“Well, now you have. And you’re not here to work, are you?”
“Me? Nee. I’m not. Well, I s’pose I could do a little something to help. Truth be told, as I said, I came here to see you.”
“Truth be told?” she repeated. “Now, there’s a new one for you.”
“I’ve never lied to you,” he cried.
She pulled in a long breath. “Nee? Never lied? What about the other night?” she asked, lowering her voice “What about then?”
“I never lied to you.”
“Jah, you did. You said we were married, and then you completely said the opposite the very next day.”
He grabbed her arm. “You knew we weren’t married.”
She pulled her arm free. “Nee, I didn’t. I thought we meant it. I thought you meant it.”
“You’re not stupid, Beulah. You never were. You believed it because you wanted to believe it.”
She stared at him, anger shaking her. “The same goes for you. So, what changed? You got what you wanted, and then you were done?”
He grabbed her arm again, roughly this time. “I’m not done,” he said. “You’re the one who decided we’re done. I’m not done.”
“Jah, you are.” She pulled her arm free once again. “Very, very done.”
“Beulah, please.” His tone changed now, turned cajoling. She’d heard that tone hundreds of times, and usually it worked on her. But not this time.
“There’s nothing more to be said,” she told him. She straightened her spine and glared at him. “We’re over, Uriah. Over.”
He shook his head. “Nee, we’re not. You’re mine.”
“I’m not.”
“In the eyes of Gott, you are.”
Her eyes widened. “Are you serious? In the eyes of Gott? In the eyes of Gott, I thought we were married, but you set me straight on that, didn’t you?”
“Beulah, I—”
“Nee.” She raised her chin. “We’re over. As you said, I’m not stupid. I was stupid. Ach, but I was. But no more. We’re finished.”
“Beulah—”
“Hey.” Ethan walked out the front of the shop and faced them. “Everything okay out here?” He looked at Beulah, and she wanted to groan.
Why in the world hadn’t she met Ethan first? He was the kind of guy who would never treat her as Uriah had. Never.
“We’re fine,” she said, hearing the stiffness in her tone. “I was just telling Uriah that I needed to get back to my painting.”
Ethan glanced from her to Uriah and back. “Uriah,” he said, “thanks for coming to help. I appreciate it.”
“Uriah was just leaving,” Beulah said. “He forgot that he promised his father he’d work in the fields this morning.”
“Oh. Well, thanks anyway,” Ethan said. He didn’t move. And it was clear he wasn’t going to move until Uriah left.
Beulah could see Uriah was spitting mad now, but he wouldn’t make a scene.
“I’ll see you around,” he finally said, moving toward his pony cart. He gave Beulah a last glance, and she looked away, not wanting to see the fury and possessiveness in his stare.
When Uriah was out of hearing distance, Ethan looked at her. “What was that? Are you all right?”
“Of course,” she said, feeling completely shaken but not about to reveal it. “I’m fine. Uriah just had to tell me something.”
“It wasn’t my place to interfere,” he said softly. “But through the window, it looked like you might need some help.”
Need some help? No. Beulah Yoder was not the kind of girl who needed help. But still, it was actually quite noble that he thought so and had acted on it.
“Thank you,” she said, turning to go back inside.
Ethan touched her arm. “Is there something going on between you two? Is he your beau?”
She licked her lips and averted her gaze. “There is nothing,” she said firmly—perhaps a bit too firmly. “There is nothing going on between me and Uriah.”
She knew he didn’t believe her, but he said nothing, letting her go. She went inside and up the stairs, marching straight to her painting spot. She sat down on the floor and picked up the brush.
What in the world had Uriah been thinking? Coming over there to confront her? This was hardly the time or the place.
Chapter Sixteen
Ethan stood on the stoop of his shop, staring at Uriah’s disappearing cart. What was the deal with him and Beulah? Because despite her assurances otherwise, there was definitely something going on between them. He stood a moment longer, pondering. Was that why she was often so abrupt with him? Odd, though—sometimes he was certain she was interested in him.
