Summer Promise (9 page)

Don't you be a child, now, Leah,
she thought.

She set the ladder down and opened it up just as a peal of childish laughter filtered in from out of doors. Leah snuck a quick glance over her shoulder. Eli was helping an
Englisch
family with several young children. As she watched, he reached down and swung a young boy up onto his shoulders.

Well,
Leah thought,
at least he can be nice to someone!

She turned back to the ladder, pulled in a deep breath, and began to climb. She moved quickly, as if afraid to lose momentum, and kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, on the items on the shelves. As soon as the first jars of pickles came into view in front of her, Leah stopped. Then she reached out and seized several tall jars of dill pickle spears. After a moment's hesitation, she placed them on the stepladder shelf.

Aenti Rachel would
definitely
not approve. But Leah did not want to go up and down the ladder umpteen times. Once up and once down was bad enough. Go up, collect the pickle jars she needed, come back down.

Leah stared at the shelves. She really should have some bread and butter pickles, too, she decided. After all, she had been the one to use the word “variety.” Fortunately, the jars of the thin, flat pickle slices were small. Unfortunately, they were on the next-to-the-highest shelf.

Leah's heart began to race. Her legs and feet felt as if they were made of lead. She gritted her teeth and climbed one step higher, and then another. One more step, and she'd be on the top step. And here, finally, her
aenti
Rachel's opinion won out. Aenti Rachel would
never
approve of standing on the top step.

Leah arched onto her tiptoes, reaching for the pickles. Her fingers found the first jar. It scooted backward, out of reach. She shifted position, trying to stretch up as high as she could. Her efforts made the ladder rock ever so slightly. One of the jars of dill pickles on the ladder shelf began to tilt.

Oh, no!
Leah's heart leapt into her throat. Desperately, she abandoned her quest for the sweet pickles and came down a step, making a lunge for the jar that was about to fall. The ladder swayed even more. Leah caught up all the jars she had pulled from the shelves, clutching them to her chest, and felt the ladder begin to rock in the opposite direction. She was going to fall!

Utterly without warning, Leah felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her, plucking her from the ladder and spinning her around. She was back on her feet almost before she realized what was happening. She stood, slightly breathless, still clutching the jars of pickles to her chest, and stared up into the face of her rescuer.

It was Eli.

Eli's face was flushed. His chest rose and fell quickly. He was breathing hard, as if he had just sprinted to reach the back of the farm stand. His green eyes were wide and startled as they gazed down into Leah's.

How had she ever thought his eyes were cold? Up close, they were anything but. Up close, Eli's green eyes seemed lit from within, burning with some secret inner fire. Leah swayed, her head dropping forward as if she longed to rest it on his shoulder. She could have sworn she felt Eli's arms tighten.

“First time on a ladder?” he inquired.

Leah's head jerked up. She yanked back, out of Eli's arms. She could feel her face grow hot with humiliation. Eli made a gesture, as if to call her back. Leah took a second step back and bumped right into the stepladder.

Why, oh, why couldn't she think of some scathing reply? More than anything in the world, what Leah wanted was to hear her own voice delivering some finely chosen words. Words that would put Eli in his place once and for all. Preferably a place that was far away from Leah. But Leah's mind was as blank as a new piece of paper. Her throat felt thick, as if she were about to cry.

She sidled sideways, still carrying her precious load of pickles, until she was certain she was out of the reach of Eli's long arms. Then she whirled and walked to the front of the farm stand as quickly as she could, desperately trying to ignore the way her legs threatened to wobble.

“
Danki
, Leah,” Miriam said as she came in from outside. “Those will be a great addition to the display. You were right.”

Leah swallowed hard. “I was thinking some bread and butter pickles, too,” she admitted, “but I—”

“Oh,” Miriam said as her gaze slid past Leah. “Thank you, Eli.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Leah saw several jars of bread and butter pickles materialize on the counter near the display. She did not turn her head, but she did find her voice.

