“That’s not true. You yourself said he was coming by your sweet shop more than necessary.”
“Maybe so. Mostly, he asks about you.”
“He has to have some excuse to stop by, doesn’t he?”
Mellie pressed her lips together. She supposed what Beth said was true, but didn’t Caleb realize how tiresome, how hurtful it was when all he asked about was Beth. Hurtful? She scoffed. He wouldn’t consider it hurtful. How could he when he had no idea she was sweet on him and had been for months and months and months.
“Come on,” Beth said. “Let’s go back inside. It’s freezing out here anyway.”
They went back into the front room of Jenny’s family home. There were so many people crowded inside, Mellie could barely move through them toward the kitchen. She cast her eyes one more time toward Caleb Glick. At that very same moment, he looked up and their gazes locked. A shiver of delight flashed through Mellie before she pulled her eyes away and continued pressing through the crowd.
How could Caleb not know her feelings? She wasn’t good at concealing things. Nor was she good at hiding her thoughts.
Well, she’d simply have to get better at it. She was growing weary. Weary of carrying a torch for a boy who only thought of her as Beth’s younger sister. She looked ahead at Beth’s back as she followed her through the room. Beth would be returning to Meadow Lark the next day, where she was the new schoolteacher. She missed Beth terribly when she was gone, but a part of her was glad Beth was going back. It was hard to compete with someone so dear. And it was hard to remain pure of heart when all you really wanted was for the boy who loved your sister to love you instead.
The next youth singing was five days after Eli’s and Jenny’s wedding. Mellie dreaded going. Since she had told Obadiah he could take her home, she bemoaned her quick acceptance more and more. Why had she said yes anyway? To spite Caleb? To show him that boys were attracted to her. Mellie’s face burned with shame. What was happening to her? When had she begun to act in such an unseemly manner?
“Gabe’s taking us,” Faith told her as she changed her kapp. Faith tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. “I’m a bit excited to tell the truth.”
“You haven’t been to a singing for at least a month,” Mellie said to her younger sister. “So of course, you’re excited.”
“Do you think anyone will ask to give me a ride home?”
Thinking of Obadiah, Mellie tensed, and then, pushing away her thoughts, she smiled. “Jah. Our brother, Gabe. He’ll be happy to take you home.”
Faith groaned and gave Mellie a playful swat. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”
Mellie giggled. “It will happen soon enough, Faith. Don’t be in a rush.”
“And how about you?” Faith asked.
Mellie looked in the hand mirror to check her hair. “There’s nothing about me,” she said breezily, putting down the mirror. Eager to change the subject, she added, “Shall we go?”
The two of them exited their bedroom, hurried down the stairs and outside to where Gabe was waiting for them with the buggy. Mellie knew many of the youth were already at the Yoder’s where the preaching service had been held that morning. In all likelihood, she and her siblings would be the last to arrive at the singing.
No matter. She didn’t relish the evening the way Faith did. In fact, she was dreading it. Could she tell Obadiah she’d had a change of heart? Beth had been right. It wasn’t fair to give Obadiah an indication of interest when her affection lay elsewhere. But what was she to do? Wait around forever for a boy who might never want to date her?
Growing old and withering up as a lonely old spinster didn’t sound all that appealing to Mellie. She sneered at herself. Ach, the words I think of to describe things, she thought.
But still, a spinster? She had different ambitions.
Gabe found a space at the end of the row to squeeze in their buggy. Faith was out the door almost before the horse came to a stop.
“Faith! Wait for me,” Mellie said, scurrying to catch up. “Thanks, Gabe,” she tossed over her shoulder.
“Hurry yourself up,” Faith called, striding rapidly to the barn door.
Once inside, Mellie blinked, adjusting to the lantern light. She scanned the crowd, looking for Caleb. Would he be there? Or had Beth’s presence at the wedding upset him enough to stay away from the gathering. And then she saw him. He stood near the far wall, alone, a brooding look on his face. Her eye caught his, and before she could look away, he inclined his head ever so slightly at her. She smiled, swallowing hard. Another movement caught her eye, and she spotted Obadiah coming toward her. Surely, he wasn’t going to speak to her right there in public. She stiffened and took a step back, dropping her gaze to the ground. Faith elbowed her and whispered in her ear.
