I set my cup down on the bench and leaned forward, resting my arms on my knees. “Because I need your help. Brent didn’t murder Buddy on his own behalf—he was asked to do so by a pretty young woman who he had a crush on.” I searched his gray eyes, looking for a spark of something familiar. “She’s going to get away with her part in the scheming unless someone else comes forward and testifies that she had approached him about killing her husband.”
Joshua drew in a sharp breath. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I felt my face flush, but I held my irritation in and drew in a long breath. “You’re lying. Do you remember Danny Bach? He used to Amish. He lives here in Blood Rock and also happens to be my fiancé.” I paused, letting Joshua digest the information before I went on. “He was also involved with Samantha Prowes. He remembered seeing you leave her house one evening. It left a strong impression on him since he recalled you being an exceptionally by-the-book kind of Amish guy. The kind who judged his peers harshly when they disobeyed the rules.”
Shock, anger and sadness passed over his face before he looked resignedly back at me. “Unlike the other boys, I always loved being Amish. Farming and working with the horses and the livestock is in my blood. I understood the need for strict rules at an early age and wasn’t resentful of them. All I wanted to do was marry, raise a family and have my own farm.” His eyes became distant and his face twisted. “But I was tempted. At the moment when I should have been the strongest, I was weak—and it’s haunted me all these years.”
Toby spoke up. “You must have been nineteen or twenty—you’re allowed a mistake or two at that age.”
Joshua shook his head roughly. “No. I was courting Miranda at the time, and I betrayed her trust.”
The same little girl who I’d seen giving water to the pigs trotted up to the porch. She spoke to her dad in their language and he barked out a response that made the girl sprint away back towards the barn. He bent down and pressed his hands into his face.
“She’s gone now, and I never got the chance to ask her forgiveness.” He pointed at the retreating girl. “Nora’s a miniature version of her mother.”
I found it difficult to breathe. The man hadn’t recovered from the death of his wife, and here I was pressing a knife into those still stinging wounds. But I needed Joshua’s cooperation to put Samantha behind bars.
I lowered my voice. “I know this is difficult, and I don’t mean to bring up bad memories, but now’s your chance to finally make things right with Miranda. Even if she’s not here in person, I’m sure she’d want you to come clean—to get it off your chest once and for all. I think she’d want Samantha Prowes to pay for her sins.” Joshua looked up slowly with wet eyes and I asked, “Did you have a romantic relationship with Samantha?”
He nodded slowly.
“Did she ever ask you to kill Buddy?”
“Yes, she did.” He hurriedly added, “But I never did anything to the man. That’s what made me leave her for good. I saw her for what she really was and I hated myself for becoming involved with her in the first place.” He hung his head. “She was an evil woman.”
“Would you be willing to come into town with us and give a formal statement about what you just told me, and to testify in court later if you’re asked?” I asked.
“This move is a new beginning for my family. I want to start over fresh, bury the bad memories.” He gazed down the driveway and then returned his eyes to me. “Admitting that I was carrying on with an English woman while I was courting Miranda will tarnish my image here…but I think you’re right about Miranda. She never liked the way Samantha flirted with me. She’d want me to tell the truth. “I’ll go with you to give the statement, but I’m not sure about testifying in court. Our people don’t usually get involved with English law.”
It was a good start. And his written statement should be enough to get a grand jury indictment. I looked over at Toby and his grin told me he was satisfied with the outcome, at least for now.
I stood up and Joshua held up his hands. “I can’t go right now. I’m meeting with a possible renter for the place down by the road.” He pointed at the white farmhouse we’d passed when we’d turned into the driveway.
“That’s yours too?”
“It came with the purchase. I advertised it last week and had an immediate reply from someone in Indianapolis. I guess he wants to get away from city life for a while. His name is CJ West. It shouldn’t take too long to talk to the man.”
A black car pulling a small trailer behind it came slowly up the driveway. A cloud of dust billowed around it from the gravel and I squinted to see it better. A tickling of anticipation ran up my spine as I stared at the car making its way closer.
CJ West. I knew that name.
The car parked beside mine, and I caught Toby’s questioning brow when the door opened. I ignored his look and followed Joshua down the steps.
A slender woman stepped out of the car and slammed the door behind her. She looked out of place with her short black jacket and knee high black boots. She had bouncy brown curls down to her shoulders and a round face. Her blue eyes were wide spaced and her nose small and upturned. She looked around the barnyard with a slight smile. She was too distracted by the Amish man looming over her to recognize me.
She thrust her hand out. “Are you Joshua Miller?”
Joshua was flustered and ignored her hand all together. “I am. Who are you?”
“CJ West. I’m here about renting the house.”
“There’s some kind of mistake. I spoke to a man…”
CJ laughed, and the sound of it made the air warmer. “That was my brother who called you on my behalf.” Her delicate brows rose. “Since you already cashed the deposit check, I hope there isn’t any problem with me renting the place?”
Joshua looked back at me and Toby, begging for some kind of rescue, but he definitely wasn’t getting it from me. I removed my sunglasses. “Camille Josephine West—is that really you?”
