“Having fun?” he asked, sitting down next to her.
“Not really. I was actually thinking about going home.”
“Already?”
She glanced at him, finally able to see his face in the full light of the barn. He was nice looking, with a square jaw, close-set green eyes, and a full mouth. When she breathed in, she caught the scent of his cologne, which actually smelled really good.
“Here,” he said, holding out a blue cup to her. “I thought you might want something better than a diet pop.”
She shook her head, not reaching for the cup. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t drink. Diet soda is gut enough for me.”
“I understand. But I’d like to change your mind. This is my special lemonade. For people who don’t drink. Don’t worry, there’s not enough alcohol in here to get a flea drunk.” He grinned. “Trust me. You’ll like it. Money back guarantee if you don’t.”
She looked at the cup, doubtful. “I don’t think so.”
He leaned forward and scooted close against her. “Just one sip? If you don’t like it, you don’t have to finish it.”
“I said nee.”
He frowned. “Suit yourself. But if you change your mind, let me know.” He set the cup down on the ground.
“I’m going to find Deborah.” Elisabeth moved to stand up, but Chase put his hand on her arm.
“She’s busy with Randy.” He gazed at her with hazy eyes. “I don’t think she’d want you to interrupt them.”
“Maybe I should interrupt them. I don’t want her to get into trouble.”
Chase laughed. “Don’t worry, she won’t. They’ll be fine. I’m sure Randy will be the perfect gentleman.” He moved closer to her. “Sure you don’t want to try this lemonade?”
“Positive.” His cologne suddenly went from nice to cloying. It made her stomach flip and not in a good way. She moved farther from him, the hay rustling beneath her dress.
“All right, I can respect a teetotaler.” He held up his cup. “Cheers?”
Reluctantly she touched her can of diet coke to his drink, whatever it was.
“You don’t know what you’re missing.” He took a long swig from his cup.
“Oh, I think I do.” She had thought to ask him to take her home, but now that he was drinking, she wouldn’t get into a car with him. The prospect of walking tonight loomed before her. But she’d rather spend an hour or so footing it than risking her life riding with him.
“So are you planning to sit here all night?”
She turned to look at him. Somehow he had managed to get closer to her without her realizing it. If she scooted any farther on the hay bale, she would fall off. “Only until I find a ride home.”
“You just got here.”
“This really isn’t my type of party.”
“Oh? Then what is?”
“The kind where there’s less drinking and more singing.”
“Like rapping and stuff ?”
She shook her head, and for the first time since she’d climbed into Chase’s car, she almost smiled. “You’re not from here, are you?”
“Nope. Moved here from Cincinnati a few months ago. How long have you been friends with Deborah?”
“Years. Since we were little girls.”
“Then how come we’ve never met before?”
“Deborah and I don’t hang out much anymore.” And now I know why.
“I didn’t think I’d seen you at any parties.” He lowered his voice. “Because I would have remembered if I had. I’m glad you decided to come tonight. It would have been a shame if I’d missed meeting you.”
Elisabeth looked away from him but noticed that he glanced around the barn. “There are a lot of people in here,” he said.
“I only see five.”
“My point exactly. I know a place that’s more private. We can talk more there.”
“Danki, but I’m fine right here. This hay bale is actually very comfortable.”
“But this place is more comfortable. Warmer too.”
She gave him what she hoped was an annoyed look, and she was gratified when he leaned back, putting some distance between them. He didn’t say anything for a moment, as if he was in deep thought, and she hoped he would get up and leave. His next words dashed those hopes.
“How about I get you a refill?”
Her can was only half empty. “I really don’t want any—”
Before she could finish the sentence, he covered her hand with his and plucked the can from her grip. “Be right back.” Chase jumped up from the hay bale and walked over to one of the coolers.
