A Forbidden Rumspringa (Gay Amish Romance Book 1) (9 page)

“I can stay late tonight to make up the time,” Isaac said.

“Am I such a taskmaster? Isaac, you work hard every day. Stop worrying so much. You’re the best apprentice I could have asked for.”

Isaac looped Silver’s reins over his wrist, trying not to smile. “Thank you.”

“You’re always on time, you learn fast, and you have the knack for it. Plus, you have another very important quality.”

Isaac smiled self-consciously. “What’s that?”

“You keep little girls’ secrets.”

He laughed. “Always.”

“But seriously, Isaac.” David clasped his shoulder. “It’s great working with you.”

It was as though he could feel the heat of David’s touch through his shirt. Must have been the sun arcing higher in the sky. “I…you too. Thank you for taking me on. I’m learning so much.”

As David lowered his hand, his fingers brushed Isaac’s arm. “It’s nice to have a friend around too.” He huffed out a laugh. “Anna’s right that I don’t have many these days. Anna’s right about most things, just so you know.”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed. Does she always say exactly what she’s thinking?”

David smirked. “Yep. Nine times out of ten.”

“At least you always know where you stand.” Isaac gave Silver a scratch. “I guess you don’t have much time for friends with all the work you have to do. I can’t imagine being the only man at home.”

“You get used to it, I guess. Like anything.” David looked off at the horizon. “At first you think you’ll never be able to go on. That just getting out of bed every morning is impossible. But you do, and after a while it just becomes your life.”

“That’s what it must be like following church and getting married,” Isaac blurted.

David stopped in his tracks, staring at Isaac. His lips parted as if to say something, but then he snapped his jaw shut.

“Not that I don’t want to!” Isaac’s heart hammered. “It’s only that it seems so different from my life now. I can’t really imagine what it’ll be like. But I’ll get used to it. It’ll be good. It’ll be great.” He laughed sharply. “I’m just talking nonsense.” He strode forward, leading Silver.

“It’s not nonsense.”

Isaac stopped and looked back. David gave him a smile.

“It makes perfect sense.”

“Oh.” Isaac tried to think of something else to say.

David started walking again, and they continued on, taking a dirt road that was a shortcut over to the Schrock farm. They were silent for a few minutes.

“Do you think it’s stupid?” David asked.

Isaac’s pulse still hummed. “What?”

“Not to take back some of the land from Josiah Otto.” David scooped up a stone from the road and tossed it ahead of him. “He paid for half of it up front, but he’s been late on the other payments. Mother thinks we should take it back and try to farm it ourselves, or hire some boys to do it. But I gave him my word that the land was his.”

Isaac pondered it. “But he hasn’t held up part of the arrangement. No one would blame you for being at the end of your patience.”

“But I know how hard he’s been working--I see him out there every day. He’ll pay what he owes as soon as he can. If I go back on our deal now, what would he do? He has a new baby, and four others already. I made a commitment, and I should honor it. Give him some more time, at least. He insisted on paying interest. We wrote it out on a piece of paper.”

“Sounds fair enough. We’re supposed to help each other, after all.”

“And it’s not that Mother doesn’t want to help them,” David added hastily. “It’s just that money’s tight, and she’s worried.” He blew out a long breath. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t bother you with this.”

“It’s not a bother.”

“You’re a good listener.”

Isaac felt oddly pleased. “Well, we’re friends, right?” He brushed a fly off his cheek. “That’s what friends do.”

“Right.” David gave him a little smile. “There’s—“ He pointed. “Dirt.”

Isaac swiped at his face. “Did I get it?”

Laughing, David stopped. “Here.” His tongue darted out to lick his thumb, and he drew it down Isaac’s cheek.

Isaac held his breath. David was standing close now, his eyes on Isaac’s face. He brushed the corner of Isaac’s mouth with his thumb, and Isaac felt like there were hummingbirds inside him.

Their eyes met, and David jerked away as if he’d been burned. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Got it.”

“Thanks.” Isaac’s voice cracked, and he cleared his throat as they walked on. After a minute, he said, “David?”

