Courting Emily (A Wells Landing Book 2) (13 page)

“I tried to.”

Emily crossed her arms. “You most certainly did not.”

“Earlier today, in the buggy.”

Emily shook her head.

“So what about it?” Lorie asked.

“What about what?” Emily asked.

“You and Elam,” Caroline said. “I mean, you just said you were going over to his house this afternoon.”

“To see his father,” Emily argued. Why was everyone trying to see romance where there was none? Had wedding fever taken ahold of everybody’s good sense?

“You know he will be there,” Lorie pointed out.

“If I go at milking time,” Emily said, “he’ll be in the barn.” And that was exactly her plan. She could get in, visit, and get back out before he even realized she was there.

“I want to stay for the singing,” Mary said, bringing the conversation full circle.

“I—”

Mary grabbed Emily’s hand and bounced up and down in apparent excitement. “I know. Why don’t you ride with Elam to the house, and then I can come by and get you later?”

“Or better yet, Elam can take you home.” Caroline nudged Lorie, and they both smiled like crazy.

“I’ll go ask Elam.” Mary released her hand and raced away.

“Why do I feel like I’ve been majorly set up?” Emily asked no one in particular.

Her
freinden
smiled in return. “Because you have.”

 

 

That was how Emily found herself swaying beside Elam Riehl as his buggy rocked along the road.

“You don’t seem very happy today, Emily Ebersol.”

She shrugged, unable to line up all her emotions and get a handle on them.

“You did not have to come,” he continued.

“It’s not that.” She picked at an invisible spot on her apron and tried to put to a voice what was swirling around in her thoughts. “Did you know everyone is talking about us?” She cast a glance at him from the corner of her eye, but he kept his attention straight ahead.

“I don’t think it’s everyone.”

“Close enough!” Emily threw her arms up, then let them slap back to her sides. “They are saying that we’re not doing a very good job at hiding our courtin’.”

“I guess that much is true. We aren’t hiding it very well.”

“We’re not courtin’.” She did her best to keep her tone even, but despite her efforts, the last word was close to a shout.

He cleared his throat. “We could be.”

Emily stopped, the bluster seeping out of her. “What?”

“I said we could be.” His words were quiet and steady, almost as if he had been practicing them, but hadn’t meant to say them just yet.

She mulled over what he’d said. Did he really mean what it sounded like he was saying?

“Would courtin’ me be such a bad thing?” he asked. This time there was no mistaking his intent.

He pulled the buggy to the side of the road. The horse shook his head at the interruption to the trip. He stamped his feet, but otherwise held steady as Elam turned in his seat to look at her.

“I hadn’t planned to do this . . . yet.” His voice washed over her, warm and true, and sent shivers down her spine. She pulled her coat a little tighter around herself. “I think you are a fine woman, Emily Ebersol, and I know you have set yourself by Luke Lambright all these years. Well, Luke’s gone, and I’m still here. And if you’ve so a mind, I’d be happy to court you.”

Emily blinked, unsure of how to respond. She had expected Elam to get upset, maybe even rage a bit concerning those who were gossiping about the two of them. The last thing—the very last thing—she expected was for him to ask to court her.

He cleared his throat, then gave a terse nod. “I see that I have misunderstood.” He checked the traffic, then turned his gaze back to the road. With a slap of the reins, he clicked his tongue and set the beast into motion once again. “Giddyup.”

Emily laid a hand on his arm.

He pulled the horse to a stop. The beast snorted and shook his head again, eager to be on his way back to the warm barn.

“
Nay
. I’m sorry. I’m just surprised is all.”

He turned to study her face. His eyes searched, for what she did not know. “
Gut
surprised or bad surprised?”

She really hadn’t given it a lot of thought. She had been so caught up in Luke and when he was coming home and how soon before they could start their life together that she hadn’t given much attention to anything else. Elam was steady and true. He was loyal to his family and to his church. And she had to admit when he stopped frowning long enough to smile, he was as handsome as they came.

“
Gut
surprised,” she heard herself say. Her ears hummed with excitement and something more. A new beginning, perhaps?

His green, green eyes studied her. Were they looking for signs of deceit or regret? Then they softened to that dew in spring color she loved so much. “
Jah?
” His smile flickered, then stretched its way across his face.

“
Jah
.” This time she said it with more conviction. With more certainty. She hadn’t thought about it before, or maybe she hadn’t let herself think about it. But there was something special about Elam Riehl. Something that drew her in, pulled to her, called her, and captured her all at the same time.

He raised a hand to touch her cheek, the backs of his fingers covered by warm leather gloves. “I’m so very glad, Emily Ebersol.”

