They didn’t have specific seats, just a certain section of the bleachers where they had to sit. Seth was already there, saving two seats for them. Uriah had a death grip on Beulah’s hand as they maneuvered their way up the bleachers. Beulah was nearly dizzy with all the people pressing her on all sides. She’d never in her life been in a crowd like this.
There was an odd smell in the air, too, sickly but sweet at the same time. When they finally got to their seats, Beulah was ready to plop down when the entire crowd rose to its feet, screaming. Alarmed, she looked toward the makeshift stage in the middle of the field. Another group had come on. She put her mouth close to Uriah’s ear.
“Is this them?” she hollered.
He shook his head but didn’t say anything. He was too busy raising his arms in the air and yelling along with the rest of the crowd. People—many looking younger than Beulah—were dancing in their spots now, which was saying something considering how smashed together they were. Beulah raised her arms with the rest of them, joining in the hollering and frivolity. But in truth, her ears were ringing.
I’ll get used to it, she told herself. She glanced at Uriah. His face showed his complete ecstasy at being there. How in the world could their basically quiet Amish life ever compete with this? And Uriah was not on his rumspringa anymore. He’d come home from that.
In truth, she hadn’t really had a rumspringa. Her sister Amy used to tease her about it. “Why do you need one?” Amy would say. “You do pretty much what you want anyway.”
That was true. She did. Of course, she had to sneak around to do most things, but still, there was no call to leave home or to stay in town or anything like that. She was happy to be at home. The short period of time she’d spent with Amy at Andrew Miller’s house after his wife died, leaving him with a newborn, had served as a rumspringa of sorts. At least, she’d been able to see Uriah whenever she wanted.
The intensity of the crowd increased when the present band left the stage. The roar around her reached stunning levels as another band went on. This was the band they’d come to see. Beulah knew that immediately when she recognized the lead singer with purple hair. She grinned at the silliness of it, but supposed it wasn’t really a joke considering the following the guy had. Beulah relaxed and let herself be swept up in the frenzy.
Chapter Three
Three hours later, Beulah wondered if her ears were permanently damaged. The concert was over, but the chaos and excitement of the crowd continued. She tripped her way down the bleachers behind Seth and Uriah. When they got to the ground, Seth turned to Uriah.
“Want to hang around some more?” he hollered.
Uriah grinned, nodding. Beulah tugged on his sleeve. “I need to get back,” she yelled. Truth be told, she was ready to go anyway. She’d liked it and was glad she’d come, but it was over. And now, she was getting a bit concerned about sneaking back into the house. She’d feel better once she was in her own bed.
Uriah leaned close and kissed her neck, sending tingles through her. She stiffened against it. By kissing her, he could always get his way, but she couldn’t afford it that night. She needed to get home.
“Come on, babe,” he said loudly in her ringing ear. “Just for a while.”
And without waiting for her answer, he followed Seth into the crowd. Beulah watched him be swallowed up and then she hustled after him, shoving her way through the swarm. If she lost him, she’d never find him again. And what was he thinking, letting go of her hand?
As she fought her way through the throngs of people, she grew more and more angry. Even though the night was black, there was plenty of light from the massive field lights glaring like independent moons all around the field. But still, she had trouble keeping Uriah in sight. Someone elbowed her hard, and she instinctively whirled around, but it was impossible to see who’d done it in the crowd. It hadn’t been intentional, she was sure.
“Uriah!” she called, but of course, her voice didn’t go far. She clamped her lips shut, more annoyed than ever. Up ahead, she spotted a concession stand. She’d go over there and just wait, she thought. She’d lost both Uriah and Seth now and had no idea where to go. She pushed out of the thickest part of the crowd and broke free to get to the stand.
And there she stood. And stood some more.
People were leaving, jamming their way through the openings in the chain link fence. Should she leave, too? She had a fairly good idea where they’d left the car. What if Uriah didn’t come back looking for her? She would be left standing there all night. She waited another five minutes of so, watching more and more people leave the field. This was ridiculous. Uriah would never find her there.