CJ’s eyes bulged. “Oh my God! Serenity, what are you doing here?” She bounced forward and pinned me in a tight hug.
The bewildered expression on Joshua’s face was priceless. I quickly disengaged from CJ and said, “In Indy, CJ worked as a paralegal in the justice department. She’s also my former partner’s girlfriend.”
“Was his girlfriend,” she said tightly.
My heart sank into my stomach. Ryan and CJ were one of those perfect couples that everyone else envied. I’d expected them to get married, have a boatload of kids and live happily ever after.
Nothing ever worked out like it was supposed to.
“I’m sorry, CJ. I didn’t know.”
She shrugged and worked hard to smile back at me. “It’s been a difficult time.” She took a short breath and changed the subject. “Is this the town you’re sheriff in?” When I nodded, she said, “Ryan mentioned it a while back, but I never thought to call you. My life has been a bit of a mess lately. I’m hoping this move will help me get it back in order.”
“This is my county. I’m off duty at the moment. What are you planning to do for a living here?” I spread my arms wide.
“For a change, I’m following my dreams and going back to painting.”
“You’re an artist?” Joshua interrupted.
“An aspiring one.” She looked around. “If the beauty of the country doesn’t light a fire with my creative juices, nothing will.”
I could count on one hand the number of girlfriends I’d had in my entire life, and CJ would have been on the list. She was honest and silly and loyal to a fault. The idea that she was moving into town brightened my day considerably.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t rent you the house,” Joshua said, and all our eyes turned to him.
“Why not?” I demanded.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to have an unm
arried woman living on my property,” Joshua replied weakly. “The church wouldn’t allow it.”
CJ’s face deflated and her shoulders slumped. But I wasn’t ready to give in that easily. This was twenty-first century America and not the middle ages, after all.
“Since this was a misunderstanding, I’m sure Bishop Esch will make an exception to the rule, at least temporarily.” I motioned to the trailer behind CJ’s car. “I mean, what are you going to do, put her out on the street? You accepted her deposit money.” I narrowed my gaze on him. “There are laws, you know.”
Joshua stepped back and his mouth dropped open, but CJ stopped him by touching his arm. His gaze left me for her, and then her hand. His mouth curled back as if it were the mouth of a venomous snake.
“Please, Mr. Miller. I won’t bother you at all. I promise. I really need peace and solitude in my life right now and the opportunity to live out here in the country was an answer to a prayer. Please let me stay.”
CJ held his gaze with pleading eyes. She was a very pretty woman and also a damsel in distress. I watched Joshua to see if she was affecting him. The air changed, sparking with sudden, palpable energy and I realized that she had made an impact.
He disengaged his arm, but not in a harsh way, and touched his beard. “For the time being you can stay. But I can’t make any long-term promises until I meet with the bishop and the ministers.”
CJ’s smile was radiant. “Oh, thank you, Mr. Miller. You won’t regret this decision.”
He let out a breath. “We’ll see about that.” He turned to me and Toby. “I’ll let her into the house and give her the key, and then I’ll be able to go into town with you.”
“Toby will conduct the interview.” I told him and glanced at CJ. “How about lunch at the best diner in town?”
“Sounds perfect.” CJ beamed.
Joshua climbed into CJ’s car. She backed up and they headed back down the driveway.
“That’s the ingredients for trouble, if you ask me,” Toby said.
“No one was asking,” I replied.
But inwardly, I agreed wholeheartedly.
24
“What’s going on with you?” I folded my arms over the table in Nancy’s Diner and studied CJ’s face.
She finished chewing her forkful of salad and pushed the plate away, mimicking my gesture. “Ryan cheated on me.” When my mouth opened, she held up her hand and went on, “I know it’s hard to believe. I was in denial for a while.” Her voice dropped. “He was fooling around with Andrea Knott, the secretary at the precinct.”
I searched my memories until I recalled the short brunette, who had a hard face and never smiled. I shook my head, angry at Ryan, and men in general.
“What the hell was wrong with him?” I growled.
CJ forced a smile, but her eyes glistened with emotion. “He said it was because I was pushing him to get married and he wasn’t ready.” She sat back. “Maybe it was me. I was pretty insecure about our relationship from the beginning.”
I shook my head vigorously. “Don’t you dare say that! You were dating for what, two years? That’s enough time for a guy in his thirties to be ready for commitment. The affair was just an excuse. Someone like that will never be ready. Pressuring him was the right call. At least you know what he’s really all about and this didn’t happen after you had a mortgage and two kids.”
“That would really have sucked.” She pouted and then a reluctant grin appeared on her mouth. “It’s good to see you again, Serenity. You’re always so confident. I wish I was more like you.”
CJ looked down at the table, devoid of personality. I remembered her as a vivacious and happy person—and kind too. She was the type of girlfriend who noticed when you were down and would bake brownies or tell you dirty jokes to cheer you up. Looking at my old friend now, I wanted to drive to Indianapolis and strangle Ryan myself. How could he do this to her? If he wasn’t happy in the relationship, he should have just told her, and they both could have moved on without the humiliation and pain he’d caused her.