Elisabeth looked around the barn for an escape, less than impressed with Chase’s blatant flirting and more than a little creeped out. The Amish boys she knew were much more subtle about letting a girl know they liked her, and she preferred their approach to Chase’s over-the-top style. Not that she would consider going out with a Yankee anyway. Especially any of the boys she’d met tonight.
“Here you go.” He sat back down beside her.
If he were any closer he would be parked in her lap. Not wanting to appear completely rude, she accepted the fresh can of pop. “Danki.”
“That means thanks, right?”
“Ya.”
“Ya,” he mimicked. “I like how you said that.”
She fought the urge to roll her eyes, hiding her annoyance with Chase by taking a drink. A bitter, burning taste coated her tongue, and she spit the soda out. “What is this?”
“Rum. Thought your drink needed some sweetening up.”
“That wasn’t sweet, that was terrible.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
He grimaced. “Good grief, chill. It’s not that bad. It’ll warm you up.”
“I don’t appreciate you putting alcohol in my drink!” She dropped the can beside her and shot up from the hay bale.
“Whoa.” Chase stood up. “Hang on a minute.”
“I will not hang on a minute. That was a rotten thing to do.”
“I know, and I’m sorry.” He touched her shoulder but she shook him off.
“Leave me alone.” She took a step away from him, intending to leave the barn, but he skidded in front of her, blocking her escape.
“Please, wait. Look, I’m really sorry.” He dipped his head so he could look her straight in the eye. “You’re right. That was a low thing to do. “
Her face pinched at the smell of alcohol wafting from his mouth. Her breath probably reeked, too, thanks to him.
“I shouldn’t have spiked your drink.” He threaded his hand through his hair, actually looking distraught. The blond-tipped spikes stood up straight. “It’s just that, well, I want to know you better, and I thought it would be a good way to loosen you up.”
“I don’t need any loosening up.” She tugged her sweater closer around her body, bending her toes inside her black tennis shoes. “And I don’t think we need to know each other better.”
“Why? You have a boyfriend?”
Elisabeth couldn’t figure out if Chase was simply dense or being stubborn, and she didn’t care. All she cared about was getting out of that barn and away from him. “I’m going home.”
“C’mon, give me another chance.” He stood in front of her, between her and the entrance of the barn. When she looked around, she noticed everyone had suddenly disappeared. Dread pooled in her belly.
Chase slid his arm around her shoulders, pulling her tight against him, then half-guiding half-shoving her behind a tall stack of hay bales.
“What are you doing?”
He put his mouth close to her ear. “I know we can have a lot of fun together.”
She tried to shove him away but he wouldn’t move. “Let me go!”
“I like when girls play hard to get.” He bent down and pressed his mouth to hers.
Yuck. He reeked of alcohol and his lips were clammy. She tried to push him away again, but he kept kissing her. Finally she clamped her teeth on his bottom lip.
“Yow!�
�� He jumped back, touching his lip. He pulled his fingers away, but she hadn’t drawn blood. “You bit me.”
Her heart slammed against her ribcage, but she wouldn’t back down. “I’ll do worse than that if you don’t leave me alone.”
He smirked. “Right. Like what?”
Before he said the last word, she kicked him in the shin.
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. Then he limped away from her, muttering several curse words that made her ears burn.
When he disappeared, she leaned against one of the stacks, fighting to regain her composure.
Chapter 9
Aaron pulled his buggy up to the Schrocks’ barn, yanking hard on the reins. He had fought with himself for the whole evening before coming out here, changing his mind over and over. Elisabeth was an adult, and she had been right about one thing, she didn’t have to listen to him or do what he told her. But it was that stubbornness, along with her naiveté, that ultimately convinced him he had to find her again.
Just seeing the barn, hearing the raucous laughter coming from drunk and high kids, inhaling the mixture of wood, cigarette, and marijuana smoke, brought back memories he’d fought to purge. He’d promised himself and God that he would never be in this situation again, face-to-face with temptation. Yet he knew if he hadn’t taken the risk and come to the party, he’d never forgive himself if something happened to Elisabeth.