“Yes, thank you, Eli.”

“I think we've done enough for today,” Miriam went on. If she noticed any tension between the two young people, Leah could not tell. “We can put the finishing touches on the display tomorrow morning. Good work today, both of you. Thank you very much. Sarah and I can close up the stand. You can go on home now.”

“I will stay and help you,” Eli said. “I must wait for my
onkel
. The doctor in Ohio said I must not walk too far.”

“All right, then,” Miriam said. “See you tomorrow, Leah.”

“See you tomorrow,” Leah said.

She walked out the big front doors of the farm stand without looking back. If she looked back, she would have to look at Eli.

Quickly, with determined steps, Leah crossed the road and headed for home. What had happened in those moments after Eli had saved her from what could have been a nasty fall? Did she even really want to know?

No, she decided, as she turned down the driveway to her
aenti
and
onkel
's house. She did not. She didn't want to get any closer to the surprising glimpse of fire in Eli King's cool, green eyes. Because one thing about fire, if you got close enough, you got burned. Every single time.

Eight

I
t was amazing how quickly new situations became old ones, Miriam thought. She stood, hands on hips, in the late morning sunshine, gazing at the farm stand from across the road. Was it really just a few short weeks ago that she had wondered how she would ever keep the stand running? God had certainly answered that question, and in a way Miriam would never have anticipated: by providing both Leah and Eli.

But that was the thing about God's work, Miriam thought. You could always trust that He would act, but you couldn't always see the ways of it ahead of time.

Take what she was doing now, for instance. Looking at a place she knew both inside and out from a distance rather than the usual up close. It was giving Miriam a whole new perspective on the farm stand, one she was finding both useful and inspiring. But the simple act of crossing the road to see the stand might never have occurred to her if not for an offhand remark of Leah's about how she always looked forward to the moment the farm stand first came into view as she approached it from her
aenti
and
onkel
's home.

It made Miriam realize how much she, too, looked forward to her first glimpse of the farm stand each and every day. But it also made her realize that she saw the same thing, time after time. Leah's remark had inspired her to take a moment each day to look at the farm stand from a different angle. Sarah teased her about it, claiming that it looked as if Miriam were looking for the missing piece to a puzzle.

It was more than that, Miriam knew. Secretly, she suspected that what she was really looking for was the puzzle itself. If she ever had all the pieces, she might see a way into Daniel's heart.

And that's enough searching for today,
she decided. She would be late to start Daniel's midday dinner if she didn't get a move on. Moving briskly, Miriam walked back across the road.

* * *

“I think the farm stand could use a new coat of paint after we close for the winter,” Miriam said at dinner.

“Oh,
ja
?” Daniel asked somewhat absently. He turned the page of the farm journal he was reading and did not look up.

“
Ja
,” Miriam replied.

Quickly, she cut a piece from a slice of ripe tomato and popped it in her mouth. As far as Miriam was concerned, tomatoes were the true taste of summer. But that wasn't the reason she was so eager to eat one now. She was trying to fill her mouth with something other than tart words. For once, Miriam had Daniel all to herself. Sarah had gone to run a quick errand in town, and Leah and Eli were minding the farm stand alone for the time being. Miriam would take dinner down to them once she and Daniel were finished eating.

Miriam had been secretly tickled to think she and Daniel would actually have a meal alone. And what was he doing? Reading a farm journal. Miriam knew that reading the journal was important to Daniel. But did he have to do it
now
?

She swallowed. “I am thinking we might make a change,” she continued. “Something that customers could see from far away. What would you think of painting the sides of the stand orange with red stripes?”

“That sounds nice,” Daniel commented. He turned another page of the journal and continued reading. Then, all of a sudden, he paused. He looked up, eyebrows raised, forehead creased in confusion. “Wait. What did you say?”

“Never mind,” Miriam said. She stood up. She picked up her plate and gave it a quick dunk in the dishwater she had ready and waiting in the sink. Then she rinsed it and set it in the drainer to dry. “I should get back. The young ones are on their own. I will see you at supper tonight, Daniel.”