 

 

Elam clicked his horse back into motion and willed his heart to quit beating so fast. If he wasn’t careful he would end up in the emergency room before the night was over. But never in his wildest dreams had he imagined that Emily Ebersol would agree to date him.

Slow down. She didn’t agree to marry you,
he told himself, but he couldn’t stop the stupid grin from spreading across his face.

“Next week, Caroline and Andrew are having a Thanksgiving party. Perhaps you would go with me?” she asked.

Elam checked his smile once more. “I’d like nothing better.”

The wind didn’t seem quite so cold or the sky as dreary. The morning had started off sunny, but as the afternoon wore on, the clouds had begun to gather.

“I appreciate you coming to visit with
Dat,
” he said, feeling a bit awkward.

“You’re welcome.” She folded her hands in her lap.

She seemed uncomfortable and stiff. Maybe he should have kissed her. Yet he hadn’t wanted to overstep his bounds with her. What was he thinking? They had agreed to date. Surely she would expect him to kiss her eventually.

But he didn’t want their first kiss to be on the side of the road in plain view of anyone who happened by. They had already started too many tongues to waggin’ and nothing had even happened between them yet.

“Your
dat,
” he started, not knowing exactly how to proceed. “I suppose I should come and talk to him about . . . everything . . . you know, since there are rumors and such.”

Emily nodded. “That might be a
gut
idea.”

“After church then?”

Emily nodded. “
Jah
. Okay. I’ll tell him to expect you.”

Then the doubts started to creep in. “Emily,” he said as they rocked along. They were almost to his house now. He’d have to get this settled before he got home. Before his
mamm
and
dat
saw them together and drew the same conclusions everyone else in the district apparently had. “Are you sure about this? I mean about courtin’?”

“Why would I not be?”

He shrugged. “Luke.” The name was bitter on his lips, and he vowed to pray about it that night. It wasn’t Luke’s fault that he had so readily captured Emily’s heart. But he had left her for the pleasures of the world. Couldn’t Emily see that?

“It’s time I faced a few facts where Luke is concerned,” Emily said. “He’s not coming back, and I can’t go. That leaves me and you.”

Emily might be in love with Luke Lambright now, but Elam promised them both, before the next wedding season was over he would make Emily Ebersol love him instead.

Danny Fitch and Julie King got married. Since Danny only had two brothers of his own, his cousin, Andrew, served as an attendant as well. Caroline was left to attend on her own, and Emily was more than happy to accompany her. Lorie readily joined them. How long had it been since the three of them had done something together?

“Too long,” Lorie said, clearly enjoying their girl time. “Now that you are married, Caroline, it seems like we never see you.”

Caroline nodded. “It’s true,
jah
.” She glanced over to where a group of children played with a variety of push toys, both plastic and wooden. Her daughter Emma was among those happy toddlers.

The wedding had gone off without a hitch, and Mr. and Mrs. Fitch were happily entertaining their guests. Most had a plate of cake and a glass of punch as they celebrated the union.

“What about you?” Caroline asked Emily. “It seems you are never in town since you stopped teaching.”

“That’s because she’s courtin’ Elam Riehl.”

“What?” Thankfully the room was loud enough that no one around them paid any attention to Caroline’s outburst. “I mean, what?” she said, softer this time. “You and Elam?”

“It’s nothing serious. We’re just taking things as they come.”

“So did me and Andrew, and you know how that turned out.”

Emily shook her head. “This is different.”

“Because of Luke?” Caroline asked.

Strangely enough, Luke wasn’t the barrier between her and Elam. “He’s so busy trying to take care of his family. He’s brother and provider.” She shrugged. “That doesn’t leave a lot of time for much else.”

“But he did say he wanted to date,” Caroline pushed.

“
Jah
.”

“It’s exciting.” Lorie grinned from ear to ear as if she was somehow responsible for the match.

Caroline shot a pointed look at Emily. “She doesn’t look excited.”

Emily squirmed as Lorie turned her inquisitive brown eyes to her. “Are you not happy?” Lorie finally asked.

“It’s not that.” Emily shifted from one foot to the other. She had been wanting to talk to someone about this, but hadn’t found the courage. Confiding in her mother or her sisters was next to impossible, but her friends . . . “He has not kissed me.” There, she said it.

“What?” Lorie’s eyes grew wide.

“Esther,” Caroline called. “Keep an eye on Emma for me.”

Esther Lapp nodded her head, and Emily found herself being hustled out of the house. Before she realized what had happened, she was standing in the yard, her friends staring at her with mouths agape.

“Not even once?” Caroline asked.

“Not even during the hayride?” Lorie added.

