Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio

by Annalisa Daughety

  She nodded. “That’s the same thing Emma told me.” She smiled. “I just never thought you’d feel that way about me. But I knew I wanted to keep you around.” She held tightly to his hand. “I’m falling in love with you, too. Maybe I’ve always been in love with you.” She shook her head. “It’s crazy that this has been right in front of our eyes all this time, and we just didn’t know it.”

  “So you won’t mind seeing me on a more regular basis? And maybe even thinking about a future together?”

  Abby’s smile was broad. “Nothing would make me happier.”

  He leaned closer and gently pressed his lips to her cheek. “I will always try my best to make you happy.”

  The rest of the evening passed in a blur, and when Abby’s head hit the pillow, she said a prayer of thanks. Her life was full of blessings. And her sister would be home tomorrow. Abby’s last thoughts were of herself and Emma, each finding the love they’d always hoped for. She just knew Emma would have news of her own when she finally returned home. She’d seen the spark between her sister and Levi’s handsome cousin. Yes, things were turning out just as she’d always hoped. She and Emma were happy, loved, and were about to begin the next phase in their lives. With a contented sigh, she drifted to sleep.

  Chapter Forty-six

  Emma

  “What do you mean he couldn’t make it?” Kelly asked shrilly.

  “Shh. I don’t want Lydia Ann to know how upset I am. She doesn’t know what happened with me and Andy, and I don’t want to tell her.” Emma felt so stupid. She’d behaved in a way that went against her convictions. And now it seemed she was paying the price.

  “Well, what did Noah say?” Kelly played with the white ribbon that was tied at the waist of her navy blue sundress. With a white cardigan sweater slung over her shoulders, and navy wedge sandals, she looked like she’d just stepped out of a magazine. Emma was secretly pleased at how demure her friend looked. Maybe her days of revealing clothes were over.

  “Just that he was sorry he couldn’t make it. I think his uncle said something about work.” Levi’s parents had relayed Noah’s message when they arrived.

  “Do you believe that?” Kelly asked.

  Emma blinked back the tears. “Not exactly. I’m sure he really is working. But I’m also sure he could’ve made it if he’d wanted to. I ruined everything yesterday. And for what? So I could ride in a stupid convertible and wear lipstick.”

  Kelly shook her head. “It wasn’t like that, and you know it. You’ve got to stop blaming yourself.” She gave a one-sided grin. “You can blame me if you’d like.”

  Emma played with the tie on her kapp. “It wasn’t your fault.”

  “But you make it sound like you purposefully set out to hurt Noah. And you and I both know that you had serious reservations about going out with Andy in the first place. And after the things he said and how he treated you…” Kelly trailed off. “Well, I believe Noah would understand,” she added with less certainty.

  “I can’t exactly make him listen to me, though. And even if he understood, that doesn’t change things. I chose to wear different clothes. I chose to get into the car with Andy. Those were bad decisions on my part. But they were mine.” She met Kelly’s gaze. “And even though Noah may understand, I’m not sure he would feel like he could ever trust me.”

  “Maybe you should give him the chance before you jump to that conclusion.” Kelly pushed a wisp of red hair from her forehead. “Tell you what. On our way out of town tomorrow, we’ll swing by Keim. You can tell him good-bye and maybe get a chance to clear the air.”

  Emma managed a tiny smile. That would be nice. She’d give anything to see him again and make sure the last image he had of her was not that of her being kissed by Andy. “Okay. That gives me the rest of the night to figure out what to say.”

  Kelly laughed. “I’m afraid you’ve learned from my scheming ways.”

  “Maybe you’ve just helped them along. Remember it was my sister’s scheming that brought me to Charm in the first place.”

  Kelly was quiet for a moment. “And I’m so glad she did.” She smoothed the skirt of her dress. “I don’t know what I’d have done without you this summer.” Her eyes began to fill with tears.

  “Oh, you’d have been just fine.”

