Hidden (Amish Romance Mystery) (Amish Secret Widows' Society Book 2) (8 page)

“
Jah
, of course.”

Bailey led her by the hand to her couch, sat her down, and said, “I’ve a lot of things to tell you. You just missed all the action at Wil’s
haus
.”

“I did? What happened?”

He filled Silvie in on what happened with the paintings, Lacey’s confession and Bob inheriting Frank’s estate.

Bailey reached for Silvie’s hand and held it in his. “I’ve always been fascinated by the Amish. I’m a Christian and I have admired the faith and strength of the Amish for a long time.”

“What are you trying to say? Have you changed your mind about joining us?”

“I’m afraid I’ve deceived you. I am a detective – undercover, and I’ve been on the trail of stolen paintings. My real name is Bailey Rivers.”

Silvie tilted her head slightly to one side. “So you’re a detective and you don’t want to be Amish?” Silvie pushed her fingertips to her forehead. “I can’t believe what you’re saying.”

Bailey nodded. “I’m interested in becoming Amish now, but at the start I admit I was deceiving everyone. Elsa-May and Ettie are my grandfather’s sisters. He left the Amish when he was fourteen and had no contact with his
familye
for a good twenty years after that. It was Elsa-May who persuaded the bishop to let me in to do my job.”

Silvie pulled her hand away from his. “So that’s how you did a
gut
job in your lies, you knew all the right things to say from your Amish relations. You didn’t need to act so keen to be Amish. I’ve been deceived”

“Please don’t be like that Silvie. It was my job.”

Silvie turned her body away from his. “You should get another job.”
I can’t let him see me with tears in my eyes
, she thought.

He stood up and sat down on her other side. “Don’t cry, Silvie, or you’ll break my heart.”

Silvie cried more at his words. “Would you ever join us?”

“I would, I think I would, only being a detective is part of who I am, a big part of who I am. I can’t be Amish and a detective.”

“It’s just a job, Bailey. A job shouldn’t define who you are,” Silvie turned her face away from him once more.

“I can’t explain it to you, Silvie. I’m sorry.” Bailey put his hand gently on Silvie’s cheek and turned her head to face him. “Silvie, what if I come back and join the Amish, for real?”

Silvie sniffed a couple of times. “You’d do that?”

Bailey stared intently into her eyes. “I’m seriously thinking on it, but I have to find the stolen paintings first. I can’t let them get the better of me.”

“How long will that take?”

He dropped his eyes from hers. “It’s taken me nine years already.”

“How close are you?”

Bailey shook his head keeping his gaze to the floor. “I headed down a wrong path thinking that Frank or his father had stolen some paintings. Now, I’ll have to back track and pick up the trail again.”

Silvie rose to her feet. “I hope you come back, but for now, it would be better if you left.”

“I understand.” Bailey stood up, walked toward the door and then turned around. “I’ll always be thinking of you, Silvie.”

“Don’t say anything, Bailey. Just go.” Silvie turned her back until she heard Bailey shut her front door. She turned around to check that he had gone then all strength left her legs and she sank to the floor. As tears came to her eyes, she knew that her
mudder
was right about love. It was all too
hatt,
and she was better off without it. Why hadn’t she listened to her
mudder
?

Chapter 12.

For if a man know not how to rule his own house,

how shall he take care of the church of God?

1 Timothy 3:5

As the widows sat around munching cookies, Maureen said, “I knew Bob wouldn’t have been involved in anything bad. Besides, he didn’t even need the money that Frank left him.”

“
Jah
, he seems to be doing quite well for himself,” Emma said.

Silvie and Ettie giggled.

“What are you two laughing at?” Maureen asked.

“We think you’re growing fond of Bob,” Ettie said.

“I’ve found out this week that there’s more to Bob than we know. Just because he’s quiet and doesn’t speak to anyone people think that he’s simple. He’s not simple; it’s just that when he doesn’t have anything to say, he doesn’t speak.”

Elsa-May said, “I know a few people who could learn from him.”

The widows laughed. They all knew a few folk in the community who liked to gossip a little too much.

Maureen said, “What about you, Silvie? What about Bailey?”

Silvie shrugged her shoulders. “I haven’t heard from him.”

Maureen put her hand on Silvie’s shoulder. “
Ach
, it’s only been a week, Silvie. I’m sure you’ll hear from him. I know he likes you.”

Silvie clenched her jaw. “Love’s too much pain. I’m better off without it.”

“Nonsense,” Elsa-May said in her usual booming voice. “Love is precious and if you find it, you need to treasure it. It’s just like a plant; starts with the seed, you cover it with the warm earth, water it and look after it.”

