Sarasota Dreams (38 page)

“Peter got a job at the lumber store, and Abe talks to him on occasion.”

“Good for Peter. I knew he wanted to work there.”

“So,” Mary began as she folded her arms, “would you want to take Peter back if he was interested?”

“Do you know something?”

A conspiratorial smile formed on Mary’s lips. “Maybe.”

Shelley slowly shook her head. “After what Peter did to me, I’m not sure if I could ever trust him again.”

“Why? The two of you weren’t engaged, and from what he told Abe, he didn’t realize you expected anything from him.”

“Abe didn’t tell him—”

“No,” Mary said, interrupting her. “But some other people from the church did. He told Abe that he regretted many things, one of them being not noticing how you felt.”

“It doesn’t really matter now. A lot of time has passed.”

“And you’re no longer interested in Peter, are you?”

“I have no desire to resume any sort of relationship with Peter … well, except maybe friendship.”

“Friendship doesn’t preclude a more … romantic relationship,” Mary said. “Unless, of course, you have your sights on someone else.” She tilted her head toward Jeremiah. “And that someone else is heading this way.”

Shelley instinctively turned in the direction of Mary’s nod. She met Jeremiah’s gaze as he walked toward them with determination.

Mary placed her hand on Shelley’s arm. “I need to go see if Grandma needs help.”

Jeremiah reached Shelley’s side right when Mary left. “I hope I didn’t run her off.”

“No,” Shelley said. “She wanted to go help her grandmother. I think I should probably do a little cleaning.”

“I’ll help,” Jeremiah said without a moment’s hesitation. “Maybe we can visit the Ringling Museum of Art afterward.”

To Shelley’s surprise, her mother didn’t argue when Shelley asked if it was okay to go to the museum with Jeremiah. All she’d said was, “Be home before dark.”

Jeremiah had obviously been there many times because he knew his way around. He pointed out some exhibits and joked around, making her laugh and forget about anything else. When he took her hand on the bus ride back to Pinecraft, Shelley could almost imagine their relationship being normal.

The next morning Jeremiah hopped out of bed with more of a spring in his step than usual. Working beside Shelley yesterday had given him purpose and the feeling that there might be hope for a deeper relationship. To his surprise and delight, her mother hadn’t voiced a single objection. He and Shelley had had a real date that had been over way too soon to his liking.

David, the driver he’d arranged through Abe, picked him up at the same time he did every day. “It’s good to see you so chipper this early on a Monday morning,” David said. “Did you have a good weekend?”

Jeremiah’s grin widened. “I sure did.” He told David about the potluck after church, the museum date, and how he felt that he’d made some headway with Shelley. “But I need to take this very slowly because her mom still can’t stand me.”

“I’m obviously speaking as a complete outsider, but it’s been my observation since getting to know many people in your church that most are very forgiving if they know you’re sincere.”

“Yes, I’m sure that’s true most of the time with Mrs. Burkholder, but I’m not so sure when it comes to her daughter. She’s very protective of her family.”

David told Jeremiah about the courtship with his own wife years ago. “Her dad hated my guts at first, but after we gave him a grandchild, things gradually changed. I think he appreciates me now, but it took years.”

Jeremiah paid David and thanked him for the ride before setting up a time to be picked up. “There’s nothing to do on my own land today, so I thought I’d swing by Shelley’s house after she gets off work.”

David waved before taking off. Abe joined Jeremiah on the lawn to give instructions for the day. Jeremiah was glad to have something to do to stay busy and yet have the freedom to think about what he’d say to Shelley.

At two o’clock, Abe walked up to Jeremiah. “Why don’t you leave early today? Mary said she thought you might want to walk Shelley home from work.”

“Thanks, Abe. I’d better call for a ride now then.”

“No need. I called David about fifteen minutes ago, so he should be here any minute.”

David arrived five minutes later. “Ready to go see your girl?”

“Let’s hope that’s how it all turns out. The more I’m with her the more I realize she’s the woman I want to be with.”

All the way into town, Jeremiah shared his thoughts and feelings about Shelley. “She’s one of the most intelligent girls I’ve ever met, and she has heart. Her younger brother, William, has Down syndrome, and she’s very good to him. I understand that she will be responsible for him after their parents can no longer take care of him.”

“How do you feel about that?” David asked.

“I’m cool with it. William’s a good kid, and he doesn’t mind helping out with stuff. I think he likes me, too.”

“So all you need to deal with is Shelley’s parents?”

“Seems that way,” Jeremiah replied as they pulled up in front of the restaurant. “Thanks for the ride.” He pulled some bills out of his pocket and handed them to David.

Jeremiah straightened his shirt collar, squared his shoulders, took a deep, cleansing breath, and strode into the restaurant. He glanced around looking for Shelley and spotted her standing by the back corner booth, deep in conversation with someone. She glanced up at him but didn’t acknowledge his presence, so he walked toward her. When he got close enough, the person in the booth turned around and looked at him. It was Peter, the guy Shelley had once thought she was in love with.

H
i, Peter.” Jeremiah lifted his chin, hoping his trepidation didn’t show.

  “Jeremiah,” Peter said as he stood. “I was just having a nice chat with Shelley, hoping she’d go out with me after work. Would you like to join me for a cup of coffee while I wait for her to finish her shift?”

Jeremiah felt as though he’d hit a wall head-on at full speed. He glanced at Shelley, who didn’t look him in the eye. Her discomfort was obvious.

