Abiding Mercy Read online

  “You might consider canceling the interview with DiAnna,” Chrisla said. “I know how much you wanted to take her shopping and show her New York when it’s decorated for Christmas, but it might be too much.”

  Brandon rested his hand on Roslyn’s shoulder. “Things will work out, you’ll see.”

  When the doorbell rang, Roslyn sprang from the chair. Opening the door and seeing Adriana wearing her Amish clothes, hanging her head like a beaten dog, Roslyn’s heart went out to her daughter.

  “I’m sorry for worrying you,” Adriana said.

  Roslyn drew her into a hug. “You’re not familiar with the city. I thought you were lost.”

  Adriana stepped back. “I went home to warn mei—” She clamped her mouth in obvious distress.

  “Why don’t we sit down and talk,” Brandon suggested.

  They joined Chrisla and Leon in the formal living room, Adriana taking the chair next to Leon.

  Roslyn started the conversation again. “You went home to see your family.”

  “Yes,” Adriana said. “I overheard you talking on the phone. You said the police should press charges. But they didn’t have anything to do with my kidnapping. I asked them what happened. Mei mamm told me about the young girl.”

  “The nanny,” Roslyn said. “Brittany Cox.”

  “They didn’t know her—had never seen her before that day. When she dropped me off, she said mei name was Doll.”

  Roslyn batted tears off her lashes.

  “They saved mei life,” Adriana said. “They took me in, raised me up. If they hadn’t done that for me—a stranger—I would have gone over the bridge with the kidnappers.”

  “But they should have taken you to the police,” Roslyn said.

  “And what would have become of me? Would you have known to look for me under that name—Doll? Would I have been shuffled around the foster system, unclaimed?” Her gaze darted from Roslyn to Brandon, then settled on Roslyn. “You gave birth to me—gave me life, but the Pinkhams raised me to know and love God, my Father, who gives everlasting life. I know you believe they should be punished, but I’m grateful for mei upbringing. I shudder to think how different mei life would have been growing up not having a relationship with God.” She lowered her head. “It took me a little while, but I’ve forgiven them for withholding the truth. I ask that you forgive them too.”

  Roslyn was silent.

  “You turned out to be a fine young lady,” Brandon said. “I think your Amish parents raised a well-adjusted child. We’re proud of you.”

  “Thank you,” Adriana said.

  Roslyn stood. “Let’s go out to eat. I’m starved. You must be hungry, too, Adriana, after all the traveling you’ve done today.”

  The doorbell rang. Odd that the gatehouse hadn’t called about a visitor. Perhaps Adriana forgot something in the police car. Roslyn stood, but Brandon made it to the door first.

  “Is Faith here?”

  Faith dashed to the door upon hearing her name. Her eyes widened at the sight of her sister, dressed in a thick sweater, tight-fitting jeans, and pointed-toe boots. “Olivia, it’s so gut to see you.” Faith hugged her sister. She had so many questions, but first she needed to introduce her to Roslyn and Brandon. “Kumm with me. I want you to meet . . . mei family.” She choked out the words. Ever since she’d prayed on the trip from Posen to Bloomfield Hills for God to give her strength, her heart had been heavy with conviction. Roslyn and Brandon were her family now. She needed to obey the teachings in the Bible and honor her father and mother.

  Noticing Olivia hesitating, Faith reached for her hand and gave it a tug. “It’s okay, kumm.” She led the way to the living room. “Everyone, this is mei sister, Olivia. Olivia, this is my mother, Roslyn. My father, Brandon.” She pointed to Chrisla, who was busy eyeing Roslyn from across the room. “My aunt Chrisla, and lastly, Uncle Leon.” Faith turned to Roslyn, who within seconds of the introduction had turned ashen. “Is Georgette in the kitchen? I’d like Olivia to meet her too.”

  “She’s out for the evening,” Roslyn said hoarsely.

  Brandon stood. “I’ll get you a glass of water, honey.” He smiled at Olivia and said, “It’s nice to meet you,” then left the room.

