Allison's Journey (17 page)

Katie smiled at Joseph. “I brought a plate of brownies tonight.”

He licked his lips. “Umm. . .can’t wait.”

The couple hurried off, and Allison and Aaron followed.

“I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for summer to be over,” Peter said to Herman as the two of them strolled toward the barn to begin their nightly milking process.

“What’s the matter? Can’t stand the hot, muggy weather?”

Peter shook his head. “It’s not that. I’m just anxious for Allison to return.”

“I didn’t think you would miss your sister so much—especially since you’ve been spending so much time with Sally lately.” Herman needled Peter in the ribs with his elbow.

“Jah, well, I’m hoping Aunt Catherine will be a little nicer once Allison returns home. I think she misses her, Dad.”

“I’ve noticed that she’s been crankier than normal lately, but I’m not sure it’s because she misses Allison.”

Peter stopped walking and turned to face Herman. “What do you think’s the reason for her sour mood?”

“Even though she tries to hide it, I think that pain in her stomach that she complains about may have gotten worse.”

“Has she seen the doctor yet?”

Herman shook his head. “Stubborn woman still refuses to go.”

“Would it help if I asked Sally’s mamm, Dorothy, to speak to Aunt Catherine? She’s got an easygoing way about her, and maybe she could convince Aunt Catherine to see the doctor.”

Herman smiled and thumped Peter on the back. “That’s the best idea you’ve had in weeks.”

Peter turned on the diesel engine for their milking machine. “I’ll talk to Dorothy about it when I go over to see Sally later this week.”

A
llison climbed into Aaron’s buggy and settled herself on the passenger’s side. Even though she’d been with Aaron a few times, she’d never felt as nervous as she did right now. She glanced at him as he stepped in and took the seat beside her. Their gazes met, and the moment seemed awkward. Was Aaron nervous, too? Would this be the only time he would offer her a ride home, or might he repeat the invitation?

Aaron gave Allison a brief smile and picked up the reins. “Mind if I trot the horse once we get on the main road?”

She shook her head. “I don’t mind at all. The breezy air might help cool us off.”

“It has been a hot day,” Aaron agreed. “We could use a good rain to lower the temperature some.”

They pulled onto Highway C, and the buggy picked up speed when Aaron gave his horse the signal to trot.

“Ah, that feels better,” Allison said as the air lifted the strings of her kapp.

Aaron pointed to his trotting horse. “I think he’s enjoying it, too.”

Allison smiled. “How’s your sister Emma doing since she came home from the hospital?”

“She’s doing real well. We’re all thankful they got her to the hospital before her appendix burst.”

“That was a good thing. My youngest brother’s appendix burst when he was a teenager. He was pretty sick for a spell.”

“I guess the infection spreads quickly when someone’s appendix bursts.”

“That’s what I understand.”

“Do you miss Pennsylvania much?” Aaron asked, changing the subject.

“I miss Papa and my brothers.” Allison figured it would be best not to mention that she didn’t miss Aunt Catherine. Aaron might think she didn’t appreciate her aunt stepping in to help after her mother had died.

“It won’t be long before summer will be over, and then you’ll be on your way home,” Aaron said.

“I hope I’m ready to go by August.”

Aaron tipped his head and quirked an eyebrow.

“If I can’t sew or cook well enough, it’ll be hard to go home and face my daed. The only reason he sent me here was so Aunt Mary could teach me how to be a woman.”

Aaron’s cheeks turned red and he looked away. “I’d say you’re already a woman.”

Allison felt the heat of a blush stain her cheeks as well. She might look like a woman on the outside, but she had a long way
to go before she would be ready to take on the responsibility of becoming a wife. Even if she did manage to accomplish that task, she would need to find a man who’d be willing to marry her.

“Why would you have to come all this way so you could learn to cook and sew?” he asked. “Isn’t there someone in your family who could have taught you the necessary skills?”

“My aunt Catherine, but she hasn’t taught me much.”

“How come?”

“I’m not really sure, but she acts like she doesn’t want me in her kitchen.”

“I guess some women are territorial when it comes to their kitchen.”

Allison nodded. “Only thing is, it’s not really
her
kitchen. She wouldn’t even be living with us if my mamm hadn’t died.”

Aaron’s forehead wrinkled. “I’ve been wondering something.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s about James Esh.”

“What about him?”

“As I’m sure you know, James hasn’t been baptized or joined the church. Even though he’s in his twenties, he’s still running wild like some kid who’s
ab im kopp
.”

Allison felt a surge of guilt. She hadn’t been baptized or joined the church yet, either. Did that mean she, too, was crazy? Her reluctance to join the church, however, wasn’t because she was going through rumschpringe and wanted to experience things the modern world had to offer. It had more to do with her lack of faith in God. The truth was Allison didn’t think it would be right for anyone to join the church when they felt so empty and faceless inside. Maybe James felt as faceless as she did and had acted wild and arrogant in order to hide behind his feelings.

