An Amish Picnic

by Amy Clipston

  “I don’t think we’re going anywhere for a while.” Jasper held the flashlight higher. She could make out his face now. Tension mixed with excitement. “We’re on our own.”

  That same excitement ran through Esther Marie. “We can handle it.”

  Not a single stutter.

  Chapter 11

  Candlelight. In a Plain household candles meant they ran out of propane or kerosene. For some reason Esther Marie couldn’t put her finger on, this was different. She’d known Jasper since they played in the mud in her backyard during Sunday afternoon visits. Now they were alone, just the two of them, in a grocery store. One of the least romantic places in the world, except for those people who loved food more than life itself. Esther Marie could take it or leave it most days.

  This was different. Together, she and Jasper lit candles in the deli. While he went to try the telephone again to see if his parents had made it home safely, she visited the produce room and decided to leave the door closed and pray the electricity came on before everything started to wilt and soften. She grabbed two Fuji apples on the way out. A snack would be nice if they missed supper.

  The freezer doors also needed to stay shut. The cardinal rule paraded through Esther Marie’s head in Fergie’s booming voice. “Absolutely do not open the freezer doors until the electricity returns.”

  “There’s no dial tone on the phone. The lines must be down. I found this blanket in Daed’s office. I guess he must use it when he decides to take a nap after lunch.” Jasper held up a green-and-blue plaid flannel blanket. His gaze gravitated toward the floor in front of the deli meat cases. “We might as well get comfortable. We’ll be here awhile.”

  Like a picnic? An indoor picnic in the middle of a storm that threatened to wipe the store off the face of the earth?

  Why not? There was nothing else to be done. She’d prayed for something to happen with Jasper, and now they were alone. Gott, this isn’t quite what I had in mind. She accepted the blanket and unfolded it. Could it be possible she was about to sit on a blanket with Jasper? Her hands were sweaty and so were her armpits. Should she go to the bathroom and use a paper towel to wipe them down?

  No time. Too dark.

  “We’re in a grocery store. We might as well eat.” He held up the basket in his other hand. “My treat. Don’t worry. I made a note so I can pay back what we owe for it.”

  Always the practical man. “Ok-k-kay.”

  Was that all she could come up with?

  “Like a picnic.” He settled the basket at her feet. His gaze bounced from floor to ceiling. “Would you like to have a picnic with me?”

  So it was a picnic. He wanted to have a picnic with her.

  The faint tremor in his voice revealed just how nervous he was. As nervous as Esther Marie. She breathed and managed a smile. “I w-w-ould like th-th-th-at very m-m-m-uch.”

  “Gut.” He knelt and then looked up. “Have a seat.”

  She knelt and removed the cellophane from the last big, fat candle. The wrapper said its scent was wedding cake. She smiled to herself and used the matches she’d nabbed from the household goods aisle to light it.

  “Hmm, that smells like cake. I like that smell.” Jasper removed items from the basket. “No cake in here, but I have bread, swiss cheese, roast beef—”

  “D-D-D-Did you op-p-p-pen the c-c-case?”

  “I did, but only for a few seconds. I grabbed the smallest pieces. We’ll have to eat it all if you don’t want to open it again.”

  For a good cause, Fergie. For your son’s first attempt at courting. She assumed it was his first attempt. It certainly was hers.

  A nervous giggle burbled up in her throat. “A lot of f-f-f-f-ood.”

  “A feast.”

  Together, in companionable silence, they assembled the sandwiches with Esther Marie using plastic utensils to spread the mustard and mayonnaise from small picnic packets sold with the paper plates and napkins. Jasper also had potato chips from the chip aisle, brownies from the bakery, and bottles of warm water from the bottled water aisle. “I didn’t want to stumble around in the dark too much or I would have brought a bigger variety. I didn’t know if you liked Doritos or Cheetos so I brought both.”

  “I like b-b-b-oth. I br-r-r-ought these.” She held out two apples she’d taken from the produce room before she shut the doors. “You like a-a-a-pples.”

  When he couldn’t have apple pie, he settled for apples. She’d heard him say that once.

  “I do. Danki.”