I took a sip of my cola and waited for her to glance up. When she did, I said, “I always envied your spunkiness. Nothing seemed to bring you down. You can’t let this eat away at you.” The sky outside brightened with the passing cloud and I nodded out the window. “One door closes, another opens. The breakup is an opportunity for you to start a new chapter of your life.” I threw up my hands. “But here? I don’t get it.”
She laughed and for the first time since we’d sat down in the booth, I saw the mischievous twinkle in her eye that I was accustomed to. “It can’t be all that bad—you’re a resident.”
I shrugged lamely. “I grew up in Blood Rock. My sister and her family are here—I know people.” I tilted my head. “And unlike you, I’m anti-social.”
CJ pursed her lips. “I had to get away. After I found out about Andrea, I confronted Ryan and for a while he denied it. I was stupid, wanting to believe him. When I came home one night after work and discovered the used condom in the trash can, I kicked him out of the apartment we shared. Not long after, he started seeing a new woman—a college student in her early twenties. Every so often I’d see them around town together, and even though I didn’t want him back, I still couldn’t stand seeing him all happy and smiling with her.”
“What a sick jerk.” I grunted and crumpled up the nearest napkin, squeezing it tightly and imagining it was Ryan’s skull. “He’ll do the same thing to her someday. Mark my words.”
“Why would he? She’s young and beautiful, and she’s probably not bothering him for a ring.”
Nancy popped her head over and paused beside the booth. “You ladies ready for dessert?”
“I think I’ll pass,” CJ said.
“Nonsense. A piece of Nancy’s triple chocolate cake is just what you need.” I held up two fingers. “Make it two—and put the entire order on my tab.”
“Sure thing, honey.” Nancy eyed CJ with raised brows before she went on her way.
“Is there a reason you need chocolate cake?” CJ flashed me a knowing look after her gaze paused on my engagement ring.
I exhaled. It had been a while since I talked to a girlfriend about my problems. I usually kept my problems to myself. If things were really bad, I’d breakdown and let Laura in, and sometimes Todd or Bobby. I talked to Daniel, but I couldn’t help being a bit guarded around him. I considered Katherine and Rebecca to be friends, but the former was still recovering from her oldest son’s death and the latter was Daniel’s sister. Both were also Amish, so their outlook on life didn’t usually match my own. Having another female around who was close to my age and dealing with her own relationship issues might be just what I needed.
“So you noticed.” I lifted my finger and looked at the glittering diamond.
“Who could miss it?” She reached over and touched my finger, craning her neck for a better look. “It’s beautiful.” She looked up. “Who’s the lucky guy?”
I pulled my hand back and tucked it into my lap. “His name is Daniel Bachman. He has his own building business in town.” I glanced around and lowered my voice. “He used to be Amish.”
I appreciated her startled expression. I used to feel the same way.
“How is that going?” she managed to say.
“He’s a great guy, but like everyone else, he has some issues. It’s traumatic to leave your culture—your friends and family. He can be very secretive because of his upbringing and that’s been a problem sometimes.”
“You don’t seem overjoyed about the engagement,” she said carefully.
I chewed on my lip and sighed. “I have mixed emotions. I just got off an investigation involving a cold case murder. Daniel lied about it. I understand his reasons, but I can’t stop wondering if his Amish background is going to cause us problems in the future. And that’s not something that can be changed.”
/>
“This might sound ridiculous coming from me right now, but you shouldn’t look too far into the future. If we all did that, no one would ever get married. If you love him, give him a chance.” She popped another french fry into her mouth. “If it involved a roving eye, I’d insist you run for the hills. But this is different, and people can change. I think.”
Her advice made my spirits rise. She was saying the same thing I’d been telling myself the entire drive back to Blood Rock. Daniel deserved a chance. But even though I could use my own therapy, I saw CJ’s downcast eyes and heard her soft sigh. As hard as it was to believe, she needed help more than I did at the moment.
“Aren’t you a little intimidated about living on an Amish farm in the middle of nowhere?” I asked, trying to keep her engaged, but also out of curiosity.
Her eyes drifted out the window. “It’s going to be strange, that’s for sure, but I’m looking forward to some quiet time painting.” When her eyes returned, there was a spark that hadn’t been there before. “Joshua Miller seems like a nice man.” Her cheeks reddened and she dropped her voice. “He’s good looking too.”
My heart rate sped up when I saw CJ working to keep the smile from her face. It was healthy for CJ to get back in the game, but not with an Amish guy.
“I noticed some chemistry between the two of you when you met, but honestly, I wouldn’t be a friend if I didn’t warn you to avoid that temptation.”
“Would it be so bad?” she asked with arched brows.
“He’s Amish—they aren’t allowed to date an outsider.”
She giggled. “Maybe I wasn’t talking about dating.”
I rubbed my face. “That would be even worse.” I recalled Joshua’s tall frame and smoky eyes. He was eye candy, but his stubborn, arrogant personality made him a lot less appealing in my book.
“I don’t know much about him,” I admitted.