Beyond the Gray Mountains, page 17
Abe’s eyes fluttered closed, but a smile curved on his lips. “That oatmeal sounds good to me.”
“Yes, of course, coming right up.” Ben moved to the fire, poking it to bring the embers to life. The last time he’d been this excited was the day that Marianna had agreed to be his wife.
“Thank you, Annie,” he whispered as he pulled a dozen more small packets from the bottom of the pack. Thank You, Lord, for keeping us safe and providing for us through friends. And, Lord, be with Ike…bring him a miracle even now.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Thursday, July 6, West Kootenai, Montana
The apple cinnamon muffins were a hit. The last one was sold during the lunch hour. Marianna was thankful for the chance to talk to Millie, and as the hours ticked by, she hoped she’d get an opportunity to speak with Annie too. Millie was right. Marianna needed to focus on what she and Ben wanted…
The thing was, things hadn’t ended well between her and Ben before he left.
As the cooks prepped for dinner, the store smelled like roast beef and gravy. Marianna smiled, realizing that she knew the day of the week by what was being cooked up from the dinner menu. She sniffed and also detected the sweet aroma of oatmeal cookies, realizing that Sarah must have also come in to do some baking. And even though it smelled amazing, Marianna’s face fell when she noticed the concerned look on Annie’s face. Then Annie walked to the front of the store, where Edgar sat behind the checkout counter. Was something wrong with Edgar?
Even though Annie’s main job was running the Kraft and Grocery, her other job included being a mom to everyone at the store. Today, Annie wore a light-pink plaid shirt, and her high ponytail flipped as she talked.
“Maybe you should go and put that foot up, Edgar. Sit in my office. I’m going to get you an ice pack.”
“You sure do a lot of mothering for someone half my age,” Edgar mumbled.
“You need someone to take care of you.” Annie crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the back counter. Behind Annie were shelves filled with camping supplies for tourists who came to town: lanterns and oil, rope and tent stakes, flashlights, and batteries. All things often used by Amish folks in these parts too. Annie narrowed her gaze at the older man. “Either you sit in my office, or I’m going to drive you home for the day. If you don’t get off your foot, it’s going to get worse, then you’ll be stuck home even longer. Alone.” Annie’s brow puckered threateningly.
“Fine.”
Annie glanced at Marianna. “I’ll be right back.”
“No problem. If you have time to talk…”
“Yes, of course. Why don’t you get some coffee for the both of us, and I’ll be right there.”
Then, with short, slow steps, favoring his right leg, Edgar hobbled to Annie’s office. Their footsteps echoed on the wooden floors. The television clicked on, and the sound of the noonday news filtered out from the office. Marianna poured two cups of coffee and listened as Annie moved some things around so Edgar could elevate his leg. Then, with a satisfied look, she exited the office.
“Finally got him to listen?” Marianna kept her tone light, pretending her upcoming conversation about Ben didn’t weigh on her heart like the wooden beams overhead.
Annie nodded and then approached the table where Marianna sat with two steaming cups of coffee before her. “I’m sorry that took a minute. Edgar sure can be stubborn at times, as you know.”
“Yes, but I missed that when I was in Indiana. Baking is not as fun when you don’t have someone pestering you for a sample every five minutes.”
Annie settled into the chair across from her. Jenny approached as if also knowing this would be more than a five-minute conversation. Jenny had been thankful for Annie’s and Marianna’s help finding her daughter Kenzie, along with Evelyn.
“There’s two pieces of apple pie left. Hold on while I snag them. It’s on me.” She winked.
“Thanks, Jenny,” Marianna stated simply. Jenny was a pretty woman, and Marianna had sometimes wondered why Ben hadn’t pursued her instead. However, deep down, she was glad he hadn’t.
Annie took a sip of her coffee. She nodded her thanks to Jenny, making it clear that this wasn’t a social time that Jenny could join in. Instead, with a sympathetic smile, Annie reached over and placed her hand on Marianna’s. “You’re not having second thoughts about your wedding dress, are you?”
