Their Pretend Amish Courtship

by Patricia Davids

  She nodded. “I spoke to your sister.”

  “Is she coming back?”

  “Nee. She wishes to remain and continue caring for my mother. She has promised to give prayerful thought to her engagement to Hiram. She has also promised to stop seeing the young man she met there. He is not Amish. I pray she comes to her senses and makes the correct decision.”

  “She will. She is a goot daughter.”

  Her mother clasped Fannie’s hand. “You are my goot dochtah. I don’t know what I would do without you. All things are by the will of Gott, but He is testing me and He is testing Betsy. I pray we may be found worthy of His mercy.”

  Fannie cringed inwardly at being called the good daughter. “I will do whatever I can to help.”

  Her mother rose slowly to her feet. “I am going to go lie down for a while.”

  Fannie had never known her mother to lie down in the middle of the day. “Are you okay?”

  “I am weary today and I wish to rest, that’s all. We have the big game to go to this afternoon.”

  “Why don’t you skip the game? Daed can go by himself.”

  “We must keep up appearances. It wouldn’t do to give people a reason to speculate on what is wrong. I’m sure the news will get around quickly, but perhaps Betsy will come to her senses soon and we can say it was all a misunderstanding. Besides, I know you want to watch Noah play.”

  “I watched him play ball at the frolic.”

  “Don’t neglect him because of this. I want at least one of my children to be settled.”

  The front door opened and Anna Bowman came in. “Noah just told me. You poor dear. What can I do?” The two women embraced and Fannie slipped quietly out of the house. Noah had been right to send Anna. She was exactly who her mother needed now.

  Later that afternoon, Fannie took a seat beside her father on the wooden bleachers set up along the third baseline. They had convinced Fannie’s mother to stay home. She was still bursting into tears at the drop of a hat.

  Noah and his team were gathered around their coach inside the wire enclosure that served as their dugout. Noah’s team soon took the field and Fannie watched in amazement as Noah threw the ball with incredible precision and speed. This was nothing like the good-natured game she had watched yesterday.

  She turned to her father. “Noah is very good, isn’t he?”

  “I have never seen the like.”

  “Do you think he could play for a professional team?”

  “Maybe. An Amish fellow would have to give up a lot to follow that path. I’ve only heard of a few who have been good enough to make the major leagues, and that was years ago.”

  “The Englisch players, do they make a lot of money?”

  “These fellows? Nee. They play for the fun of it. The professionals? I have heard they can earn millions, especially pitchers.”

  “Millions of dollars for throwing a ball? I should learn how to do it.”

  Her father laughed. “I wouldn’t let your mother hear you say that. It’s a shame Noah can’t play for a few more years. It sure is nice to have a winning local team for a change.”

  “Noah could continue playing. I see no reason for him to stop.”

  “Are you saying you don’t plan to wed this fall?”

  She stared at her feet. “I’m not ready to marry so soon.”

  “Your mother gave me cause to think otherwise.”

  “I’m afraid that is wishful thinking on Mamm’s part.”

  She watched Noah walk in and take the ball from Walter, who met him halfway. They spoke briefly, then Noah returned to the pitcher’s mound. Leaning toward her father, she said, “I hope you can explain this to me. I never liked baseball, so I never played. I know about strikes and balls. I know about outs and innings, but why does Noah nod at the batters?”

  “He’s nodding at the catcher, not the batter. Walter is giving him signals inside his glove for what kind of pitch he wants Noah to throw.”

  “Noah says Walter is the best catcher in the league.”

  “I’m not sure about that, but he’s their cleanup hitter.”

  “What’s a cleanup hitter?”

  He looked at her as if she’d grown another head. “Are you jesting with me?”

  “I wouldn’t ask if I knew. Help me learn the game. Mother says I have to impress Noah the way she impressed you.”

  “Her cooking impressed me. A cleanup hitter is the fourth batter in the lineup. The hope is that several of the first three men will be on base when it’s the cleanup hitter’s turn. He is normally the most powerful hitter on the team and the one most likely to drive in runs.”

  “I’m sure Noah could be a cleanup hitter, too.”

  “His batting average is pretty low.”

  “Is that good?”

  “It’s okay for a pitcher. They aren’t expected to be good hitters.”

  “I heard him mention that at the frolic.”

  When the inning was over and Noah’s team came in, Fannie listened to the calls coming from the people in the stands. Some were for the players, calling out encouragement. Others were unkind suggestions, mostly made by fans of the visiting team.

  Walter drove in two runs when it was his turn to bat, drawing cheers from everyone around her. As Noah approached the plate, Fannie rose to her feet, cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “Knock the hide off that thing. Knock it out of the park.”

  Her father yanked her back to the bench. “Do not be immodest, daughter.”

  “Everyone else is yelling.”

  Noah searched the stands and located her. She waved. He walked into the batter’s box and struck out. Fannie leaned back on the bench. “That’s too bad. He’ll do better next time.”

