Roy sat up straighter. “That happened…in your dream?”

  “Yes, and I know the word has gotten out that Ben is one of the men who’s missing. I bet a lot of people are waiting to hear something. And maybe, well, I thought I could ask them to pray.”

  “Over Zoom?”

  “Linsey said you can talk to her about it—that you’d figure it out.”

  “Yes, of course.” Roy leaned forward, still resting his arms on the table. “But Marianna, are you sure you want to do this? I’ve talked to Ben a lot. I know how you feel about…well, his career, the media, all the changes.”

  “That’s one thing I feel bad about. I really didn’t understand it.” She sighed. “Ben left, and Ben came home. I loved his music and songs, but…I wasn’t even allowed to watch television or go to a concert in my community…so I couldn’t imagine. But I see how Ben would think I didn’t want any part of it.”

  Roy took a sip of his coffee, listening.

  “But I know now that to love Ben is to love every part of him, even parts I don’t yet understand. And when he comes down out of those mountains, I will tell him that. And until he does return, I’m going to do my best to reach out to his fans and ask them to pray. So can you help me?”

  Roy reached over and lifted Linsey’s card from the table. “Yes, I’ll call and chat with her. Like you said, we can figure something out.”

  Then, as if just realizing what she’d asked, feelings of anxiety somersaulted through her. The music filtering out from the lone speaker overhead swelled as if punctuating the moment when everything changed. Whether she liked it or not, she would no longer be a former Amishwoman who didn’t understand the world. Marianna understood more of it now, at least Ben’s world beyond West Kootenai. Through this choice, she was entering it in a way she’d never expected or planned.

  Only an hour later, Marianna was sitting in front of Roy’s laptop computer, which he’d brought along. Roy clicked a link on an email, and soon Marianna was on a dual screen with Linsey on the other side.

  “Hello, Marianna. We’re going live on our website in two minutes. As promised, you will have the floor after my introduction.”

  Marianna fixed on Linsey’s broad smile. “I have what?”

  “You can say anything you like. Just look at the camera, and don’t worry if you don’t say things perfectly. Just speak from your heart.”

  She nodded. “Yes, all right.”

  Marianna looked to her left. Roy nodded and smiled. “You know what you want to say.”

  “Okay, we’re going live now,” Linsey said.

  Marianna’s throat grew tight. It took everything within her to sit there and look at the computer. Her instinct was to leave, to hide, but she instead smiled.

  “This is Linsey Ledbetter with Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles. A news station in Missoula, Montana, reported that a horse and a pack mule showed up at a trailhead with no sign of the men traveling into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. One of the missing men was also reported as music artist Ben Stone, who we all adore. Today, I’m thankful to have Ben’s fiancée online, and she has something she wanted to tell us.” Linsey offered a sad smile. “Marianna, go ahead.”

  “My name is Marianna Sommer. Many of you know I am engaged to be married to Ben Stone. I—” Emotion caught in her throat. “As you may have heard on the news, Ben was on a trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Yesterday the two animals being used showed up, but there was no sign of the three men. If you have been to any of Ben’s concerts, you know he always prays for his audience. And now, I’m asking that you pray for Ben. Please…” Tears filled Marianna’s eyes. “I love him, and I know you do too. Can you please pray for Ben? Can you pray for his safety and that of my father and uncle? Can you pray that Ben makes it home to me…to us? Thank you.”

  Linsey wiped a tear away. “Thank you, Marianna. This shows how much you care for Ben. It means a lot. Thank you.”

  A minute later, their live broadcast ended, and Linsey fidgeted in her seat and leaned closer to the camera. Compassion radiated from her gaze. “Thank you for doing that. I know it will mean a lot to Ben. And if it’s all right, I’d like to still come up. I’ll sign off now.”

  “Yes, of course.” Marianna looked at Roy. “Do you know how to turn this off?”

  “Sure.” Roy rose and moved to the computer.

  “Wait.” Linsey’s voice came across louder than it had before.

