Plain Proposal (20 page)

Miriam grabbed the reins and backed up the horse. “
Ya
. I know.”

“Are you going to say anything to him about it?”

“I don’t know yet.”

Shelby reached up and pulled her hair tighter within her ponytail holder, then adjusted her black sunglasses. “Well, I’d sure say something if I were you.”

Miriam chewed her bottom lip for a moment. “Maybe he’ll change his mind.”

“And maybe he won’t. Then what?”

Her cousin was quiet as she maneuvered the topless buggy onto the road. “I don’t know.”

Shelby couldn’t imagine Miriam leaving this place.
It’s all she knows
. Which is why this situation had nothing but heartbreak written all over it.

Saul pulled up to the Zook farm at the same time as Jesse. He didn’t really like Jesse being here, but Jesse was the one who’d come to his house and invited him. Maybe he was truly interested in Shelby. Saul selfishly hoped so.

His stomach churned thinking about how long it would take for Miriam to say that she heard he was leaving the community. Things at home had gotten even more complicated over the past week anyway, and Saul wasn’t sure how he could leave in good conscience.

“Are you and Miriam officially dating?” Jesse glanced at Saul as both men tethered the horses to the fence.

Saul shrugged. “We’ve only been out once, plus these fishing trips.”

Jesse stood taller and faced Saul. “Miriam is a
gut
girl. I hope you won’t hurt her. Rumor has it you’re leaving here.”

Saul tensed as he took a deep breath, but he knew Jesse really did care for Miriam, and Jesse was right to be concerned. “I’m not going to hurt her.”

“If you leave here, you will hurt her.” Jesse eyed Saul with curiosity, but Saul had no intention of confiding in him. If one word of his father’s drinking got out, it would be all over the community. He prayed every day that his father would stop so that Saul could pursue his plans to go work at the bistro, but his
daed’s
drinking was getting more frequent—and worse.

They both turned at the sound of Miriam’s buggy on the gravel driveway. After she pulled up, Jesse quickly offered her a hand down. Saul walked to the other side to help Shelby, but she’d already jumped down by the time he got there and was reaching for a picnic basket in the back.

“We brought lunch,” she said, holding the basket and grinning. “Although. . . I can’t take credit.”

Saul took the basket and waited while Jesse pulled Miriam’s fishing pole from the back. They slowly made their way to the water’s edge, and Miriam unfolded a red-and-white quilt to use as a big tablecloth. Once the food was spread out, everyone bowed their heads in prayer.

“Mmm. There’s something different in this chicken salad.” Saul wrapped his mouth around his sandwich and tried to figure out what Miriam’s secret ingredient was. He swallowed, then smiled at her. “You gonna tell me?”

“Nope.” She giggled. “But if you have a recipe you’d like to trade. . .”

Saul felt his face turning four shades of red.

“You cook, Saul?” Jesse grinned as he glanced at Shelby.

“He has to cook for his family, Jesse,” Miriam said defensively, which warmed Saul’s heart but also made him feel like a bit of a wimp.

“Sometimes,” he added.

“Are we on for another competition?” Shelby asked as she helped Miriam gather up used paper plates and napkins.

“
Ya
. I’m in.” Jesse stood up, then added, “But why don’t we pair up differently? Probably ain’t fair to have the girls against us, Saul.” Shelby laughed. “Why? Are you afraid we’ll win again?”

“You didn’t win.” Jesse looped his thumbs underneath his suspenders. “Me and Saul caught more fish.”

“But. . . we caught the biggest one!” Shelby stood with her shoulders back, grinning.

Saul took a deep breath. He could see where this was going. Despite Jesse’s earlier comments, he was going to haul Miriam off to the other side of the pond.

“I say Shelby and me against you two.” Jesse pointed to Miriam and Saul.

Saul tried not to show his surprise and looked at Miriam, who was smiling broadly. “Okay,” he said. “Miriam?”

“
Ya
. I’m pretty sure me and Saul can catch more fish than the two of you!”

Saul was glad to see Jesse grab Shelby’s hand, then pull her toward the other end of the pond. “May the best couple win!”

Miriam wanted nothing more than to be alone with Saul, but there was an uncomfortable feeling that emerged inside of her when she saw Jesse and Shelby skipping off happily together. She wanted to be with Saul, so it seemed strange that she would feel this way. If it hadn’t been for Shelby telling her that Saul was leaving, Miriam knew she never would have thought about life outside of their district. Now she kept thinking of all the possibilities that would be available to her if she did leave. She’d always wanted to be a teacher here, but her mother had said that she was more suited for marriage and family. In the
Englisch
world, maybe she could have both? She’d always thought there was plenty of time to get to know Saul better, but time was no longer on her side. One thing she knew for sure. . . she couldn’t imagine her life here without him in it.