“Uh-huh.” David stared straight ahead.

Isaac found himself smiling as he rubbed Silver’s neck. “I don’t think it’s stupid. To help Josiah Otto. Not even a little.”

The dimple appeared in David’s cheek, his teeth flashing. “Thanks, Isaac.” He scooped up another rock from the ground, tossing it to the horizon, his arms swinging.

“But how do they get up and walk away?”

Mervin rolled his eyes. “It’s
pretend.
”

“Yes, but if we crashed a buggy we’d end up dead or in an English hospital, let alone if we crashed one of those going that fast.” Isaac stared at the screen, unable to take his eyes away as another car flipped over in a screech of rubber and metal that made him wince.

Mervin nudged him. “Shh.”

They were shoulder to shoulder under an Ironwood tree that was starting to drop its yellowing leaves as October settled in. Mervin had one of the white knobs in his left ear, and Isaac the other in his right. They’d taken off their heavy black hats so they could keep their heads close together as they peered down avidly at the Touch’s screen. Isaac glanced around, making sure they were still alone. His knife and the chunk of wood he’d intended on carving sat abandoned on his lap.

As another car exploded with flames that licked the sky, Isaac shivered. He drew his black coat around him tighter, although he knew it wasn’t the cool breeze to blame. “A lot of people die in this movie.”

“That’s how it is out in the world, I guess.”

The sun was hidden behind gray clouds, but Isaac could tell the afternoon was waning. “We should get back. It’ll be dark soon, and it won’t be long before the singing.”

“It’s almost over.”

As Isaac opened his mouth to remind Mervin that Sadie Stoltzfus awaited, there was a noise behind them. He twisted around to find David standing there in his hat and coat with a strange expression—not anger, but not happiness either. Isaac jumped to his feet, the white knob yanking out of his ear. He was aware of Mervin’s frantic motions to hide the Touch, but of course it was far too late.

Mervin’s words tripped out. “We weren’t—it’s just—don’t tell.
Please
.”

Isaac shook his head. “He won’t.” After only two weeks of really getting to know David, he wasn’t sure why he was so certain, but he was.

For a moment, David watched him, but then his lips twitched into a tiny smile. “No. I won’t tell.”

Mervin exhaled loudly. “Thank you.” His pale face was bright red. “We didn’t mean any harm. We just wanted to see.”

“I understand. I have my own curiosity.”

“Even now?” Isaac blurted. “I mean…you’re joining the church. I thought…” He scooped up his knife and folded it back into his pocket. “I thought you wouldn’t anymore.”

David shrugged. “I think it’s human to be curious, no matter how old we are.” He nodded at the ground. “Don’t forget your hats.”

As they walked through the trees with Isaac in the middle, Mervin began chattering. “Are you going to drive a girl home tonight, David?”

“Perhaps.” David pulled off a low-hanging leaf and rolled it between his long fingers.

With his eyes locked on David’s hand, Isaac stumbled over an exposed root, and David reached out to steady him. Isaac’s smile was tremulous.
What is wrong with me?

“Sadie’s father will only let me drive her home once a month. I have to wait two more weeks! I wish we could just go steady now. We can write letters, at least.” Mervin kicked the dirt. “But it’s not fair. Once a month? She said her father likes me, but her uncle doesn’t think it’s proper to rush things.”

Isaac grimaced. “At least Deacon Stoltzfus is only her uncle. Can you imagine having him as your father-in-law?”

“He wasn’t so bad before. He used to smile, at least. But after…” Mervin glanced at David. “Sorry.”

David shrugged. “Don’t be. It’s not like we all don’t know what happened. I can’t blame Deacon Stoltzfus for mourning his daughter. Martha deserved better. So did Rachel.” He crushed the leaf in his hand, scattering the debris.

“So did Joshua,” Isaac said softly.

David met his gaze with raised eyebrows. “I imagine you’re the only person aside from the family who really thinks that.”

Isaac shook his head. “Maybe just the first one to say it.”

David stopped, gazing intently. “Either way, thank you.”

