An Amish Schoolroom

by Amy Clipston

  Judith Rose raised her eyebrows. “She’s teaching in the school, Lewis. She’s meeting lots of people already.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “I suppose, but I think there’s more to it. I think you secretly like Wendy Schwartz but are afraid to go after what you want. I think you’re becoming mighty good at passing judgments about how other people are supposed to behave but got out of practice when it comes to looking in the mirror.”

  Again, he feared she might be right. But even if she was, it didn’t exactly mean he was anxious to talk about it a couple of yards from all of their friends.

  “Why don’t you go on in? Marcus is probably waiting on ya.”

  “I hope so.” She trotted inside, leaving him standing alone near the barn’s entrance.

  Looking around, he spied a couple of people his age. He realized with some dismay that they were there to chaperone the gathering. When he caught one fellow’s eye, and the man cast him a knowing look, Lewis felt like he’d never been more embarrassed.

  What was wrong with him? Why hadn’t he already found someone special?

  How come he couldn’t seem to stop thinking about Wendy, even though she was one of their boarders? Or was he wrong about that? Did it even matter how they met?

  Even though he knew his parents were expecting him to keep an eye on both Wendy and his sister, he felt suddenly tired of always doing what he was supposed to do.

  Deciding he needed some time for himself, he strode out to Ben Lapp, who was standing next to the roaring fire and looking mighty pleased with himself.

  When Ben spied him, he raised a hand. “Lewis, it’s gut to see ya.”

  “Danke. Thanks for hosting too.”

  “It’s the least I could do. Mei frau’s cousin is in town, and she ain’t one for sitting around all weekend. I thought this would keep her occupied for a while. Plus, it gave me a chance to do this.” With a proud expression, he pointed to the roaring fire. “It’s a good one, ain’t so?”

  “One of the best I’ve seen in a while.” Lewis wasn’t lying. It was a right good bonfire. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it too. “You roasting hot dogs?”

  “Hannah considered it, but we decided to stick with s’mores. It’s easier that way.”

  “Want some help getting everything ready? I’d be happy to lend a hand.”

  “No need. We’ve got it handled. Besides, you should be enjoying yourself. Are you here for anyone special?”

  Lewis felt like his whole face heated up. Was that what everyone was thinking? That he’d come in order to meet girls, just like the sixteen-year-old boys unabashedly flirting next to the barn? “I came here with Judith Rose and Wendy.”

  “Who’s Wendy?”

  “She’s one of our new boarders. She’s the new teacher.”

  “Ah. I heard she was a pretty thing. Spunky and determined too.” Ben paused, as if he’d just noticed that Lewis was standing alone. “So, where is she?”

  “I’m not sure. Chris Borntrager took it upon himself to walk her around.” He tried to make his voice sound nonchalant, but the reality was he was jealous. Well, at least he had finally admitted it to himself.

  “You all right with that?”

  “Sure I am.” He paused, caught off guard by Ben’s look. “I mean, why wouldn’t I be?”

  Ben stuffed his hands in his pockets. “No reason.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “It’s only that Hannah has mentioned Chris has a bit of a reputation. Though I’m guessing you already knew about that.”

  “I really only know Chris from work. What kind of reputation are you talking about? Is it a bad one?” He was now actively looking through the crowd for them.

  “Nee, not a bad one,” Ben said quickly. “Chris is just a flirt.”

  “Ah.”

  “If Wendy is a schoolteacher, I’m sure she can hold her own. Sorry I brought it up.”

  “No, I’m glad you did.”

  Looking uncomfortable now, Ben gestured to Judith Rose and Marcus, who had come outside. “At least you don’t have to keep too long an eye on your sister. Those two are a match for sure.”

  “They’ve been seeing each other a long time.”

  “And growing closer. I betcha Marcus will be paying a call to your haus before too long.”

  “I hope so. That would relieve my mother’s mind, I think.”

