Unforeseeable (15 page)

“Yes, I suppose that's true,” he said slowly. “Well, I'll ask the blessing, and then you can judge my talent in the kitchen.”

We bowed our heads and Levi prayed, blessing our food and also thanking God for keeping us safe in the storm. He prayed for everyone else in Kingdom and that God would give him wisdom about dealing with our circumstances. I loved to listen to him pray. Levi's prayers sounded so personal. Not
like Papa's, which had been formal and distant. When I was young, I'd prayed just like him. Not long after Mama left Kingdom, Ruth Fisher befriended me. She prayed like Levi, and after hearing her, I began to get more intimate with God. At first it was a little scary. Something she said once popped into my head.
“God loves you like a perfect Father,”
she'd told me.
“Not like our earthly fathers, who may not know how to love little girls in the right way.”

I heard Levi say “Amen” and repeated it. But Ruth's words stuck in my head. It was true that my father was distracted when Mama left, but he was a good father, wasn't he? I sighed and shook my head. Lately, it felt as if I was continually defending Papa. Why?

“What are you sighing about?” Levi asked.

“Nothing. Eat your breakfast.” I stuck a piece of bacon in my mouth. “Oh my. It's so good. For some reason I've been ravenous ever since last night.”

“Me too, although I ate some fruit and bread after I got up. I was hungry and weak. I felt a lot better after I got a little food in my stomach.” He leaned back in his chair, and I saw him wince.

“Oh, Levi. Your back. I need to check the bandages. Do your injuries hurt? And what about your head?”

“My head feels fine today. The bump is almost gone. But for some reason my back stings more today than it did last night.”

“Your wounds are healing. There's some aspirin in the medicine cabinet. I'll get it for you.”

“Please finish your breakfast first. I went to all this trouble. The least you can do is to eat it while it's hot.”

He smiled when he said it, but I could tell he was
uncomfortable. I ate quickly, although it was so good, it would have been nice to savor it a little longer. When I got the last bite of eggs down, I went to the bathroom and located the aspirin. I hurried back and handed it to him before I realized he had nothing to take it with.

“You can't take aspirin with hot coffee,” I said. “I'll get you a glass of water.”

I patted him on the shoulder and headed toward the kitchen. When I opened the door, I was shocked by what I found. It was a mess. Levi had left all the dirty pans sitting around and grease was splattered on the floor. I almost slipped and fell. Lizzie had complained more than once about Noah not cleaning up after himself. Obviously, it ran in the family. Not wanting to offend Levi, I quickly rinsed some dishes and put them in the dishwasher. I'd have to come back later and clean up the rest of it. I guess Lizzie was right when she told me that men only see what they want to.

I pushed the door open and called out, “Here's some water,” but Levi wasn't sitting at the table. Looking around the room, I saw that the front door was open. I put the water on the table and went to the door. As I got closer, I could hear an engine running. Levi stood outside on the front porch. Parked in front of the restaurant was a large tractor with chains on its tires. It took me a moment to make out the figure sitting in the cab. It was Marvin Hostettler.

“It's Marvin,” Levi said when he saw me. He didn't sound too happy, and frankly, I wasn't either. Although I knew I should be thrilled that rescue had come, I'd been looking forward to spending a little more time alone with Levi. I quickly blinked away tears. The last thing I wanted was for Marvin to think we weren't grateful for his help.

Marvin pushed open the door of the cab and climbed out. He immediately sank into the snow, and Levi went out to help him to the front porch. Marvin's face was red with cold and exertion. His large frame may have helped to keep him warm, but by the time he got inside the restaurant, he was huffing and puffing. We led him to a chair, where he sat down to catch his breath. Finally, he sputtered, “I been lookin' all over for you, Levi. Your mama's been frantic all night.”

“I'm fine, Marvin. You didn't have to go to all this trouble to find me.”

Marvin took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You know your mama better than that, boy. She dotes on you and Noah. When you didn't come home, she started prayin'. When that woman prays, I know somethin's gonna happen, and it usually involves me. So I got in the tractor this morning and came lookin' for you. I went by the church first, but when I found out you weren't there, I figured this was the only other place you could be.” His eyes searched the room and then settled on me. “Where's Noah and Lizzie? I thought they'd be here too.”

“They went home last night before the storm moved in,” Levi said. “I'm sure they're fine.”

Marvin's eyes widened. “You mean to say you two been here all night by yourselves?”

I could feel my face grow hot, probably making me about as red as Marvin.

“Yes,” Levi said slowly. “We were here all night, thanking God for giving us a place of refuge.”