He jumped out of the buggy and hurried toward the folks gathered outside the barn, looking for a familiar face, or at least someone he thought might know Elisabeth. The party wasn’t all that well attended, probably due to the coldness of the night. A few kids stood around a bonfire, and he saw the exhaust pumping into the air from a couple cars. No doubt a few of the partygoers had decided to huddle inside for warmth, among other things. He headed closer to the barn. An Amish kid stopped him, drink in hand, his gait wobbly. No possible way was he old enough to drink.
“Wanna beer?” he said, holding out a dark brown bottle to him.
Aaron’s gaze landed on the bottle, and a familiar craving came back. He had never gotten hooked on the drink, but his downward spiral had started with one beer. “Nee.”
“You sure?” The kid tilted the bottle back and forth. “It’s gut stuff.”
“Nee, it’s not, and you shouldn’t be drinking it either.”
“Ach, what’s your problem? It’s just beer.”
He needed to get the youth’s attention, and his own, off the beer. “Do you know Elisabeth Byler?”
The boy shrugged. Puffs of cold air came out of his mouth as he spoke. “Never heard of her.”
“What about another maedel . . . Deborah something?”
“Nope. Don’t know either one.” The kid took a swig from the bottle, then strode back to the bonfire.
Aaron pressed on to the barn, where a small group of partygoers stood around several different colored coolers. He approached, glancing at the interior of one of the coolers. It was completely empty, save for a pool of melting ice on the bottom. He noticed the cooler next to it held a few beers, and from experience, he knew the third cooler probably held the hard stuff. He’d never attended a party where there was only beer.
From what he’d witnessed so far, he could see they had all consumed plenty of alcohol. His hope that Elisabeth had stuck to pop or water diminished. Peer pressure was strong at these parties, another thing he had plenty of experience with.
He turned and looked at the opposite side of the barn. He spotted a couple coming from behind one of the numerous stacks of bales. The boy leaned down and kissed the girl, zigzagging as they walked. Although she wore an Amish dress, she didn’t have on a kapp. Her long brown hair flowed to her waist. The boy wore Amish clothing but had a Yankee haircut. As Aaron walked toward them, he recognized Deborah.
“Where’s Elisabeth?”
“How should I know?” Deborah kept her arms around the young man’s waist. Her eyes were red-rimmed. “I’m not her babysitter.”
“You brought her to the party,” Aaron gritted out.
“Correction,” she said, holding up one finger. “Chase brought her to the party. I only invited her along.”
“Who’s Chase?”
“This guy I know. And from what I saw a little while ago, she was getting to know him too.” Deborah giggled and leaned her head on her companion’s shoulder.
Aaron clenched his fists. He scanned the barn and considered tearing apart every hay stack to search for Elisabeth.
“Hey.”
Aaron turned. The kid with Deborah jerked his head, gesturing toward some hay bales on the far side of the barn.
“I saw your friend. With Chase. They went over there.”
“When?”
“Just a couple of minutes ago.”
“Danki.” Aaron glanced at Deborah, then back at him. “Did you drive?”
“Nee. Don’t have a car, just the buggy.”
“You been drinking?”
“Ya. A bit.”
Aaron scrubbed his hand over his face. “Is anyone here sober?”
“Doubt it.”
“Got a cell phone on you?”
He nodded, but seemed embarrassed to admit it.
“Call a cab and go home,” Aaron said as he hurried toward the far side of the barn. Hopefully the young man would take his advice, but he wasn’t counting on it. He didn’t listen to common sense advice when he was that age either.
“Elisabeth!” He called out as he made his way across the barn. He heard muffled voices coming from behind one of the stacks near the back of the barn.
As he made his way toward the sound, a guy with spiked hair appeared. Aaron noticed he was limping and moving as quickly toward the exit as possible.
Aaron shot his hand out and caught the guy by the arm. He looked him up and down and noticed his red hoodie and jeans. “You Chase?”