  “Ah, don’t be too hard on him. It’s a tricky thing, making that visit to a girl’s father. Mei hands were practically shaking.” Ben chuckled. “I tell ya, I was half embarrassed to shake Jonas’s hand. I feared he’d discover it sopping wet.” Slapping Lewis’s shoulder, he said, “Don’t worry, buddy. You’ll be paying one of those calls before you know it . . . if you can ever decide on the right woman.” He chuckled.

  “Jah.” Lewis smiled uncomfortably.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to it. I’d best go check on those teens over by my barn.” He winked as he wandered off.

  Lewis watched him go, stopping to chat with a couple of teenagers along the way. Suddenly, he felt like he’d swum across a creek, and it had turned into a raging river, and he was stuck on the wrong side. Somehow, while he’d been going about his business, working at the lumberyard and helping his parents with the boarders, all of his friends had moved on.

  Now he was starting to feel as if he had nothing in common with them anymore. They’d entered the world of wives and pregnancies and homeownership and chaperoning.

  He, on the other hand, was settled firmly in the past.

  To make matters worse, it looked as if his little sister was going to beat him into that world as well.

  “Hiya, Lewis.”

  He turned to the voice. Maryanne Lapp, Ben’s younger sister, smiling up at him. “Evening, Maryanne.”

  “Ben told me to come over to where everyone else is.” She looked up at him with a pretty smile. “Want to join me?”

  Good manners meant there was only one acceptable response. “Of course. Danke.”

  As they started walking, she said, “I was surprised to see you here.”

  “Oh?”

  “I guess I’d thought you’d given up on dating.”

  “I’m only twenty-five. I’m not an old man.”

  “No, you aren’t. Not even close.” She looked down at her feet. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend.”

  Now he felt even worse—and like a bit of a jerk too. “I’m sorry, Maryanne. Please don’t apologize.” Realizing that he needed to try harder—Ben was a good friend of his, and Maryanne was a nice woman and easy to be around—he added, “It’s been a while since we’ve spent any time together. Tell me what you’ve been doing.”

  She lit up again and proceeded to talk a mile a minute about the toddlers she watched several times a week. Maryanne was entertaining, as well. He found himself chuckling at some of the antics she described. So, all in all, he was glad she’d sought him out.

  It was only when he spied Wendy laughing at something Chris said that Lewis realized there was a reason he hadn’t already taken a wife. It was because no other woman had grabbed his attention like Wendy. No other woman’s laughter sounded as vibrant or companionship seemed as fulfilling. All this time, he’d just been waiting for Wendy to come into his life.

  Now all he had to do was figure out how to make sure she didn’t leave.

  Chapter 8

  The hour had grown late, and Wendy was starting to feel uncomfortable. At first, she’d been flattered by Chris’s attention and obvious interest. But after the first hour in his company, she’d begun to feel stuck.

  To make matters worse, Lewis had never returned to her side. She’d been forced to come to terms with the fact that Lewis had set something up with his friend. He’d brought her there to spend time with Chris, which made her feel slightly sick.

  It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy Chris’s company. It was the fact that he and Lewis had planned it without any thought to her feelings. Lewis hadn’t even
informed her about it! The more she thought about it, the more she stewed.

  Which meant she was becoming increasingly irritated.

  “Would you like another s’more?” Chris asked. “I’d be happy to roast a marshmallow for ya. It’s no trouble.”

  “I’ve already had two, and I fear there’s still chocolate on my face.”

  “There isn’t. I would’ve noticed if there was.”

  “Jah, but would you have told me?” she teased lightly. After all, her irritation wasn’t so much with Chris as with Lewis.

  He leaned a little closer. “I guess it depends on if I thought you’d let me take care of the mess.”

  Her eyes widened as she realized what he meant. She wasn’t exactly a prude and had let a boy kiss her before. But she certainly wasn’t going to allow Chris to kiss her—especially not on the first night they’d met!

  Deciding she’d had more than enough of his company, she stood up. “Chris, I’m sorry, but I’m getting tired. Would you help me find Lewis?”

  Chris got to his feet as well but looked uneasy. “Lewis? He . . . Well, last time I saw him, he was sitting over with Maryanne and her brother. Do you need something?”