  He didn’t. At least, not when he came up to bat. He got on base twice during the game, but never scored. Although she wasn’t certain, his pitching seemed to decline, as well. She continued to call out her encouragement, in spite of her father’s ire, but it made no difference. Still, the Fire Eaters won by a single run.

  Afterward, she stood and waited for Noah to come out of the fire station. Walter walked by on his way in. He stopped when he caught sight of her and came over. “What did you think of our game?”

  “I’m happy you won, but I’m no expert on baseball. Give me a horse and I’ll list all his finer points and flaws. Did Noah play well?”

  “I wouldn’t call this his best game, but we won.”

  “Why wasn’t it his best?”

  “Honestly, I think it was because you were here.”

  “Me? What did I do?”

  “I noticed he had a hard time keeping his head in the game. I think he was more interested in seeing what you were doing.”

  “My father was upset with my behavior, but it’s hard not to yell for you men when everyone around me is yelling. I thought it was fun. I’m sorry I haven’t been to more games. You are league champions now?”

  “Only if we win our next game.”

  “You must be very pleased.”

  “It’s a step in the right direction.”

  “Tell Noah I’m waiting for him, will you?” She was eager to see him. She wanted to share what she had learned about her sister’s plans and to apologize for running away that morning. She’d chosen to leave rather than to show him her poor temper.

  “You know Noah has been thinking about pursuing a professional ball career, don’t you?”

  She folded her arms over her middle and stared at the ground. “I know that.”

  “Are you trying to talk him out of it?”

  Glancing at Walter’s set face, Fannie realized he saw her as a threat to his dreams. “Noah must make his decision without influence from anyone. It is between him and Gott.”

  “He�
��s the best pitcher I’ve ever seen. Don’t let him throw his gift away.”

  * * *

  Noah was toweling his hair dry when Walter sat down beside him. The room was full of men congratulating each other and laughing. A coveted title was only one game away. Walter gave him a sidelong glance. “You barely pulled that one out, my friend.”

  He’d been distracted by a loud redhead in the bleachers yelling his name and making him smile. “I wasn’t on my game, that’s for sure.”

  “I noticed.” Walter was annoyed.

  Noah shrugged. “Anyone can have a bad day.”

  “You’ve had an off week. You’ve never missed a practice before. Want to tell me why you weren’t here yesterday?”

  “I was at the school frolic.” Noah didn’t look at his friend. He could have made the practice if he’d tried.

  “Until after dark?”

  “I was busy.”

  “Busy with Fannie.” It was a statement, not a question.

  Noah smiled, thinking of the kiss on the bridge. “We’re getting along pretty well.”

  “I thought you said it wasn’t serious.”

  “It wasn’t.”

  Walter arched his eyebrow. “But now it is?”

  “Have you ever been in love?” Noah looked at his friend.

  “No. Are you in love?”

  Noah smiled. “I think I am.”

  “Does this mean you are ready to give up ball? If you are, I need to know. I have a lot riding on the next game and the state tournament if we get invited. This may be my only shot. If you can’t help me get where I need to go, you have to tell me now. Don’t leave me hanging.”

  Was he ready to give up ball? Noah realized if he wanted a life with Fannie, he would have to do just that.

  No, he was getting ahead of himself. One kiss, no matter how wonderful, didn’t mean Fannie wanted a life with him. She had her own dreams and her own decisions to make.

  Yet even the remote possibility of spending a lifetime with her had him thinking twice about what it was that he really wanted.

  “What’s it going to be?” Walter asked.

  Noah shook his head. “I won’t leave you hanging.”

  “I hope not. We have been friends a long time. We’ve been through a lot together. You know how important this is to me. I thought it was just as important to you.”

  “I had an off night, but we won. As for the state tournament, it is up to the tournament committee to invite the teams they want to see matched up. Our success or our failure is up to Gott.”

  “I believe that just as you do, but my dad has a favorite Amish proverb he likes to quote. All that you do, do with your might. Things done by halves are never done right. Don’t go after the next game halfheartedly or it’s over. For all of us.”

  Walter was right. Noah had become so involved with Fannie’s group, and with her, that he was neglecting the men who depended on him. It wasn’t just a game to them, especially Walter. It was much more to him. Noah scanned the room. The honor of the fire company and the community was riding on the outcome of this season.

  “I will heed your words and make sure that I pitch with all my might.”

  Walter patted his shoulder. “Thanks. Fannie seems like a sweet gal. She’ll still be here when the season is over.”

  Would she? Or would she be on her way to Florida? He needed to see her.

  She was waiting for him when he stepped outside, and his heart grew light at the sight of her smiling face.

  He reached for her hand and she laced her fingers with his. “I had planned to ride with Walter, but would you like to walk home with me?”

  “I would.”

  “Did you enjoy the game?”

  She chuckled. “Couldn’t you tell? My father was upset with me for my immodest behavior.”

  “I liked your behavior.”

  She pressed a hand to her chest. “I’m shocked.”

  “Why?”

  “You have actually found something you like about me and you admitted it.”

