Chapter 23 #2
Rachel was quick to climb out of the buggy as soon as the horse came to a stop, saying in a clipped voice that she needed to wash up and go to bed, leaving Emma and Ivan alone.
Before she could say good night to him, Ivan nudged Emma’s shoulder, his lips curving upward as he removed his straw hat and reached over to set it on the back seat.
“Rachel kept you pretty busy this evening, didn’t she? You and I didn’t get to spend much time together at all.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. Rachel showed little interest in interacting with anyone there, despite my efforts to suggest that she should try. I didn’t want to leave her alone by herself. I think she’s still thinking about David and missing him, or …”
“Or what, Emma?”
“When my sister went with me to your home for my quilting lesson last week, she brought up how she couldn’t date someone outside of our community since it would complicate things.” Emma took in a deep breath. “Do you think we’d be able to make it work between us, even after I return home?”
He fiddled with the reins, dipping his chin slightly. “I can’t pretend that I haven’t been wondering the same thing, but I’m willing to make it work in any way I can.”
“But how? I mean, I don’t really know what could be done for that to happen.”
“I’m sure we can figure it out. I could write you every day, or I can hire a driver so I can come visit you as often as I’m able to get away.” Ivan slouched in his seat. “I truly hope you don’t want our relationship to end before you go back home.”
“You really want to continue courting me?” Emma questioned, as a feeling of warmth flourished in her face.
Ivan cocked his head to one side. “You’re saying that as though you find it hard to believe.”
“I’m not really the most suitable woman to be someone’s girlfriend, and because of that, I’ve had little success garnering the attention of the young men in my community. So I have to wonder, Ivan, what do you see in me?”
“I’ll tell you what, Emma. As much as you second-guess everything you do, you’re driven more than you know, and you care about people.
Emma, you always seem to prove yourself wrong, no matter how much you doubt, and I admire that about you.
” Ivan took hold of her hand. “I’ve grown quite fond of you over the time we’ve known each other, and I’m not going to let go of what we have so easily.
So if you’ll let me, I’ll do whatever I can to make sure that we don’t lose what we have together. ”
“I don’t want to lose what we have either, Ivan,” Emma admitted.
In response, Ivan rubbed his thumb against her knuckle, the pads of his fingers calloused yet still soothing enough that it brought Emma a sense of comfort despite the fluttering in her chest. Emma braced herself, breath half held as he inched closer, so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath.
Then, as he lowered his head to hers, she prepared herself for what she was certain would transpire next.
Although hesitant at first, Emma met him halfway, and Ivan pressed his lips to hers in a kiss so sweet, it nearly took her breath away.
Shipshewana
Dianna had gone to the kitchen to fix a snack for herself and Philip when she heard a horse and buggy come into the yard.
Shortly thereafter, a knock sounded on the front door.
Dianna figured Philip would answer it, but when the knocking continued, she set the loaf of bread she’d taken out aside and stepped into the hall.
When she opened the door, Dianna was surprised to discover David on the porch. Before she could get a word out, he spoke.
“I didn’t see Rachel in church this morning, and she wasn’t at the singing tonight either.” David’s brows drew together. “Is she grank?”
Dianna shook her head. “Rachel isn’t sick.”
“Oh, that’s good. Is she here? Can I talk to her for a few minutes?”
“Well, um … You see …”
“I really need to see Rachel. I have something important I need to tell her.”
Dianna pressed her hands against her hips. “Rachel is not here, David.”
“Where is she then?”
Dianna was tempted to say “It’s none of your business” or something else that would most likely come across as rude, but she held herself in check and simply stated, “Rachel went to visit her grandparents.”
“Oh, you mean the ones who live in Arthur, Illinois?”
“That’s right.” Dianna bit the inside of her cheek. Now why did I admit that? David doesn’t need to know where Rachel is right now.
“How long will she be gone?” he questioned.
“Two weeks—not that it’s any of your business, young man,” Philip stated sternly as he approached them with his arms folded. “What are you doing here anyway, David? You broke up with our daughter, remember?”
“Of course I do, Philip, but …”
“But nothing.” The cords on the sides of Philip’s neck protruded. “Our daughter isn’t here, and even if she was, we wouldn’t let you in after what you did to her. In fact, I’d like you to leave, right now. Is that clear?”
Without another word, David turned on his heels and tromped down the stairs.
Dianna stood beside her husband, watching as the young man made his way out to his horse and buggy.
She felt relief when a short time later he drove out of the yard.
Many thoughts concerning their daughter flooded her mind as she watched David’s horse and buggy disappear.
Dianna found herself wondering what Rachel would do when she learned of his visit.
How would Rachel have responded if she had been here and answered the door?
Would she have listened to what he had to say?
Although Dianna wasn’t sure what David wanted with her daughter, she had a feeling he might try to worm his way back into Rachel’s life.
Maybe he’d come to realize that the grass wasn’t greener on the other side of the fence, and now he wanted back what he once had.
Well, if Dianna had anything to say about it, a reunion between Rachel and David was not going to happen.
The fact was, Rachel deserved better than that.
Dianna peered up at Philip, who still had a grim expression. “I can’t believe that young man had the nerve to show up at our house,” she said, “asking to talk to our daughter. I’m sure glad David doesn’t know where my parents’ house is in Arthur.”
“Jah,” Philip agreed. “I wouldn’t put anything past that nervy fellow, including getting Rachel stirred up again.”