But what if Saul has no plans to ask me to leave with him? Then Jesse might already be with
 
.
 
.
 
. Shelby? No. That doesn’t make sense either. Shelby is
Englisch.

Her uneasiness calmed when she felt Saul’s hand on her back. “Here, I got your pole ready.” He offered her the pole with a wiggling worm dangling from the hook, then held his other palm toward her. “And
ya
. . . I know you could have done it yourself, but I was just helping.”

“Danki,”
she said as she accepted the pole. She liked that he recognized her independence but also acted as a gentleman every time he was around her.

As the afternoon sun beat down on them, Miriam wondered if maybe they shouldn’t have planned this so late in the day. She reached up and wiped beads of sweat from her forehead. Next thing she knew, she felt a breeze on her face along with a shower of ice cold water. “Wow!” She closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation.

“I found these at the market in Bird-In-Hand when I was there this past week. I got one for you, since I knew we were going fishing.”

Miriam accepted the battery-operated fan that, with the push of a button, also sprayed cold water. She turned it and pushed the button until the icy droplets were sprinkling Saul’s face. “I like this,” she said as she pulled it back her way.
“Danki.”

“I put some ice cubes in it before we came.”

Miriam took her pole and her new fan and sat down on a stump near the edge of the water. Saul took a seat right next to her, causing her to jump. “This okay?” he asked.

She nodded, then tossed her line into the water.

“So what’s in the chicken salad?” He grinned, and as Miriam turned to face him, their lips couldn’t have been farther than six inches apart. She faced forward again.

“Uh, it’s, uh—” She couldn’t think.

“It almost tasted like lemon pepper?”

Miriam breathed a sigh of relief. “
Ya
. That’s it.” She didn’t look at him but tried to stay focused on her line in the water. She picked up her fan, turned it on, and held down the button until cool water showered her face again.

“How ’bout a little of that this way?” Saul’s leg brushed against hers as he shifted his weight to face her. Miriam pointed the fan toward his face. “Ah. . .”

She watched him close his eyes, enjoying the cool water. When he opened his eyes, he latched onto the fan, covering her hand, then turned it back toward her. After a few moments, he gently eased it down, then turned it off. Miriam tried not to look at him, but when his hand cupped her chin and he turned her toward him, she felt herself shaking. She’d never been kissed. And the moment was upon her. She’d always dreamed that Saul would be her first kiss. As his lips drew near hers, she watched him close his eyes, but her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own and remained wide open. With a jerk, she pulled away from him.

“Are you leaving here, Saul?”

Saul let out a heavy sigh, then scratched the back of his head. “I don’t know.”

“How can you not know? Shelby said you told her that you were leaving.”

“That was my plan, but now I’m not sure.”

Miriam’s insides warmed.
It’s because of me that he’s not leaving
. She felt a smile cross her lips. “Oh,” she said.

“I have something to ask you too.” Saul backed up a bit but was still facing her. “Did you sneak out to meet me Saturday night. . . without telling your folks?”

Miriam avoided his accusing eyes as she twisted her mouth from side to side.
“Ya.”

Saul shook his head. “Please don’t do that again, Miriam. Your parents won’t want me being around you if they think I’m getting you to do stuff like that. We’ll see each other when it’s okay with your parents.”

Miriam nodded, glad there was a mention about seeing each other again but not sure it would really be okay with her parents.

“Why would you leave here, Saul?” She eased away from him a little and faced him, still sitting on the stump.

His eyes averted hers, and he sighed. Then he looked up grinning. “Promise you won’t laugh?”

“No.” Then she giggled as she raised her palm to him. “
Ya
. I promise. I won’t laugh.”

He pulled his hat off and scratched his forehead. “I have a job offer to work in a fancy restaurant in Pittsburgh.” Saul paused when Miriam’s eyes widened. “I’d be the apprentice chef.” He looked hard into Miriam’s eyes. “I answered an ad in the newspaper, and then I went and cooked some of my recipes for the owner.” Saul shrugged. “It’s a great opportunity for me, and I really want to go, but. . .” He sighed again.

Miriam smiled, her heart warm, yet frightened at the same time. She knew she’d go anywhere with Saul, especially now that he was willing to forgo leaving because of her. “Don’t worry, Saul.”

Tense lines formed across his forehead. “There is much to worry about,” he said as he put his hat back on.

Miriam wanted to ease his pain. Even though there would be strife and upset in the community, she wanted him to know how she felt.

“I’ll go with you, Saul. So please don’t change your mind because. . . because of me.” She looked toward the ground, stifling a smile.

Saul jumped up from the stump they were sitting on and looked down at her, his face drawn into a scowl. “What?” He put his hands on his hips. “
What?
If I go, you can’t go with me, Miriam.”

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