Timothy had kept him informed of the group’s progress. They were doing well using just the whistle, but they still missed their music. They were all worried about performing in front of such a large crowd. The event had been Fannie’s dream. He hoped she would be there to see it, too. And he hoped he would have a chance to see her.
He hadn’t spoken to Fannie since that day at the hospital. He’d stopped by her home daily, but she’d refused to see him. Her mother was apologetic, but Fannie wouldn’t budge. She didn’t want him. He was trying to accept that.
The game announcer’s voice came over the PA system. “Please rise for our national anthem.”
The crowd surged to its feet. A young woman walked to the pitcher’s mound and began to sing. Her voice soared over the air in pure, clear notes without accompaniment. When the last word of the song faded away, applause burst from the crowd.
Walter clapped wildly. “The girl has some pipes. That’s a tough song to sing a cappella.”
Noah glanced to where nearly fifty members of his extended family and people from his community were seated together behind the dugout, eager to watch their hometown team play. Even Bishop Beachy was in attendance, although his wife wasn’t. They had rented a bus to bring them all this way and they planned to travel to the horse show after the baseball game. Their plain dark clothes, white bonnets and straw hats made them stand out sharply from the colorful people around them. How many times had he heard them sing without music to praise God’s name. Hundreds of times. He and Fannie had joined their voices at the singings for the young people, too. Could they do it again?
Noah slapped Walter’s shoulder. “The singer has given me an idea. Bishop Lapp said no Englisch music, but singing is acceptable to us.”
Noah hurried to where Simon Beachy was sitting on the bleachers waiting his turn at bat. “Simon, do you have your cell phone with you? I left mine in the locker room.”
Simon glanced up into the stands. “I kind of told my onkel I wouldn’t use it when he’s watching.”
“You aren’t going to use it, I am.”
“It’s in the side pocket of my jacket at the end of the bench. Check my messages for me, will you?”
“Sure thing.” Noah fished out the phone and sat on the end of the bench as he dialed Paul’s number. “Pick up, cousin. Pick up.”
“Hallo, wee gats, Simon.”
“It’s not Simon, it’s Noah. I had to use his phone. Are you still in the city?”
“I’m packing up now. We raised a lot of money for Debra’s charity and I had a great time.”
“Goot. Instead of going home, do you think you could take your portable speaker to the horse show?”
“Debra has planned on taking me there, but why bring my speaker?”
“I’ll explain later. I’ve got a game to pitch. Find Timothy when you get there and tell him I’ll call him as soon as I’m done.”
“Is this about Fannie?”
“Ja. This is about her Amish Girls.”
“Mamm heard from Belinda that Fannie will be there. The doctor has released her to travel.”
Relief made Noah’s spirits soar. He was going to see her today. He had one more chance to make her see how much he cared. “That is the best news I’ve had in weeks. Danki.”
Noah smiled as he ended the call. He tossed the phone to Simon. “No messages.”
Simon slipped the phone under the bench and grabbed his glove. It was their turn to take the field.
Noah jogged out with Walter. “Three up, three down. That’s the plan. I want to end this game as quick as we can.”
Walter blew out a deep breath. “You won’t get any argument from me. All I ask is that you make me look good. Captain says there are at least six major-league scouts here to check out the country boys.”
Noah glanced to where his family was seated in the stands. By their simple life and commitment to God, they stood apart from others. They were in the world, but not a part of it. Living a simple life wasn’t simple or easy, but they did it by caring for one another and sharing their burdens and joys.
As he wanted to share Fannie’s problems and delights for the rest of their lives.
He had been wrong. He had a lot to go home to. His family and his Amish faith were gifts from God, just as surely as his fastball. He had been waiting for a sign from God to show him where he belonged. The sign had been in front of his eyes all along. He just hadn’t seen it because he hadn’t been looking for it with his heart. He belonged among the people he loved and cherished. No baseball career was worth giving them up.
A great lightness filled his heart. This was his decision, his God-given gift of free will, and it was the right decision—even if Fannie didn’t want to be a part of his life. But he prayed fervently that she would.
The game didn’t end as quickly as he would have liked. When it did, the Fire Eaters came out on top and were advanced to the next round. The following morning they would play the winner of the next game.
Back in the locker room, Noah quickly changed into his Amish clothes and pulled out his cell phone to call Connie, who gave her phone to Timothy. After explaining his plan, he hung up and grabbed his ball cap. He stuffed it in his bag and pulled his black Amish hat out.
Eric came in grinning from ear to ear. “Noah, I was just talking to an old friend of mine. He’s a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates these days. He talking to another player now, but he wants to meet you.”
Noah drew a deep breath knowing he was about to disappoint his coach. “Walter is the fellow he should talk to.”
Eric rested his hands on Noah’s shoulders and gave him a shake. “He wants to meet both of you.”
“That’s great. I’m really glad for Walter, but I have made my decision. I won’t be playing after this tournament is over. God has shown me the path He wants me to follow. I’m going home.”
