Where Shadows Meet(59)

“I had no idea there was so much diversity among the Amish. You should mention that in the book.”

“Each district can be different too,” Hannah said. “But most people don’t realize there are such distinctions.” The noises intensified in the kitchen, and she knew they were finished with supper. She put her spoon down. “I think I’m done too.”

“We should help with dishes.”

“They won’t let me. But I can sit at the table while you help.” Hannah rose and went to the kitchen with her utensils. Ajax followed at her feet.

Sarah glanced up quickly, then ducked her head so all Hannah could see was the top of her kapp. The tiny pleats in the prayer bonnet had required hours of ironing. Hannah put her dishes onto the stack by the sink, then retreated to sit at the table. She folded her hands in her lap.

“Can I help you with the dishes?” Angie asked.

“No, thank you. The children will help.”

Angie raised her brows and glanced back at Hannah, then joined her at the table. Sarah moved a small step stool close to the sink, and Sharon crawled up to wait for her mother. Sarah took the kettle from the woodstove and poured hot water into the sink. Naomi took a dish towel from the drawer and stood on tiptoes to grab the wet dishes as they were ready to be dried.

“Amazing,” Angie muttered, her gaze on the children. “Most kids do everything they can to get out of chores.”

The girls’ willingness seemed so normal, so right, to Hannah. “We are taught from a young age that work is blessed. Idle hands are the devil’s workshop. We enjoy spending time with one another too. The girls want to be like their mamm, and the boys like their datt. They’re eager to begin to learn the chores and to help out. My mother began to teach me to quilt when I was three.”

“Do your children ever fight?” Angie asked Sarah.

Sarah smiled and shook her head. “It is not allowed.”

“Where’s Luca?” Hannah asked.

Sarah’s smile faded. “Feeding the horses and chickens.”

So far, Hannah had detected no trace of the camaraderie she and Sarah had shared as teenagers. Hannah mourned its loss. “When did you and Luca marry?” She kept her tone light and friendly.

“About a year after you left. Nine years ago.”

“Your oldest is only six?” It was unusual for so much time to pass before a child arrived.

“I had a few . . . accidents.” Sarah seemed to force the words out.

“I’m sorry.”

“The Lord’s will be done.”

“Of course. And your family is beautiful.”

Sarah’s eyes finally softened. “Thank you.”

“How are your parents, your brothers and sisters?”

“They are well. Mamm is dealing with a bit of arthritis, but she has good spirits about it.” The smile that flickered across her lips disappeared. “You might spoil everything, Hannah. Don’t you care?”

The words pierced Hannah to the bone. “I’ve always cared,” she said softly. “I can’t tell you how many times I picked up the phone to call Luca at work. I didn’t want to make things worse for him.”

“Yet you’re here now, aren’t you?”

Heat crept up Hannah’s neck. It hurt to be so unwanted. It used to be different. She fought to keep her voice from trembling. “I need to find the child.”

Sarah turned from the sink and came to where Hannah sat. “Do you really think the child is yours? And what if she is, Hannah? Would you rip her from a family who loves her?”

“I don’t know.” In spite of her resolve, her voice shook. “You know how important family is to me.”

“Not anymore. You turned your back on your family. For lust.”

“That’s harsh,” Angie put in. “You don’t know what Hannah’s been through.”

“God chastises his children.”

“At least you admit I’m his child,” Hannah said in a low voice.

“I admit nothing.”

“What are you so afraid of?” Angie asked.

“I’m not afraid.” Sarah pressed her lips together.

But Angie was right. Hannah recognized the fear now in the way Sarah’s hands trembled. “Are you hiding something, Sarah?”

“Of course not!” The strings on Sarah’s cap fluttered as she shook her head.

“Do you know where the little girl is being kept?”

Sarah grabbed up a basket from the counter. “I’m going to gather eggs.”

The door shut behind her, and Hannah stared after her through the window. She hadn’t answered the question. Hannah followed her.

The night air cooled her hot cheeks. She found Luca and Sarah huddled together near the barn. They stopped speaking when she approached. Was the fear she saw in Sarah’s eyes fear of the future? “Look, let’s clear the air. I’m not going to throw you out. I don’t even want anything from the property.”

Luca crossed his arms over his chest. “Half of it rightly belongs to you. I have been setting aside half of the profits every year you’ve been gone.”

“I don’t want it.” Blood money, that’s all it was.

“No. You will take it. It’s not as much as the greenhouse is worth, but it will be a steady income if you will allow me to continue to manage the business.”