A Perfect Square

Chapter 33




SAMUEL STOOD AT THE WINDOW looking out at the two Englisch cars, and he knew that today was his day of reckoning.

Somehow he’d known it when he woke before dawn. There’d been a pit viper curled between his work boots, and he’d nearly set his feet down next to it. Even after he’d seen the snake, he’d thought, “Perhaps this is an answered prayer. Perhaps this is an easier way.”

Now, watching the two cars pull into the Lapp’s drive, he found himself thinking again of the snake and wondering why he had reached for the hoe and killed it.

He had killed … again.

“We have company, Samuel?” Rachel placed a hand on his shoulder as she peered out the window, out past the rain.

It was all he could do not to flinch at her touch. She still treated him with kindness, but that would end soon.

“Ya. Englischers.”

Timothy looked up from reading the Scripture and scowled. The two of them had come in for kaffi and a bite to eat after working since five. Even on Sunday the animals had to be taken care of. The rest of this day would be spent studying Scripture and spending time with family.

Across the district, other families would be meeting together to share meals, but not the Lapps.

They’d always lived in isolation, but it had grown worse in the days since Samuel had returned, since he’d told them Katie had gone to the city.

Looking out the window at the man who walked toward the front steps, he knew that now Timothy and Rachel would learn the truth, and he thought to run. His heart began to beat so fast it sounded louder than the knocking of the man’s fist against the door.

He thought to escape, but his feet remained rooted to the floor, as if they no longer retained the power to move.

So this was how it would end.

He remembered the snake again, remembered the feel as he’d chopped off its head, as he’d killed it.

Should he run?

He’d been taught ever since he was a young child to be peaceful. He’d lived all his life in a community committed to peace and nonviolence. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Samuel knew the verse well. Until this season of his life, he believed he’d followed it.

What of the rest of the verse from Romans? “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” How was he to do that? He didn’t understand. Katie had been gut. What had happened to her was wrong, and now these people were here, intent on bringing more grief to Timothy and Rachel.

He couldn’t allow it.

He’d been responsible for enough harm.

Eyeing Timothy’s hunting rifle on the shelf, he steeled his mind against his doubts and vowed to himself that he would find a way to protect this family — even if it meant he must fight.