Chapter 31
E LLIE
I’m perched in the back seat of the passenger van, enjoying my quiet time alone, when Henry decides to slide in next to me.
I cross my arms over my chest and frown. “What are you doing?”
“Sitting with my schatzi . I hope that’s okay.”
“Oh, so now I’m your schatzi again? Is that how you think it’s going to be?”
“Ellie, I’m sorry about the other night. Forgive me?” He’s giving me his best puppy dog look.
“Why should I? You ignored me. You didn’t even kiss me goodnight!” I’m still seething.
“I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Then why did you?”
“ Ach , it’s complicated. I can’t really talk to you about it yet.” I try to ignore it when his hand glides through his gorgeous hair. Hair that I love to slide my fingers into when he’s kissing me passionately.
And…I’m getting off track. I clear my throat. “Oh, well that’s just wonderful. Now you’re keeping secrets from me?”
“It’s not like that, Ellie.” He touches my hand, but I yank it away. I refuse to let him distract me.
“Then what’s it like, Henry?”
He huffs. “I love you, okay? That hasn’t changed. At least not on my part.”
“You have a funny way of showing it.”
He frowns. “The truth is, Ellie, that I’m afraid.”
His words snag my attention. “What do you mean by that?”
“When I’m with you…when we’re together…let’s just say it’s difficult for me to behave the way I should. I just want to be with you. I want you. All of you.” His eyes search mine, pleading for me to understand. And I do.
Oh.
“Do you understand?”
“I think so.”
“That’s why I was so standoffish. I’m afraid I’m going to take us somewhere we shouldn’t go. Yet.”
“Yet?” Ach , does he mean what I think he means?
“You know, until after we’re hitched. Which could still be a long way off.”
“Oh.” I hear the disappointment in my own voice. But Henry’s right. Even if he wanted to marry me right away, a wedding just isn’t possible with my folks’ current financial state.
“It was never my intention to reject you. You have to know that.”
“But I don’t want to have to stop kissing you.” Ach , there I go laying my heart out for Henry to stomp all over again. Will I ever learn?
“Good.” His voice lowers, then he leans over and closes the distance between us. “Because I don’t either.”
And then he pulls me into his arms and kisses me full on the mouth. And my fingers get lost in that delicious hair I’ve been dying to touch. Ach , how I’ve missed this. How I’ve missed him.
A voice clears loudly, and we reluctantly break apart.
“If y’all are going to be making out, you’re not doing it on my watch.” Elijah growls.
Henry’s eyes roam my face, like he can’t get enough of me. I see fire in his eyes. “Then don’t watch.”
He leans toward me again, but before his lips can reach mine, Elijah says, “Alright, that’s it.” Then he comes and plants himself between us—or on top of us is more like it.
“ Ach , Eli. You’re such a brother!” I shove him off and Henry and I scoot apart to make room.
“I think you mean bother,” Henry adds, chuckling.
“ Jah , maybe so, but I don’t have to stand for this. You wouldn’t behave this way if Mamm and Dat or the deacon was here.” Eli eyes us.
“None of us would be on this bus headed toward a hockey game if the deacon was here.” Henry points out.
“He’s got a point,” I say.
“Nevertheless. You two need to be chaperoned. And no sneaking out of the hotel rooms tonight.”
“Ooh, I hadn’t thought of that. Not a bad idea.” Henry grins, until Eli elbows him in the gut and he groans. “ Ach du liebe .”