Page 53 of Crimson Storm

“You can fatten me up anytime, Mrs. Byler.”

“Come back anytime,” she said. “All of you.”

Thirty minutes later we were hugging goodbye at the door, and I was promising my siblings to return soon or at least to write. Daniel wrapped his arms around the long skirt that covered my legs to the ankles.

“I wish I could come with you to the vampire house,” he said with a pout.

I knelt so we were face to face. “I wish you could come too. But it’s very far, and Dad needs your help here on the farm. I’ll try to come back soon, okay? You be good until then.”

He nodded and hugged my neck, sniffling a little, which brought tears to my eyes. I hoped what I’d said to my family was true, that I’d beableto return.

I really didn’t knowwhatwould happen when we reached the Bastion or if I’d ever see them again.

Pulling the buggy away from the house, I at least felt reasonably sure we’d make it there safely without any further interruption.

26

Sisters

“You know, this getup is surprisingly comfortable,” Heather said from the back seat of the buggy. “I might start wearing Amish clothes all the time. I’d never have to worry about shaving my legs again. Or holding in my stomach.”

Kelly laughed. “Or doing your hair. Just throw on a bonnet and go.”

I twisted back so I could see them past my own traveling bonnet, which blocked my side view. It was strange to be in plain clothes again, driving a horse-drawn buggy. Dad said the team of horses could easily take us to the state line. From there we would go on foot.

“Well, I don’t think I could ever get used to pants with no zipper,” Shane quipped. “And I’m not sure I’m a hat guy.”

“It looks good on you,” I assured him. “You look very Amish. It’s a good thing wedidn’tstay another day. One of my sisters might have snapped you up if you walked around dressed like that.”

He beamed, a wicked gleam in his eye. “Would that bother you?”

His flirty question caught me off guard. “Of course not. I would be glad for you to find someone to make you happy.”

“Youmake me happy,” he insisted.

I turned away and focused on the reins, willing my hands not to shake as I held them. As the miles passed, my heart grew heavier and heavier. It seemed impossible that after all we’d been through, we’d be going our separate ways in just a few hours.

At least I knew he’d be okay. If the authorities discovered he’d been with us, he could simply tell them we’d kidnapped him and forced him to travel with us.

No doubt they’d find it an easy story to believe. It was what theywantedto believe.

When we spotted the Virginia state line checkpoint in the distance, Shane and I switched places, though I still kept control of the reins.

If we were a real Amish family, he’d be doing the driving as the male. I didn’t want to raise any suspicions with the border agents.

I turned to my friends in the back seat. “Pretend to be asleep. Close your eyes and turn your heads to the sides so the bonnets will shield your faces.”

“Most of these guys are half-asleep anyway,” Shane said. “Or deeply involved in playing war games on their phones. They’ll probably just wave us through. An Amish buggy is the last place they’ll be looking for vampires.”

“I hope you’re right. I lost one of my contact lenses. I’ll just keep my head down. You’ll have to do the talking anyway, as theman—otherwise it would look suspicious,” I said.

Apparently, my worry was for nothing. When we reached the agent’s hut, the guy on duty looked drowsy and bored. He rose from his stool and stretched before lumbering to the curb.

He pressed the button to raise the bar before even speaking to us. Obviously knowing Amish people didn’t have driver’s licenses, he didn’t ask for one.

“Good evening folks. You’re out awfully late,” he said in a friendly tone.

I focused on my hands folded in my lap as Shane answered and gave him the story we’d agreed upon.

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