When Secrets Strike. Marta Perry

were that close, the hens would certain sure be making a racket.

      Sarah moved slowly around the other outbuildings, checking each one. Daad had taken to padlocking any that could be easily locked, making her search easier. All was serene, the dry grass rustling under her feet.

      Just the barn now, and her steps quickened. She’d been tempted to leave Molly out in the field tonight, but hadn’t liked to give in to the fear. Still, she’d be glad to double-check to assure herself that the mare was safe.

      A sudden sound from the side of the barn made her freeze, and her heart was suddenly pounding so hard she could feel it in her chest. Biting her lip, she raised the torch, remembering in the same instant the promise she’d made to Aaron.

       If you hear something, don’t try to deal with it yourself.

      But she wasn’t sure. And she couldn’t go running for Daad when it might be nothing but a bird or a bat.

      “Is someone there?” Somehow the sound of her own voice was reassuring. “Hello?” She aimed the light, saw something move in the shadows, and drew a breath to yell.

      “Sarah? It’s just me.” Jonah King stepped into the circle of light. “You’re not going to scream, ain’t so?”

      She managed a chuckle. “No, but I came close. What are you doing here, Jonah?” Aaron’s teenage brother was physically very like Aaron had been at that age, but he had a quick, changeable personality that meant you were never quite sure when he might take offense at something you said. Aaron had always been the same as he was now—steady, calm and dependable.

      “I’m taking my turn to patrol.” Sure enough, Jonah sounded a bit prickly. “Daad acts like I can’t be counted on to do it right.”

      “I’m sure he doesn’t think that,” she said, hoping to dampen the teen’s irritation. Jonah was at the age to be at odds with his daad, she supposed. It was hard to imagine her little brothers hitting that point, but no doubt they would. “I’m glad you’re here,” she added. “That means I don’t have to go in the barn alone.”

      His slight figure seemed to straighten. “Sure, I’ll go with you. Aaron says you shouldn’t be out patrolling, anyway.”

      “He does, does he?” She already knew that, but felt a surge of annoyance that Aaron had spoken to young Jonah about it. “It’s just as much my concern as anyone’s. Besides, I want to make sure Molly is okay.”

      Jonah swung the door open. “You wait here while I take a quick look,” he said, a note of importance in his tone.

      Sarah bit back the response that sprang to her lips. Let Jonah have his moment of masculine strength—he could probably use it if he was on the outs with his daad.

      “Denke, Jonah.” She waited while he stepped inside, shining his own flashlight around the barn before gesturing to her to come in.

      “Everything looks okay,” he said. “I’ll just check the loft.”

      While he clambered up the ladder, she moved to Molly’s stall, crooning to her softly. The mare came to have her muzzle rubbed, whickering.

      “That’s my good girl,” Sarah murmured.

      Jonah scrambled down a few rungs and then jumped the rest of the way, too impatient to take every step. “All clear,” he said. “I’ll wait and close up for you.”

      “I’m ready now.”

      She gave Molly a final pat. Jonah seemed intent on showing how competent he was, so she let him close the barn door and double-check the latch.

      Daad wouldn’t think of putting a padlock on the barn. In the event something did happen, a minute or two spent opening it could be crucial in getting the animals out. She shivered despite the warmth of the night when she thought of the cows that had been trapped in Ben’s barn.

      “Thanks again,” she said, once they were outside.

      Jonah nodded, switching off his light. “No problem.” With a long, easy stride, he headed off toward the lane.

      Sarah watched until the darkness swallowed him up, uneasiness stirring. If Jonah was heading for home, why was he going that way? It would be much shorter to go across the fields. Shaking her head, she went back into the house.

       CHAPTER FIVE

      AARON MADE A brief stop at the harness shop to pick up a piece of mended harness the next morning, and then headed for Nick’s workshop. He wanted to know what progress the arson investigator was making, and his friend always seemed to hear everything in town.

      Aaron pulled into the drive that ran along Blackburn House to the rear, sparing a brief glance toward the windows of Sarah’s shop. The lights were on, but he couldn’t see her. Not that it mattered. He’d tell Sarah a lot of things, but not the worry that currently occupied his mind.

      It was probably nothing. Almost certainly nothing. So why did it continue to nibble at the edges of his thoughts like a mouse getting into the grain?

      Aaron took his time about tying the gelding to the hitching rail, trying to clear his mind. Then he walked toward the door into the clapboard building that housed the workshops of Whiting and Whiting Cabinetry.

      He’d expected Nick and his father to be there. He hadn’t expected to find Sarah and Allison, as well. They were standing by a workbench, deep in conversation with the two men.

      Nodding to the women, he managed a smile. “The shop is running itself, is it?”

      Sarah’s dimple showed. “Mamm is helping us out this morning.”

      “What brings you in today, Aaron? Got some work for us?” Jim—lean, weathered and what Nick would be in twenty years or so—smiled to show he was joking.

      “Just wondering if there was anything new from the arson investigator. I thought Mac would know, and—”

      “And Mac would tell us,” Nick finished for him. “I suppose if there was something that had to be kept secret, Mac would manage, but we’re too used to talking about anything and everything over the supper table.”

      “He doesn’t tell us anything sensitive,” Jim corrected.

      Nick smiled at his father, as if knowing Jim would always stand up for either of his sons. “Anyway, he says the investigator is being very closemouthed about what he’s doing, but doesn’t think he’s found out anything.”

      “At least there wasn’t a fire last night,” Sarah said. “Allison wondered whether having someone from the state police here would scare him into stopping.”

      “Either that, or it might make him even more daring, I’d think,” Aaron suggested.

      Jim nodded. “Encourage him to mock authority, you mean. That fits with what I’ve read about firebugs. They’re usually male, often young and rebellious.”

      Aaron’s hands clenched at his sides, and he forced them to relax.

      “It would almost be worse if it did work out that way,” Nick said. “If the fires just stopped, like the last time, then we’d never know who it was, and we’d always wonder.”

      “Ja.” Aaron’s throat seemed tight, and he cleared it. “The barn raising isn’t set for sure yet, but they’re talking about a week from Saturday, if we can get the site cleared and ready by then.”

      “Good.” Jim slapped his shoulder. “Count on us to help, okay?”

      “Ben and Miriam will appreciate it,” Sarah said. She gave her partner a worried glance. “There’s so much to do that—”

      “We’re not going to postpone the quilt festival, if that’s what you’re going to say,” Allison said promptly. “Did you hear about our plans,