by Amy Clipston
Cindy’s pulse pounded in her ears. She squeezed her eyes shut as she waited to hear the voice of the late visitor, panic rising in her throat.
Please don’t let it be Dat!
“Ervin, hi.” Drew’s voice sounded strained. “Is everything all right?”
“Ya. Everything is fine.” Ervin cleared his throat. “Gertrude thought she saw a flashlight beam coming up the driveway, and she said she heard voices outside. Do you have company?”
“Oh, well, I was just—” Drew’s words were interrupted when Bruce gave a happy woof and then pushed the bedroom door open wide as he trotted into the hallway.
Cindy cupped her hand over her mouth to hold back a squeal and pressed her body flatter against the wall. Tears stung her eyes as she tried to calm her zooming heartbeat. This is it. We’re going to be caught.
“Hi, Bruce,” Ervin said.
Silence filled the air, and Cindy imagined Ervin petting Bruce while Drew nervously raked his fingers through his adorable hair.
“What were you saying, Drew?” Ervin asked.
“I was just standing out on my porch and talking to Bruce,” Drew said. “He woke me up, and I had to let him out. Then he saw a cat and I had to chase him to get him to come back inside. I’m so sorry if all the commotion woke up you and Gertrude.”
“It’s no problem. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
When the screen door creaked open, Cindy held her breath. A beat of silence passed. Did Ervin doubt Drew’s explanation?
“I’ll see you in the morning,” Ervin said.
“Thank you for checking on me,” Drew said. “Have a restful night.”
The screen door clicked shut, followed by the front door’s firm catch.
Drew appeared in the bedroom doorway, his shoulders sagging as his face seemed to fill with contrition. “I’m so sorry.”
“Did he seem to believe you?” Her whole body trembled.
Bruce bounded into the room and pushed his nose against her hand.
“Yeah, I think so.” Drew lowered himself onto one corner of his bed.
“We were so close to getting caught, Drew—too close.” She shook her head as more anxiety grabbed her by her shoulders. “If the front door had been open he would have seen me on the sofa.” She pointed toward the doorway. “He could have told mei dat or the bishop.”
The room felt as if it were closing in on her, and she struggled to breathe.
She left the room and started for the front door. “I need to get out of here.”
“Wait a minute.” Drew grabbed her arm and gently pulled her back. “You can’t just run out there. Ervin could be walking up his back steps right now. If he turns around, he’ll see you for sure.”
She stilled and then shook her head. “I can’t come over here late at night anymore. We can’t take this risk.”
He heaved a deep sigh and released her arm. “I’m sorry this happened, and I don’t want to lie to Ervin. We’ll have to come up with another way to see each other.”
“But how?” Her voice cracked. “You can’t visit with me on my back porch the way other young Amish couples do. You can’t come anywhere near my house.”
Determination seemed to reflect in his bright eyes. “I’ll come up with something. Have some faith in me.”
“I’m sorry, Drew,” she whispered, her throat thickening as tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t do this. I can’t risk losing my family or having the bishop come to my house. We have to end it.”
A frown overtook his handsome face. “Wait here.” He opened both doors and stepped out to the porch.
Cindy leaned against the kitchen counter and dabbed at her eyes with a corner of her apron. Bruce sat at her feet and lifted his paw.
“Hi, buddy.” She shook his paw as a half-hearted laugh escaped her lips. If only life were as simple as Bruce seemed to think it was. “Danki for the shake.”
Drew stepped back into the house a few minutes later. “The lanterns went out in the upstairs bedroom. I think it’s safe for you to leave.”
“Thank you.” She started past him.
“Cindy.” He gently took her arm again. “Don’t give up on me yet. I’ll come up with a way for us to safely see each other. I’ll protect you.” He swept his lips over her cheek, and the contact warmed her, though it did not calm her. “Promise me you’ll give me another chance,” he whispered into her ear.
“I promise.” She stepped away from him before she allowed herself to change her mind and stay. “I have to go. Good night.”
“Good night.”
Cindy rushed out the door, her heart pounding so hard she thought it could explode out of her chest. She jogged down the driveway and up the street to her father’s farm, her flashlight beam bouncing off the asphalt and then the rocks in his driveway. As she made her way to the house, she spotted a light glowing in Jamie’s master bedroom on the second floor of his home. She sucked in a breath and hurried along the path, praying that Jamie or Kayla didn’t see her. Her nerves couldn’t take another close call!
When she finally reached her bedroom, she flopped onto her bed and hugged a pillow to her chest as she prayed.
Please, God, I need your help. I’m so confused, and I feel stuck between two worlds. I feel you leading me to Drew, but I can’t have him in my life and keep my family. Why would you lead me to Drew if that would mean losing the people I love most in the world? None of this makes sense. Please help me, God. Please guide my heart on the path you’ve chosen for me.
Then she buried her face in the pillow, and for what seemed like the millionth time since her mother died, she cried until she ran out of tears.
* * *
Drew pushed both of his hands through his hair and stared up at the stars. They twinkled in response as if to tease him.