  “Jah. I need to go home.”

  “Oh.” After a second’s pause, he smiled again. “Well, I’d be happy to take you home. Let me just go tell Lewis what we’re going to do.”

  “No offense, but I’d like to talk to Lewis myself, please.” When Chris looked like he was going to try to convince her otherwise, she folded her arms over her chest. “Now, where is he?”

  Chris pointed toward the cement patio. “He’s over there.”

  “Danke.”

  As she started walking, she realized Chris wasn’t going to accompany her. He was also looking annoyed—rather like a child who hadn’t gotten his way. Wendy mentally rolled her eyes. She dealt with children all week; it didn’t seem right that she had to put up with such childish behavior the first time she went out too.

  Though the idea of simply walking away without another word was tempting, she forced herself to remember her manners and try to end things on a better note. She stopped and turned. “Chris, it was kind of you to spend so much time with me this evening. I really enjoyed it.”

  “I did, too, Wendy.” Thawing slightly, he walked to her side and held out his arm. “Come on. I’ll take you over to Lewis.”

  Feeling better about the situation, she wrapped her fingers around his proffered arm and walked by his side. Noticing how comfortable Lewis looked with his friends and Maryanne, however, she felt her mood shift yet again. She’d been so hopeful this evening would be the start of a romance between them. Now she realized that had been a foolish assumption. One game of Monopoly was not the start of a relationship.

  When they were only a few steps away, Lewis raised his head and looked directly at her. She smiled.

  He stood up and walked toward them without a single glance back at Maryanne. “Hiya.” Looking between her and Chris, he added, “What’s going on?”

  “Lewis, do you know how much longer you’re planning to be here?” she asked.

  “Why?”

  “She’s tired and ready to go home,” Chris said.

  “Oh.” After glancing at Chris again, Lewis offered, “I’ll be happy to take you home now if you’d like, Wendy.”

  “Are you sure?” Realizing that a few other people were actively listening, Wendy felt more like her siblings’ pesky little sister than Lewis’s boarder and a grown, competent teacher. “I don’t want to spoil your evening.” She felt her cheeks heat in embarrassment, since it was obvious she was doing just that.

  But what else could she say or do? Honestly, she probably wouldn’t mind staying longer if she didn’t have to be paired with Chris for another two hours.

  “You won’t spoil it at all,” said Lewis easily. “Hey, have you met Ben, Hannah, and Maryann?”

  “I don’t know.” Looking up at Chris, she attempted to joke. “Have I? I feel like you’ve introduced me to most everyone.”

  “I think you met everyone but them,” Chris said. “But that can be fixed. Ben—”

  “I’ll do the honors,” Lewis interrupted as he took her hand and pulled her closer. “Wendy, please meet Hannah and Ben Lapp. This is their home. And this is Maryanne, Ben’s younger sister.”

  All three of them stood up. Wendy let go of Lewis’s hand and stepped nearer. “I’m Wendy Schwartz. Thank you for allowing a stranger into your midst.”

  “You won’t be a stranger for long,” said Hannah. “We’re happy to have you here. I hear you’re doing great things at school.”

  “I’m trying my best.”

  “I understand it’s your first teaching job. Are you enjoying it?” Ben asked kindly.

  “For the most part, I am,” she answered honestly. “It’s been a bit of a challenge to step into Mrs. Wagoner’s shoes. The children liked her very much.”

  “My aunt said she was a really good teacher but that you are doing all right,” Chris said.

  She looked at him curiously. “Who is your aunt?”

  “Beth Petersheim.”

  It took just about everything she had to keep a straight face. “She is your aunt?”

  “Jah. Beth is my mother’s younger sister.” A bit of his confident smile faded. “Do you know her?”

  “Jah.” Hoping to temper her reaction, she added, “Beth has been to the school many times.” Mrs. Petersheim had followed through on her offer to “volunteer” for an hour or two on some days.

  “That sounds like her. She likes being involved.”

