Courting Emily (A Wells Landing Book 2)

by Amy Lillard

  “James, you sit here.” Emily guided him to one of those chairs and held his arm to steady him while he lowered himself into the seat. He was still wearing those dark glasses. If anyone thought it strange, they hadn’t said. More than anything, the district seemed happy to see James up and about.

  “And you sit here.” He patted the seat next to him.

  “I’ll sit with you,” Elam said.

  “But I want Emily to sit here.”

  “I don’t mind,” she said.

  But Elam did.

  He bit back his protests. Everything that sprang to mind seemed petty and unwarranted. Emily was only trying to help, but his pride had reared its ugly head. She wanted to help now. But where had she been the past year?

  He tamped down the memories of her bringing by casseroles and pies those first couple of months.

  If he could admit the truth to himself, then he needed to stay a little angry at her. Otherwise he might find himself head over heels for her once again.

  The three-hour service seemed to fly by for Emily. Maybe it was because James found such joy in the Word. He kept his glasses on during the service to help with the glare streaming in from the large windows, but she could tell. He only took his gaze from the speaker when the congregation was asked to kneel and pray.

  His happiness was nearly tangible like the heat rising off the pavement in August. She could feel the elation he had for being out, being in church, and just being.

  At the end of the service, the benches were flipped over and pushed together to make tables for the food service. Both Joy and Elam tried to take over the care of James, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He looped his arm through Emily’s for balance and did his best to talk to everyone he saw.

  Emily could tell it was both fun and hard for him. Some people he remembered right off, while others had names that eluded him. In the end, she would allow him a chance to remember, then she’d whisper the name as to not allow him to get frustrated.

  “Will you eat with me?” James asked as the women began serving the meal.

  Emily hesitated. The men were served first, then the women and children. As in church, the males and females separated from each other, sometimes even sitting across the yard from one another.

  “I know that it’s not . . . not . . .”

  “Customary?” she supplied.

  James smiled. “Jah, but I want to talk with you more.”

  “Okay,” she said, unable to refuse him. He was such a kind soul. His family had been through so much. If he wanted to talk while they ate, then that was what they would do. If the church elders had a problem with it, then she would deal with it later. “I will find us some place shady to eat.”

  James gave a small nod. He looked tired, as if the morning had been too much for him.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go home and rest?”

  “Nay,” he said. “I can rest next Sunday.”

  She made them both a plate and together they walked to the shade of the large maple tree. Already the leaves had begun to change, turning a brilliant orange against the clear blue sky.

  They garnered a few looks as they settled down together under the branches, but no one said a word. Among those looks was the hard stare of Elam Riehl. She couldn’t tell if he was angry or thoughtful.

  “My son is jealous,” James said as if he could read her thoughts.

  “W-what?” she stammered.

  James took a bite of the cheese and cracker stacks she had made for him. She had purposefully chosen food he could eat with his fingers, things he wouldn’t spill with his unsteady hands. “I think he would rather be over here eating with a pretty maedel instead of with the men.”

  Emily laughed. “Did you do this on purpose?”

  James dropped his chin to his chest, but not before she caught the quick flash of his grin. “Jah. A man must seize his opportunities.”

  “Is that what you call it?”

  “For sure and for certain.”

  They ate in a comfortable silence while everyone around them chatted amongst themselves. James seemed to be content to just be outside, be among the others, even if he couldn’t participate as he had before the accident.

  “I am different now than I was before,” he said, startling her out of her own thoughts. Could he read her mind? “I know this.”

  “It does not mean the change is bad.”

  “I know I’m not as quick-minded as I used to be.”

  She didn’t know how to respond, so she kept quiet and let him continue.

  “Danki, Emily Ebersol, for treating me like I am.”

  Emily swallowed hard, unable to get the last bite of her biscuit past the lump of emotion in her throat. “I only treat you like a person.”

  He shook his head. “Joy and Elam,” he slowly started. “They coddle me. They won’t let me do for myself.”

  “They love you very much.”

  “I know.”

  “They are only trying to protect you.”

  “I don’t want to be protected. I want to live.”

  Emily fell silent. She supposed a nearly fatal accident would do that to a person. It would definitely make her want to make the most of the life she had left.

  “James.” Joy approached, her expression unreadable. “You have kept Emily to yourself for too long now. Are you ready to go home?”

  “Can we stay just a little longer please? I haven’t had dessert yet.”

  Joy’s brow puckered into a frown, but otherwise her expression remained unreadable. “It’s time for your pain medication.”

  “I would rather have a piece of Esther Lapp’s banana cream pie.”

  “Esther Fitch,” Emily corrected. “She got married, you know.”

  James tilted his head at a thoughtful angle, like a pup deciphering a sound. “She got married?”

  “To Abe Fitch.”

  He turned his eyes to his wife. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  Joy shrugged. “It didn’t seem important.”

  “It is very important,” he insisted.

  If the pitch of his tone was any indication, he was about to have a meltdown. As a former schoolteacher, she had seen it too many times to count.