Eric’s smile faded. “I’m sad to hear that, but I’m happy for you, too. I admire your choice.”
Noah settled his broad black hat on his head. “Danki. Please excuse me. I’ve got to get to a horse show.”
* * *
Fannie walked gingerly into the stands at the exhibition hall. Walking was still painful, and she had to use two canes to keep her balance. Her parents hovered on either side of her.
The music came up and a drill team emerged from the entrance onto the floor of the huge arena. There were ten boys and girls in sparkling cowboy costumes riding quarter horses with decorated saddles.
“Flashy,” her father mumbled.
“They are not judged on their costumes, only on how well they ride,” she reminded him.
“Are your girls going to be judged?”
“They aren’t in the competition. They’re going to be featured in the breed spotlight. It is Connie’s intention to show how versatile Haflinger horses are.”
Fannie’s mother waved to someone behind her. “I see Anna and Isaac. They are coming this way.”
Fannie closed her eyes. “Is Noah with them?”
“I don’t see him, but all the rest of the family is here. His game must be over. I wonder if our fellows won.”
Fannie wondered if God had given Noah the answer he longed for. She prayed he wouldn’t be leaving them. She prayed she would have one more chance to mend the rift her pride had caused.
* * *
Noah found Timothy with Connie and the girls in the staging area. They were already on their horses. “Did you tell them?” he asked his brother.
“Ja.” Timothy nodded.
“It’s a wonderful idea. I don’t know why we didn’t think of it sooner. I could just hug you,” Connie said with a wide grin.
Zoe moved her horse closer. She was wearing a dark pink shirt with white fringe along the sleeves and a white kerchief over h
er hair. Unlike the rest of the girls, her long blond hair hung down her back. “Since we’re going to be using ‘She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain’ again, can we add my trick?”
Connie bit her lip. “I don’t know, honey. It’s so last-minute.”
“We’ve been practicing. We can do it, can’t we?” Zoe asked the other riders.
Everyone agreed.
“What trick is this?” Noah asked.
Timothy clapped a hand on Noah’s shoulder. “You’ll have to see it to believe it.”
“All right,” Connie said. “Get your other saddle, but hurry. Once around and then into the regular routine. Right?”
“You’re awesome, Mom.” Zoe wheeled her horse and galloped to the back of the staging area.
Timothy beckoned to Susan, who nudged her horse closer. “I think you should still use the whistle. The horses have gotten used to it.”
She nodded. “Okay. Are there a lot of people out there?”
Connie patted her knee. “The only people that matter are on horses beside you. Remember, you are a team. Keep your eyes on each other.”
They all nodded.
Paul came up to them carrying his portable loudspeaker. “Where do you want me?”
Noah looked around. “I need to find Fannie first.”
“She’s with her folks on the west side,” Connie said.
“How is she?” Noah asked.
Connie smiled at him. “You should go see for yourself.”
Noah rubbed his damp palms on his pants legs. “She may not want to see me. She may not want to do this.”
Timothy gave him a shove. “You’ll never know if you don’t get in there.”
He shrugged and started up into the stands. If she saw him, she didn’t give any sign until he sat down beside her.
“What’s up, karotte oben?”
Her gaze flew to his face. Her mouth dropped open and then snapped shut. “You know I hate being called a carrottop.”
She didn’t look upset. She looked almost happy to see him and his hopes grew.
“Sorry, I forgot. How are you?”
“Getting better. Did you win your game?”
“We did. Six to four. We play again tomorrow.”
She looked down at her hands. “Were there professional scouts there?”
“They were.”
“And what did they say about your pitching?”
“I didn’t stay to find out. I had something more important to do.”
She looked at him with a puzzled expression. “What was more important than the thing you’ve wanted for so long?”
“Helping you. The bishop said the group couldn’t perform to recorded music. He didn’t say anything about not using live singers. My cousin Paul has a mic and loudspeaker.”
He gestured to the group coming in. Lillian, Mary, Emma and Rebecca came down to sit behind her with his brothers behind them. Paul sat down beside Fannie.
Fannie looked around at everyone. “I don’t understand.”
Noah took her hand in his. “We’re going to sing with you, Fannie, but first I have to check and see if Connie is ready.”
He rose to his feet, but she caught his hand. “Noah, why are you doing this?”
She was so dear to his heart. Didn’t she realize that? “Because this is important to you.”
“No, why are you doing this?”
He tilted his head to the side. “Don’t you know, liebchen?”
* * *
Fannie’s heart was pounding in her chest. “Maybe I do, but tell me anyway.”
His grip on her hand tightened as he dropped to one knee beside her. “I’m doing this because what is important to you is important to me. I love you, Fannie. Even if you can’t love me back, I still love you and I will never stop loving you.”
Joy flooded her heart until she could barely breathe. With all her faults and shortcomings, he still loved her. The knowledge was humbling. “I don’t deserve your love.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t change the way I feel. We’ll talk about this later when we don’t have such a large audience.” He winked and hurried away.
