Eli felt his face heat up. “No way, Mom!”
“I’m sure our son is secure in his faith,” Pop interjected. “He needs some time to think about what he’s doing. If I know my boy right, he’ll soon realize that it’s time to get baptized, join the church, and find a nice Amish wife.” He thumped Eli on the back. “Ain’t that right, son?”
Eli swallowed the last bit of food in his mouth before he answered. “Are you forbidding me to see Laura again?”
Pop shook his head. “No, you have the right to choose, and since we haven’t raised any dummkepp—dunces—I’m sure you’ll choose wisely.”
Eli pushed away from the table and stood. “I think I’ll go out to my shop awhile.” He made a hasty exit out the back door before anyone could respond.
***
Laura collapsed onto her bed. She felt as if she hadn’t slept in days. By the time Eli had dropped her off in front of the variety store where she’d left her car, all her energy had been zapped. The thrill she had felt earlier when she’d been alone with Eli at the lake had diminished some, too.
Until today, Laura had usually been able to charm anyone she met. Not only had she not charmed Eli’s parents, but she was quite sure that she’d probably alienated them. If they had known that she was hoping to see Eli again and had even fantasized about asking him to leave the Amish faith and join her in the modern English world, she was sure they would have told her to leave their home at once.
Laura looked forward to her date with Eli next Saturday, but she knew she would have to take things slow and easy. She didn’t want to scare Eli off by making him think there was more to their relationship than friendship. That’s all there was at this point, but she was hoping for more—so much more.
CHAPTER 6
Saturday dawned with an ugly, gray sky and depressing, drizzling rain. Laura groaned as she stared out the window of her dorm room. She figured Eli probably wouldn’t show up for their rendezvous now. If they went for another buggy ride, they would be drenched in no time, and she doubted that he would want to pass the time sitting in some restaurant or wandering through a bunch of tourist-filled souvenir shops with her. They weren’t supposed to meet until two o’clock, so with any luck, maybe the rain would be gone by then.
Laura turned from the window and ambled over to her desk, fully intending to get in a few hours of study time. Her mind seemed unwilling to cooperate, however, so she pushed the books aside and painted her fingernails instead.
By noon, the drizzle had turned into a full-fledged downpour. Laura could only hope Eli wouldn’t stand her up.
She hurried downstairs and was almost to the door, when Darla showed up in the hallway.
“From the way you’re dressed, I’d say you’re going out. What I’d like to know is where you’re heading on a crummy day like this.”
Laura offered a brief smile and held up her green umbrella. “I’m going to Paradise.”
Darla’s forehead wrinkled. “I figured you would be up in your room studying for that test we’ll be having on Monday.”
Laura shrugged. “I can’t concentrate on schoolwork today. Besides, I’m supposed to meet Eli at the variety store.”
Darla’s frown deepened. “Are you chasing after that Amish fellow?”
“Of course not. Eli and I are just friends, and he’s offered to show me around the area. That’s all there is to it.”
“Yeah, right.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Well, do whatever you want, but don’t come crying to me when you get your toes stepped on.”
Laura turned toward the door. “I’ve got to go. See you later, Darla.”
***
“Where are you heading?” Mary Ellen asked as Eli started for the back door. “Out to work in your shop?”
He turned to face her. “Thought I’d go to the farmers’ market today.”
“Did you rent a table again?”
“Nope. Figured I’d just browse a bit. See if there’s anyone else selling handmade wooden items and maybe pick up an idea or two.”
Mary Ellen motioned toward the refrigerator. “We’re about out of root beer. If you see some of the good homemade kind, would you pick up a couple of jugs?”
“Jah, sure. Anything else you’d like me to get?”
She contemplated a moment, then shook her head.
“Guess not, but knowing me, I’ll think of something after you’ve gone.”
He chuckled and headed out the door. “I’ll be home by suppertime, Mom. See you then.”
Mary Ellen moved over to the sink with the last of the breakfast dishes. She would let them soak while she drank a cup of coffee and read the Amish newspaper. “Sure hope that boy of mine isn’t meeting the fancy English girl he brought over here last week,” she muttered as she ran water into the sink. “The last thing this family needs is for Eli to fall in love with someone outside our faith and decide to leave.”