The image of the white dress and her reflection filled her mind. “No, Annie, not at all. What I want is to figure out how to make things right.”
“Right?”
“With Ben.” She shook her head and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Things weren’t left in a good way when he headed out. And that’s the worst part. I want to talk to Ben and apologize. I was just letting my worries block out the truth that I knew. I wish Ben was coming back tomorrow. I know I shouldn’t think this, but sometimes my worries get the best of me. I hope Ben doesn’t think I don’t love him or I don’t want to marry him.”
“Well, let me think about that… Ben, if I can remember, is someone who clings to hope. He hung around when Aaron was around. Even though you made it clear that you wouldn’t leave the Amish faith, he kept hanging around. Do you remember that?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Well, I don’t believe for one second that he thinks you’re giving up on the two of you. I guess Ben knows you’re worried about the wedding and all. But he also knows that you’ll be together on the other side of these hurdles. For life.” Annie smiled. “I think that’s something that you need to—”
A loud crash from Annie’s office caused them to sit up straighter.
“Annie!” Edgar’s voice called.
Without hesitation, Annie rose and hurried to the back room. Another minor crash sounded, and Marianna rose and followed her.
They entered the office at the same time. Edgar was standing, pointing at the television. A stool was tipped over, as was a plastic mug. Coffee had spilled on the floor.
Annie rushed to his side with Marianna following close behind. “Edgar, what’s wrong?”
“There, on the news. A reporter was up in Ovando, interviewing someone from the Forest Service about the upcoming tourist season, when a report came in that a riderless horse had been found on the trailhead near the parking lot, along with a mule.”
Annie glanced at the television, but it had moved on to the following report. “A riderless horse?” She looked back to Edgar.
He cleared his throat. “And a mule. And not just any horse and mule. They were Ike’s.”
Marianna sucked in a breath and moved to Annie’s desk chair to sit. Please tell me this isn’t happening… Oh, Lord, please.
“Wait, wait.” Annie held up her hands. “This is a big state. There are lots of horses, lots of mules.”
“But you don’t understand. They showed them on video.” Edgar’s eyes were wide. “I recognized Ike’s horse and mule.” Edgar pointed to Annie’s phone. “Look at that smartphone of yours and go to the news page. I bet they have a picture posted.”
Annie’s fingers moved over the phone in ways Marianna didn’t understand. Soon she pulled up a picture. A gasp escaped her lips.
“That means something’s happened to them. Why would the horse and the pack mule have come back without Ike, Abe, and Ben?” Annie nibbled on her lower lip. “And do you see that pack mule?” Annie held up her phone for Marianna to get a closer look. “The mule’s loaded down.”
A sinking feeling came over Marianna. “It means they’re stuck up there without supplies.”
“That’s not the worst part. I think you need to sit down too, Annie.” Edgar pushed the chair he’d been sitting on closer to Annie.
“Edgar, please. This is no time for games.” Annie’s voice was sharp.
Edgar folded his hands in front of him and shook his head. “I need both of you to sit.”
Marianna’s legs trembled like wildflowers in the wind. “It’s serious then.”
Annie sat in the chair with a huff and turned her head to Edgar. She lifted her eyebrows as if saying, Satisfied?
Edgar sat on the edge of Annie’s desk with a somber look. “The news reporter said that there was blood on the saddle.”
“Blood?” Marianna gasped. “At least one of the guys is hurt.”
Annie eyed Edgar blankly as if she was trying to take it all in.
Then, with a fierce determination in her eyes, Annie rose. “I’m going down there.” And without hesitation, she moved out of the room.
“What do you mean?” Marianna followed Annie with quickened steps.
Annie moved to the shelves behind the counter and took down two flashlights and an extra package of batteries. “Ike told me what trail they were taking. I know where they are.”
“Shouldn’t you call the authorities?” Edgar’s voice called as he hobbled out from the office toward the front checkout counter.
“Yes, of course, but it’s going to take them a while to pull a search team together. Time the guys might not have.” Annie moved to another shelf and grabbed a tarp and some waterproof matches.
