River of Mercy Read online

  HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

  EUGENE, OREGON

  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

  Verses marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  Verses marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

  Cover by Koechel Peterson & Associates, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota

  BJ Hoff is published in association with Books & Such Literary Agency, 52 Mission Circle, Suite 122, PMB 170, Santa Rosa, CA 95409-5370. www.booksandsuch.biz

  RIVER OF MERCY

  Copyright © 2012 by BJ Hoff

  Published by Harvest House Publishers

  Eugene, Oregon 97402

  www.harvesthousepublishers.com

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Hoff, B. J.

  River of mercy / BJ Hoff.

  p. cm.—(The Riverhaven years ; bk. 3)

  ISBN 978-0-7369-2420-7 (pbk.)

  ISBN 978-0-7369-4052-8 (eBook)

  1. Amish—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3558.O34395R58 2012

  813'.54—dc22

  2012012455

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  I’m thankful to so many people who helped bring this book to fulfillment, and especially to…

  My husband, Jim, who knows all the important stuff I can never figure out and doesn’t make too much fun of my helplessness. (He can actually read maps and calculate how long a buggy would have taken to get from point A to point B.) He also puts up with my Irishness and smiles through it all.

  My daughters, Dana and Jessie, who pray for me, cheer for me, and put up with me during deadlines and disasters. They also make me smile—a lot.

  My grandsons, Noah, Gunnar, and Caleb, who enrich my life and crack me up on a regular basis.

  Special friends—Cheryl, the bravest and most resilient woman I know; Sara, a true Steel Magnolia who never ceases to surprise me; Charlotte, who saves me from frumpdom, prays for me, and on occasion, feeds me; Wennie, who storms heaven with a velvet hammer and is known well by the Father; and Edith, who simply does too much for me to list. Bless you all!

  My long-suffering editor, Nick Harrison, who wears a mantle of patience and shows the grace of a saint and rolls his eyes only when I’m unaware.

  Shane White, indefatigable encourager and optimist supreme.

  As always, my agent and friend, Janet Kobobel Grant, who never gives up on me.

  Kelli Standish, friend and wizard who teaches me something new at least once a week and holds my hand through the nightmarish maze of cyberspace, Facebook, and The Media.

  Harvest House—a publisher of the highest integrity that treats its authors like family and friends. Every one of you is such a blessing!

  And my readers. I am blessed to have patient and kindhearted readers who continually encourage me with their messages and ongoing prayers. “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all.”

  Thanks be to my God, who always brings me through in spite of myself.

  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue: Too Many Long Nights

  1. A Visit to Riverhaven

  2. A Future and a Hope

  3. A Woman Grown

  4. Night Watch

  5. Missing Rachel

  6. The Man Who Would Be Bishop

  7. Music in the Night

  8. A Not-So-Cozy Evening

  9. Behind the Darkness

  10. A Cry on the Mountain

  11. A New Strategy

  12. New Arrivals

  13. What a Morning

  14. Secrets

  15. The Warning

  16. An Enemy Within

  17. A Change of Plans

  18. Trouble Descending

  19. Because of Rachel

  20. Advice from a Friend

  21. Fire in the Night

  22. Counting the Cost

  23. Failed Plans

  24. Day of Blessing, Day of Trouble

  25. Passing Through the Fire

  26. What If?

  27. End of a Search

  28. From Hope to Grief

  29. Family Matters

  30. A Stirring of Rumors

  31. A Secret Meeting

  32. A Gift for Rachel

  33. A Matter of Trust

  34. Meetings That Matter

  35. Confrontation

  36. Stalker in the Shadows

  37. An Unholy Proposal

  38. Messages

  39. Conviction

  40. In Search of Guidance

  41. A Highly Unexpected Turn of Events

  42. Gant’s Dilemma

  43. Time to Go Home

  44. Stalking Rachel

  45. Encounter with the Enemy

  46. Rachel’s Answer

  47. No Longer a Stranger

  Epilogue: River Song

  River of Mercy

  Discussion Questions

  About BJ Hoff

  About the Publisher

  PROLOGUE

  TOO MANY LONG NIGHTS

  I feel like one who treads alone

  Some banquet hall, deserted.

  THOMAS MOORE

  Amish settlement near Riverhaven, Ohio

  November 1856

  Rachel Brenneman had always liked to walk by the river at twilight.

  There had been a time during the People’s early years at Riverhaven when she gave no thought to walking alone, day or night. After she and Eli were married, the two of them liked to stroll along the bank of the Ohio in the evening, discussing their day, planning the workweek, dreaming of the future. After Eli’s death, however, Rachel no longer went out alone after dark, although sometimes she and her ten-year-old sister, Fannie, took a picnic lunch in the early afternoon and sat watching the fine big boats and smaller vessels that traveled the great Ohio to unknown places.

