Eli sank to the metal folding chair by his workbench and leaned forward until his head rested in the palms of his hands. “If only I hadn’t started seeing her. If I could just stop the feelings I have whenever we’re together. It just isn’t right.”
“What isn’t right?”
Eli jerked upright at the sound of his younger brother’s voice. “Jonas, what do you think you’re doing, sneakin’ up on me that way?”
Jonas chuckled and sauntered over to the workbench. “I thought you came out here to work on a Christmas present, not talk to yourself.” He gave Eli’s shoulder a couple of thumps.
Eli frowned. “I was planning to finish up the planter box I’m making for Martha Rose, but I can’t seem to get in the mood to work on it right now.”
Jonas pushed a bale of straw over to the bench and plopped down on it. “Christmas is only a few days away. How do ya think our big sister will feel about not gettin’ a gift from you?”
Eli grabbed the planter in question, along with a strip of sandpaper, and began sanding it with a vengeance. “It’ll be done on time.”
Jonas touched Eli’s arm. “Take it easy. Now you’re gettin’ all worked up.”
“I’m not worked up,” Eli snapped, as he continued to run the coarse paper over the edges of the wooden box.
Jonas eyed him intently. “Is that so? Well, ya sure could’ve fooled me.”
“Quit your staring.”
“I was just checkin’ to see if my big brother is in lieb.”
Eli slapped the sandpaper down on the bench and stood, nearly knocking over his wooden stool. “I’m not in love! Now, if you don’t have anything sensible to say, why don’t you go bother someone else?”
“It’s that fancy English woman, isn’t it? You’re all worked up over her, I’m guessing.”
Eli’s forehead beaded with sweat, and he knew it wasn’t from heat, for there was at least a foot of snow on the ground. If only he could get Laura out of his mind.
“You’re not denying it, so it must be true,” Jonas persisted. “She’s gotten under your skin, huh?”
Eli whirled around to face his brother. “Laura and I are just friends.” His right eyelid began to twitch. “Even if I wanted it to be more, it could never happen.”
“How come?”
“She’s English.”
“I know, but—”
“There are no buts.” Eli felt his patience begin to wane. “I don’t want to leave our faith, and I sure couldn’t ask Laura to become one of us.”
“Why not?”
Eli folded his arms and drew in a deep breath. He was getting frustrated with this ridiculous conversation. “Let’s put it this way—would you throw a newborn bussli into the seischtall?”
Jonas tipped his head and looked at Eli as if he’d gone daffy. “Huh? What’s a little bitty kitten and a pigpen got to do with Laura Meade?”
Eli shook his head. “Never mind. You’re probably too verhuddelt to understand.”
“I’m not confused! Just say what ya mean, and mean what ya say!” Jonas’s forehead now dripped with sweat.
“Calm down. This is a dumb discussion we’re having, and I say we drop it.”
Jonas stuck out his chin. “Want to know what I think?” Eli blew out his breath and lifted his gaze toward the rafters. “No, but I’m sure you won’t scram ’til you’ve told me.”
“I think you’re in love with Laura, but you know she’s not good for you. I’m thinkin’ the best thing for everyone is for you to hurry and get baptized, and then join the church so you can marry Pauline Hostetler.”
Eli clenched his fists. If Jonas didn’t leave soon, he couldn’t be sure what he might do. “Just go now before I drag you outside and push your face into a pile of snow.”
“Jah, right.”
“I mean it, little brother.”
“You think you’re big enough?” Jonas planted his hands on his hips and stared at Eli as though daring him to make a move.
Eli didn’t hesitate. He lunged for Jonas, and Jonas darted for the door. When they bounded into the snowy yard, all thoughts of Laura vanished as Eli focused on catching his nosy brother and giving him a good face washing in a mound of frigid snow.
CHAPTER 10
Christmas Day turned out to be pretty much the way Laura had expected it to be. Her father had invited several people from his law firm to dinner, and most of them spent the whole time talking about trial dates, briefs, and who they thought might get out of going to jail.
Dean Carlson was among the guests, seated next to Laura. She studied him as he droned on about the new computer system they’d recently installed at the office. There was no denying it—Dean was one of the most handsome men Laura had ever met. The funny thing was Laura used to enjoy Dean’s company. Now he seemed superficial and self-absorbed. She kept comparing him to Eli, whose warm, sincere smile could melt her heart and whose infectious laughter seemed genuine, not forced like Dean’s. She didn’t know why she’d never seen it before, but Dean’s whole mannerism was brash, and he was certainly the most egotistical man she had ever met. Eli, on the other hand, was gentle and genuinely humble.
