After another hour of searching, not far from Dok’s office, Charlie suggested they head over to see if there was any news.
As they rounded the corner and approached the office, the sun was just beginning to cast a soft, golden light over the scene. How late was it? Evie couldn’t believe it. They’d been searching all night long. No wonder she felt exhausted.
Some Amish women had set up card tables out in front of Dok’s office, handing out coffee and food to the searchers. As Charlie and Evie walked toward them, they spotted Dok standing near Matt at his police car and went straight to them.
“Any news?” Charlie said.
“Not yet,” Matt said.
Evie searched Dok’s face for something positive, but she saw only exhaustion and worry. “Did Clara remember anything?”
“No,” Dok said, shaking her head. “Mountain Vista promised to call if there’s anything to report.”
“As searchers come in,” Matt said, “ask them if they can think of any place Clara might have spoken about. Maybe a favorite spot?”
Evie saw Charlie freeze, his expression shifting as if a puzzle piece had just clicked into place. “Wait,” he said slowly, a look of realization dawning on his face. “When Evie and I had Claraas a patient, she mentioned a place she found to rest in. Someplace cool and dark and quiet.”
Evie’s eyes widened. “Do you think ...?”
“Yeah.” Charlie nodded. “I wonder if she might have left the babies there.”
Matt was already moving toward Jacob. “Get over here!”
Jacob had been sitting on the porch steps of the Bent N’ Dent, head in his hands. His head popped up and he hurried over.
“Charlie, tell Jacob what you just told me.”
Charlie repeated it, and a funny look came over Jacob. “All I can think,” Jacob said, “is ... maybe the old root cellar?”
Matt didn’t waste a second. “Let’s go check it out. Jacob, you come with me.” He opened the door to his car and Jacob got in the passenger side.
“Wait for me!” Charlie bolted over to Dok’s office.
Evie wanted to go too. She hopped in the back of the police car, and at the last minute, Charlie jumped in with a medical bag on his lap.
When they arrived at the Zook farm, the sun had risen. Jacob led them to an overgrown area that hid the old root cellar. It was covered with old boards and brush, easy to overlook. Jacob easily yanked the boards away, revealing an entrance. Evie’s breath caught in her throat as she heard a feeble cry. She and Charlie bolted down into the dark root cellar, each one grabbing a baby and getting back up into the daylight. The babies’ skin was pale, lips dry, eyes a little sallow. Charlie ran his hand over each baby’s fontanelle, to see if it had sunk.
“Will they live?” Jacob said. “Will they? Tell me!”
“They’re dehydrated and weak, cold and hungry,” Charlie said.
“Noch lewendich,” Evie added.
Jacob stared at her, and then a sob erupted uncontrollably out of him, first one, then another, his shoulders shaking with each gasp of air.
Charlie and Evie quickly set up IVs, working together with precision. As the fluids began to flow into the babies, Evie felt a wave of relief wash over her. Clara, even in her disoriented state, had known enough to protect her children. She had placed them somewhere she thought was safe, even if she couldn’t fully explain why.
After the ambulance arrived, Charlie and Evie stepped back to let the paramedics handle the babies, to take them to the hospital for evaluation. Jacob climbed in the ambulance to go along with them.
Watching, Charlie put his hand on Evie’s elbow. “What was it you said to Jacob?”
“I told him they’re still alive.” The babies were safe.