Marvin didn't say anything, but his expression grew somber. He looked over at the table where Levi and I had been sitting. “Sure would love some hot coffee. I'm freezin' inside.”

“Sure,” Levi said. He got up to get the coffee when Marvin stopped him.

“Levi, you're bleedin'. What happened to you?”

One of Levi's cuts had reopened and blood was staining his shirt. “Sit down,” I ordered. “I'll get a fresh bandage.”

Levi finished pouring Marvin's coffee from the carafe on the table, then obediently sat down while I fetched the first-aid kit. In the meantime, Levi filled Marvin in on the broken window and its aftermath.

“My goodness,” Marvin said when Levi finished. “You two was surely sheltered by God last night. I expect it had something to do with your mama prayin' like she was.”

“You're probably right,” I said as I came back into the room. “We're grateful to be safe and sound today.” I asked Levi to lean forward. When he did, I raised the back of his shirt and worked at removing the bloody bandage. I quickly took off the old gauze and taped a new piece in its place.

“Look, I know that some folks would frown on Callie and me being here together last night,” Levi said. “But I'm going to ask you not to spread it around. There was nothing inappropriate in our behavior. I would rather not give fuel to anyone who might like to turn this into something it's not.”

“Well, Son, I'd be glad to do as you suggest,” Marvin said, “but I'm afraid all of us are gonna have to account for our whereabouts last night.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked as I pulled Levi's shirt down.

Marvin shook his head. “No way for you to have heard, bein' cut off and all.”

“Heard what?” Levi said. I could hear the tension in his voice.

“A friend of Dottie's called from Washington last night before the phones went out. Someone reported findin' a body on the turnoff for Kingdom. Looks like the same killer.”

“Oh, my goodness,” I cried. “Not another one.”

“Yep, and this time we know her.”

I felt as if the blood was rushing from my head, right into my toes. I slumped down into a chair, feeling as if I might faint. “Who . . . who was it?”

“Mary Carson. Roger's wife. You knew her as Mary Yoder.”

It took me a few seconds
to comprehend what Marvin had told us. “Oh no,” I said finally. “Poor Mary. I can't believe it.” I wiped the tears that began to spill down my cheeks. “Are they sure? I mean, are they positive it's her?”

“Well, the sheriff said it's definitely Mary,” Marvin said gently. “I wish I could tell you somethin' different, but I can't.”

“Do you know any other details?”

Marvin wrinkled his forehead in thought. “Just what Dottie told me. A body was reported found somewhere near the turnoff toward town. It was pushed over to the side, buried in brush. No idea how many people went by without seein' it. Seems someone stopped to check their tire chains and found her.”

“So she was hidden, just like the first woman?” Levi asked.

“Was the other woman found under brush as well?” I asked. “Noah mentioned she was near some trees.”

“No,” Levi said. “She was lying in that small section of red cedar trees that line the road about halfway between the main road and town. We didn't tell anyone because the sheriff said they didn't want all the details reported.” He sighed. “Mercy Eberly thought her cat might be hiding there. He's done it before. That's how she found the dead woman.”

“I guess I pictured her as being more visible than that,” I said.

Marvin shook his head. “Too many people passed her by. If she was easy to see, it woulda been reported a lot earlier. Seems like the killer wants the women found, but not too fast.”

I shivered. Thinking about where a body might be hidden from view put a more vivid picture in my head than I was willing to allow.

“Lizzie is . . . was friends with Mary,” I said. “She'll be devastated.” I looked at Marvin. “Does she know?”

He shook his head. “Noah and Lizzie just put a phone in at their house, but it's been pretty unreliable. Sometimes it works and sometimes it don't. We tried callin' them last night, but we couldn't get through. Then ours went out too.” He cocked his head. “Yours workin'?”

“No. We lost it last night,” I said.

Marvin sighed. “This news is gonna hurt Lizzie a lot. I don't look forward to tellin' her about it.” He rubbed his gloved hands together. “Now, what are we gonna do with you two?”

“Do with us?” Levi asked. “What do you mean?”

Marvin looked uncomfortable. “This storm isn't over. It's gonna hit again real hard tonight. I can't leave you two here. Don't look . . . proper.”

Levi nodded. “I feel the same way, but I'm not sure what to do about it.”

“I think you should come back with me, son,” Marvin said. “Leave the young lady here. She's got plenty of supplies.” He gazed around the room. “Did you lose your electricity?”

I nodded. “But the generator's going.”

“Prediction is that this second system will move out in a few days. After it's done with what it's doin', our farmers will
start comin' into town with their tractors and snowplows. You'll be fine.”

“You can't guarantee that,” Levi said, frowning. “I can't leave her here alone with a killer on the loose.”

