Debby Giusti - Amish Refuge

For so many years she had longed for strong shoulders to support her. Never had she suspected comfort would come from an Amish man whose upbringing and background were so totally different from hers.

She buried her head against his chest and cried heart-wrenching sobs for all that had happened. For the trip to Georgia that had ended in tragedy. For Sarah, who had been taken and might never be found again. And for the horrific murder of the mother Miriam had loved so much, who had never loved her in return.

* * *

“I will not let this man hurt you again,” Abram whispered as he gathered Miriam deeper into his embrace.

As much as he wanted her to remain there, she eventually pulled back. Her face was blotched with tears, but even then he saw her determination to muster on.

She sniffed and wiped her hands over her cheeks. “There’s more to tell, Abram.”

He relaxed his hold on her, knowing she needed space.

She dabbed at her eyes and bit her lip. Then, playing her fingers over the smooth finish of the table, she drew in series of jagged breaths and straightened her spine as if gathering courage and finding the wherewithal to continue.

“Serpent—” Her voice was raspy and little more than a whisper when she finally spoke. “Serpent took my sister and me to a cabin. I heard water. We could have been near the river. He tied each of us up in different rooms. I was worried about Sarah, but no matter how hard I struggled, I couldn’t get free.”

She swallowed hard. “I... I pretended to be asleep when he checked on me. When light filtered through the window the next morning, he forced me to swallow a pill. I spit it out, but he struck me and said he would kill Sarah if I didn’t take the drug. I pretended to do so and then coughed it up when he left the room. The next time, I wasn’t as lucky. He clamped my jaw closed until the pill dissolved in my mouth.”

Abram could only imagine the terror both Miriam and her sister had experienced. A rage against the two men grew within him.

“Days passed in a blur,” she said, her voice growing stronger. “I heard snippets of conversations. Some on the phone... One night a guy with a deep voice stopped by. I overheard just a portion of what they said. They kept mentioning trafficking and women. The night I escaped, another man came to the cabin. I saw him through the window. He was tall and skinny with red hair. He hauled Sarah away and Serpent said he was going to dispose of her.”

Abram took her hand and was relieved when she squeezed his fingers.

“When Serpent came to give me more drugs, I didn’t respond. He probably thought I was still sedated. Later, after what seemed like hours, I broke free from the rope that had held me. He had become complacent and had forgotten to attach the cord to the bedposts. I slipped outside and found the key to my car on the floorboards. He must have heard the engine start because he ran from the cabin before I pulled onto the main road.”

“But you escaped, Miriam.”

She nodded. “I was crazy with fear and so tired. I hid in the woods, but he found me and chased me. One of my tires had a blowout and my car almost ended up in the river. Somehow I got out and started running. Then I saw the light in your window.”

“Gott led you here.”

“I... I was worried when I saw you talking to the sheriff. Serpent said he would pin my mother’s death on me. He said all the cops in this area were working together with him. He said they would believe his story.”

“What he claimed has proven true, Miriam. Curtis Idler, the Willkommen deputy, said the police are searching for you. They suspect you killed your mother. Yet I do not understand how they could believe such an evil man with the serpent on his neck. He cannot be an officer of the law.”

“But his car had a flashing light and a sign that read Petersville Police Department.”

“The chief of police in Petersville is not to be trusted, so perhaps this Serpent, as you call him, is working with law enforcement, after all. I know my uncle will help you.”

“Then I must tell him what happened.”

Abram shook his head. “Samuel is traveling to Atlanta and will be gone for three days.”

“I can’t wait that long.” Miriam’s voice was insistent. “Serpent needs to be stopped now, before he hurts anyone else.”

Emma hurried into the kitchen and stared at both of them. “Forgive me. I thought you had finished talking.”

“You are right, my sister. We have finished our conversation.” Abram released hold of Miriam’s hand and stood. “Tomorrow we will go to Willkommen.”

“But—”

“Tomorrow, Miriam. Until then, you will stay with Emma and me.”

FIVE

Miriam shook her head with frustration as she thought about what terrible things could have befallen her sister. She needed to find Sarah as quickly as possible.

“You are upset with my brother,” Emma said, drawing close. She placed a comforting hand on Miriam’s shoulder. “He is worried about your well-being.”

“Did you hear that the Petersville police suspect me of killing my own mother?”

Emma nodded and pointed to the small holes drilled through the ceiling. “The heat from the stove rises to warm the bedrooms. Abram’s voice travels, as well. I tried not to listen, but I could not help but overhear what he said to you.”

Miriam gazed into Emma’s blue eyes, not nearly as crystal clear as her brother’s but bright and filled with understanding. “How could they think I would do that? There is no evidence.”

“Except this man who held you captive. You do not know the lies he has told.”

Pulling in a ragged breath, Miriam fought the tears that welled up. She wiped her hand over her face and struggled to control her upset. “I’m usually not this fragile.”

Emma raised her chin and smiled. “I see strength when I look at you, Miriam. Not weakness. That is why you and Abram butt together. He is not used to a woman who speaks her mind.”

“Am I that demanding?” she asked.

“Demanding is not the word I would use. You see things one way. Abram sees them another way. Soon, you will learn to work together.”

“We could work together if he would take me to Willkommen.”

“But what good would it do if the Petersville police arrest you?”

Emma patted Miriam’s shoulder.

“Those who want to do you harm and those who suspect you of a crime would not think to find you here,” the Amish woman continued. “You must remain hidden from view. Abram is a man of his word. Tomorrow, he will take you to Willkommen.”

The clip-clop of a horse’s hooves sent both women to peer out the window. Emma grabbed Miriam’s hand when Abram appeared, guiding the horse and buggy to the back porch. “It seems my brother has changed his mind.”

Miriam squeezed Emma’s hand and then opened the door before Abram climbed the stairs to the back porch.

“We’re going to town?” she asked, her heart overflowing with gratitude.

“Yah. Nellie is hitched and waiting. We will talk to Samuel’s deputy, Curtis Idler. If my uncle left him in charge, then we can trust him.”

“You both must be careful,” Emma cautioned. “What if this Serpent is prowling about?”

“Hopefully he won’t look for a woman in Amish clothing,” Miriam said.

“Wear my bonnet.” Emma pulled the wide-brimmed hat from the wall peg. The shape reminded Miriam of what pioneer women wore to the keep the sun off their faces.

“We must hurry.” Abram removed the black cape from a second peg and wrapped the heavy wool around Miriam’s shoulders. Emma helped tie the bonnet under her chin.

“There is a blanket in the buggy if you are cold.” He opened the door wider. “We will leave now.”