An Amish Marriage of Convenience by Rachel J. Good

Author:Rachel J. Good [Good, Rachel J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zebra Books
Published: 2022-06-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

Stephen hung back while the police interviewed Nettie. He’d heard Joline’s version of the story, which made him sick. He should have kept a better eye on her. And even though she needed to be disciplined, he shouldn’t have humiliated her in front of a roomful of people.

If he’d talked with Joline earlier . . . If he’d come down hard on her when she’d first started acting out . . . If he’d . . .

Stephen stopped himself. He could have done a better job parenting, but regretting the past wouldn’t change what had happened. He needed to concentrate on the future. And his first action—after thanking Nettie—would be to spend more time with Joline. And to make his expectations clear.

Stephen couldn’t help overhearing Nettie recounting the story. She said the same thing Joline had about the teen dragging Joline into the alley. Then she described sneaking out the back door to surprise him, pretending to have a gun.

What had she been thinking? Didn’t she know how dangerous that was?

The male officer taking down Nettie’s story gave her a skeptical look. “The kid believed you?”

Nettie lowered her head. “I, um, stuck a finger in his back.”

The officer frowned. “Never a good idea to go after an attacker like that. He could have cut the girl.”

“I had to take a chance. I couldn’t let him hurt her. I figured if he didn’t believe me, he’d turn around and go after me instead.”

Joline pressed a hand against her mouth, and Stephen swallowed hard. Nettie would have sacrificed her life for his daughter?

“Next time, call the police and wait until we get here.”

“Who knows what might have happened to her by then. And I did yell for someone to call nine-one-one as I ran to the side door. I hoped you’d be coming soon.”

The officer’s expression turned grim. “You could have taken some strong men out with you to overpower him, but you’d still have risked the little girl’s life.”

“I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

A heavy sigh was the officer’s only response.

Nettie went on with her story, repeating the same scene Joline had described, only she added one more detail. “If I’d been faster, he never would have slashed me.”

The officer blew out an exasperated breath. “Unless you’ve been trained, it’s not easy to evade a determined knifer.”

“I could have done it. I should have done it.” Nettie appeared frustrated.

Stephen couldn’t believe she’d taken a chance like that. And to expect she could outmaneuver an experienced knife fighter? What was she thinking?

“Do you know how many times situations like this end in tragedy?” the officer scolded. “Next time don’t take matters into your own hands.”

Nettie ignored him and continued with her statement. “A group of bikers drove up and helped.”

Joline also had mentioned the bikers. Stephen had believed her, but the woman who’d interviewed her had appeared dubious. This officer had the same disbelieving look.

“Where are they now?” he asked.

Nettie shrugged.

“She’s lying,” Joline said.

Stephen shushed her. He hoped the officer hadn’t heard Joline’s comment.

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