Caroline shook her head. “It’s strange. I mean . . . I’m all for taking this slow, but . . .” She trailed off, unable to get any more out.

If the heat radiating from Emily was any indication, she had to be bright red. They just didn’t talk about stuff like this.

Lorie straightened her back and crossed her arms. “If the way he was looking at you the other day was any indication, it won’t be long.”

“You think?” Emily hated the gush of relief coloring her voice. She didn’t want to sound desperate, but she was new at this dating business. She had no idea how it went. “I’ve never dated anyone but Luke.”

Caroline gave her a knowing smile. “I think you might find kissing Elam a bit different than kissing Luke.”

Emily covered her mouth with one hand, her squeal trapped somewhere in between.

Lorie swatted Caroline on the arm, but her smile conveyed it was all in good fun. “Such talk. Married women should not go around corrupting the minds of the maidens.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

Strangely enough, Emily did know. Luke was the same age as her, actually a couple of months younger, and Elam . . . well, Elam was four years older. He had been through more. Seen more in his life. When she looked into his eyes, she felt as if she was looking into another world she had never known about. Of course his kiss would be different. But would it be as thrilling as when she kissed Luke? She could hardly wait until she discovered it for herself.

 

 

“I’m looking forward to tonight,” Elam said as they bounced along the road. They were on their way to Abe Fitch’s old farmhouse to the Thanksgiving party being held by Caroline and Andrew Fitch.

Elam would be glad when they finally got there. It wasn’t that the night was too cold or the wind too strong. No, sitting by Emily, alone and not being able to touch her, was slowly driving him out of his mind. He wanted so badly to reach across and brush her prayer
kapp
strings behind her shoulders, run his fingers down the sheer pink the cold had stained on her cheeks. Or even just hold her hand in his own. Yet he had told himself he should take this slow. And he would. Even if it drove him mad in the process.

He was under no illusions that Emily loved him. He knew she still harbored feelings for Luke Lambright. But Luke was no longer a part of their community. The younger man had his chance with Emily and walked away from it. Elam wasn’t about to make that mistake. Nor was he going to press his hand. He might not have to compete with Luke the man, but he would still have to triumph over his memory.

Elam would show Emily how it felt to be cherished and loved. How it felt to be wooed and cared for, appreciated and valued.

Thankfully the driveway to the Fitch place came into sight before Elam lost all control over his promises to himself.

He pulled into the yard, parking his buggy next to those belonging to the other guests. He had no idea who all might be here. He hadn’t given it much thought other than he and Emily would be together. Now he wondered if he would be accepted into this grown-up youth group.

He was doing this all backward. He was well past the time for acceptance and “buddy bunches.” He was almost too old to consider courtin’. And the good Lord knew he was too old to be worried about what people thought of him now. But he was as
naerfich
as a mouse in a barnyard full of cats as he swung down from the buggy.

“Are you
allrecht?
” Emily asked as he came around and helped her to the ground.

“
Jah
. Of course.” But it was a lie. This was his first public outing with Emily Ebersol, and he wanted everything to be perfect. Sure she had agreed to court him and see if they could come out on the other side more than friends, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t change her mind along the way.

Being alone with her was one thing, but being out, at a party with the eyes of the community on them . . . that was another altogether.

He took her arm and steered her toward the house. His legs were stiff, his footsteps weighted down by trepidation.

A bark of laughter escaped Emily. She stopped as she continued to laugh, nearly doubling over with her mystery mirth.

“What is so funny?” He planted his hands on his hips and patiently waited for her to get herself back in control. Yet in truth he was even more anxious now to get this night over with. What was wrong with her?

“
Nix
. Nothing.” She gulped in air and pressed the back of her hand to her mouth as if to stop more laughter from bubbling out.

“That didn’t seem like nothing.” He waved a hand in front of him for emphasis.

“It’s us.” She sucked in a shuddering breath as she wiped happy tears from her eyes. At least, he hoped they were happy tears. “You’re all like . . .” She walked with stiff legs, her arms out in front of her much like the Frankenstein monster at the hayride. “And I’m all like . . .” She cupped her hand over the side of her face and played a quick game of peek-a-boo with him. “Trying to see if you’re looking at me or not looking at me and . . .”

“I don’t understand how this is funny.” He frowned.

“It’s not. It’s just all very . . . confusing,” she finished on a rush. She sucked in another breath, then stopped as if she had only then realized they were standing alone in the middle of Andrew Fitch’s front yard.

“Why?” he asked, hoping her answer was just as simple as his question.

She shook her head. “I feel too old for this.”

How amazing that he was just thinking the same thing. “What do you mean?”

