Debby Giusti - Undercover Amish

Although she didn’t see Lucas, she continued along the path that led to a shaded area of trees and bushes. The thick undergrowth and tall poplars blocked her view of the surrounding pastures, the gazebo and the inn. The temperature dropped and even the overcast sunlight failed to reach into the dense, albeit well-landscaped, thicket. A gurgling stream ambled along the bottom of the steep incline. She walked to where a wooden walking bridge crossed to the other side. As peaceful as the hidden spot appeared, Hannah’s thoughts fluttered back to the woods last night.

Her heart thumped and her pulse kicked up a notch. She wiped the palms of her hands along the arms of her jacket, all too aware of her body’s reaction to the memories that played through her mind.

A twig snapped. She turned toward the sound. The world stood still as her mind tried to make sense of what she saw. A man. The same man from last night, wearing a hoodie covered with a blue flannel shirt.

She blinked, hoping to send the vision scurrying.

In that instant he started running straight toward her.

A scream filled the silence. Her scream as she raced over the bridge and up the hill. Rapid footsteps and his labored pull of air followed her.

Full from breakfast, she struggled to stay in the lead. The path wove through the wooded area and then into the open. She pushed on, seeing the pasture in the distance. Lucas stood, with his back to her, on the hillside.

“Help!” She flailed her arms and tried to get his attention as she kept running. Her lungs burned and she could barely draw enough air.

The guy was behind her. Too close.

His hand grabbed her shoulder. She jerked, trying to pull free, and stumbled forward. The path rose to meet her.

Air whizzed from her lungs as she crashed onto the asphalt.

“Where is she?” the man screamed. “Where’s Miriam?”

He grabbed her arms and dragged her toward the underbrush. She tried to lash out at him, but the world spun out of control.

Lucas. He would save her.

Then she realized he didn’t even know she was in danger.

* * *

Standing on the rise of the distant pasture, Lucas saw it play out in a flash. Hannah running along the path that led to the gazebo. A man following close behind.

Dropping his tools at the fence where he had been working, Lucas charged down the grassy knoll.

“Hannah,” he screamed.

The wind took her name and scattered it over the hillside. He pulled his radio from his belt and called for help. “Mayday! Gazebo path. Beyond the bridge. A guest attacked.”

He moaned, seeing the man dragging Hannah into the underbrush. Lucas increased his speed, wishing his legs would carry him faster. He cut across the clearing, screaming all the while.

Her attacker glanced up. For half a second, he stared at Lucas, who opened his arms and raced forward. The attacker released his hold on Hannah and disappeared into the woods.

Lucas hurried to where she lay and dropped to his knees beside her. Her forehead and cheek were scraped raw from the fall. Her breathing was shallow.

He wove his fingers into her hair, searching for blood. “Hannah, talk to me. It’s Lucas. Tell me you’re all right.”

Why didn’t she respond?

She moaned and relief flooded over him.

“What...what happened?” She blinked her eyes open.

“Do you remember anything?”

“The man from last night.” She grabbed Lucas’s arm. “Where is he?”

“Gone. You’re okay. He won’t hurt you.”

“But you said to meet you at the gazebo.”

“What?”

“Your note.”

Which he hadn’t written.

“I was trying to find you, Lucas, but...”

She closed her eyes.

Fear tugged anew at his heart.

Her eyes reopened. “If he comes after me again—”

Footsteps sounded. She raised her head.

Lucas turned as many of the Amish men and women who worked on the property ran toward them, responding to his call for help.

Turning back to Hannah, he took her hand. “There won’t be a next time. I promise you, Hannah.”

Lucas thought of Olivia and realized the fallacy of his words. What happened once could happen again. Just as before, a woman was in danger, and if the attacker returned, Lucas might not be able to save her in time.

FOUR

Hannah appreciated Lucas’s help, but she refused to be coddled and tried to stand as the workers flocked around her.

“Are you all right?” one of the men asked.

She nodded, but the ground shifted and her knees went weak. Lucas caught her.

“Easy does it,” he cautioned. His strong arms provided support as a wave of vertigo washed over her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, grateful for his help.

“You stood up too fast,” he said.

“Fannie’s coming.” A workman pointed to the golf cart cresting the rise of the hill. Calvin was driving, and the innkeeper sat next to him on the front seat. They raced along the path and braked to a stop near the small crowd that had gathered.

Fannie hurried toward Hannah and wrapped her in her arms. “You are hurt. What happened?”

Lucas quickly filled the innkeeper in as together they guided Hannah toward the golf cart. Lucas helped her onto the back seat and scooted in next to her.

Fannie returned to the front. “Please, drive us to the inn, Calvin.”

“I’m okay.” Hannah tried to reassure them as the golf cart sped along the paved path. Her back and shoulders ached, and a wave of vertigo hit whenever she moved her head.

Lucas stared at her as if he could see through her attempt at bravery. She steeled her spine and blinked her eyes to block out the diffused rays of light that made her head pound all the more.

“You need a doctor,” he announced. “As soon as Calvin fixes your radiator, we’ll take your car to the clinic in town.”

“It’s almost ready to drive,” Calvin assured him.

“The clinic is just off the square on West Main Street,” Fannie said, her eyes filled with concern. “Doc Johnson accepts walk-ins, and the inn will cover any medical expenses.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Hannah insisted. “I’m just tired and need to rest. I’ll feel better as soon as I get some sleep.”

“A concussion can cause fatigue,” Lucas cautioned. “We’ll let the doc check you over before any naps.”

He turned to Fannie. “While we’re in town, we’ll stop at the sheriff’s office and file a report about the incident.”

“I am grateful for your help,” Fannie said. “Will you also find out how Sheriff Kurtz is doing with his recuperation? He has been in rehabilitation for some weeks. I sent him a note that he should have received by now.”

“Would he have information about the carjacking?” Hannah asked.

Fannie’s brow furrowed. “I have not heard of this.”

“A woman was shot and two women were taken captive more than six weeks ago,” Lucas quickly explained, although he didn’t mention Hannah’s relationship to those involved.

Fannie patted her chest and tsked. “How can so much bad happen around us? This area used to be peaceful, which is how I describe the inn in the brochures. Now I am fearful for my guests’ safety.”

“I feel so bad,” Hannah said. “I’m sorry to upset your tranquility here at the inn.”

“I am more worried about you,” Fannie assured her. “We must make certain this man does not hurt you again.”

* * *

Hannah had left Knoxville and her sisters and mother in the hope of making her own way in life and finding a place to call home, which she was beginning to realize might never be in her future. She bit her lip and blinked back tears at the realization of what her future would most likely be.

Lucas must have sensed her upset. He circled her shoulders with his arm and pulled her closer, cradling her to him. “It’s okay. The man’s gone. I won’t let him hurt you.”