A strange thrill zipped through him, and Isaac smiled. “It’s just the truth. Joshua made mistakes, but he never meant to hurt anyone. Not that I really knew him, but he was your brother, and you’re… Well, I can’t imagine he intended any of it.”

“He didn’t.” David opened his mouth and closed it again. “He was curious about everything. It was so stupid what he did.”

“He didn’t know what would happen. It was an accident.”

“Accident? I’m sorry, but doing those drugs wasn’t an accident,” Mervin said. “Drinking is one thing, but doing that powder? That was way over the line. And Martha and Rachel would never have taken drugs if it wasn’t for him,” Mervin said. He crossed his arms. “They would never have died like that.”

Isaac gritted his teeth. “Joshua drowned too. Who can say how it happened?”

“If not for him they wouldn’t have been messed up in the first place, and—”

“You don’t know that!” Isaac said sharply. Every criticism of Joshua felt like an attack on David, who’d never done a thing to deserve it. It just wasn’t fair.

Mervin’s voice rose. “Are you kidding? My sisters knew Rachel and Martha. They were good girls. No way they would have done that crystal whatever stuff if Joshua Lantz hadn’t talked them into it. And we all wouldn’t have had to leave Red Hills.”

“He’s right,” David said quietly.

Isaac blinked at him. “But…”

“It’s all right, Isaac. I appreciate it.”

Mervin kicked at a stone. “I’m sorry, David. None of it’s your fault. And of course we forgive Joshua.”

Of course.
Sometimes forgiveness felt like nothing more than empty words. Isaac wanted to say a lot more, but he shoved his hands in his pockets.

David started walking again. “What were you saying about Sadie? Tell us more.”

Mervin shrugged. “Just that she’s the one. I should never have wasted my time on anyone else.”

Isaac blinked. “The one? Really?”

“Of course!” Mervin sighed dreamily, all tension apparently forgotten for the moment. “She’s got the prettiest eyes, and her skin looks so soft. I just want to touch her all over.”

David chuckled. “All over, huh?”

“After we’re married, of course!” Mervin insisted. “Well, maybe a bit before that if she lets me. But I’m definitely going to marry her. I’m aiming for spring or summer.”

Isaac couldn’t believe his ears. “So soon? You’ll only be nineteen.”

“What’s the sense in waiting?”

“It’s just…most boys wait a year or two longer.” Isaac nodded at Mervin’s pocket. “There’ll be no more of that once you follow church.”

Mervin scowled. “You think I don’t know that?”

They continued on in silence.

Finally Mervin spoke again, his tone forcefully light. “David, I think John’s Grace would be well pleased if you asked to drive her home after the singing tonight.”

“Would she?” David asked flatly.

“Of course! You can’t be that blind. She’s wanted you to ask forever. You haven’t dated any of the girls in ages! We all thought you and Isaac Yoder’s Fannie would have children by now. Why’d you let her go? Although Jacob Raber certainly thanks you, I’m sure.”

Isaac elbowed Mervin. “He had to take care of his mother and sisters, remember?”

Mervin took a sharp breath. “Of course. I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right.” David snapped off another leaf and rolled it, the dry edges flaking over his fingers. “I didn’t think it was fair to make Fannie wait. She and Jacob seem very happy.”

“Do you think your mother will marry again soon?” Mervin asked. “You can’t stay home forever. Or you could just build another house beyond the barn for you and your wife.”

Isaac really wished Mervin would change the subject. Acid bubbled in his belly, and he quickened his pace. He was obviously hungry for supper.

“Mother was deeply grieved. I’m not sure if she’ll marry again. Anyway, I’m content at home for the time being.” The leaf he was rolling snapped, and David crumbled it in his fist.

They neared the house where they’d suffered through church service that morning, and Isaac sighed to himself as Mary smiled in their direction. It had been two weeks now that he saw her for lunch every day, and while his opinion of her hadn’t changed—she was good and kind—nor had his feelings of ambivalence.

Mervin brightened. “There’s Sadie! See you later.” He walked so quickly he might as well have run.

At least now Isaac felt largely at ease in David’s company. He spied Grace darting glances at David and whispering with her friends.