Courting Emily (A Wells Landing Book 2)

by Amy Lillard

  “There he is.” His father’s words insinuated that he had been talking about him before he came up.

  Elam winced. He could only imagine what Dat had been saying.

  “Bishop.” Elam nodded to Emily’s father, then turned to the man he was talking to, Dan Troyer, the minister.

  “I was just telling the bishop here about you and Emily.”

  Elam cleared his throat. “I’m sure Cephas knows all there is to know.”

  “Nay.” His father shook his head. “We both agree that we don’t know why the two of you broke up. And he says Emily has been beside herself ever since.”

  How long had his father been talking to the bishop?

  Elam shifted from one foot to the other. “This is not something I’m comfortable talking about.”

  The bishop pinned him with those blue eyes so like his daughter’s. “But you do care for Emily?”

  He couldn’t lie. Not to the bishop. “Very much so.”

  Cephas nodded. “Maybe you should come by the house and talk to her. Perhaps the two of you can clear up these matters.”

  He wished it was that simple.

  But before he could respond, his father did. “Elam thinks now that Luke is back, Emily will want to marry him instead.”

  “Dat!” Short of grabbing his vatter by the arm and hustling him out of the barn, all Elam could do was shoot him a warning look.

  Dat simply smiled in return.

  The bishop frowned and cast his own look at Luke as he stood at the end of the stalls with Andrew Fitch and Jonah Miller. “Ach,” he said with a shake of his head. But Elam had the feeling he wanted to say more.

  He couldn’t imagine the bishop would approve of his daughter running around with a wayward soul like Luke. As much as Elam wished otherwise, Luke had done nothing wrong. He had not joined the church. He was free to come and go as he pleased, though his run-around time was quickly drawing to a close.

  Cephas Ebersol loved his daughters and would want to see them all well married and happy. Happiness for Emily would mean Luke. It was a fact that Elam was still coming to terms with.

  He wrapped his free hand around his dat’s arm. “Come on, Dat. I think Mamm is looking for you.”

  Elam nodded to the bishop and the minister, then quickly led his father away.

  “But I thought the men and the women weren’t supposed to eat together.”

  “You’re not eating,” Elam said, tossing his own plate into the trash barrel just outside the barn doors. “You’re walking ’round with a plate and causing trouble.”

  His father grinned and pulled away from Elam’s grasp.

  Thankfully he made no move to go back and harass the bishop, and instead grabbed a cheese-covered cracker off his plate. “Uhmm, this is gut. Is this the goat cheese that Emily’s family makes?”

  “Stop.” Elam raised his hands in surrender. “Just stop, please.”

  “You’ll never win her over with that attitude.”

  “I tried to win her over, and I failed. Luke won.”

  Dat shook his head. “Not according to the bishop.”

  Elam sighed. It was times like these when his father’s injury became even more apparent. How could Elam explain? It wasn’t as simple as his dat wished it to be, and that was that. “One day soon, she’ll marry Luke Lambright,” Elam said. His heart gave a painful lurch as he said the words out loud. “I’ve accepted that,” he lied. “And you should, too.”

  Emily took a big gulp of her lemonade and wiped a quick hand across her forehead. The congregation had been served food and drink and now everyone was milling around, finishing their sweets and visiting with one another.

  Thankfully the day had turned out sunny and cool, but not as cold as January could typically be.

  Several of the older church members had asked about her cast, but all in all, the news of her accident with Luke had spread through the community like a wildfire through dry grass.

  She absently scratched at the top of the purple cast as if somehow that would ease the itch inside. She hated the cast, hated everything it stood for and all that it reminded her of. All that she had lost.

  She had seen Elam earlier, following his dat into the barn, but she hadn’t said a word to him. She had used the fact that she was still helping everyone get served as an excuse, but in truth she wasn’t ready to face him.

  “Hey, Emily.”

  She turned as Luke came up, his bright smile a bit dimmer these days. “Luke.” She hadn’t talked to him since he had come back. “It’s gut to see you at church today.”

  He shoved his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “It seemed like the thing to do.”

  But it was one step closer to where he needed to be.

  “And dressed as an Amish man again.”

  “Onkle thought it best.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal, but it was. It was huge. So many nights since he had been gone she had prayed for his return. At first so they could be married, but as things changed and her feelings for Elam grew, she prayed for Luke’s soul. How was he supposed to fight the temptations of the world?

  “Joseph Lambright always was a smart man.”

  “It feels weird, you know?” He rolled his shoulders as if he was still trying to adjust to the fit and feel.

  “You’ve come back, and it’s God’s will, Luke. You know that.”

  “Jah.” But he glanced off into the distance, as if he wasn’t sure he believed it himself.

  Emily was confident. Luke had been led back to Wells Landing. She didn’t know why or how, but he was there once again. God’s touch was all over it. “It’s a gut place to be.” She swept a hand around, gesturing to all the people milling in the Fitches’ yard. “You have support here. You’ll see.”

  He shrugged again. “I s’pose.”

  “Luke.” She quietly said his name.

  He swung his gaze back to her.