  Marianna turned her attention back to the computer.

  Linsey cleared her throat. “I also want to apologize. I know I shouldn’t have done that—just stuck a camera in your face.”

  “And then posting the photos?” Marianna tilted her head and cocked one eyebrow.

  Linsey nodded. “Yes. I need to apologize for that too.”

  Marianna pressed her lips together. She sat silent, unmoving. Then she shot up a silent prayer, knowing what she had to do. “I forgive you, Linsey.” A warmth filled her chest that hadn’t been there a moment before. Warmth rimmed with peace. “And I know God has a plan in all this. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you soon.”

  Roy stepped forward and turned off the computer. Just as Marianna leaned back in her chair, she heard a phone ringing and realized it was Jenny’s cell phone. Marianna quickly grabbed it from her satchel. The name on the phone said Millie. She promptly answered it.

  “Hello?”

  “Marianna, this is Mem. Edgar gave me your number. They found Ike. He was found at the trailhead by search and rescue last night.”

  A vise squeezed around Marianna’s heart. “Wait, only Ike?”

  “Dat and Ben were still alive when Ike went out for help.”

  “Were alive?”

  “Dat has a serious injury…and there was a bear attack. It was amazing. Ike said that no one was hurt when the bear attacked.”

  “And Ben?”

  “Ben was fine. He stayed to take care of Dat.”

  Marianna moved to the window overlooking the ridge of mountains that led into the Scapegoat Wilderness. Ben and Dat were still out there somewhere.

  “Where is Uncle Ike now?” she asked.

  “They took him to the hospital in Missoula. He was dehydrated and exhausted. He has an ankle injury too. I don’t think he rested much in the days he took to hike out.”

  “So what about search and rescue?”

  “They’re going to try to send in a medical helicopter if the weather cooperates.”

  “And Annie?” Marianna blew out a sigh. “Have you heard anything about Annie?”

  Mem’s voice was silent on the other end of the phone. Roy stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on Marianna’s arm.

  “Ike saw her. She went in alone to help your dat and Ben. I talked to Millie, and she’s sending word for everyone to pray, Amish and Englisch.” Mem chuckled. “I’ve been talking to Millie a lot, in fact. She’s helped me to see the peace in letting go of so much pain and worry from things past and things to come.” Mem sighed. “God will bring them out, Marianna. God led them to the wilderness, and He will bring them out.”

  Chapter Thirty

  Friday, July 7, Scapegoat Wilderness, Montana

  It happened so fast Ben didn’t know what to think. He’d just helped Abe eat a packet of peanut butter oatmeal when a loud roaring filled the air. Ben’s first thought was that the grizzly mother had returned and was bearing down on them. Then he realized it was an unnatural roar. A mechanical roar.

  Overhead he saw a helicopter skimming over them, bending the trees. It was going beyond them. Does it know we’re here?

  Ben stood as the realization hit him. “Ike must have gotten out. He’s sent help!”

  He glanced down at Abe, looking too thin and pale on the mat.

  “Go.” Abe’s word wasn’t much more than a whisper. “Go tell them we’re here.”

  Ben scurried up the hillside to the trail. And it wasn’t until he reached the trail that he remembered the mama grizzly and the cubs.

  Fresh bear tracks brought him pause, and the torn pieces of fabric they’d left there were scattered even more. Ben eyed the helicopter’s direction, and he guessed it had landed. He couldn’t see around the next bend—didn’t know if help or the mama grizzly awaited him.

  “I don’t have a choice.” If it was just him, he could most likely hike out, but he had to get to that helicopter. He had to help Abe.

  Ben shot up a prayer. “Lord, I need you now.” And then he started running down the trail. As he ran, Ben pulled his whistle around his neck and blew. Over and over again. He needed the rescuers to know they were here.

  He raced down the trail, rounding one corner and then the other. Then he saw it. In a vast meadow, the small helicopter rested, and two paramedics climbed out with a stretcher.

  Ben waved his arms and shouted.