As he was in her.
In fact, Ethan was working up his courage to ask if he could give Beulah a ride home from the next Youth Singing. He supposed he shouldn’t now. He really wasn’t of a mind to get mixed up in some romantic tussle. Still, she said there was nothing going on. So wouldn’t that mean she was done with whatever it had been?
He supposed he could ask Amy about Beulah. Amy did talk of her sister, but never about anything so personal. Maybe, he should ask Andrew.
Or maybe he should just mind his own business.
But he liked Beulah. He was drawn to her in a way he’d never been drawn to anyone before. She was different from other girls. Tougher. Stronger. But he suspected that behind it all was a tender, loving person.
He turned around and glanced up to the windows of his new home. He didn’t want to live alone up there. He’d lived alone for the last years in Wisconsin, and it was lonely. He was lonely. He was ready to share his life with someone special, and he wanted that someone to be Beulah Yoder.
It seemed ridiculous in a way. He hardly knew her, but he felt like he’d known her forever. He frowned. Had she joined church yet? He guessed her age to be somewhere around nineteen or so. Many girls that age had already joined church.
It wouldn’t put him off if she hadn’t. He appreciated someone who questioned things before jumping in, and he suspected she questioned everything. He liked that in her. Liked her spirit of curiosity and bravery.
Ach, but he liked her.
He walked back inside and up the steps. At the very least, he could ask Amy if Beulah had joined church. But then, she’d know why he was asking. Perhaps it was better to ask Beulah herself.
* * *
Mamm and Amy and Susie arrived just before noon. Most of the painting was done, and the odor was a bit heavy throughout the rooms. Beulah didn’t mind it—it smelled clean and fresh. It looked good, too, despite the fact that everything was white or a shade of white. Honestly, Ethan could have chosen something a bit different for at least one of the rooms. She smiled. He was right—he should have asked her opinion.
Mamm’s face was alight when they arrived, and Beulah knew for certain that Amy had shared her news. In fact, Fiona was beaming at everyone all throughout the meal. Amy looked mighty pleased, too. If the two of them kept grinning like that, the entire district would guess Amy’s news.
Susie was happily passed around from person to person during the meal. Susie had such a happy spirit about her, which was doubly special considering she lost her mother within minutes of her birth. But in Susie’s world, Amy was her mother and always had been. Beulah wondered when Amy was going to tell their father about the new one. Beulah chuckled softly. She wouldn’t have to; Fiona would do it for her the moment she and Thomas were alone.
Someday, Beulah would have such joyous news to share… She gulped, fear clenching her throat. What if she already was in the family way? There would be no joy at that news. None at all. And then the horrible truth of what she’d done would come to light.
Nee. Dear Gott, please don’t let it be so.
During the meal, Beulah could feel Ethan gazing at her. She carefully avoided his eyes. She knew he was wondering what was going on between her and Uriah. She knew he hoped it was nothing. Because he liked her. And if she wasn’t mistaken, he wanted to court h
er.
Amy’s warning clanged in her head. But this time, she shoved it aside. Something was changing inside her. Something that made Uriah’s affection seem dirty somehow. Beulah leaned against the wall where she had been helping red up the kitchen after the meal. Never in her wildest dreams would she have believed her love and passion and excitement over Uriah would fade. Loving him had been the biggest part of her life for so long now. So long.
But now, it was spoiled. Ruined.
Had nothing really changed, but she only thought it had? According to Amy—well, according to nearly everyone in the district—Uriah had always been the bad apple. Always been the person to avoid. To be wary of. And Beulah had staunchly defended him. She’d been crazy over him.
Perhaps, crazy was the right word.
Because right then, she saw Uriah in a completely different light. And as much as she hated to admit it, it was the same light Amy had seen him in all this time.
“Beulah?” Fiona said, sidling up to her. “You already know?”
