Laura tapped her foot impatiently, wondering how she could politely excuse herself. “I see,” she said in the brief seconds Anna came up for air. “It does sound like you have a close-knit family.” She cleared her throat a few times. “It’s been nice chatting with you, Anna, but Eli’s outside getting his horse and buggy ready to take me home. I’d better not keep him waiting.”
“Jah, okay. Tell Eli I said hello, and let him know he should inform his big sister that she owes me a visit real soon.”
“Since I’m staying with Martha Rose, I’ll be sure she gets the message.” Laura hurried away before Anna could say anything more.
Once outside, she headed for the long line of buggies parked alongside the Beachys’ barn. She stopped short when she saw Eli talking to Pauline.
***
When Pauline reached out and touched Eli’s arm, he took a step back, bumping against his buggy. What was going on here? This didn’t set well with him. Didn’t Pauline know he was courting Laura?
“That English woman will never make you happy,” Pauline murmured. “Take me home tonight, and let her find another way.”
Eli brushed Pauline’s hand aside. “I can’t do that. I brought Laura to the singing, and I’ll see that she gets home.” He sniffed. “Besides, I love her, and as soon as she and I join the church, I’m planning to ask her to be my wife.”
Pauline’s pinched lips made her face look like a dried-up prune. “You’re not thinking straight, Eli. You haven’t been right in the head since that fancy woman came sashaying into your life.”
“You have no right to say anything about Laura,” Eli defended. “You don’t even know her.”
“I know her well enough to know she’s not right for you.” Eli glanced toward the barn and spotted Laura heading out the door. “I need to go. Laura’s waiting for me to give her a ride home.”
Tears pooled in Pauline’s eyes, and her chin trembled. “I—I thought there was something special between us. I thought—” She choked on a sob and fell into his arms.
Eli just stood there, not knowing what to do, but before he could think of anything, Laura showed up, and he knew right away that she was hopping mad.
“What’s going on here?”
Pauline pivoted toward Laura. “What’s it look like? Eli was hugging me.”
Eli’s face heated up. “Pauline, that isn’t so, and you know it.” He could see Laura’s face in the moonlight, and it was nearly as red as his felt. How could he make her understand what had really happened? He knew she was a bit insecure in their relationship, and he was sure that seeing Pauline with her arms around him hadn’t helped any.
“I should have known you were chasing after Eli when I saw you leave the barn.” Laura’s voice shook as she stood toe-to-toe with Pauline.
Pauline didn’t flinch, nor did she back down. “All I did was say a few words to Eli, and it’s not my fault he decided to give me a hug.”
Eli touched Pauline’s arm, and she whirled back around to face him. “I know you’re not happy about me and Laura, but lying isn’t going to help.”
Pauline shrugged his hand away. “You’ll be sorry you chose her and not me. Just wait and see if you’re not.” She wrinkled her nose and stalked off.
***
Laura was fit to be tied. Did Eli really make the first move, or had Pauline deliberately hugged him just to stir up trouble?
Even if it broke her heart, she needed to know what had transpired. She had to know the truth.
“Are you ready to go home?” Eli gave her a sheepish look.
“I was ready half an hour ago. And don’t go thinking you can soft-soap me with that cute, little-boy look of yours, either.”
“You remind me of en wiedicher hund,” Eli said with a chuckle. “You’ve got quite a temper, but seeing how you acted when you saw me and Pauline together lets me know how much you really love me.”
Laura folded her arms and scowled at him. “I’m beginning to know a lot more of your Pennsylvania Dutch language, and I’ll have you know, Eli Yoder, I do not look like a mad dog.”
He tickled her under the chin. “You do love me though, right?”
“You know I do. That’s why it always makes me angry whenever I see that woman with you.” She leaned a bit closer to him. “Tell me the truth, Eli. Did she hug you, or was it the other way around?”
Eli pursed his lips. “She hugged me. Honest.”
“Did you encourage her in any way?”
He shook his head. “She knows I love you, Laura, and she’s jealous, so she wants to make you think there’s something going on with us.” He helped Laura into the buggy. “Think about it. Who’s the woman I’ve been courtin’ all summer?”
“As far as I know, only me.”
Eli went around and took his own seat, then picked up the reins and got the horse moving. “Let’s stop by the lake on the way home.”
