Plain Proposal Read online

  He did a double take when he edged closer and saw two buggies near the pond. Saul was pretty sure one of them was Miriam’s. He strained to see, and his chest tightened when he saw Jesse Dienner standing next to Miriam. And who was the other woman? As he got closer, he recognized the other woman to be Miriam’s cousin whom he’d met at church.

  Saul tensed even more when he thought about the way Jesse had lingered around Miriam earlier in the day. It was the only reason he stayed around after the service and gathered with the men in the barn—where Jesse should have been. Twice he’d poked his head out and saw Jesse in the yard with Miriam while she picked up glasses from the tables outside. He knew plenty well that jealousy was a sin, but seeing the two of them laughing and talking had sent his heart to racing. Saul knew that once he left, it was just a matter of time before Miriam settled on one of the many interested fellows in their district. Probably Jesse. He was a fine man, and he would make a good husband for Miriam. But, right or wrong, Saul wanted one summer with Miriam. And he knew she wanted it too, even if she didn’t know that he would be leaving her in late August or early September. He cringed for a moment about the betrayal, but then he got a glimpse of Miriam’s smile and knew he couldn’t stop himself.

  He stepped out of the buggy. “I see we have lots of company.” He forced a smile as he tethered his horse to a nearby tree.

  Jesse smiled. “Gut thing I stopped by the Raber place to return a platter Miriam’s mudder left this morning. Otherwise I wouldn’t have known that Miriam and her cousin were meeting you here to go fishing.” Jesse chuckled. “Guess you were going to keep these two pretty maeds all to yourself.”

  “He didn’t know I was bringing Shelby,” Miriam said in a shy voice.

  Good. Now Jesse knows this was supposed to have been a date. At least they could pair up—Saul and Miriam and Jesse and Shelby.

  “Well, I’m glad you did.” Jesse smiled, and Saul thought again about how Miriam would probably end up with Jesse, but for today, maybe Miriam’s Englisch cousin could keep him occupied. She was a pretty girl, even if she was a bit thin.

  Saul figured most women thought Jesse was handsome. He was tall and broad like Saul, but his face was perfect. Perfect smile. Perfect teeth. And Jesse had never been in any kind of trouble.

  Saul reached up and touched the scar that ran along his chin, then he ran his tongue along his not-so-straight front teeth. He disliked the fact that he felt inferior around Jesse just because of the man’s looks. Besides, Saul knew he had gotten the scar on his chin in an honorable way, even if fistfights were not allowed. But he’d seen the man nab Mrs. Perkin’s purse. The elderly Englisch woman attended quilting parties with his mother, and she was a nice lady who didn’t deserve to have her bag taken. The thief turned out to be almost more than Saul could handle. He’d gotten in one good punch before Saul stopped him. Then Bishop Ebersol had reprimanded Saul for his actions. Again.

  “I went by my haus and picked up a couple of fishing poles.” Jesse held up two cane poles.

  “I brought three,” Saul said as he reached into the back of his buggy. “I brought an extra one in case something happened to one of the other ones. So we have plenty.”

  Miriam smiled and batted her eyes at Saul, which caused him to once again go weak in the knees. “I brought my own pole,” she said smugly. “It’s my lucky fishing pole, and I catch fish every time I use it.”

  Saul couldn’t take his eyes from hers for a moment. He recalled the way he’d pushed back a strand of her hair the day before. A vision he couldn’t seem to shake, nor did he want to.

  “Miriam, why don’t you and me walk to the other side of the pond? We’ll spread out a little.” Jesse smiled his perfect smile, and Saul felt his temperature rise.

  “Or. . . why don’t we make this a competition, girls against the boys?” Shelby moved closer to Miriam. “Let’s see who can catch the most fish.”

  “We don’t usually compete against each other,” Miriam said to her cousin. “Remember when we played volleyball after church? We didn’t keep score.”

  Shelby looked toward the ground, her cheeks reddening, and Saul felt a little bad for her. “No one has to know,” he said as he raised a brow playfully.

  “Leave it to you, Saul.” Jesse grinned, but Saul knew that his friend was hinting that he was always the one to break the rules. And maybe that was true. Another reason why he didn’t belong here.