When he looked back at the driveway, he found it empty. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his beating heart. When Ervin arrived at his door, he’d been certain he and Cindy were caught. He was grateful Ervin had believed his story about Bruce chasing a stray cat, but reality hit him when he saw Cindy’s terrified face after Ervin left. What if Ervin hadn’t believed him? What if the front door had been open, and Ervin had found Drew kissing Cindy?
He groaned and scrubbed one hand down his face. He couldn’t allow another close call like this, and he felt terrible for lying to Ervin. Now he had to keep his promise and protect his precious Cindy. She had become too important to him—almost everything to him. And now that she’d left him and hurried home, he felt as if someone had grabbed his heart and twisted it, leaving him with nothing but the sound of the singing cicadas to comfort him.
“God,” he whispered as he looked up at the sky, “thank you for bringing Cindy into my life. Now that I’ve come to know her, I can’t imagine my life without her. She’s everything to me. She’s my light in the darkness of my loss. She is the beacon that led me back after losing my aunt. Please help me find a way to keep her in my life without hurting her or risking her place in her family and community. I can’t lose her, God. I just can’t.”
He sucked in a ragged breath as tears pricked his eyes. And then it hit him like a punch to his heart—he loved her. The knowledge settled into his bones and warmed him from the inside out. He was in love with Cindy Riehl.
Just as quickly as the warmth filled him, it turned to ice. How could he possibly love an Amish woman when she was bound by the beliefs of her community?
He looked up at the dark sky again. “Help me, God. Help me find a way to show Cindy how much I love her and that I’d do anything to keep her in my life.”
fifteen
Cindy sat up in bed the following evening when a noise came from outside her window. It sounded like the hum of an engine. She blinked, rubbed her eyes, and looked at the clock on her bedside table. It was eleven forty-five. Who would idle outside her house this late at night?
Could it be Drew?
She jumped out of bed and then ran to t
he window and pulled up the green shade. By the dim light of the moon she could make out a pickup truck parked at the end of their short driveway. The engine died, and the truck sat there as if waiting for someone. The dome light flipped on inside, illuminating Drew in the warm yellow glow.
“He came for me.” With excitement pulsing through her veins, she pushed up her window and leaned out. When his head turned toward her, she waved.
He returned the gesture, and then the light extinguished, shrouding the cab of the truck in darkness.
Cindy quickly pulled on a purple dress, matching headscarf, and shoes before tiptoeing down the steps and out the back door. She rushed down the driveway and hopped into the truck.
“Hi.” She pulled the truck door closed as quietly as she could. “This was unexpected. I didn’t think I’d see you again.”
“I was hoping you’d hear the truck.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I realized it would be safer if we went somewhere else to talk since we could get caught at my house.” He put the truck in reverse and let it roll out of the driveway. Then he started the engine and steered down Beechdale Road.
“Where are we going?” She rubbed her hands together as happiness rolled over her.
“It’s a surprise.” He gave her a smile before turning his attention back to the road ahead.
She looked down on the floorboard and found the quilt they’d sat on during the fireworks, along with a basket, a battery lantern, and a dark-blue backpack. “Are we going to have a midnight picnic?”
“Maybe.” He winked at her, and her heartbeat sped up. “I thought since it’s been so unseasonably warm that we could enjoy this beautiful weather.
“I’m sorry you left so upset last night.” He glanced over at her. “I want to make it up to you, and this idea popped into my head while I was milking the cows today.”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
“Actually, I do. And I hope you’ll enjoy this apology.”
“I’m sure I will.” She scooted closer to him and touched his arm.
Soon he turned onto a dirt road that led to a small cabin.
“Where did you find this?” she asked.
Drew parked the truck and then turned to her. “This is my former boss’s fishing cabin. He said we could use it tonight. I thought we’d sit out on the deck and have a little picnic.” He picked up the backpack and basket. “Are you ready?”
“Ya.” She grabbed the lantern and quilt and then climbed out of the truck.
With the lantern guiding their way, they walked to the back of the cabin and climbed the steps leading to a deck that overlooked the lake.
She took in the moon reflecting off the water. “This view is beautiful.”
“I’m so glad you like it.” Drew spread out the quilt.
Cindy took a seat beside him, and she was grateful no mosquitoes had joined them.
“You asked me about my aunt’s favorite movies the other night,” he began as he unzipped the backpack. “I thought it might be fun for you to see one of them. It’s a movie Bruce Willis starred in more than twenty years ago.” He pulled his laptop from the backpack and set it on the quilt.
“You have a movie on your laptop?”
“I do.” Drew pushed a button, and the laptop came to life with a little song. “I also brought popcorn and sodas, so we can pretend we’re at the movie theater.”
Cindy laughed. “How fun!”
Then Drew began pushing buttons on the keyboard.
“You can pull out the food while I get the movie started. It’s a long movie, but I thought you might enjoy seeing who Bruce Willis is.”
“What’s the movie about?” Cindy fished out a bag of popcorn and two cans of Coke.
“It’s called Armageddon. It’s about the end of the world.”
“Like in the book of Revelation?”
“Uh, not exactly. It’s more about outer space and asteroids.”
She tilted her head and furrowed her brow.