“Laura, are you listening to me?” Dean nudged her arm.
She managed a weak smile. “I think Dad may have mentioned the new computer system.”
“You weren’t listening. The computer system was not the last thing I said.”
She blinked. “It wasn’t?”
“I was asking if you’d like to go to the New Year’s Eve office party with me.”
Laura stared at Dean. How could she even consider dating a man like him? Oh, sure, he had money, a good education, great looks, and a prestigious job, but he simply wasn’t Eli Yoder.
“I want to take you to the party,” Dean said again. “Will you go with me or not?”
Every fiber of Laura’s being shouted no! She reached for her glass of water and took a few sips, hoping to buy some time.
When Dean began tapping the side of his glass with the tip of his spoon, she finally answered. “I appreciate the offer, but I hadn’t planned on going to the party.”
“Why not?”
Laura wasn’t sure how to respond. She really had no legitimate reason for staying home. “I ... uh ... I’m leaving for Pennsylvania the day after New Year’s, and I need to get packed.”
Dean leaned his head back and roared. It was the first genuine laugh she’d heard out of him all day, but it didn’t make her smile. “You have a whole week between now and the party. Surely that’s time enough to pack a suitcase.”
When Laura made no reply, he reached for her hand. “Come on, honey, please say you’ll go with me. After all, I do work for your dad, and I’m sure he would approve.”
Laura inwardly groaned. She knew she was losing this battle, and she didn’t like it one bit.
Dean leaned closer, and she could feel his warm breath against her ear. “If you don’t have a wonderful time, I promise never to ask you out again.”
She finally nodded in defeat. “Okay, I’ll go.”
***
All during dinner, Wesley kept glancing across the table at Laura. She looked uncomfortable, as if she would rather be anyplace else but here. Didn’t she enjoy being with her family and friends? She’d always seemed to before. Surely she wasn’t anxious to get back to her studies in Pennsylvania. Maybe she was just tired.
He looked over at his wife, sitting so prim and proper at the other end of the table. She seemed to be in her glory—chatting, smiling, soaking up every compliment that had come her way. He didn’t know why. She really couldn’t take credit for any of it. The meal had been catered. The house had been cleaned by their housekeeper. Irene’s flowing, peach-colored dress had been bought at one of the most expensive shops in town. Her hair and nails had been done by her beautician. She hadn’t done much of anything to prepare for this meal except tell others what to do.
Wesley inwardly groaned. It was all superficial. There probably was
n’t a person sitting at this table who gave a lick about the person next to them. Except maybe Dean, who kept nuzzling Laura’s neck and whispering in her ear. Could Dean be the reason Laura seemed so fidgety today?
“Wesley, did you hear what I said?”
He looked over to his wife again. “What was that, dear?”
Irene smiled sweetly. “I asked if you were still planning to host your office’s New Year’s Eve party at the country club.”
Ethel wanted to know.”
“Yes, it will be there again this year.” Wesley forced a smile. He would never have admitted it to his wife, but the truth was, he would much rather stay home on New Year’s Eve and watch TV or read a good book instead of dishing out the money for a party that no one would remember the following day. But he knew it was expected of him, and the gleam in Irene’s eyes was a reminder that at least one of them was looking forward to the gala affair.
***
“What are you doing out here in the cold?” Eli’s sister, Martha Rose, asked, as she stepped out the back door and joined him on the porch.
Eli shrugged and leaned against the railing. “It was getting kind of stuffy in the house, so I decided to get some fresh air.”
Martha Rose shivered and pulled her heavy shawl around her shoulders. “This air is downright frigid—that’s what it is.”
He smiled. “So what are you doing out here in it?”
“Same as you—getting some fresh air.” She nudged him playfully with her elbow, but then her face sobered. “You’ve been quiet all day, and I was wondering if there’s something bothering you.”