Beulah smiled at her mother. “Jah, Mamm. I already know.”
“Isn’t it wonderful gut news? I’m so happy, I could burst into song.”
“Then why don’t you?” Beulah asked, laughing. “We could all use a gut song about now.”
Fiona gave her a sharp look. “Why? What’s happened?”
“Nothing. I, uh, I just like to hear you sing.”
Fiona smiled, unable to distract herself for long from her happy state. “Go check on Susie, would you?”
“I will.”
She went out to the back porch where most of the people had wandered. Susie was sitting on her dat’s lap. Her eyes looked heavy, and she was blinking. In moments, she would fall asleep.
But Thomas stirred the minute he saw Beulah. He got up, shifting Susie in his arms, until the little girl put her head on his shoulder.
“Beulah? Can you come with me for a moment?” he asked.
Ethan shot her a look from where he stood against a pillar. He was curious and interested. She gave him a small smile and followed her father until they stood to the side of the shop where no one could hear them.
“Uriah was here,” her dad stated.
“Jah.”
“And you spoke to him.”
“Dat, I couldn’t make a scene, could I? He came to speak to me. But that was all. We talked for a couple minutes, and he left.”
Thomas frowned. “I don’t want you to see the man, Beulah. He’s not gut for you.”
Beulah sighed. “I know, Dat. It’s over between us. I’m telling you the truth.”
“You’re sure?” He shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t want to trust you, Beulah, but—”
“I know,” she interrupted him. “I haven’t given you much cause to trust me. I know, Dat. But I’m telling you the truth. We’re over. And he knows that now.”
“So, that was why he came?”
“Jah. I haven’t seen him, and he wanted to know what was going on.”
“And you told him it was over.”
“Jah. And it wasn’t the first time I told him.” Remorse filled her. She had deceived her father many times over the years. Not really lied. Perversely, she had always prided herself on not lying. But she saw her deception now for what is was—lying. Pure and simple. How strange that things would look so different to her now. She was ashamed. Was that really who she wanted to be? A liar?
“I believe you, daughter,” Thomas said. He reached out and squeezed her arm. “And I’m glad. Glad it’s really over.”
She nodded and felt her throat tighten with tears.
“Here. Why don’t you take Susie for a spell? I’m going to talk with Andrew for a while. Then, we’ll clean up our mess, and it will be time to return home. The place looks gut, ain’t so?”
Beulah nodded. “It does. I’m sure Ethan is right pleased.”
“I’ll find you and your mamm when it’s time to go. Amy and Susie can take Andrew home. I don’t think he brought a rig.”
“All right, Dat. Here…” She peeled Susie from her dad’s shoulder. As Beulah had suspected, the baby was fast asleep.
Chapter Seventeen
Ethan sat out on his back porch alone. After all of the activity of the day, it seemed awfully quiet. He took in a deep breath of the cool evening air. It was finished. His home was now painted, and the furniture everyone had donated was in place. He really only needed to purchase a rocker or two. It simply wasn’t a home without rocking chairs.
He closed his eyes, and the image of Beulah sitting next to him, rocking, filled his mind. It would be a pleasant way to end each day—the two of them sitting there in their chairs, sharing their thoughts and listening to the crickets sing. They’d chat and even sit in silence, and he would be filled with love and ease and contentment.
His eyes flew open. He had it bad. He was head over heels for the girl, and he didn’t even know if she liked him, let alone was interested in him. And there was something going on with her and Uriah. No matter how he dismissed his suspicions, they had only grown heavier as the day had worn on.
And Beulah acted so changeable. There had to be some reason for it.
He stood up and walked to the edge of the steps. He wanted to see her right then. Ask her straight out. He sighed heavily. How in the world was he supposed to do that? He couldn’t go over to her house and ask to see her. And since they’d made no arrangements, he could hardly be wandering around in the dark out by the road, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
He was pathetic; that was what he was. Pathetic.
