Joseph had been a little nervous when first driving Anna’s buggy. After all, he hadn’t driven one in years. And the last time he’d ridden with a maedel, the outcome had been disastrous. If he was still a praying man, he’d ask Der Herr to keep him and Anna safe. But he’d since given up on God. Joe was certain the God he believed in as a child didn’t exist.
Anna seemed surprised that Joe knew how to maneuver the rig. He hadn’t admitted to being Amish, but he did tell her that he’d grown up on a farm around horses. Fortunately, she didn’t pry about his past, although he knew she wanted to. Anna was clearly a curious sort and if they ever became close, he’d feel compelled to share his dreadful past with her. If he told her the truth, though, she would no longer be able to fellowship with him. For most Amish sects, a man who’d been shunned in one district would also be shunned in the others.
Joe heard a gasp escape Anna’s lips as they drove into her snow-covered lane. At the end of the drive near a large white barn, an enclosed buggy stood. Joseph guessed the horse belonging to the buggy waited in a warm stable. As they neared the house, a young man – whom Joe assumed was Anna’s beau – stepped out onto the porch. The moment his eyes met Joe’s, he realized his assumption had been correct.
“Ach, what’s Aaron doing here?” Anna mumbled.
“Is that your boyfriend?” Joe’s eyebrows rose.
“No. Used to be,” she said. “I have to warn you, Joe. He may not be very kind to you.”
Joe placed his hand over hers. “Don’t worry about me. I’ve dealt with his kind for a while now.” He carefully guided the horse to the barn’s entrance.
He watched Aaron out of the corner of his eye as he quickly marched to Anna’s side of the buggy. “Your grossmudder was worried about you,” Aaron said, then quickly switched to Pennsylvania Deitsh so Joe couldn’t understand his words. “What is that man doing in your buggy?” he demanded.
Joe pretended not to comprehend as their conversation continued.
Anna responded, also in Deitsh. “It’s none of your concern. I’ll ride with whom I please. He is a kind man.”
Joe squelched an appreciative smile and continued to unhitch the horse.
“He’s not our kind. And he is a stranger – a tramp,” Aaron’s voice rose.
If Joe had correctly interpreted his tone, it sounded as though perhaps Aaron might be a little jealous. He smirked.
“You need to go home, Aaron,” Anna said.
“I will not leave you alone with him!”
Joe now stepped to Anna’s side and surveyed her eyes. “Is there a problem, Anna?”
“No,” Anna said in English. “Aaron was just leaving.” He didn’t miss the pointed look she’d given Aaron or the exasperation in her voice.
Aaron began to speak up. “I said –”
Before he realized what was happening, Anna had stepped close and pressed her soft lips to Joseph’s. Out of all the things he supposed might happen on this night, this was certainly not one of them! What was she thinking?
Disgusted, Aaron huffed and stomped off - hopefully to retrieve his horse from the barn.
Joe stared into Anna’s eyes and it appeared as though she was just as shocked at her behavior as he was.
“I’m sorry, Joe. I –” She began to blush profusely and Joseph thought it quite becoming.
“No, don’t apologize. I understand.” Joe shrugged. “You wanted to get Aaron off your back. No big deal,” he said nonchalantly, hoping he could actually believe the words he spoke.
Anna seemed to sigh in relief.
Of course she wouldn’t really kiss you, he chided himself. As if he’d ever have a chance with a wonderful girl like Anna.
Joe suggested to Anna that she go inside before she caught a chill. She protested first, but agreed when she spied an elderly woman – whom Joseph suspected to be her grandmother - peek out the door. He assured her that he would take care of Brazen and bring the buggy into the barn.
Aaron led his mare out of the barn and briskly hitched her up. From his buggy, his voice rang loud and clear, “If I were you, I’d watch my step around here. Don’t think you stand a chance with Anna. We Amish marry our own kind.” Aaron looked Joseph over in disgust. “And you definitely are not Anna’s kind, nor will you ever be.”
Who does this guy think he is? Joe certainly couldn’t picture kind Anna marrying a jerk like Aaron. He was tempted to put this windbag in his place, but wouldn’t out of respect for Anna. He knew she wouldn’t approve.
Joe ignored his insults and moved to tend Anna’s horse. Fortunately, he heard the clip-clop of Aaron’s horse travel down the lane and onto the road.
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Anna stared up at the ceiling although her room was nearly pitch black. She couldn’t sleep. What was I thinking? She couldn’t get over the reality of what she’d done. It had almost seemed surreal.
Did I really kiss Joe? Then she remembered the bewildered look on Joe’s face – and the appalled one on Aaron’s. Of course, I did.
Why had she done it? That’s what she couldn’t fathom. She’d since played the scene in her mind many times and still couldn’t come up with a satisfactory reason. Except maybe that Joe was so kind and caring…or selfless…or because he had nice eyes?
Oh no, this can’t be happening! Joe and I could never work, she reasoned. I am Amish and Joe is…well…homeless. And Englisch. But despite all the chaos of the evening and Anna’s confusing thoughts, she realized one thing. Somehow, kissing Joe felt…right.