Plain and Fancy (3 page)

As Laura drove back to Lancaster, all she could think about was Eli. She pictured his twinkling blue eyes, sandy brown hair, and the cute little chin dimple that made him look so irresistible. Eli was full of humor and had a fresh, almost innocent way about him. It was something she’d never seen in Dean Carlson, who had a haughty attitude and seemed to think he was every woman’s dream.

She clenched the steering wheel until her knuckles turned white.
What am I thinking here? I can’t allow myself to fantasize about Eli or start comparing him to other men. He’s off-limits—forbidden fruit for a modern English woman like me.
She grimaced as she pulled up to a stop sign and spotted a closed-in Amish buggy with two little tow-headed boys peeking out the back.
Then why am I reflecting on the time we had together today? And why did I agree to go on a picnic with him next Saturday?

As hard as Laura tried, she seemed unable to squelch the desire to see Eli one more time. She could learn a bit more about the Amish; they would enjoy a nice picnic lunch and soak up the beauty of the lake; and it would be over. They’d probably never see each other again. She would have pleasant memories of the brief time she’d spent with an intriguing Amish man, and her life would return to normal. It would be a wonderful story to tell her grandchildren someday. She smiled and tried to visualize herself as a grandmother, but the thought was too far removed. The only thing she could see was the face of Eli Yoder calling her to learn more about him and his Plain way of living.

All the way home, Eli thought about Laura and the conversation they’d had on their way to and from the lake. She had asked a lot of questions about his way of life, but he hadn’t asked that many about hers. He would have to do that next Saturday, because there were so many things he wanted to know. How long would she be in Lancaster studying at the interior design school? How old was she? Did she have any brothers or sisters? Did she have a boyfriend? That was the one thing he wanted to know the most, and it troubled him deeply, because it shouldn’t matter so much.

He could still picture Laura sitting in his buggy, her long auburn hair glistening in the sun like golden shafts of wheat
. I shouldn’t be thinking about her, much less worrying over whether she has a boyfriend. Probably shouldn’t have invited her to have a picnic with me next Saturday, but I just want to see her one more time. I’d like the chance to answer a few more of her questions and ask a few of my own.

The family-style restaurant where Laura was to meet Darla seemed crowded, and after checking her watch, Laura knew she was late. She stood in the clogged entryway, craning her neck to see around the people in front of her. Was Darla already in the dining room? Sure enough, she spotted her sitting at one of the tables.

When the hostess seated Laura, she couldn’t help but notice Darla’s impatience as she tapped her fingernails against her place mat and squinted with obvious displeasure. “It’s about time you got here.”

“Sorry. I tried to call, but you must have had your phone turned off.” Laura pulled out a chair and sat down.

“Were you caught in traffic, or do you just like to make people wait?”

“I went for a ride in an Amish buggy this afternoon, and I guess we lost track of time.”

Darla’s pale eyebrows furrowed. “I wouldn’t think any buggy driver would lose track of time. I mean, they charge you a certain amount, and when the time’s up, it’s up.”

Laura shook her head. “I didn’t take a commercial buggy ride. I was with Eli Yoder.”

“Who?”

“Eli’s that cute Amish guy I met at the market a few weeks ago. I’m sure I mentioned it.”

Before Darla could comment, Laura rushed on. “I had such a good time today. The fall colors at the lake were gorgeous.” She glanced down at her purse and frowned. “I had my camera with me the whole time, but I forgot to take even one picture.”

Darla stared out the window a few seconds; then she looked back at Laura. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re obviously starstruck, and I hope you realize that you’re making a huge mistake.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I can see you’re infatuated with this Amish guy, and you’d better not tell me that you plan to see him again, because it can only lead to trouble.”

“I’m not
infatuated
with him!” When Laura noticed several people staring, she lowered her voice. “I did enjoy his company, and the buggy ride was exciting, but that’s all there was to it. I hardly even know the man.”

“Well, good. That means you’re not planning to see him again then, right?”

“We did talk about going on a picnic next Saturday.” Laura shrugged. “But it’s no big deal.”

“No big deal? Laura, do you have any idea of the trouble that could come from an Amish man dating an English woman?” Darla leaned across the table. “Don’t do it. You need to cancel that date.”

Laura’s mouth dropped open. “It’s not a real date. It’s just an innocent picnic. Besides, I can’t cancel. I don’t have his telephone number, so I have no way of getting in touch with him.” She grabbed her menu, hoping this discussion was finally over.

