by Beth Wiseman
Rachel’s heart hammered against her chest. “What’s wrong with her?”
“She just found out she’s diabetic.” Gideon sighed as he shook his head, then held out his hand for the cash Rachel was holding.
Relief washed over her. “At least that’s treatable, ya? I was afraid you were going to say cancer or something just as bad.”
Gideon counted Rachel’s change, handed it to her, then raised a bushy eyebrow. “The doctor said her blood sugar is dangerously high, and do you know anyone among us who enjoys baking and eating sweets more than mei mamm?”
“Hmm . . . you’re right.” Marian was always baking, like most of them were, but she’d always had a sweet tooth that seemed to bypass the norm. She was overweight, but Rachel wouldn’t have expected it to affect her health. “But there are others in our district who have to watch their sugar. Like Big Jake Miller. He’s been diabetic for years. Mamm said he mostly controls it with turmeric and cinnamon.”
“I know. But she’s real depressed about it. And the doctor has her pricking her finger all hours of the day to test her blood sugar. She’s not happy.”
A man behind Rachel cleared his throat.
“I’ve got a break in five minutes. Can you wait for me outside?”
Rachel nodded, then left the store.
Gideon scanned the older man’s groceries as fast as he could, not wanting to keep Rachel waiting too long. His replacement cashier showed up five minutes late, so Gideon sprinted toward the exit as soon as he could, glad to see Rachel hadn’t given up on him.
“Sorry,” he said as he sat down beside her on a bench, catching his breath.
“It’s okay.”
Rachel’s hands were folded in her lap, and she was deep in thought. He’d seen this look before, the serious way she pressed her lips together, the way her eyebrows drew inward. He’d always been attracted to Rachel. Hannah might be seen as the prettier sister by some people, but Gideon had been looking into Rachel’s soul for a long time, and he liked what he saw.
Beauty was packaged from the inside out. If you were pretty on the inside, those qualities shone on the outside. He’d always wanted to ask Rachel out, and since her sixteenth birthday was right around the corner, now would be the time, before other suitors lined up. If she rejected him, he feared how it might affect the relationship with their families. But he’d come up with a safe way to test the water.
“I was wondering”—Gideon scratched his chin—“about a way to cheer up mei mudder.”
Rachel sat taller, twisting to face him. “How?”
He grinned, hoping his face wasn’t turning red. “You know how our mothers have been trying to fix us up for the past year?”
She lowered her gaze for a few seconds, nodded, then looked back at him.
“I thought of a way to lift Mamm’s spirits.” He raised an eyebrow and grinned. “If you and I started dating.”
Rachel frowned, which was like a kick to Gideon’s gut. Before she could object, he said, “I mean, we wouldn’t really date. We could just pretend we are going out, to cheer up Mamm.”
Scowling now, Rachel shook her head. “That sounds very deceitful. And then what would happen when we eventually broke up? Both of our families would be upset.”
Gideon just needed a chance to spend time with Rachel to see where things might go, so he pressed on. “Our families wouldn’t be upset if we dated, then realized we weren’t meant for each other. We’d break up amicably, they’d quit trying to push us together, and hopefully by then mei mudder would be settled into her new diet and not be so depressed.”
“It would be like lying.”
Gideon’s heart took another blow at the confirmation that she wasn’t really interested in testing the water. “If two people enjoy each other’s company and choose to go to the movies or out to eat, or shopping or something, then that’s dating, and it’s not a lie.” He held his breath.
She pressed her lips together again and moved her mouth back and forth. He could practically see the wheels spinning in her head. “How long would we do this?”
How about forever? He swallowed hard and shrugged. “A month or so?”
Rachel chuckled and rolled her eyes. “I can already see my mother. She’s going to be so excited.” She stilled her laughter, frowning again. “But it will probably break her heart when we break up.”
Gideon held up one finger. “Not if we break up thoughtfully, and it will have served as a distraction for my mother, something to bring her out of the depression she’s fallen into.”
He sucked in another breath and waited.