  “A minor lapse of judgment.”

  She yanked her hand away. “I thought so.”

  He snatched it back. “I’m kidding. I like lots of things about you, Fannie.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Now you’re kidding me.”

  “Nope, not even a little. A vain woman would ask me to list them.”

  He watched the indecision narrow her eyes, but then she shook her head. “I won’t rise to your bait.”

  “You don’t trust me?”

  “I do. About as far as I can throw you.”

  He laughed. “I like that you aren’t a vain woman.”

  * * *

  And I like almost everything about you, she thought as he walked beside her. Each day her affection for him deepened.

  “What did you find out about your sister?”

  “Mamm spoke to her. She’s reconsidering her decision to break her engagement, and she has promised not to see the man who prompted her choice. I won’t be going to Florida. Betsy will be staying for a while.”

  “I’m glad of that.”

  “Me, too.”

  It was comfortable walking with him, hand in hand. The sun was a red ball hanging low in the west as it sank behind them. It cast their long shadows down the road in front of them. Fannie could remember her grandparents walking this way in the evenings. What would it be like to spend a lifetime holding Noah’s hand?

  “Fannie, what are we going to do about this courtship?”

  “I have been wondering that, too. I hate to break it off now. My mother will be crushed.”

  “What if we don’t break it off?”

  Her heart tripped in her chest, causing her to catch her breath. “What are you suggesting?”

  “We’re getting along well, don’t you think?”

  “Surprisingly well, actually.”

  He chuckled. “I knew you were going to say that. Let’s give it some more time. Let’s make it a real courtship. What do you say?”

  If she agreed, would he remain Amish? Would she be asking him to throw away his gift from God as Walter had suggested?

  She bit the corner of her lip as she struggled to find the right thing to say.

  Chapter Thirteen

  On Wednesday afternoon, Fannie sat on Trinket, ready to lead her group through their program, but all she could think about was Noah’s request to make their courtship a real one. Instead of saying yes, she had asked for some time to think it over. It was the memory of the disappointment that had flashed across his face that was keeping her up at night.

  She told herself there was no harm in waiting, but she hadn’t believed there was harm in her idea in the first place. That had been a false assumption. Fannie wasn’t eager to create another set of problems.

  Trinket shifted her weight, eager to get started. Their arena was an open field marked with reflective orange tape on thin metal rods, the kind used to hold electric fence wires. Hundreds of Amish folk were lined up behind the barrier, waiting for the draft horse auction to begin. Fannie and Connie had placed orange cones to mark the perimeter of their patterns so the girls didn’t feel lost in the large area.

  A heavyset man wearing an orange vest over his blue shirt came up to her. “Are you ready to begin?”

  She nodded and rode over to where Zoe and Connie had the speaker system plugged in to a long extension cord. “It’s showtime.”

  Riding back, she took her place and waited for the music to begin. The rollicking strains of the song began and Fannie said, “Now.”

  Because she was the first rider, she had no idea if the others were in line behind her until she made the first turn. She glanced back and smiled. The horses were in near-perfect step
as they cantered across the field. Waiting for the pause in the singer’s voice at just the right spot, Fannie wheeled Trinket left. The line of riders split four abreast, going in opposite directions with awesome precision. A few seconds later, the music stopped abruptly.

  Fannie looked in Connie’s direction. A tall man in a dark hat and suit with a long, shaggy gray beard was walking onto the field. He motioned to Abbie and Laura, who rode slowly to him. Fannie cantered over, too.

  He sliced the air with one finger. “This is not permitted. Dess music of the Englisch is verboten. Kumma.” He turned on his heel and walked away.

  Fannie looked to Abbie and Laura for an explanation, although she suspected she already knew the answer. Timothy came out to stand with the group. “What’s going on?”

  Laura looked ready to cry. “That’s our grandpa. He is the bishop of our church. I’m sorry, Fannie. We have to go.”

  “Of course. Don’t worry about it.” She managed to smile at them, but inside she was seething.

  She rode to Connie and motioned for the others to join her. “Start the music over. We’ll finish with six.”

  * * *

  Noah watched Fannie pacing across Timothy’s kitchen and wondered if the floor would have a groove in it when she was done. He’d seen her angry, but not quite like this. “He just walked out and stopped our performance yesterday. His granddaughters were humiliated.”

  “He was doing what he believed was right,” Lillian said.

  “The girls hadn’t told their family that they were riding to recorded music,” Timothy added. “They thought if it was okay for the others, it was okay for them. However, Bishop Lapp leads a very conservative church, and even for unbaptized members, music is forbidden. I spoke to the man at length and he won’t be swayed on this.”

  “So, this project is dead,” Connie said glumly.

  “Not necessarily,” Lillian said. “Timothy, tell them.”

  “Lillian asked Debra Merrick to do some research for me and she came up with an alternative. She showed us a video of an Amish drill team where the leader signaled changes with a whistle. I spoke with Bishop Lapp this morning and he finds this acceptable.”