Eli pulled his fingers through the back of his hair. Of course there was something bothering him. Ever since he’d met Laura, he had been bothered. He’d been thinking about her off and on all day, wondering how she was spending her Christmas, wishing they could be together, and fretting because he was having such thoughts. He was tempted to share his feelings with Martha Rose, because the two of them had always been close, but he wasn’t sure she would understand. She might even reprimand him, the way Mom had done when she’d learned he was seeing Laura—a fancy Englisher.
“I’m feeling kind of down today,” he finally mumbled.
“On Christmas?”
He nodded, keeping his focus on the snowy yard, because he knew if he looked right at Martha Rose, he was likely to give himself away.
“Mom’s worried about you, Eli.”
“I’m fine. A little chilly weather never hurt anybody.”
She touched his arm. “She’s not worried about you being out here in the cold.”
His only reply was an exaggerated shrug.
“She’s worried that you might be thinking about leaving the Amish faith.”
Eli bristled and whirled around to face his sister. “Did Mom send you out here to try and talk some sense into me? Is that it?”
Martha Rose shook her head. “Coming out here was my idea. I’ve seen how sullen you’ve been all day, and I was worried that it might have something to do with the English woman you’ve been seeing lately.”
“Laura and I are just friends. Mom has nothin’ to worry about.”
“It might help ease her concerns if you got baptized and joined the church.”
“I don’t think calming Mom’s fears is a good enough reason to become a member of the church, do you?”
“Well, no, but—”
“I’ve told Mom and Pop, too, that I’m not leaving the faith, and there’s nothing serious going on with me and Laura.” Eli grunted. “So everyone, including you, can quit hounding me about this.”
Martha Rose winced as though she’d been slapped. “I—I didn’t mean to sound as if I was trying to tell you what to do. I only want your happiness.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you that way.”
She gave him a hug. “I want you to know that if you ever need to talk, I’m willing to listen, and I promise not to be judgmental.”
Eli smiled and patted her on the back. “Danki. I appreciate that.”
***
“Are you too full from dinner to finish your dessert?” Pauline’s mother motioned to the half-eaten piece of pumpkin pie on Pauline’s plate.
Pauline shook her head. “Not really. I’m just not so hungry right now.”
Dad wrinkled his forehead. “You barely ate any dinner. As a matter of fact, you’ve been actin’ kind of sulky all day. What’s the problem, daughter?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“She’s probably wishing she could be with her boyfriend today,” Pauline’s younger sister, Susan, piped up.
“I have no boyfriend. Not anymore.”
“I thought you and Eli Yoder had been courting,” Dad said, reaching for another slice of mincemeat pie.
“I thought so, too, but I was wrong.” Pauline couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice.
Mom poured herself a cup of coffee from the pot sitting in the center of the table. “I was talking to Eli’s mamm a few weeks back, and she seemed concerned because he’s not joined the church yet.”
“He hasn’t joined because he’s seeing some fancy English woman with long, auburn hair,” Sam, Pauline’s brother, interjected.
Pauline glared at him. “Can’t we talk about something else?”
He shrugged his broad shoulders and smiled. “Guess we could talk about Joseph Beachy. He’s had a crush on you ever since we were kinner.”
Pauline wrinkled her nose. “Joseph’s three years younger than me, for goodness’ sake.”
Dad chuckled. “So what of it? Your mamm’s a whole year older than me.”
Mom shook her head as she lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “And you’re never gonna let me live that down, are you, Ben?”
He grinned and tickled her under the chin. “Nope, but it don’t make me love you any the less.”
She reached for his hand. “I love you, too, even if you are just a big kid.”
Feeling the need to be alone, Pauline pushed away from the table. “I’m kind of tired, so if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go upstairs to my bedroom.”
“Sleep well,” Mom called as Pauline started out of the room.
“Danki.” Pauline trudged up the stairs, and with each step she took, she felt more discouraged. Even if Eli did quit seeing the Englisher and decided to join the church, she feared he might never be interested in her. And if she couldn’t have Eli, then she didn’t want any man.
CHAPTER 11
Mom had insisted that Laura buy a new dress for the New Year’s Eve party. Laura couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about, but she decided she might as well enjoy the pampering. After all, she would be leaving soon. Then it would be back to the grindstone of school, homework, and ... Eli. She hoped she would be able to see him again.
Standing before her full-length bedroom mirror, Laura smiled at the lovely young woman looking back at her. If Eli could only see me now, maybe he’d be tempted to go “fancy.”
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