Rachel’s first thought was of Abraham, although Hannah was doing her best to make sure Rachel would never know the feel of Abraham’s arms around her. But dating Gideon could serve several purposes: it would cheer up Mrs. Lapp and maybe make more guys interested in dating Rachel after she’d dated Gideon. And best of all . . . maybe Abraham would be jealous. Plus, it would be good practice to pretend to date Gideon, since Rachel was often nervous around guys her age. Gideon was a good friend. Rachel was sure she was his second choice. His and Rachel’s parents might think Gideon and Rachel were a good match, but given the opportunity, Gideon might have chosen Hannah. But he couldn’t ask Hannah to be his pretend girlfriend now that she was seeing Abraham.
“Okay, but . . .” She paused as her pulse picked up. “No, uh . . . dating type stuff.”
Gideon grinned. “You mean no kissing?”
Rachel nodded, even though she couldn’t stop looking at his mouth now. “Public displays of affection aren’t our way”—she made herself turn away—“so there shouldn’t be a need for any physical contact.” She raised her chin a little as her eyes drifted back to his mouth. Rachel had never kissed anyone, although her sister had probably done so enough for both of them recently.
She picked up the two small bags of groceries and stood. “So when will you be asking me out?”
“How about now?” Gideon’s eyebrows went up as he stood and grinned again. He bowed at the waist as he tipped his straw hat. “Rachel, would you do me the honor of your presence this Saturday night? Would you allow me to take you to supper and a movie?”
Rachel chuckled as she curtsied. “Why, ya, dear sir. I would be equally as honored.” She straightened, stood perfectly still, and tipped her head to one side. “Are we really going to go to supper and a movie? I’ve never been to a movie.”
Gideon stepped closer. “We might be bordering on the edge of deception, but I’ll never put you in a position where you have to lie. Ya, we are going to supper and a movie. And you can pick where you want to eat and the movie you want to see. I’ll line up a driver.”
Rachel giggled. “Okay, but we will go Dutch and each pay for our own.”
Gideon shook his head. “Nee, that’s not how it works. I’ll be paying.” He tipped his hat again, winked at her, and said. “See you Saturday.”
This is going to be more fun than I thought.
Rachel started walking to her buggy. For the first time in a long while, she had something to look forward to. She wondered how Hannah and Abraham’s date had gone, or if they’d skipped the movie and moved on to the other plans she’d overheard them making on the phone. Rachel had been too bitter to ask her sister much of anything lately. But maybe they’d seen a movie they could recommend.
And maybe Rachel could shed the anger she’d been feeling toward Hannah.
Closing her eyes, she prayed for just that purpose, thankful she could honestly ask for something different than the selfish requests she’d been sending up the past few days.
CHAPTER 4
Hannah set the table while her mother pulled the roast out of the oven. After Rachel filled four tea glasses, she called out to their father in the living room. “Supper is ready, Daed.”
When they were all seated, Hannah bowed her head along with her family, and they prayed silently. Hannah thanked the Lord for the plentiful bounty spread before them and for her many bless
ings. And God, please help me to avoid temptation where Abraham is concerned. It was the same prayer she’d been silently reciting several times a day since their first date.
Hannah filled her plate with a little of everything—roast, potatoes, chowchow, and a slice of buttered bread—although she didn’t have much of an appetite.
“Have you maeds thought about what you would like to do for your birthday? It’s only a couple weeks away.” Mamm looked back and forth between Rachel and Hannah. “I know we don’t usually make a fuss over birthdays, but your sixteenth is special. We can have a small party, if you’d like.”
“I don’t want a party.” Hannah spat the words before she considered that Rachel might feel differently. She glanced at her sister, but Rachel was taking a sip of tea, so Hannah refocused on her food, mostly moving it around on her plate.
“Rachel, how do you feel?” Mamm fixed her gaze on Hannah’s sister, who shrugged.
“I guess it’s whatever Hannah wants.”
Hannah narrowed her eyes at Rachel. “Don’t say it like that, like I always get what I want.”