“Let go of me, backwoods jerk!”
Aaron held on to him and could smell the alcohol on his breath. “Only after you tell me if you’ve seen a girl—she’s got blonde hair and blue eyes. Short, thin. Amish. Someone said she came back here with a guy named Chase.”
Scowling, he yanked his arm out of Aaron’s grip and took off.
“Elisabeth!” The musty smell of hay filled his nose. He called out her name again, fear overcoming him the longer it took for her to answer him.
“Aaron?”
He welcomed the relief of hearing her voice, even though it came from the same direction as the red hoodie guy.
“What are you doing here?” Her blue eyes were wide, her complexion pale.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
But she didn’t look fine. Her lower lip trembled, and her arms were wrapped tight around her. When he moved closer to her, she backed away.
“What happened?”
“Nix. Can you take me home?”
Her small voice tugged at his heart. “Ya. I’ll take you home.”
She started walking toward the exit of the barn, her arms still crossed, staring straight ahead.
He fell in step beside her, shoving his hands in his pockets, and cast a glance in her direction. She didn’t look at him.
When they reached the outside, he pointed to the left. “My buggy’s over here.”
She nodded, and they headed that way.
“Aaron? Aaron Detweiler?”
Aaron nearly tripped over his feet at the sound of the familiar voice. He turned to see a girl swaying slightly as she moved toward him. Even in the low light he could tell who she was. As if he could ever forget. Kacey.
“I can’t believe it’s you.” She stood in front of him, her black curly hair spilling over her shoulders. Her jeans clung to her body like they had been plastered on, and she had on a tight V-necked sweater. She held a cigarette in one hand and a bottle of beer in the other. “Never thought I’d see you at one of these again.”
For a moment he didn’t know what to do, his mind transported back to when h
e and Kacey were dating, hazy memories flooding over him. His feet wouldn’t move.
“Don’t say you don’t know who I am.” She transferred the cigarette to her other hand and threaded her fingers through his. “I know better than that.”
Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Elisabeth staring at him. He looked back at Kacey and pulled his hand from hers. “We’re just leaving.”
“We?” Kacey looked past Aaron’s shoulder. “So you found yourself an Amish girlfriend, ya?” She giggled, then took a drag from her cigarette. “Well, if you get bored with her, you know where to find me.”
Suddenly the wail of sirens pierced the air.
“Cops!” someone yelled.
Chaos broke out all around him as car engines roared to life. Amish kids jumped inside their buggies, and headlights flipped on, spreading blinding light everywhere. Aaron ran to Elisabeth.
“The police are here?” Alarm laced her voice.
“They will be soon,” he shouted. “We have to get out of here! Now!”
Her eyes widened. “Aaron, I don’t want to geh to jail.”
“Neither do I!” But if he didn’t leave before the police arrived, they might detain him. And if they ran his name through their computer system, he could be dragged back to the station. They’d throw him in a holding cell before he could explain himself. He couldn’t risk that.
Anxiety crashed through him as he saw the blinking blue and red lights of a squad car pulling up to the Schrocks’ property. His mind whirred. There was a chance he and Elisabeth could get inside the buggy and the police wouldn’t come after them. But he had no idea how many cop cars were out there, and with the slow speed of the horse, he could be caught. He looked across the road, barely making out a large field that seemed to stretch for acres.
He grabbed Elisabeth’s hand. “C’mon!”
“Where are we going?”
He didn’t answer, just dragged her along. They ran across the road. The police headlights flashed on them, but he didn’t slow down. Instead, he and Elisabeth ran into the field, plunging into the darkness.
“I can’t see!” Elisabeth exclaimed.
“Quiet!” Legs pumping, he felt the tall winter grass brushing against his trousers. He had no idea what was in front of them, but it couldn’t be as bad as what waited for them back at the Schrocks’. His toe hit a hard object and he tripped, sending him and Elisabeth flying forward.
The Hearts of Middlefield Collection Page 35