“It's all right, Levi,” I said. “I've got heat and food. And like Marvin says, it won't be long before the tractors start showing up. I won't be alone for long.” I didn't mean a word of what I'd just said, but I couldn't see any other choice. If Levi could leave, he had to do it. Truthfully, the idea of staying here by myself after finding out about Mary frightened me. Would I be safe?

“No,” he said firmly. “I have no intention of leaving you here without protection. Not with some crazed killer running around.”

“I doubt any killer can get through all this snow,” Marvin said with a smile. “Don't think he'd risk drivin' a big tractor down the middle of the main street of Kingdom just to get at Callie.” He put his hand on Levi's shoulder. “Look, son, if I thought the young lady was in any danger, there ain't no way I'd take off. But the truth is, she's safe. She'll be fine. We'll get to her before anyone else.”

Marvin's point about the snow made me feel better—and even more determined to protect Levi's reputation. “Maybe this is the time to break out that famous faith of yours, Levi,” I said. “Can't you believe God will protect me?”

I knew my comment was somewhat challenging, but Levi's faith was the one thing I knew he'd respond to. The only thing that might make him leave with Marvin. If he really believed God would watch over me, how could he be afraid to leave me at the restaurant?

“I do have faith, Callie,” he said, “but that doesn't mean
I should be reckless in regards to your safety. If I can't stay with you, we'll all have to leave together.”

“All three of us can't ride outta here in my old tractor,” Marvin said, rubbing his beard. “I can barely fit in.” He patted his large stomach. “There's no way we can get all of us in that cab.” He shook his head. “It ain't safe, son. I'm takin' a chance just with you.”

“Callie can sit on my lap,” Levi said firmly. I recognized the look on his face. When Levi made up his mind, that was it. It would take an angel sent straight from heaven for him to change his opinion.

Marvin studied him for a moment before saying, “I want to say yes, Levi, but I can't. I'm sorry.”

“Then I'm staying here. There's no other choice.” He nodded at his stepfather. “You better get going before that bad weather moves in. I'm sure Mama's worried about you.”

I was wondering just how much worse the weather could possibly get when I heard the sound of another engine outside. I got to the window just in time to see Noah's truck pulling up in front.

“It's Noah,” I exclaimed.

“Reinforcements,” Marvin said, relief evident in his voice. “That big truck of his can get through anything.”

We hurried outside to greet Noah. I stayed near the doorway, but I could see heavy chains wrapped around his tires. I knew some of the farmers, like Marvin, used chains in the winter, but I had no idea Noah had them too.

“Lizzie sent me to check on Callie,” Noah said, climbing out of his truck. “She's worried about her.” The snowdrift in front of the restaurant was so deep he immediately sank up to his knees. “What are you two doing here?”

“I just got here a little while ago,” Marvin called out. “Your mother was worried about your brother, since he didn't come home last night.”

Noah stopped in his tracks and gaped at Levi. “You didn't go home? Where were you?”

“I was here,” he said defensively. “With Callie. I drove her back from the church, thinking I'd go home after that. But the storm was too bad, and we had no choice but to hunker down here.”

Noah frowned, but he didn't say anything about our situation. “Well, I'm thankful you're both safe.” He pushed through the snow, grabbed hold of the railing, and pulled himself up. “If you don't mind, I'd like to come in and get a cup of coffee. It was a long ride over here.” He stopped and pointed at the boards protecting the front window. “Looks like you had some damage.”

“Wind blew out the window,” Levi said. “Made a big mess, let me tell you.”

I held the door open. “I'll get you some coffee, Noah. Come inside.”

All three men trudged back into the dining room. I pulled an extra rug up for them to wipe their feet on.

“Sit down,” I ordered. “I'll bring out more coffee.” With that, I turned around and went to the kitchen. Once I got there, I quickly put another pot of coffee on the stove just in case we were here for a while. Not wanting to put too much strain on the generator, I ignored the large metal coffee makers. I poured the rest of the hot coffee from the other pot into a new carafe, grabbed a couple of cups and headed for the dining room. As I entered, Marvin smiled widely
at me.

“We got the situation figgered out,” he said. “I'm takin' Levi with me. You'll go to Noah and Lizzie's. That way, everyone's safe, and you and Levi aren't left in a . . . compromising situation.”

“I think it's for the best,” Levi said. “At least I'll know you're safe.”

“And it might just save your reputations,” Marvin said.

Levi bristled. “I would hope our friends know us well enough to trust us.”

“They do, Brother,” Noah said. “But it's our job to think of the weaker members of our church family. Any appearance of evil—”

“Saving our lives wasn't evil,” Levi snapped.