“Shouldn’t you have someone go with you? If they’re in danger, what can…” Marianna let her voice trail off.
Annie’s gaze narrowed. “What can one woman do?”
“I didn’t mean it like that. You’ll be putting yourself in harm’s way.”
Annie pointed to her office, where Edgar had watched the news report. “If the horse and the loaded pack mule were found, they’ll be up there without many supplies. The blood on the saddle means at least one of them was hurt. I can bring them supplies. I can bring them aid. I know where they are. I know how to get to them.”
Marianna nodded. “Yes, of course. But can I help you pack things up?”
“You’ll just slow me down,” Annie snapped. “I know where things are, and I already have some emergency packs prepared. I’ve learned to be prepared. One can’t think well in an emergency. I’ve learned that from, uh, situations before. It will not take long to pack up my horse and mule. I can load my animals and get down there before dark. Thankfully, it’s a first quarter moon tonight—enough light to ride by.”
Marianna felt her body stiffen. The thought of Annie riding at night into the mountains, along dangerous trails, filled her with fear. But at the same time, she knew that it was important for Annie to get there as quickly as possible. Lives could be hanging in the balance right now. The faces of Ben, her father, and Uncle Ike filled her mind. Please, Lord, be with them. We don’t know what’s happening, but You know.
Annie’s gaze softened. “And I will call authorities and tell them what I know.” She blew out a long breath. “I just can’t sit here when he’s—they’re—out there. Not again.” Tears rimmed Annie’s lower lashes, and she quickly turned and wiped them away. Clearing the emotion from her throat, Annie turned back to Edgar. “Can you call Sarah and tell her I need her to help Jenny cover the store and restaurant? If she can’t cover it all, just put a Closed sign up. I’m sure everyone will understand.”
Edgar nodded solemnly as if he’d just been punched in the gut and all the spunk had been knocked out of him.
Annie took a step closer to Marianna and grasped her hand. “I think you should find a ride down to Missoula or even Ovando. It’s closer to the trailhead than here. Your mem will probably want to come too. See if Deborah Shelter can round up some women to watch the kids. You’ll need to be down there…” Annie didn’t finish the sentence, but Marianna knew. Whether good news or bad, she needed to be close.
“But should I go with you? I know how to ride—”
“This is not a ride through a meadow, Marianna. It’s not an easy trail, and I will not take it at an easy pace. If you want me to get to them—”
“I understand. Yes, of course. We will work it all out about getting a ride to Ovando. You just go.”
Annie didn’t need to be told twice. Without another look around the store, she rushed out. She lived only a half mile down the road behind the store and always walked home from work. Today she ran like a woman half her age. Seeing her hurry, Marianna knew how serious the situation was.
“Lord, be with Annie. Help her find them. And be with the guys until help gets there. Protect them.” Her whispered words caught in her throat. “Bring back my uncle, my father, and…my husband.”
Yes, Ben would be her husband. She knew that within the depths of her now. Marianna didn’t want to picture life without him. What a fool she’d been with all her concerns about the wedding. It no longer mattered if they married in a simple ceremony in the field beyond the store, at her parents’ house, or anywhere else. All that mattered was that they’d be married and she could spend the days as Ben’s wife.
Fears filled Marianna’s mind over thoughts of losing him. Dat and Uncle Ike were more used to the rugged environments. But Ben… No, she didn’t want to think of that. Couldn’t think of that. Ben would come home. She’d marry Ben. She’d love him for who he was and for how God was using him, even if that meant through his music, on the road, working with his manager…
Marianna thought about Roy, Ben’s manager, who also helped to produce his music. She’d met him only a few months after she and Ben returned to Montana from Indiana. They had gone to lunch, and Roy had been kind. It had surprised Marianna, since Ben had told her he’d once dated Roy’s daughter, Carrie. But Ben had explained that Roy was truly happy for them, especially since Marianna had been Ben’s muse for his biggest hit. Roy was closer to Ben than most, and she needed to tell him what was happening. Marianna pulled in a deep breath. She also knew she needed to ask for his help. The problem was how could she get ahold of him?