  The men hurried toward the trail.

  “Are you Ben Stone?” one of them asked.

  Ben didn’t know why, but that caught him as funny. Maybe because he’d been asked that many times when a fan recognized him. And maybe because, how many other men were lost in the wilderness? But most likely because it meant Abe would be getting help—more help than he’d been able to give.

  A soft laugh slipped out of Ben’s mouth. “Yes, that’s me.”

  “Are you hurt?”

  Ben shook his head. “No, it’s a miracle, but I’m not.” He motioned up the trail. “C’mon, I’ll take you to Abe.”

  Within a few minutes, the medics had retrieved Abe. Ben followed them to the helicopter, expecting that he’d be given a ride too.

  “I’m sorry, buddy.” There was both humor and compassion in the man’s gaze. “This is a medical helicopter, not a taxi service. But even if we wanted to give you a ride, we can’t. There’s only room for one.”

  “But what if I had been hurt?”

  “We would have had to make a second trip and hope that the weather held. It’s not like we have a surplus of medical helicopters around.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  The man patted Ben’s shoulder. “The search and rescue team is on their way in to help you. If you start heading back the way you came, you will run into them.” The man gave him a thumbs-up. “Don’t worry. You’ve got this.”

  Ben walked back onto the trail, not knowing what else to say. He’d been so relieved that Abe would get the help he needed that it wasn’t until the helicopter had lifted off that Ben realized he was alone.

  Ben sighed, knowing that Abe would be getting the help he needed.

  As Ben walked up the trail alone, the weight of all that had happened over the last three days—or had it been four?—hit him. The sighting of the bear. Tending to Abe. Ike’s determination that one of them get out and get help. Going hungry. Finding food.

  Ben thought of the bear, feeling his legs grow heavy with the burden of it all. The grizzly would have bitten into him if it weren’t for his pack. With trembling hands he covered his face. “Jesus, thank You. I don’t know what else to say. You protected us. You brought help. You…”

  Marianna’s face filled his mind, and love and longing filled his heart. He’d been overwhelmingly drawn to her from the first moment he saw her at the train station. He’d known the obstacle to his growing affection that day at the quilt auction over a year ago when he’d been helping her display the quilts and she’d asked him to leave her alone.

  “Single men and women do not spend time together like this unless they are courting,” she’d curtly told him.

  “Well, maybe we should start courting,” he’d declared, much to her horror. Yet all these months later, she’d agreed to be his wife and they were engaged to be married. Until he’d let doubts, worries, and regrets fill his mind—pushing her way.

  “Lord, please keep her heart soft toward me,” Ben spoke into the crisp mountain air. “And get me back to her, God. I’m as green as green can be in these parts. But I know You’ll help me find the way…”

  Follow Me.

  The words were like a gentle whisper to his soul.

  “I’m not alone.” He lifted his face to the sunshine. “I’ve never been alone. Will never be alone…”

  With quick but sure movements, Ben made it back to the campsite and packed anything worth keeping into Abe’s backpack. He had the map. He also had a memory of the way they’d come. He still had the two granola bars left, and thankfully he knew he’d be able to find water on the way back. And he should be able to walk faster than the three miles an hour they’d been going with the horse and mule.

  Although fear tried to jump on him, making the burden he carried on his heart even heavier than the one he bore on his back, Ben pushed those thoughts away. There were bears and other wild creatures. There could be weather problems and other dangers on the trail, yet God was with him.

  Through the hardships, God had proved Himself faithful. And Ben knew He’d continue being so every step of the way.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Friday, July 7, Missoula, Montana

  With quickened steps, Marianna rushed into the hospital room. Her dat looked so small and frail in the bed, unlike the strong man she’d known her whole life. His eyes were closed in sleep. His leg was in a large cast, suspended above the bed. What exactly had happened? She wanted to know the answer. More than that, she wanted to know about Ben.

  Her father must have heard her enter the room, because his eyes fluttered open. “Marianna?”

