Plain Admirer (14 page)

She marked her place in the book with the ribbon and closed it. “How are you?”

“Fine. Is it a good book?”

She slipped it into her bag. “I like it.”

“Would I like it?” There was something different about his voice today. It was softer, gentler and yet teasing.

Or maybe she was just imagining things. “I doubt it.”

“It must be one of those romance novels.”

She raised her chin. “There is nothing wrong with a story about two people falling in love.”

“I didn’t say there was. I believe in love. Who wrote it? Maybe I’ve even read it.” He reached for her book bag. She grabbed the strap. After a brief tug-of-war, he wrestled it away from her.

She crossed her arms and glared at him. “Has anyone told you that you are a bully?”

“Nope.” He opened the bag and pulled out her book. His eyes widened in surprise. “Successful Freshwater Bass Fishing. That has to be the most romantic title I’ve ever heard. Don’t tell me how it ends. I have to read it now.”

“Ha! Ha!” She snatched the book away from him. He let her take it.

She stuffed the book back in her bag. “Very funny.”

“I try. Seriously, I didn’t know you liked fishing.”

“Everyone likes fishing.”

He sat down beside her. “A lot of people like to go fishing, but not a lot of people like to read about it.”

“Well, I like to do both.” She rose and started walking.

He stood and followed her. “Where are you going?”

“To work.”

“I’ll walk with you.”

She scowled at him. What was wrong with him today? He wore a goofy grin, but he looked nervous.

He fell into step beside her. “Tell me more about the fishing you do.”

“Why?”

“You may find this hard to believe, but I enjoy fishing, too.”

“What an amazing coincidence!”

“I’m serious. My grandfather used to take me when I was little. I loved sitting on the riverbank beside him and listening to his stories. I didn’t even mind if we didn’t catch anything.”

“Really?” She looked at him in surprise.

“Okay, I enjoyed myself a lot more when the fish were biting.”

“That wasn’t what I meant. I was just surprised because that’s how I learned to love fishing. My grandfather took me with him. He was very old then, and he walked with a cane, but he could look at a stretch of water and tell you right where the fish were. He had a gift. I was named after his wife. I think that’s why he liked being with me. Those were the very best days.” Joann blinked away the tears in her eyes and hoped Roman hadn’t noticed.

He said, “I’m sure he liked being with you because you were a charming child.”

She cocked her head to the side. “Now I know you’re making fun of me.”

“How can you say that?”

“I wasn’t a charming child. I was plain.” And all but invisible to the people she wanted most to be loved by. Her mother had been sick throughout Joann’s childhood. Her father spent all his time caring for her and ignoring his lonely daughter.

“If your grandfather inspired your passion for fishing, who inspired your passion for books?”

“I’m not sure. As soon as I learned to read it was like the entire world opened up and invited me in. I could read about places that are far away, have adventures along with the people in the stories. I was hooked.”

“I didn’t discover books until I started working for Otis. He opened my eyes to what books can do for people.”

“That’s what I loved about working for him. How is he?”

“Doing well. He should be out of the hospital by the end of the week.”

“That’s great.”

By this time they had reached the printing office. Roman held the door open for her. She said, “I’m working at the bookstore today.”

“Oh, right. Say, my brother and I sometimes go fishing. Maybe you can join us one of these days.”

“Sure.” She smiled and turned away. He was just being polite. She knew the trip would never materialize.

“Great. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He went into the office and closed the door.

A second later, the door popped open again. He leaned out and said, “I mean it, teacher. We’ll go fishing soon.”

She giggled and nodded. “Okay, soon.”

She spent the rest of the day smiling as she worked. Her heart was warmed by his thoughtfulness.

Chapter Fourteen

O
n Saturday afternoon, Joann was on her hands and knees sweeping paper shreds from beneath the largest press when she heard her name called in a secretive whisper. She looked behind her to see Sally peeking under the press.

“How did it go? Your meeting with your pen pal. How did it go? Is he fat and bald?”

Joann crawled out and stood up. “I have no idea. He hasn’t been back or at least he hasn’t left another letter. Why are you whispering?”

