Megan’s eyes lit up. “I think it went well. It sounds like a dream job. Char Air is a charter service that has achieved a superb reputation for the service they give their customers. They are looking for individuals to build relationships with a portfolio of clients who regularly need to charter commercial jets all over the world.”
“Wow. I never pictured you in a place like that.”
“Sometimes they charter sports teams and private corporations, but they do a lot with humanitarian workers and relief organizations. The name Char stands for charter and charity. Clever, huh?”
“Aha.” Lil leaned back as the waiter came to their table and asked if they needed more time to select their food. “Yes, sorry.”
“No problem. Take your time.” He dipped his head and backed away.
“I want to hear more, but we’d better order.” Lil scanned the entrées, her eyes passing over the lasagna and penne, but she took her time reading the descriptions of the items that many Italian restaurants didn’t carry.
When the waiter returned, Lil ordered the gnocchi that Beppe always raved about. They had never served gnocchi at Riccardo’s. Megan went with an antipasto salad. When the waiter left, Lil confided, “I should order salad, too, but since I’m checking this place out, I wanted to order one of the entrées.”
“A nice place like this, you have to try the food. I’m just too excited and nervous over the interview. I don’t think I’ll be able to enjoy my meal.”
“Of course you are. Anyway, if you get the job, you’ll have plenty of chances to eat here.”
“Or if you get a job here.”
They grinned at each other, thrilled over the possibilities. Then Lil came back to earth. “I’m just checking it out; I didn’t bring a résumé. I need to make sure Mom’s doing okay before I botch up another job.”
“So how’s it going with her over at Michelle’s?”
Plucking a roll from a bread basket and swirling a small chunk in herbed olive oil, Lil smiled. “She’s working hard, and Michelle said she seems happy. Like her old self again. I’m bringing her home on Monday. That will be the real test. I’m hoping she’ll want to continue going over to help Michelle with her garden. Or at least do more at home, so I can help Michelle.”
“How long will Michelle be in a cast?”
“She’ll probably get it off in six weeks, but I doubt it will stop her once she’s feeling better.”
Megan nodded somberly.
Lil thanked the waiter for bringing their meals. “Back to the interview. Would it be strictly office work or would there be travel?”
“Both. I love the airport location. I always had a fascination with planes. As you saw, it’s right by one of their hangars. The view from the office is amazing.”
Lil took a bite of the creamy, peach-colored sauce. Delicious. Beppe was right. “I didn’t know you were interested in planes.”
“But I am! Especially since Bangladesh. I saw some charter planes bringing in supplies, landing on makeshift runways. It was thrilling.”
“You think this company lands on runways like that?”
“Maybe not. But listen to this. If I got the job, I might get to go on some foreign trips. He said that the last girl who worked there went to Haiti and India, free of charge by the company who chartered the plane.”
Lil couldn’t deny the spark of excitement in Megan’s blues. “What happened to her?”
“She had a baby and decided not to return.”
Lil took another bite of pasta, noting its perfection, and glanced up. “He probably liked that you were single?”
Megan nodded. “I think so. But he says he’s got a couple of more interviews. He’ll call next week. I hope I get it. There’s nothing else out there in my field. Well there was a payment coordinator. How dull does that sound? I guess they deal with money for relief projects.”
“Maybe that sort of job would have the same travel opportunities.”
Megan shrugged. “It sounded like dull paperwork. Anyway, there was a news position with a local Christian television station. Can you imagine how that would go over at church? Television?”
Lil rolled her gaze. “I don’t think it would suit you.”
“I had no idea, but so many of the jobs I am interested in are military or government organizations, and the church wouldn’t be happy about those either.”
Lil nodded her understanding. Because of the commandment “Thou shalt not kill,” the Conservative Mennonite Church took a stance against war or anything supporting war. That ruled out members’ participation in the military and law enforcement and most government positions, too.