  Olivia scanned the towering ceiling, then shifted her gaze to the large windows overlooking the lake.

  Faith leaned closer and whispered, “It’s overwhelming, isn’t it?”

  “Very much so,” Olivia said, her gaze still roaming.

  “So how did you find me?”

  Olivia shrugged. “It wasn’t all that hard.” She glanced over her shoulder, then lowered her voice. “Can we go somewhere to talk?”

  Faith faced Roslyn and the others. “Would it be okay if I show Olivia my room?”

  “Try not to be too long. Your mother wants to go eat,” Brandon said. “But, Olivia, you’re welcome to join us.”

  “Thank you,” Olivia said.

  Faith led her up the stairs, and when they reached her bedroom, she watched as her sister’s mouth dropped open. Faith showed her the bathroom, the separate shower and tub, the big walk-in closet, then finally dropped onto the bed. “You can spend the nacht if you want. Listening to you snore would be like old times.” She propped up one elbow. “What is it?” Her sister looked like the time she’d swallowed a horsefly. “Are you going to be sick?”

  Olivia shook her head. “Do you like it here?”

  “The room is—well, it’s bigger than ours.”

  “No, here. Living with the Colepeppers?”

  “They’re nice people.” Faith exhaled noisily and fell against the mattress. “I want to go home,” she admitted. “I want my life back to normal.”

  Olivia’s face pinched. “It’s all my fault.”

  “What are you saying, Olivia?”

  “Why you’re here. It was me—I called the hotline number. The Colepeppers wanted proof, so I gave them your brush the day they came to the restaurant. They were going to use a sample of hair to test your DNA. I’m sorry.”

  Faith needed a moment to absorb the news, to settle her stomach, which was threatening to pitch what little food was in it.

  “Remember the newspaper article? How Gideon teased that the person looked like you?”

  Faith nodded.

  “I not only agreed with Gideon, but I recognized the boppli in the picture. I remembered the day you arrived. The dates matched. The boppli was kidnapped on the same day the woman left you with us: mei birthday. Mamm and I were making a cake when she came to the door.”

  “So you knew all along we weren’t schweschalers?”

  “I didn’t remember everything. Not until I saw the newspaper, then it all came back to me. I’m sorry, Faith. I didn’t mean to—that isn’t true—I was angry that you told Mamm and Daed about the money. I had been saving mei tips so I could go to school to become a nurse, maybe a doktah.”

  “I told you the truth. I wasn’t the one who told them.” Faith sighed. “Gideon told the bishop, who told Mamm and Daed.” She felt tears welling. All along she thought the reporter had recognized her and turned her in. It hadn’t occurred to her it might have been her sister.

  “Gideon?”

  Faith nodded. “He’d heard a rumor. I have no idea who started it.”

  “Probably his sister, Claudia. She came into the restaurant to buy a pie when I was in the middle of counting the till. I put the uncounted money in mei pocket long enough to get her order.” Olivia closed her eyes as if finally taking in the truth. “I’m sorry I blamed you.” Tears spilled down her cheeks, tracking her makeup. “I hope you’ll forgive me, Faith. I tried to give the reward money back to Mrs. Colepepper, but she refused to take it. I feel like Judas when he betrayed Jesus.”

  Faith placed her hand on her sister’s arm. “I forgive you, Livie. I’ll always think of you as mei big schweschaler.”

  Olivia cried harder. “I destroyed your life.”

  “Nay, you didn’t. It’s nett like the Colepeppers are bad peopl
e. They treat me very well.”

  “But you don’t want to be Englisch, do you?”

  “Nay, but one of the police officers said something interesting. When I turn eighteen I’ll be free to live anywhere I want. So I’ll wait out mei time. Sixteen months isn’t long.” Unless Gideon doesn’t wait.

  “You don’t hate me?”

  “Nett even a little.” She hugged her sister, and for the first time in years, she felt her sister hug her back. “But I do want to know what your plans are.”

  “I never wanted to work at The Amish Table forever. I even paid someone I met at the library for tutoring so I could earn mei GED. I want to go to schul to become a nurse or maybe a doktah.”

