Page 77 of Unforgiven

Behind her, Leon laughed as he slowed to a walk. “You’re so stupid. Did you really think they would suddenly care about you? They won’t come out, Tabitha. Not for you. You’re unforgiven.”

No. No, Leon’s words weren’t true. The Lord already had forgiven her. So had Mary. So had Roy.

And now she had Seth. She was no longer alone.

Tears filled her eyes as despair threatened to take over her. She fought them back. “Help me!” she screamed again. Then, seeing a big rock at her feet, she picked it up, rushed up the three steps leading to the front porch, and threw it at the window.

The shattering of glass reverberated around them.

The door flew open, revealing Rose and an angry-sounding Doberman by her side.

“Tabitha Yoder, you’ve lost your—”

“Help me, Rose!” she said just as Leon grabbed her arm and wrenched her around to face him. She cried out as pain shot from her shoulder down her arm, then gasped as he yanked her again before slamming his fist into her face.

The world went black as she fell.

“Get up!” Leon yelled against a backdrop of angry barking. “Get up, Tabitha. You need to be punished.”

She knew she should, but pain still radiated from her face. In addition, her shoulder burned and her wrist was throbbing. She must have landed on it when she’d fallen. Her ears buzzed from his crushing blow, and she could feel warm liquid on her face. Her nose was bleeding.

She managed to get on her knees.

As if in slow motion, Rose called for Joseph. Then out he came, wielding his grandmother’s hickory cane. Tabitha ducked her head as Joseph swung it around into Leon’s shoulder.

Leon yelled, but it was overpowered by the blaring of the sheriff’s cruiser’s siren as it tore up the drive. Both front doors opened and then men jumped out.

“Freeze!” Deputy Ernst yelled as he drew his weapon. “Leon Yoder, you’re under arrest!”

Leon froze, then darted toward the side of the house.

“You run away, my dog will attack,” Rose called out. “I’m serious.”

The dog’s fierce barking erupted again, and Leon turned toward the old farm implements.

“Don’t do it, Leon!” Sheriff Johnson said as he pulled out his gun.

To Tabitha’s shock, Leon smirked. “You wouldn’t dare do a thing. I’m unarmed. Plus Joseph just hit me for no reason. I’m going to press charges.”

Sheriff Johnson didn’t move a muscle. “It’s over, Leon. Don’t make things worse for yourself.”

Barely two seconds passed, but it felt like an eternity as all of them stared at Leon. At last, Leon put his hands up. Sheriff Johnson cuffed his hands behind his back.

“Leon, what a liar you have turned into,” Rose said as she toddled outside to join them. “I feared Tabitha’s words were true all this time. Now I know for sure and I’m going to make sure everyone knows that.”

Realizing she was now safe, Tabitha carefully slid off her knees and turned around so she was sitting on the top porch step. The pain in her shoulder and arm was excruciating, but she could finally breathe.

“It’s over,” Deputy Ernst said as he sat by her side. “Looks like you’re hurt bad. I already radioed for an ambulance just in case. It’s on the way.”

“Danke,” she whispered.

Sheriff Johnson read Leon his rights as he led him toward the cruiser. “After the ambulance comes, get the Lapps’ statements, Junior,” he called over his shoulder.

“Yes, sir.”

Rose came over. “I’ll stay with her, son. Never fear.”

To Tabitha’s surprise, the older woman gingerly lowered herself until she was sitting beside her. “My, it’s been quite a while since I sat in this spot. Feels good out here, don’t it?” she asked, just as if they were relaxing on a summer’s day.

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