It wasn’t that the Conservatives weren’t appreciative of their freedoms, but they gave their thanks to God, who they believed used outsiders to move in areas that their people would never consider, such as the military. Lil had grown up being taught that Conservative Mennonites were not of the world, only passing through it, and that God was their provider.
The war-and-peace issue had never been that important to Lil because it hadn’t touched her life in a personal way, but Megan was very involved in causes related to world peace. She would like nothing better than to work for an organization that would help bring world peace.
“I suppose you’ve checked out all the Mennonite organizations like Mennonite Mutual Aid or Mennonite Disaster Service? What’s that organization that deals with world peace?”
“Mennonite Central Committee. It has a few positions but nothing local. I’d have to move. Many humanitarian jobs are headquartered in another city. There’re plenty of volunteer positions in Columbus. Oh”—she reached across the table and touched Lil’s hand—“I found a job opportunity for head of missions in Sudan, with no education required.”
Lil gripped Megan’s hand. “Oh please. Don’t consider that. You have to get this job. I’ve never seen you so excited over a job before.” She released Megan’s hand and relaxed back in the booth again. “I want you here. I want us to move into the doddy house together.”
“Of course! That’s why I’m job hunting instead of volunteering someplace.”
Lil urged, “I’m really hoping that by September, things will fall in place for us.” Unlike Megan, who was insecure about finding a job, Lil hoped to find something quickly. If her present scheme, her mom helping at Michelle’s, didn’t work … It would work. It had to.
“I need to work,” Megan admitted. “I’m starting to get bored. Antsy.”
“I know that feeling. But I know I won’t be bored on Sunday.”
Megan tilted her head. “Why not on Sunday?”
“Because I have a date with Fletch.”
“And you’re just now telling me that?” Megan reprimanded. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“He’s taking me on a picnic. After church.”
“How romantic!”
“Yeah, but you know what? I’m scared.”
“Those red sneakers, huh?”
“No. It’s definitely the guy who wears them.”
CHAPTER 13
Fletch was uncharacteristically nervous. He felt more like he was facing an important exam than going on a date. But he was also excited to see Lil again and certainly didn’t regret asking her out, at least that’s what he told Buddy on the way to the Landis farm. But Buddy didn’t seem interested in romance if the basset’s droopy eyes and saggy jowls were any indication. He seemed more interested in the passing scenery.
“Yeah, that’s how you feel now. But once you see her, you’ll change your tune.”
And Buddy did. He literally drooled when he gazed into Lil’s eyes. And when she knelt down to pet him, he licked her face. When she stood up, he whined. So she got down again, and he licked her face again.
Seeing that somebody was going to have to break the cycle and intervene, Fletch took Lil’s arm and helped her back to her feet, whispering, “I think Buddy’s in love. I don’t blame him. But this is my date.” He whisked her toward the car, but she k
ept glancing back at the pooch, who panted at her heels. Fletch was pleased to see Buddy capturing Lil’s heart, too. If he was lucky, he’d at least get the leftover scraps of affection.
Glancing to the backseat, Lil laughed. “I didn’t know it was going to be a trio or I would have packed an extra sandwich.” Staring at Buddy, she added, “He’s irresistible. In fact, if you’re not careful, Fletch, I might just give Buddy your portion of my special avocado BLT’s.”
“Have I mentioned how happy I am to be dating a cook?”
“I’m not sure we’re dating. More like having a picnic to talk about dating,” she corrected.
“I stand corrected but not dissuaded. Regarding Buddy, I had no intention of having a pet while going through school until I saw this dog.”
“Kind of like us,” Lil said, straightening in her seat and blushing. “I mean the ‘no intentions’ part.”
“I guess so. But that doesn’t sound very romantic.”
Lil sighed, “Intriguing though.”
Fletch grinned. “My thoughts exactly.”
When the river became visible in the passing scenery, Lil remarked, “I’ve never been to Antrim Park.”
“It’s close to the university. Buddy loves it. That’s why I didn’t have the heart to leave him at home.”
