Chapter 7
H ENRY
I saw a spark of hope. It was a tiny spark, but still.
Now, I’m more determined than ever to win Ellie over. When our eyes collided tonight, I knew in that moment that a relationship with Ellie was not a lost cause. I just need to be patient and stay the course.
I still can’t believe she shared our most intimate moment with her brother. Jah , he’s my best friend, but for her to admit that we kissed? That’s huge. And I haven’t even asked her about the whoopie pies yet.
“You’re not doing that again.” Eli’s words pull me from my musings.
“How’s that?”
“Ellie. I don’t want you ever kissing her without her permission first.” His glare is one I’ve rarely seen. Elijah Petersheim is always the cool, calm, and collected one. “Or else you'll answer to me.”
My back stiffens at the threat in his words. Surely Elijah knows he doesn't have to protect his sister from me. “She did kiss me back. And I wouldn’t have gone in for the kiss if I hadn’t seen the same longing in her eyes.”
Elijah stares at me as though I’ve just been dropped off by a spaceship from another planet. “She kissed you back? My schweschder kissed you back? Ellie did?”
I nod and chuckle at his look of utter bewilderment. “And if I’m not mistaken, she enjoyed it too. Maybe not as much as I did, but she… jah .” I can’t help but smile as I remember.
“But she hates you. Mamm said she dumped your plate of whoopie pies in the trash.”
My jaw drops open at Eli’s words. She threw my whoopie pies away? Yikes. I rub my chest and clench my heart. That hurts more than the bruises I have on my back from last night.
“By the way, I don’t want to marry you.” Elijah deadpans.
I twist my lips and take a step back. “Excuse me?”
Eli laughs now. “I told Ellie that I wanted to marry whichever of her friends made her the whoopie pies. Seeing it was you and all…” He shrugs. “Well, that’s a no go. I take my words back. Deal’s off.”
I step close and squeeze my friend’s shoulder, grateful the tension between us has cleared. “Sorry to disappoint you, bro. But I kind of have a thing for your sister.”
Elijah shoves me away and guffaws. “You don’t say?”
“And even if I didn’t…just, no. But she really, truly tossed out my whoopie pies?” I swallow. I’m not usually emotional, but this wound cuts deep.
“ Mamm snatched them out of the trash, though, and I may have tried one or two or five. That’s how I know how good they are. And if it’s any consolation, after I bragged on you—I mean, I didn’t know it was you —but after I said I wanted to marry you, the whoopie pies mysteriously disappeared.” His eyebrows lift and a look moves over his features as if he just discovered the eighth wonder.
“Maybe she threw them back in the trash.” I frown.
“I don’t think so.” Eli shakes his head then leans close and whispers. “Between you and me, I think Ellie is harboring them in her room and secretly devouring them at will.”
My hope soars. “So, you think she actually tried them?”
“That would be my guess.”
Jude approaches us with his hockey duffle on his arm. He lifts it up. “Coach Graves made me promise that if I play on the pond, I must use my gear. He doesn’t want any injuries.”
Maybe a little overkill, but hey, I don’t play professional hockey so what would I know?
Jude looks between us. “What were you two whispering about over here?”
“He wants to marry me.” I tease. I don’t think I’ll ever let Elijah live that one down.
“Say what?” Jude’s eyes widen.
“Just ignore him.” Eli bats the air. “Actually, did you know our friend Henry here is an expert in the kitchen? You should see him with his pink apron on.”
“Really?” Jude eyes me.
“He liked my whoopie pies. That’s why he wants to marry me. My pink apron notwithstanding.” I laugh.
“Those whoopie pies were good.” Jude agrees. “But a marriage proposal? I don’t know about that.”
“I’m trying to woo Ellie, not her brother.” I clarify.
“Alright, that’s enough.” Red faced, Elijah turns and walks off toward the barn.
“I think you might've offended him.” Jude watches Eli retreat inside through the barn door.
“Nah, he’ll get over it. Probably going to seek out more whoopie pies.” I laugh. “Do you have any advice for me about Ellie?”
“Yeah. Don’t give up. It sounds like you’re on the right track.” He scratches his stubbled cheek. “But between you and me, you might want to keep Elijah away from your whoopie pies.”
At Jude’s comment, we both laugh.
Then I point to the pond. “Should we put our skates on and get some practice in?”
“Now you’re speaking my love language.” Jude chuckles.