Sally looked around then took a step closer. “Believe me, Joann, exchanging secret letters with a total stranger is not the kind of thing you want getting out. Do you think he’s avoiding you?”

Joann shrugged. “I have no idea.”

“What are you going to do?”

“Finish cleaning this press and then mop the floors.”

Sally wrinkled her nose. “Don’t be smart. I mean about your mystery guy.”

“There isn’t much I can do except wait for him to contact me.”

“I’m going to go crazy if he doesn’t do it soon.”

Joann had trekked to the lake and back every morning for the past six days. “How do you think I feel? Maybe he’s just busy.”

“Maybe his wife found out. Maybe he fell in the lake and drowned. Maybe he read the note and moved to Montana.”

Joann rolled her eyes. “Sally, stop it.”

Her cousin pointed a finger at her. “This is all your fault.”

“Go home. I’ve got work to do.”

“You’ll tell me as soon as you hear from him, right?”

“I promise.”

Sally tipped her head to one side as she studied Joann. “Is that a new dress? I’ve never seen you in that color before. It’s nice. Mauve suits you.”

“Danki.”
Joann smoothed the front of her matching apron. Sally waved as she headed for the door. Joann waved back. When she was alone, she spun around once to make the skirt flare out. It was a pretty color. She knew it was vain, but she hoped Roman would notice and like it, too.

When Joann finished her work and left the building, she found Roman waiting outside the office in his buggy with Andrew beside him.

Roman jumped down. “Good afternoon. My brother and I are on our way to do some fishing. I thought I’d swing by and see if you wanted to join us.”

“Now?”

“
Ja.
We’re going to a creek not far from here.”

“I know you said you would invite me soon, but I wasn’t expecting this soon.”

Roman smiled at her. “It was a last-minute decision on my part. I understand if you’re busy and don’t want to come.”

Of course, I want to come. Don’t read more into this than it is, Joann. He’s asking me to go fishing, like I’m one of the boys. He’s not asking me out on a date.

She struggled to hide her excitement. “I’d like to go, but I don’t have a pole.”

“That’s okay. We have an extra rod. Come on, it will be fun.”

She looked at his brother. “Andrew, are you sure you don’t mind?”

“I’m just along for the ride. This is Roman’s idea.”

Roman scowled at him. “He doesn’t mind a bit.”

Andrew shrugged. “Okay, I don’t mind.”

* * *

Roman waited and watched silently as she struggled with her decision. If he pushed any harder, he knew she would refuse. Andrew wasn’t helping anything. He’d have a thing or two to say to him when they got home.

Gaining Joann’s trust was what Roman was after, but he had to take it one small step at a time.

She nodded and said, “
Ja,
I reckon I could go for a little while.”

He could have jumped for joy, but instead he said, “Fine. Hop in.”

Andrew drove as they headed east out of town. A half mile later, they pulled off to the side of the road and tethered the horse, then, the three of them left the buggy and walked across the field to a shady spot on the creek.

The bank was grassy, green and inviting beneath a grove of a maple trees. Roman saw the way Joann relaxed once she had a pole in her hand. He was happy to sit on the bank and watch her while pretending to keep an eye on his cork. Andrew moved farther downstream to try his luck there and to give them some privacy.

Roman said, “There’s nothing better than a day spent fishing, if you ask me.”

She was studying the rod holder strapped to his leg. “Do you mind if I ask what that is for?”

“Not at all. This is Andrew’s invention. It holds my rod so I can crank with one hand.”

“How interesting. I’d like to see it in action.”

“You will if the fish cooperate.”

Joann’s cork went under. He sat up. “You’ve got one.”

She jumped to her feet and set the hook. The tip of her rod bent nearly double. Her reel screeched as the fish took more line and ran with it.

Roman was on his feet beside her. “Andrew, bring the net!”

* * *

Joann laughed aloud. She hadn’t had so much fun in ages. “He’s a big one. I don’t think I can hold him.”

“Yes, you can. Don’t let the line go slack. He’ll snap it if you do. Work him toward the bank.” Roman coached her along.