“Some Amish do have telephones now,” Darla said, “but usually only those who have businesses. Do you realize that the Plain People live almost like the pioneers used to? They don’t use electricity, or drive cars—”

Laura held up her hand. “I get the picture. Can we change the subject now?”

Darla’s voice lowered to a whisper. “I want to say one more thing.”

Laura merely shrugged. Darla was obviously not going to let this drop until she’d had her say.

“I told you before that I used to live in this area before my folks moved to New York, so I know a little something about the Amish.”

“Such as?”

“They don’t take kindly to Englishers dating their children, and I’ll bet Eli’s folks don’t know he was with you today, do they?”

Laura hated to be cross-examined. None of this was Darla’s business. “I don’t know what Eli told them when he went home, but today was the first time we’ve done anything together.”

“The Amish are private people. They live separate, plain lives. They don’t like worldly ways—or worldly women for their men.” Darla shook her head. “You’d be smart to nip this in the bud before it goes any further.”

Laura remained silent. She didn’t need Darla’s unwanted advice, and she knew exactly what she was doing.

“Say, Mom, I have a favor to ask,” Eli said, when he stepped into the kitchen and headed toward the table where Mary Ellen sat tearing lettuce leaves into a bowl.

She smiled, thinking her oldest boy looked happier than usual this evening. “Oh? What favor is that?”

“I’m going on a picnic to the lake next Saturday, and I was wondering if you’d mind packing a picnic lunch for me to take along.”

“How much food did you need?”

He grinned. “As much as you want to fix, I guess.”

“For how many people, Eli?” she asked with a groan.
Johnny’s silly ways must be rubbing off on our son. He thinks he’s a practical joker now.

“Uh ... there will be two of us, Mom,” Eli mumbled, his face turning red.

She nodded, feeling quite pleased with that bit of news. Eli obviously had a date, and she figured it was probably Pauline, since he’d gone to lunch with her awhile ago when they’d met at the farmers’ market. “Anything special you’d like me to fix?”

He shrugged. “Just the usual picnic things, I guess.”

“All right, then. I’ll put together something that I’m sure both you and your date will like.”

The color in Eli’s face deepened, and he looked away. “Danki, Mom. I really appreciate that.”

When Wesley Meade entered the living room, he found his wife curled up on the couch, reading a book. “Hi, hon. How was your day?” He bent down to kiss her forehead.

“It was all right, I suppose,” Irene replied without looking up from her novel.

He set his briefcase on the coffee table and took a seat in the recliner across from her. “Did you do anything special?”

“Helen and I went shopping at the mall, got our nails done, and had lunch at Roberto’s. Then on the way home, I stopped at our favorite catering place and ordered the food for the hospital guild’s annual charity dinner.”

Wesley’s gaze went to the ceiling. It seemed all his wife did anymore was shop for new clothes she didn’t need and flit from one charity organization to another, planning dinners, parties, and elaborate balls. Not that there was anything wrong with charities. He knew that most of the organizations she was involved with did a lot of good for those in need. However, Irene’s emphasis seemed to be more on the social side of things rather than on meeting the needs of people who were hurting or required financial or physical help.

“I got an e-mail from Laura today,” he said, changing the subject to something he hoped might interest her.

“Really? What did she have to say?”

“So you didn’t check your e-mail?”

Irene’s hand fluttered as if she was swatting a fly. “Wesley, you know I rarely use the computer you bought me for Christmas last year.”

“Why not? It’s got all the whistles and bells anyone could want.”

“Maybe so, but every time I go online, I end up either getting booted off or everything freezes on me.” She sighed. “I don’t think that computer likes me.”

He chuckled. “You just need to go on it more. Practice makes—”

“I know. I know. If I practiced more, I’d have it mastered.” She swung her legs over the sofa and sat up. “So tell me ... what did our daughter have to say in her e-mail?”

“She said she’s getting settled in at the school and thinks she’s going to like it in Lancaster County, where she can study the interesting Amish people.”

Irene’s perfectly shaped eyebrows drew together, and she reached up to fluff the sides of her shoulder-length auburn hair. “Amish people? Our daughter didn’t go to Lancaster to study Amish people; she went to learn how to be an interior designer.”

“Laura thinks she can get some design ideas from the Plain People.”

She clicked her tongue. “That’s ridiculous. From what I know of the Amish, they live very simply, without any decorations in their homes that don’t serve some sort of purpose. So I don’t see how studying the Amish can help Laura with her studies.”

