by Alison Stone
He’d tell her the truth tomorrow.
When they finally reached the crash site, Eli turned into the driveway rutted with wagon wheels and horse hooves. Anna’s car was parked on the lawn where he had left it. Sighing heavily, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Where is the nearest hotel?”
They glanced at each other and a slow smile spread up her pretty face, no doubt anticipating his answer. “Um, all the way back in town.” Eli laughed.
“Exactly what I thought.” She lifted her hair from her forehead and held it there. Her shoulders slumped. “I just want to grab something to eat and go to sleep.”
“What about staying at your brother’s apartment?”
Anna shook her head. “I’m not ready to go there. Not yet.” She lowered her voice. “That would mean facing all his...stuff.”
Eli’s eyes drifted to the outline of the farmhouse. “I need to stop in here. Then we can figure out where to grab a bite and a place for you to sleep, okay?”
Anna jerked her head back. “Isn’t it too late to drop in unannounced?”
“Come on.” He got out and met Anna around the front of the vehicle.
A cool breeze blew her hair softly around her shoulders. Only a hint of the scent of burning wreckage clung to the night air. She hooked a strand of her hair with her pinkie and slid it away from her face. The bright moon lit on her hesitant features. “It seems really late. Maybe we shouldn’t bother them.”
“Watch your step.” He held out his hand and Anna put her slim hand in his. “Come on. It’s fine.” Her cheek brushed against his shoulder as they navigated their way across the uneven lawn. A clean scent of coconut from her hair drifted to his nose.
Slowing his pace, he reached down and boldly tipped her chin toward the sky. “I bet you don’t see those in the city.”
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars.” He stole a glance at the wonder in her eyes and bemoaned the circumstances surrounding their meeting. Another time, another place, perhaps. “There seems to be a certain peace out here. No traffic noise. No nothing.”
Eli wrapped his hand around the smooth railing leading up the steps. “It is a peaceful existence. A lot of work. No modern conveniences. But the Amish don’t clutter their lives with a lot of distractions. The Amish have a saying, ‘To be in this world, but not of this world.’”
“Are you sure this can’t wait until morning?” Anna whispered. “Don’t they go to bed early?”
“It’s only eight-thirty.”
“I know, it’s just...” She let her words trail off.
“You’re uncomfortable.”
Anna scrunched up her nose. “I’ve never met anyone who’s Amish.” She glanced down at her clothes. “I mean, am I dressed appropriately?” She lowered her voice to barely a whisper, and she tugged at the cardigan covering her sleeveless top. “And I was really hoping to freshen up soon. Do they have indoor plumbing?”
Eli laughed. If only she knew. “Yes, they have indoor plumbing.” He gestured toward the window where a soft glow emanated. “And lights. You won’t have to fumble around in the dark. They’re just not hooked up to the grid.”
“The grid?”
“They don’t use electricity. But there are plenty of other independent sources of power.”
Anna seemed to consider this for a moment. “It’s incredible, really, that people still live this way.”
Eli leaned on the railing. “We won’t be long. I just want to make sure they’re okay.”
Her tired gaze drifted to the street. The moonlight glinted off her vehicle’s windshield. “Okay.”
He rapped on the door before she could change her mind. Who was he kidding? He had to do it before he changed his mind. Sweat slicked his palms. The door opened slowly. Beautiful brown eyes met his. A smile broke wide on the woman’s face. “Abram! Abram!” she called, glancing over her shoulder. “Come quickly.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Eli sensed Anna watching him. He was glad for the shadows. He yanked his tie out of habit as the space suddenly felt close. The door swung all the way open. The woman’s long gown rustled in the evening breeze. The hair poking out from under her kapp seemed grayer than he remembered. Her bright eyes met his. Covering her mouth, she stepped onto the porch, the kindness in her eyes familiar.
“Eli, you’re home.”