She managed to crank in a small amount of line. “I’m trying.”

Andrew arrived with a dip net. “Wow, you’ve hooked a monster.”

Roman took the net from him and moved to the edge of the bank. “Bring him a little closer.”

Joann pulled with all her might, backing up to bring the fish within his reach. He leaned out over the water. She said, “Roman, be careful. You’ll fall in.”

“Don’t worry about me. Land your fish.”

She fought on with both men shouting encouragement. Each time she got the fish close to the bank, it darted out again into deeper water.

By this time, Andrew was behind Roman holding on to the waistband of his pants to keep his brother from tumbling headlong into the stream. The fish finally surfaced. Andrew shouted, “It’s a carp.”

“And a mighty big one,” Roman added.

Joann’s arms were getting tired. “I could’ve told you that. Get him in the net or he’s going to get away.”

The fish was running out of steam. She pulled him closer. Roman leaned out as far as he could. Suddenly, the lip of the bank gave way. Roman fell and pulled Andrew in with him.

Joann shrieked. Roman came up with a net in his hand and the fish safely in the net. His straw hat went floating downstream. Joann sat in the grass and laughed until tears ran down her face. Andrew waded after Roman’s hat and pulled it out of the water. He was grinning from ear to ear.

As the two men struggled out of the creek, she pressed a hand to her mouth. “All that for a poor old carp that isn’t good to eat anyway.”

The men didn’t seem to care. They were admiring the size of their prize. Andrew said, “I reckon he’s twenty-five pounds.”

“At least,” Roman agreed. He smiled brightly at her.

Joann’s heart took a funny leap. No one had ever smiled at her that way. She couldn’t help herself. She had to glance behind her to see if he was looking at someone else. No one was there. She turned back to him. He wasn’t looking through her. He was looking right at her with those shining blue eyes that put the sky to shame.

In that instant, she realized she was falling hard for Roman and she had no idea what to do about it.

She gloried in the feeling for a heartbeat and then reality reared its ugly head. She was doomed to love in vain. Someone like Roman would never fall for someone like her.

Joann’s practical side quickly asserted itself. “We need to get you guys home and out of those wet things.”

“Reckon you’re right.” Roman seemed reluctant to call a halt to the day.

“Put my poor fish back in the creek. He’s gasping already.”

Roman carried the carp to the water’s edge. Andrew said, “I kinda hate to put him back after all the trouble we went to catch him.”

She had to agree, but she would be forever grateful to the silver beauty for showing her how wonderful love could feel, if only for a little while.

When they arrived back at Hebron’s farm an hour later, Roman got out and walked with her to the door.

She said, “Thanks for taking me fishing. I had a great time.”

“So did I. Are you doing anything tomorrow evening?”

She gave him a puzzled look. “Nothing special, why?”

“I thought you might enjoy going on a picnic after church services. The weather is supposed to be nice.”

Was he serious? “A picnic? With you?”

“Ja.”

“And who else?” She could understand the invitation if it was to a party.

“No one. Just you and I.”

She didn’t dare hope that he returned her affections. What was he up to? “Why?”

“Joann, I enjoy your company when we aren’t trading insults. What do you say?”

Was he making fun of her? He looked perfectly serious, worried even, as if he were afraid she would say no. “Did Sarah put you up to this?”

He shook his head. “No one put me up to it. If you don’t want to go, just say so. I will be disappointed, but I’ll live.”

“You really want to take me on a picnic?” Joy began to spread through her body.

“I do.”

A giddy sensation she hadn’t felt since she was a teenager made her smile. “I reckon a picnic sounds like fun.”

He smiled brightly. “Great. I’ll pick you up at noon, if that’s okay with you?”

“Noon will be fine. What shall I bring?”

“Just yourself.” He stood there smiling at her, looking so handsome it made her heart ache.

She said, “You should get home. Andrew looks miserable.”

“You’re right. See you tomorrow.” He tipped his hat, climbed into his buggy and drove away.