  “But I’m in, if the girls are,” Jesse added.

  Miriam smiled. “I say let’s do it.” She latched onto her cousin’s arm, and they started to walk to the other side of the pond.

  Saul let out a heavy sigh. This was not at all how he planned to spend the afternoon.

  4

  AN HOUR LATER MIRIAM AND SHELBY GAZED ACROSS the pond at Saul and Jesse. Miriam shook her head.

  “I don’t understand. That’s at least the tenth fish they’ve pulled in.” Miriam twisted another worm on her hook, then dropped her pole in the water.

  “Maybe I’m bad luck.” Shelby set her pole on the ground, then sat down on a grassy patch next to it and twisted a strand of hair between her fingers.

  Miriam glanced down at her and frowned. “Of course you’re not.” “One thing is for sure, though.” Shelby put her elbows on her crossed legs, then propped her chin in her hands. “They both have a thing for you.”

  “A thing?”

  “Sure. Clearly this was supposed to be a date for you and Saul.” Shelby paused. “And I really shouldn’t have come.” Miriam started to interrupt, but Shelby went on. “I saw the way both Saul and Jesse looked at you all morning.” Miriam was glad to see Shelby smile. “Yep, you’re a popular girl.”

  Miriam knew that Jesse liked her. She’d known that for years. But Saul had always held the key to her heart.

  “So Saul is the one you’re interested in?” Shelby picked up her pole from where she was sitting, then tossed the line into the murky pond water.

  Miriam sighed. “Ya.” She dipped her pole up and down, hoping the action would attract a fish. “But Jesse is a gut man. He will be a fine husband for someone.”

  “Just not for you?” Shelby grinned.

  “No. Not for me.”

  “Well, I think he’s hot. Super good-looking.”

  Miriam glanced down at her cousin who was staring dreamyeyed across the pond toward the men. While she was glad to see Shelby smiling and seemingly happy, her protective instinct kicked in. “He’s going to be baptized in the fall, like I am. Then he’ll be ready for marriage to someone in our community.”

  Shelby didn’t say anything but continued to stare across the pond.

  “Jesse is one of those who will never leave. Most of the boys here experience their rumschpringe—running-around period—to the fullest. They drink beer, drive cars, and lots of other things I probably don’t know about. Not Jesse, though. He’s not like that. He’ll be baptized, marry, and eventually take over his father’s blacksmith shop.”

  “So he can date anyone while he’s running around, right?”

  “I—I guess so.” This was unsettling to Miriam. She didn’t want to marry Jesse, but she didn’t want to see him get hurt either. Shelby was beautiful, and Jesse might be tempted to get involved with her—a girl who wasn’t Amish and someone who was leaving in three months. Plus, Shelby was having some problems with God, and Miriam knew Jesse had an unquestionable faith.

  Shelby set her pole down, then leaned back on her hands. “It doesn’t really matter anyway.”

  “Why do you say that?” Miriam heard the sadness in her cousin’s voice again.

  “You’ve probably noticed, I have some issues. Lots of issues. I wouldn’t want to subject anyone to that.”

  Miriam was glad that Shelby didn’t want anything romantic with Jesse, but she also wanted her cousin to feel whole and happy. “I think you will be fine, Shelby.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because it’s God’s will for you to be here.
He has a plan for you.” Miriam would pray constantly that Shelby’s faith would be restored, that she would feel close to God and trust His plan for her. “I wish I could believe that. I feel like I’m being punished by being sent here.” Right away Shelby looked up at Miriam. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”

  “It’s okay. I understand.” Miriam couldn’t imagine anyone not loving Lancaster County, its quiet people, simple ways, and love of the land and God. But Shelby was an outsider, and Miriam was sure she missed her home in Texas.

  “I wish things were different for me.” Shelby gazed out over the water with more unhappiness in her voice.

  “They can be different. Things change according to God’s plan, and we never know what time frame God is on.”

  “Oh, wow!” Shelby pulled back on her pole as her entire body fell backward onto the grass. “I’ve got one! And it’s huge! Oh my!”

