Her Secret Read online

  For the first time in months, she didn’t wake up with a nagging fear in the back of her head. Her thoughts weren’t filled with recriminations and self-doubts, feeling sure that she’d been losing her mind and simply imagining that she was being followed.

  Gone, too, was the feeling of guilt that she’d been struggling with. She’d hated that she’d been the one responsible for dislocating her whole family. She knew now that Ben and Jenny no longer were mad at her and her parents had had their own reasons for moving to Kentucky.

  Her optimistic feelings also stemmed from her time with Isaac this weekend. Never had she felt so content or relaxed with a man. She knew she was falling in love with him.

  When she compared her optimistic feelings to all the dark moments she’d been experiencing, not even the knowledge that Trent was somewhere in Munfordville could damage her joy.

  Because of all that, it not only felt like a new day, she felt as if she’d begun a new life.

  She had just sat up in bed and begun to contemplate getting dressed when her door opened.

  Jenny peeked inside, a cup of coffee in her hands. When she saw that Hannah was awake, her expression cleared. “Oh, good. You are finally awake.”

  “I am. I know I should feel badly about sleeping in, but I don’t. Saturday was a big day.”

  “It was.” Entering the room, she said, “Um, may we talk? I have something I need to tell you. I brought you coffee, too.”

  Her sister’s expression was strained. Worried now, Hannah nodded. “Of course.” Patting a spot on her bed, she said, “Come join me.”

  After carefully passing the mug, Jenny scrambled right up beside her.

  “This reminds me of when you were a little girl,” Hannah said after taking a fortifying sip. “Remember how you used to climb into bed with me in the mornings?”

  “I do. I used to love that. You were much more fun than Mamm.”

  “I was just lazier.” Hannah set her coffee cup down. “Now, what did you want to talk to me about?”

  Right then and there, everything changed. Jenny’s expression tightened and she looked like she was about to get sick. “I did something bad, Hannah. I don’t know if you’ll ever forgive me.”

  Hannah was surprised. Hadn’t they gone beyond this? “I will always forgive you, no matter what you do. Don’t ever imagine that I wouldn’t. You are my sister and I love you.”

  “You say that, but you don’t know.”

  Hannah fought off smiling. Sometimes her sister was so dramatic! She supposed it was the age, but Hannah knew there was nothing that could shake her like the past few months had. “Just tell me, Jenny,” she coaxed. “Waiting and worrying is always the worst. Just tell me whatever is on your mind. I promise, I will not get mad at you.”

  But instead of looking relieved, Jenny turned even paler.

  “Jenny, now, if you will.”

  “Okay.” After taking a deep breath, “I think I made friends with Trent.”

  “Trent Ritchie?”

  Jenny nodded. “I . . . well . . . I think I’m the reason he found you again.”

  Hannah was certainly shocked, but she was even more certain that her little sister was very confused. “There is no reason you are to blame, Jenny,” she said patiently. “Trent obviously did something to trace our path here. Maybe he got some information from the post office that had our forwarded address. Also, Kirsten told me that one of her letters to me had gone missing. I wouldn’t be surprised if Trent had somehow stolen that note and got our address from the envelope.”

  Since Jenny still looked pensive, Hannah smiled at her reassuringly. “Do you see what I’m getting at, sister? If it was not one thing, it could have been another. It was not your doing.”

  “No, Hannah. You don’t understand. I met Trent about two weeks after we moved here. I used to leave here and go meet him in secret.”

  Hannah set down her coffee cup. “You met him? Here?”

  Looking miserable, her sister continued. “I promise, I didn’t know it was your Trent. He told me his name was Shane. I thought he was just an older man who liked me.”

  Jenny’s words rattled her, but Hannah was sure that she had simply gotten confused. “I find that hard to believe. After all, you knew what he looked like.”

  “I didn’t. I swear, I didn’t.” Her voice turned more plaintive. “Don’t you remember how you never met with him when the rest of us were around?”

  “But you didn’t think it was a strange coincidence that an Englisher was seeking you out?”