He chuckled into the darkness and walked to the barn at the side of his shop. It needed sorting, for it was full of overflow from the shop. It even held a brand-new buggy that was for sale. He couldn’t fit his own buggy into his barn. At least, there was room for his horse.
He thought he’d seen a rusty old bicycle near the back of the barn. He could take a ride. In the dark? he thought. That would be foolish.
It would, but that was exactly what he wanted to do. He was restless, on edge, and he couldn’t imagine sitting there by himself for another minute, let alone turning in for the night. He hoped there was a light on the bicycle and the tires weren’t totally flat from disuse.
He stepped into his shop, grabbed a lantern, and walked out to the barn. He found the bicycle easily and took it from where it leaned against the wall. He felt the tires. Surprisingly, they didn’t feel too bad. He hoped they’d hold him as he had no idea where a tire pump might be. He looked at the front of the bike and saw a small battery light. He flipped the switch and a sickly beam of light streamed across the barn floor.
The batteries had to be almost dead. Still, along with the light of the moon, he thought he could see well enough to take a ride. If any cars came, he’d be sure to get well off the road.
A ride? He scoffed. This was hardly a ride as such. He was heading for the Yoder farm, and he knew it. He was hoping to catch a glimpse of Beulah, however unlikely that was. Still… She seemed the sort of girl who would take a walk in the late evening. After all, hadn’t she done it before? She was different from most girls. He knew that about her, for sure and for certain.
Was that why he was so smitten with her? Because she was different?
He had no idea, and truly, it didn’t matter. The fact remained—he was smitten with her. Didn’t matter why. Excited now, he jumped on the bike and pedaled down the road. As the tires weren’t as full as they should be, it was hard going. Still, he made somewhat easy progress down the road.
The air brushing over his face was enlivening, and seeing Beulah or not, riding was a good idea. He felt better for every mile he rode. There were hardly any cars about, and when one did come, he pedaled off the asphalt into the dry grass at the edge of the fields of corn. He felt invigorated, and the closer he got to where he knew the Yoder farm was, the more certain he was that he would see Beulah that evening. His certainty made no sense at all, but the feeling grew stronger insid
e him with each circle of the pedals.
When he arrived, he jumped off the seat, straddling the bicycle. He positioned himself so he could clearly see the front porch of the Yoder farmhouse. There was light streaming through the front windows. He imagined Beulah in there, maybe reading or working a puzzle. He chuckled. No. Not working a puzzle. He didn’t see her having the patience for that.
He heard a cow lowing from either in the barn or right close to it. Then he heard some goats bleat. He waited for nearly ten minutes before he saw it—movement by the side door. Just a flash of light, and for only a moment. Without thinking he un-straddled his bike and let it fall to the ground. He was halfway up the drive before it dawned on him how strange it would look if anyone saw him.
Would Thomas Yoder think he was slinking up the driveway to spy on them? No. Of course not. But he would wonder what Ethan would be wanting that time of night. It was almost completely dark now, even with the long summer evenings. He continued walking, knowing that it was Beulah who had caused the flash of light. He knew it completely; although, he didn’t know how he knew it.
He was nearly to the side of the house when he saw her. Standing at the edge of the back fields, so still, it was like she wasn’t human. Ghost-like, ethereal in the dim light of the moon.
“Beulah?” he whispered.
* * *
Beulah gave a start and whirled at the sound of her name. She stared at the looming shadow before her. Her mind immediately flew to Uriah, but this person was taller, thicker. And then she knew…
She sucked in her breath. “Ethan?”
“I didn’t scare you, did I?” he asked, and his warm tone was edged with concern.
She swallowed and let out her breath. “Nee. You didn’t scare me.” She hesitated, and then, “What are you doing here?”
She was speaking in a low tone. The last thing she wanted was her parents to know she was standing outside at that time of night talking to a man. And what in the world was Ethan doing there? Did he want her father for some reason?
The Buggy Shop (Hollybrook Amish Romance) Page 9