Plain and Fancy (8 page)

“It’s that fancy English woman, isn’t it? You’re all worked up over her, I’m guessing.”

Eli’s forehead beaded with sweat, and he knew it wasn’t from heat, for there was at least a foot of snow on the ground. If only he could get Laura out of his mind.

“You’re not denying it, so it must be true,” Jonas persisted. “She’s gotten under your skin, huh?”

Eli whirled around to face his brother. “Laura and I are just friends.” His right eyelid began to twitch. “Even if I wanted it to be more, it could never happen.”

“How come?”

“She’s English.”

“I know, but—”

“There are no buts.” Eli felt his patience begin to wane. “I don’t want to leave our faith, and I sure couldn’t ask Laura to become one of us.”

“Why not?”

Eli folded his arms and drew in a deep breath. He was getting frustrated with this ridiculous conversation. “Let’s put it this way—would you throw a newborn
bussli
into the
seischtall?
”

Jonas tipped his head and looked at Eli as if he’d gone daffy. “Huh? What’s a little bitty kitten and a pigpen got to do with Laura Meade?”

Eli shook his head. “Never mind. You’re probably too
verhuddelt
to understand.”

“I’m not confused! Just say what ya mean, and mean what ya say!” Jonas’s forehead now dripped with sweat.

“Calm down. This is a dumb discussion we’re having, and I say we drop it.”

Jonas stuck out his chin. “Want to know what I think?” Eli blew out his breath and lifted his gaze toward the rafters. “No, but I’m sure you won’t scram ’til you’ve told me.”

“I think you’re in love with Laura, but you know she’s not good for you. I’m thinkin’ the best thing for everyone is for you to hurry and get baptized, and then join the church so you can marry Pauline Hostetler.”

Eli clenched his fists. If Jonas didn’t leave soon, he couldn’t be sure what he might do. “Just go now before I drag you outside and push your face into a pile of snow.”

“Jah, right.”

“I mean it, little brother.”

“You think you’re big enough?” Jonas planted his hands on his hips and stared at Eli as though daring him to make a move.

Eli didn’t hesitate. He lunged for Jonas, and Jonas darted for the door. When they bounded into the snowy yard, all thoughts of Laura vanished as Eli focused on catching his nosy brother and giving him a good face washing in a mound of frigid snow.

Christmas Day turned out to be pretty much the way Laura had expected it to be. Her father had invited several people from his law firm to dinner, and most of them spent the whole time talking about trial dates, briefs, and who they thought might get out of going to jail.

Dean Carlson was among the guests, seated next to Laura. She studied him as he droned on about the new computer system they’d recently installed at the office. There was no denying it—Dean was one of the most handsome men Laura had ever met. The funny thing was Laura used to enjoy Dean’s company. Now he seemed superficial and self-absorbed. She kept comparing him to Eli, whose warm, sincere smile could melt her heart and whose infectious laughter seemed genuine, not forced like Dean’s. She didn’t know why she’d never seen it before, but Dean’s whole mannerism was brash, and he was certainly the most egotistical man she had ever met. Eli, on the other hand, was gentle and genuinely humble.

“Laura, are you listening to me?” Dean nudged her arm.

She managed a weak smile. “I think Dad may have mentioned the new computer system.”

“You
weren’t
listening. The computer system was not the last thing I said.”

She blinked. “It wasn’t?”

“I was asking if you’d like to go to the New Year’s Eve office party with me.”

Laura stared at Dean. How could she even consider dating a man like him? Oh, sure, he had money, a good education, great looks, and a prestigious job, but he simply wasn’t Eli Yoder.

“I want to take you to the party,” Dean said again. “Will you go with me or not?”

Every fiber of Laura’s being shouted
no!
She reached for her glass of water and took a few sips, hoping to buy some time.

When Dean began tapping the side of his glass with the tip of his spoon, she finally answered. “I appreciate the offer, but I hadn’t planned on going to the party.”

“Why not?”

Laura wasn’t sure how to respond. She really had no legitimate reason for staying home. “I ... uh ... I’m leaving for Pennsylvania the day after New Year’s, and I need to get packed.”

Dean leaned his head back and roared. It was the first genuine laugh she’d heard out of him all day, but it didn’t make her smile. “You have a whole week between now and the party. Surely that’s time enough to pack a suitcase.”

When Laura made no reply, he reached for her hand. “Come on, honey, please say you’ll go with me. After all, I do work for your dad, and I’m sure he would approve.”

Laura inwardly groaned. She knew she was losing this battle, and she didn’t like it one bit.