  “I’ve noticed that.” Wendy pursed her lips, trying her best to keep a pleasant expression on her face when all she wanted was to say how she really felt about the interfering woman.

  Stepping closer, Lewis said, “I’ll see you all later. I’m going to take Wendy home.”

  “Will Marcus be taking Judith Rose home?” Chris asked. “If not, I can walk her for you.”

  “Danke, but she’s fine. Judith Rose has already made plans with Marcus.” Looking down at Wendy, Lewis smiled. “Shall we get on our way?”

  “Yes, please.”

  After saying their goodbyes again, Wendy followed Lewis through the dwindling crowd. When they finally stepped off the Lapps’ lawn and onto the street, she let out a sigh of relief.

  Lewis laughed. “Boy, you must have been really tired.”

  Though it would be easiest to let Lewis think that, she felt compelled to tell him the truth. The last thing she wanted to happen was to be put in that position again. “I am tired, but to be honest, I needed a break from Chris,” she explained.

  His footsteps slowed. “Why? Did something happen? Was he disrespectful?”

  “He was fine, but we didn’t really suit.” There was no way she was going to share that Chris had been too flirty with her. “Lewis, I . . . Well, I don’t like how you just left me with him.”

  “I didn’t just leave you. Every time I looked for you in the crowd, you were smiling. You seemed happy to be by Chris’s side.”

  She wasn’t going to let him believe that. “Did it seem that way to you? How did you even know how I was doing, Lewis? You never came over to check on me. You and Judith Rose were the only people I knew. I felt pretty abandoned.”

  “I . . . I’m sorry. I guess I misinterpreted your happy smiles.”

  Happy smiles? What in the world? “Lewis, if I was smiling, it was because Chris was amusing and it would’ve been rude to act otherwise. Besides, I didn’t have a choice, did I? I mean, it wasn’t like I had anywhere else to go.”

  He stopped and faced her. “Wendy, you’re right. I . . . I wasn’t thinking about how my distance would seem to you. I’m sorry.”

  “I started wondering if the two of you had planned something and neglected to tell me.”

  “I didn’t,” he said quickly before shaking his head. “I mean, not really.”

  “Perhaps you could explain yourself?”
/>   “At work, Chris was talking about you. He’d seen you from a distance and thought you were pretty. I guess he knew a lot about you because of his aunt as well. He begged me to take you to the bonfire so he could meet you. So, in a way, that was why I brought you. But I had intended to stay by your side. I promise you that.”

  “I really wish you would’ve done that.”

  Even in the dark, she could see his frown. “I wish I would have too.”

  Looking up into Lewis’s face, she gathered her courage. “You might think this is bold of me to say, but I’d hoped you would be the one to take me around and introduce me to all of your friends.”

  “Why, Wendy?”

  “Because you mean something to me, Lewis, and I hoped I meant something to you too.” Mentally cringing, she added, “I mean, I hoped that I meant something more to you than just being one of your boarders.”

  He chuckled. “You are not just another boarder. I can promise you that.”

  She gazed into his eyes and leaned forward slightly. She was so ready for him to share what he was thinking as well.

  A moment passed before he murmured, “I was jealous of Chris.” When she smiled up at him, he reached for her hand, linked his fingers with hers, and they continued their walk.

  He might never have noticed in the dark, but she was wearing a very pleased smile the whole rest of the way.

  Chapter 9

  It was Monday again. On Mondays, Wendy assigned spelling words, checked reading logs, and ate lunch with her fifth- and sixth-grade students. She’d learned that half the day seemed to be spent getting her scholars back on track after their busy weekends. However, this Monday was special because it marked her fourth week as a teacher. March had given way to April. She’d now been teaching her students for one whole month.

  As she stood in the front of the room and watched them arrive and take care of their backpacks and lunch pails and pull out their supplies, Wendy realized that she’d made great strides. They all called her Miss Schwartz or Miss Wendy now. And she couldn’t remember the last time one of the children had begun a sentence with “But Mrs. Wagoner did it this way.” Almost all of the students had become helpful and tried hard.