“That’s not how I meant it.” Rachel glared at Hannah from across the table.
“Well, that’s how it sounded.” Hannah lowered her voice when their father cleared his throat. “If you want a party, we’ll have a party.”
“I’m fine without a party.” Rachel forked a bite of meat and stuffed it in her mouth.
“You’re smacking your food.” Hannah glared at Rachel across the table. “It’s not very ladylike.”
“I’m not smacking!”
“Enough!” Their father slammed his fork on his plate and stood up, pointing his finger back and forth between Hannah and Rachel. “I don’t know what is going on with you two, although I suspect it has something to do with a fellow, but this is going to stop.”
“She’s mad because I’m dating Abraham.” Hannah looked up at her father, who was scowling.
Daed narrowed his eyebrows at Hannah. “If that’s true, then what are you being so unruly about?”
Hannah opened her mouth to say something, but she couldn’t tell her parents the truth. No words came out as she swallowed the lump in her throat.
“Well, there’s nothing wrong with me,” Rachel said. “I’m not mad or upset about Hannah dating Abraham. As a matter of fact, I have some news to tell you all.”
Their father slowly settled back into his chair and hesitantly picked up his fork as he kept his eyes on Rachel.
“I have a date Saturday night.” Rachel looked at their mother. “I have a date with Gideon.”
Mamm pressed her palms together, sat taller, and smiled. “Wonderful, just wonderful.”
In spite of her irritation at her sister, Hannah’s insides warmed. It had been obvious for a long time that Gideon was sweet on Rachel. He was a wonderful person, and for a time, Hannah had a crush on him. But it was clear that Gideon only had eyes for Rachel.
Still, Hannah was surprised that Rachel was finally giving Gideon a chance. She’d complained for the past year about how their mother and Gideon’s mother kept trying to push them into a relationship, and how she wasn’t having any part of it.
“I think that’s great that you and Gideon are going out.” Hannah forced a smile, even though Rachel had been dreadfully ugly to her lately. She was truly happy for her sister.
And maybe this meant she could break up with Abraham before things got out of control. So far she’d kept his roaming hands away, but she wasn’t sure how much longer she’d be able to. Now it wouldn’t matter. Abraham wouldn’t ask Rachel out if she were dating Gideon. Hannah breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Rachel fought the snarly comments bubbling to the surface. You’re not the only one who can get a boyfriend. But she smiled and tried to distance herself from the visions of Abraham and Hannah kissing.
“We’re going to supper and a movie Saturday night,” she said, keeping her gaze on her mother.
“How wonderful,” Mamm said again, smiling. “Marian and I prayed for this.”
Rachel took in a deep breath, feeling the weight of the deception pressing down on her. “We’re not getting married, Mamm. It’s just a date.”
Her mother grinned, winking at Rachel. “Ach, well, you never know.”
Rachel swallowed hard. Would her mother and Gideon’s mother really be okay when they broke up? Or would the pretend relationship’s demise cause more trouble than the temporary happiness?
“Mamm, I need to tell you something about Gideon’s mudder.” Rachel filled her lungs with air and blew it out slowly as all eyes landed on her.
“What? Is something wrong with Marian? She’s been a bit of a stranger lately.” Mamm dabbed at her mouth with her napkin but kept her eyes on Rachel.
“Gideon said she was diagnosed with diabetes.”
Mamm sighed and hung her head. “Oh, dear. I bet Marian is devastated.”
“Ya, Gideon said she’s very upset and won’t talk to anyone about it. He said her blood sugar levels are dangerously high.” Rachel waited until her mother looked up at her. “Gideon thought I should tell you. He thinks she needs support from her friends. You know how much she likes to bake and eat.”
Mamm shook her head. “Don’t we all. I’ll pay her a visit tomorrow. Does she know Gideon asked you out?”
“I don’t know.” Rachel placed her fork across her plate as she shrugged.
Mamm smiled. “Well, that news should cheer her up.”
Rachel tried to smile but only half managed.