***
As Pauline stepped onto the Yoders’ back porch, she had second thoughts about her decision to see Eli. What if he became irritated with her for coming over? Would he still be angry because she’d interrupted his picnic at the lake last Saturday? She had to know. She had to work things out with Eli. She needed to make him realize that she was right for him, not some Englisher who probably wanted to try and change him.
Drawing in a deep breath, Pauline opened the door and stuck her head inside. “Anyone to home?”
“I’m in the kitchen,” Eli’s mother called in return.
Pauline stepped into the kitchen and spotted Mary Ellen sitting at the table with a newspaper spread out before her and a cup in her hand. “Are you busy?”
“Just reading The Budget and having a cup of coffee. Come join me.” Mary Ellen smiled and motioned Pauline to take a seat.
Pauline pulled out a chair across from Eli’s mother and sat down.
“It’s good to see you. Did you come to visit with Eli or me?”
Pauline’s cheeks warmed. Apparently Mary Ellen knew she had an interest in her son. “I came to see Eli. Is he here?”
Mary Ellen shook her head. “Left a few minutes ago for the farmers’ market.”
“Does he have a table again today?”
“Not this time. Said he just wanted to browse around.” “I see. Did he go there alone?”
“He left here by himself, but I’m not sure what happened after that.” Mary Ellen’s eyebrows drew together. “I may be speaking out of turn, but I’m a bit bekimmere about my son, and I’m thinking maybe you can help.”
Pauline leaned forward, her elbows resting on the table. “How come you’re concerned, and how can I be of help?”
Mary Ellen’s voice lowered to a whisper, although Pauline didn’t know why, since they were alone in the kitchen. “Eli has an English friend. He brought her here last Saturday.”
“Does she have long reddish brown hair and a pretty face?”
“Jah.”
“Her name’s Laura, and Eli met her at the farmers’ market a few weeks ago. She was at his table looking at birdhouses when I went there to see if he was ready to have lunch.” Pauline nibbled on her lower lip as she contemplated whether to tell Eli’s mother about her encounter with Eli and Laura at the lake. As she thought it through, she came to the conclusion that if Mary Ellen had already met Laura and had some concerns, she might already know about the picnic.
Pauline sat up straight. “I saw Eli with Laura at the lake last Saturday. They were having a picnic.”
Mary Ellen nodded. “He told us about that, and I wasn’t pleased with the news. When I fixed a picnic lunch for him that morning, I figured he was taking you to the lake.”
“I had thought Eli and I were drawing close—that we were officially courting.” Pauline swallowed around the lump that had lodged in her throat. “Now I’m afraid I might be losing him to that fancy English woman.”
Mary Ellen reached across the table and patted Pauline’s outstretched hand. �
�We can’t let that happen. If we work together on this, I believe we can get my son thinking straight again.” Her lips curved into a smile. “Are you willing to help me?”
“Jah, sure.” Pauline would walk across the country and back again if it meant getting her and Eli together.
***
Laura stepped out of her car just in time to witness a touching scene. Eli stood in front of the variety store, holding a black umbrella over his head. The minute he spotted Laura, he stepped forward and positioned the umbrella over her.
She smiled up at him, her heart pounding with expectation. “I’m surprised to see you.”
“I said I’d meet you here.”
“I thought the rain might keep you from coming.”
“We Amish don’t stay home because of a little rain.” Eli steered her across the parking lot. “I brought one of our closed-in buggies today, but if you’d rather we take your car, that’s okay, too.”
Laura’s heart beat a staccato rhythm, and when she felt the warmth of his hand on her elbow, she realized his touch was something she could easily become accustomed to. “The buggy’s fine with me.”
Eli helped her into the left side of the gray, box-shaped buggy, then went around to the driver’s side.
“Where are we going?”
“The farmers’ market is open today. I thought maybe we could go there.”
“That sounds like fun.” Laura glanced over at Eli. Her heart felt light, and she was content just being with him, so it didn’t really matter where they went.
“How come you’re not selling your wooden things there today?”
“Because I’m here with you.” He grinned and gathered up the reins. “I don’t rent a table every week, and it will be fun just to look around.”
She smiled. “Maybe I’ll get some more decorating ideas, too.”
When they entered the farmers’ market a short time later, Laura noticed a host of people roaming up and down the aisles. “The rain didn’t keep anyone at home today, did it?” she whispered to Eli.
