Plain and Fancy

by Wanda E. Brunstetter

  “You were right. It is beautiful here.”

  Eli grinned like a child with a new toy. “In the summer, it’s a great place for swimming and fishing. We like to skate on the lake when it freezes over in the wintertime, too.”

  “It looks like the perfect place for a picnic.”

  “My family and I have been here many times.” Eli glanced over at Laura. “Would you like to get out and walk around?”

  “That sounds nice, but I rather like riding in your courting buggy.” She released a sigh of contentment. “Can’t we just keep driving?”

  “Sure, we can.” Eli got the horse moving again.

  As they traveled around the lake, Laura began to ply him with questions about his way of life. “Can you tell me why the Amish people wear such simple clothes?”

  “We feel that wearing plain clothes encourages humility and separation from the world. Our clothes aren’t a costume, like some may believe, but they’re an expression of our faith.”

  “I see.” A gentle breeze rustled the trees, and Laura’s heart stirred with a kind of excitement she had never known before. She wasn’t sure if it was the fall foliage, the exhilarating buggy ride, or the captivating company of one very cute Amish man that made her feel so giddy. One thing was for sure: A keen sense of disappointment overcame her when Eli turned the buggy back to the main road.

  “Do you like wearing men’s trousers?” he asked suddenly.

  She glanced at her blue jeans and giggled. “These aren’t men’s trousers. They’re made for a woman, and they’re really quite comfortable.” When Eli made no comment, she decided it was her turn to ask another question. “What’s your family like?”

  “I have a wonderful family. There’s Pop and Mom, and I have an older sister, Martha Rose. She’s married to Amon Zook, and they’ve got a three-year-old son. I also have two younger brothers who help Pop on the farm while I’m working at the furniture shop near Strasburg.”

  “I think it would be interesting if I could see where you live.” The unexpected comment popped out of Laura’s mouth before she had time to think about what she was saying.

  When Eli’s brows drew downward and he made no response, she wondered if she had overstepped her bounds. As much as she would like it, she knew she would probably never get to see Eli’s house, meet his family, or have another opportunity to ride in an Amish buggy.

  It seemed like no time at all before they were pulling into the variety store’s parking lot. Eli jumped down and came around to help Laura out of the buggy. When his hands went around her waist, she felt an unexpected shiver tickle her spine. “Thanks for the ride,” she said breathlessly. “If I live to a ripe old age, I’ll never forget this day.”

  Laura started across the parking lot and was surprised to see Eli walking beside her. They both stopped when they reached the sidewalk, and Laura glanced at her watch. “I’d better call my friend. We’re supposed to meet for supper soon.” She pulled her cell phone from her purse.

  “Your friend is some lucky fellow.”

  She smiled. “It’s not a man I’m meeting for supper. It’s just a girlfriend from school.”

  “Ah, I see.” Eli stared at the ground for a few seconds, then looked back at her. “Say, I was wondering—would you be interested in going back to the lake with me next Saturday? We could take a picnic lunch along, and if you have more questions about my way of life, I’ll have a little more time to answer them.”

  Laura could hardly believe her ears. Had he really asked her on a date? Well, maybe not a date exactly, but at least it was another chance to see him.

  “That would be nice,” she said, forcing her voice to remain steady. “What should I bring?”

  “Just a hearty appetite and a warm jacket. I’ll ask Mom to fix the lunch, because she always makes plenty of good food.”

  “It’s a date.” Laura felt the heat of a blush creep up the back of her neck and spread to her cheeks. “I mean—I’ll look forward to next Saturday. Should we meet here in front of the store, around one o’clock?”

  “That’ll be fine,” he answered with a nod.

  “Until next Saturday then.” Just before Laura turned toward her car, she looked back and saw him wave as he was walking away. She lifted her hand in response and whispered, “Eli Yoder, where have you been all my life?”

  CHAPTER 3

  As Laura drove back to Lancaster, all she could think about was Eli. She pictured his twinkling blue eyes, sandy brown hair, and the cute little chin dimple that made him look so irresistible. Eli was full of humor and had a fresh, almost innocent way about him. It was something she’d never seen in Dean Carlson, who had a haughty attitude and seemed to think he was every woman’s dream.

  She clenched the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white. What am I thinking here? I can’t allow myself to fantasize about Eli or start comparing him to other men. He’s off-limits—forbidden fruit for a modern English woman like me. She grimaced as she pulled up to a stop sign and spotted a closed-in Amish buggy with two little tow-headed boys peeking out the back. Then why am I reflecting on the time we had together today? And why did I agree to go on a picnic with him next Saturday?

