A Joyful Break (Dreams of Plain Daughters) (8 page)

She pressed the button on her car key to unlock the SUV.
I’m worrying about something that probably won’t happen. It especially won’t occur if Nick doesn’t go to the beach with us.

* * *

Rachel handed her menu to the young female server, Megan. She liked how Megan had introduced herself to them before taking their orders. If she went back to work at Weaver’s Bakery, she should make it a point to introduce herself to the customers. Well, not to the ones in the Amish community. Everyone knew who she was, but the English customers might like to hear her name as she waited on them. Although she did more baking than actual waiting on customers, she might mention it to Katie to introduce herself to the bakery’s visitors. She smiled at her relatives. “
Danki
. I can’t wait to tell Samuel I ate at Applebee’s.” She looked at her Aunt Carrie seated across from her and said, “I gave him your phone number, so he can call me. He’s calling me tomorrow evening at eight o’clock.”

“You can give Samuel my phone number too. I’ll tell him if you misbehave when he calls.” Violet grinned at Rachel.

“Don’t exaggerate anything we do, or we’ll have another beach visitor.” Samuel might decide to take the bus to Florida if her behavior warrant his intervention, Rachel thought. That would be embarrassing. Her cousin was such a tease.

Aunt Carrie patted her arm. “Samuel understands this is your
rumschpringe
.”

Violet opened her red leather bag and took her phone out of the inside pocket. “I made out a list of things for you to do during your
rumschpringe
.”

“This should be interesting.” She leaned closer to read the screen.

“I’ll read them so mom can hear my great list,” Violet said. “First, on the list is to go shopping for clothes and shoes.”

Rachel nodded. “I do want to get a swimming suit. Or I might be able to wear one of Aunt Carrie’s one-piece suits.”

“That’s a relief. I was hoping you wouldn’t wear your dress to go swimming in.” Violet arched her eyebrows. “Don’t take this wrong, but I don’t know how you stand wearing those plain black shoes all the time. I want you to get some cute sandals and shoes. Also you have to have jeans and maybe a sundress.”

“I don’t wear these shoes all the time. We’re allowed to wear sneakers.” She shrugged. “I don’t want to buy too much but would like a pair of capris to wear on the beach and maybe one pair of sandals. I don’t need anything else. ”

Violet’s brown eyes widened. “That’s not enough.”

“But what will I do with all the new things when I go back home? I guess you could keep them to wear. We seem to be the same size except you’re taller.”

“Hey, that’ll work.” Violet gave her a wide smile. “I don’t mind if the clothes are shorter on me.”

Aunt Carrie said, “Or we can donate the clothes to charity. I think Violet’s right about getting several things. And if you decide to wear your Plain clothing most of time, that’s fine too.”

Violet glanced at her mother before staring at Rachel. “Maybe you’ll decide to be English like us…forever.”

She’d wondered several times if she could become English; it was hard to imagine leaving her loved ones in Fields Corner. “I want to experience your world, and sometimes I wonder if being English could be better for women. Yet at the same time, I can’t imagine not being Amish.”

The server brought their spinach and artichoke appetizer with tortilla chips. Violet immediately took a chip and scooped some dip onto it. “I love this.” After swallowing a mouthful, Violet glanced down at her cell phone. “Okay, next on the list is makeup. You have such a pretty complexion that I think a little foundation with a light pink lipstick is all you need.”

“This spinach dip is delicious.” Rachel wiped her lips with a napkin. “I don’t know. I’ve never worn makeup.”

“How about just a little lip gloss? That will protect your lips from the hot sun.” Aunt Carrie sipped her raspberry tea.

“Or I can just use Chap stick.”
Or maybe I should wear makeup. I haven’t joined the church yet.

“Let’s move on here.” Violet pushed her shoulder length brown locks away from her face. “I didn’t put a haircut on the list. I don’t want to cause you any problems. I know you aren’t allowed to cut your hair.”

“
Ya
. I don’t think I could do that.” Rachel noticed Violet wore several silver rings on her fingers. She had blue dangling earrings with a matching necklace. She glanced at the screen to see if jewelry was the next item.
Whew, no jewelry listed.
Violet must have decided that jewelry accessories weren’t necessary with her new English clothing.

“You have to go to a movie.” Violet asked, “Or have you already gone to a movie?”

She shook her head. “I haven’t. Samuel went to a couple with his friends before he joined the church, but I never have. I’d like to see a movie.”

“Rachel, help yourself to more dip.” Her aunt continued, “You should get on Violet’s or my laptop. I think it’d be nice for you to check out Violet’s facebook page too.”

Violet nodded. “I have Internet on my list. I want you to see Daddy’s political website.”

“Something many of my friends did during their running around was they drove cars. Or a few boys drove trucks before they were baptized.” Aunt Carrie laughed. “The funny thing is I never wanted to drive and didn’t until Scott taught me. We have a long driveway if you want to try driving Violet’s car. It’s easier to handle than the SUV.”

“I’d like that.”

“That’s all I have, Rachel, but if you think of something you want to try, don’t be afraid to ask. I’ve heard Amish boys try alcohol during their running around, but I didn’t add that because I don’t drink. I thought you might not want to either.” A sad look crossed Violet’s lovely face. “My friend, Jenny, died from alcohol poisoning. We were friends ever since kindergarten. She started drinking while she was at college.”