Dean leaned closer, and she could feel his warm breath against her ear. “If you don’t have a wonderful time, I promise never to ask you out again.”

She finally nodded in defeat. “Okay, I’ll go.”

All during dinner, Wesley kept glancing across the table at Laura. She looked uncomfortable, as if she would rather be anyplace else but here. Didn’t she enjoy being with her family and friends? She’d always seemed to before. Surely she wasn’t anxious to get back to her studies in Pennsylvania. Maybe she was just tired.

He looked over at his wife, sitting so prim and proper at the other end of the table. She seemed to be in her glory—chatting, smiling, soaking up every compliment that had come her way. He didn’t know why. She really couldn’t take credit for any of it. The meal had been catered. The house had been cleaned by their housekeeper. Irene’s flowing, peach-colored dress had been bought at one of the most expensive shops in town. Her hair and nails had been done by her beautician. She hadn’t done much of anything to prepare for this meal except tell others what to do.

Wesley inwardly groaned. It was all superficial. There probably wasn’t a person sitting at this table who gave a lick about the person next to them. Except maybe Dean, who kept nuzzling Laura’s neck and whispering in her ear. Could Dean be the reason Laura seemed so fidgety today?

“Wesley, did you hear what I said?”

He looked over to his wife again. “What was that, dear?”

Irene smiled sweetly. “I asked if you were still planning to host your office’s New Year’s Eve party at the country club.”

Ethel wanted to know.”

“Yes, it will be there again this year.” Wesley forced a smile. He would never have admitted it to his wife, but the truth was, he would much rather stay home on New Year’s Eve and watch TV or read a good book instead of dishing out the money for a party that no one would remember the following day. But he knew it was expected of him, and the gleam in Irene’s eyes was a reminder that at least one of them was looking forward to the gala affair.

“What are you doing out here in the cold?” Eli’s sister, Martha Rose, asked, as she stepped out the back door and joined him on the porch.

Eli shrugged and leaned against the railing. “It was getting kind of stuffy in the house, so I decided to get some fresh air.”

Martha Rose shivered and pulled her heavy shawl around her shoulders. “This air is downright frigid—that’s what it is.”

He smiled. “So what are you doing out here in it?”

“Same as you—getting some fresh air.” She nudged him playfully with her elbow, but then her face sobered. “You’ve been quiet all day, and I was wondering if there’s something bothering you.”

Eli pulled his fingers through the back of his hair. Of course there was something bothering him. Ever since he’d met Laura, he had been bothered. He’d been thinking about her off and on all day, wondering how she was spending her Christmas, wishing they could be together, and fretting because he was having such thoughts. He was tempted to share his feelings with Martha Rose, because the two of them had always been close, but he wasn’t sure she would understand. She might even reprimand him, the way Mom had done when she’d learned he was seeing Laura—a fancy Englisher.

“I’m feeling kind of down today,” he finally mumbled.

“On Christmas?”

He nodded, keeping his focus on the snowy yard, because he knew if he looked right at Martha Rose, he was likely to give himself away.

“Mom’s worried about you, Eli.”

“I’m fine. A little chilly weather never hurt anybody.”

She touched his arm. “She’s not worried about you being out here in the cold.”

His only reply was an exaggerated shrug.

“She’s worried that you might be thinking about leaving the Amish faith.”

Eli bristled and whirled around to face his sister. “Did Mom send you out here to try and talk some sense into me? Is that it?”

Martha Rose shook her head. “Coming out here was my idea. I’ve seen how sullen you’ve been all day, and I was worried that it might have something to do with the English woman you’ve been seeing lately.”

“Laura and I are just friends. Mom has nothin’ to worry about.”

“It might help ease her concerns if you got baptized and joined the church.”

“I don’t think calming Mom’s fears is a good enough reason to become a member of the church, do you?”

“Well, no, but—”

“I’ve told Mom and Pop, too, that I’m not leaving the faith, and there’s nothing serious going on with me and Laura.” Eli grunted. “So everyone, including you, can quit hounding me about this.”

Martha Rose winced as though she’d been slapped. “I—I didn’t mean to sound as if I was trying to tell you what to do. I only want your happiness.”

“Sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you that way.”

She gave him a hug. “I want you to know that if you ever need to talk, I’m willing to listen, and I promise not to be judgmental.”

Eli smiled and patted her on the back. “Danki. I appreciate that.”

“Are you too full from dinner to finish your dessert?” Pauline’s mother motioned to the half-eaten piece of pumpkin pie on Pauline’s plate.