  He reached for the apple. His fingers brushed against hers. Goose bumps raced up her arms. Heat flared somewhere in the vicinity of her heart. It made it hard to breathe. She grabbed a paper napkin and patted her face. “It’s warm in here without the fans.”

  Jasper wiped his forehead with his sleeve, but his gaze never left her face. “Jah, it is.”

  She grabbed the sandwich and took a big bite.

  “It’s okay.” His voice didn’t shake anymore. “I’m naerfich too.”

  The words were an invitation to give voice to what was happening. What exactly was happening? “Abb-b-b-bout what-t-t?”

  He ducked his head. “Us. This.”

  “W-W-Why me?” The question truly baffled her. No man had looked at her a second time after hearing her talk. The Plain boys in school were always nice to her, but not one asked her to ride home in his buggy after a singing. Jasper never went to a singing. Ever. “I st-st-st-utter.”

  “I don’t care. I don’t stutter, and I still have trouble talking to people. You stutter and people like you because you’re kind and nice.” He took a hurried bite of his sandwich, chewed, and swallowed. “Why did you make pie for me and cookies?”

  “I l-l-ike you.”

  “Nobody likes me.” He spoke the words matter-of-factly with no bitterness.

  “Th-th-th-at’s not true.”

  He shrugged. “You often seem mad at me.”

  “I g-g-get f-f-f-rustrated.”

  “You’re frustrated because you know how to run the store and I don’t. But women aren’t put in charge. The son of the owner is.”

  “Jah. But also b-b-because you s-s-s-eem m-m-m-mad at me.”

  “Not at you. I’m never mad at you. I’m mad at me. I want to be like you. I would run the store into the ground without you. The shelves would be empty, all the customers would be going to the big stores in Missoula. We’d have to close.”

  A huge exaggeration, but Esther Marie appreciated his effort. “Y-Y-You’re not-t-t th-th-at bad.”

  He smiled. The change lit up his face. What a nice gift. She returned the favor.

  Their gazes broke. She took a bite of her sandwich and chewed. He did the same. She stared at the candle flames. They danced in an unseen draft. So pretty. Gott, I hope he knows what to do next because I surely don’t.

  Something had to happen next. Of that, she was certain.

  Jasper raised his hand. His fingers touched her cheek. “Is it okay if I do that?”

  “Jah.” Her voice trembled.

  His voice dropped to a whisper. “What if I do this?”

  His fingers trailed from her cheek to her neck and then to the hair that peeked from her prayer covering. A delicious shiver ran through her, head to toe and back. She couldn’t quite catch her breath. “Jah, jah.”

  “What about this?”

  He leaned forward. His face, no longer hidden in the shadows of the flickering light, came into focus. His hands drew her face nearer to his. Jasper’s scent of fresh soap enveloped her. Their lips met. Esther Marie closed her eyes. Nothing else existed there in the dark. Just the feel of his soft lips on hers.

  She’d waited her whole life for this, and it finally arrived. Perfect. It didn’t matter that she stuttered. Nothing else mattered but this moment. She would always have this first, sweet, lovely kiss.

  The kiss deepened. Her heart rearranged itself. Life would be different now, no matter what came next.

  Jasper leaned back and whispered, �
��Oh, Esther Marie.”

  She couldn’t look at him. His fingers touched her chin, forcing her to look up. “You are sweet and kind and you deserve better than a grumpy, unlikeable man like me.”

  “I like you.”

  No stutter there.

  “I’m so glad. I like you too. A lot.” He offered her a tentative smile. “Can I kiss you again?”

  She nodded.

  Kissing proved to be far more satisfying than roast beef sandwiches or Doritos. Finally he drew away, smiled, and handed her the apple. “You’ll need your strength.”

  “Why d-d-d-didn’t you say anything about the p-p-p-pie?”

  “You didn’t say anything about the jelly beans.”

  “I thought you w-w-w-would t-t-t-ake me for a b-b-b-buggy ride.”

  “I was afraid.” He said the words so simply, so honestly.

  “Me too.”

  “Who was the man in front of your house that night?”

  “A f-f-f-riend of Daed’s. Why didn’t you w-w-w-ave? Why didn’t you s-s-s-top?”