“That’s terrible about Gideon’s mother.” Hannah shook her head before she took a tiny bite of buttered bread. “What movie are you going to see?”
“I don’t know yet.” Rachel raised one shoulder and dropped it slowly as she took a bite of roast. She waited for Hannah to tell them what movie she and Abraham had gone to, if they had, but her sister moved her food around on her plate and stayed quiet. But Mamm must have been wondering the same thing.
“Hannah, what movie did you and Abraham see the other night?” Mamm shook her head a tiny bit as she asked the question. Since movies were forbidden, Rachel glanced back and forth between her parents, catching a slight look of disdain from her father. But Rachel figured her mother couldn’t help but be curious if Hannah and her date had at least chosen something without violence and bad language. Rachel was surprised her mother hadn’t questioned Hannah before now. And despite her mother’s eagerness for Rachel and Gideon to date, Rachel was also surprised that her mother hadn’t balked—even a little bit—at Rachel’s mention of a movie with Gideon.
Hannah’s chair screeched across the wooden floor as she hurriedly backed up. “I don’t feel well. May I be excused?” She stood up and put a hand across her stomach.
“Ya, of course.” Mamm slid her chair back. “What’s wrong?”
“Nee, don’t get up.” Hannah put a hand over her mouth, then hurried away, mumbling over her shoulder. “I just have an upset stomach.”
Their mother stood up and peered into the living room as Hannah reached the stairs. Rachel also stood as she wiped her mouth with her napkin. “Mamm, I’m done eating. I’ll go check on her so you can finish your supper.”
Her mother nodded, and Rachel made her way across the living room, then took the stairs two at a time. She’d seen Hannah pull this trick before, faking sickness to avoid something. And Rachel was going to get to the bottom of whatever it was her sister was hiding.
Hannah closed the bathroom door behind her, but she could hear heavy footsteps on the stairs and knew it had to be Rachel. Her sister walked like an elephant. Or was it simply that everything Rachel did irritated Hannah these days?
“I’m fine,” Hannah said when Rachel banged on the bathroom door.
“I’m sure you are.”
Hannah stood up from where she’d been sitting on the edge of the bathtub, her temperature rising. “What does that mean?”
“It means that I’ve been your schweschder for almost s
ixteen years. You’ve been using the ‘I’m sick’ excuse to get out of everything from doing dishes to telling the truth.”
Thankfully Rachel had lowered her voice. Hannah slung the door wide and swooshed past her sister, bumping her in the hip as she did. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rachel followed Hannah into their bedroom. “You didn’t even go to the movies with Abraham, did you?”
Hannah sat down on her bed, plumped up her pillows, then swung her feet onto the bed and lay back. “It’s none of your business what I did on my date.” She smiled the fake sort of smile you thrust at someone you despise. “None of your business at all what we did, Abraham and I.”
Despite her defiance, on the inside Hannah shuddered. What was she doing? Her stomach churned as she recalled the date. If Rachel only knew how uncomfortable the whole experience had been. And how scared Hannah was of what the future held. Again she wondered if she could and should break up with Abraham now that Rachel was dating Gideon. Then maybe things would get back to normal between the sisters.
“You went to the beekeeper’s cemetery, didn’t you?” Rachel’s jaw hung low as she waited for Hannah to respond.
Hannah took a deep breath and avoided Rachel’s accusing stare. They had pinky sworn a long time ago that they’d never let a boy take them there. Even though pinky swearing was something they’d learned from an Englisch friend when they were younger and wasn’t something their parents would likely approve of, they’d kept their promise to each other. Until now.
“And what if I did?”
Rachel sat down on the edge of Hannah’s bed. “Is Abraham so good-looking that you’ve forgotten the way we were raised? Have you forgotten what happened to Sarah?”
Hannah squeezed her eyes closed as she pictured Sarah being sent to live with her Englisch grandparents in Iowa because she’d gotten pregnant. “I’m not going to let anything like that happen.”
“I hope not.” Rachel spoke quietly now.
