fields and pastures. Glancing at the sky, Joachim wondered if Belle would get them to shelter in time.
If his father was tilling the soil in the distant acreage, Joachim might be able to signal his sister, Rebecca, especially if she was working in the garden. She had written him faithfully while he was away, telling him about the family. In spite of the breezy news she shared, Joachim had read between the lines, all too aware of the emotional anguish Eli’s death had caused his family.
More than anything, Joachim longed to see Mamm again, yet his mother would abide by the rules his father established. Having to watch her turn her back on him would be almost too hard to bear.
And the woman hiding in the back of his buggy? If his father forbid Joachim entry into the house, he would hole up in the barn and give the woman as long as she needed to decide where she wanted to go. Until that time, Joachim would stand guard, ensuring Victor did not find her.
But would she want Joachim’s help?
He shook his head. An Englisch woman was not in his future, yet whether he liked it or not, she was very much in his present. More than anything, Joachim wanted to keep her safe from Victor and from anyone else who might cause her harm.
In her dream, Sarah watched Victor raise his hand to strike her. She screamed, then flailed her arms and tried to free herself from the shroud that covered her.
“You are safe.” Hands reached for her, removed the heavy covering and pulled her into an embrace.
Not Victor, but the Amish man.
“Shh,” he soothed, cradling her like a child.
It was the first comfort she had felt in far too long. She buried her head against his neck, wanting to remain forever enveloped in his warm and protective hold.
Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks, wetting his cotton shirt. Hearing the rain, she was more than grateful to be under cover and out of the storm, and even more grateful for the human contact.
The rapid thump of his heart proved the Amish man wasn’t a figment of her imagination. She nestled closer, not wanting to open her eyes or leave the security of his embrace for which she had hungered too long.
Thunder crashed overhead.
“Joachim?” A woman’s voice said the name, her tone filled with surprise.
Another clap of thunder.
Her Amish protector tensed and pulled back ever so slightly.
Sarah clung to him for a moment before her eyes fluttered open.
His head was turned. She followed his gaze to the woman dressed in a calf-length blue dress, white apron and bonnet, who stood just inside the open barn door.
Outside, rain pummeled the earth. The day had turned dark as night. Or was it night already? She wasn’t sure how much time had passed. The woman’s questioning frown seemed equally dark. Perhaps she was the man’s wife. The thought cut through Sarah’s heart. She had been such a fool.
Embarrassed by her neediness and the way she had reached out to the man, she untangled her arms from where they had wrapped around him.
He glanced down at her, a glint of confusion flashing from his dark eyes.
Was he upset that his wife had found him giving comfort to a woman who wanted nothing more than to return to his embrace?
“I—I’m sorry,” she stammered, trying to make sense of what had happened. “I was asleep. I didn’t realize...”
“Who are you?” the Amish woman demanded, glancing first at Sarah and then turning her frosty gaze to the man. “Joachim, is there something you did not tell me in your letters?”
“She needs help, Rebecca.”
“Yah, and it looks like you need help as well from the way you clutched the Englischer to your heart.”
“Father is in the house?” he asked, seemingly sidetracking the issue at hand.
Rebecca shook her head. “He and Mamm are visiting Aunt Mildred and Uncle Frank in Kentucky. They will be gone for a few more days. Had you written that you were coming home, they might not have left.”
Sarah was trying to follow the conversation and understand the undercurrent of what was really being said. The man had mentioned his father. No, his tone implied that it was their father. Was the woman not his wife?
“Excuse me,” Sarah said, pulling away from him and peering at both of them. “You’re not married?”
The woman huffed. “Why do you think this?”
Evidently, Sarah had jumped to the wrong conclusion. She held up her hand. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to offend either of you.”
She turned to Joachim. “Thank you for bringing me here. If I could stay in the barn until the storm passes, I would appreciate it.”
His brow furrowed. “You plan to leave?” He shook his head. “This cannot be.”
He climbed from the buggy and motioned to the Amish woman. “We must take our guest into the house.”
Glancing back, his gaze burrowed into hers. “Your name is Sarah?”
She nodded. “Sarah Miller.”
“I’m Joachim Burkholder.” He pointed to the other woman. “My sister, Rebecca.”
The weight on Sarah’s shoulders lifted ever so slightly. Sister. Not wife. Tears again stung her eyes.
“She needs food and lodging, Rebecca.”
The Amish woman stepped closer. Her earlier scowl softened but she seemed hesitant to offer Sarah a hearty welcome.
“We must hurry,” Joachim said. “Before Victor returns.”
Rebecca grasped her brother’s arm. “Victor Thomin?”
“Yah. He is staying at his mother’s house.”
“Ach,” his sister groaned, with a shake of her head. “Naomi said he is not a good man.”
“You know Naomi?” Sarah asked. “Victor’s mother kept asking for her.”
Rebecca nodded. “Naomi lived nearby. She cared for Ms. Hazel while Victor was away.”
Joachim pointed to the open barn door. “The rain eases. We must go inside.”
He reached for Sarah and helped her from the buggy. Taking her hand, he hurried her out of the barn.
Dark clouds rolled overhead. Another storm was approaching, but Sarah breathed in the cleansing air, feeling a sense of relief. She had escaped Victor. She had a place to stay. At least for now, she was free.