“Miriam,” Daniel said. “I . . .”

But Miriam was in no mood to wait. Thrusting her feet into her waiting clogs, she snatched up the meals she had prepared for Leah and Eli, gave the kitchen screen door a shove, and stepped out onto the porch. And then she was moving swiftly away from the house, the taste of the words she had tried so hard not to say leaving a strange, bitter flavor in her mouth as the screen door banged shut behind her.

* * *

Wham!

A car door slammed and Leah whirled toward the sound. She was just in time to see an
Englisch
guy not much older than she was come around the side of a bright red car. The car was sleek and lean and so low, it seemed to hug the ground. In the weeks since she had started working at the farm stand, Leah had seen more kinds of cars than she'd ever known existed. But she had never seen a car like this before.

The passenger door opened and a second young man got out. Like the first, he wore dark jeans. But where the driver wore a pristine white T-shirt, the guy in the passenger seat wore no shirt at all! Quickly, Leah lowered her eyes.

I can handle this,
she thought. Besides, it wasn't as if she had much choice. Sarah had left to run an errand, and Eli wasn't anywhere in sight.

“I'm sorry about my friend,” Leah heard a deep voice say.

She raised her eyes, focusing on his face. The driver was tall. So tall that Leah had to tilt her head back to see him clearly.
How on earth does he fit his legs into that tiny car?
she wondered. The young
Englischer
's face was very tan.

“He doesn't mean any harm,” the young man went on. He flashed Leah an easy smile, revealing a set of perfectly even white teeth. “He just always wants pretty girls to notice him, that's all.”

Leah was glad her own smile was already in place. It was something Sarah had taught her. Always smile at an approaching customer. But still, she felt her cheeks begin to grow hot. She was blushing, and, even worse, Leah was pretty sure this particular customer would misunderstand the cause.

Does he think I'm stupid?
she wondered.
Just because I'm Plain.
Or maybe
Englisch
girls liked that sort of remark. In which case, Leah was glad she wasn't one of them.

“May I help you?” she asked politely.

“Oh, I think so,” the young man said. “I'm looking for something . . . very special.”

“Is it for a special occasion?” Leah asked, feeling a little better now that she had found a way to deflect his remark. Asking this question was also something she had learned from Sarah.

“Yes,” the young
Englischer
said at once. “I, uh, need to make a good first impression.”

“Oh, well, in that case,” Leah said, “I'm sure I can help.”

She turned away from him and walked around to the far side of the display table, so that she would be better able to point out some selections. Leah was feeling much more comfortable now. She was pretty sure this young man had just lied to her. That made helping him easier, in a way. In the time she had worked at the farm stand, Leah had encountered this kind of
Englischer
before. He
did
think she was stupid because she wasn't like him. So stupid that she would be blinded by idle compliments and the sight of a fancy red car.

“These berries are very nice,” she said, gesturing to the basket she had set out just moments before. “And very fresh. They were picked just this morning.”

“Hey, Steve,” called out his passenger, who was leaning against the car. “We haven't got all day. Come on.”

“In a minute,” the guy named Steve yelled back without turning around. “Keep your shirt on.”

The guy at the car gave a snort of laughter. Leah didn't let her eyes so much as flicker in his direction, but an idea was beginning to take shape in the back of her mind.

“So this is the best you've got,” Steve said.

“Oh, no,” Leah answered with a smile. “Everything here is good. May I show you something else?”

Steve hesitated for a second, and then seemed to make up his mind. “No, that's okay,” he said. “On second thought, I'm not so sure you have anything I want after all.”

“I'm sorry to hear you say that,” Leah said. She picked up the basket of berries quickly, before she could change her mind. Then she walked around the end of the table, making straight for the guy leaning against the car. He straightened up at her approach.