Laura gazed up at the night sky. It was a beautiful evening, and the grass was lit by hundreds of twinkling fireflies. The buggy ride should have been magical for both of them. Instead, Pauline had thrown a damper on things.
Laura knew she was probably being paranoid where Pauline was concerned, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. “I’m not much in the mood for love or romance right now, so I think it would be good if we just head straight to your sister’s house.”
Eli moaned. “Maybe our next date will go better.”
“Jah, let’s hope so.”
***
Laura felt closer to Eli’s sister than she did the rest of his family. Martha Rose had patiently taught her to use the treadle sewing machine; bake shoofly pies; and given her lessons in milking, gathering eggs, and slopping pigs. It was none of those things that made Martha Rose seem special, however. It was her friendly attitude and the way she had accepted a complete stranger into her home. Laura wasn’t sure if it was Martha Rose’s hospitable nature or if she was only doing it to please her brother, but living with this young woman and her family for the past few months had helped Laura understand the true meaning of friendship.
Having been raised as an only child in a home where she lacked nothing, Laura knew she was spoiled. The Amish lived such a simple life, yet they seemed happy and content. It was a mystery she couldn’t explain. Even more surprising was the fact that on days like today, she almost felt one with the Plain People. Their slow-paced, quiet lifestyle held a certain measure of appeal. Although Laura still missed some modern conveniences and the freedom to dress as she pleased, she also enjoyed many things about being Amish.
Little Ben was one of the things she enjoyed most. He often followed her around, asking questions and pointing out things she had never noticed before. He was doing it now, out in his mother’s herb garden.
“Guck emol datt!” the child said, pointing to a clump of mint.
Laura nodded, knowing Ben had said, “Just look at that.” She plucked off a leaf and rubbed it between her fingers, the way she’d seen Martha Rose do on several occasions.
Ben sniffed deeply and grinned. “Appeditlich!”
“Jah, delicious,” Laura said with a chuckle. She was amazed at the little boy’s appreciation for herbs, flowers, and all the simple things found on the farm. Most of the English children she knew needed TV, video games, and electronic toys to keep them entertained.
In spite of Laura’s fascination with little Ben, she had no desire to have any children of her own. If she ever were to get pregnant, she would lose her shapely figure and might never regain it. If she had children, she might not be a good mother.
***
The baptismal ceremony and introduction of new members was scheduled for early September. Laura kept reminding herself that she needed to be ready by then, since most Amish weddings in this area were held in late November or early December after the harvest was done. If she wasn’t able to join the church before then, it would probably be another year before she and Eli could be married. Of course, he hadn’t actually proposed
yet, but she was hopeful it would be soon.
For that matter, Eli still hadn’t kissed her. She worried he might have lost interest in her. Maybe he was in love with Pauline and just wouldn’t admit it. If only she could be sure.
Laura saw more of Eli’s sister than she did him these days. His job at the furniture store kept him busy enough, but now he was also helping his father and brothers in the fields. Over the last month, she’d only seen him twice, and that was on bi-weekly church days.
“So much for courting,” Laura complained as she trudged wearily toward the chicken coop. “If I weren’t so afraid of losing Eli to Pauline, I’d put my foot down and give Eli an ultimatum. I’d tell him either he’d better come see me at least once a week, or I’m going home to Minnesota.”
There was just one problem. Laura didn’t want to go home. She loved Eli and wanted to be with him, no matter what hardships she had to face.
***
The day finally arrived for Laura and Eli, as well as several other young people, to be baptized and join the church.
Laura was nervous as a cat about to have kittens. She paced back and forth across the kitchen floor, waiting for Amon to pull the buggy out front.
Little Ben jerked on his mother’s apron while she stood at the sink, finishing with the dishes. “Boppli,” he said, pointing to her stomach.
Laura stopped pacing and whirled around to face Martha Rose. “Boppli? Are you pregnant, Martha Rose?”
Martha Rose nodded. “I found out for sure a few days ago.”
“How is it that Ben knew and I didn’t?”
“He was there when I told Amon. I planned to tell you soon.”
“Oh,” was all Laura could manage. Maybe she wasn’t as much a part of this family as she had believed.
Amon stuck his head through the open doorway and grinned at them. A thatch of blond hair hung across his forehead, and his brown eyes seemed so sincere. “All set?”
