Chapter 16
H ENRY
As the area near the barn congests with horses and buggies, I eagerly await one specific carriage in particular—the one carrying the apple of my eye.
But Eli has been working at the factory all day, then he and Ellie will eat supper with the family, so I expect they’ll be arriving a little later than everyone else. Since Eli and his father and others in the community who work at the factory hire an Englischer to take them back and forth to work every day, they’re at the mercy of everyone else’s schedule. Which meant that if some of the other Amish passengers in the van wanted to stop at the store or whatnot, arriving home could end up being pretty late. It’s part of being Amish.
I know all about it firsthand, since the construction crew I work with also hires Englischers to drive us to jobs that are a little farther out, which are most of them. It’s not so bad, but I find myself just wanting to get home at the end of a long workday.
I can only imagine how it must be for the married men on our work crew. If I was going home to Ellie every evening, I’d be tempted to hire my own driver just so I could get home sooner. Which might be an option for the future, Lord willing.
And here I am getting ahead of myself, because technically, Ellie and I haven’t even been on a real date yet. But I’m hoping all of that will be changing soon, now that she actually acknowledges that I exist.
And tonight? Well, let’s just say I’ve been bursting at the seams to lay my eyes on her. Whatever happens after that will be anyone’s guess. Because with Ellie, I never know.
I hadn’t expected to get to kiss her in Simon’s buggy. I hadn’t expected her to be inside my bedroom looking downright adorable in my cowboy hat. And for sure and certain, I didn’t expect her to tackle me on my bed.
But if Ellie wants to shower me with affection, I’m not about to complain. As a matter of fact, I love her spontaneity. I love the thrill of not knowing what she’s going to do next.
Which is why, when Elijah rolls up in his buggy alone, I’m taken off guard.
“Where’s Ellie?” I blurt out, sticking my head inside his carriage.
“She wanted to stay home.” Eli steps down and leads his horse to a stall. I follow him.
At Eli’s words, my hope plummets. Because this news is devastating. She’d rather be at home than be around me?
At home ? Really?
Jah , I’m selfish and a little pathetic. But after yesterday, I thought we’d crossed a bridge.
I thought we’d moved a mountain.
I thought we’d spotted the Promise Land off in the distance.
I thought…
I thought…
“Don’t look so glum. She isn’t ignoring you. She’s taking some sewing projects into town tomorrow and wanted to finish as many as she could. You know, to help contribute to the farm fund and all.”
And now it all makes sense. My insides warm as I think of Ellie’s selfless giving spirit. Someday, I hope to be the recipient of it. But I need to be patient. A woman like Ellie will require some wooing.
“She did say to tell you that she would see you at the singing on Sunday.” Eli adds.
“She did? Does that mean—?” Do I even dare hope?
“I’m thinking your chances are getting better all the time.” Eli grins.
“Yee ha!” If I had been wearing my verboten cowboy hat, I would have thrown it in the air. I could kiss Eli. But I won’t because he already mentioned the marriage thing after eating the whoopie pies and…now my thoughts are rambling. I’m sorry. I can’t help it. Do you realize how long I’ve been waiting for this?
Eli just laughs, then walks toward the pond where the hockey game has been going on for the last half hour. We’ll probably need to get out the glow-in-the-dark hockey pucks soon, since it’s getting darker. They’re great for when someone hits the puck into a snowbank. Nothing cooler than glowing snow.
But I can’t even think about playing hockey right now. I’m shocked hockeyless. And maybe that wasn’t a thing before, but it is now. Like the time Eli sent a puck flying into my face.
If all the youngie weren’t congregated on my property, I’d go over to Ellie’s right this instant. Not to annoy her or anything but just to say hello and bring her a snack or something. Maybe just sit and admire her as she works on her sewing projects. I’m dying to be near her. Yet, I can’t.
But maybe tomorrow?