Amish Sweethearts (45 page)

She wanted to be with Zane. He’d been right all along. Just because her Mamm hadn’t left the church didn’t mean Lila shouldn’t. And Beth would help Dat cope. Becoming Mennonite was the compromise Lila needed to make for Zane.

The lights of a semitruck shone through the back window. She waited until she’d rounded a curve to pull as far over to the side of the road as possible so the driver could get safely around her.

As she did, bright headlights from the other direction momentarily blinded her. It took her a moment to realize that a pickup was passing a car. She jerked the reins to the right—better to go in the ditch than be hit—but the wheel stayed on solid ground and she realized she’d pulled into a wide driveway.
She yanked on the reins, stopping the horse, as the pickup made it around the car and then the truck, its horn blaring, passed her on the left.

She exhaled, her heart racing and her hands shaking. She hopped down to check on her horse. She was spooked, that was certain.

Lila comforted her, stroking her head.
Thank you, Lord
, she prayed as she did, relieved their time on earth wasn’t up.

All she could think of was Zane
.
She needed him. Wanted him. She ached for him.

After the horse calmed down, she climbed back in the buggy and urged the mare on, heading home to Juneberry Lane.

27

Z
ane threw one last pebble into the creek and then stood. The snow had started again. Big flakes floated down from the dark sky. He zipped his coat up to his chin. He’d wanted to call Lila every night since he’d returned to the U.S., but he hadn’t wanted to say too much too soon.

He had an appointment in two weeks to talk with an Army psychologist about his nightmares and hoped that would help. Seeing Jaalal again had settled him, but he knew he had more work to do. He felt hopeful about dealing with his internal wounds, though.

The biggest reason he hadn’t contacted Lila though was that he’d needed to speak with Gideon first and then Tim. He hoped she’d understand.

He checked the time on his phone. She was late. Waiting for her physically hurt.

A rustling in the field interrupted his thoughts, and he
scampered up the bank. He opened the flashlight app on his phone and turned it on.

The rustling stopped. A soft voice called out, “Zane?” It was Lila.

“Here I am.” He held the light toward her voice.

She wore her heavy coat and her black bonnet, and held a flashlight—pointed at him—in her hand.

“I was afraid you might not come,” he said.

“I almost got sandwiched between a semi and a truck.”

He stopped and took her hand. “You’re shaking.”

She nodded. “I’m fine. But it scared me.”

“I’m so glad you’re all right.” He squeezed her hand and then nodded toward the fort. “We’d be out of the snow.”

“Okay,” she answered, still holding his hand as she followed him down the bank and into their fort.

“Who fixed it up?” she asked.

“I did. When I was home . . . before.”

He motioned to the stump, and she sat, scooting to the edge, leaving enough room for him. He sat beside her, still holding her hand. He wanted to wrap his arm around her, but he was still afraid.

He squeezed her hand. “Did you finish your crazy quilt?”

She shook her head.

“I’ve thought about it a lot,” he said. “About our story.”

She nodded. She hadn’t told him that was what she was doing—but he had known.

His eyes glistened, and she rested her head against his arm. “Tell me what happened when you went back,” she said.

He told her about the MRAP hitting the IED and about Jaalal rescuing them and then spending the night in his home. “He was a true friend to me,” Zane said. “A true neighbor even though we live half a world away geographically and a world away as far as religion and culture.”

He went on to tell her about the mission being called off because of the downsizing that was going on. “Once Sarge was injured, they decided it wasn’t worth it to bring in someone new when we only had two months remaining—not when the mission wouldn’t be continued once we left.”

“Was it sad to leave?”

“It was. Especially leaving Jaalal.” Zane stopped for a moment, not sure what more to say, but then he took a deep breath and continued. “When he told me good-bye he said to go home and marry that beautiful Amish girl. Have a houseful of children. And then he said, ‘God go with you.’”

Lila shifted toward him and met his eyes. “How did he know about me?”

“He saw the photo on my phone, the one Simon took. Way back before I was injured.”

Lila shook her head. “You had a photo of me?”

“Two,” Zane said. “I’m sorry.”

She smiled. “No, I’m glad you had them.”

“I want what Jaalal said.” He leaned closer. “To marry you. To live here.” He smiled at the thought of living in their fort. “If we could.”

She nodded.

He grew serious. “And have a family.”

“That’s what I want too,” she whispered. “I’ll leave.”

“What?”

“I’ll become Mennonite. That’s what’s best for us.”

He shook his head. “No.”

“What do you mean?”

“I want to join.”

She tilted her head in that questioning way of hers.

He continued. “I think me joining the Amish makes more sense than you leaving.”

She shook her head. “Why’s that?”

“Because if I join we’ll have your Dat’s support—”

“Are you sure we would?”

He nodded. “I asked him this afternoon.”

“And he gave us his blessing?”

“Yes—as long as that was what you wanted. And as long as I was willing to join your church.” Zane let go of her hand and put his arm around her, pulling her close, reminding himself not to do all the talking but to listen. “What made you decide you’d be willing to become Mennonite?”

“Eve told me my birth father never knew about Daniel and me. All this time I thought my Mamm had chosen not to leave, but it turns out she didn’t know him very well, and she never even considered leaving.”

“And that made you want to join the Mennonites?”

She smiled and shook her head. “No. It made me realize my Mamm wouldn’t want me to stay Amish for her and miss spending the rest of my life with you.”

He tightened his grip on her shoulder.

“But, Zane, honestly, if you try to become Amish and it just doesn’t work, we can leave. I can live with being Mennonite. Truly.”

He leaned his head against her forehead. “Denki,” he said, and then, “
Ich liebe Dich
.”

“I love you too,” she said, turning her face up toward his. He leaned down and kissed her then, first lightly and then, as she responded, more passionately. All those years he’d waited, and finally, the time was right.