  “No. I’ve learned so much from you. Not just about friendship, but about faith. You have an amazing faith in God, and even though I don’t plan to become Amish, I still plan to learn more about Him. And that is because of your example.”

  “You don’t plan to become Amish?” Emma teased. “I’m sure I have a cousin you might think was cute.”

  “Don’t joke. I’m being serious.” Kelly grinned. “Really. There are so many things I’ve filled my life with that just aren’t important. Distractions that keep me from becoming the kind of person I should be. You’ve helped me to see that.” She motioned at her dress. “And I’ve learned that even though I love clothes. And shoes. And makeup… Well, those things are maybe not as important as I used to think they were. The next time I get into a relationship with someone, I want him to see me for me. Not for the label I’m wearing or the car I’m driving.”

  Emma nodded. “There is a wonderful man out there for you somewhere. But you’ve got to learn not to settle for someone who doesn’t treat you well. You deserve to be respected, and I hope you’ll carry that with you when you head back to Columbus.”

  “Are you ready to eat?” Lydia Ann poked her head around the corner. “Everyone is taking their seats.”

  Emma and Kelly scurried to the dining room. Emma tried to ignore the empty chair that should’ve been Noah’s and concentrate on the delicious meal Lydia Ann had prepared. But it was hard to keep her gaze from drifting to the empty space. Would there always be an empty space in her life now?

  The next day, Emma stood at the window, watching as Kelly pulled up in front of Lydia Ann’s house. She left her SUV running and ran up the path.

  Emma opened the door to greet her. “I’m almost ready.”

  Kelly stepped into the house. “Take your time. We aren’t on a schedule.” She grinned. “I’ve got nowhere to be for the next week. Then, it’s back to the grind.”

  “Classes start that soon?” Emma asked.

  “Yep. In just a week, I’ll be sitting in class, writing papers, and studying again.” She shrugged. “I’m actually excited about it.”

  “I’m so glad.” Emma hoisted her bag over her shoulder. She bent down to grab her suitcase.

  “I’ll get that one.” Kelly gripped the sturdy suitcase and carried it out to her X-Terra. She opened the backend and heaved the suitcase inside. “Goodness, Emma. What is in here? Rocks?”

  Emma chuckled. “I’m taking some small gifts for my family. Sorry. I didn’t realize it would be so heavy.”

  “It’s a good thing I’ve been working out this summer.” Kelly grinned and slammed the hatch shut.

  They climbed inside the vehicle. “Well?” Kelly asked. “Is our next stop Keim?”

  Emma was silent for a long moment. “Jah. I guess so.” She buckled her seatbelt. “Do you really think I should stop by?”

  “I think if you don’t, you’ll always wonder what would’ve happened if you had.”

  “You’re probably right.” She took a deep breath. Her heart was already beating faster at the thought of confronting Noah. “Okay. Next stop, Keim.”

  Kelly drove slowly through town, past the landmarks that had become so familiar to both of them over the course of the summer.

  “I’m really going to miss this place,” Emma said, staring out the window.

  “I was just thinking the same thing. But maybe we can come back at the same time for a visit?” Kelly pulled into the parking lot and maneuvered the SUV into a space. She turned to look at Emma. “Well, do you want me to come in with you?”

  Emma thought for a moment. On the one hand, she knew she needed to speak to Noah alone. But on the other, having Kelly nearby for support woul
d make her feel better. “Why don’t you come inside? You can maybe hang out in the café or something.”

  “I thought you might want some moral support.”

  They climbed out of the vehicle and walked down the sidewalk to the entrance. Emma’s hands were clammy. In fact, she felt like she was coming down with the flu.

  “Nervous?” Kelly asked as they came to the glass doors leading inside.

  “You read me too well. I’m a wreck.”

  “You’ll be fine.” They parted ways, and Kelly walked toward the café.

  Emma stopped by the nearest service desk. “Excuse me,” she said to the older Amish man behind the counter. “I need to speak to Noah Weaver. He works here.”

  “I know Noah.” The man scratched his graying beard. “But I believe he took the day off. Had some personal business to attend to. Let me check, though.” He picked up the phone.

