Free Safe Hearts (Amish Safe House, Book 3) by Ruth Hartzler

as the women spoke at once. “They've cleared Jeremiah of
all charges..”
    “ Wunderbaar !” Nancy said in a high,
excited voice as there was a collective sigh of relief from the
ladies.
    “ Have they caught the real
killer then?” Lillian asked, ignoring Maria's disapproving
frown.
    “ Nee , they haven’t caught any suspect yet,” Miriam said as she
sighed contently. “What matters, though, is that Jeremiah is safe
and sound. He even came home with us last night.”
    “ I'm surprised you let him
out of your sight today.” Nancy gave a soft laugh at Miriam's eye
roll in her direction. Maria scoffed and frowned at
Nancy.
    “ I promised you ladies an
update today,” Beckie said cheerfully, “Honestly I was beside
myself waiting for the meeting. But I just couldn't find a minute
to get away. Jeremiah has eaten like a horse since he got
home.”
    The ladies laughed. It was a small
consolation that all Amish women appeared to be naturals at
everything domestic. Apparently these ladies were the elite force
of the crafting and culinary arts - and information gathering
skills.
    “ Come now, we’re here to
knit,” Maria scolded them as she waved a knobby finger. The women
tried their best to look chastised, but then they were soon smiling
and whispering amongst each other.
    “ Kate, denki again,” Beckie said gratefully.
“I know you have your own reasons for being here. It does my heart
good that you went out of your way for my Jeremiah.”
    “ I didn't do anything
special; I'm just happy that he's home.” Kate picked up a needle,
and started to measure out some thread.
    “ As we all are.” Beckie
beamed. Esther nodded from her rocking chair as she regarded Kate
and Beckie with a smile. It was probably the warmest the elderly
woman had been to her since she got here. Esther was always polite,
but she never seemed to approve of Kate vacationing here while she
was recovering. At least up until today. It seemed her little chat
with Ryan had won over the ninety year old lady.
    Kate glanced over at the table, seeing
Lillian and Nancy both practically cheek to cheek as they poured
over the dessert table. They were whispering something excitedly,
though Kate could not hear what they were discussing with such
energy. It was likely some juicy gossip they didn't want a scolding
for. Maria seemed to suspect as much too, as she kept her eye on
them like a mother preparing to guide her wayward
children.
    Kate smiled as she suppressed a guilty
twinge. These ladies were unlike anyone she had ever
met.
    “ When it's time for me to
go, they'll be the first I'll tell the truth to. They deserve that
much for helping me keep my sanity .” Kate
looked down at the bright blue cloth in her hands. She'd gone
undercover before for a case, but she had never felt so anxious and
fearful of revealing her identity. Would they resent her for lying
to them all these months? Would they understand the necessity? Or
would she end up shunned for tricking them for all this time, as
they had shared everything with her without reservation?
     

 
    Proverbs 25:
26. Like a muddied spring or a
polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the
wicked.
    Chapter Ten.
     
    Kate tugged at the stubborn weeds that
sprouted amongst the roots of the various plants in the garden. On
her knees in the dirt, she worked tirelessly under the warm glow of
the sun as the morning dragged on. After finishing up one of the
rows of plants, she pulled herself up and brushed off the muck that
clung to her clothing. She then walked over to the work shed in
order to refill the watering can, when all of a sudden, the sound
of a horse pulling a buggy up the road set her nerves on
edge.
    Kate quickly turned around and saw
Beckie and Jeremiah waving enthusiastically. As the buggy drew
closer, she could see the happiness clearly stamped all over their
faces. When the horse came to a stop, Kate placed the watering can
down and walked over to greet the pair.
    “ Good