  “I thought you were courting.” Embarrassment made his voice gruff. “Not a friend of yours?”

  She shook her head. “H-H-e s-s-s-aid I sh-sh-ould make the p-p-p-ie.”

  Jasper laughed. “Big of him.”

  “It was.”

  “And Raymond Old Fox. What is he to you?”

  “F-F-F-riend. A m-m-m-an who is nice to m-m-m-e.”

  “I’m afraid you won’t like me when you get to know me better.”

  “I d-do know you. Always have kn-kn-kn-own you.” She dug deep for the words to make him understand. “I w-w-w-worry you will get t-t-t-tired of my s-st-st-st-utter.”

  What would it be like to stutter her wedding vows in front of everyone in the district? What a thought. The wedding cake candle had gone to her head.

  “I’m bad at talking too, even though I don’t stutter.” A look of wonder on his face, he took her hand and smoothed his fingers over hers. “Love between two people doesn’t need words.”

  “I p-p-p-rayed Gott would heal me. H-H-H-e didn’t.”

  “I prayed He would bring you to me and He did.” Jasper pulled her close for another sweet kiss on her forehead. “He knows I don’t care. He knows actions speak louder than words. You are special to Him and to me. Do you understand that?”

  “Nee, b-b-b-etter sh-show me again.”

  He laughed and followed her instructions.

  Chapter 12

  Plain folks loved to talk about the weather. Smiling at the crescendo of chatter, Esther Marie slipped from the bishop’s house with a platter of sandwiches to serve to the after-church crowd. The storm had caused plenty of damage, but no one was hurt. Roofs could be replaced. Fences fixed. Sheds rebuilt. Besides, rain was good. After a quick look around she made a beeline for the picnic table where Jasper sat with his younger brothers. He looked sharp in his Sunday suit and black hat.

  He always looked sharp to her. A few days had passed since their candlelight picnic, but Jasper had been busy at home. The doctor released Fergie from the hospital with instructions not to drive for a week, to change his diet, to start cardio rehab, and begin an exercise program. All this Lucy shared when she stopped by the store to tell Esther Marie she was in charge.

  Jasper was needed on the farm.

  No chance to find out if Jasper had changed his mind. Maybe he’d been overcome by the candlelight and the dark. Maybe he regretted those kisses in the bright light of day.

  No time like the present to find out. Esther Marie took a long breath, let it out, and approached his table. Jasper held his glass of tea to his lips. His gaze met hers. He coughed and sputtered. “Esther Marie.”

  “Would you l-l-like another sand-w-w-w-ich?”

  “Nee, but danki.” He wiped his mouth and face with a paper napkin and threw it on his plate. Ignoring the curious whispers of his younger brothers, he stood and leaned closer. “Can we talk?”

  Everyone would see and know. Usually single Plain men and women didn’t go off alone—unless they were courting. It didn’t matter. Time spent with Jasper would be worth the murmurs and the knowing glances. Her parents would be over the moon to see her talking to a homegrown St. Ignatius man. Especially a hard worker like Jasper. “What did you want to talk about?”

  He took the platter of sandwiches from her and laid it on the table. “Boys, have at it. Pass it on when you’re through.”

  They would demolish the sandwiches in no time. Together, yet far enough apart to be seemly, Jasper led Esther Marie toward the road and the line of buggies that stretched along the fence line. The silence grew. What was this about? “How is F-F-F-F-ergie doing?”

  “Chomping at the bit to get back to work.” Jasper slowed. His hand brushed against hers. A shiver ran through her despite the August heat. Did Jasper feel it too? He ducked his head. “He’s thankful for how hard everyone has worked at the store. I’m sure he’ll tell you himself when he comes back. I told him you ran the store while he was gone. He’s thankful for that.”

  “You didn’t have to do that. We ran the store together. B-B-ut that’s n-n-not what you w-w-want to t-t-talk to me a-b-b-bout.” Maybe he did regret the candlelight picnic. How could he? Just thinking of his kisses sent sweet ripples through Esther Marie’s entire body. She could hardly sleep for thinking of him. “Wh-Wh-Wh-at’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s wonderful.” Jasper’s smile lit up his face. He took her hand—right there in front of God and everyone. “At least it will be if you want what I want.”