  A minute later, he was back. “I’m sorry, miss. He isn’t here. Would you like to leave a message for him for when he gets back?”

  Emma’s heart sank with the words. She wasn’t going to get the chance to talk to Noah. There was no point in leaving a note for him. If he’d have wanted to see her, he would have. It wasn’t as if her departure date were a secret. They’d talked about it.

  “Miss?” The man at the counter looked at her worriedly. “Do you need to sit down? You’ve gone pale all of a sudden.”

  “What?” Emma said weakly. “Oh. No, thank you. I’m fine.” She turned and walked slowly to the café. She needed to get out of there.

  She paused at the café entrance and scanned the crowd. The last time she’d been in here, it had been with Noah. She saw a tall, dark-haired man at the counter, and for a moment she thought it was him. The man turned and caught her stare. He smiled tentatively and walked to a table.

  “Any luck?” Kelly asked, coming over to where Emma stood. Emma shook her head. “He’s not here today.” She cast another glance at the dark-haired man who’d reminded her of Noah. “Let’s go.” She blindly followed Kelly to the vehicle. She’d really messed things up.

  “We should be getting close,” Kelly said. “Make sure I don’t miss my turn.”

  Emma looked up, startled. She hadn’t realized they’d covered so much ground so quickly. Once they left Keim, she’d tried to keep up with Kelly’s chatter about the upcoming school year, but soon it became evident her heart wasn’t in it. Kelly finally turned the radio onto a country station and stopped trying to draw Emma into conversation. “Oh. I haven’t been paying attention to where we were.” She glanced over at Kelly. “Sorry.”

  Kelly peered at her through oversized sunglasses. “Don’t worry about it. I don’t blame you for being upset. I wonder where he is today?”

  Emma shook her head. “Do you think he expected that I’d stop by? And that’s why he wasn’t there?”

  “Oh, I don’t think so. Noah doesn’t strike me as calculating. Maybe he genuinely had business to attend to.” She slowed as they came upon a buggy crossing sign. “I feel certain you’ll hear from him again.”

  Emma wasn’t so sure. But for the time being, she wanted to pretend that her friend was right. Plus, she was starting to get excited about returning home. Home. The summer away had given her a new appreciation for it. Not that she hadn’t had a good time, because she had. But it was good to be home. She turned to Kelly. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “I’m going to miss you, too. Promise you’ll write?”

  “Of course.” Emma laughed. “Maybe I’ll try to sneak someone’s cell phone and text you every now and then.”

  Kelly joined in her laughter. “Yeah, right. A real letter will be fine. It will give me a reason to look forward to getting the mail every day.”

  “Right. But while I know I can handle actually writing a letter, can you?”

  “Absolutely. I need to practice my penmanship anyway. All my texting makes me forget how to use proper English.”

  “Turn right here.” Emma directed her down the road that led to her family’s home. She was surprised at how nervous she felt.

  “Well, this is it,” Kelly said, once they had pulled up in front of the house. “Let me help you carry your stuff in.”

  “Wait. I have something for you.”

  Kelly’s green eyes lit up. “You do? What is it?”

  Emma reached into the back seat and pulled out her backpack. She pulled out a book and handed it to Kelly. “You may already have a Bible at home, but I underlined some of my favorite verses in this one for you. I hope you’ll be able to find comfort in them, just as I do.”

  Kelly’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.” She took a breath. “I’ve got a whole new lease on life and it is largely because I met you.” She met Emma’s eyes. “You’ve been a huge influence on me. Thank you for this.” She patted the Bible. “I actually have something for you, too. It’s in the back.” Kelly hopped out, still wiping tears from her eyes.

  Emma followed, wondering what Kelly would pull from the back.

  “Okay, I have two things. First, these.” Kelly pulled the pink sandals Emma had borrowed. “I know you may not want to see them again. But I was thinking, maybe they could be sort of a reminder that you have exactly the life you want.”

  Emma grinned. “True. I guess they don’t have the same allure they once did.”