Noah's eyes widened. “I didn't mean . . .”

Levi waved his hand toward his brother. “I know. I'm sorry. This is the right decision. I just get a little weary of worrying about what people will say.”

Marvin grunted and took a quick sip of coffee. “I guess I gotta point out that it's a pastor's job to consider what's best for his flock.”

Levi took a deep breath. “You're right. This has been quite an ordeal. And then to find out about Mary Carson . . .”

Noah stared at his brother. “Mary? What about her?”

“Your mother got a call last night from Julene Klassen,” Marvin said. “You know, the lady with the dog rescue group in Washington?”

Noah nodded, looking confused. I could tell Marvin was having a difficult time telling him the news about Mary. Noah and Roger Carson were close friends, and Mary had grown up in Kingdom.

“I'm sorry, Son,” Marvin said gently. “But they found Mary
dead, not long before the storm moved in last night. It looks like the same killer.”

Noah's face crumbled. “I . . . I can't believe it,” he said, his voice breaking. He looked at his brother with tears in his eyes. “First it was someone we didn't know, but this time it's too close to home.”

Marvin got up and put his hand on Noah's shoulder. “I'm sorry, boy. I really am. Bringin' you bad news isn't something I enjoy.”

“I know.” Noah cleared his throat and fought to regain his composure.

“At some point, the sheriff will be askin' everyone where they were when Mary was killed,” Marvin said. He looked back and forth between Levi and me. “You're both gonna have to tell the truth about where you've been.”

“Maybe we can tell him privately,” Levi said. “Since we didn't have anything to do with Mary's death, perhaps he'll allow us to give him our—” He stopped and frowned.

“Alibi,” Noah finished for him. “It's called an alibi.”

“Thank you, Brother. Our
alibi
behind closed doors.”

I didn't say anything, but for some reason, I felt sick to my stomach. The idea that I even needed an alibi was extremely disturbing.

“Why don't you pack a suitcase, Callie?” Noah said. “We should get going.”

“I agree,” Marvin said. He quickly told Noah about the second system moving in.

Noah shook his head. “I didn't know that. The batteries in our radio are dead.”

“Aren't there extra batteries here?” Marvin asked.

“A whole drawerful,” Noah said sheepishly. “Lizzie told
me more than once to take some home. When we couldn't listen to the radio last night, she wasn't too happy with me. I'll grab some now.” He got up and went to the kitchen.

I stood to my feet. “I'll go pack. And I've got to make sure the cats have plenty of food.”

“I'll help you with the cats,” Levi said.

I nodded and he followed me to the kitchen. When I opened the door, we found Noah putting batteries in a plastic bag.

Levi leaned against the sink and waited for his brother to leave. “I'm sorry about all this, Callie,” he said once Noah was gone. “I really don't think I could have left you here alone. I feel a lot better knowing you'll be safe with Noah and Lizzie.”

“I do too, but now I'm concerned about Lizzie and Charity. They're by themselves. The news about Mary makes me fear for their safety.”

“I hadn't considered that.” He sighed. “I think you're right. You and Noah need to get back as soon as possible.” He grabbed my hands in his. “I'm going to miss you. I loved having this time with you. I can hardly wait until we're married. You know, last night was the most relaxed I've been for quite a while—and that's even with broken glass sticking out of my back.”

Love for him washed through me. “I don't know what I'd do without you, Levi.”

He let go of my hands and wrapped his arms around me. “From now on, we're not going to let anything or anyone come between us.”

I buried my face in his chest. “I hope you're right. I really do love you.”

“I love you too, Callie. More than I can say.” He leaned down and kissed me. “We won't be apart much longer.”

I didn't respond, just nodded.

“You get packed,” he said, his voice husky with emotion. “I'll feed the cats, and then I've got to check on Stormy. Make sure he has everything he needs until I can get him home.”

“Okay. Be sure to leave all the animals plenty of food. We don't know how long we'll be gone.”

“I will.”

I hurried upstairs. It took me a while to pack because I couldn't decide what to take. When I was done, I put on my cloak and picked up my valise. Then I stood and looked around. Leaving the apartment made me sad, but the idea of spending a day or two with Lizzie would be good for me. I needed her calming influence and her sound judgment.

As I came down the stairs, Levi was just coming out of the kitchen. He shook his head as I joined him. “Those cats didn't wait a minute before they started devouring what I put down for them. It's a wonder they don't weigh more than I do.”

“What about Stormy?”

“He's fine. Matthew has lots of hay in the barn. I'll have to pay him back when this is all over. I hope he'll understand.”