Lillian put her arm around Fannie’s shoulders. “Our Lord has filled Noah’s heart with love for you, Fannie. You may not feel you deserve it, but Gott does not make mistakes. When Noah gets around to proposing, you’d better accept. We want you for our sister.”
Tears filled Fannie’s eyes as she looked at the women around her. “I’ll give it serious consideration.”
It would take her all of two seconds to say yes to him if he did propose. She loved him with all her heart and she would spend a lifetime trying to be worthy of God’s great gift to her.
A few minutes later, Noah returned. “We’re going to do ‘She’ll Be Coming ’Round the Mountain.’ I will start, but at a slower cadence than the recorded song we were using. I want everyone to join in on the second stanza. The girls will come in on the second verse, so we’ll speed up then and everyone will sing. I’ll keep the time like this.” He extended one finger and tapped the air.
Everyone nodded that they understood. “One more thing. Instead of ‘driving six white horses,’ we’ll change it to ‘driving six wild horses.’ Okay?”
“Why?” Fannie asked.
“You’ll see.”
He raised a hand to signal the announcer in the booth above them and took the microphone from Paul.
The man’s voice boomed over the arena’s PA system. “Ladies and gentlemen, in our breed showcase this afternoon I’d like to welcome the Stroud Stables Haflingers and their riders, The Amish Girls. They are here to showcase the versatility of this breed. The Haflinger is also known as the Avelignese. The breed was developed in the mountainous regions of Austria and northern Italy during the nineteenth century. Some were brought to the US in the 1950s and the breed has been gaining in popularity since that time.
“Haflingers are relatively small and are considered a pony at 14.2 hands, which is 58 inches or less in height at the withers. These well-muscled ponies are remarkably strong. In fact, the winner of the pony pull yesterday was a pair of Haflingers from Holms County, Ohio. They pulled seventy-two hundred pounds a distance of ten feet ten inches to win the heavyweight division.
“They are always golden in color with white or flaxen manes and tails. The breed has its own distinctive gait described by enthusiasts as energetic but smooth. If you haven’t heard of Haflingers before, after today I’m sure you’ll agree this is no ordinary horse and these are no ordinary riders. I’m pleased to present the Stroud Stables Haflingers and The Amish Girls.”
“She’ll be coming ’round the mountain when she comes.” Noah’s pure baritone voice poured out of the speaker. He nodded to Fannie.
She leaned in to add her voice to his. “She’ll be coming ’round the mountain when she comes.”
As they sang together, Fannie’s heart grew light. She loved him so much. She couldn’t wait to say those words to him.
She turned her attention to the arena entrance at the end of the stanza. The sharp crack of a whip shattered the quiet, and Noah motioned for his brothers and their wives to pick up the tempo and sing.
“She’ll be driving six wild horses when she comes.” Their blend of voices filled the air as horses and riders charged into the arena. They came six abreast with two singles in line behind them. Fannie saw Zoe on the first single horse. She was riding Misty. Abbie followed close behind her on Copper.
Zoe shot to her feet in a hippodrome stand. She was grinning from ear to ear and held a buggy whip in her right hand. She cracked it once as if driving the six horses in front of her and then waved to the stands as she raced past. The crowd erupted into cheers. Fannie could hardly believe her eyes. Zoe was a born performer.
; After a thundering run around the perimeter, the girls slowed and broke into two columns as they began the routine Fannie had worked so hard to perfect. They did it beautifully, and in time with the singing, as Susan marked each change of pattern with a burst from her whistle.
It was a sight to behold—eight matching golden-caramel-colored horses with bright blond manes and tails stepping lightly in response to the Amish girls on their backs.
Fannie held her breath when they began their pass through the jumps, but every hurdle was cleared easily. When the last turn was made and the riders were leaving the arena, the crowd rose to its feet with deafening applause.
The announcer came back on when the noise died away. “Ladies and gentlemen, as impressive as that was, it’s not all these girls and their horses can do. In a minute, we’ll have a demonstration of their skill in harness. These will be the same horses and drivers with one exception. We will have one change of driver because the mother of the little gal who rides standing up tells us she isn’t old enough to drive.” The audience laughed.
Zoe came out leading Misty, who had been harnessed to a two-wheeled cart. She stopped in front of Noah and Fannie.
Noah leaned down to whisper in Fannie’s ear. “Are you ready?”
“For what?”
“You started this wonderful crazy adventure. You must have a hand in the finish.” He gently slipped his arms beneath her and picked her up.
Tears stung her eyes. “You want me to ride with you?”
“I want you to drive. After all, you can drive almost as well as I can.”
She pulled back, a smile trembling on her lips. “Almost?”
“How about just as well?”
“Ja, Noah Bowman, that is more like it. I think you are beginning to understand me.”
“Now that is a scary thought.”
His brother Samuel opened the gate leading to the arena floor. Noah carried Fannie through and placed her tenderly on the seat of the cart. Zoe handed her the reins. Misty tossed her head, eager to be off again.
Their Pretend Amish Courtship Page 18