  Miriam dropped her own pole when she saw Shelby struggling. She helped her cousin pull as they both scooted backward on their behinds, pulling the cane pole and line through the tall weeds.

  “I’ve never worked so hard to pull a fish out of this pond!” Miriam screamed as they watched the enormous fish surface. “Keep pulling!” They both kept hold of the pole and stood up. Miriam could see Saul and Jesse out of the corner of her eye running along the bank.

  “We have to get it in before they get here and try to help us.” Shelby was laughing, then Miriam started laughing, and together the girls pulled the fish onto the bank right before the men arrived, breathless—and speechless.

  Shelby and Miriam looked on as Saul carefully picked up the large catfish. He held it by the mouth at arm’s length and shook his head. “Can’t believe a girl caught this.” He chuckled as he tossed it back into the pond. Shelby was proud of her catch and wished she had a camera with her. She hadn’t even bothered to bring hers from home, and Miriam told her that the Amish people didn’t take pictures, something to do with their religion.

  As the fish met with the water, it immediately disappeared. Shelby pulled the band that held her hair, then picked up the loose strands and twisted it back into a ponytail. “Yep, you boys were beat by a girl.” She dropped her hands to her side. “I still say it’s a shame not to have a picture.”

  Saul looked at Jesse. “I don’t have a camera with me. Do you?”

  Jesse shook his head, but Shelby was confused. She turned to Miriam. “I thought you said that no pictures were allowed.”

  “We’re in our rumschpringe, running-around time,” Miriam said. “So some people our age have cameras, cell phones, things like that.”

  “Oh.” Shelby raised her brows. “Couldn’t we have eaten it? I love fish.”

  “We throw most of them back.” Jesse wiped his hands on his black pants, then looped his thumbs beneath his suspenders. His dark-green shirt brought out his eyes, and Shelby couldn’t seem to look away from him. She reminded herself that Jesse liked Miriam, but her cousin had eyes for Saul. “Me and Saul threw ours back too. We’ll let them all get bigger,” Jesse added.

  “Of course you threw yours back.” Shelby giggled. “Because none of yours were even close to being as big as ours.”

  “The contest was to see who could catch the most fish,” Jesse said, then chuckled. “And the men are the winners.” He stood tall and smiled. “But you girls gave it your best try.”

  As the four of them stood at the bank’s edge, Shelby glanced at Miriam, then at Saul. She’d ruined her cousin’s date, so maybe she could make it up to Miriam, and also get to know Jesse Dienner a little better. Jesse carried his fishing pole and a bait bucket to his buggy, and Shelby followed him. As Jesse stowed the items in the back of the buggy, Shelby whispered, “Maybe you could take me home so they could spend some time alone together. I think I sorta barged in on their date.”

  Jesse grimaced instantly, and Shelby felt foolish to think that she could sway his feelings for Miriam. Miriam was very pretty and one of his own people. But Jesse was the first thing to pique Shelby’s interest in a long time. She could knock out two things here, if Jesse would go along with her. Jesse glanced toward Saul and Miriam. They’d edged closer together and were talking. Jesse’s scowl hardened, but then he took a deep breath and turned back to Shelby.

  “Sure. I can take you home.”

  They walked back to where Miriam and Saul were standing, and Jesse told them that he was going to give Shelby a ride home. He didn’t offer any additional information, and both Miriam and Saul nodded. Shelby winked at Miriam as she walked away. Her cousin winked back. Shelby hoped it went well for Miriam and Saul, though she didn’t understand why Miriam would choose Saul over Jesse. Saul seemed quieter, and he wasn’t nearly as good-looking as Jesse. Jesse smiled a lot and was much more outgoing too. But this worked out well for Shelby. She thought Jesse would be a great catch, and Miriam did say that a small percent of the Amish people did leave to go out into the real world. She hopped into the passenger side of Jesse’s buggy, anxious to learn more about him on the way back to her cousin’s farm.