Pauline shook her head. “Not really. I’m just not so hungry right now.”

Dad wrinkled his forehead. “You barely ate any dinner. As a matter of fact, you’ve been actin’ kind of sulky all day. What’s the problem, daughter?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

“She’s probably wishing she could be with her boyfriend today,” Pauline’s younger sister, Susan, piped up.

“I have no boyfriend. Not anymore.”

“I thought you and Eli Yoder had been courting,” Dad said, reaching for another slice of mincemeat pie.

“I thought so, too, but I was wrong.” Pauline couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice.

Mom poured herself a cup of coffee from the pot sitting in the center of the table. “I was talking to Eli’s mamm a few weeks back, and she seemed concerned because he’s not joined the church yet.”

“He hasn’t joined because he’s seeing some fancy English woman with long, auburn hair,” Sam, Pauline’s brother, interjected.

Pauline glared at him. “Can’t we talk about something else?”

He shrugged his broad shoulders and smiled. “Guess we could talk about Joseph Beachy. He’s had a crush on you ever since we were kinner.”

Pauline wrinkled her nose. “Joseph’s three years younger than me, for goodness’ sake.”

Dad chuckled. “So what of it? Your mamm’s a whole year older than me.”

Mom shook her head as she lifted her gaze to the ceiling. “And you’re never gonna let me live that down, are you, Ben?”

He grinned and tickled her under the chin. “Nope, but it don’t make me love you any the less.”

She reached for his hand. “I love you, too, even if you are just a big kid.”

Feeling the need to be alone, Pauline pushed away from the table. “I’m kind of tired, so if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go upstairs to my bedroom.”

“Sleep well,” Mom called as Pauline started out of the room.

“Danki.” Pauline trudged up the stairs, and with each step she took, she felt more discouraged. Even if Eli did quit seeing the Englisher and decided to join the church, she feared he might never be interested in her. And if she couldn’t have Eli, then she didn’t want any man.

Mom had insisted that Laura buy a new dress for the New Year’s Eve party. Laura couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about, but she decided she might as well enjoy the pampering. After all, she would be leaving soon. Then it would be back to the grindstone of school, homework, and ... Eli. She hoped she would be able to see him again.

Standing before her full-length bedroom mirror, Laura smiled at the lovely young woman looking back at her.
If Eli could only see me now, maybe he’d be tempted to go “fancy.”

Mom stood directly behind her, and she smiled into the mirror, as well. “You look exquisite. I’m glad you decided to buy this beautiful silk gown. That shade of green brings out the color of your eyes so well.”

Laura merely shrugged in response. She knew she looked nice, but her heart wasn’t in going to the party tonight or in spending the evening with Dean.

“I’m sure your date will be impressed,” her mother continued. “Dean seems like such a nice young man.”

“I suppose—just not my type.”

“Not your type?” Mom’s eyebrows furrowed. “How can you say that, Laura? Why, Dean is nice looking, has plenty of money, and—”

Laura turned away from the mirror. “Do you think my hair looks all right this way, or should I have worn it down?”

“Your hair looks lovely in a French roll,” her mother responded. She gave Laura’s arm a gentle squeeze. “I’m sure Dean will think so, too.”

The New Year’s Eve party was already in full swing by the time Dean and Laura arrived a little after nine o’clock. He’d been nearly an hour late picking her up, which had put her in a sour mood right from the beginning.

They had no sooner checked their coats, than Dean pulled Laura into a possessive embrace. “You look gorgeous tonight. I’m glad you decided to come.”

Laura wished she could reciprocate with a similar remark, but the truth was she wasn’t glad to be here. In fact, she felt a headache coming on, and if it didn’t let up soon, she knew she would have a good excuse to leave the party.

“Would you like something to drink before we check out the buffet?” Dean asked, pulling her toward the bar.

She merely shrugged in response.

“What can I get for you?”

“Nothing, unless they have some diet cola.”

“You’re not driving,” Dean reminded. “And if you’re concerned about me drinking and driving, you shouldn’t worry your pretty little head. I won’t have more than a few drinks, and I can handle those with no problem at all.”

Laura gnawed on her bottom lip until it almost bled. If Dean was planning to have a few drinks, she could only imagine how the evening might end. She had to do something to get away from him now. “There’s my friend Shannon,” she said, motioning across the room. “I’m going over to say hello.”

“Okay, I’ll get our drinks. I’ll meet you at the buffet table in a few minutes.” He sauntered off toward the bar like he owned the place.

