“Not to worry. We are a nosy bunch. Just ask movie or television stars.”
Abby waited, unsure how to respond.
“What’s going on with your bail?” he asked, closing her folder. “I thought your husband would have arranged bail once the judge granted my motion reducing the amount to one hundred thousand. Any bondman would loan him that against your farm.”
Abby’s lightheadedness increased twofold.
“My bail has been reduced?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am. I left a message for you. And I called your husband to let him know.”
“My house has no phone.” She supported her head with her fingertips.
“I called your cell phone and he picked up. I talked to him personally about the reduction of your bail amount.”
She shook her head with growing comprehension. “The elders must have decided not to allow Daniel to post bail. Borrowing money for such purposes is not done in our community.”
Blake met her gaze and held it. “All right. Would you like me to see if any women’s groups might want to raise the money on your behalf? Maybe a midwife’s society, if there is such a thing?”
Abby struggled to her feet. “No, please don’t do anything like that. I appreciate the thought, but if the leaders of my district want me to remain behind bars, then here I will stay. Now, I must return to my cell. I don’t feel well.” She braced her palms on the table for balance.
“Sure, but don’t worry, Mrs. Graber. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to. I will request a speedy trial as it looks as though you’ll be stuck here until then. I’ll do what I can to hurry things along.”
“Thank you, Mr. Blake.” Abby shook his hand and walked back to her cell on legs that could barely support her weight. Other inmates said hello or asked questions, but she couldn’t pause to chat. She needed to get back to her bunk to lie down.
Two and a half years in a woman’s prison on the other side of the state? How would her family manage? Certainly Catherine couldn’t stay that long to raise her children. Wasn’t she entitled to a life of her own? She would never find a suitable husband shut away on the Graber farm without her circle of friends nearby.
Worries circled around her head like birds of prey over carrion. Finally she dozed off, and when she awoke she went to the desk in the common room where paper and pens were kept to begin a long overdue letter.
Dear Catherine,
It is my fondest hope that you are well and enjoying your stay with Daniel, Laura, and Jake. Words cannot express my gratitude for your sacrifice. A woman your age wants to think about social events and courting, not keeping house for her big sister. I will be in your debt until I draw my dying breath.
My lawyer has requested a speedy trial. Please pray that the trial comes soon, and that the judge will have a merciful heart.
Do not work too hard. A house is just a house. Providing meals and comforting my family are more than enough. And please pray that my faith sustains me in the difficult decision I must make.
Your loving schwester,
Abigail
With the letter addressed, sealed, and stamped, her headache faded. She managed to eat some odd-tasting beef chili and drank two glasses of iced tea. Back in her cell, away from the other prisoners who talked, watched TV, and read magazines, Abby found a sense of peace. As she lay in bed, her choice became easy.
Living with the repercussions of that choice was what would prove difficult in the dark days ahead.
Catherine could not have felt sillier about her behavior toward Isaiah if she tried. She was the one who had been curious about the inside of his cabin. Yet, given the chance to satisfy her curiosity, she had acted like a foolish little girl. Her niece wasn’t afraid of Isaiah, and neither was her nephew. But inside in his austere cabin, with his dark eyes boring holes through her back, she had panicked. She had planned to apologize, but she saw neither hide nor hair of the elusive man for several days. Twice he’d failed to come for his lunch bag, and she’d fed his sandwiches to the hog. And twice he’d come for his dinner plate after dark, when she’d been busy bathing the children and putting them to bed. She might have feared her behavior had offended him, but remembering his laughter