A Heart Made New

A Heart Made New by Kelly Irvin

Book: A Heart Made New by Kelly Irvin Read Free Book Online
Authors: Kelly Irvin
in.”
    Sergeant Parker stepped closer to Annie. “I’m sorry, really I am. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
    Something about his gentle tone reminded Annie of the way Luke talked to a spooked horse, or little Joseph when he had a nightmare. Annie edged toward the door. Sergeant Parker’s height always made herfeel young and small. Or maybe it was the gun on his hip. “I should go now. It’ll be time for fixing supper soon. I’ll work something out and come back Monday morning.”
    “Absolutely not!” The mayor wedged herself between Annie and the door. “You can’t be seeing him period. You’re a witness. I want to make sure you’ll be at the courthouse on Tuesday. McKee will be arraigned. The city attorney wants all the witnesses there. We don’t want this criminal getting out on bond before his trial.”
    Feeling like a deer caught in a hunter’s sights, Annie looked to Sergeant Parker for help. He gave her a slight shrug and an apologetic smile. No help from that quarter. She faced the mayor. “I’ll have to talk with my brother about that.”
    Mayor Haag didn’t budge. “Missy, we need to show people that crime will not be tolerated in this town. Tourists will stop coming if we don’t. We need tourism to grow the town’s economy. Bliss Creek is going to be the next Lancaster County.”
    “I thought farming was the mainstay of Bliss Creek’s economy,” Sergeant Parker said, finally speaking up. “Not gawking at our Amish neighbors.”
    Given courage by his kind words, Annie squeezed past Mayor Haag. “I’ll not be speaking in court.” She lifted her chin and looked the mayor square in the eyes. “I’ve forgiven Mr. McKee. Maybe you can find it in your heart to do the same.”
    Her own heart pounding, she slipped through the door. The mayor’s exasperated huffing followed her, but the woman didn’t. Could she make Annie go to the hearing? Could they make her speak in front of a judge and lawyers? Anxiety made it hard to breathe. Luke would know. He would talk to the bishop. They would work it out.
    Annie set her dilemma aside and concentrated on the bigger problem that interested her a whole lot more. Charisma Chiasson looked desperate…as desperate as Logan had been at the bakery yesterday. What were they doing in Bliss Creek? Did they have family? It was none of Annie’s business, of course, except that Logan had chosen the bakery to rob.
    The sinking sun reminded her that she had to get home. She’d promised Luke she’d be there to help with supper. More importantly, she’d promised Mary she’d be home more. The twins needed her. The needs of her family tugged her in one direction, the needs of a young woman with child tugged her in another. If her Aenti Louise were here, she’d say Annie should do what Jesus would do. Family would take care of family, but who would take care of a woman and her child in a strange place with no family to help?
    Unable to answer that question, Annie hurried along the sidewalk, intent on reaching the blacksmith shop. Josiah would give her a ride, as usual. She would come back tomorrow and look for Charisma and Gracie. Sadie would give them food to eat. They were probably staying in the town’s only motel—the bed and breakfasts cost too much. She’d look tomorrow.
    Resolute in her plan, Annie turned left, ducked past a lady pushing a double stroller, and took another left. Two pink shirts bobbed in front of her. Charisma was holding Gracie on one hip while she tugged open the door of a dusty green minivan. Gracie screamed and kicked. “Stop it!” Charisma glanced around, her face red from exertion and something else—fear. “You have to get in.”
    “Don’t wanna get in. No. No. No!” The little girl’s screams got louder. Gracie’s flailing arm connected with her mother’s cheek and a bare foot landed in her stomach. The woman doubled over and let go of the child. Gracie landed on her backside on the hard cement. Screams turned

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