Anna embraced Mammi and whispered a silent ‘thank you’ before retrieving her coat. Mammi had offered the small dawdi haus to Joe and Harvey, but insisted they earned their keep. Both men happily agreed to the arrangement. With all the excitement this morning, Anna was now running late.
Joe emerged from the restroom just in time to stop her. “May I catch a ride into town with you?”
The sight of Joe made Anna feel as though a music box dancer performed inside her heart. She didn’t expect Joe to look so young…or handsome. Not that he wasn’t handsome before. But now that she could actually see his face – what a difference a haircut and the absence of facial hair made. Of course, seeing him in Amish clothes persuaded her judgment a little too. He’s not Amish, she reminded herself.
“Anna?” he asked again.
Anna peeled her eyes off him. “Oh, uh, I’m sorry.” She hoped her countenance didn’t manifest her thoughts. Anna turned to her grandmother. “Mammi, do you mind if Harv stays here with you?”
“I’ll see to it that Harvey gets his herbs and lunch. He’s already resting now, so hopefully he won’t get underfoot today,” Mammi said. “You go on ahead. Joe already cleaned the barn this morning and brought the eggs in, so he’s free until this evening.”
“I appreciate that, Ma’am,” Joseph said with a chuckle.
“Thanks, Mammi.” Anna followed Joe out the door. He quickly moved to hitch up the horse to the buggy and Anna thought it odd that he knew precisely how everything connected. But then she remembered he’d told her that he once had Amish neighbors.
“All set.” He smiled. “Shall I drive or would you like to?”
“You may.” Anna thought it was nice to have a man beside her as she traveled; somehow, Joe made her feel safe. As they rode along, she wondered why Joe had wanted to come.
“It looks like it’s going to be a nice day. The sun feels good, doesn’t it?” He briefly closed his eyes to breathe in the fresh scents, obviously enjoying the ride.
“What are your plans for the day?”
Joe scratched his head. “Well, I plan to go to the library.”
Anna laughed. “Really?”
“Why do you laugh?”
Anna sensed a bit of offense. “Oh no, I didn’t mean…I guess you just don’t seem like the library type to me.”
He raised his eyebrows. “The library type? I don’t think I get you.”
“You know, nerdy and super smart…not that you’re dumb or anything. Oh boy, it seems nothing I say is coming out the right way. I’ll just close my mouth now. Forget about what I said.”
“So, are you the library type?”
“No comment. I said to forget the former conversation, remember?”
“Only if you’ll have lunch with me.” He smiled. “Mammi packed us plenty.”
“Deal. Where?”
“That depends on how long you’ve got today.”
“An hour.”
“Well then it’ll be a surprise.”
“But I –”
“Don’t you like surprises?” He grinned.
“Yes, but –”
“It’s a surprise,” Joe stated firmly. Before she could answer again, he brought his fingers to her lips to silence her. “This is where you simply nod your head in compliance,” he teased.
Anna opened her mouth to protest, then thought better of it and closed her mouth again. She finally spoke up. “I can’t believe you told me to shut up.”
“Well, I hoped to sound a little more polite.”
“Of course, Joe. Everything you say is polite. I can’t picture you not speaking politely.”
“You didn’t hear me with Aaron the other day after you kissed me.”
“Oh no, don’t mention Aaron. Or the kiss.” She winced.
“Why not? I liked the kiss.”
Anna’s cheeks heated. “You did?”
“In a disturbed, shocked, and slightly surprised kinda way.” He smiled.
“What did you say to Aaron?”
“Nothing. I was just teasing you.”
Anna shook her head. “That’s just like you, Joe – taking the high road. I admire you.”
Joseph’s face brightened. “You do?’
Anna nodded.
Joe placed his hand on Anna’s. “Thank you, Anna. No one’s ever said anything like that to me before.”
Their eyes locked briefly, then Joseph removed his hand. Anna looked out at the Englischers in their cars. She figured they must look like a young courting couple to passersby, or perhaps even a young married couple.
She glanced back at Joe and frowned. They’d never have a chance at love, which she was certain was what this was, because she was Amish and he was not. Tears pricked her eyes, but she quickly brushed them away. It wasn’t good for either of them to be spending this much time together. If they continued, Anna was certain she’d lose her heart for good.
“Well, here we are,” Joe said, pulling up to Threads of Beauty. “I’ll be here at twelve then?” His eyes sparkled and Anna still couldn’t get over how handsome he was.
“Uh, no. Joe, I think it’s better if we don’t have lunch together.” Anna hopped down from the buggy, then reached for the lunch container. She quickly opened it to retrieve her sandwich, doing her best not to meet Joe’s eyes.
Joe set the brake on the buggy, then reached for Anna’s hand and clasped it tight. “Why, Anna?”
She couldn’t help the tears that pricked her eyes once again. “You know why. It can never work between us.”
“Yes, it can. You know we’re perfect for each other, Anna. Love can conquer anything.” His eyebrows lowered and Anna caught the desire in his eyes. Not a lustful desire, but a desire to make their relationship work, a desire to fight for her love. She heard his unspoken plea loud and clear.
But he’d never understand. How could he? In some ways, it seemed things were simpler in the Englisch world. You could marry whomever you chose, as long as you promised to love your spouse. There were no extra rules you had to follow. You didn’t have to sacrifice romantic love for familial love and acceptance. You were free.
But Anna wasn’t free. Being with Joe meant she would have to leave Mammi all alone, and she could never do that. Anna had never doubted her faith before, but now it seemed so constricting. Here was Joe, quite possibly the sweetest man she’d ever met, offering his love to her. How could she reject it?
But she had to…there was no other way.
“I’m so sorry, Joe,” Anna’s voice faltered. She rushed from the buggy and into the store as quickly as she could.
<><><>
Linda’s gaze lifted from her sewing project to Anna’s hasty entrance. She immediately noticed tears streaming down her cheeks. “Anna, what’s wrong?”
Anna shook her head. “Will you let Joe know that you’re taking me home today?”
“I am?”
“Could you, please?”
“Well, yes.” Linda nodded. “Okay, I’ll tell him.”
Linda quickly made it out the door as Joe was pulling away. “Joe!” she hoped he’d heard over the sound of the horse’s hoof beats.
The buggy’s abrupt stop indicated he had. Linda rushed to the carriage. “Anna said to tell you she doesn’t need a ride home today. You may go back anytime you’d like.”
Joe nodded solemnly and Linda noticed his clean, youthful appearance. “You look nice, Joe. How’s Harvey doing?”
His face brightened a little at the mention of Harv. “A lot better. Thank you for allowing him to recuperate in your store.”
“It was no problem.” Linda remembered their private conversation the other day. “About our plans…are they still on?”
Joe nodded. “Still on. I’m going back to the library today. Hopefully, that will set the wheels in motion. You haven’t said anything to Anna yet, have you?”
“No.”
“Good. I don’t want her to know.”
Linda noticed Joe’s eyes misting. What is wrong with these two? She wanted to find out, but she wouldn’t ask Joe. Perhaps she could get something out of Anna. “I’ll let you go now.”
Joe’s buggy disappeared into the light traffic and Linda hurried back into the shop.