  Faith recalled how interested Olivia was in the instruments at the hospital. “If you want to work in medicine, then you should talk with Sadie about becoming a boppli catcher. The district is growing. She could use an assistant.”

  Olivia shook her head. “Without joining the church no one would have me. Nett Sadie, nett any of the expecting mothers.”

  “Sounds like you’ve made up your mind.”

  Olivia nodded.

  “God has placed a calling on your heart. I believe if you’re willing and trust God, He will direct your steps. But please, promise me you’ll never forget about God or your upbringing.”

  Chapter 42

  Posen, Michigan

  Present day

  Two days before Christmas, Irma pushed through the double doors separating the kitchen from the dining room at The Amish Table. It had been a long day, and her feet were feeling it. She lumbered to the window, and as she flipped the Closed sign, she spotted a new customer in her peripheral vision. The elderly man must have slipped in without the bell over the door jingling to alert her. “I’m sorry,” she said, going to the menu holder behind the workstation and removing a menu. “I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “You’re closed,” he said, pushing up from the chair. “I should go.”

  “Nay, please stay.” She hadn’t turned a single customer away in the twenty years she’d been open, and on the last official day The Amish Table was open, she couldn’t send someone out into the snowy night without serving him first.

  The man removed his hat, exposing a mat of red hair, and placed it on the chair next to him where he’d draped his raggedy wool coat and placed his umbrella. Waiting for him to remove his worn gloves, she couldn’t help but wonder how he kept his hands warm. The tips of his fingers poked through the holes. Once he was situated, she extended the menu. But the man lifted his hand. “I already know what I’d like.”

  “Okay.” She readied the pen and pad. “What can I get you?”

  “I’d like a cup of hot water and a piece of your homemade bread.”

  “That’s all?” She couldn’t help but wonder if the man’s order had something to do with lack of money to pay for an actual meal. He certainly looked cold. The tip of his nose and his cheeks looked raw from being outside too long.

  “Bread and water is all I need. All any of us need.”

  “Very well.” Irma hurried into the kitchen. “Catherine, don’t shut down the grill. We have a latecomer.”

  Catherine chuckled. “Nau why doesn’t it surprise me that on the last nacht we’re open to the public, you take in a stray at the last minute.”

  Irma smiled. “God blessed this business for many years. The least I can do is bless the hungry stranger. Grill him a steak, please.” She placed a thick slice of sourdough bread on a plate, then ladled vegetable soup into a bowl. To go with his hot water, she selected a berry blend tea bag.

  “This should get you started,” she said. “Your steak should be out shortly.”

  The man smiled. “But I only ordered—”

  “There’s no charge. So eat your belly full.”

  “You extend your hand to the poor and reach out to the needy,” he said. “A virtuous woman indeed.”

  “I hope you enjoy the meal.” She stopped from mentioning the restaurant was closing. She planned to serve food for Second Christmas tomorrow and give the meats from the freezer to Catherine and the others.

  “You shall rejoice in time to come. Your children shall rise up and call you blessed.”

  Her kinner were gone. How could she believe the ramblings of an old man? “I should check on your steak.” She returned to the kitchen, and a few minutes later, Catherine had it ready to serve the customer.

  “God has heard your petitions in secret,” the man said upon her return. “Do not be dismayed. For God is with you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand.”

  “I, ah . . .” Her tongue tied.

  “Do you believe what I’m telling you?”

  “I believe God is with me.” She motioned to the kitchen. “I’m going to see if we have any pie left.”

  Catherine glanced up from organizing the refrigerator. “I have everything ready for Second Christmas.”

  “Danki.” Irma placed a piece of apple pie on a plate and went back into the dining room, but the man was gone.

  Roslyn shot up in bed, clutching her chest and panting for air.

  Brandon rolled over. “What’s wrong?”

  “I keep seeing Adriana, wearing her Amish dress and kneeling beside the bed praying.”

  “And that frightens you?” He propped up on his elbow.

  “She’s praying for our eyes to be opened. For us to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.”

  “What’s wrong with that?”