  Emily laid a comforting hand on James’s sleeve. “What Joy means to say is, in light of your injury and healing, the news about the wedding had to be prioritized.”

  A frown wrinkled his strong brow, almost hiding the scar that ran from one temple and disappeared under the brim of his hat. “I don’t know what that word means now.”

  “It means things are placed in order of importance,” Emily explained. “The wedding wasn’t as important as allowing you time to heal.”

  “Bet it was to Esther and Abe.”

  She couldn’t stop the bark of laughter from escaping. “I’m sure you are right about that, James Riehl.”

  “Emily, will you help me get him up?”

  She stood, even though she knew James did not want to go just yet. She had pushed the boundaries with his family enough for one day.

  “I want dessert.” James stuck out his bottom lip, but allowed them to hoist him to his feet.

  “How about I get you a piece of pie to take home with you?”

  James smiled, the look full of sheer ecstasy. “That would be gut, jah.”

  Emily was getting her own slice of pie when Becky hustled over. “You’re going to be here tonight for the singing, jah?”

  She hadn’t really thought much about it. She had long since passed her days of youth groups and singings after church. “If you want me to be.”

  Becky nodded. “Jah. Of course.”

  She ran her arm through Emily’s and pulled her along toward the barn.

  Everyone had eaten, and the cleanup was nearly complete. Some families with smaller children had already begun to pack up for home.

  “There is one other thing,” Becky said.

  “Jah?”

  “You need to talk Elam into staying.”
r />   Emily’s feet stuck to the ground as if they had been nailed there. “Why do I need to do that?”

  “So he can get to know Billy Beiler a bit more.”

  “Are you sure that is all?”

  Becky sighed. “All he does is work and take care of the farm. He is doing the job of two men. I’m afraid he’s going to be old before his time.”

  “And attending the singing will help?”

  “Jah.” Becky nodded so vigorously her prayer kapp nearly flew off her head.

  Yet Emily knew there was more to it than Becky was letting on.

  “If you ask him, I am sure he will stay.”

  “I would not count on that.” All he had for her these days was a scowl, a frown, or a moody look. Sometimes all three.

  “It’s because he likes you, you know?”

  “What?” Emily must have heard her wrong.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” Becky said. “My bruder is smitten.”

  Chapter Ten

  Becky’s words echoed through her head as Emily went in search of her friends Caroline and Lorie. She wanted to see them before everyone left for the afternoon. Since Caroline had gotten married, it seemed she didn’t see them as much anymore. Well, that and the fact that she wasn’t in town as much these days.

  “Emily.” Caroline pulled her in for a quick squeeze. “I’m so glad to see you. It has been ages.”

  “It’s been two weeks,” Emily protested.

  “That’s ages to me.” Lorie pulled Emily close as soon as Caroline released her.

  How she missed her friends.

  “I saw you eating with James Riehl,” Caroline said. “I wanted to come sit with you, but Emma started fussing.”

  “Where is Emma?” Emily glanced around to find Caroline’s dark-haired toddler.

  “Andrew has her. No doubt she’s asleep on his shoulder while he’s talking manure and growing seasons.” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke of her husband. Her cheeks held a pink flush, and her lips seemed unable to do anything save smile. “I’m glad I found you two,” she continued. “I wanted to tell you something.”

  “You’re having a baby?” Lorie guessed.

  Caroline nodded. “But you can’t tell anyone.”

  “Caroline, I’m so froh for you.” And she was, she thought. Even as she pushed aside the small twinge of jealousy. She could only hope that Luke would give up this crazy notion of driving a race car and come back to Wells Landing.

  As it stood now, it would be Lorie’s turn before Emily’s, even with the on-again, off-again relationship she shared with Jonah Miller.

  “I wanted you to be the first to know,” Caroline said. “Aside from Andrew.”

  “And your mamm and dat . . . and Emma,” Lorie said dryly.

  “Hush.” Emily swatted their friend on the arm. “Be happy for Caroline.”

  Lorie smiled, the motion lighting up her pretty face. “I am. So happy.”

  They each gave Caroline another hug and promised not to say a word about it. Pregnancies weren’t talked about much in the Amish districts. Talking too much about the baby before it was born was considered a bit on the prideful side.

  “Caroline, are you ready?” Andrew Fitch called from near their buggy. As expected, Emma was cradled high in his arms.

  “Andrew has a horse about to foal.”

  “Already?” Emily asked.

  Andrew had given up working in his onkle’s furniture store in order to move to the country and raise horses. The move hadn’t been that long ago, much too soon for one of the new horses to be giving birth.

  Caroline shook her head. “Not one of his. The mare belongs to one of the stables that leases his land. But still he has to be there when the time comes.”

  She gave them each a quick hug. “I better get over there and take Emma. He’s gut, jah, but not gut enough to harness the horses with one hand.”

  “I have to be going, too,” Lorie said. “Jonah said he wanted to do something special this afternoon, but it’s a secret.”