Emma thought on Elsa-May’s words. Maybe listening to Wil prattle on about his silly inventions would be the same as watering the seed. Emma knew she showed her love by cooking the things that he liked, but maybe she could do other things like listen to him and pay attention when he spoke on things that mattered to him.

“What do you mean, Elsa-May?” Silvie said, “I’m hardly in a position to do anything. I just have to wait until he comes back to the community – if he ever comes back.”

“Silvie’s right, Elsa-May. She just has to wait and if he comes back, he does, and if he doesn’t, then it was never meant to be and she has to forget him,” Maureen said.

“Nonsense,” Elsa-May said. “I think Silvie should pay the man a little visit. Remind him what he’s missing.”

Silvie’s hand flew to her mouth. “Really? Do you really think I should visit him?”

“Why not? I would,” Elsa-May said.

Silvie swung around to face Emma. “What do you think, Emma?”

Emma wished she hadn’t been put on the spot. If she agreed with Elsa-May and things went wrong, Silvie might blame her. On the other hand, things could go well and Bailey might come back and join the community. “I can’t say. I’m sorry, Silvie. You just have to listen to your heart. Maybe forget all those things your
mudder
told you about love; she sounds as though she was a very unhappy woman.”

“What do you say, Maureen?” Silvie asked.

“I think you should pray about it, then listen to
Gott’s
promptings in your heart. It’s your decision.”

“
Nee
, I’m totally against you going out and throwing yourself at the
mann
,” Ettie said with unusual decisiveness.

Elsa-May gave a little chuckle. “Only you can decide, Silvie.”

Silvie nodded. “
Denke
for all your opinions. I’ll pray about it and have a think on it.”

Elsa-May clapped her hands. “Okay, back to business. Lacey has been arrested for the murder of Frank.”

Maureen interrupted. “What about Andrew. Was he charged with anything?”

“
Nee
, he wasn’t. Bob is keeping old Frank’s
haus
and he’s going to rent it out.”

“Maybe Sabrina might want to rent it from him.” Silvie giggled.

“
Ach
, is your
schweschder
still visiting?” Maureen asked.

“
Jah
, I’m afraid so. I guess I don’t mind a bit of company. She does talk about Wil a lot though.” Silvie turned to Emma. “Is everything okay with you and Wil?”

Emma forced a smile. “
Jah
, everything is just perfect.”

“When are you going to marry the man?” Ettie asked.

“It’s not been long enough.” Emma was referring to the fact that it had only been just over six months from the death of her husband, Levi.

“I’d marry him straight away. What if he starts looking around? You know what these young single girls are like,” Ettie said.

All eyes were on Emma waiting for a reply. She licked her dry lips. “I just need to wait until it feels right.”

“How did we get back on to love when we were speaking on the case?” Elsa-May asked.

“Sorry, Elsa-May. I think it was when Bailey’s name was mentioned.” Silvie responded.

Elsa-May shook her head. “The paintings were original and worth a great deal. Bob is most likely the wealthiest Amish man ever.”

All eyes turned to Maureen.

“Why’s everyone looking at me?” Maureen asked.

The widows giggled.

“I think I will visit Bailey,” Silvie said.

“
Gut
,” Elsa-May said while she reached for a chocolate fudge bar.

* * *

On Emma’s way home, she passed Wil’s
haus
and saw his lights still on. Wondering if she should speak to him, she pulled off the road and into his driveway.
Nee it’s too late at night; it’s not proper
, she decided. She was just about to turn her buggy around when Wil opened his front door.

“Emma?”

“
Jah,
Wil, it’s me.”

“It’s late.”

“I know, I was just returning from visiting.”

Wil walked over to her buggy and stood at the door. “Emma, I was going to call and see you tomorrow. I’m sorry; I was too hard on you. I just wanted more of your attention. Maybe it’s me who’s the selfish one.”

“Wil, I want to apologize to you for taking you for granted. I’ve been too wrapped up in myself. I’ve been a selfish, horrible person.”

Wil smiled and pulled her toward him and held her tightly. “
Nee
, you haven’t been. I’ve been mean because I just want to marry you and I’m impatient. It’s me who needs to apologize to you. I’m sorry.”

They both laughed. Emma knew she would have to take an interest in the things that mattered to Wil even if she had no interest in them herself. Wil was right; he did show an interest in her sewing and things that she did. Why was it so hard to be interested in his hobbies? “So, you have no interest in Sabrina?”

Wil pulled back from her a little. “Sabrina? Of course not; she’s a child.”

“She’s marrying age, Wil.”

“She’s a child to me. Anyway, the only woman I see is you.”

She rested her head on Wil’s shoulder and he held her a little more tightly.

“We should marry soon.”

Emma shut her eyes tightly. “
Jah
, we should.”

*** The End ***

********************

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Accused: Book 3

Amish Regrets Book 4

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