Joann shrugged. “I have no idea.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Finish cleaning this press and then mop the floors.”
Sally wrinkled her nose. “Don’t be smart. I mean about your mystery guy.”
“There isn’t much I can do except wait for him to contact me.”
“I’m going to go crazy if he doesn’t do it soon.”
Joann had trekked to the lake and back every morning for the past six days. “How do you think I feel? Maybe he’s just busy.”
“Maybe his wife found out. Maybe he fell in the lake and drowned. Maybe he read the note and moved to Montana.”
Joann rolled her eyes. “Sally, stop it.”
Her cousin pointed a finger at her. “This is all your fault.”
“Go home. I’ve got work to do.”
“You’ll tell me as soon as you hear from him, right?”
“I promise.”
Sally tipped her head to one side as she studied Joann. “Is that a new dress? I’ve never seen you in that color before. It’s nice. Mauve suits you.”
“Danki.” Joann smoothed the front of her matching apron. Sally waved as she headed for the door. Joann waved back. When she was alone, she spun around once to make the skirt flare out. It was a pretty color. She knew it was vain, but she hoped Roman would notice and like it, too.
When Joann finished her work and left the building, she found Roman waiting outside the office in his buggy with Andrew beside him.
Roman jumped down. “Good afternoon. My brother and I are on our way to do some fishing. I thought I’d swing by and see if you wanted to join us.”
“Now?”
“Ja. We’re going to a creek not far from here.”
“I know you said you would invite me soon, but I wasn’t expecting this soon.”
Roman smiled at her. “It was a last-minute decision on my part. I understand if you’re busy and don’t want to come.”
Of course, I want to come. Don’t read more into this than it is, Joann. He’s asking me to go fishing, like I’m one of the boys. He’s not asking me out on a date.
She struggled to hide her excitement. “I’d like to go, but I don’t have a pole.”
“That’s okay. We have an extra rod. Come on, it will be fun.”
She looked at his brother. “Andrew, are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I’m just along for the ride. This is Roman’s idea.”
Roman scowled at him. “He doesn’t mind a bit.”
Andrew shrugged. “Okay, I don’t mind.”
* * *
Roman waited and watched silently as she struggled with her decision. If he pushed any harder, he knew she would refuse. Andrew wasn’t helping anything. He’d have a thing or two to say to him when they got home.
Gaining Joann’s trust was what Roman was after, but he had to take it one small step at a time.
She nodded and said, “Ja, I reckon I could go for a little while.”
He could have jumped for joy, but instead he said, “Fine. Hop in.”
Andrew drove as they headed east out of town. A half mile later, they pulled off to the side of the road and tethered the horse, then, the three of them left the buggy and walked across the field to a shady spot on the creek.
The bank was grassy, green and inviting beneath a grove of a maple trees. Roman saw the way Joann relaxed once she had a pole in her hand. He was happy to sit on the bank and watch her while pretending to keep an eye on his cork. Andrew moved farther downstream to try his luck there and to give them some privacy.
Roman said, “There’s nothing better than a day spent fishing, if you ask me.”
She was studying the rod holder strapped to his leg. “Do you mind if I ask what that is for?”
“Not at all. This is Andrew’s invention. It holds my rod so I can crank with one hand.”
“How interesting. I’d like to see it in action.”
“You will if the fish cooperate.”
Joann’s cork went under. He sat up. “You’ve got one.”
She jumped to her feet and set the hook. The tip of her rod bent nearly double. Her reel screeched as the fish took more line and ran with it.
Roman was on his feet beside her. “Andrew, bring the net!”
* * *
Joann laughed aloud. She hadn’t had so much fun in ages. “He’s a big one. I don’t think I can hold him.”
“Yes, you can. Don’t let the line go slack. He’ll snap it if you do. Work him toward the bank.” Roman coached her along.
She managed to crank in a small amount of line. “I’m trying.”
Andrew arrived with a dip net. “Wow, you’ve hooked a monster.”
Roman took the net from him and moved to the edge of the bank. “Bring him a little closer.”
Joann pulled with all her might, backing up to bring the fish within his reach. He leaned out over the water. She said, “Roman, be careful. You’ll fall in.”
“Don’t worry about me. Land your fish.”
She fought on with both men shouting encouragement. Each time she got the fish close to the bank, it darted out again into deeper water.
By this time, Andrew was behind Roman holding on to the waistband of his pants to keep his brother from tumbling headlong into the stream. The fish finally surfaced. Andrew shouted, “It’s a carp.”
“And a mighty big one,” Roman added.
Joann’s arms were getting tired. “I could’ve told you that. Get him in the net or he’s going to get away.”
The fish was running out of steam. She pulled him closer. Roman leaned out as far as he could. Suddenly, the lip of the bank gave way. Roman fell and pulled Andrew in with him.
Joann shrieked. Roman came up with a net in his hand and the fish safely in the net. His straw hat went floating downstream. Joann sat in the grass and laughed until tears ran down her face. Andrew waded after Roman’s hat and pulled it out of the water. He was grinning from ear to ear.