“Obadiah Westman? Is he coming to see you?” Her voice was thick with insinuation.
Mellie shook her head. “Of course not,” she murmured. She took Faith’s arm. “Come on. Let’s go visit with Rachel and Marsha.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Obadiah abruptly stop. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought his face reddened. But what had he been thinking? Coming over to speak with her in front of everyone? What was wrong with him? In spite of herself, her glance went back to Caleb. She could tell he’d seen the whole thing. A look of speculation covered his face. He frowned briefly before giving her a half-hearted smile.
Mellie wanted to cover her face and weep. Was Obadiah ruining her chances with Caleb even further? Oh, why had she come that evening in the first place? And whatever had she been thinking to agree to a ride home with Obadiah? She had a stomach ache. A big one. Maybe Gabe could take her home early.
She pressed her lips together with disgust. She wasn’t one to run away from her problems. Besides, this problem was entirely of her own making, and she had to face up to it.
Within minutes, the singing began. Mellie attempted to lose herself in the German melodies and fix her mind on the Lord God, but it was futile. All she could think about was Caleb Glick. The fact that his rich baritone voice carried well in the barn didn’t help.
When the final more fast-paced songs were sung, Mellie’s stomach felt worse. In a short time, she’d have to climb into Obadiah’s buggy. She lingered around the trays of cookies and drank her hot chocolate as slowly as possible. Faith stood beside her, her cheeks rosy and an inviting smile on her lips. Mellie cringed. What was her sister doing? Advertising her willingness to jump into any boy’s buggy?
“You and Gabe can go on without me,” Mellie said, bracing herself.
Faith froze, her eyes wide. “I knew it. Someone has asked you to ride with him. Who is it? Obadiah?”
Mellie sighed. “You can ask all you want, Faith Fisher, but you know I won’t whisper a word about it.”
Faith scowled and leaned close. “Sometimes, I hate our traditions,” she said in Mellie’s ear.
Mellie should scold her sister for such an admission, but right then, she wasn’t feeling so friendly toward them herself. She squeezed her sister’s hand and slipped outside the barn. She now wished that Obadiah had set up a more private meeting place. The end of the drive was entirely too public for the way she was feeling right then.
“Mellie.”
Mellie spun around and nearly fainted at the sight of Caleb. He was a mere step away, close enough for her to see the gleam of his eyes in the moonlight.
“Ach, Caleb. You startled me.”
He took off his felt hat. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to.”
“Don’t worry,” she rushed to add. “I’m fine.”
“What are you doing outside?” he asked.
Her eyes widened. “Uh … well…” What was she supposed to say to that?
He coughed, and she felt his embarrassment. “Sorry again. None of my business.”
She stood looking at him, unsure what to say or do. She pressed down the urge to move closer and touch him. She wondered what it would feel like if he put his
arm around her shoulders, if he bent close to press his lips against her cheek.
He shuffled his foot over the dirt. “I guess I’ll be going. Nice to see you.”
A sudden horrifying thought grabbed her. Was he outside to meet another girl? Her throat tightened with dread.
“What are you doing out here?” she blurted and then clapped her hand over her mouth.
He gave a slow chuckle. “Just getting some air, Mellie. That’s all.”
She could tell by his tone that he knew exactly why she’d asked. And he sounded amused. Amused. She was glad for the dark because she felt her cheeks go flaming red. What a silly girl she was, mooning over someone who didn’t care a fig about her.
“You have a nice evening,” he said, taking a step back. There was hesitation in his voice, and perhaps a whisper of regret? She nearly snorted out loud. What could he possibly be regretting?
“Thank you,” she mumbled, unsure if he was dismissing her.