  “Hey, Dat.” All the emotion she’d been holding in spilled over with those two words. The softest sob escaped her. Her lower lip trembled, and the tears she’d been holding back refused to be confined any longer.

  “Marianna,” he said again. Sadness and compassion filled his gaze. Was he thinking about Ben still out there alone? Surely he was.

  “It’s so good to see you, Dat.” Without hesitation, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Then she reached for the box of tissues on the bedside table and quickly wiped away her tears. “You’re okay.”

  “I’m here because of Ben.” Her father’s voice was scratchy and filled with emotion. “Well, and because Ike went for help.” Dat winked. “But Ben stayed beside me. He tended my wounds. He brought me water and fed me. I’ll never forget that.”

  “He’s a good man.”

  “Have you heard any news?” Dat asked.

  “Not yet. Roy’s been talking to search and rescue. They started up the mountain this morning.”

  “And Annie?”

  “She headed in last night. I’m not sure how long it will take her to get to Ben…” Tightness constricted Marianna’s chest, and she blew out a breath, praying with it. “I heard there was a bear attack?”

  Dat’s eyes filled with tears. “It was right after the horse fell on my leg. Ben covered me with his body, and the bear grabbed him up by his backpack. It was a miracle that he wasn’t seriously hurt.”

  Marianna sat on the side of his bed. “So you’re saying that you’re fine with me marrying an Englischman?” She presented a lopsided grin.

  Laughter spilled from Dat’s mouth, and he winced as he adjusted himself on his pillows. “Ja, Marianna. And if any man or woman, bishop or elder has anything to say about it, I’ll ask them when’s the last time their future son-in-law saved them from a bear. Let them put that in The Budget.”

  When the nurse came in to tell Marianna that Dat had to rest, she made her way into the waiting room where Roy sat.

  He rose when she entered. “So, how is everything?”

  “Dat’s doing well. He’s going to be fine. And right before I went in to see him, Mem called. It seems she’s heading this way.”

  “Oh, so she found a driver?”

  “Millie Arnold.” Marianna smiled. “Millie’s bringing her and Joy down. Friends are stepping forward to watch my other siblings.”

  Roy ran his hands through his hair. “You have quite the community, you know.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “As Ben would say, there’s nothing like a warm cabin, a good wife, and friends.” Roy winked.

  “Yes, especially a friend like Annie who goes in after him.”

  “Do you want to go back to Ovando to wait?”

  Marianna crossed her arms over her chest and sat. “I’ve been thinking about that. Leaving Dat is hard, but I want to return to the trailhead. I want to be there. I have to know.” She rose.

  “Your father will understand. I know he will.” Roy pulled his keys from his pocket. “I think it’s time for us to head back to Ovando. I’m sure the first thing Ben wants to see when he emerges from those woods is your pretty face.”

  Friday, July 7, Scapegoat Wilderness, Montana

  Ben hadn’t thought much of crossing the Continental Divide earlier in the week. He’d been walking in the back, and they had stopped to take in the view, chat, and laugh. He’d been focused then on the beauty and the accomplishment of their hike. But now, on the way back, he was so focused on getting up and over the mountain pass he almost forgot to look around at the mountains and the Chinese Wall, named for being as tall and vertical as the Great Wall of China, stretching as far as the eye could see.

  His burning legs felt like rubber as he walked the trail. The sun bore down, and the wind whipped along the mountain path as if he were in a wind tunnel. His stomach growled, and his water bottle and Abe’s were getting low. Yet he couldn’t stop. The farther he got along the trail, the closer to safety he was. Hadn’t they passed a cabin along the way? Ben tried to remember just where that had been. He also hoped that search and rescue were making their way to him. Why hadn’t he asked more questions of the men in the medical helicopter when he’d had a chance?

  Ben continued to focus ahead, and his eyes burned from the sun and the wind. Every noise, every movement, caused him to jump. He continued to look around for more bear tracks, but what good would it do if he spotted them? It wasn’t like he could turn around and head back in the other direction.