge. She massaged Grace’s shoulders and neck, feeling the tension in her sister’s knotted muscles beneath her fingers. “What are you going to do about this?”

“There’s not much I can do.”

“You could start by telling Cleon that you’re carrying his boppli. That might make him see things in a different light.”

“Or it might make him feel more resentful—like I trapped him on purpose.”

Martha’s forehead wrinkled. “That’s
lecherich.
It’s not like you planned to get pregnant.”

“It might seem ridiculous to you,” Grace said with a catch in her voice, “but Cleon is full of hurt and bitterness right now, and he might think I’m capable of doing most anything.”

Martha moved to face Grace. “You can’t hide this from Cleon forever. Before long, you’ll be showing.”

“I know.”

“Besides, you’ve already told our folks. If you wait to tell Cleon and he finds out on his own, he might accuse you of keeping another secret from him. You don’t want that, do you?”

Grace shook her head as more tears pooled in her eyes. “I’ll tell him tonight after Anna’s in bed.”

Chapter 34

Roman was about to close up for the day when a customer entered his shop. At least he thought it was a customer until he looked up from his desk and saw Cleon standing inside the door.

“Cleon! It’s good to see you. How long have you been back?”

“Got home this morning.”

Roman’s forehead wrinkled. “This morning? You’ve been here that long?”

Cleon nodded. “Went over to see the damage that had been done to my beehives; then I stopped in to see my folks.”

“What damage was done to your hives?”

“Somebody set fire to ’em. Every last one is gone.”

“I’m real sorry to hear that. Do you have any idea who might have done it?”

Cleon shook his head. “Ivan figures it was probably some rowdy fellows out for a good time. Could even be the same ones who dumped over those outhouses near Kidron and were involved in the cow tipping.” He moved closer to Roman’s desk. “Since I have no bees, hives, or equipment, I’m out of a job.”

“But spring is here, and you’ll be farming with your daed again, right?”

Cleon’s fingers curled through the ends of his beard. “I’ve never enjoyed farming, and I’d rather do something else.” He took a step forward. “I know I’m not an expert carpenter, but I can handle a hammer and a saw fairly well. So I was wondering if you might be able to use an extra pair of hands here in your woodworking shop.”

“As a matter of fact, I could use some help. I had to fire Luke for being late to work so many times, and now he’s working for John Peterson.” Roman nodded at Cleon. “Judging from the work you did on your new house, I’d say I’d be getting more than an apprentice if I hired you.”

Cleon shook his head. “I can’t take credit for all the work done on my house. You and my brothers helped in the beginning, and from what Grace told me, you finished it up in my absence. I appreciate all your hard work.”

“I figured you and Grace would want to get settled into your own place before the boppli is born.”

Cleon’s eyebrows drew together. “Boppli? What boppli are you talking about?”

“Surely Grace must have told you.”

“Told me what?”

“About her being in a family way.”

Cleon’s face turned red as a cherry, and a vein on the side of his neck bulged. “I just came from talking to Grace, and she never said a word about any baby.”

Roman reached up to swipe the trickle of sweat rolling down his forehead. Apparently Grace hadn’t learned her lesson about keeping secrets. “I’m sorry you had to hear it from me. Should have been my daughter doing the telling.”

“You’re right about that.” Cleon grunted. “Of course, she seems to be real good at keeping secrets, so I shouldn’t be surprised that she’s kept this one from me, as well.”

“Maybe she was waiting for the right time.”

“The right time? And when would that be?” Cleon crossed his arms.

Roman shrugged. He wanted to defend his daughter, but the truth was, he hadn’t quite forgiven Grace for not telling them about her English husband and the little girl she’d allowed her in-laws to take. He couldn’t blame Cleon for being angry that Grace hadn’t told him about the baby she carried. That should have been the first thing out of her mouth when she’d seen him today.

Cleon’s lips parted as if he might have more to say, but the shop door opened. Luke stepped into the room.

“I hope you’re not here about getting your job back,” Roman said, irritation edging his voice. He motioned to Cleon. “You’ve been replaced.”

Luke’s face flushed as he shook his head. “Came to see if I left my sunglasses here. I think I had ’em with me that day you fired me, and—”

“Well, it’s about time. What took you so long?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.” Roman pointed to the shelf across the room where the fancy pair of sunglasses lay. “They’re right over there. My wife found ’em on the ground, not far from where her clothesline had been cut.” He squinted at Luke. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would ya, boy?”

The color in Luke’s cheeks deepened. “Are you accusing me of cutting your wife’s clothesline?”

Roman shrugged. “Not accusing, just asking, is all.”

Luke’s eyes narrowed into tiny slits. “Now why would I do something like that?”

“I don’t know. Why would somebody burn Cleon’s beehives, vandalize our house, or steal tools from my shop?”

Cleon’s face blanched. “Surely you don’t think one of our own had anything to do with those things?”

“I don’t know what I believe anymore, and those aren’t the only things that have been done to us, either.”

“What do you mean? What else has been done?”

Roman looked at his son-in-law, then over at Luke. “Maybe you should ask him.”

Luke’s eyes flashed angrily. “Ask me what—whether I know what attacks have been done, or if I had anything to do with them?”

“Both.”

“I only knew about the break-ins here at the shop and the house. Oh, and also the brick that was thrown through your kitchen window. I don’t know who’s responsible for any of those acts, but—”

Jack Osborn, the middle-aged sheriff in their county, entered the shop.

Roman pushed his chair away from the desk and stood. “Sorry, but that rocking chair you asked me to make for your wife isn’t ready yet, Jack.”

“I’m not here about the chair.” Jack glanced around the room as if he was looking for something. “Got a phone call from one of your English neighbors the other day. They said you folks had been having a few problems. I should have come by sooner, but two of my deputies have been out sick, so I’ve only had time to respond to urgent calls.”

Before Roman could formulate a response, Luke dashed across the room and grabbed his sunglasses off the shelf. “I’ve got an errand to run, so I’d better go.” He rushed out the door like a fox being chased by a pack of hounds.

Jack opened his jacket and pulled a notebook and pen from his shirt pocket. “Now why don’t you tell me what’s been going on here, Roman?”

“Jah, okay.” Roman returned to his seat, and Cleon grabbed one of the wooden stools near the workbench.

For several minutes, Roman related the details of the attacks, and Sheriff Osborn took notes. Roman ended his speech by saying, “My son-in-law here recently had his beehives burned, so I’m thinking that whoever’s been bothering us might have ruined the hives, as well.”

Jack leaned over and placed both hands on Roman’s desk. “You think someone’s singled out your family?”

Roman gave his left earlobe a couple of pulls. “Thought at first it might be a bunch of rowdy English fellows, but now I’m not so sure.”

Jack’s bushy eyebrows rose as he leveled Roman with a questioning look. “I know you Amish don’t prosecute, but you could have at least let me know what was going on here so I could have investigated and hopefully brought the criminal to justice.”

“God is the only judge we need. He knows who did those things, and if it’s His will for them to be brought to justice, then He’ll do it in His time, His way.”

Jack looked over at Cleon as though he hoped he might say something, but Cleon said nothing. Finally, Jack straightened and slipped the notebook and pen back into his pocket. “Have it your way, but I want you to know that I’ll be keeping an eye on things for a while.”