What a strange place this was. She’d been driving, not knowing where she was going, and somehow ended up in an Amish community. In a house of seven children, no less. Though she’d been smiling as she met them all, she’d wondered if they could see beyond her façade.
She was lying to them every moment of every day, yet they still took care of her. Adriana walked as quickly as she could to the phone shanty, which was much slower than she wanted to.
Though she wished she was with Megan more than anything, Adriana had to admit, this place was growing on her. The people were growing on her. She grabbed fistfuls of her deep purple skirt and apron as she walked, smiling at how comfortable she felt in Amish clothing, even Damaris’ black boots she wore that were a bit too small.
Constance had offered to make her or buy her some Englisher clothing, but Adriana had asked for a few Amish dresses instead.
“Are you sure? Don’t you want some jeans and sweaters from the store? I think you might be more comfortable wearing what you usually wear,” Constance had offered.
“Actually, I think I might like Amish dresses better. I do want to fit in here, but it’s not just that. I admire your way of life here, and I want to be a part of it. I know wearing the clothing won’t make me Amish, but it might be symbolic of how much I appreciate you all helping me here. I’m not sure if that makes any sense,” Adriana had said, furrowing her brow and shaking her head, suddenly feeling foolish.
Yes, she wanted to fit in. She wanted to fit in just in case Henry came looking for her. Maybe, just maybe, her new disguise would fool him.
And Adriana had let Constance believe it was just because she admired the Amish way of life. And Adriana did, of course. But that was not her main reason for wearing the Amish clothing.
“I understand, dear,” Constance said, patting her hand. “Leave it to me.”
Constance had sewn her some beautiful Amish dresses, and it was like Adriana had worn them her entire life.
Somehow, the dresses helped her feel at home, even though she’d never really feel at home without Megan. As each day passed, her recovery was more pronounced, and she knew whether they thought her memory was restored or not that she would be leaving this place soon, for Megan’s sake.
It truly was a bittersweet feeling. Yes, she wanted to be with Megan again, but she’d miss this place.
Finally reaching the phone shanty, she fought to catch her breath as she opened the door and stepped inside to the tiny shed-like structure. She collapsed onto the stool and dialed Mrs. Clement’s cell phone number from memory.
“Please, God, let Megan be safe,” Adriana prayed.
“Hello?” the housekeeper said when she answered the phone.
“It’s me, Adriana.”
“Oh!” Mrs. Clement cried out, sobbing in relief. “Are you okay? Where are you?”
Adriana explained what had happened with the car crash and how Dominic’s family was helping her.
“Oh, I’m so sorry this is all happening, dear.” The other woman sniffed and blew her nose loudly.
“How is Megan? Is she hurt?”
“She’s safe. Henry doesn’t bother her much. He’s been ignoring her, really. I’ve been keeping her company. She’s so devastated and lonely. We had Jordan’s funeral. I wish you could have been there.”
“Me, too,” Adriana said, a lump forming in her throat. “I wish more than anything I could have been there for Megan. She must be so hurt and confused.”
“Henry told her that you’re dead,” Mrs. Clement said.
“I think we should keep it that way. If we tell her I’m alive, I’m afraid Henry will ask her questions, and she might slip up and tell him. You know how manipulative he is,” Adriana said.
“You’re right.” Mrs. Clement started sniffling again. “Where are you?”
“It’s probably best I don’t tell you that, either. But I’m with a nice family, and they’re taking care of me.”
“Oh, good. I’m so glad you called. I also wanted to tell you Henry is having me spring clean the entire house and sort through Jordan’s belongings, so that will give me an excuse to search the house thoroughly for the will and evidence.”
“Well, that’s great! Maybe it’s hidden in her things. I’m so sorry, Mrs. Clement, but I better go. I sneaked out to make this call, and they might get worried. Thank you for taking care of Megan.”
“Please call me as often as you can.”
“I’ll try.”
Adriana hung up, then hurried back up the lane. She’d missed her own sister’s funeral. Tears blurred Adriana’s vision as she walked, and she quickly wiped them away.
“Oh, Jordan. I’m so sorry for all of this,” Adriana whispered, wishing she could talk to her sister just one more time, even just to apologize.
When she finally reached the field again, she stopped, gasping for breath.
She sighed as she heard approaching footsteps. Expecting it to be Dominic, she said, "It's like I've stepped into a Laura Ingalls Wilder book."
"What's that?" a female voice asked, and Adriana swiveled around.
Her eyes widened when she saw that it was Damaris. She swallowed. The young woman had been very cold to her all this time, and Adriana had no idea why she disliked her so much. Honestly, Adriana was glad that she had healed up enough to care for herself. She didn’t like depending on others to take care of her and bring her meals.
"She’s a wonderful author who wrote a book about a house on the prairie. I think I read her books a long time ago," Adriana told her as Damaris was looking back at her thoughtfully. "Is there something wrong?"
Damaris tilted her head to the side. "Why would anybody hurt you?"
Adriana couldn’t tell if she was genuinely asking or being snarky.
Adriana smiled ruefully and said, "Sometimes, Damaris, people want to hurt you to get something they want. You don't have to do something wrong to be hated."
She knew that more than anyone. Jordan had known that more than anyone.
“I came out here because I need to talk to you about something. I see the way my brother looks at you, and you have to know something. You see, if Dominic falls for you and if he wants to be with you, he would be shunned. He has officially joined the Amish church, so the rules are stricter for him. I know you’re new here, so you don’t know our rules, but if an Amish person is romantically involved with an Englisher, they could be shunned. An Englisher is anyone not Amish. And when a person is shunned, we are not allowed to eat at the same table as them and most do not speak to them.”
“Oh, I had no idea.” She’d feel terrible if that happened to Dominic because of her. “I don’t want him to get in trouble.”
Before Damaris could reply, Adriana started off into the fields.
"Where are you going?" Damaris called after her.
"For a walk," she replied. "I need to clear my head. I'll be fine."
Damaris groaned and hurried inside.
Adriana stood at the edge of the forest, staring at the crash site where her car had been, which must have been towed away at some point. As she stared, tears rolled down her cheeks.
Was that how she really would have ended up?