  “You’re Amish,” she said. “Born and raised. Everyone here understands you and loves you. They’re—I’m here for you.”

  “I appreciate that so much, Emily, especially after—” He broke off as his gaze flickered to her cast.

  “Everyone makes mistakes. And God forgives.”

  He nodded and swallowed hard as if unable to speak.

  “You’re not the only one who’s left and come back,” she continued. “Just give it a chance.”

  Elam tried not to stare when he saw Emily talking to Luke. He had seen it too many times to count in situations just like this. After church as the congregation milled around, talked about the weather, the sermon, and all the what-nots of the community. But that was before . . . everything.

  “Why don’t you go talk to her?”

  He spun around as his mamm strode over from where she had been watching him. “Where’s Dat?”

  “He talked Becky into taking him and Johanna over to see Andrew’s puppies.”

  Elam had heard talk of a new litter of border collies born a couple of weeks ago. “I s’pose they want one.”

  Mamm smiled and nodded.

  “And I s’pose you’ll let them.”

  “Elam, he’s doing so much better now that we’ve got him off medications.”

  And they had Emily to thank.

  “Jah?” Elam asked. He never asked about their relationship, deeming it none of his business, but he’d noticed that Joy had moved her things out of the spare room downstairs and back in with her husband.

  “He’s not the same, and I know that he never will be. But I love him. He’s a gut husband. He’s a gut father.”

  “I know.”

  “He only wants what’s best for you.”

  So they were back to that. “I can’t go talk to her.” He sighed. “Luke is back and—”

  “Elam Riehl, I never suspected you for a quitter.”

  “I’m not a quitter.” But he knew when a battle was lost.

  He glanced back over to where Emily and Luke still talked. She laughed at something he said, l
ooking happy and content and all the other things Elam had wanted to make her but hadn’t.

  She was beautiful when she smiled, and when she laughed, she took his breath away. She deserved someone who could make her laugh and smile and give her the world. As much as Elam hated it, that person was Luke Lambright.

  Emily stared at the ceiling and watched as the shadows moved across the room. She had made it through the church service without completely breaking down. She didn’t fall to the ground at Elam’s feet or beg him to reconsider.

  Nor did she get to talk to James. She missed her time spent with Elam’s father, with all the family. But she couldn’t go visit them and run the risk of running into Elam. That would be too heartbreaking to bear.

  But she had talked to Luke about church, and that was the shining moment of her day. Luke had experienced his time in the Englisch world. But now he was back. She could see it in his eyes, the wonder and searching. He needed the church like he needed air to breathe. He just didn’t know it.

  That was up to her. She might have lost him and Elam, but she could show Luke that Wells Landing was where he needed to be. The temptations of the Englisch world were too great. If nothing else, she would help him save his soul.

  The thought brought a smile to her lips.

  “Emily?” Mary’s voice floated to her from the doorway of her room.

  “Come in, shveshtah.” Emily scooted toward the far side of the bed so Mary could slide under the covers next to her. They hadn’t had a chance to talk all day. Mary had spent the afternoon with Aaron, then there had been milking and supper.

  “Did you talk to Elam today?” Mary asked once she was settled in the bed next to her.

  Emily shook her head. “I wanted to, but then I didn’t, you know?”

  “Jah.”

  “I mean, what gut would it do?”

  “It might do a lot if’n you give it a chance.”

  Emily shook her head. “I talked to Luke though.”

  “Oh, Emily.” Mary’s tone was sad and chastising.

  “What?”

  “Don’t you think you should stay away from him?”

  “We’ve known each other our whole lives.”

  “He’s trouble, Emily. He’s been out in the Englisch world.” She said it as if he was somehow diseased from exposure.

  “You’re overreacting. He’s home now.”

  The covers rustled as Mary shook her head. “You don’t really think he’ll stay.”

  “Jah, I do. In fact, I hope he does. He’s unprotected out there with the Englisch, and his soul is in danger. If he’s here . . .” She shrugged.

  Plink.

  “What was that?” Mary’s eyes widened.

  “Luke.” Emily threw back the covers and slipped from the other side of the bed.

  “What’s he doing here?” Mary asked.

  “I guess he wants to talk. That’s why he usually comes.”

  “He’s done this before?” Mary pushed herself into a sitting position.

  Emily went to the window. As expected, Luke was waiting down below, but unlike the last time he had been there, he was dressed in Plain clothing.

  He pointed to her and then to the barn. Emily nodded.

  She reached for her stockings, perching on the edge of the rocker while she pulled on the leg coverings.

  “You’re not going down there,” Mary protested.

  “I am.” Emily tugged her stockings into place and reached for her shoes.

  “But you can’t.”

  “Why not?” Emily tied her shoes and stood.

  “Dat will have a fit.”

  “Dat will be happy when I bring Luke back into the church fold.”

  Mary shook her head. “Last time you snuck out with him . . .” She looked pointedly at Emily’s casted arm.

  “Nothing is going to happen in the barn, Mary.”

  “If you’re not back in thirty minutes I’m coming after you.” Mary crossed her arms as if that somehow weighted her words with importance.

  Emily smiled at her sister. “Deal.”