Joann wasn’t sure if she actually touched the floor when she went inside her brother’s home. Roman Weaver had asked her to go out with him. Just him. No one else. She had a date.

She felt like singing, like spinning in circles until she fell to the floor, too dizzy to move. She was going on a picnic with Roman.

She ate her supper without tasting a thing. That night, she lay in bed unable to sleep as anticipation chased sleep away. It was a long time before she finally closed her eyes and slept.

She was awake before dawn brightened the sky. Her giddiness had vanished in the night. What was she thinking? Why had she agreed to go? She was barreling toward heartache. He couldn’t possibly care for someone like her.

He must have been joking. He wouldn’t come at noon. He wouldn’t show up at all. She’d made a terrible mistake by agreeing to go. Right now, he and his brother were sitting somewhere laughing at her gullibility.

When twelve o’clock finally arrived, Hebron came in from finishing his chores. Joann helped her sister-in-law prepare lunch. She was setting the table when Salome burst in. “Aunt Joann, there’s someone here to see you.”

Joann stopped breathing. “Who is it?”

“It’s Roman Weaver.” Salome’s eyes danced with excitement. “He’s driving a courting buggy.”

Hebron scowled at Joann. “Why has he come to see you?”

She smoothed the front of her apron to hide her trembling hands. “He’s taking me on a picnic.”

“Is he really?” Salome demanded.

“
Ja,
he really is.” She looked at her sister-in-law. “I don’t expect to be back until late, so don’t wait supper on me.”

Everyone was staring at her with their mouths open. Joann pulled her book bag off the hook by the door and rushed outside before her courage failed.

* * *

Roman slipped a finger under the collar of his shirt to loosen it. He hadn’t been this nervous since...ever. It occurred to him that he was rushing things, but he didn’t want to keep the truth from Joann a moment longer. He had come to care deeply for her. He wanted their relationship to be based on trust and understanding. He wanted to be more than her friend. Much more.

As she came out the door, she gave him a beautiful smile. His heart flipped over in his chest and started beating like mad. She took his breath away.

She slid in beside him in the buggy. “What a glorious day.”

“It sure is.” It wasn’t the weather that filled him with happiness. It was having her beside him.

“Any ill effects?” Her voice sounded breathy and nervous. Her cheeks were pink and her eyes sparkled. He sure hoped he was the reason.

“From what?”

She giggled. “Your swim with the fishes.”

“
Nee,
I’m fine and so is Andrew. We’ll have to do that again.”

She looked down at her hands. “I’d like that. Where are we going?”

“I thought we might go out to the lake.”

Her head snapped up. She stared at him with wide eyes. “The lake?”

Suddenly, it didn’t seem like such a great plan. “If that’s okay with you?”

“It’s okay.
Ja,
it’s fine. I like going to the lake.”

“So do I. It’s peaceful there.”

She fell silent, and he drove the rest of the way with growing misgivings.

When they reached the south shore, he parked in the shade of an oak tree. She said, “This is a good spot. Shall I put the blanket out here?”

“No, it’s prettier on the east side of the lake. Let’s take our stuff over there.”

Some of the joy left her eyes. “Okay.”

He hated that he was tricking her, but he had arranged for the Friendly Fisherman to introduce himself. It had seemed so clever when he thought of it. He prayed he was doing the right thing. He took the picnic basket from the back of the buggy and started following the path around the lake. When they reached the clearing with the fallen tree, he looked down at her. “I like this spot, don’t you?”

She relaxed a little. “It’s fine.”

He said, “You put out our things. I left the lemonade in the buggy. I’ll be right back.”

* * *

Joann couldn’t believe Roman had brought her to the same spot where she exchanged letters with her secret friend. Once he was out of sight, she laid open the blanket and went to the log. Reaching into the knothole, she brought out her mail jar. There was a new note inside. She opened the lid and took it out.

My dear friend,

I would be delighted to meet you face to face. We do have a lot to talk about. So turn around.

F.F.

Turn around. Her heart skipped a beat and stumbled onward. Slowly, she looked up. Roman was standing at the edge of the trees. He lifted his hand in a brief wave. “Hi.”