Eli suspected they enjoyed the “big fish in a small pond” cachet it afforded.
Despite Beth and Richard Christopher’s angry display in the lobby, Eli’s heart ached for them. All the money in the world couldn’t buy them happiness if their family was ripped apart. He hoped Tiffany pulled through.
Once inside his vehicle, Eli shifted in his seat. The yellow light from the parking lot lamppost cast Anna’s face in deep shadows. “Are you okay?”
Anna’s pink lips pulled down at the corners. “Did you know about the poor girl who was on the plane with my brother?” An accusatory tone laced her question.
“Yes.” Tense silence hung heavy in the air.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to burden you.”
“You couldn’t hide it from me forever.” A dark line creased her forehead. “I know you don’t know me, but I’m not a fragile woman. Don’t hide anything from me. Not when it concerns my brother.”
Eli glanced toward the main entrance of the hospital but didn’t say anything. Tom opened the back door of the limo and the Christophers disappeared inside.
“How did those people know I was Daniel’s sister?”
“Probably because you’re with me.”
Covering her face, she sighed her frustration. “Don’t they realize this is the last place I want to be? There’s so much I need to do before I can go home.”
Eli reached across and touched her delicate hand, drawing it away from her face. He was secretly pleased when she didn’t pull away. “I can help you.”
“Why would you help me?”
Because your brother is the last solid link to Mary’s abduction. He turned away, afraid he’d chase her off if he told her the truth. He stared at the SUV logo emblazoned on the center of the steering wheel until it blurred. “I’ll be in town for a few weeks. I’m here if you need me.” He met her gaze.
Anna nodded, skepticism evident in the delicate lines around her eyes. Tipping her head back against the headrest, she yanked the rubber band from her hair, allowing her chestnut hair to fall in loose curls over her shoulders. For the briefest of moments, he wondered if her hair felt as silky as it looked. “Can you take me back to my car?”
“Sure.” Tugging at his tie with one hand, he turned the key in the ignition with the other. They drove through the center of Apple Creek. Most of the businesses were closed for the night. When they reached the country road, his headlights cut through the blackness. Silence stretched between them as Eli struggled with how much he should tell Anna about his suspicions regarding her brother. Daniel was dead, so nothing could hurt him now. But what about Anna? She seemed fiercely loyal to him. He wrapped his fingers tightly around the steering wheel. She had suffered enough for today. From what he knew of her childhood through his investigation into her brother, she had suffered enough for a lifetime.
He’d tell her the truth tomorrow.
When they finally reached the crash site, Eli turned into the driveway rutted with wagon wheels and horse hooves. Anna’s car was parked on the lawn where he had left it. Sighing heavily, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Where is the nearest hotel?”
They glanced at each other and a slow smile spread up her pretty face, no doubt anticipating his answer. “Um, all the way back in town.” Eli laughed.
“Exactly what I thought.” She lifted her hair from her forehead and held it there. Her shoulders slumped. “I just want to grab something to eat and go to sleep.”
“What about staying at your brother’s apartment?”
Anna shook her head. “I’m not ready to go there. Not yet.” She lowered her voice. “That would mean facing all his...stuff.”
Eli’s eyes drifted to the outline of the farmhouse. “I need to stop in here. Then we can figure out where to grab a bite and a place for you to sleep, okay?”
Anna jerked her head back. “Isn’t it too late to drop in unannounced?”
“Come on.” He got out and met Anna around the front of the vehicle.
A cool breeze blew her hair softly around her shoulders. Only a hint of the scent of burning wreckage clung to the night air. She hooked a strand of her hair with her pinkie and slid it away from her face. The bright moon lit on her hesitant features. “It seems really late. Maybe we shouldn’t bother them.”
“Watch your step.” He held out his hand and Anna put her slim hand in his. “Come on. It’s fine.” Her cheek brushed against his shoulder as they navigated their way across the uneven lawn. A clean scent of coconut from her hair drifted to his nose.
Slowing his pace, he reached down and boldly tipped her chin toward the sky. “I bet you don’t see those in the city.”
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars.” He stole a glance at the wonder in her eyes and bemoaned the circumstances surrounding their meeting. Another time, another place, perhaps. “There seems to be a certain peace out here. No traffic noise. No nothing.”
Eli wrapped his hand around the smooth railing leading up the steps. “It is a peaceful existence. A lot of work. No modern conveniences. But the Amish don’t clutter their lives with a lot of distractions. The Amish have a saying, ‘To be in this world, but not of this world.’”
“Are you sure this can’t wait until morning?” Anna whispered. “Don’t they go to bed early?”
“It’s only eight-thirty.”
“I know, it’s just...” She let her words trail off.
“You’re uncomfortable.”
Anna scrunched up her nose. “I’ve never met anyone who’s Amish.” She glanced down at her clothes. “I mean, am I dressed appropriately?” She lowered her voice to barely a whisper, and she tugged at the cardigan covering her sleeveless top. “And I was really hoping to freshen up soon. Do they have indoor plumbing?”
Eli laughed. If only she knew. “Yes, they have indoor plumbing.” He gestured toward the window where a soft glow emanated. “And lights. You won’t have to fumble around in the dark. They’re just not hooked up to the grid.”
“The grid?”
“They don’t use electricity. But there are plenty of other independent sources of power.”
Anna seemed to consider this for a moment. “It’s incredible, really, that people still live this way.”
Eli leaned on the railing. “We won’t be long. I just want to make sure they’re okay.”
Her tired gaze drifted to the street. The moonlight glinted off her vehicle’s windshield. “Okay.”
He rapped on the door before she could change her mind. Who was he kidding? He had to do it before he changed his mind. Sweat slicked his palms. The door opened slowly. Beautiful brown eyes met his.