  “Not really. After all, we’ve moved far away. And, plus, he really seemed to like me.”

  “But, still—”

  “Hannah, why would you think I could feel any different than you?”

  Hannah kept trying to find an excuse that made sense. “Maybe it wasn’t actually Trent. Maybe you just think it might be, but it ain’t.”

  “Nee. It was. I stopped talking to him when I realized that I shouldn’t be secretly seeing a man who was so much older.” Her voice cracked. “But by then, it was too late.”

  Hannah was really struggling to listen patiently and keep an open mind. “Too late. Why? What did you do?”

  Jenny looked at her, then drew in a ragged breath. “I thought he liked me, Hannah. That’s why I talked to him so much.”

  “What did you do?” Each word was uttered with force.

  “I talked to him about you.” Swiping her eyes with the side of her hand, Jenny hiccupped. “I thought he thought I was special, but he didn’t. Not really. He was only using me to find out more information about you.”

  Every mixture of emotion that Hannah could fathom filled her. Hurt, confusion, anger, shock.

  But overall, it was sympathy and, yes, empathy. She of all people knew what Trent was capable of. She also knew how charming he could be when he wanted something.

  She understood how desperate Jenny had been when they moved. Her little sister had been unhappy and struggling. Jenny had also had a lot of questions about what had actually happened between her and Trent, but Hannah had been so traumatized, she’d refused to even say his name.

  “Jenny, please stop crying,” she said quietly. “I understand. More importantly, I forgive you.”

  Abruptly, Jenny lifted her chin. Staring at her in surprise, she blurted, “You do? Do ya really?”

  “I do. I told you that I love you.” Though of course she always loved her sister, Hannah was amazed to realize that she really didn’t harbor any anger toward her. They’d been through too much to hurt each other anymore.

  “I love you, too,” Jenny blurted as she flung herself into Hannah’s arms.

  Then she sobbed.

  Holding her carefully, Hannah rubbed Jenny’s back and did her best to hold her own tears at bay. She felt terrible that Jenny had been so afraid to tell her about Trent that she’d kept everything to herself.

  She could only hope that when this was all over they’d somehow all learn to be open and honest with each other. Even if the truth hurt, it was always better in the end.

  After another few minutes passed, Hannah sent Jenny out of her room so she could get dressed and wash up. Thirty minutes later, she found her father on the front porch in one of the rocking chairs. He had a thick folder in his lap and his reading glasses on.

  She smiled at him as she carried the fresh cup of coffee she’d just made out with her. “How are you feeling?”

  “About the same.” Lifting the packet of papers, he said, “I’ve been trying to do some reading on all the treatments.”

  “It looks like a lot to take in.”

  “It is, but I asked for everything all at once. If I hadn’t been so stubborn, I would have already learned a lot more about my illness.”

  “There is a time for everything, Daed. Maybe the Lord needed you to wait for some reason.”

  His expression eased. “That is a nice way to think of it.”

  “When do you go to the doctor again?”

&nb
sp; “I’m going to the clinic this afternoon for some tests.”

  “I could go with you if Mamm can’t.”

  “Danke, but Jenny and Ben are going to go with me.”

  Hannah was surprised. “Both of them?”

  “They reminded me this morning that they are both getting older.” Looking a bit amused, he added, “I think this is their way of proving that to me. I’m going to let them do that.”

  “I think that’s a fine idea. Ben and Jenny have been showing me, too, that they can do far more than I realized. They are growing up.”

  “That they are, dear.” He coughed. “Now, what about you today? Will you be okay if we leave you on your own for a bit?”

  “I’ll be just fine. I’m going to stay around here and get some housework done.”

  “You sure you will feel safe? I bet we could ask Mr. and Mrs. Troyer if one of them could come over and keep you company.”

  “That is not necessary. I’m stronger now, and wiser, too. I’ll stay inside with the doors locked. I’m kind of looking forward to doing nothing more than cooking and cleaning.”