  Now though, venturing away from the community no longer felt safe, even in the middle of the day. In truth, there was nowhere that felt safe, not after the deadly attack on Phoebe Esch and the other troubles recently visited upon the People. At night, especially, Rachel stayed inside, sitting alone in her bedroom with the window scarcely open in deference to the weather, which had recently turned cold.

  November was a lonely month. Rachel still loved to listen to the river from inside her home, but the nighttime sounds—the distant lapping of the water, the blast from a boat’s horn, the night creatures in communion with one another—never failed to set off a stirring of remembrance and an ache in her heart. Yet she couldn’t resist sitting there night after night, watching and listening, trying not to let her memories struggle to the surface of her thoughts, trying not to let new hope ignite the ashes of her dreams…

  Trying not to think of Jeremiah.

  But how could she not think of him? How did a woman love a man, even if their love was forbidden, and not see his face in her mind or hear his voice in her ear or remember the imprint of his smile upon her thoughts?

  Common sense seemed to tell her it should be easy to put the man out of her head. They couldn’t be alone with each other. They couldn’t even pass the time of day unless they were in the company of others. If they happened to meet by accident, they were expecte
d to separate as quickly as possible.

  Yet even with all the rules and restrictions that kept them apart, Jeremiah Gant was still a part of her life. He flowed through her heart and traced the current of her days as surely and completely as the Ohio flowed through the valley, winding its way through the land, coursing through the days and lives of Rachel and the other Plain people.

  Lately, there had been talk of leaving. Two years and more of unrest and harassment and threats—even death—had begun to wear on the Riverhaven Amish. It was rumored that talks were taking place among the church leaders, discussions of whether to remain in this once peaceful valley that had become home to the entire community or to consider moving on.

  There was no thought of fighting back, of seeking out the unknown adversaries and taking a stand against them. Even if the People could identify their tormenters, they would not confront them. The Amish were a people of nonresistance. They would not fight, not even to protect their own lives. It wasn’t their way. To strike out at another individual under any circumstances was strictly against the Ordnung, the unwritten but strict code that guided how they were to live.

  The only person Rachel had ever known to defy the rule against fighting, even in self-defense, was Eli, her deceased husband. He’d gone against the Amish way when he defended Rachel against those who ambushed them on another November night, now four years gone. He had fought with desperation and all his strength, only to die at the hands of their attackers while allowing Rachel to escape.

  She knew it was a grievous sin to have such a thought, but many had been the time she wished she could have died alongside Eli that terrible night rather than live through the grief-hollowed, barren days that followed his death. She had been totally devoted to Eli. Their marriage had been good, for they had been close friends as well as husband and wife. Rachel had thought she could never love another man after losing Eli.

  And then Jeremiah Gant had come to Riverhaven, turning her life around, enabling her to love again—only to have that love forbidden. Even though Jeremiah had made it known he would willingly convert to the Amish faith, Bishop Graber refused to grant permission, once again leaving Rachel with a lost love and a broken heart.

  Perhaps it would be better if they were to leave Riverhaven…leave the fear and the dread and the pain-filled memories behind.

  Leave Jeremiah…

  The thought stabbed her heart. Could she really face never seeing him again? Never again hear him say her name in that soft and special way he had of making it as tender as a touch? Never again see the smile that was meant for her alone?

  In truth, it wasn’t only Jeremiah she would miss if they were to leave this fertile Ohio valley. She loved the land, the gentle hills, the singing river. She had come here when she was still a child, come from another place that had never truly been home to her. Here in Riverhaven though, she had felt welcome and accepted. At peace. At home.

  At least for a time. It was almost as if she had become a part of the land itself. Even the thought of leaving made her sad beyond telling.

  She sighed, knowing she should stir and make ready for bed, even though she felt far too restless for sleep. Would this be another of too many nights when her thoughts tormented her, circling like birds of prey, evoking an uneasiness and anxiety that would give her no peace?

  Finally she stood, securing the window to ward off the cold, even though she sensed that the chill snaking through her had little to do with the night air. All too familiar with this icy wind of loneliness, she knew there was no warmth that could ease its punishing sting.

  1

  A VISIT TO RIVERHAVEN

  I used to think that love made people happy, but now I know it can also make them sad.

  FROM THE PERSONAL DIARY OF FANNIE KANAGY

  Even though a heavy sadness lay behind this visit to Riverhaven, Rachel couldn’t help but take pleasure in the music streaming from one of the two churches on the main street.

  It was unusually mild for a late morning in November. Someone must have cracked open the church door or a window, for the hymn singing was clear enough to make out most of the words. Even though it was church music, Rachel knew she probably shouldn’t give it too much of her attention. Music tended to take her mind off everything else, and today she didn’t want to be distracted.

  The Amish held worship services on alternating Sundays, and the other Sundays were usually spent calling on family and friends. Rachel didn’t know Ellie Sawyer very well, but on this particular day she felt the need to pay her a visit. It was early to call on someone who wasn’t family, and the newly widowed Mrs. Sawyer was probably in church, so Rachel had agreed to Fannie’s suggestion to go sightseeing first at the Riverhaven Park with its nice picnic grounds. There was a beautiful view of the Ohio River and the sloping hills that bordered its grounds and pier.