They rode in silence the rest of the way home, and Allison was glad Aaron had dropped the subject of James. It made her uncomfortable to think about the way James had carried on at the gathering tonight. It had also convinced her that James wouldn’t be a good choice for a boyfriend, even if there was a certain charm about him.

When they pulled into Uncle Ben’s driveway, Aaron stopped the buggy and came around to help Allison down. She had planned to step out on her own, but before she could make a move, he put his hands around her waist and lifted her out of the buggy as if she weighed no more than a feather. He held her like that for several seconds, and Allison’s heart pounded so hard it echoed in her ears.

“I heard that your uncle’s going to rebuild his barn soon,” Aaron said as he set Allison on the ground and took a step back.

Allison nodded. “I believe Uncle Ben plans to start sometime in the next few weeks.”

“I imagine there’ll be a work frolic then.”

“Probably so.”

“Most of the men in our community will be there to help.” Aaron removed his straw hat and fanned his face with the brim. “Whew! Sure can’t believe how hot it still is, even with the sun almost down.”

“It will be hard to sleep tonight,” she said, turning toward the house. “Maybe I’ll sleep outside on the porch where it’s not so stifling.”

“You like sleeping outdoors?” Aaron asked as he strode up the path beside her.

“I do. My friend Sally and I used to sleep on her front porch
when we were younger. It was great fun to listen to the music of the crickets while we lay awake visiting and watching for shooting stars.”

Aaron leaned on the porch railing as Allison moved toward the door.

Should I invite him in for a glass of cold milk and some cookies? No, he might think I’m being too forward
. Allison reached for the doorknob. “I appreciate the ride home, Aaron. Danki.”

“You’re welcome. Maybe we can do it again sometime.”

“I’d like that.”

Aaron shuffled his feet across the wooden planks. “Well,
gut nacht
then.”

“Good night, Aaron.” Allison shut the door and hurried up the stairs to her room, anxious to write Sally a letter.

As Aaron drove away, a vision of the moon shining down on Allison’s pretty face stuck in his mind. He was attracted to her; there was no denying it. Would it be a mistake if he tried to pursue a relationship with her?

Aaron halted his thoughts when another horse and buggy passed him and the driver shouted, “Can’t that old nag of yours go any faster than that? That poor critter must be half dead.”

James
. Aaron gritted his teeth and gripped the reins as he fought to keep from hollering something mean in return. It would only give James the satisfaction of knowing he’d been able to get Aaron riled.

Aaron kept his horse going at a steady pace as he watched James’s buggy disappear over the next hill. He was probably in
a hurry to get someplace, but it sure couldn’t have been home, since James lived in the opposite direction.

He’s probably heading for Seymour
, Aaron thought.
Probably plans to hang out there until the wee hours of the morning
. He clicked his tongue to get his horse moving up the hill.
It’s not my problem what James does or how he spends his time. I’ve got my own life to worry about
.

When Aaron descended the hill, he was surprised to see James’s buggy pulled off to the shoulder of the road. “Guess you must have struck out with Allison, since you’re headed for home so soon, huh?” James called.

Aaron ground his teeth together and kept going.
I won’t give that ornery fellow the satisfaction of goading me into an argument
.

“That Allison, she’s really something, isn’t she?” James hollered as Aaron’s rig went past.

Keep going. Don’t look back. Don’t give him what he wants. He’s not worth it
.

“Giddyup there, boy!” James whipped his horse and buggy past Aaron again. This time James just laughed and kept on going.

Aaron held his horse steady and felt relieved when he came to his driveway. At least he didn’t have to put up with James’s antagonizing anymore.

“Weren’t you surprised when Aaron spoke up to my cousin like that tonight?” Katie asked Joseph as they headed down the road in his open buggy.

“I sure was,” he said with a nod. “I didn’t know my bruder could be so feisty.”

“I think it’s because he likes Allison.”

Joseph looked over at Katie and raised his eyebrows. “What makes you think that?”

Katie gently nudged him in the ribs. “Think about it. Aaron did ask to give Allison a ride home tonight.”

“True, but I believe he may have only asked her in order to get a rise out of James.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Aaron and James have never gotten along well. From the time we were kinner, James has always thought he was stronger, smarter, and better looking than Aaron.” Joseph grunted. “Of course, that arrogant fellow thinks he’s better than anyone.”

Katie sighed. “I hate to say it, but I have to agree. Ever since James and I were kinner he’s been a show-off.”

“Enough about James now.” Joseph reached for her hand. “Let’s talk about us, shall we?”

“What about us?”

“I love you, Katie,” Joseph whispered against her ear. “Have ever since we were kinner.”

Katie shivered as Joseph’s warm breath tickled her neck. “I. . .I love you, too.”

“Really?”

“I wouldn’t have said so if I didn’t.”

“Enough to marry me?”

Katie’s jaw dropped. She’d thought Joseph might have strong feelings for her, but she’d never expected a proposal of marriage—not so soon, anyway.