  Her father still looked uncertain. “You sure you’ll be all right?”

  “I’ll be perfectly safe. Sheriff Brewer didn’t say I needed a guard, just that I shouldn’t go out and about by myself.”

  “Listen to him and don’t take any chances. You can’t be too careful until Trent is found,” he warned.

  “I intend to be very careful and very vigilant. I promise.”

  Her father sighed in relief. “I’m so glad everything is out in the open, daughter.”

  “Me, too. One day, God willing, we’ll all look back on these days as special because it brought us closer together.”

  Holding out his hand, her father whispered, “Indeed, child. Even in the midst of darkness, there is always something to be thankful for.”

  TWO HOURS LATER, Hannah was still thinking about her father’s words. He had been so right. Even now, she had so many beautiful things to be grateful for. Each day was a gift.

  Though she’d planned to stay inside, she eventually got tired of hiding in the dark. There was no way Trent was going to visit her at the house, anyway. Trent liked to watch her now, not speak to her.

  After carrying her second load of laundry outside, she carefully shook out each item and started pinning them on the line. Then she made plans for the rest of her afternoon. It was a cherry pie kind of day, she decided. When she got back into the kitchen, she was going to sip iced tea and make a pie crust. Ben, especially, loved cherry pie. He’d be so excited to discover one cooling on the counter when he got back home.

  Humming to herself, she tried to remember if they had any cream in the refrigerator. If so, maybe she could tackle ice cream, too. Few things were better than warm pie and homemade vanilla ice cream.

  “You sound so happy, Hannah.”

  Startled, the gray dress Hannah was holding slipped from her fingers and fell to the ground. Then, her heart beating so quickly, she turned to face Trent.

  He was standing only a few feet away. His arms were crossed over his chest and he was wearing that black ball cap again.

  Shocked that he could have arrived without her being aware of it, Hannah stared at him in shock.

  He was staring at her, contempt in his expression. “What? Are you unable to speak now? You were so busy yesterday, talking to practically everyone in Hart County. Even the sheriff.”

  She hated how he sounded, so assured and full of scorn. “If you know all of that, you know that everyone is looking for you. You need to get off our property and go away, Trent.”

  He shook his head as he stepped forward. “That’s not going to happen, Hannah. Not this time.”

  Only then did she realize that he had something in one of his hands. When she turned to run from him, he grabbed her easily.

  And then she found out what he’d been clutching.

  The shock of it made her cry out in pain, but there was no one around to hear.

  CHAPTER 27

  Monday, August 22

  Isaac heard the clattering of footsteps before the door to his workshop opened.

  Seeing it was Mr. Hilty, Ben, and Jenny, he raised a hand in greeting. But then their pensive expressions registered.

  Alarm coursed through him. “What’s happened?”

  Mr. Hilty had come inside and was walking around the small workshop. Looking like he was attempting to peer into every nook and cranny, he said, “Please tell me that Hannah is here.”

  “She ain’t.” Feeling like his heart was in his throat, he choked out, “Are you saying that Hannah is missing?”

  The older man nodded once. “I had an appointment at the clinic this afternoon. Ben and Jenny came with me. Hannah stayed at home by herself.”

  Though he, too, was starting to panic, Isaac attempted to be a voice of reason. “Perhaps she went for a walk or something?”

  “She didn’t,” Jenny said. “The house was open and there was a basket of laundry in the yard.”

  “It looks like she was pinning clothes and then got sidetracked,” Ben added.

  “Plus, she promised me she wasn’t going to leave the house,” Mr. Hilty added. “Hannah wouldn’t have left by herself. Not for any reason. She was afraid to do that.”

  Dread settled in the pit of his stomach. “Have you gone to the sheriff yet?”

  “We went there before coming to talk to you,” Hannah’s father said. “Sheriff Brewer is concerned but thinks we shouldn’t panic yet.”

  “Really?” Isaac didn’t even try to hide his outrage. “After everything she’s gone through?”

  Ben jutted out his chin. “That’s how I felt.”