  Rachel and Fannie’s widowed mother had recently married Dr. David Sebastian, and the couple had traveled by train to Baltimore to meet the doctor’s son and family, so only the two sisters were visiting Ellie Sawyer today. The poor young wife and mother had only recently learned of her husband’s tragic death from a farm accident in Indiana, so no doubt she would be grieving deeply.

  To make matters worse, Mr. Sawyer had been buried for nearly two weeks in another state before Ellie learned by post that he was gone. The awful news had come too late for her to travel and attend her husband’s funeral.

  Rachel couldn’t begin to imagine how difficult that must have been. At least when she lost Eli, she had been there to prepare his body for burial and had known the comfort of her entire family and community of friends. The People gathered close around one of their own during such a time to help and console in any way they could. Death was always a hard thing, but having loved ones close by to share one’s sorrow helped ease the pain, at least a little.

  The church and its music now behind them, Fannie nudged Rachel. “The Englisch hymn singing is real pretty, isn’t it, Rachel? I like music, don’t you?”

  Rachel nodded. “Ja. But we mustn’t let it distract us today or any other day for that matter. And let’s be sure to give Ellie Sawyer all our attention while we’re there.”

  “Does Mrs. Sawyer know about Eli? That you’re a widow too?”

  The road to the park was in sight now, so Rachel slowed the buggy before replying. “I doubt that she does. And I wouldn’t want to mention it to her, especially now. She doesn’t need to be thinking about anyone’s loss but her own these days.”

  “I just thought it might help her to know someone else understands what she’s going through.”

  Rachel glanced at her sister. For such a young girl, Fannie sometimes showed surprising insights. Was she right? Would Ellie Sawyer feel better knowing that someone nearby could understand and even share her grief?

  “Well,” Rachel said before stepping out of the buggy, “if the time ever comes when I feel I should mention it, I will.”

  Even as she said the words though, Rachel hoped the time wouldn’t come. Despite the years that had passed since Eli’s death, it was all she could do to speak of it. The memory of that awful night still seared her heart.

  Rachel and Fannie stayed considerably longer at the park than they had planned. The mild weather encouraged walking along the riverbank, and the view was worth the time they spent admiring it. By the time they drove back into Riverhaven to visit Ellie Sawyer, it was almost two o’clock.

  “I wonder if it’s too late to stop at the boardinghouse,” Rachel said. “I wouldn’t want to wake the baby if she’s napping.”

  “Oh, Rachel, I really want to see the baby! Please, let’s stop for a few minutes at least.”

  Rachel looked at her. “All right, but we won’t stay long.” She slowed the horses, intending to park across the road from the boardinghouse.

  “Captain Gant!” Fannie cried, standing up in the buggy. “Look, Rachel, there’s Captain Gant!”

  Rachel reined in the horses a little too sharply, e
asing up as she saw Jeremiah step down from the porch of the boardinghouse. At Fannie’s cry, he stopped by the side of the road and returned her wave, waiting while Rachel parked the buggy before walking toward them.

  Irked by the way her heart raced at the sight of him, Rachel sat still as a stone, still grasping the reins as he approached. His first words were for Fannie, who was practically squirming with excitement. As always, he charmed the girl by sweeping a bow and breaking into a huge smile.

  “Well, now, if it isn’t Miss Fannie Kanagy. This is a nice surprise.”

  When he turned to Rachel, his smile softened. “Rachel,” he said quietly. The look he gave her was as warm and intimate as if he’d laid his hand along her cheek. “How are you keeping?”

  It was all Rachel could do to choke out a greeting. He unnerved her at the best of times, but coming upon him unexpectedly made it almost impossible to keep her composure.

  Tall and casual in his shirtsleeves—although the weather wasn’t quite that mild—while a faint November breeze ruffled his dark hair, he was handsome enough to make any woman go weak-kneed and take a second look.

  Only the awareness that she didn’t dare look at him too closely made it possible for Rachel to drag her gaze away. Even so, she allowed a quick, forbidden thought that the roads of Riverhaven would be far safer if men like Jeremiah Gant were confined indoors.

  She finally faced him to find him studying her with one raised eyebrow and a hint of a smile. She cleared her throat, saying, “I’m doing well, thank you.”

  “It’s a little unusual to see you in town on a Sunday,” he said. “Are you looking for Gideon?”

  “We came to visit Mrs. Sawyer and her baby,” Fannie put in.

  “We did see Gideon though. He was out at the farm to help me feed the animals while Mamma and Dr. David are gone,” Rachel added.

  “Have you heard from them?”

  “No, but they should be home by the end of the week.”

  “Well, I’m sure Ellie will be glad to see you,” he said, darting a glance behind him toward the boardinghouse. “I just came from there. You’ll find her and Naomi Fay downstairs. She’s back at work, helping Marabeth in the kitchen.”