THREE
Anna watched transfixed as the Amish woman welcomed them. Eli’s lips curved into a small smile, but a hint of hesitancy flickered in his eyes. “Anna, this is my mother, Mrs. Mariam Miller.”
“Hello, Mrs. Miller. Nice to meet you.” Anna did a horrible job hiding her surprise.
“Please call me Mariam.” She took Anna’s hand in her callused one. “Welcome.” His mother glanced over her shoulder. “Your father must be in the barn with Samuel.” She spun on her heel. “Let me get him.”
Eli reached out and caught his mother’s arm. “Wait. How are you? The plane crash this morning must have been a shock.”
Mariam fidgeted with the edge of her cape. “Those poor people. Do you know how they are?”
Anna’s cheeks grew warm.
“I’m afraid the pilot died. His passenger was the youngest child of the Christophers, Tiffany. She’s in the hospital.” Eli placed a reassuring hand on the small of Anna’s back.
“Oh, dear.” His mother’s eyes grew wide. “Katie Mae does some housekeeping for the Christopher family. I wonder if she knows....”
“I can talk to her if you’d like,” Eli said.
“I hope we’re not stopping by too late.” Anna found herself studying the space, suddenly fascinated to find herself inside an Amish home. Two oak rocking chairs sat in the middle of a room with wall-to-wall oak hardwood floors. The wood continued halfway up the wall and stopped at the chair rail. The room had a scarcity of knickknacks. Her mind’s eye flashed to the assortment of crystal trinkets her mother had collected with reckless abandon. Her childhood home had never lacked for stuff. A lump formed in her throat and she pushed the thought aside.
“I’m glad you came.” Soft frown lines accentuated Mariam’s mouth. “Did the plane crash bring you here?” She gathered her apron in her hands. “The noise. It was horrible.” Tears filled the corners of her eyes.
“Yes, I’m afraid it did.” Eli momentarily found Anna’s hand by her side and gave it a quick squeeze. Anna held her breath, relieved he didn’t explain that her brother was killed in the crash. In her exhausted state, she feared any outpouring of sympathy would send her crumbling.
“Do you need a room for the night? I could check with your father. I’m sure under the circumstances it would be acceptable.” Mariam stepped deeper into the entryway and called, “Katie Mae, please come here.”
“I don’t want to cause any trouble.” Eli slipped his car keys into his pocket.
Mrs. Miller seemed to study her son’s face. “I suppose your brother Samuel won’t mind having a bunkmate.” She hesitated a fraction. “You weren’t planning on sharing a room?”
Embarrassment flushed Anna’s cheeks. She imagined that the Amish views on premarital cohabitation ran toward the conservative. “We’re not...” She glanced at Eli for help, but apparently they didn’t know each other well enough to have their signals worked out.
“My brother was piloting the plane that crashed.” She swallowed hard. “I just met Eli today.” There, she said it out loud. The reality of her words crashed over her. Biting her lower lip, she hoped to keep her emotions at bay.
Mariam’s eyes grew wide. “I am so sorry. Do you need to contact your family? The Jones family down the road has a phone.”
Anna closed her eyes briefly. She couldn’t find the words to say she didn’t have any family. Not anymore. “It can wait,” she lied.
A hint of confus
ion flashed across Mariam’s face. Eli’s shuttered expression gave nothing away, yet something niggled at her brain. Why hadn’t he asked about her family earlier?
A young woman, probably in her late teens, appeared in the hallway. She had on a calf-length dress in a beautiful shade of blue that matched her eyes. Her flawless skin was untouched by makeup. A loop of brown hair poked out the side of her bonnet. The strings on the bonnet dangled by her chin. When her eyes landed on Eli, she smiled broadly. She covered the distance between them in a few short steps and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her cheeks blushed a pretty pink and she quickly stepped back, running her hands down the front of her dress. “Hey, big brother.” Her eyes sparkled.
“Hey, Katie Mae.”