  “When it was evident that the sheriff wasn’t going to help us search for at least a couple more hours, we decided to come over here to you,” Jenny explained. “It was a slim chance, but we started hoping that maybe she had decided to sit here while you worked. You know, to keep you company.”

  “Nee. I haven’t seen her all day.”

  “I am afraid that Trent abducted her,” Mr. Hilty said quietly. “I fear that he was tired of waiting. I canna think of any other reason for Hannah to be missing.”

  Looking him in the eye, Isaac nodded. “I’m afraid of the same thing. We need to get help.”

  “Will you help us?” Ben asked.

  “Of course.” Isaac only wished he felt more confident about his abilities to help. He was a woodworker. A farmer. Not a detective.

  However, though he didn’t know what might be the best course of action, Isaac realized he could only do his best. With that in mind, he started issuing directions. “Why don’t y’all go on home? I guess Mrs. Hilty is on her way home already?”

  Mr. Hilty nodded. “May is on her way there right this minute. She had to find a driver to take her home.”

  “Okay. While you go home and wait for Hannah, I’m going to talk to my parents and then visit a couple of people who put the sandwich auction together. They’ll know the best way to get the word out about Hannah. One or more of us will then go over to your house and we’ll hatch a plan.”

  Jenny’s bottom lip trembled. “And if it turns out that she had just gone for a walk?”

  At least he knew the right answer for that question! “Then we’ll be glad about that. Don’t worry about bothering people, Jenny. We are a community of friends. Every one of us is going to put the needs of our members first. I’m sure we’ll start a prayer chain, too. That works wonders.”

  “Danke. Jah, we’ll be praying, too. Prayer is mighty important, too.” After shaking hands, Mr. Hilty walked back out, Ben and Jenny on his heels.

  When he was alone, Isaac knew he needed to take his own advice. Gripping the edge of the workshop table, he closed his eyes and prayed. More than ever, he needed to remember to stay positive and hopeful. He also needed to give up his needs to the Lord.

  If there was anything he knew without a doubt, it was that he couldn’t help Hannah a
lone.

  “Please, God,” he called out. “Please be with my Hannah now. Please be with us all.”

  THE ROOM WAS so dark that the faint band of light that peeked from under the door glowed like a bright flashlight.

  Hannah didn’t know how long she’d been on the floor of the dank basement, but she had a feeling that the light coming from under the door was from windows.

  When night fell, that band would disappear and she would be enclosed in darkness. She shivered at the thought of her circumstances becoming even worse than they currently were.

  From the moment she regained consciousness, Hannah attempted to take stock of her situation: She was sitting on a cold cement basement floor, leaning against a rough cement wall. Her hands were banded together with a rough rope and were in her lap. Her legs were stretched straight in front of her and her ankles were duct-taped together. Trent had taken great care to bind them tightly. Her bare feet were at odd angles with each other. The cramps that had been present in her legs had faded into an uncomfortable numbness hours ago. She had no way to move, let alone attempt to get to safety.

  The only blessing in the situation was that Trent hadn’t covered her mouth or covered her eyes. After he’d bound her, he’d spent several long moments standing above her.

  Then, he’d knelt and pulled off her kapp and let down her hair. She’d cringed when she’d felt his fingers glide against her scalp.

  After that, he’d asked her if she loved him. When she said no, he’d yelled at her, then went out the door.

  Hannah had heard his footsteps pound on the wooden steps leading upstairs. Soon after, she heard the faint slam of a door.

  When she realized she was alone, she yelled for help. But she’d soon learned that no matter how much she cried out or yelled, no one was going to be able to hear her.

  She was exhausted and scared of what Trent was going to do next. When he’d tased her in her yard, she remembered the severe pain she’d felt.

  When she’d cried out and told him that she hated him, he’d tased her again.

  Now she wondered what he was going to think of next to hurt her. “God, please help me,” she whispered. “I am so alone down here. I am so frightened. Please give me strength. Please let someone find me, too.”