The Widow by Hopkins Karen Ann

Author:Hopkins, Karen Ann [Hopkins, Karen Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, thriller, Crime
Amazon: B08LGBFFJP
Goodreads: 55951415
Published: 2020-12-15T08:00:00+00:00

16

The rain had finally stopped, but the barnyard was riddled with puddles and thick, soupy muck. Since the Mast’s house was dark and there were lights on in the largest barn on the property, that’s where we headed. I took the lead and Daniel marched behind me, stomping through the mud. Several horses were tied to the hitching rail and as many more buggies were parked nearby in the grass. Before we even walked through the doorway, I knew we weren’t going to be alone with Reuben, Sarah, and the Masts.

The scene struck me as a lot less scary as some of the other late-night barn meetings I’d been to. My gaze first fell onto Sarah. She sat on a bale of hay next to Matthew Troyer, and went from a slouching, half-asleep look to suddenly perking up when she saw me. Sarah nudged Matthew and when he looked up, his mouth spread into a relieved smile.

They were a cute couple. She favored her mother and uncle in looks, but where their eyes were warm brown, hers were the color of springtime grass. Matthew still had that awkward teenaged thing going on, but in a few years, I was willing to bet he’d grow into a handsome young man. Not long ago, the two had argued about her desire to leave the Amish. Matthew wasn’t interested, but he didn’t want to lose Sarah. Daniel had played the ex-Amish therapist and helped them settle on giving it a few years to firmly decide which world they would live in. Sarah was a lot like Daniel. She had wild oats to sow and it wouldn’t surprise me if she eventually went English. Matthew seemed solidly on the side of staying with the Plain people.

A quick glance around confirmed my suspicions that several families had representation. The space was large enough to comfortably hold the gathering without anyone having to stand too close to each other. A stack of hay filled the bay to the left and a Bobcat was parked in the right one. Further into the barn, a cow bellowed. That area wasn’t lit, and it seemed like the darkness went on forever.

Matthew’s father, Jonathon Troyer, stood close to his son and another man I didn’t recognize leaned against the wall on the other side of Jonathon. I was surprised to see women in attendance. Daniel’s mom and Katherine Bender stood behind their husbands at the edge of the group, where the light from the two lanterns barely reached. Since Lester was back at the house with the bishop, his wife, Mary Ester, seemed to have taken his place front and center with the men. Moses Bachman and Joseph Bender had barely glanced up when Daniel and I had come through the door. Their strained features told me that they’d rather be anywhere else. Reuben faced Elmer, who had his brother, Dexter, and mother close behind him. The last man in the room was Amos Yoder. I’d probably seen him a hundred times in the past, but never really noticed him, even with the flaming hair and beard.

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