“Uh … I was … uh, on my way home from work, and I wanted to … uh …” What was wrong with him? He cleared his throat. “I really need to get home.”

Shelley lifted her gaze and looked at him with an expression he didn’t recognize. She wasn’t happy about something, but he wasn’t sure if he’d caused it, so far be it for him to stick around and risk being a nuisance.

“I guess I’d better go now.” He lifted his hand in a half wave and let it fall back down by his side. “See ya.”

“Bye, Jeremiah,” Peter said as he sat back down. “It’s good you’re back. I’m sure you’ll be much happier now that you’ve come to your senses.”

A year ago Jeremiah would have fought for the woman he loved. He had to use every ounce of self-restraint to keep his temper under control. Jeremiah wanted to know why Peter was suddenly coming around again, but he was too stunned to see him now to ask. He needed to regroup and figure out what to do next.

Jeremiah walked outside into the bright sunshine, which reminded him the day was still in full swing. He glanced to the left and then to the right as he decided where to go. He didn’t want to go home just yet. His father was still at work, and his mother had her quilting group over on Mondays.

He started walking in the opposite direction from home. It was already hot out, even though summer was still weeks away. He could go to the beach, but he didn’t feel like facing the curiosity seekers, so he decided against that. For the first time since his car had stalled, he wished he’d bought a replacement.

After several blocks, he found himself at a bus stop. Maybe a ride on the bus would do him some good and at least kill some time.

The bus arrived about five minutes later. Jeremiah boarded the bus and rode for a while, hanging his head, thinking about his options. Seeing Peter with Shelley and knowing their history made his stomach ache. It simply wasn’t right. Jeremiah knew for a fact that Peter was no good for Shelley, and he had no right to come back into her life as though he’d done nothing wrong. Jeremiah wasn’t perfect, and his past had been checkered with things he regretted, but he’d never hurt Shelley as Peter had.

The biggest problem was how to show Shelley he was better for her than Peter. Until now, he’d felt that he was making some headway with her. The look on her face when their eyes had met flickered in his mind. She didn’t seem happy—maybe she was even a touch annoyed—with him stopping by the restaurant. Perhaps he’d deluded himself into thinking she had even a sliver of interest in him.

Jeremiah glanced out the window and spotted a used-car dealership. Maybe he’d check out the lot and see if there was anything he’d feel good about driving. He let the bus driver know he wanted off at the next stop.

As soon as he reached the car lot, the salesman approached. “What can I help you with today, sir? We have some great automobiles in stock just waiting for the right person to drive one of them home.”

Jeremiah scanned the rows of cars in all sizes, shapes, and colors. He pointed. “How about that gray one at the end?”

The salesman frowned as he glanced at Jeremiah’s watch, the only thing he kept from his time away from the Mennonite church. “I don’t know about that one. It’s a little weathered and beat up—okay for a kid but not for someone who likes to ride in style. How about this fire-engine red sporty number right over here?”

Jeremiah didn’t even look in the direction the salesman pointed. He knew he’d be weak if the right words were said. “No, I want to test-drive the gray car.”

With a snort, the salesman backed toward the tiny sales office. “If you insist. I’ll go grab the key so you can take it for a spin.”

The second the salesman went into the office, Jeremiah allowed himself a brief glimpse of the sports car. His throat tightened, and his skin tingled at the thought of being behind the wheel of that gorgeous piece of machinery. Without hesitation he approached the red car and gently stroked the hood. He could imagine himself cruising the streets of Sarasota, looking all … He stopped, shuddered, and took a step back.

“Hey, I see you’ve come to your senses,” the salesman shouted. “Let me go back inside and get the key so you can drive the car of your dreams. And you won’t believe your luck today. We have a special—”

“No thanks,” Jeremiah hollered right back. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t need to drive any car right now.”

“Are you sure?”

Jeremiah didn’t bother answering the overly exuberant man, desperate to sell him a car. Instead, he strode as quickly as he could for nearly a quarter of a mile before his resolve crumbled.

That red car sure would be fun to drive, and nothing said he had to buy it. He mentally pictured himself gripping the steering wheel, pulling out onto the highway, testing the engine by pressing his foot harder on the accelerator. After living seventeen years without a car, he’d thoroughly enjoyed the freedom with one. Letting go of his bright orange sports car had been difficult, but he’d had a mixed mission—to reunite with his church and to fulfill his longtime dream of making Shelley his wife. Now, with Peter in the picture beside Shelley, the other half of his mission seemed less attractive.

He did an about-face and walked straight back to the dealership. The little guy who was wiping the windows of a car on the edge of the lot glanced up and did a double take before grinning. “You’re back. Does this mean—”

“I’d like the keys to the red sports car,” Jeremiah said. “And do you have financing?”

“Yes, of course we have financing. We take care of all your car-buying needs.”

Jeremiah watched the man practically skip to his office. He grinned. It didn’t take much to make some people happy. He wished he could be one of them.

“I’m sorry, Peter, but I need to go straight home after work,” Shelley said.

“How about tomorrow?” His voice sounded urgent. “Maybe we can take a picnic dinner to the beach and—”

“No, not tomorrow either.”

“So are you saying you’re not interested in me anymore?” Peter tilted his head and stared at her. She wished he wouldn’t be so persistent. Although her feelings for him had faded shortly after he’d announced his engagement to Clara, she disliked being put on the spot in such an uncomfortable way, and she didn’t feel that she owed him an explanation.