“Nope, it sure didn’t.” He motioned to a table on their left. “Let’s start over there.”
Laura noticed several people staring at them. What a strange-looking couple we must make: Eli dressed in his plain Amish clothes, and me wearing designer blue jeans and a monogrammed sweatshirt. “Well, let them stare,” she murmured.
“What was that?” Eli asked, as he moved close to a table where a man sold small wooden windmills.
“Nothing. I was talking to myself.”
Eli let out a low whistle as he picked up one of the windmills. “Finely crafted—jah, very nice.”
“It is nice,” Laura agreed.
“Are you hungry? Want something to eat or drink?” he asked when they finally moved on.
“No, but if you’re hungry, I’ll drink a diet soda and watch you eat.”
Eli gently pinched her arm. “A diet soda for someone so skinny?”
“I am not skinny. I’m merely trying to keep my figure.” Eli’s ears turned red as he looked her up and down. “Your figure looks fine to me.”
Laura giggled self-consciously. “Thanks for the compliment, but for your information, this shape doesn’t come easy. I have to work at staying slender, and that means watching what I eat.”
Eli raised his dark eyebrows as he continued to study her. “One so pretty shouldn’t be concerned about gaining a few pounds. Mom’s pleasantly plump, and Pop says he likes her that way.”
“You’ll never catch me in any kind of plump state—pleasantly or otherwise.”
“Someday you’ll meet a great guy, get married, and have a whole house full of kinner. Then you probably won’t even have a figure, much less have to worry about keepin’ it.” Eli chuckled and steered her toward the snack bar at one end of the market.
“I told you, I’m not hungry.”
“Oh, sure you are.” He sniffed the air. “Don’t those hot dogs and sausages smell good?”
She wrinkled her nose. “They smell fattening to me.”
“If you ask me, you’re way too concerned about your weight.”
“I don’t recall asking you.”
Eli jerked his head as though he’d been slapped. “Maybe today wasn’t such a good idea after all. Might be better if I take you back to Paradise.”
“No, I don’t want to go back.” Laura clutched at his shirtsleeve. “I’m sorry if I sounded snappish.”
They had reached the snack bar, and Eli turned to face her. “Our worlds are so different, Laura. I’m plain, and you’re fancy. I see things differently than you do, and I’m afraid it will always be so.”
Laura shook her head, her eyes misting with tears. “We’re just getting to know each other. It will take some time for us to understand one another’s ways.” She smiled up at him. “I can teach you things about my way of life, and you can teach me more of the Amish ways.”
“I already know all I need to know about the English ways, but if you’re still wanting to know more about the Amish way of life, I’m willing.” Eli motioned to the snack bar. “Can I interest you in a glass of root beer and a giant, homemade pretzel?”
Laura nodded and released a sigh. “Oh, all right. I guess I can count calories some other time.”
***
Pauline wandered up and down the aisles inside the market building, searching for Eli. There was no sign of him anywhere, and she wondered if he had even come here today. Maybe he’d just told his mother he was going to the farmers’ market, when in fact he’d made plans to meet that English woman again. Maybe they’d gone on another picnic at the lake.
She shook her head. No, that wasn’t likely since it had been raining all morning.
“ Wie geht’s—how are you, Pauline?” Anna Beachy asked as she strolled up to her.
“I’m fine. And you?”
“Oh, fair to middlin’. Are you here alone, or did you come with your folks?”
“I’m alone. Came by to see if I could find Eli Yoder. Have you seen him around the market anywhere?”
Anna nodded. “Saw him over at Amos Hilty’s root-beer stand about ten minutes ago. He was with some English woman, which I thought was pretty strange.”
“Did you speak to him?”
“Just long enough to say hello, but then before I had a chance to say anything more, Eli said he was on his way out. He grabbed two jugs of root beer and rushed off like he was in a big hurry.”
Pauline felt as if her heart had sunk all the way to her toes. Not only had she missed seeing Eli, but her fears had been confirmed—he was with Laura again.
“I was just heading over to the snack bar to get a German sausage,” Anna said. “If you haven’t had lunch yet, maybe you’d like to join me.”
Pauline shook her head. “Thanks anyway, but I’m not so hungry.” She turned toward the exit door as a feeling of defeat threatened to weigh her down. At the rate things were going, she would never get Eli to marry her.
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