He laughed. “You’re so adorable when you look confused.” He touched the tip of her nose. “Just give it a chance. It’s exciting.” He pushed another button, and soon the movie began.
Cindy sat closer to him, resting her side against his as she opened the bag of popcorn. She sipped her soda and nibbled on the popcorn throughout the movie. Her mind raced with questions as she tried to comprehend the plot about traveling into outer space. She also wrestled with some of the characters’ harsh language.
When the movie was over, she sat up straight and stared at the computer screen as the credits rolled, naming the actors and crew members who had worked on the film.
“What did you think?” Drew’s expression seemed tentative.
“I’m not sure.” She tapped her chin, trying to give what she’d just seen a fair assessment. “Are all of Bruce Willis’s movies like this, with the inappropriate behavior?”
“Ha. Well.” Drew rubbed at a spot on the back of his neck. “Not really. Some of them are worse.” He gave a little laugh that sounded forced. “But not all of them take place in outer space. In probably his most famous movie, he saves people from an office building that’s been taken over by terrorists. It’s called Die Hard, but that one is a little worse. That’s why I chose this movie instead.” He cleared his throat. “I guess this was a bad idea.”
“No, it wasn’t.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you wanted to share something of your life with your aunt.”
He glanced at his laptop screen. “Oh no. It’s after two. I need to get you home.” He turned off the computer and closed it while Cindy gathered the cans and empty bag of popcorn.
When they stood, she folded the quilt and picked up the lantern.
Soon they were hurrying back to the truck and driving home. Cindy cupped her mouth to stifle a few yawns as they drove through the dark, empty streets. She glanced at Drew’s handsome profile and smiled.
“Thank you for a wonderful second date.” She touched his arm. “I had so much fun.”
“Really? I didn’t offend you with the movie?”
“No.” She shook her head. “It was fun to see what Bruce Willis looks like. He truly is a hero, saving the earth from that pesky asteroid.”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess he did.”
She settled back in the seat and yawned again. She would be tired tomorrow as she took care of her chores, but it was worth it to spend a couple of hours with Drew.
“Do you like to swim?” he asked as they turned onto Beechdale Road.
“Ya, I do.”
“Could you bring your bathing suit with you tomorrow night?”
“Tomorrow night?” She was suddenly wide awake. “Are you taking me swimming tomorrow night?”
“I will if you’d like to go. We can swim in the lake at that same cabin. I thought that would be fun since it’s been so warm.” He stopped the truck near the bottom of her driveway and cut the engine before turning toward her. “You don’t have to sneak out with me again if you don’t want to.”
“I’ll be ready at eleven forty-five. I’ll bring my bathing suit, towels, and a picnic basket.” She slid over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“I can’t wait.” Cindy climbed out of the truck and closed the door before hurrying up the driveway.
She gingerly entered the back door and locked it before tiptoeing up to her room. As she changed for bed, she felt as if she were floating on a cloud and made a mental note of what she’d pack for them to eat tomorrow night.
* * *
The next night, as they sat barefoot at the edge of the lake, Cindy opened the picnic basket. “I hope you like chocolate whoopie pies and lemon bars. I made them this morning. I’m so glad my family didn’t see me pack this picnic basket. I hid it after I put the food in it.”
“Oh, that sounds amazing.” Drew shifted closer to her on the q
uilt. She looked like an angel with the warm yellow glow of the lantern illuminating her gorgeous ivory skin and stunning blue eyes.
The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. The air was warm and smelled of moist earth, and the stars twinkled above them in the sky as if they, too, were happy that Cindy had agreed to come out with Drew again tonight. No teasing from them tonight.
“Are you going to try a whoopie pie?” She held one out to him.
“Why don’t we eat after we swim?”
“Sure.” She put it back into the basket and stood, and then turning her back to him, she slipped off her dress, revealing a modest black bathing suit with a skirt that hung to her midthigh. She dropped the dress onto the quilt before removing her headscarf and letting it drop onto her dress. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, and he found himself wondering how long and thick it would be if she allowed it to fall past her shoulders. He must have stared too long, because she shifted her weight on her feet and hugged her arms over her chest.
“I’m hoping the water is warm.” Drew pulled off his gray T-shirt and tossed it onto the quilt before holding out his hand to her. “Ready to take a plunge?”
She hesitated, but then grasped his hand with a certainty that seemed to tell him she was in this for the long haul. How he hoped she wouldn’t give up on him.
They walked down to the lake’s edge together, and Drew stuck his toe in the water, grateful to find it lukewarm.
“It’s not too bad.” He gave her a nudge, and they waded in together. “Have you gone swimming much?”
“Ya.” She shrugged. “We used to go every summer to a lake in Maryland with mei mamm. I like to swim.”
Soon they were in the water waist deep. Drew released her hand and leaned back, allowing himself to be pulled under, drenching his body. Then he stood up and found her grinning at him.
She splashed him and then squealed as she moved away.
“Oh yeah?” He chased after her, the water swishing around his legs.
She laughed and squealed again as he gained on her. He splashed her, and she sputtered as she stumbled backward and then righted herself. When she splashed him again, he closed the distance between them. She grinned up at him as he pulled her into his arms.