  Emily hugged her friends and watched them both walk away toward the men they loved. Jealousy was a sin, for sure, but it had certainly raised its head with her today. Maybe instead of trying to convince Elam to stay and help chaperone the singing, she should spend a little more time in prayer.

  With a sigh at her own foolishness, she went in search of the frowning Elam Riehl.

  “Nay.” Elam shook his head with such conviction, Emily wasn’t sure if she would ever change his mind. But she had promised Becky, and she would try.

  “Why not?”

  “I have too much to do.” He continued to harness his horses and get the buggy ready for the trip home. It was three o’clock, and soon it would be time to milk again. On both farms.

  “Jah, I understand, but Becky wants you to get to know Billy Beiler a little better.”

  “She is too young to start courtin’.” His words brooked no argument.

  “She’s sixteen. Plenty old enough to start to know her mind. Wouldn’t you rather be around for it than not? Your father won’t be able to make these decisions about her future. That will be up to you.”

  His hands stilled. “I have too much to do,” he repeated. “And Becky does, too.”

  Emily propped her hands on her hips and glared at him. Well, at the back of his head. “Stop talking out of both sides of your mouth, Elam Riehl. First you say you want her to have a normal rumspringa, then you won’t let her attend any singings. It can’t be both ways.”

  She would have thought his frown couldn’t get any worse, but somehow it turned into an out-and-out scowl.

  “You have interfered with my family enough for one day, Emily Ebersol. I’ll thank you to leave us alone for a while.”

  “What if I come help you?”

  He stopped, turned back to her as if contemplating the idea. Then he shook his head. “You have your own milking to do.”

  “My shveshtah can take care of that.”

  “Milking cows is different than milking goats,” he protested.

  “Not so very.” She propped her hands on her hips. “With all of us working, we can be done in no time.”

  “Why would you do that for us?”

  “I like Becky. I want her to have a gut time, too. I would do it for any of my sisters.” Why was he being so stubborn?

  He seemed to mull over her answer.

  She could almost feel his resolve slipping. She pushed a little harder. “Is it help in general that you object to? Or is it help from a bunch of girls?”

  “Jah, fine. Okay then.”

  He wasn’t sure how he got talked into this. He looked around his barn. Once again his world was filled with more girls than he could count.

  True to her word, Emily had come for the milking, bringing all her sisters with her. He had to admit that more hands made the job go by a lot faster.

  In no time at all, the cows were milked, released back into the pasture, and all the milk had been stored.

  They even fed the chickens, mucked out the stalls, and gathered the eggs.

  “Are you ready to go back?” Emily asked as she smoothed her hair down on each side.

  His fingers itched to do the same. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’m not going to the singing.”

  “Why not?” Her eyes twinkled, and he had the feeling he was being set up for something he wasn’t going to like.

  “Please, bruder.” Becky was immediately at his side, pulling on his arm as if somehow that would change his mind.

  “I am too old for such . . .” He stopped himself before saying nonsense. “Activities,” he finished.

  “You could chaperone,” Becky said.

  “That is what the Ebersols are there for.”

  “Come on,” Emily cajoled. “It might be fun.”

  “Are you serving as chaperone?” he asked her.

  “Jah. Of course. I gotta keep an eye on Mary and Aaron.”

  Her sister turned as red as a riewe. How c
ould two maedel be so different even though they were kin? “Okay.”

  Wait . . . who said that? The word sprang to his lips without any direction from his brain. He didn’t want to sit around while the young people sang and courted.

  But you do want to sit around and visit with Emily. Anything to be close to Emily.

  “Yay!” Becky did a little dance, then seemed to remember herself. She stilled her feet and smoothed her hands down her apron. “You’ll be able to meet Billy Beiler.” She grinned as she said his name.

  What had he gotten himself into? “I’ve met Billy before.”

  “Well, you can get to know him better.”

  “You’re not courtin’, and that’s final. You can’t even join the church until next year when classes start again.”

  “Jah, but . . .” She stopped. “Okay. But you are coming.”

  Ach, him and his big mouth. “I s’pose.”

  Instead of having the singing in the house, the youth decided to gather in the barn. Emily secretly thought they believed they would get more privacy in the barn; after all, mules tell no tales. But her father sent her and Elam out as soon as the decision was made.

  That was how she found herself sitting on a hay bale next to Becky’s brother while the boys sang their songs for the girls.

  In a little while, they would serve lemonade and cookies, but for now she was content to sit next to Elam and soak in the sweet voices.

  “Look at them,” he groused. “They can’t keep their eyes off each other.”

  “Mary and Aaron?” she asked. “Jah, I expect he’ll ask for her hand after the next wedding season.” After all, Mary had to go through her baptism classes as well.

  “Nay. Becky and Billy Beiler.”

  “They have liked each other for a long time.”

  “Why am I just now finding out about this?”

  Emily shrugged. “I saw them together at school. They always ate lunch together and wanted to sit together at special events. Does it bother you?”