Chapter 6
E LLIE
“Ellie, Duke’s all hitched up and ready to go. Are you coming?” Elijah calls from what sounds like the back mudroom door.
I glance down at my pink dress one last time. Hopefully, it’s Henry’s least favorite color. I don’t think boys usually like pink, do they? But I wonder if anyone will even see my dress because I will likely keep my winter coat on the entire time we’re outside. And Henry’s barn isn’t usually much warmer.
“Ellie, let’s go now. Or I’m leaving without you.” Eli’s aching to play hockey. Since the guys can only play when the pond is frozen, they try to get in as much playing time as possible in the winter. It’s a special treat that the guys looked forward to, then mourn when the ice melts.
I grab the bag of chips and salsa we’re contributing to the snack table tonight, then rush to the door. “You’re so impatient, bruder .” I say as I plop my traveling bonnet over my prayer kapp .
“I’m not impatient. I just told Henry I would go a little early and help him clear the pond and separate the men’s and women’s sides.”
“Not all the guys like to play hockey. Some just like to skate.” I point out as I hop up into Elijah’s courting buggy.
“True.” He rolls his eyes as he signals to Duke. “You know what I mean. Separate the ice skaters from the hockey players. Whatever.”
I eye my brother curiously. “So, did you know Henry was going to steal Simon’s buggy and trick me into riding with him last night?”
Eli squirms in his seat but says nothing.
I point at his face. “Ah ha! You did know. Why didn’t you warn me?”
“You know how long Henry’s been wanting to court you, Ellie. How else was the poor guy going to get a break? He did ask first, you know. He’s asked many times.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “And I said no.”
“ Jah , you always say no.” Eli shakes his head. “I don’t know what it is with you, Ellie.”
My face flushes at his accusation. My brother thinks I'm being unreasonable!
“Henry’s a good guy. He deserves a chance, don’t you think?”
“Right. Like a good guy would deceive a girl into a buggy ride.”
Eli frowns. “What else is he supposed to do? Wait around until you’re married off to someone else? I feel sorry for him.”
Why is Elijah being so insistent about Henry? “And you don’t feel sorry for Simon?”
Eli sneers. “A guy who’s willing to be paid off isn’t marriage material, Ellie.”
Honestly, marrying Simon has never even crossed my mind. I feel my eyes widening. “Paid off?”
“ Jah . Your little buggy ride last night cost Henry a hundred dollars.”
Maybe this should flatter me, but instead it offends me. “I’m not a head of cattle that can just be sold off to the highest bidder!”
“Simon wanted new speakers for his buggy.” Eli shrugs as though speakers are a logical reason to pull the carpet out from under me.
Boys! “It just figures that Henry Yoder would do something so…so…barbaric!”
“Why aren’t you blaming Simon? He’s the one who sold you out. Henry just wants to be with you. You can’t fault a man for doing everything he can to get his girl.”
“I. Am. Not. His. Girl.” I grind out the words.
“So you’ve said.” Elijah’s eyebrows lift and his grin broadens, and I just know I’m not going to like his next comment. “Did you kiss him?”
“I…I…” I sputter. “ Ach , it’s none of your business.”
Eli has the audacity to laugh. “Must’ve been some kiss.”
If he only knew. But I refute it anyhow. Or, at least, I try to.
“I didn’t say we kissed!” I know my cheeks must be a thousand shades of red right now, because I’m suddenly hot.
“You didn’t have to, sis. I can see it all over your face. Plus, you aren’t denying it. If you and Henry didn’t kiss, you would have just said no.” Eli shakes his head. “So, you do secretly like Henry.”
“I do not!” I huff. “And he kissed me without my permission.”
“He what ?” Oh, no. Elijah’s hands tighten on the reins as we turn into the Yoders’ property.
I didn't mean to rile up my brother’s protective side. I need to backpedal. And fast. “Elijah?—”
He stops Duke in front of the hitching post and turns to me, eyes intent on mine. A muscle clenches in his jaw. “Ellie, if he forced you…”
“Elijah, it wasn’t like that. Calm down.”
Eli jumps from the carriage. “But you said he kissed you without permission. And my schweschder is not a liar. Don’t try to defend him.”
Oh, goodness. Now, what have I done?
My mouth goes dry as Henry approaches us, his smile wide. Wow, he looks even better today. If that’s possible. So much for avoiding Henry.
No, Ellie. No, he does not look good. Well, I mean, let’s be honest, he does , but he’s not for you. I try to strengthen my resolve but it’s a challenge. Not gonna lie.
“Pretty in pink,” are the words that issue from Henry’s perfect mouth in a low rumble. So much for trying to guess his least favorite color. It figures.
Of course, I could probably wear a potato sack and Henry would find something positive to say.
Then his gaze snags mine and tangles. And, goodness, I can’t look away.
Until Elijah gives Henry a hard shove, pulling us both out of our stupor.
“Elijah!” What has gotten into him?
Henry rights himself and stares at his best friend. “Hey! What was that for?”
“For kissing my sister without her permission.” Eli's fists clench.
Henry’s gaze falls on me again, a look of shock and yet pleasure encompassing his features. “You told your brother about our kiss?”
The way his tone gentles does something to my insides. It’s like a caress from his lips to my soul.
I need to get away from Henry as soon as humanly possible because this is not how tonight is supposed to play out. I’m supposed to be avoiding him. Not discussing how wunderbaar our kiss was.
I turn and scurry to the house. Once I’m safely inside, I realize I forgot the chips and salsa in the buggy. And I just know Henry will think I left them on purpose just to get another look at him.
And he may not be entirely wrong.