Laura saw Shannon carrying her plate to one of the tables, and she hurried over to her. “I’m glad to see you here.” She pulled out a chair and took a seat beside her friend.

“Why wouldn’t I be? Need I remind you that my boyfriend works for your dad?” Shannon glanced at the buffet table and smiled. “Clark’s still loading up on food, but he’ll be joining me soon.”

Laura shrugged. If Shannon’s comment was meant to chase her away, it wasn’t going to work. “Listen, can you do me a favor?”

“Sure, if I can.”

“If you see my folks, would you tell them I came down with a headache so I called a cab and went home?”

Shannon’s eyebrows lifted high on her forehead. “What about your date?”

“When Dean comes looking for me, which I’m sure he will, would you tell him the same thing?”

“You can tell him yourself. He’s heading this way right now.” Shannon pointed across the room, and Laura groaned.

“What’s wrong? Did you two have a disagreement?”

“Something like that.” Laura decided it would be pointless to tell her friend the real reason she wanted to get away from Dean. She wasn’t just worried about his drinking. She didn’t like the gleam she’d seen in his eyes when he picked her up tonight. She was sure he wanted more than she was willing to give, and her best line of defense was to leave now—alone.

“Here’s your diet cola.” Dean handed Laura the cold drink and nodded at Shannon. “How’s it going?”

Shannon smiled. “Fine. How’s everything with you?”

Laura set her glass on the table and tuned them both out as they engaged in small talk. Her thoughts turned to Eli, and she couldn’t help wondering how he was spending his New Year’s Eve. Did the Amish celebrate with a party, or would tonight be just like any other night for Eli and his family?

Laura cringed when Dean pulled her to his side and whispered, “Tonight’s going to be a great evening.” When he stroked the back of her neck with his thumb, she stood up so quickly, she knocked her soft drink over, spilling some of it down the front of her new dress. “I—I’m not feeling well, Dean. I’m going to call a cab and go home.”

Obvious surprise registered on Dean’s face, and his eyebrows furrowed. “You can’t be serious. We just got here, and I haven’t had a chance to eat yet, much less show you off to my friends.”

I don’t want to be shown off, and I don’t want to be with you.
Laura thrust out her chin and stared up at him. “I’m going home.”

Dean set his drink on the table and steered her toward the coat closet. “Sure, no problem. I’ll get my car.”

“I’m calling a cab. There’s no point in both of us missing the party. You stay and have a good time.”

His eyes clouded over. “If you’re dead set on going, then I may as well collect that stroke-of-midnight kiss.” Before Laura could say anything, Dean bent his head and captured her lips in a kiss that would have left most women reeling with pleasure.

Laura drew back and slapped his face.

“What was that for?” He grimaced as he touched the red mark she had left on his cheek. “I thought you wanted that kiss as much as I did. Always did before.”

Laura’s face was so hot she felt as though she were the one who had been slapped. She wasn’t in control of her emotions tonight, and that really bothered her.

“I’m sorry, Dean,” she apologized. “Your kiss took me by surprise.”

Dean’s eyelids fluttered, and he backed up a few steps. “I don’t know what’s come over you, Laura, but you haven’t been the same since you returned to Minneapolis after attending that stupid school in Pennsylvania for a few months. If I were your father, I would never have allowed you to go there, and I would have insisted that you finish your design courses right here in town.”

Laura’s hands trembled as she held them at her sides. If Dean kept goading her, she was liable to let him have it on the other cheek. “Good night, Dean,” she said through her clenched jaw. “Don’t bother walking me out.”

The day after New Year’s, Laura said good-bye to her parents at the airport. She was more than anxious to be on her way. It wasn’t that she hadn’t enjoyed being with them, but she wanted to get back to her studies ... and she hoped to see Eli again.

Mom and Dad had no idea she’d fallen in love with an Amish man, only that she’d gone out with him a few times. She had no intention of informing them, either. At least not today.

Laura hugged her parents and thanked them for the beautiful leather coat they’d given her for Christmas. Then, without so much as a backward glance, she boarded the plane, welcoming the butterflies doing a tap dance in her stomach.

Her time on the plane was spent thinking about Eli. She couldn’t decide if she should be straightforward and tell him that she’d come to realize how much she loved him or if she should try to draw a declaration of love from him first.

By the time the plane landed in Harrisburg, Laura was a ball of nerves. As soon as she picked up the car she had leased, she headed for the main road, knowing the drive to Lancaster would be slow since snow still covered the ground.

When she got back to the school, it would be dark and too late to try and find Eli’s house. But come tomorrow, she hoped to see him and bare her soul.