She clasped her bag of clothes more tightly to her chest and entered the horde again, pushing her way to the entrance they’d come through when they’d arrived. Once out of the field, the crowd thinned slightly, and she could walk more easily. She was hurrying now, trying to get to Seth’s car. There weren’t as many lights in the parking area, and all the cars now appeared as hulking shadows. She kept going until she reached the far end of the field. It didn’t take her long to find Seth’s car. With a sigh of relief, she leaned against it, looking around.
Neither Seth nor Uriah were anywhere in sight, but they’d have to come back to the car sooner or later. She felt more secure waiting there instead of inside the field. She closed her eyes, slowly feeling the echoing beat of the music drain out of her body. Goodness, but it had been loud. Louder than anything she’d ever experienced in her life.
She chuckled, comparing the concert music to their hymns during a preaching service.
“Beulah!”
Her eyes flew open. “Uriah!”
Uriah came up to her. “What were you thinking, leaving me like that?” he said, his voice raised and anxious.
“W-What do you mean?” she stammered. “You left me.”
“I did not. I turned around, and you were gone. We’ve been looking all over for you.”
“I was looking for you. You left me right in the middle of that mass of people. I couldn’t find you.”
“I thought you were following me,” Uriah snapped. “Because of you, we had to leave. Why in the world didn’t you hang on to me?”
Beulah stared at him. She wasn’t going to apologize. He was the one who deserted her.
“Come on,” Seth said. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Sorry, man,” Uriah said. “We can go back and find some of your friends.”
“They’re likely gone by now,” Seth said, unlocking the car. “Get in.”
Beulah crawled into the back seat, suddenly realizing she was still wearing the Englischer clothes. “Seth, can I give your sister’s clothes back later?”
He started the car. “Whatever.”
She buckled her seat belt and said no more. Seth and Uriah talked about the concert all the way home. Their voices were loud and caustic, and Beulah wondered if they weren’t still half-deaf from the concert. She didn’t join in. She leaned her head against the window and stared at the dark silhouette of houses and barns and telephone poles as they sped down the road toward her farm.
When they got to her drive, Seth stopped the car.
“Thank you,” she muttered, climbing out of the car. Uriah got out of the front seat and stepped close to her.
“Sorry about earlier,” he mumbled. “See you tomorrow?”
“Sure,” she said. “See you tomorrow.”
Without waiting for anything further, she darted away, running up her drive toward the house. Behind her, she heard Seth take off again, his tires spitting gravel. She slowed, creeping up to the house. As she reached up to open the side door, she saw a flicker of light inside. Her heart stopped, and she froze. Was someone up?
What could she do now? In the dark, she glanced down at herself, and in the shadows, she saw the outline of the jeans she wore. No. No. No. Someone couldn’t be up. They just couldn’t.
She stood there, debating, and then she got irritate
d with herself. When had she ever backed down from confrontation? When had she ever acted sheepish or weak? She sucked in a deep breath and pushed through the door. The light was in the kitchen, and there was no way around it. She’d have to show her face.
“Beulah?” It was her father.
“Jah, Dat.”
“Get in here.”
She shoved down her dread and walked into the kitchen. Both her parents were there, sitting at the kitchen table. When her mother caught sight of her, she gasped.
“What in the world?” she cried, her hand covering her mouth.
Thomas scowled. “Where have you been?”
“Out,” Beulah said, lifting her chin.
“That we know. Where?”
Beulah walked to the cupboard and took out a glass. She filled it with water, taking a sip—although, she nearly choked on it. She could pretend she wasn’t nervous all she wanted, but in truth, she was petrified.
“Where?” Fiona repeated.
“I went to a concert,” she said, setting the glass on the counter with a shaky hand.
“With who?” Thomas asked, looking beyond tired.
“It’s that Umble boy, ain’t so?” Fiona asked, standing.