“Edgar, do you know how to use Annie’s computer? I need to find a phone number for Ben’s manager.”
“Well, I’m not too hot with that thing, but Jenny can probably figure it out. We can ask her to help us.”
After listening to Edgar state that they had an emergency, Jenny hurried into the office, wearing the restaurant apron and her short blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. The single mom had been a stranger to their community last year. Now Marianna couldn’t imagine West Kootenai without Jenny around. If anyone could help her, Jenny could.
Worry filled Jenny’s face as Marianna and Edgar explained the found horse, mule, and missing men.
“Do you think you can help me find someone on the internet?” Marianna asked the question as if she knew what she was talking about.
Surprise widened Jenny’s eyes. “Yes, of course.”
“Ben has a manager, Roy someone. I’d like to contact him. He needs to know what’s happening, and I need to ask for his help too.” Marianna wrapped her arms around herself, telling herself to remain calm and not allow fear to overcome her. “The thing is, I need to find him quickly, but I don’t even know his last name and have no idea where to look.”
Jenny nodded and pulled her cell phone from her pocket. “Okay, let me see.” Jenny held the cell phone to her mouth. “Who is Ben Stone’s music manager?” After a tiny ping, information popped up, but after a few minutes, Jenny seemed frustrated. “IMDb and these other sites want me to pay for this information.” Jenny tapped her lips with her finger. “But didn’t you say that Roy produces Ben’s music too?”
“Ja, he does.”
Jenny lifted the phone to her mouth again. “Who produced ‘Every Warm Cabin’ by Ben Stone?” The phone dinged again, and Jenny scanned the page. “‘Every Warm Cabin’ is a song by American country music singer Ben Stone. The song was written by Ben Stone and produced by Roy Knight.” Jenny’s voice rose with excitement. “And this link takes me over to Roy’s website where, bingo…here is a phone number for his production company. Hold on.”
Jenny pushed her screen again and held her phone to her ear. Marianna could faintly hear a woman’s voice answering. Then she explained the situation, gave Marianna’s name, and offered her number.
With a sigh, Jenny lowered the phone. “She sounded upset to hear what was happening with Ben. She said she’d have Roy call immediately.” Jenny tucked her phone into her pocket and then moved to the nail on the wall where a notebook with an attached pen was kept for leaving notes. Taking them from the nail, she wrote down what Marianna assumed was her phone number. She’d just added her name to the number when her phone rang. Jenny quickly answered it and then handed it over. “It’s Roy. He wants to talk to you.”
Marianna took the phone. “Hello?”
“Marianna, this is Roy Knight, Ben’s manager. My assistant told me there’s been some type of accident in the woods, and Ben and his friends were involved. Are you all right? You must be scared.”
Maybe she hadn’t expected Roy’s first concern to be about her, but tears tumbled out before she could stop them. Jenny quickly handed her a tissue from the box on Annie’s desk, and Marianna blew her nose and tried to compose herself. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to do that.”
“You don’t have to be sorry. I know you must be scared. I saw the news report, but I had no idea that Ben was involved.”
“You saw the news report?”
“Yes, my daughter, Carrie, is one of the news anchors in Missoula. Call me a proud dad, but I try to watch her every day during lunch. The report of the horse and mule came in this morning. She happened to be close in that area anyway, interviewing a rafting guide about the upcoming season over at the Stray Bullet restaurant. When one of the locals arrived with the news of the mule and the horse, Carrie got to the trailhead where the two men who found the creatures were waiting for the sheriff and brand manager to show up.”
“Brand manager?”
“Yes, the horse and the mule were branded. The brand manager can match the brand to the owner and give him a call.”
“I know the owner. It’s my uncle Ike, but he was up there with Ben in the mountains, along with my dat—father.”
Roy was quiet for a moment. “I’m taking notes. I can call the brand manager down in Powell County and tell him he can confirm ownership with the manager up in Lincoln County. What is your uncle’s name again?”