He nodded and turned away, walking slowly back inside the barn. She watched him go and an aching emptiness filled her heart. Two girls emerged from the barn, and she shuddered, realizing that she couldn’t just stand there like a fence post all evening. If she was going to meet Obadiah at the end of the drive, she needed to get going.
She turned and hurried down the drive, hugging herself against the chill of the evening. Next to the road, she stepped behind a large elm tree, hiding herself while she waited. It wasn’t long before a buggy stopped, and she heard her name quietly called. She stepped forward and climbed into the waiting buggy.
“Mellie, I’m glad you’re here,” Obadiah said in the darkness. He hadn’t yet lit the lantern to hang from the outside corner of the buggy. Inside, it was near complete darkness, and Mellie was glad for it. She didn’t want anyone to see the lovesick look she knew was on her face. A look that had nothing whatsoever to do with the eager young man beside her.
“Shall we go by way of Edmund’s Pond?” he asked.
“Jah. That’d be right nice.” Right nice? The only thing that would be right nice at that moment was sitting in Caleb’s buggy.
“Not too many stars out tonight,” Obadiah said. And indeed, the clouds must have moved in, for the moonlight had all but disappeared.
“Jah.”
“Your brother’s wedding was nice,” Obadiah said, as if searching for something, anything to say.
“It was. We’re all real happy for him.”
“There will be a lot of weddings now,” he said. “I expect everyone will be attending two a week for a time.”
Tuesdays and Thursdays were the favored days for weddings during the wedding season. At times, a person could receive up to three invitations for the same day. Since Dat had died, Mamm decided which ones they were to attend. But now, with her being laid up in bed most days, Mellie’s brothers decided. Of course, since Ruthie and Dan had moved in, there wasn’t much doubt about how it would transpire this year. Ruthie would decide. She’d tell Dan, and he’d announce the plans to the rest of the family.
“I hope to see you at some of them,” Obadiah continued.
“I’m sure you will. We’re not that big of a district after all.”
They fell into silence then, and Mellie let the rhythmic plodding of the horse’s hooves lull her into a more relaxed state.
Obadiah stopped the horse, and Mellie sat upright. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He cleared his throat. “I just thought maybe you’d like to sit awhile. Enjoy the night air.”
Enjoy the night air? It was downright cold. A sudden panic grabbed her. Was he wanting to hold her hand? Put his arm around her? She went stiff as a plaster cast. Why had she ever agreed to this? She pressed herself against the side of the buggy and wished she was anywhere but there. Obadiah had to realize her discomfort, for he went completely silent. She searched her mind frantically for something to say, but her lips remained in a tight line.
She saw his dark shadow shift, and she clasped her hands tightly on her lap. She could barely make out the fact that he was holding the reins with only his right hand only. Where was his left?
“Did you want to walk a bit?” she asked abruptly.
“Walk?” The suggestion clearly caught him off guard.
“I like walking.”
“But we might be seen,” he said.
She hadn’t thought of that. All she’d wanted was to do something in case his hand was coming for hers. It was a ridiculous idea.
“We can if you want,” he said, sounding eager to please her.
And then, she knew she couldn’t do it any longer. Obadiah Westman was a lovely young man. He deserved to court a girl who liked him. Not that she didn’t. She did like him. In fact, if it weren’t for Caleb, she might more than like him. She blew out her breath, feeling the familiar pinch around her heart whenever she thought of Caleb.
“Mellie?”
“Can you take me home, Obadiah?” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
There was a long silence, and she was ashamed. He shifted again, and this time she saw the silhouette of both hands taking the reins. Without a word, he urged the horse forward, and tears filled her eyes as the buggy wheels went round and round, carrying her back home.
Chapter Two
Obadiah approached Mellie’s farm slowly. Of course, he wouldn’t take her up to the porch as that wasn’t done. He would try to remain hidden—probably even more so than usual, given her rude treatment and the abrupt end to their evening. She glanced toward the house. By the looks of it, she’d beat Faith and Gabe home. She wasn’t sure how she was to explain that. But it didn’t matter. She was anxious to go straight upstairs to her bedroom and burrow under the covers. Perhaps if she willed it hard enough, she could disappear for a week or so.
