Chapter 32
H ENRY
I shake my head, taking in the tall city buildings surrounding us as our Englisch driver deftly maneuvers through downtown Indianapolis.
Being in the city never ceases to amaze me. The gray buildings feel cold and resolute and yet the air holds an electricity in it as people rush along the sidewalks, some stopping at shops and restaurants, some marching on as though they walk the same path every day and are no longer affected by the sights and sounds and smells of the city.
“It's awesome, isn't it?” My beautiful Ellie grins at me and squeezes my hand, leaning toward me to get a better look out the window. Ach , how glad I am that Ellie and I have made amends! Having her so near thrills my soul. Her sweet scent floods my senses, and I rein in my sudden urge to remove her kapp and bury my face in her silky hair. And now that Elijah has finally relocated, that is actually a possibility.
Until a feminine noise distracts me and I look over to see my sister, who’s now sitting on the other side of Ellie, giving me a pointed smirk. Can Ivy see the thoughts on my face? A warmth heats my cheeks and Ivy laughs. Are she and Eli in cahoots, or what?
Elijah turns around from the front passenger seat. “What's so funny?”
Ach .
“And here is your hotel!” Our driver announces, mercifully drawing everyone's attention away from myself and Ellie. He pulls the vehicle into a parking spot in front of a concrete building that must be at least twice the height of my grain silo.
I hurry to speak first. “Thanks for the ride, Mike. You’ll be back here tomorrow to bring us home, right?”
The man nods. “Of course. What time?”
“Well, we’re practicing in the morning, so how about in the afternoon? Maybe after lunch.”
“Two sound good?”
“Perfect.” I nod and pass our driver some cash. “We'll see you then.”
With that, Elijah, Ivy, Ellie, and I pile out of the vehicle and retrieve our bags.
“Let's go check in. They should be expecting us.” I lead the group inside and walk up to the counter. “Hi. I have a reservation for two of your rooms for tonight. The name is Henry Yoder.”
After I sign some paperwork and collect our hotel key cards, we make our way to our rooms. One for Elijah and me to share and one for Ivy and Ellie. How I wish Ellie and I were sharing a room instead. But that would not be appropriate for an unmarried couple. And I certainly wouldn’t trust myself. Or Ellie, for that matter. The way that woman kisses…
But perhaps the next time we’re invited to one of Jude's games, that will be the case. Jah , right, Yoder. I try not to let the thought of not being able to marry Ellie yet dampen my spirit. Nee , we will all have a good time.
Thankfully, the two rooms are right next to each other. I'm happy to know that Ellie will be sleeping just on the other side of the wall. With her being so close by, I'm sure and certain I’ll be dreaming of holding her in my arms tonight.
“Here they are.” I announce.
I hand Ivy and Ellie the cards to their room and Elijah the extra one to ours. “Jude said we can come down to the arena any time. The game doesn’t start until seven, but they will be there practicing and what not before then.”
“I think we should go the arena right away. I want to see Jude and the other hockey players practicing!” Ivy has a certain gleam in her eye that makes me a little nervous. Not for the first time, I wonder just what my older schweschder ’s feelings are toward Englischer Jude Riley.
“That sounds like fun!” Ellie agrees. “Perhaps we can watch them practice for a bit and then go find a bite to eat before the game starts.”
“Okay then. Let’s try to leave in about ten minutes. I’ll call Jude from the hotel phone and let him know we’re coming.”