“So nice to see you. I just got home from work.”
“Still working for the Christophers, I hear.”
Katie Mae rolled her eyes. “Yes. I’m supposed to do light housework, but half the time I’m watching the grandchildren. They are a handful.”
A small smile lifted the corners of Eli’s mouth. “I’m sure you handle them just fine.” He hesitated a moment, as if weighing his next words. “I imagine it was a little chaotic over there today.”
“Oh, dear, yes. Thank goodness Tiffany wasn’t killed in that horrible plane crash. Mrs. Christopher is beside herself. Her mother didn’t even know she was on the plane until the sheriff showed up at her door to tell her about the crash.”
“How horrible,” Anna said.
Eli made the introductions between the women, then turned to his mother. “So, Father’s still out working in the barn? It’s getting late.”
“He and Samuel are checking on Red.” Katie Mae’s voice grew quiet. “He’s getting old.”
“I brought Red, an Irish setter, home when he was a puppy.” A faraway look settled in his eyes. “Must have been more than twelve years ago.”
“Why don’t you show Anna the extra room upstairs?” Mariam motioned to her daughter. “I’ll go discuss the arrangements with your father.”
* * *
Katie Mae led Anna up the wooden stairs to a bedroom down a short hallway. “Can I get you anything?”
Anna glanced around the tidy room. The furnishings were sparse but clean. A beautiful quilt in shades of blue and green covered the bed. A lone calendar was tacked to the wall. “This is fine. Thank you.”
“The bathroom is at the end of the hallway. I will put some clean linens on the chair.” The young woman’s blue gown rustled around her ankles, revealing black laced boots. “If you’d like, I’ll make you some tea and a little something to eat.”
“Thank you.”
Katie Mae paused at the door, and curiosity lit her face. “Is my brother courting you?”
Anna shook her head. “Oh, no. We just met today.”
The young woman frowned. “Too bad.” She shrugged. “He could use someone in his life. He’s too tied up in his job... Well, your tea will be downstairs.” She turned on her heel and disappeared, leaving Anna mildly amused by the question.
Anna flopped down on the bed and closed her eyes. She nearly groaned when she remembered she’d have to retrieve her suitcase from her car. She had packed for a week, knowing she’d have to take care of her brother’s apartment in Apple Creek and other details.
“Are the accommodations okay?”
Anna sat up and adjusted the hem of her shirt. Eli leaned on the door frame, a strange look on his face. He had shed his suit coat and rolled his white shirt sleeves to his elbows. Realizing she was staring, she dropped her gaze.
“Oh, man, you’re a lifesaver.” She stood, relieved to see her suitcase at his feet.
“I try.” He stepped into the room, brushing past her, and set the case on the trunk at the foot of the bed. She was keenly aware of him sharing the small space. “I still had your car keys from this morning.” Eli tossed them on the dresser. “I’ll let you get settled.” He turned to leave.
“Wait.”
He paused in the doorway and glanced over his shoulder.
“I appreciate all you’ve done for me today.” She held up her palms. “Including this room. But tomorrow I’ll go to the motel, because I really don’t think I could stay at my brother’s place. It would just be too hard.” She bit her lower lip.
“One day at a time.” The kindness in his eyes warmed her heart.
She tilted her head, studying him. “You grew up here? You’re Amish?” She blurted out the questions on the tip of her tongue. She had no right to be intrusive, but she couldn’t help herself.
Smiling, he pivoted on his heel. Dark whiskers colored his square jaw. “There is nothing to tell. I was born into the Amish community, but I am not Amish. I left before I was baptized.”
Anna narrowed her eyes. “And your parents are okay with that? I thought if you left, you were shunned for life or something.”
Eli stepped back and leaned against the windowsill. He undid the knot of his tie. Pulling one end, he unlaced it from his collar, then he ran the silky material through his fingers. “They tolerate the occasional visit, but I’m careful not to overstay my welcome. I don’t want to cause them any trouble.” He looked like he wanted to say more but didn’t. “My parents were disappointed I didn’t choose to stay. All Amish parents dream of their children accepting their way of life.”