Obadiah reined in the horse and let Mellie off on the road with a curt good-bye. She felt too horrid to say anything. Silently, she slipped out of the buggy and ran up the drive and around to the side door. She opened it as quietly as possible and slipped off her thick-soled black shoes. She laid them on the rag rug and then took off her cape to hang it on its peg. She tip-toed through the washroom and into the kitchen.
“What are you doing home so early?” came Ruthie’s shrill voice.
Mellie stopped short and stared at Ruthie, who stood over the sink with a glass of water.
“I’m tired.” Mellie wondered if that would be enough to satisfy her sister-in-law, but she should have known better.
“And Faith and Gabe? Where are they?”
“They’re coming later.” Mellie continued through to the dining area, but Ruthie followed her.
“Who brought you home then? Obviously, it weren’t no boy, or you’d still be out.”
Mellie felt her cheeks go hot. “Ruthie, I’m tired. Can we talk in the morning?”
Ruthie’s eyes bored holes in her. “I suppose.” She drew out the words. “But when Faith gets back, don’t you two be talking into the night. I got four kinner up there who need their sleep, you know.”
Mellie forced herself not to roll her eyes. She was fully aware of the four kinner up there. For the millionth time, she wondered why Ruthie felt it necessary to keep bringing it up.
“Night, Ruthie,” she said, hurrying up the stairs.
“Watch that top step!” Ruthie called from behind her. “It squeaks something fierce! You’ll wake them up!”
Mellie nodded but didn’t turn around. It wouldn’t be the squeaky step that woke the kinner. That was for sure.
Mellie didn’t go right to sleep. Instead, she got out a piece of paper and began a letter to her sister.
Dear Beth,
You’ve only just left a few days ago, and here I am missing you again. I just got back from the youth singing. Obadiah…
Mellie stopped and chewed the end of her pencil. She couldn’t tell Beth about the evening, it was too awful. She wadded up the piece of paper and tossed it into her bedside drawer along with her pencil. She
shoved it closed and stared at the wall.
With a sigh, she extinguished the lantern and dove deep under the covers. She fell asleep before Faith returned.
The following week, Mellie buried herself in baking. She spoke little, keeping to herself. She wondered if she was nursing her wounds or if it was shame that kept her subdued. She prayed every day that no one from the Westman family would come to her shop. Which was silly … even if someone did come, no one in Obadiah’s family would know how she’d treated him. Their bungled courtship would forever remain a secret. She and Beth were a bit strange in that respect, for they tended to share about their affections—against traditional practices.
It was Thursday afternoon, and Mellie was on her knees, wiping down the lower shelf in her display case. If she didn’t keep on it, wayward crumbs became a tasty invitation to critters. The bell over the door rang, and in her haste to get up and greet her customer, Mellie knocked her head against the shelf.
“Ouch!” she cried and then giggled. She stood up to gaze at her customer. Her heart flip-flopped. “Caleb…”
“Gut afternoon, Mellie.” He was smiling. “Did you hurt your head?”
She swallowed. “Nee. It’s nothing.”
“Sounded like a right good clunk to me.”
She forced a light laugh. “Ach, well, Caleb. A hard head, I guess.”
He sobered and gave her a look that made her lose her breath. She swallowed and smoothed her apron with shaking hands. “What can I get for you?”
He took his gaze off her and perused her rows of baked goods. “Hmm. I’m thinking a batch of cinnamon rolls might go down mighty nice.”
“Beth is fine,” Mellie blurted and then nearly dropped through the floor. Why in the world had she said that? Even if it was what Caleb usually wanted to know.
He stared at her, his brows raised. “I didn’t ask.”
She inhaled sharply. “Nee. Nee. You didn’t. I’m sorry.” She suddenly didn’t have a clue what to do with her hands. She fidgeted with the damp rag she was holding. “So … cinnamon rolls?”
Amish Romance Box Set: Finding Home Page 14