As the two men struggled out of the creek, she pressed a hand to her mouth. “All that for a poor old carp that isn’t good to eat anyway.”
The men didn’t seem to care. They were admiring the size of their prize. Andrew said, “I reckon he’s twenty-five pounds.”
“At least,” Roman agreed. He smiled brightly at her.
Joann’s heart took a funny leap. No one had ever smiled at her that way. She couldn’t help herself. She had to glance behind her to see if he was looking at someone else. No one was there. She turned back to him. He wasn’t looking through her. He was looking right at her with those shining blue eyes that put the sky to shame.
In that instant, she realized she was falling hard for Roman and she had no idea what to do about it.
She gloried in the feeling for a heartbeat and then reality reared its ugly head. She was doomed to love in vain. Someone like Roman would never fall for someone like her.
Joann’s practical side quickly asserted itself. “We need to get you guys home and out of those wet things.”
“Reckon you’re right.” Roman seemed reluctant to call a halt to the day.
“Put my poor fish back in the creek. He’s gasping already.”
Roman carried the carp to the water’s edge. Andrew said, “I kinda hate to put him back after all the trouble we went to catch him.”
She had to agree, but she would be forever grateful to the silver beauty for showing her how wonderful love could feel, if only for a little while.
When they arrived back at Hebron’s farm an hour later, Roman got out and walked with her to the door.
She said, “Thanks for taking me fishing. I had a great time.”
“So did I. Are you doing anything tomorrow evening?”
She gave him a puzzled look. “Nothing special, why?”
“I thought you might enjoy going on a picnic after church services. The weather is supposed to be nice.”
Was he serious? “A picnic? With you?”
“Ja.”
“And who else?” She could understand the invitation if it was to a party.
“No one. Just you and I.”
She didn’t dare hope that he returned her affections. What was he up to? “Why?”
“Joann, I enjoy your company when we aren’t trading insults. What do you say?”
Was he making fun of her? He looked perfectly serious, worried even, as if he were afraid she would say no. “Did Sarah put you up to this?”
He shook his head. “No one put me up to it. If you don’t want to go, just say so. I will be disappointed, but I’ll live.”
“You really want to take me on a picnic?” Joy began to spread through her body.
“I do.”
A giddy sensation she hadn’t felt since she was a teenager made her smile. “I reckon a picnic sounds like fun.”
He smiled brightly. “Great. I’ll pick you up at noon, if that’s okay with you?”
“Noon will be fine. What shall I bring?”
“Just yourself.” He stood there smiling at her, looking so handsome it made her heart ache.
She said, “You should get home. Andrew looks miserable.”
“You’re right. See you tomorrow.” He tipped his hat, climbed into his buggy and drove away.
Joann wasn’t sure if she actually touched the floor when she went inside her brother’s home. Roman Weaver had asked her to go out with him. Just him. No one else. She had a date.
She felt like singing, like spinning in circles until she fell to the floor, too dizzy to move. She was going on a picnic with Roman.
She ate her supper without tasting a thing. That night, she lay in bed unable to sleep as anticipation chased sleep away. It was a long time before she finally closed her eyes and slept.
She was awake before dawn brightened the sky. Her giddiness had vanished in the night. What was she thinking? Why had she agreed to go? She was barreling toward heartache. He couldn’t possibly care for someone like her.
He must have been joking. He wouldn’t come at noon. He wouldn’t show up at all. She’d made a terrible mistake by agreeing to go. Right now, he and his brother were sitting somewhere laughing at her gullibility.
When twelve o’clock finally arrived, Hebron came in from finishing his chores. Joann helped her sister-in-law prepare lunch. She was setting the table when Salome burst in. “Aunt Joann, there’s someone here to see you.”
Joann stopped breathing. “Who is it?”
“It’s Roman Weaver.” Salome’s eyes danced with excitement. “He’s driving a courting buggy.”
Hebron scowled at Joann. “Why has he come to see you?”
She smoothed the front of her apron to hide her trembling hands. “He’s taking me on a picnic.”
“Is he really?” Salome demanded.
“Ja, he really is.” She looked at her sister-in-law. “I don’t expect to be back until late, so don’t wait supper on me.”
Everyone was staring at her with their mouths open. Joann pulled her book bag off the hook by the door and rushed outside before her courage failed.
* * *
Roman slipped a finger under the collar of his shirt to loosen it. He hadn’t been this nervous since...ever. It occurred to him that he was rushing things, but he didn’t want to keep the truth from Joann a moment longer. He had come to care deeply for her. He wanted their relationship to be based on trust and understanding. He wanted to be more than her friend. Much more.
As she came out the door, she gave him a beautiful smile. His heart flipped over in his chest and started beating like mad. She took his breath away.
She slid in beside him in the buggy. “What a glorious day.”
“It sure is.” It wasn’t the weather that filled him with happiness. It was having her beside him.
“Any ill effects?” Her voice sounded breathy and nervous. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes sparkled. He sure hoped he was the reason.
“From what?”
