The Revealing by Suzanne Woods Fisher Page A

of the Amish church are easier to talk about in theory than to put into practice. They’re counterintuitive to human nature.
Is it so wrong to want revenge on Jake Hertzler? So that he doesn’t keep hurting others? Because he will, Naomi. Jake is made that way—to steal, to take, to harm, to not care a whit about the consequences. You’ve said we must forgive him and even to pray for him, but does that mean he doesn’t have to face justice? Is that what nonresistance truly means?
I just can’t do it, Naomi. I can’t let him continue to hurt my family. I told the SEC lawyer most of the things Jake had done to Schrock Investments, but not all. A few important pieces—the most important part—I kept to myself, because I want to get out of prison and face Jake myself. It’s my responsibility to see it through.
Problem is, I have no idea how to go about doing it. I spent a year trying to set a trap for him, but Jake was always a step ahead of me. In fact, he was the one who set the snare for me to step into. That’s why I’m here, serving out a prison sentence, while he is off scot-free.
I love you, Naomi. And I do give serious consideration to what you have to say on the matter. Pray that I will do the right thing, sweetheart.
    Pray for him? He didn’t even need to ask! She prayed for him frequently throughout the days, and often at night. Naomi had been taught since she was small to be grateful in all things and for all things, so despite a feeling of foreboding for this unsettled issue, she gave thanks for it and for what lay ahead.
    And then she ate a full roll of Tums.

5

    L ate last night, Mim was informed by her sister Bethany that Danny Riehl had driven Katrina Stoltzfus home from the youth gathering. Bethany felt she should know. “I went back and forth,” Bethany had said, “on whether I should tell you or not, and finally decided I would want to know if Jimmy Fisher took another girl home.”
    Mim only shrugged and gave her a flat look. Why should it matter? Danny had become the permanent substitute teacher at her school. He had to stop inviting her to look through his telescope on starry nights because he felt it wasn’t appropriate.
    It shouldn’t matter.
    But it did.
    Mim trudged down the driveway on the way to school with her brothers, who felt the need to crush the thin layer of ice that lined every puddle, then howl with approval and sock the air with their fists. She stayed clear of their splatters and wondered why boys always had the urge to break something, even at seven thirty in the morning.
    “Yoo hoo!”
    Mim spun around to find the new Eagle Hill guest waving to her from the door of the guest flat. She told Sammy and Luke to head off to school and she walked over to see what she wanted.
    The guest, a very tall woman with spiky, short blonde hair, thrust her hand out to Mim. In it were dollar bills. “I’m Brooke Snyder.” She motioned toward the guest flat. “I’ll be staying for a little while. I’d like you to get me a newspaper each day. Preferably the Times .”
    Mim raised her eyebrows. “You want me to bring you the Stoney Ridge Times ?”
    Brooke Snyder blinked. “No. The New York Times .”
    Mim shook her head. “I’ve never seen that newspaper sold in Stoney Ridge.”
    She frowned. “Then bring me the closest thing to it. That’s not asking too much, is it?”
    “I suppose not,” Mim said. “But I wouldn’t be able to get it to you until late in the day. I have chores in the morning, then I have to go to school. And I have chores in the afternoon.”
    “That’s fine. I’ll just save it for the next day’s breakfast. Old news is still news.”
    Mim considered pointing out that the very word news meant it was new, thus, old news was an oxymoron. But she didn’t think her suggestion would be appreciated. Her family never appreciated her grammatical corrections, so why would a guest whom she’d just met?
    “I’m not sure how long I’m going to stay here.