  She pushed her bangs away from her face. “I haven’t had a full night’s sleep since being plagued with these dreams. Tonight she prayed about forgiveness. She asked God to forgive her for not wanting to be here.”

  Brandon pulled her into a hug. “Maybe God is trying to tell you something,” he said, patting her back.

  “I’ve already dropped the charges against the Amish couple. What more can I give—my daughter?” Her husband’s silence stirred fire in her belly. She pushed off his chest and flipped the light on. “You’re quiet. What are you thinking?”

  “I think there’s a reason you only see her in the Amish dress.” He pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why don’t you ask God to show you what to do?”

  “And you’re okay with—with whatever that is?”

  He nodded. “Adriana’s heart is heavily burdened. I want what’s best for her.”

  Roslyn fell against his chest and sobbed. If she asked God, she already knew what the answer to her prayer would mean.

  The following morning Roslyn was the first to rise despite the sleepless night she’d had. The floors were chilly on her bare feet as she padded into the bathroom. A quick shower and she was wide-awake. She glanced outside at the snow-covered lawn. Not much snow here in Bloomfield Hills, but northern Michigan weather was much different. As the coffee brewed, she gazed outside at the cardinal pecking seed from the bird feeder.

  “Good morning,” Adriana said, coming into the kitchen.

  “Happy Christmas Eve.” Roslyn poured a mug of coffee and handed it to her daughter. “I have a surprise,” she said.

  Brandon wandered into the kitchen, his hair askew after a restless night. “Did you pour me a cup?”

  Roslyn removed another mug from the cabinet. “I was just telling Adriana that we have a surprise.”

  He lifted his brows. “An early Christmas present?”

  “I suppose it is.” She faced her husband with tears pooling in her eyes. “We’re going to spend Christmas at the cabin,” she said, struggling to keep her tone even. “I’ve already called the real estate agent who sold us the place, and she’s sending someone to plow the driveway and leave a load of wood by the back door. All we have to do is . . .” She reached for a paper towel and blotted her eyes.

  “I’m all for the new journey,” Brandon said. “I hope you’ll be able to show us how to use a wood stove, Adriana.”

  “Jah, I can do that.” She sipped her coffee.

  “We’ll need
to pack some winter clothes,” Roslyn said. “And food. I’m sure all of the grocery stores will be closed in the area, and of course, we need to bring the presents.” Roslyn lifted her mug, eyeing her husband over the rim. His reassuring nod helped calm her nerves. “We shouldn’t waste too much time before we get on the road. The weather is supposed to get bad later on.” And given any reason to postpone, she probably would change her mind. Roslyn glimpsed Adriana at the sink. “Please, go pack.”

  Adriana set her cup in the sink, then left the kitchen.

  Roslyn unleashed her tears.

  Brandon came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “We’re doing the right thing,” he said, kissing her neck.

  “I hope so.”

  Faith recognized the wooded area a few miles south of Posen even in the dark. Being so close to home was bittersweet. Growing up, Christmas Eve was a time when her family gathered in the living room with mugs of hot cocoa and floating marshmallows, and Daed read the story of Jesus’ birth from the book of Luke. Afterward, Faith and Olivia would stay up late playing the guessing game—if their gift was knitted, quilted, or sewn, and the color.

  This Christmas season she and Roslyn spent endless hours shopping in crowded stores and humming catchy Christmas tunes. Faith enjoyed the frenzy, enjoyed spending time with Roslyn, then later, when guilt tugged at her heart, she repented. Christmas was supposed to be simple, and she had easily made it materialistic.

  Brandon stopped the car in front of the cabin tucked under giant snow-covered pines. “I’ll leave the lights on while you unlock the door, Roz.”

  Faith climbed out of the warm backseat and into the cold. She inhaled the frosty air and took in the scent of pine. Once inside, the cabin seemed larger than it appeared from the outside. Two leather couches flanked the two-story stoned fireplace, and off to the left was a dining room table and chairs. The kitchen had plenty of room for multiple people to work in it at the same time, and its eat-at countertop sat eight.