“Knowing our enterprising daughter, she’ll figure out something about their way of life that she can use in her decorating classes.” Wesley stretched his arms over his head and yawned. “Think I’ll head upstairs and change into something more comfortable before we have dinner. It’ll be a relief to get out of this suit.” He undid his tie and slung it over his shoulder as he stood. “Never did like wearing a suit. Wish I could get out of putting one on every day.”

She clicked her tongue again. “What kind of lawyer would you be if you didn’t wear a suit?”

“A comfortable one.”

Irene opened her mouth as if to say something more, but he hurried out of the room. He’d become a lawyer just to please her anyway, and if wearing a suit made her happy, then he’d probably end up wearing one until the day he died.

Laura had been sitting on the wooden bench in front of the variety store for nearly an hour. Still no sign of Eli.
Where is he? Maybe he isn’t coming. Maybe Darla’s right and he’s decided it’s best not to have anything to do with a “worldly” woman. I’ll give him another five minutes; then I’m leaving.

She scanned the parking lot again. Several Amish buggies sat parked there, but they were all the closed-in type. Eli’s courting buggy was nowhere in sight. She watched as an Amish family went into the store.
I wonder how those women deal with wearing long dresses all the time. If Eli ever shows up, I’ll have to remember to ask him why they wear those little white caps on top of their heads.

She glanced at her watch again—1:45.

Finally at 1:50, his buggy pulled into the parking lot. Laura felt such relief, she was no longer angry. She waved and skittered across the parking lot.

Eli climbed down from the buggy. “Sorry to be so late. I had to help my daed and brothers with some chores at home, and it took longer than expected.”

“It’s okay. You’re here now; that’s all that matters.”

Eli gave her a boost up into the buggy, then went around and took his seat. He glanced up at the sky. “There’s not a cloud in sight, so it should be a fine day for a picnic.” He grinned at Laura, and her heart skipped a beat. “Did you bring a jacket? Even though the sun’s out, it’s still kind of chilly.”

Laura shook her head. “I’m wearing a sweater, so I’ll be fine.”

Eli picked up the reins and said something in Pennsylvania Dutch to the horse.

“What’d you say just then?”

His face turned crimson. “I told him I was taking a beautiful young woman on a ride to the lake so he’d better behave himself.”

Laura’s heart kept time to the
clip-clop
of the horse’s hooves. “Thank you for such a nice compliment.”

Eli only nodded in response.

They traveled in silence the rest of the way, but Laura found being in Eli’s company made words seem almost unnecessary.

The air snapped with the sharpness of autumn, and soon the lake came into view. If it was possible, the picturesque scene was even more beautiful than it had been the week before. Maple leaves lay scattered about, reminding Laura of the colorful patchwork quilt lying on her bed. The sun cast a golden tint against the surrounding hills, and a whippoorwill called from somewhere in the trees. Laura relished the sense of tranquility that washed over her like a gentle spring rain.

As Eli helped her out of the buggy, she slid effortlessly into his arms. Raising her gaze to meet his, her breath caught in her throat at the intensity she saw on his face. Her pulse quickened, and she grabbed her camera, hoping the action would get her thinking straight again. She photographed the scenery, being careful not to point the camera in Eli’s direction, but it was a sacrifice not to snap a few pictures of his handsome face. How fun it would be to download them to her laptop and send them on to her friend Shannon back home. Shannon would probably get a kick out of seeing how cute Eli looked wearing a pair of dark trousers, a pale blue shirt peeking out from a dark jacket, and a straw hat.

Eli pulled a heavy quilt and a wicker basket from under the buggy seat. After they’d stretched the quilt on the ground, they both took seats. When Eli opened the lid of the basket, Laura was shocked to discover more food than two people could possibly eat. She figured she would have to count calories for the rest of the week.

Eli spread a tablecloth over the quilt, then set out several containers that held fried chicken, coleslaw, dill pickles, wheat bread, Swiss cheese, baked beans, and chocolate cake. He smiled as he handed Laura a glass of iced tea, some plastic silverware, and a paper plate.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” His face turned a light shade of red. “Uh ... will you bow your head with me for silent prayer?”

She gave a quick nod, and Eli immediately bowed his head. Having never believed much in prayer, Laura sat quietly, waiting for him to finish.

When he opened his eyes again, she smiled. “It was nice of your mother to prepare this. Especially since she doesn’t know me.”