  She crept down the stairs, lest she disturb anyone else in the house, and pulled her coat over her shoulders. Actually putting her casted arm through the sleeve was impossible. She did the best she could and hustled out into the winter night.

  Luke waited in the barn, his feet propped on a hay bale as if he hadn’t a care in the world. “I didn’t figure your dat would let me visit any other way.”

  “You’re probably right about that.”

  Luke smiled, but the action didn’t reach past the corners of his lips. Normally sparkling and bright, his eyes shone dull in the lamplight.

  “What’s wrong, Luke?” She moved to sit closer to him. She might not be in love with him anymore, but he had been her friend for so long. She hated to see him in pain.

  He sighed, as if mulling over words too hard to speak. “Did you ever want something so badly, but then realize it’s not going to happen?”

  Elam’s face swam before her eyes. “Jah,” she whispered.

  “I lost my sponsor.” He smiled again. Typical Luke, making light of every situation.

  “I’m sorry.” She said the words, but she didn’t really mean them. Not like he thought. She was so very sorry that he was disappointed, but she was extremely grateful that her prayers had been answered. Luke was back in Wells Landing. This time to stay.

  “Without him I don’t have enough money to stay in the Englisch world.” He pushed himself up and started to pace. “Everything is so expensive. I couldn’t get a decent job without my high school diploma, and the classes were so hard. Not at all like here.” He stopped and whirled around to face her. “Why do dreams have to hurt so bad when they fail?”

  Tears stung at the back of her eyes. “I don’t know. God’s will?”

  Luke snorted. “Why does God care about my petty little issues? There are so many more big problems out in the world.”

  Emily had never wondered about that. All her life she had been told that everything happened for a reason, and that reason was because God had deemed it so. “I don’t know,” she whispered.

  Luke ran his fingers through his hair, pushing his hat off in the process. “I lost everything: racing, my car, you.”

  “You haven’t lost me.”

  He picked up his hat, slapping it against his thigh to knock the hay off before settling it back on his head. “I have, and we both know it.”

  She shot him a sad smile. “I will always love you, but—”

  “Just as a freind.”

  “Jah.”

  He took one step closer and then two, until he was standing within touching distance. “If you ever . . . change your mind, you know. I’m here for you.” He ran his fingertips down the side of her face.

  She captured his hand in hers. “I know.” She squeezed his fingers for a quick moment, then released them. “I have to get back in before Mary comes looking for me.”

  “Mary knows I’m here?”

  Emily nodded. “Don’t worry. She won’t tell Dat.”

  “She and Aaron looked pretty serious today.”

  “Jah, I think they’ll get married in the fall. I know it’ll be sort of rushed because they’ll just be finishing up their baptism classes.” She shrugged. So badly she wanted to ask Luke if he had plans to join the church in the upcoming year, but she didn’t want to pressure him.

  “A brand-new year,” he mused.

  “Jah.” Two more days until the New Year began. It wasn’t a big celebration for the Amish like it was for the Englisch, but Emily could see that it held some significance for Luke. Perhaps a new year obeying God and adjusting back to life in Wells Landing. She could only hope.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “I miss Emily.”

  Elam didn’t need to look up to know that his vatter was frowning.

  “Me, too,” Johanna said as the other girls chimed in.

  But none of them missed her as much as Elam. And a lot o
f good it did them. Now that Luke Lambright was back, Emily was lost, if she had ever been his at all.

  He stirred his food around on his plate as if searching for the perfect bite when all he wanted to do was push back from the table and pretend there was some emergency in the barn. Anything rather than sit there and see his family heartbroken over the loss.

  “You don’t really think she’ll marry Luke after . . . well, after everything, do you?” Becky’s question was quietly spoken, so low that Elam wondered if anyone else at the table heard it.

  He shrugged. “I knew she loved him from the very beginning.”

  “But that’s ridiculous,” Becky hissed.

  That Emily could still love Luke after all he’d put her through, jah. That she couldn’t see the love Elam had to offer, double jah. But it seemed as if God’s will was not on his side. It was a fact he was learning to live with daily.

  “She made her choice, Becky. It wasn’t me.”

  “But she cares about you. I saw it in her eyes,” Mamm said.

  Elam tossed down his fork, unable to eat another bite.

  Thankfully, at the other end of the table, the conversation about the best purple item they had given Emily for Christmas drowned out the solemn words from his end.

  “I do not want to talk about it.” He said the words without lifting his gaze to meet those of Mamm and Becky. He could not bear to see their eyes filled with pity. He had made the best play for Emily that he could. And he had lost. It was simple as that. The sooner his family realized it, the better off they would all be.

  “You look tired, shveshtah.”

  “Nay, I’m fine,” Emily said.

  The sun had set long ago, the milking completed, and the Ebersol household wound down as everyone prepared for bed.

  Emily flashed Mary her best smile and continued to brush her hair. It was not easy, brushing left-handed, but she was getting the hang of it. By the time she had mastered the action, it would be time to remove the awful cast. And not a day too soon. She had come to hate the constant reminder of her shortcomings.

  Mary took the brush from her and continued the task. “Danki,” Emily murmured.