“Jah.” Martha Rose smiled at Laura. “Let’s be off then, for we sure wouldn’t want to be late for Laura’s and Eli’s baptisms.”
***
Eli paced nervously across the front porch of their farmhouse. Today’s preaching service would be held at their home, and he could hardly wait. This was the day Laura would become one of them. This was the day they would both be baptized and join the church. He was sure that, even before he’d met Laura, she was the reason he’d held off joining the church, because they were meant to be together.
The sight of Amon Zook’s buggy pulling into the yard halted Eli’s thoughts. He skirted around a wooden bench and leaped off the porch, skipping over all four steps.
Laura offered him a tentative-looking smile as she stepped down from the buggy. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “This is the day we’ve both been waiting for, Laura.”
She nodded, and he noticed there were tears in her eyes.
“What’s wrong? You aren’t having second thoughts, I hope.”
“No, I’m just a bit nervous. What if I don’t say or do the right things today? What if—”
He hushed her words by placing two fingers against her lips. “You went through the six weeks of biweekly instructions just fine. Today’s only a formality. Say and do whatever the bishop asks. Everything will be okay; you’ll see.”
“I hope so,” she whispered.
The service started a few minutes after Eli and Laura entered the house. He took his seat on the men’s side, and she sat with the women.
The song leader led the congregation in several hymns, all sung in the usual singsong fashion, and the baptismal rite followed two sermons.
When Bishop Wagler called the candidates for baptism to step forward, Laura’s legs shook so hard she feared she might not be able to walk. The deacons provided a small pail of water and a cup, and the bishop told the twenty young people to get on their knees. He then asked them a question. “Are you willing, by the help and grace of God, to renounce the world, the devil, your own flesh and blood, and be obedient only to God and His church?”
Laura cringed. If she were to answer that question truthfully, she would have to say that she wasn’t sure. But she couldn’t let anyone know how weak her faith was or that she had no real understanding of God’s grace, so along with the others, she answered, “Jah.”
“Are you willing to walk with Christ and His church, and to remain faithful through life and until death?”
“Jah.”
“Can you confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?” Numbly, as though her lips had a mind of their own, Laura repeated along with the others, “I confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
The congregation then stood for prayer, while Laura and the others remained on their knees. Bishop Wagler placed his hands on the first applicant’s head, while Deacon Shemly poured water into the bishop’s cupped hands and dripped it onto the candidate’s head.
Laura awaited her turn, apprehensive because she wasn’t sure she believed the things she had said, and trembling with joy at the prospect of hopefully receiving a marriage proposal from Eli soon. As water from the bishop’s hands trickled onto Laura’s head and down her forehead, she nearly broke down in tears. She would have plenty of time to think about her relationship with God. Right now, all she wanted was to be with Eli. Her love for him was all that mattered.
CHAPTER 18
When the service was over, Laura felt relief as she stepped outside into the crisp fall air. It was official. She was no longer a fancy English woman. For as long as she chose to remain Amish, she would be Plain.
Most of the women were busy getting the noon meal set out, but Laura didn’t care about helping. All she wanted to do was find Eli. It didn’t take her long to spot him, talking with Deacon Shemly over near the barn.
Are they talking about me? Is Eli asking the deacon if he thinks I’m sincere? Laura grabbed the porch railing and gripped it until her knuckles turned white. What if one of the deacons or Bishop Wagler suspects that I’m not a true believer? What if he’s counseling Eli to break up with me?
“We could use another pair of hands in the kitchen,” Martha Rose said as she stepped up behind Laura. “The menfolk are waiting to eat.”
Laura spun around to face her. “Why don’t the menfolk fix the meal and wait on us women once in a while?”
Martha Rose poked Laura’s arm. “You’re such a kidder. Everyone knows it’s a woman’s duty to serve the men.”
Laura opened her mouth, fully intending to argue the point, but she stopped herself in time. She had just joined the Amish church. It wouldn’t be good to say or do anything that might get her in trouble. Especially not with Eli out there talking to Deacon Shemly. She might be reprimanded if she messed up now.
“What do you need help with?” Laura asked, stepping into the house and offering Martha Rose a smile.
“Why don’t you pour coffee?” Martha Rose motioned to a table nearby. “The pitchers are over there.”
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