“But it wasn’t for you?”
He folded the tie accordion style and gripped it in one hand. He looked up and met her gaze. “It’s complicated.” He crossed the room and adjusted the brightness on the lamp. “Do you have everything you need? There should be a flashlight in the drawer, too.”
Unable to hide her amusement, she shrugged.
“A few less modern conveniences than you’re used to?”
“How’d you guess?” She arched an eyebrow.
“The light is fueled by a propane tank in the nightstand.”
Anna jerked her head back, marveling at the ingenuity.
“Are these accommodations okay with you? I didn’t want to offend my mother when she extended the invitation. I think you’ll find it far more comfortable than the Apple Creek Motel.” He stuffed his hands into his pocket and crossed his ankles.
“It’s fine. Thanks. Really, you’ve been too kind.”
He pulled out his cell phone. “You won’t get reception here, either. If there’s someone you need to contact at home, a boyfriend, maybe, we can go to the neighbors. I don’t mind driving you.” Was there a glint of expectation in his eyes, or was she imagining it?
“No. There’s no one.” A pain stabbed her heart and she sat back down on the edge of the bed. Then realizing how pathetic she sounded, she added, “I’ll update work next week.”
“I’m sorry about your brother,” Eli said. “It’s hard to lose someone close to you.” He spoke the words as if from experience, but she figured she had pried enough already tonight.
“I can’t believe he’s gone.” She ran her hands up and down her arms. “I dread going to his apartment. It’s going to be hard to pack away his things.” Once again tears burned the backs of her eyes. “My brother had called me a few times recently, but I never called him back.” Her voice cracked.
Eli left his perch at the windowsill and sat next to her on the bed, pulling her hand into his. “Take it one day at a time.”
Their eyes locked. An emotional connection sparked between them. The walls of the bedroom seemed to close in on her, and she closed her eyes to stop the swaying. Exhaustion was catching up with her.
“I avoided my brother’s calls because I couldn’t deal with him and the demands of my job. He seemed so different after the war. Paranoid. I used to tell him he reminded me of Mel Gibson in Conspiracy Theory.” She ran a shaky hand over her mouth. “Remember that movie?” She bowed her head. “I’m so ashamed. I s
pent my life helping the students at school but I couldn’t take five minutes to answer a call from my brother.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. You didn’t know.” He squeezed her hand.
Her mouth twisted in skepticism. “But if I hadn’t avoided him, I would have known something was wrong. Now I’ll never have another chance to talk to him. To tell him I love him.”
Bowing her head, she covered her face and fought her emotions. Eli placed his solid hand at the back of her head and pulled her into his chest. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she settled into his arms. A mixture of laundry detergent and his aftershave filled her senses.
“Eli—” Anna sat upright. A man with an unkempt beard and blunt-style haircut stood in the doorway “—I need to talk to you downstairs.” His cool manner and stare tightened Anna’s gut.
“Father,” Eli said, his tone even, “nice to see you. This is Anna Quinn.” He turned to Anna. “My father, Abram Miller.”
The man gave her a curt nod. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to talk to my son in private.”
After his father left, Eli angled his head and brushed his thumb across her cheek. “You okay?”
Anna forced a smile. “You better go talk to your father.”
* * *
A man of few words, Eli’s father descended the stairs and headed outside to the porch. Eli flinched when the screen door slammed against its frame. He caught his father’s profile against the backdrop of the night sky. His father was a commanding figure and Eli knew he’d talk when he was ready to talk.
With work-worn hands wrapped around the rail, his father stared out into the distance toward the crash scene. “I never understood man’s need to fly. It seems to go against nature.” He hesitated a moment before adding, “I pray the man is in God’s hands now.”