28

L
ila followed Dat and Beth up the steps to the Becks’ home, while Rose and Trudy ran and knocked on the door. Each carried a dish in their hands—cranberry sauce, broccoli salad, stuffing, and green beans. Lila had sent the pies and the rolls over ten minutes before with Simon in Zane’s truck. Dat hadn’t said anything to Lila about Zane during breakfast. He’d cleared his throat a couple of times but then had stayed quiet.

The door swung open, and Zane stepped out onto the porch, motioning the girls in and then taking the pot of stuffing from Beth. He greeted her warmly, then Dat, and then nodded to Lila, his eyes dancing.

Her heart fluttered, and she stopped for just a moment at the top of the stairs while the others continued on.

“Come on,” he said, nodding toward the door. “Come in out of the cold.”

She brushed against his arm as she passed by, remembering their kiss. A jolt of electricity shot up her spine. Eve swept in
and took the green beans from her, following Zane into the kitchen, while Lila hung her coat.

Simon and Casey stood by the wood stove, along with Adam and Trudy. Rose stood along the wall, probably wishing she was over at Monika’s with Daniel and Jenny—and Reuben.

The kitchen table had been pulled out into the living room, just before the hallway, and another long folding table had been added. All of them would sit together. Charlie was filling water glasses, and Dat joined him, picking up the second pitcher on the table. Lila followed Beth into the kitchen and Shani greeted both of them, giving Lila an extra-long hug.

When Lila stepped away, Shani had tears in her eyes. Zane must have said something.

Eve gave them both a funny look but didn’t say anything until Lila stepped past the refrigerator. Eve followed her and whispered, “Are you becoming a Mennonite?”

Lila shook her head and whispered back, “I’ll tell you later.” She and Zane didn’t want to make any sort of announcement today. He didn’t want to come off as prideful, as if he thought he could make it as an Amish man. Not very many Englischers tried and not many who did stayed. Then again, none of them were fluent in Pennsylvania Dutch either. Or had grown up on Juneberry Lane.

More importantly Zane had seven more months in the Army. He’d move home in June and get a job doing construction or working in a dairy or something else. Gideon had told him he could live with them or another family in the district. He’d sell his truck and buy a horse and buggy. He’d take classes to join the church. He’d see if it was a way of life he could embrace.

“All of this can go out to the table,” Shani said, motioning toward the platters heaped with food on the counter.

Zane grabbed the stuffing again, and Lila grabbed the rolls. Soon they were ready to eat.

After everyone was seated, Joel led them in a silent prayer and then prayed, “Lord, our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for everything you’ve done for us. You’ve kept us safe and well. You give us all we need—our families, our neighbors, and our friends. Thank you for bringing Zane home to us. Please protect Simon. Use this food to strengthen us to love each other more. We are thankful beyond all measure. Amen.”

When Lila opened her eyes and looked up, Joel had his eyes on her. He smiled, and she smiled back before she realized Simon was watching. He grinned in a knowing way. She quickly picked up the fruit salad, dished up her portion, and then passed it on to Zane.

By the time they’d finished eating, it was snowing again.

“Why don’t all of you kids go out?” Shani said.

Zane glanced around the table. “Kids?”

“Well, you’re all still kids to us,” Shani said. “All of us old folks can clean up.”

Rose said, “I don’t want to get cold. I’ll stay and help too.”

The rest of them put on their coats, boots, and gloves and traipsed outside.

“Shall we play Romans? Or Tarzan?” Simon joked.

Casey turned toward him. “What?”

“Yeah, your buddy here used to lead us in all sorts of different maneuvers.”

“That explains him leading us on our trek through the mountains,” Casey said. “You just didn’t know he was in training as a kid.”

They headed into the field, and then Zane veered off toward the fort with Simon and Casey. Trudy and Adam stopped and started building a snowman. Lila followed Zane down the bank.

Once they reached the fort, Simon sat on the stump and pulled Casey down beside him.

“So what’s going on with you and Zane?” Simon asked Lila, loudly.

Lila cleared her throat and said, “What’s going on with
you
two?”

Simon laughed. “Who, us? We just met.”

Casey nudged him. “And someone’s being deployed.”

“Yeah, well,” Simon said, patting his pocket, “at least I’ve got FaceTime figured out. We can stay in touch.”

“At least I’ll have an idea of what you’re going through.”

They were all silent for a moment, and then Simon looked up at Lila and said, “I never thought you’d leave the church.”

“She’s not,” Zane answered.

“What?” Simon shifted his weight on the stump. “Don’t tell me you’re going to have a bowl cut and be wearing barn pants soon.”

Zane shrugged. “I guess we’ll have a good idea about that by the time you get back.”

Casey broke out into a laugh. “I won’t say anything, I promise.”

“I don’t care if you do,” Zane answered. “Especially to Grant. It would probably push him completely over the edge.”

Casey grimaced. “He’ll end up over the edge all on his own, I’m sure. Without any help from you.”

Snow fell from a branch above them. Simon stood and grabbed the rope that had hung there all those years.

“Don’t do it,” Lila hissed, just as he grabbed up higher on to it and swung out across, landing on the other side, a huge grin on his face.

Lila grabbed the rope as it came back and held on to it. Simon scooped up a snowball and threw it at her. Zane threw one back at him. Soon snowballs flew back and forth until, finally, Lila
sent the rope back across the creek and ran up the bank. Casey followed her.

Up in the field, Trudy and Adam had the bottom half of a snowman made and were now making snow angels. Lila fell to the ground beside her little sister. Big, fluffy flakes were falling now, and Casey scooped up handful after handful, forming them into snowballs. When the guys came up the bank she started lobbing them at Simon.