Eli’s face turned even redder as he reached for a drumstick. “I ... uh ... didn’t tell Mom about you.”

“Why not?”

He removed his straw hat and placed it on the quilt. “Even though I’m still going through my rumschpringe, my folks wouldn’t take kindly to the idea of me seeing someone outside our faith.”

“Rumschpringe? What’s that?”

“Rumschpringe means ‘running around.’ It’s a time in the life of an Amish young person before he or she gets baptized and joins the church. It’s a chance for him to explore the outside world a bit if he chooses.”

“Ah, I see.”

“My folks think I’m too old to be running around still, and as I mentioned last week, they’ve been pressuring me to join the church and get married.”

She gave him a sidelong glance. “If you didn’t tell your mother about me, then why did she pack such a big lunch?”

“I told her I was going on a picnic, but I’m sure she thought it was with someone else.” Eli reached for another piece of chicken. “Is there anything more you’d like to know about the Amish?”

Laura sighed. Apparently Eli wasn’t that different from other men. If he didn’t like the way the conversation was going, he simply changed the subject. “When did your religion first begin?” she inquired.

“Our church got its start in the late sixteen hundreds when a young Swiss Mennonite bishop named Jacob Amman felt his church was losing some of its purity,” Eli began. “He and several followers formed a new Christian fellowship, later known as ‘Amish.’ So, you might say we’re cousins of the Mennonites.”

Laura nodded as Eli continued. “The Old Order Amish, which is what my family belongs to, believes in separation of church and state. We also expect Bible-centeredness to be an important part of our faith. A peaceful way of life and complying with all nonworldly ways are involved, and we believe it’s the way Christ meant for the Church to be.”

“Life among your people sounds almost idealistic.”

He shook his head. “It may seem that way to outsiders, but underneath the joys and blessings of being Amish lie special challenges and the hardship of keeping separate in an ever-changing world.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Laura ate in silence for a time, savoring the delicious assortment of food and trying to absorb all that Eli had shared. She knew about some Protestant religions and had attended Sunday school a few times while growing up. The Amish religion was more complex than anything she knew about, but she found it rather fascinating.

“Now it’s your turn to answer some of my questions,” Eli said suddenly.

“What do you want to know?”

He shrugged. “Guess you can start by telling me how old you are and whether you have any brothers or sisters.”

“I’m twenty-two, and I’m an only child.”

“How long will you be staying in Lancaster County?”

“Just until I finish my studies, which should take no longer than two years. Unless I mess up and flunk some classes, that is,” she added with a frown.

“You seem real smart to me. I’m sure you’ll do okay.”

“Thanks, I sure hope so.” She smiled. “Anything else you’d like to know?”

Eli’s ears turned pink as he stared out at the lake. “I imagine a pretty woman like you has a boyfriend—maybe more than one, even. Am I right about that?”

Laura snickered. “You’re really direct and to the point, aren’t you, Eli?”

“My folks would say so.” He turned back to look at her and chuckled.

She toyed with the edge of the quilt a few seconds, then stared into his seeking blue eyes. “I’ve dated several men, but none have ever captured my heart.”
At least not until you came along.

Was that a look of relief she saw on Eli’s face? No, it was probably just wishful thinking on her part.

The wind had picked up slightly, and Laura shivered, pulling her sweater tightly around her shoulders.

“You’re cold. Here, take my coat.” Eli removed his jacket and draped it across her shoulders.

Laura fought the impulse to lean her head against his chest. The temptation didn’t linger, because the sound of horse’s hooves drew her attention to an open buggy pulling into the grassy area near their picnic spot.

A young Amish woman, wearing a dark bonnet on her head and an angry scowl on her face, climbed down from the buggy. Laura thought she recognized the girl, and her fears were confirmed when Eli called, “Pauline, what are you doing here?”

“I was looking for you, Eli. I stopped by your farm, but Lewis said you had gone to the lake for a picnic. I couldn’t think who you might be with, but now I see who has taken my place.” Pauline planted both hands on her hips as her frown deepened. “I’m mighty disappointed, Eli. How could you bring this Englisher here?”

Eli jumped up and moved toward Pauline. He placed one hand on her shoulder, but she brushed it aside. “She’s that woman you were showing birdhouses to at the market, isn’t she?”

Eli glanced back at Laura, his face turning redder by the minute. “Pauline, this is Laura Meade.”

