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unable to avoid touching her hand, as well. “You see the problem. The Zook farm is clear up here, and the school is in the opposite direction. I don’t see any reason at all that she’d be on Dahl Road. It’s not on the way to any of the places she might normally go.”
Libby studied the map and then traced her finger along the road to where it intersected with the main road, three miles from Springville. Her breath caught in a strangled gasp.
“Esther knew I was at the reception. She was coming to see me. If I had gotten to her sooner, this never would have happened.”
“You don’t know that.” He made his voice deliberately flat, trying to dampen her emotion. “And even if she was heading for Springville, it doesn’t explain anything. Where was she coming from? She wouldn’t be on Dahl Road if she were driving from home to Springville.”
“N-no, I guess not.” She looked up at him. “But it doesn’t change the fact that I should have come home sooner.”
She was so close. Too close. He couldn’t help but remember what had happened the last time he’d made the mistake of getting this near her.
He took a step back, bumping into the desk, his foot entangling with the wheels of his chair. Like a stupid adolescent, tripping in the presence of the girl he was crazy about.
“It doesn’t do Esther or her family any good to have you feeling sorry for yourself,” he said, purposely cool.
Her face flamed with anger, as he’d known it would. “I’m not feeling sorry for myself. And I see you haven’t learned any tact,” she snapped.
“I’m a cop, not a diplomat.” He moved away from her, around the desk. “My job is to find out who smashed into Esther’s buggy and left her lying there on the road.”
Maybe it was the effect of his words or maybe it was her natural courage, but Libby straightened, her chin lifting.
“I’ll let you get on with that, then. If you need me, I’ll be at the hospital.” She walked quickly to the door, and then turned. “And while you’re investigating, you might see if you can find my camera. I must have left it in your car last night.”
Before he could respond she was gone, the door not quite slamming behind her.
He’d wanted to snap her out of thinking she was responsible for Esther’s injury. Looked like he’d succeeded, but at the cost of making her mad at him.
Still, that might be better for both of them.
* * *
     
LIBBY’S HEART TWISTED when she approached the door of Esther’s room, an unreasoning panic welling up. If something had happened…
That was stupid. If anything had changed, she’d have heard. Still, her hand was cold as she pushed the door open.
Esther lay as she had the night before, her face nearly as white as the sheets except for the spreading bruises. Motionless, silent. The only sound in the room came from the machines, throbbing and pumping.
Esther’s mother, sitting on the edge of a vinyl chair, was touching her daughter’s hand. Another Amish woman sat next to Rebecca, her black dress and apron an echo of Rebecca’s.
Rebecca looked up as the door swung shut, and her face creased in a welcoming smile that wiped away a little of the stress and pain. “Ach, Libby. I knew you would be back soon, for sure.”
Libby crossed to her and bent to press her cheek against Rebecca’s.
“How is she?”
Rebecca took her hand. “No change. That’s what the nurse said, ja, Anna?” She glanced at the woman next to her.
The name triggered Libby’s memory. Anna King, Esther’s Aunt Anna. A former teacher herself, she had encouraged Esther to teach.
“Ja, that’s right.” Anna managed a smile, even though it was strained. “Libby, it is gut you are here. You have always been one of the family. Komm, sit here.” She rose, motioning to her chair.
“I won’t take your seat—”
But Anna shoved her gently to the seat. “You will keep Rebecca and Esther company, and I will go for some coffee. The walk will do me gut.”
Libby let herself be