  “And…” Kelly’s eyes lit up. “I think you’re gonna like this next one.” She pulled out a large square object, wrapped in brown parchment paper, and placed it in Emma hands. “Open it.”

  Emma tore the paper away and gasped. It was one of the paintings from Lydia Ann’s shop that she’d admired. “The town of Charm. Oh, this was one of my favorites.”

  “I know. I thought you might need something to remember the summer by. And I know you don’t really hang paintings on your wall, but I thought you could at least keep it in a closet somewhere and pull it out every now and then.”

  “Thank you so much.” She never would’ve bought one of the paintings for herself, but she was so glad Kelly had given one to her.

  “Emma!” Abby called from the porch. “Welcome home.” She flew out to the car, Sarah and Mamm on her heels.

  Once the introductions were made, they carried Emma’s things inside.

  “Kelly, would you like to stay overnight? I know you must be tired after the drive,” Mamm said, as they visited in the living room.

  “Oh, no, ma’am. I’d better get on the road. I’m actually heading back to Columbus tomorrow, so this is my last night in Charm.” She tightened her red ponytail. “I promised Aunt Irene I’d be back for supper.”

  Emma followed her out to the SUV. “Thanks again for driving me. And for the gifts.”

  “It was no problem. And thank you for the Bible. I promise to read it every day.”

  Emma laughed. “It isn’t me you have to promise that to.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Kelly smiled. “Well, girl. I guess this is it. Promise you’ll keep in touch?”

  “Jah. And you do the same.”

  With one final wave out the window, Kelly was gone. Emma turned and looked at the house she’d grown up in. It seemed smaller, somehow. She headed up the pathway to visit with her mamm. The saying must be true. There was truly no place like home.

  Chapter Forty-seven

  Abby

  “She isn’t the same.” Abby sat in the buggy beside Jacob. They were out for a drive. The days were beginning to get cooler, but it was still warm enough for short sleeves.

  “How so?” Jacob asked.

  “I can’t quite put my finger on it. She doesn’t have her head in the clouds as much for one thing. And she doesn’t say things to shock me anymore.” Abby furrowed her brow.

  Jacob let out a chuckle. “But weren’t those the exact things that drove you crazy before?”

  She smiled sheepishly. “I guess. But I wish she’d talk to me. She’s hiding something, I just know it.�
�

  He reached over and patted her clenched hand. “Do you think maybe you’re just looking for something to be wrong?”

  She jerked her hand away. “No. I’m not imagining it. I’m telling you, something’s off with her. She’s quiet and spending a lot of time alone.” She looked over at him. “You know that isn’t like her.”

  “Well, then I’d say you should confront her. Ask if she needs to talk or if there is something bothering her.” He directed the horse to stop in front of Abby’s house. “I have no doubt you’ll find the words.” He grinned at her. “And I’d say you should try and talk to her soon. I can see how much this is weighing on you.”

  Abby let out a huge sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry if I seem grouchy.” She met his gaze. “I’ll speak to her tonight. I’m worried about her is all. And…” She trailed off. “I want to tell her of our plans.”

  He smiled broadly. “She’ll be happy, don’t you think?”

  Abby nodded. “I think she’ll have nothing but good wishes for us.” She told him good-bye and climbed down from the buggy. She watched as Jacob slowly drove away, giving her one last wave. She’d been dying to talk to Emma about things, but Emma had been so distracted in the few weeks since her return. Abby was determined that they’d get everything out into the open tonight.

  “The meal was delicious.” Emma carried a stack of dishes into the kitchen. “Lydia Ann was a good cook, but I’m happy to have Mamm’s cooking again.”

  Abby began scraping the plates Emma had set on the counter. “Well, are you excited about school starting back?” She’d been thinking all afternoon about how to start the conversation with Emma, but hadn’t come up with anything yet. She supposed she’d just have to start and hope things came out naturally.

  “It might be hard to get back into the routine of things.” Emma shrugged. “But I suppose it is that way every year.”