  As hard as Laura tried, she seemed unable to squelch the desire to see Eli one more time. She could learn a bit more about the Amish; they would enjoy a nice picnic lunch and soak up the beauty of the lake; and it would be over. They’d probably never see each other again. She would have pleasant memories of the brief time she’d spent with an intriguing Amish man, and her life would return to normal. It would be a wonderful story to tell her grandchildren someday. She smiled and tried to visualize herself as a grandmother, but the thought was too far removed. The only thing she could see was the face of Eli Yoder calling her to learn more about him and his Plain way of living.

  ***

  All the way home, Eli thought about Laura and the conversation they’d had on their way to and from the lake. She had asked a lot of questions about his way of life, but he hadn’t asked that many about hers. He would have to do that next Saturday, because there were so many things he wanted to know. How long would she be in Lancaster studying at the interior design school? How old was she? Did she have any brothers or sisters? Did she have a boyfriend? That was the one thing he wanted to know the most, and it troubled him deeply, because it shouldn’t matter so much.

  He could still picture Laura sitting in his buggy, her long auburn hair glistening in the sun like golden shafts of wheat . I shouldn’t be thinking about her, much less worrying over whether she has a boyfriend. Probably shouldn’t have invited her to have a picnic with me next Saturday, but I just want to see her one more time. I’d like the chance to answer a few more of her questions and ask a few of my own.

  ***

  The family-style restaurant where Laura was to meet Darla seemed crowded, and after checking her watch, Laura knew she was late. She stood in the clogged entryway, craning her neck to see around the people in front of her. Was Darla already in the dining room? Sure enough, she spotted her sitting at one of the tables.

  When the hostess seated Laura, she couldn’t help but notice Darla’s impatience as she tapped her fingernails against her place mat and squinted with obvious displeasure. “It’s about time you got here.”

  “Sorry. I tried to call, but you must have had your phone turned off.” Laura pulled out a chair and sat down.

  “Were you caught in traffic, or do you just like to make people wait?”

  “I went for a ride in an Amish buggy this afternoon, and I guess we lost track of time.”

  Darla’s pale eyebrows furrowed. “I wouldn’t think any buggy driver would lose track of time. I mean, they charge you a certain amount, and when the time’s up, it’s up.”

  Laura shook her head. “I didn’t take a commercial buggy ride. I was with Eli Yoder.”

  “Who?”

  “Eli’s that cute Amish guy I met at the market a few weeks ago. I’m sure I mentioned it.”


  Before Darla could comment, Laura rushed on. “I had such a good time today. The fall colors at the lake were gorgeous.” She glanced down at her purse and frowned. “I had my camera with me the whole time, but I forgot to take even one picture.”

  Darla stared out the window a few seconds; then she looked back at Laura. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re obviously starstruck, and I hope you realize that you’re making a huge mistake.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I can see you’re infatuated with this Amish guy, and you’d better not tell me that you plan to see him again, because it can only lead to trouble.”

  “I’m not infatuated with him!” When Laura noticed several people staring, she lowered her voice. “I did enjoy his company, and the buggy ride was exciting, but that’s all there was to it. I hardly even know the man.”

  “Well, good. That means you’re not planning to see him again then, right?”

  “We did talk about going on a picnic next Saturday.” Laura shrugged. “But it’s no big deal.”

  “No big deal? Laura, do you have any idea of the trouble that could come from an Amish man dating an English woman?” Darla leaned across the table. “Don’t do it. You need to cancel that date.”

  Laura’s mouth dropped open. “It’s not a real date. It’s just an innocent picnic. Besides, I can’t cancel. I don’t have his telephone number, so I have no way of getting in touch with him.” She grabbed her menu, hoping this discussion was finally over.

  “Some Amish do have telephones now,” Darla said, “but usually only those who have businesses. Do you realize that the Plain People live almost like the pioneers used to? They don’t use electricity, or drive cars—”

  Laura held up her hand. “I get the picture. Can we change the subject now?”

  Darla’s voice lowered to a whisper. “I want to say one more thing.”

  Laura merely shrugged. Darla was obviously not going to let this drop until she’d had her say.

  “I told you before that I used to live in this area before my folks moved to New York, so I know a little something about the Amish.”

  “Such as?”