Pauline’s lips were set in a thin line, and she glared at Laura as though she were her worst enemy.

Laura didn’t feel much like smiling, but she forced one anyway. “It’s nice to meet you, Pauline.”

“You’re involved in something you shouldn’t be, Eli,” Pauline said without acknowledging Laura’s greeting.
“Wann der gaul dod is, drauere batt nix.”

Eli grunted. “You’re being ridiculous, Pauline.”

“I don’t think so, and you’ll see what I mean if you don’t wake up soon and join the church.”

“That’s my business, not yours.”

Pauline turned away in a huff. “And to think, I came all the way out here for this! I deserve much better.” She rushed back to her buggy and scrambled inside. “Enjoy your
wunderbaar schee
picnic!”

“Jah, I will,” Eli called back to her.

Laura sat too stunned to speak and struggled to analyze what had just happened.

Pauline drove out of sight, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake. She was obviously Eli’s girlfriend.

As Pauline drove away, she clamped her teeth together so tightly that it caused her jaw to ache.
How could Eli have made plans for a picnic with that Laura person, who isn’t even of our faith? I thought Eli and I were drawing closer. After two rides home in his courting buggy following singings and having had lunch together
recently at the farmers’ market, I thought we were officially courting.

She snapped the reins and got the horse moving faster. Maybe some wind in her face would help her think more clearly.

What I should do is drive over to Eli’s place and see if his folks know where he is right now. I’ll bet they have no idea he’s having a picnic with a fancy English woman who wears sweet perfume and way too much makeup.

Pauline continued to fume as she drove down the road, but by the time she neared the cross street that would take her to Eli’s place, she had calmed down enough to think things through a bit more.
If I run tattling to Eli’s folks, Mary Ellen will probably say something to Eli about it, and then he’ll be angry with me. If that happens, I might never have a chance at winning his heart.

She shook her head and directed the horse to keep going past the road to Eli’s house. If she was ever to win Eli over, she would have to find some other way to do it.

As Eli dropped to the quilt, Laura offered him a tentative smile. “Guess I owe you an apology.”

“For what? You did nothing wrong.”

“I caused a bit of a rift between you and your girlfriend.” Eli shifted on the blanket. “Pauline’s not my girlfriend, although I think she’d like to be. We’ve been friends since we were kinner.”

Laura tipped her head. “Kinner?”

“Children.”

“If you’ve been friends that long, then it’s obvious to me she was jealous.”

“How do you know that?”

“You saw how upset she got. Only a woman in love shoots sparks the way she did.”

Eli shrugged. “I’m sorry if she’s jealous, but I’ve done nothing wrong, and neither have you.”

“Nothing but have a picnic with an Englisher. I couldn’t understand the Pennsylvania Dutch words you two were speaking. What were you saying?”

Eli fiddled with the end of the tablecloth. “Let’s see.... She said, ‘Wann der gaul dod is, drauere batt nix.’ That means, ‘After the horse is dead, grieving does no good.’”

“I don’t get it.”

“I think she meant that I made a mistake in asking you to have a picnic with me and that it will do no good to grieve once I find out how wrong it was.”

Laura wrinkled her nose. “Is having a picnic with me really so wrong?”

“In Pauline’s eyes it is.” Eli grunted. “My folks would probably think so, too.”

“She said something else I didn’t understand. I think it was ‘wonderbar’ something or other.”

He nodded. “Wunderbaar schee. It means ‘wonderful nice.’”

“It’s obvious that Pauline doesn’t like me.”

He frowned. “How can you say that? She doesn’t even know you.”

“That’s true, but she knows you, and she’s clearly in love with you. I think she’s afraid I might be interested, too.”

The rhythm of Eli’s heartbeat picked up speed. “Are you?”

“Yes, I am interested. You’re different from any other man I’ve ever met.” Laura scooted across the quilt and stood.

“I don’t want to make trouble for you, so maybe it would be better if we say good-bye and go our separate ways.” She took a step back and tripped on a rock. The next thing Eli knew, Laura had a face full of water.

As Laura sputtered and attempted to sit up, Eli rushed forward, reaching for her hand and helping her stand.

“I—I can’t believe I did that.” She stared down at her soggy, wet clothes and grimaced. “Look at me. I’m a mess!”

Eli’s lips twitched as he struggled not to laugh. “You are pretty wet, and you might get sick if you don’t get your clothes dried soon.” He nodded toward his buggy. “How about I take you to my place so you can get dried off?”