A Dark Amish Night Read Online Free Page A

make me.” Timothy jumped down from the loft and ran into the house, leaving his bewildered mother and Quinn in his wake.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    A Dark Amish Night
    Chapter Three
     
     
     
     
     
     
      Quinn said his goodbyes with a promise from Hannah that she would bring in Timothy to the office the next day, as she had to come into town anyway to talk to the Bishop and the church deacons. Hannah waved to him until his tail lights disappeared down the dirt road.
       She then went straight to Timothy’s room and knocked on the door before she went in. Her heart was broken for her son. Of all three of them she worried for her son the most. Timothy worshipped the ground his father walked on. It must have been particularly hard for him to be coping with such a loss.
       “Timothy, we have to talk. I understand you’re hurting son, but you can’t behave in such a manner. Sheriff Ramsey needs to ask you some questions and you have to answer him truthfully. He is the law, and we must obey.”
       “Even if he puts me in jail I won’t talk to him. He’s English, and the English don’t understand our ways.”
       A painful stab jabbed Hannah in the chest. Timothy was so much like his father, not only in looks but in manners and opinions. “Yes, darling, the Sheriff is English, but even your father would tell you we must obey all the laws of the land we live in, even the English ones. That means you have to answer all of his questions and the Amish way is to always be truthful and to promote peace. We’ll have to go to the Sheriff’s office in the morning and I expect you to behave like the well brought up Amish lad you are. Can you do that for me, Timothy?”
       Timothy nodded his head in compliance even though his heart was not in it. His mother could tell her son was conflicted. “So, after breakfast you’ll go out and hitch the horse to the buggy for me, right?”
       Timothy’s face brightened a little. “Yes, Ma, I can do that.”
       “There’s my good boy. Now, I need you to get ready for supper. I have some baking orders to finish before we go into to town tomorrow.”
       “Momma, do you think Papa will be proud of me if I take good care of you and Ruth Anne?’
       “Oh, yes. Your Papa will always be proud of you. Now, get ready for supper and bring your sister downstairs with you when you come, okay?” Hannah closed the bedroom door behind her and wiped at the hot tears that fell down her cheeks. She had to pull herself together. She was determined to keep her children feeling secure, and that meant they could not see her falling apart. No matter how heartbroken she was, she would carry on for her children.
     
     
     
       The next morning, Hannah headed into town. Her buggy was loaded down with baked goods and her two children. The fresh spring air felt good on her cheeks and lifted her spirits. Timothy was still brooding but he had agreed to talk with Quinn. Ruth Anne sang songs and played with her doll on the seat next to Hannah.
       When they got into town, it was no surprise to find Quinn waiting for them outside his office.  
       “Good morning, Hannah, and a good morning to you as well, Ruth Anne.”
       Ruth Anne giggled and laughed at Quinn as he handed her a brand new Raggedy Ann doll. “A curly red-headed doll named Ann for a curly red-headed girl named Ruth Anne.”
       “Quinn, you shouldn’t have. We are not to accept gifts from outsiders you know, but seeing as Ruth Anne is already in love I suppose we’ve no other choice.”
       Quinn didn’t miss the smirk on Timothy’s face as he gave his sister the doll. “Well, what do you say you and I take a walk, Timothy? That way we can talk like men without the women hovering. Hannah you don’t mind, do you?  What if I have him back here in say an hour?”
       Hannah wasn’t all that sure about leaving Timothy. “Well, son, what do you think? I do need to meet with