She folded her arms across her middle, but the action somehow seemed protective instead of defensive. “I’m too old to be sitting in a buggy wondering if and when a
bu
is going to kiss me.” Her words trailed off until the last two were barely audible on the chilly night breeze.

He cleared his suddenly dry throat. “Perhaps the
bu
is thinking the same thing.”

Her gaze jerked to his and all at once they seemed connected. Connected in a way like never before. What was it about Emily Ebersol that had him tied in knots? Whatever it was, it had been there the first time he saw her, and it was still there today. “What do we do about it?” she asked.

Even in the pale light from the harvest moon, he saw her eyes darken. Such beautiful eyes. “I can think of only one thing.” He took a step closer to her.

“
Jah?
”

Another step and he could reach out and pull her close. “This is not what I had planned for us,” he said quietly.

“You had plans?” she whispered in return.

He nodded. “I was going to take you home tonight. Maybe sit on your front porch and watch the stars. I wanted you to have time to get used to the idea of . . .”

“Of what?”

Did he imagine it or had she stepped a little closer to him? “Of me and you. Of us. Together.”

“You think I need time for that? Any other man would have stolen a kiss long ago.”

Oh, he had thought about it. “I don’t want to be like anyone else to you.”

She smiled. “Trust me,” she said, taking one more baby step in his direction. “You’re not.”

 

 

Emily was certain no man had ever spoken sweeter words to her than those that had just tumbled from Elam Riehl’s lips. He wanted to be different from any other man. He was different. Couldn’t he see that?

Maybe not.

“I didn’t want to steal a kiss. I wanted to share a kiss with you.”

She was wrong.
Those
were the sweetest words she had ever heard. “Okay,” she heard herself saying.

“Okay?” His voice sounded a little like he’d stepped on a frog.

“
Jah,
” she said. “That is what I want, too.”

“Tonight,” he croaked. “When I take you home?”

She shook her head. “What’s wrong with now?”

In an instant he closed the small gap between them. Perhaps he too had been nearly tortured by the wait, the anticipation of wondering if the actual kiss would live up to the expectations building in their minds.

His arms wrapped around her as he lowered his head. His hat bumped her ear and fell to the ground at their feet, but she hardly noticed. She was too focused on him.

His lips were cool on hers, his kiss warm in the fall night. It was gentle and strong, soft and firm, and everything she could have asked for. And it was more.

She melted right there in the November night air. But it was okay, because he was there to hold her up. He was there to catch her sigh as he continued to kiss her like he couldn’t get enough.

Never before had she been kissed with such tenderness and passion all wrapped up in one restrained package. She never wanted it to end.

“Elam, is that you?”

Emily stepped back as Elam lifted his head. His eyes were dark and unreadable, but something in the light sparkling there told her they were lucky they had been interrupted. How long they would have stood there, locked in each other’s warm embrace was anyone’s guess.

“
Jah
.” His voice sounded rusty as he bent down to retrieve his hat.

How had they not heard the door to the house open? Or Andrew Fitch, Caroline’s husband, step out onto the porch? Even worse, how long had he stood there watching before he called out to them?

Shame stained her cheeks with a heat that could only be as red as Andrew’s horse barn. Shame and something else.

“Are you coming in?” Laughter colored Andrew’s tone.

“
Jah
.” Elam slapped his hat against his thigh, but never took his gaze from her. He placed the hat back on his head and offered her his arm. “We’ll be right there.”

 

 

Unfortunately Andrew waited for them to come into the house, leaving them no time to talk. Not that Emily could have put words to it. She wasn’t sure what had happened between them. She knew it was special and unexpected, but other than that, she was lost.

“Are you
allrecht?
” Lorie grabbed her elbow and steered her away from the milling party guests.

Caroline had set up a table across the back of their living room. She had piled it high with bread, turkey, all sorts of finger foods, some kind of meatballs, and a variety of chips. Emily couldn’t eat a thing.

“
Jah,
” she lied. She wanted to tell Lorie the truth, but she couldn’t find the words. Didn’t even know how to explain what happened to herself.

Lorie crossed her arms and eyed Emily with that pinning stare. “Tell me another lie, and I’ll report you to the deacon.”

Emily didn’t answer. Instead she glanced to the other side of the room where Elam stood. Andrew Fitch appeared to be giving him as much trouble as Lorie was giving her.

It didn’t take long for her friend to figure out what had happened.

“Oh,
gut himmel
.” Lorie grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the kitchen.

Caroline stood at the stove stirring a large pot of something that smelled pretty
gut,
but Emily had no wits about her to tell what it was from its aroma alone. Joanie Yoder stood next to her.