YOU MEAN YOU actually kissed her?” John was appalled at Rob’s early morning revelation. Kissing was not an idle thing in his world, and although he knew his friend was a genial flirt, he still struggled with the idea of Tabitha Beiler being old enough to be out of school, let alone courting.
“Yep,” Rob said smugly. “And I plan on doing it again soon.”
John shook his head. “Kissing a girl is no small thing. Do you really think you would marry her? Are you ready for a frau? Because I still have my doubts.”
Rob gave him a sunny smile. “Think what you like, my friend.” He eased backward on a spindle set chair, and John caught him before he tipped too far.
“Stop fooling around, will you?”
John knew when Rob’s quicksilver moods changed, and he was suddenly faced with a barrage of questions he didn’t feel like answering.
“What’s wrong, John? You’re sour this morning, and although your personality doesn’t exactly shine, you’re not usually irritable . . . so what’s up? Will you tell me?”
“No.” John turned to some fencing pieces that needed whitewash and grabbed a brush.
“Why?” Rob asked patiently, and John suppressed a groan. When he wanted to, Rob could weasel a secret out of a situation like nobody’s business.
“I—I’m just restless, okay?” John finally said, trying to concentrate on stirring up the white paint.
“You need a wife.”
John glared at his best friend and tormentor. “That is the last thing I need in all the world.”
Tabitha whistled cheerfully as she served Aenti Beth her breakfast. In truth, the very eggs she’d scrambled seemed as light and fluffy as clouds, and Tabitha fancied the bacon was even crispier and more tasty than usual. Being in love must make the very weldt taste better, she thought, then struggled to give attention to her aenti’s gentle voice.
“Tabby, you look as you did when you were young and just kumme in from a run in the rain.”
Tabitha knew her face flushed, but she met her Aenti Beth’s eyes squarely, for courting must be kept a secret at all costs. Rob had seemed particular about that point when he’d left that morning, a piece of cake wrapped snug in his pocket.
“Remember, sweet—ours is a secret courtship. Not for any of the aulder folk to know.” He’d smiled, and she could not help but nod in agreement. He must surely have his reasons for stressing the matter. She pushed the matter aside in her mind and sat up straight at attention when she realized that Aenti Beth was speaking again.
“Tabby, I’d like you to run some quilt squares over to Frau Miller’s across the way. We’re piecing a friendship quilt for Laura Mast—the family that’s just moved into the district.”
Tabitha’s breath caught. If I’m going to the Millers’, I might have the chance to see Rob at work in the wood shop.
“Tabby? Are you attending me at all?” Aenti Beth’s voice was bemused.
“Ya, ach, ya, ma’am. I will go straight after I’ve cleaned up breakfast.”
Her aenti sighed. “Gut. . . but the way you’re acting, I hope you can remember the direction of the Millers’ haus.”
Tabitha smiled broadly. “How could I forget? It’s as easy as pie.”
Rob tried to concentrate on his work, but one taste of the chocolate cake he’d secured for a midmorning snack sent him reeling back to the moment his lips had grazed Tabby’s smooth cheek. It was a memory to be cherished.
He whistled as he forced himself to focus on a particular piece of balustrade and was surprised to hear the shop door bang open with a sudden vehemence.
He looked up to see his mamm standing with her bonnet in disarray, a cloak haphazardly thrown over her shoulders.
He nearly bumped into John as they both moved in one accord toward the door, then John backed away.
“Mamm, what’s wrong?” Rob asked, never having seen his mother so rattled.
“It’s your grossdaudi, Rob. There’s been a bad accident, and he’s asking for you to kumme.”
“To Ohio? Of course, but what—”
“I’ll explain everything on the way home.” She grasped his arm.“We’ll have to make preparations for you to go tomorrow morning. John, will you explain to your daed that Rob’s not going to be able to work for a bit?”
“Sure . . . ya.”
Rob caught his friend’s worried gaze, and a bolt of fear ran through his heart. His paternal grandfather was very dear to him and such an important part of his childhood. Grossdaudi had felt the loss of Rob’s fater, his only son, as much as Rob himself, and as a child Rob had spent a good portion of every summer with his grandparents in Ohio, creating a special bond that his other cousins never shared.
He followed his mamm outside and helped her into the family buggy, then noticed the other buggy hitched nearby. He recognized the Beilers’ horse, and suddenly Tabby was coming down the front porch steps. Rob made a quick turn and took a half step toward her. Then he remembered his mother’s presence and found he could only tip his hat in farewell to the girl he was in love with.
The sleet beat mercilessly upon the weathered roof of the old barn. John and Rob stood in the morning gloom of the interior, both tall and broad-shouldered in their dark Amish coats and hats.
“Will you watch over her?”
John heard the serious intent in his best friend’s voice and knew the deep value of the request presented to him.
“Ya, I give my word, Rob. You need not worry.”
“Danki. I know you will do as you say. You know that my mamm cannot abide Tabby for some reason, and our feelings for each other must be kept secret.” He sighed aloud. “I should be going. The van is supposed to be here at nine.”
“I hope your grandfather heals quickly. I will miss you.” John spoke with quiet candor.
Rob nodded. “I feel the same, my friend. But you will have little time for missing me in watching over Tabby, I wager.” He frowned slightly. “She grows more beautiful each day, and the buwes will be swarming this spring since she’s old enough to marry.” He lifted his gaze to John, vulnerability in his eyes. “I’m in love with her, John. Truly.”
John clapped him on the shoulder. “Again, no worries. I’m sure that Tabitha is devoted to you.” He felt a slight pang of jealousy, but dismissed it quickly, reminding himself that he didn’t want or need the feelings of a girl. But still, Rob didn’t know how blessed he was.
They turned in mutual accord as a white van sloshed to a sudden stop outside the open barn door. John stepped forward and caught Rob in a hearty hug, then moved away while Rob shouldered his knapsack. Rob trudged out through the mud puddles and got in.
John returned Rob’s brief wave with one of his own and watched the van pull away, but his best friend’s words and charge of responsibility echoed in John’s mind. Then he told himself that he was being too serious. After all, beautiful or not, how much trouble could one nineteen-year-old girl be?