She giggled. “Your swim with the fishes.”
“Nee, I’m fine and so is Andrew. We’ll have to do that again.”
She looked down at her hands. “I’d like that. Where are we going?”
“I thought we might go out to the lake.”
Her head snapped up. She stared at him with wide eyes. “The lake?”
Suddenly, it didn’t seem like such a great plan. “If that’s okay with you?”
“It’s okay. Ja, it’s fine. I like going to the lake.”
“So do I. It’s peaceful there.”
She fell silent, and he drove the rest of the way with growing misgivings.
When they reached the south shore, he parked in the shade of an oak tree. She said, “This is a good spot. Shall I put the blanket out here?”
“No, it’s prettier on the east side of the lake. Let’s take our stuff over there.”
Some of the joy left her eyes. “Okay.”
He hated that he was tricking her, but he had arranged for the Friendly Fisherman to introduce himself. It had seemed so clever when he thought of it. He prayed he was doing the right thing. He took the picnic basket from the back of the buggy and started following the path around the lake. When they reached the clearing with the fallen tree, he looked down at her. “I like this spot, don’t you?”
She relaxed a little. “It’s fine.”
He said, “You put out our things. I left the lemonade in the buggy. I’ll be right back.”
* * *
Joann couldn’t believe Roman had brought her to the same spot where she exchanged letters with her secret friend. Once he was out of sight, she laid open the blanket and went to the log. Reaching into the knothole, she brought out her mail jar. There was a new note inside. She opened the lid and took it out.
My dear friend,
I would be delighted to meet you face to face. We do have a lot to talk about. So turn around.
F.F.
Turn around. Her heart skipped a beat and stumbled onward. Slowly, she looked up. Roman was standing at the edge of the trees. He lifted his hand in a brief wave. “Hi.”
A terrible buzzing filled her ears. This couldn’t be happening. He hadn’t brought her here for a picnic. He’d brought her here to humiliate her. She should have known better. What a fool she was.
She pressed a hand to her forehead. “It was you! All this time I thought I was reading heartfelt letters from some stranger. Only I wasn’t. I was the victim of your sick joke.”
He took a step toward her. “No, Joann, it wasn’t like that.”
She was so embarrassed she thought she might die from shame. When she thought of the things she had confided to him it made her ill. “Did you know it was me all along?”
“Of course not.”
“You knew before today, didn’t you?”
“I couldn’t tell you. I wasn’t sure you even liked me.”
He knew and he’d said nothing. How humiliating. “I have a newsflash for you, Roman Weaver. I still don’t like you. You are mean and underhanded and dishonest. I can’t believe I ever thought I did like you. Never speak to me again.”
Joann dashed past him and began running through the trees. She heard him calling, but she didn’t slow down. She ran past his buggy and across the pasture until she was so out of breath that she had to stop and lean against the gate.
What an idiot she was. He must be laughing his head off. Tears blinded her. She wiped them away. “I don’t cry. I never cry.”
Only today, she did.
* * *
Roman couldn’t believe how things had gone from so good to so bad in a heartbeat. He gathered up the remains of their picnic and followed Joann. She had to listen to him. He had to make her understand that he had been afraid of losing her friendship. Only now, it seemed that he’d lost so much more.
She wasn’t waiting at the buggy. He repeatedly called her name, but she didn’t answer
So much for his bright idea. He left the lake and drove to her brot
her’s house. She wasn’t there. She hadn’t come back and they didn’t know where she might be.
Defeated, Roman went home. Perhaps if he gave her enough time, she would cool off and be able to see that he did care for her.
The next day, he waited impatiently for her to come to work. She didn’t show up. He started to worry. He left work early and went back to her brother’s house only to be told she still hadn’t come home. No one in the family had seen her.
Where could she be? Who would she seek out? Sally perhaps?
He set his tired horse in motion once more and drove out to Sally’s home.
Sally was hanging clothes on the line when he drove in the yard. He left the buggy and crossed the lawn with long strides. “Is she here?”
Sally looked at him as if he were crazy. “Is who here?”
“I don’t want to play games. Is Joann here?
“She is not. What’s going on?”
“I need to speak to her. I need to make her understand that I care about her. I hurt her without meaning to.”
“How?”
Roman hesitated but finally explained what had been going on. Sally was every bit as upset as Joann had been. “You weasel. First, you take her job, she loses the home she’s always wanted and then you toy with her affections. I wouldn’t want to see you again either.”
“Wait a minute. What do you mean I took her job?”
“Her job at the newspaper. She was fired so you could have it. Did you really think she only wanted to clean up after you?”
“I thought it was odd, but she said it was what she wanted.”
“No, the job you could care less about is the job she wanted. The job she needed.”
“So she could buy a house of her own,” he said softly, remembering her letter.
Sally’s attitude softened. “You really didn’t know?”
“That my uncle put her on the cleaning staff so that I could have her job? No. It never crossed my mind.”
“Not only did you get her job, she had to teach you how do it. It wasn’t fair of Otis Miller to do that.”
Plain Admirer Page 17