Thomas looked at Fiona. “I thought she wasn’t seeing him anymore.”
Fiona shook her head. “Why would you think that?”
“I’d hoped…” He turned to Beulah. “Well? Were you with Uriah?”
Beulah nodded. “I was.”
“And how did you get to this concert?”
“We went with his friend, Seth.”
“In a car?” Fiona asked, sinking back down to the bench.
“Jah.”
She saw her father’s jaw tighten. “Do you realize what time it is?”
Without thinking, she glanced at the clock over the kitchen sink. “Going on midnight.”
“Look again,” he said.
She looked again. “Going on one,” she corrected herself.
“What have you been doing all this time?” Fiona asked.
“I told you, Mamm. I was at a concert.”
“You were with Uriah the whole time?”
“Jah.”
Thomas stood, and Beulah couldn’t help but notice that he looked old. She’d never thought of her father as old before, but tonight, there was no denying it. “I don’t want you seeing that Umble boy anymore.”
Beulah blanched. She’d known they weren’t in favor of her seeing him, but to forbid her? That was entirely different.
“He’s my beau,” she exclaimed. “I have to see him.”
“Nee,” Thomas said. “You don’t.”
Beulah looked over at her mother. Fiona appeared quite pleased with her husband’s edict. Beulah knew if she defied her father right then, it was going to be much worse, but there was no way she was going to stop seeing Uriah. No way.
Maybe if she spoke with them again in the morning, they’d change their minds. She bit her lip, considering her options.
“Where’d you get them clothes?” Fiona asked. “You’re in pants, Beulah. Pants.”
“They aren’t mine. They belong to Seth’s sister, and I’m going to return them.”
“That you are,” her father said.
Her mouth tightened. She hated it when he told her what to do like she was three years old. She was certain Seth’s sister wasn’t bossed around like this. Seth’s sister? Since when did she care about her? She didn’t even know Seth’s sister.
“Take them off,” Fiona said. “I can’t stand the sight of you in them.”
“May I go to bed now?” Beulah asked, trying hard not to sound disrespectful.
Fiona stood. “Beulah, what’s this about? You act like you’re on rumspringa. Is this some last rebellion or something? I don’t understand. Don’t you love the Lord Gott? Don’t you want to follow our ways?”
Her mother’s voice was low and soft, but full of worry. Beulah didn’t enjoy making her mother worry. Or her father, for that matter. But still… She hated being boxed in quite so neatly. What was the harm of her going to that concert anyway?
“I’m tired, Mamm. Can we talk about it in the morning?”
Fiona’s eyes misted over with tears, but she nodded. “Go to bed, daughter.”
Beulah glanced at her father, who also nodded. Without another word, Beulah slipped from the room and up the stairs to her bedroom.
But she didn’t sleep well. She kept pulling on the neckline of her nightgown. It felt too tight, but when she yanked on it, it didn’t help. She was choking. She tossed and turned for at least an hour, trying to quell the choking feeling that kept grabbing her throat. She wished she was with Uriah right then. He’d have her laughing and talking about something completely interesting.
He was always trying new things. Always pushing the boundaries. Oh, sometimes he exasperated her, but mostly he fascinated her. She adored him. Loved being with him.
“Uriah,” she whispered into the darkness. “I wish you were here with me.”
She flopped on her side. Not so long ago, she would creep into her sister’s room when she couldn’t sleep. Amy would always be annoyed when Beulah woke her up, but then, they’d start to talk and Amy would scoot over, making room for Beulah to snuggle into bed with her. And usually, Beulah would go to sleep right away, staying with Amy the rest of the night.
But Amy wasn’t there anymore. She was sleeping with Andrew now. Beulah was happy for her. More than happy, truth be told. Amy belonged with Andrew, despite their rocky start. Beulah had known from the beginning her sister was in love with Andrew. Amy fought it, of course, not wanting to fall for her deceased friend’s husband so quickly. But in the end, love had won out.