  The feel of his fingers tight and warm around hers made it hard to think. “What d-d-d-o you w-w-w-ant?”

  “I want more kisses. I want to spend time with you. Starting with a buggy ride. Lots of buggy rides.”

  A buggy ride. Her first kiss and now her first buggy ride. Esther Marie’s free hand fluttered and landed on her chest in the vicinity of her heart. A lump swelled in her throat. “You m-m-m-ean you w-w-w-ant to t-t-t-ake a r-r-r-ide with me?”

  “Jah, with you. Of course.” His smile broadened. “With no one else in the world. Only you. What do you say?”

  “I say jah.” No stutter. “When?”

  “Now.”

  That everyone would see and know didn’t really matter. God’s timing was perfect. He had brought Esther Marie her heart’s desire. What happened next was up to her. “I w-w-would like th-th-that.”

  “Jah!” Jasper tossed his church hat into the air and caught it. “You said jah.”

  “I’ve been waiting for a long time to say jah.”

  He tugged her to the other side of the buggy where no one could see them. There, he pulled her close and leaned down. Esther Marie reached for him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands touched her checks and her neck. Pent-up feelings exploded in a kiss that made her toes curl. She might faint or shout for joy or simply never stop kissing him.

  He pulled away first. “You’re my sweet girl and I love you.”

  Another first. The biggest and most important one. “I love you too.”

  “Let’s find a better spot to talk . . . and do other things.”

  “That sounds wunderbarr.”

  Together they climbed into his buggy and set out for their future together.

  Discussion Questions

  People treat Esther Marie differently because she has a speech impediment. They make assumptions about her intelligence because of it. Sometimes they’re impatient. Other times they’re condescending. Why do you think that is? What makes people react badly to people with disabilities? Fergie and Lucy don’t let her impediment stand in the way of being an employee. What can we learn from their attitude?

  In Jesus’s lifetime people with disabilities were isolated and shunned. Some suggested their parents had sinned so that they were being punished. What did Jesus say and do about this attitude and misperception? Seek out scripture in which He talks about treatment of the sick and disabled.

  Jasper doesn�
��t have a physical disability. His disability is in the way he reacts to others. He’s socially awkward and has never learned to filter his words. Yet he defends Esther Marie and sees past her speech impediment to who she truly is. Why do you think that is? What can we learn from their relationship?

  When Fergie is hospitalized with a heart attack, Jasper is placed in charge of the store even though Esther Marie is better equipped to handle it—even with her speech impediment. Jasper is outside his comfort zone. This was necessary for him to learn how to treat others and how to approach Esther Marie with his feelings for her. Has God ever led you to a place outside your comfort zone as a learning opportunity? How did you react? How do we grow spiritually through these experiences?

  Reeling in Love

  Kathleen Fuller

  To James. I love you.

  Chapter 1

  Nina Stoll loved fishing on Saturday afternoons, but today she felt like she was the one on the hook. And she didn’t like that—not at all.

  She glanced at Ira Yoder, her best friend since she moved to Birch Creek almost two years ago. As usual, he was quiet, concentrating on catching fish. That was what she should be doing too. And normally she did. Except lately, Ira was all she could focus on.

  “They don’t seem to be biting today.” Ira gave his fishing pole a little yank.

  “Huh?” Nina mumbled, his words barely registering. Ira was exceptionally handsome today, wearing a short-sleeved, light-yellow shirt, his brown hair a little on the long side, and his straw hat a tad askew on his head as if he’d just plopped it on and rushed here after finishing his farm chores. She liked the fact that he was always a little mussed. He worked hard on his family’s farm . . . and he had the physique to prove it.

  “The fish.” He looked at her. “They’re not biting today.”

  Everything about Ira appealed to her, but his eyes were especially striking—a mix of green and brown but not quite hazel. Strange that she’d only recently noticed how appealing they were. But Ira wasn’t all muscles and looks. He was kind, loyal, and fun to be around. He was the total package.