“These are for you,” Leah said. She held the basket out and gave him her very best smile. He took them, the startled expression on his face betraying his surprise. Leah turned back toward Steve. “It was so nice of you both to stop by. We get new produce all the time, so come back anytime.”

Her back as straight as one of Aenti Rachel's dining room chairs, Leah turned and walked toward the farm stand. She didn't stop until she was all the way inside.

I did it!
she thought. She had showed those
Englisch
boys! She hadn't let them make fun of her. She'd stood up for herself. Leah stepped behind the counter, turning just as she heard the car's engine spring to life. It backed up quickly, spraying gravel. Then, with a squeal of tires, it roared off down the road.

“What do you think you're doing?” an angry voice demanded.

Startled, Leah swung around. Eli was standing just behind her. In her eagerness to reach the safety of the inside of the building, Leah hadn't noticed him.

“Waiting on a customer. What does it look like I'm doing?” she snapped.

“Honestly?” Eli asked, his tone challenging.

And I'm not afraid of you, either, Eli King,
Leah thought. She lifted her chin, meeting his green eyes squarely.

“Yes, honestly.”

“It looks like you're flirting with
Englisch
boys.”

Leah gasped. The way the
Englisch
boy had treated her had made her angry, but it was nothing compared to this.

“I don't care what it looks like.”

“Well, you ought to,” Eli replied. “You don't want to get a reputation.”

“A
reputation
!” Leah cried. “Now who's sounding like a
gross-mammi
? You are not in charge of me, Eli King, so stop acting like you are. Stop acting like you know me when you don't. You don't know me at all.”

“Forget it,” Eli said in a tight, cold voice. “You don't want to listen, fine. But don't come crying to me when you find out everybody's been talking behind your back. Don't come crying to me when something goes wrong.”

“You bet I won't,” Leah said. “You're the last person on earth I'd turn to. And nothing's going to
go
wrong
.”

“Gracious, you two!” Miriam's voice sliced across the argument. “I could hear you halfway down the drive from the house. What is the matter here?”

“Nothing,” Leah answered shortly. She met Eli's eyes, daring him to contradict her. “Eli and I were just having a difference of opinion, that's all. A small one.”

“Eli?” Miriam queried.

“It is as Leah says,” Eli replied. “We had a difference of opinion, but I think we both know where we stand now.”

We do indeed,
Leah thought.
As far away from each other as possible!

* * *

Where is everybody?
Miriam wondered.

It was a hot, sticky evening in late July, and she stood at the kitchen counter, surveying the stack of supper dishes. Usually Sarah offered to help with the washing up, although Miriam steadfastly refused. She was unwilling to let Sarah help with any of the tasks that rightfully belonged to her, as Daniel's wife. Tonight, however, not only had Sarah not offered, she was nowhere to be found!

I suppose this is what I get for always refusing her help,
Miriam thought a little wryly as she moved to the sink. She turned on the hot water to fill the basin and heard a quick peal of laughter from outside.

That's Sarah's voice,
she thought. She glanced out the kitchen window, but the stretch of yard that she could see through the window was empty. Acting on impulse, Miriam shut off the water and headed for the living room. She pushed the screen door open and looked out. Sarah was nowhere in sight. But once again, Miriam heard the sound of her sister's laughter, high and joyful and bright.

That's coming from the direction of the barn,
she thought. She stepped outside, moving in the direction of the sound. She had just rounded the corner of the house when she saw Sarah and Daniel coming toward the house.

They had their arms around each other.

Miriam's heart began to thunder in her chest. Desperately, she tried to make sense of what was right before her eyes. Sarah had one shoe off. One of those ridiculous platform sandals that had garnered so much attention the first time she'd worn them. Miriam could see it, dangling from her sister's outstretched fingers. The shoe was covered in muck. But with her other hand, Sarah was holding on to Daniel for support, one arm looped around his neck. Daniel had a supporting arm around Sarah's waist. Their bodies were close together, bumping together every time they took a step.