Beulah pressed her hands to her chest. Amy’s love had won out, and she’d married her sweetheart. Beulah was going to have the same ending. She was going to marry her sweetheart, too. Uriah Umble. She was crazy about him. They’d never spoken about marriage; Beulah just assumed it would happen someday. Uriah was crazy about her, too. He’d told her so on plenty of occasions.
Did she dare bring up marriage to him? He wouldn’t mind, would he? He wasn’t exactly the conventional sort, so he shouldn’t be bothered if she was the one who broached the subject. She smiled and snuggled more deeply into her pillow. She would talk to him about it. If they were married, her father could hardly prohibit her to see him, now, could he?
She smiled again and finally fell asleep.
Chapter Four
Beulah was worried her dad was going to corner her at breakfast regarding Uriah, but he didn’t say a word. He was preoccupied with one of their pregnant goats and ate quickly and headed straight to the barn. Her mother, however, had no such preoccupation.
“I wanted to speak to your further about last night,” Fiona said.
Beulah braced herself.
“Your father and I talked well into the night. We think it might be wise if you went to visit your cousins in Linder Creek for a while.”
“Linder Creek?” Beulah frowned. “I can’t go right now. You need me to help with the garden and soon, we’ll be canning.”
“This is more important.”
Beulah drew back in her chair. “More important than putting up food for next winter?”
Fiona sighed. “I’m worried about you, Beulah.”
“You’re always worried about me, Mamm, and I’ve always survived just fine, haven’t I?”
“I don’t think you’ll survive this.”
Beulah’s hands tightened on her fork. She forced herself to take a slow breath. It wouldn’t do to have an argument with her mother. Besides, if she was planning on talking with Uriah about marriage, then all of this talk would be for naught.
Fiona reached over and put her hand on Beulah’s arm. “I know you like the boy, Beulah, but he’s not a gut influence.”
“Mamm, I’m not a child. I’m over twenty years old—”
“Plenty old enough to be more settled,” Fiona interject
ed.
“I know.” Beulah sighed and set down her fork. “I’m not ignoring your concerns, Mamm. I’m giving them some thought.”
“Your father has forbidden you to see him again. Uriah, I mean.”
“I know. I was there.”
Fiona frowned. “Don’t get snippy with me, daughter. You’re still under our roof.”
Beulah backed down. Hadn’t she learned long ago that some arguments weren’t going to go well? She’d found the best way around them was to be docile and then simply do what she wanted.
“I know. I’m sorry.” She smiled at her mother.
Fiona blinked and then returned the smile. “Now. Help me with these dishes, will you?”
“Of course. And can I ride over to Amy’s for a while later this morning? I’ll take the bicycle. I haven’t seen little Susie for a few days.”
Fiona smiled. “I don’t see why not. And while you’re there, tell Amy to stop by soon. I’m eager to see the little one myself.”
“I will, Mamm.”
Beulah helped her mother red up the kitchen and then she went out to pick some zucchini for the noon meal. After that, she waved to her mother and took off on the bicycle to see Amy. She planned to visit her sister and then find some way to get ahold of Uriah. It wasn’t like she could go right up to his house and ask to see him, but if she hung around on the road at the end of his drive, she might spot him. It had worked in the past, and if she was lucky, it would work today.
The morning was already growing hot. By the time she got to Amy’s, Beulah had worked up a sweat. She leaned her bicycle against the front porch and went right on in.
“Amy?” she called. “Where are you?”
But she needn’t have asked. She heard Amy chattering away with Susie in the kitchen.
“That you, Beulah?” Amy asked, looking up from where she sat on the floor with Susie.
Upon seeing Beulah, Susie giggled and got up on her wobbly legs, trundling to her with her arms outstretched. Beulah laughed with delight and swung the little girl up and into the air. Susie cried out in glee, laughing. Beulah snuggled her and then put her back down on the floor.
The Buggy Shop (Hollybrook Amish Romance) Page 2