The Olentangy River park was divided in to two portions. The west side of the park had tennis courts, a basketball court, several baseball diamonds, and soccer fields. It included a parking lot, where they unloaded. Fletch gave Lil Buddy’s leash, in exchange for the blanket and picnic basket.
“This is a real picnic basket. I expected a cooler.”
“It’s old. Handed down in the family. Could probably tell us some tales.”
“Like your parents dating?”
“And my grandparents.”
“Then I’m glad I asked you on a picnic for our first date.” He figured he must be wearing her down, because she didn’t protest about it not being a date this time. Of course that could have been because Buddy had discovered where they were and was straining and pulling on the leash.
“If you wrap the leash a couple of times around your hand and pull him in closer, he’ll be easier to control.”
“I don’t want to hurt him.”
“You won’t.”
“Funny, I don’t think I’ve ever walked a dog before.”
That struck Fletch as painfully sad. “Ever wanted to?” he asked.
“I do now,” she replied. “It’s fun.”
Her answer satisfied him. Placing his hand at the tiny waist he’d been itching to touch, he asked, “How does this spot look?”
“Perfect!”
While Buddy sniffed the grass, they spread out the mouth-watering picnic of Lil’s special sandwiches, fruit, and homemade cookies. Fletch whistled, and the dog came and laid beside the tattered quilt, panting and gazing steadily into Lil’s face.
“Obedient,” Lil noted.
But Fletch was more interested in the food and the girl than in Buddy’s manners. “You told me you always knew that you wanted to be a cook, but it’s hard for me to imagine you as a baby, babbling, ‘Sauté it, Mommy.’ ”
Lil giggled. “I’m glad you know a little about cooking.”
“I live alone. Have to fend for myself.”
“How long have you lived alone?” she asked.
“Nope. We’re talking about you first. I don’t know that much about Conservative Mennonites, but I have a hunch that most of the women aren’t career-minded. Tell me more about your journey to become head cook.” He took a bite of his sandwich and muttered, “Wait. First tell me what’s on this sandwich. This is awesome.”
Lil grinned as if he’d just given her the moon. “That’s my special avocado spread, and it’s a secret this early in a relationship.”
He loved the challenge but played along. “That’s cruel.”
Her expression became serious, even serene. “I think the cooking thing is a Mennonite gene that my mom’s family inherited. My sister has it, too, only she’s busy raising a family and really enjoys the gardening part of it. I always had to help Mom, and I loved both cooking and baking.”
“But that doesn’t explain your dream to take it beyond cooking for your family.”
Her blue eyes lit up. “At an early age, I received praise. Heard Mom’s friends telling her I was talented. It was probably the attention, and then my imagination just fueled it.”
He was utterly intrigued. “What do you mean?”
“I always had a strong imagination…. I remember the time we went to the circus. It was one of those rare outings where I got a glimpse of life beyond the farm. We went with my cousin Jake’s family. We went to a real sit-down restaurant, which was unusual with all us kids. I was mesmerized by the whole thing. After that, my life came down to the fact that I had two choices: I could join the circus or I could become a famous chef. The latter seemed the better choice.”
Fletch burst out laughing. “I’m sorry. It’s just I wasn’t expecting that.”
She blushed.
Fletch eased close and touched her arm. “You’re such a delight. So fascinating. Did your parents encourage you to pursue your dreams?”
“Not exactly. They let me go to culinary school because it was a talent I could use once I got married. But Dad thinks my goals are foolish and unwomanly.” She squirmed. “You don’t really know me. Growing up, I was a bit of a trial to my parents. I’ve always been a little rebellious.”
He thought she would probably still be a handful for a man.
“As you know, the family’s under a lot of other strain right now, so I’m really trying to cooperate. But I can’t wait to leave the farm.” She sighed. “Well, it’s my turn to eat. You talk.”
“What was it you wanted to know again?”