  “They don’t take kindly to Englishers dating their children, and I’ll bet Eli’s folks don’t know he was with you today, do they?”

  Laura hated to be cross-examined. None of this was Darla’s business. “I don’t know what Eli told them when he went home, but today was the first time we’ve done anything together.”

  “The Amish are private people. They live separate, plain lives. They don’t like worldly ways—or worldly women for their men.” Darla shook her head. “You’d be smart to nip this in the bud before it goes any further.”

  Laura remained silent. She didn’t need Darla’s unwanted advice, and she knew exactly what she was doing.

  ***

  “Say, Mom, I have a favor to ask,” Eli said, when he stepped into the kitchen and headed toward the table where Mary Ellen sat tearing lettuce leaves into a bowl.

  She smiled, thinking her oldest boy looked happier than usual this evening. “Oh? What favor is that?”

  “I’m going on a picnic to the lake next Saturday, and I was wondering if you’d mind packing a picnic lunch for me to take along.”

  “How much food did you need?”

  He grinned. “As much as you want to fix, I guess.”

  “For how many people, Eli?” she asked with a groan. Johnny’s silly ways must be rubbing off on our son. He thinks he’s a practical joker now.

  “Uh ... there will be two of us, Mom,” Eli mumbled, his face turning red.

  She nodded, feeling quite pleased with that bit of news. Eli obviously had a date, and she figured it was probably Pauline, since he’d gone to lunch with her awhile ago when they’d met at the farmers’ market. “Anything special you’d like me to fix?”

  He shrugged. “Just the usual picnic things, I guess.”

  “All right, then. I’ll put together something that I’m sure both you and your date will like.”

  The color in Eli’s face deepened, and he looked away. “Danki, Mom. I really appreciate that.”

  ***

  When Wesley Meade entered the living room, he found his wife curled up on the couch, reading a book. “Hi, hon. How was your day?” He bent down to kiss her forehead.

  “It was all right, I suppose,” Irene replied without looking up from her novel.

  He set his briefcase on the coffee table and took a seat in the recliner across from her. “Did you do anything special?”

  “Helen and I went shopping at the mall, got our nails done, and had lunch at Roberto’s. Then on the way home, I stopped at our favorite catering place and ordered the food for the hospital guild’s annual charity dinner.”

  Wesley’s gaze went to the ceiling. It seemed all his wife did anymore was shop for new clothes she didn’t need and flit from one charity organization to another, planning dinners, parties, and elaborate balls. Not that there was anything wrong with charities. He knew that most of the organizations she was involved with did a lot of good for those in need. However, Irene’s emphasis seemed to be more on the social side of things rather than on meeting the needs of people who were hurting or required financial or physical help.

  “I got an e-mail from Laura today,” he said, changing the subject to something he hoped might interest her.

  “Really? What did she have to say?”

  “So you didn’t check your e-mail?”

  Irene’s hand fluttered as if she was swatting a fly. “Wesley, you know I rarely use the computer you bought me for Christmas last year.”

  “Why not? It’s got all the whistles and bells anyone could want.”

  “Maybe so, but every time I go online, I end up either getting booted off or everything freezes on me.” She sighed. “I don’t think that computer likes me.”

  He chuckled. “You just need to go on it more. Practice makes—”

  “I know. I know. If I practiced more, I’d have it mastered.” She swung her legs over the sofa and sat up. “So tell me ... what did our daughter have to say in her e-mail?”

  “She said she’s getting settled in at the school and thinks she’s going to like it in Lancaster County, where she can study the interesting Amish people.”

  Irene’s perfectly shaped eyebrows drew together, and she reached up to fluff the sides of her shoulder-length auburn hair. “Amish people? Our daughter didn’t go to Lancaster to study Amish people; she went to learn how to be an interior designer.”

  “Laura thinks she can get some design ideas from the Plain People.”

  She clicked her tongue. “That’s ridiculous. From what I know of the Amish, they live very simply, without any decorations in their homes that don’t serve some sort of purpose. So I don’t see how studying the Amish can help Laura with her studies.”

  “Knowing our enterprising daughter, she’ll figure out something about their way of life that she can use in her decorating classes.” Wesley stretched his arms over his head and yawned. “Think I’ll head upstairs and change into something more comfortable before we have dinner. It’ll be a relief to get out of this suit.” He undid his tie and slung it over his shoulder as he stood. “Never did like wearing a suit. Wish I could get out of putting one on every day.”