  Miriam helped Saul load the rest of the fishing equipment into the back of his buggy. She had her own ride, so she wasn’t sure whether to say good-bye. After an awkward few minutes, Saul asked her if she wanted to go sit on the porch swing. Miriam glanced at the cows grazing in the yard, then up to the porch, which was barren except for the old swing.

  “Okay.” She followed him through the overgrown yard as he cleared the way and motioned with his arms to clear two cows in their path. He stepped carefully up the creaky wooden steps, then motioned to her with his hand.

  “It’s a mess but seems safe enough.”

  Miriam sat down on the small swing built for two. She eased as far to one side as she could, but even then, Saul’s leg brushed against hers when he sat down, sending a rush of adrenaline through her body, and she could feel her cheeks reddening.

  “That was fun, fishing.” She twisted the string on her prayer covering. “Shelby sure was excited to catch that big fish.”

  Miriam jumped when Saul shifted his weight slightly to face her, pushing his leg against hers. “How long is she here for?”

  “For the summer, until August. Her parents got a divorce, and I think she got in some trouble back home.” Miriam paused. “But she seems so nice, so I can’t imagine what trouble she could have gotten into.”

  “Is it strange having an Englisch girl living with you?” Saul cocked his head to one side. “It’s gotta be really different for her here.”

  Miriam shrugged. “She only arrived yesterday, but it doesn’t seem so strange. It probably does to her, though.”

  Saul’s body was still turned toward her, and when she turned her head to face him, there were only a few inches between their faces. His bobbed cut was longer than it should be, his light-brown hair boasting sandy-red highlights and brushing against his brows. Dark eyes stared into hers, and she watched him take a deep breath. Is he as nervous as I am?

  Saul was lost in Miriam’s blue eyes for the few moments that their eyes locked and held, but within seconds she turned away from him. And that was probably a good thing. Saul might have kissed her, and that would be moving too fast for Miriam. Why, after all these years, did she approach him? He could have just slipped away in a few months without hurting her. Saul knew that the right thing to do would be to avoid any more of these private times together, but he feared he didn’t have the strength. Even though he’d often seen Miriam watching him, smiling at him, and whispering to her girlfriends when he was around, she always seemed out of reach for him. Miriam was a good girl, perfect for marrying and raising a family here in Lancaster County.

  She turned to face him again and opened her mouth to say something. But she quickly snapped her lips together and looked away.

  “What?” Her hand was on her leg, and without much thought, he stretched one of his fingers out and touched the top of her hand. “What are you thinking about?” He felt her hand tens
e beneath his touch.

  “I—I don’t know.”

  Saul eased his hand away from hers, and they were both quiet for a few moments.

  “Miriam?”

  She kept her eyes cast down and bit her lip for a moment. “Ya?”

  He waited until she looked at him, then rubbed his chin. “Do you want to go on a date with me? I mean, a real date. Maybe to supper. . . and a movie?”

  She bit her bottom lip, then grinned. “Sure. I’ve only been to a movie a couple of times.”

  “We’re in our rumschpringe. Better see as many as you can,” he said, even though he knew there would be plenty more opportunities in his future.

  She faced him, the corner of her mouth curled upward. “I’d like to see a movie with you.”

  Saul pictured them in a dark movie theater and wondered if they would hold hands. Would he kiss her at the end of the night? “Do you want to go Friday night?”

  She frowned. “I can’t on Friday. Mamm hosts suppers for the tourists on Friday nights, and I’m expected to help.”

  “Okay,” he said, trying not to sound as disappointed as he was. “Maybe some other time.”

  “When?” Her eyes widened as she faced him, and Saul didn’t think he’d wanted to kiss anyone more than right now. He froze for a moment, then blinked his eyes a couple of times and forced himself to look away from her.

  “Mei daed will expect me to work in the fields, then do chores on Saturday. But I could go Saturday night.” He looked back at her. “Think your folks would let you go?”

  Miriam dabbed at the sweat beading up on her forehead. Saul wondered how her parents would feel about him taking her to supper and a movie. But most of the teenagers in their district did things normally forbidden by the Ordnung, and parents just looked the other way while they were in their rumschpringe. This was the time to experience the outside world, but Saul suspected Miriam had never taken full advantage of her freedom.