Her expression softened. “How long have you lived alone?”
“My folks sent us to a school where a lot of the missionary kids went. I wasn’t always alone, but I was always lonely for family. I hated being sent away. My sister and I were close, but then she married a man she met in Africa. He’s Canadian, and they live in his country now.”
“I’m sorry. My friend Megan is an only child. Sometimes I see the sadness of it in her eyes. Then again, sometimes I’m envious of all the attention she gets from her parents.”
“Well I didn’t get much attention. We moved around a lot, too. I had to make new friends. At the university, I lived in the dorms or shared apartments just to be around people. Usually, I lived off donations. Marshall’s helped me because my dad wasn’t financially able. Right now I’m living in an apartment furnished by Vic, in a complex owned by his brother.” Fletch shrugged. “Maybe I haven’t always lived alone. But I mostly fend for myself. I look forward to the day when I can pay my own way, too. Settle in some place for real. Quit moving around. That’s one reason I’m dreaming of that diploma. One more milestone.”
He quit speaking and glanced at Lil to see how she was receiving the information. She smiled and passed him a cookie. He took a bite and thought he’d gone to heaven. He started talking with his mouth full. “Mm. I can’t tell you the last time I had a homemade cookie. And never one as delicious as this.”
“Do you compliment all the girls? How many girls have you dated?” she asked.
He almost choked from her blunt question. He swallowed. “My sister says I’m a flirt. But I really mean it when I say this cookie is delicious. As to the other question, I’ve dated a few women, the usual school functions. Not so much lately. What about you?” Trying to play down his past experience with girls, he nibbled on his cookie. But as he waited for her reply, he felt as if the question was the most important one he’d ever asked anyone. He wanted her all to himself.
She grinned. “My friends tell me I’m a flirt, too.”
That hit him painfully, but he remembered thinking that about her the day she backed into Britt’s car. “Are you?”
She laughed. “I don’t know
. I’ve always liked guys. I think I’m just honest and friendly.”
“Go on.” How many guys?
Lil shrugged. “I’ve had a few dates, but like you, nothing serious. Never a real boyfriend.”
No serious boyfriend. Fletch felt as if the weight of the world had just been lifted off his shoulders, and if he wasn’t careful, he was going to float up off the old quilt. Now if he could just get her to turn all that friendliness his way. Only his way.
Lil felt cherished, the way Fletch held her hand in his. After taking their picnic supplies to the car, they started along a gravel path that encircled the lake. With Fletch’s free hand, he threw a stick for the basset.
“What happens if it goes in the lake?” she asked, wondering if she’d have a wet dog panting down her neck on the ride home. Buddy was a sweetheart, but she needed to know what to expect.
“He doesn’t like the water. He’ll just shuffle back and expect me to find a new object.”
“Smart dog.”
She was trying to think of a question that would get them on the topic of their religious beliefs, but Fletch beat her to it.
“When you mentioned you were a little rebellious, what exactly did you mean by that?”
Lil figured the easiest way to explain was to show him. She removed her bobby pins and slipped them into a pocket. When Fletch saw her bangs fall down and sweep across her eyes, his mouth opened in surprise.
“Wow. So you still feel this rebellion? I noticed you’re wearing your covering, but you weren’t the day we met. Does that mean anything?”
“The church recently voted to change the ruling on the covering. We only have to wear it to worship. I had stopped wearing it other places, but when I moved back home, my dad seemed so disappointed in me that I started wearing it again. Look. I was the girl who borrowed shorts at church camp and wore them until I had to return home. I once wore a toe ring to foot washing.”
Fletch burst out laughing. “Now in the church I attend, that wouldn’t be a big deal, but I can only guess what happened to you.”
“My friend Katy took it off and hid it before anybody saw it. I loved to get her flustered. She always covered for me and always tried to boss me around. It was like having a second mother. I figured Katy would keep me straight. But I think she’s quit doing that now.”
Plain City Bridesmaids Page 44