“I’m sorry you lost your friend. That’s so sad.” She put her arm around Violet’s shoulders and gave her a hug. She couldn’t imagine losing her friend, Katie.

When another woman brought their food, she asked Rachel if she’d ordered the sirloin with garlic herb shrimp. She answered, “Yes, thank you.” While eyeing Violet’s Mexican chicken, Rachel said, “Your fiesta lime chicken looks good.”

Aunt Carrie laughed. “I think Violet gets it each time we eat here.”

All three women bowed their heads to pray silently.
It’s nice Aunt Carrie and Violet pray silently before meals just like the Amish,
Rachel thought.

They all dug in to eat, and a few minutes later, Violet asked, “Mom, what did Adam want when he called you at the airport? I hope he’s still going to Florida.”

“He asked if Nick could join us at the beach. Nick’s one of Adam’s friends,” her aunt said to her. “How do you girls feel about that? I’d rather it would just be family, but Nick’s having a hard time since his mother died recently.”

Violet shrugged. “If we still have a couple of days just for us girls, I don’t care. It sounds like Nick needs us.”

“Adam’s not done with finals for three days, so I’ll tell him that we need a couple days after we get to the beach to get groceries and to rest from our long trip.” Aunt Carrie’s gaze focused on Rachel. “Is it okay with you, Rachel? The beach house is big and they should only be there for a few days.”

She couldn’t wear her swimming suit in front of Adam’s friend.
I’ll be too self-conscious showing so much of my body. Well, I’ll just enjoy the pool when they aren’t there.
“It’s okay.”

“Should I tell Rachel how hot Nick is?” Violet turned her face away from her mother to look at Rachel. “I used to want Nick to be interested in me. He just thought of me as Adam’s little sis. Maybe now that I’m a second year college woman, he’ll look at me differently.”

“This might not be a good idea.” Aunt Carrie jabbed a piece of broccoli with her fork. “Why couldn’t their break be a different time? I wonder if they’d like to go to our beach house at Outer Banks instead.”

She tucked a loose strand of hair back under her
kapp
. “I’d like to see Adam but that might be nice for us to have a girls’ week only at the beach.” She’d be disappointed not to see Adam, though. She noticed Violet’s amused look. “Or not.”

Violet grinned. “Are you afraid you might find Nick more attractive than Samuel? Competition makes life interesting. Samuel might decide to join us at the beach.”

“I hope not. I need to experience new things without Samuel. He already mentioned visiting, too, so he could see Adam.”

If Nick went to Cocoa Beach, Samuel wouldn’t be happy. He needn’t worry because she wasn’t going to be like Aunt Carrie and fall in love with an English man.

Aunt Carrie never had an Amish boyfriend, or been courted when she met Uncle Scott.
Or had she? Had she broken an Amish man’s heart when she married Uncle Scott?

Chapter Seven

“All the houses are beautiful but I like yours the best.” Rachel gazed at the Robinson’s house as Aunt Carrie turned into their driveway. The two-story house had some stone on the front with the rest in brick. She was impressed with the landscaping and wondered if Uncle Scott had a green thumb or if Aunt Carrie took care of the yard work. She imagined that Carrie was in charge of the outside because of being raised Amish. Gardening was always the responsibility of women and children while men and boys did the field work. Obviously, Uncle Scott didn’t have fields to plow, but he wasn’t home a lot to take care of the yard.

“We like it.” Aunt Carrie stopped in front of the garage. “I can see my friend, Marlene, over there working in her flower beds. I want you to meet her, Rachel. She’s the one loaning us her beach house to use. And I’ll just give her now the baked goods I bought for her.”

“Mom, why don’t we leave super early in the morning? If we split the driving, we can drive straight through to the beach.” Violet leaned forward toward Rachel. “Is it okay we go shopping after we get to Florida for your clothes?”

“I’m in no hurry to get other clothes. I’m anxious to see the beach so I’d love to get there tomorrow.” Turning her face away from Violet, she asked her aunt, “I’m sorry I can’t help with the driving. I know you’d both go by plane if it wasn’t for me.”

Violet rolled her brown eyes. “Oh please, how many times have I told you that I love to drive? And Mom doesn’t care for flying anyhow. It must be an Amish thing.”

“After you two drive thirteen or fourteen hours, I hope you still feel that way. It’s stressful when I drive the buggy. I can’t imagine driving a car on interstate for hours. Too bad Adam can’t go with us and take a turn driving.”

“Mom, don’t forget to call Adam about Nick tonight.”

Aunt Carrie’s eyes widened while she stared at Violet. “I certainly hope Nick being around won’t be a problem.” After opening the car door, she scooted out and yelled, “Hello, Marlene. I want you to meet my niece.”

“Geez, Marlene looks pretty excited.” Violet grinned while flinging a purse strap over her shoulder. “I guess it’s not every day you meet a Plain person.”

“She’s probably happy you’re home and has nothing to do with me.”
My cousin’s still a tease but that’s okay, I love her sense of humor.
After Rachel got out of the car, she saw an attractive woman with short black hair, looking older than her aunt, walk quickly into the yard. Rachel stepped around the car to greet her aunt’s neighbor.

While Aunt Carrie introduced her, Marlene removed a garden glove and extended her hand. “I’ve heard so many wonderful things about you, Rachel. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

She shook Marlene’s hand and said, “It’s nice to meet you too. Thank you so much for letting us stay at your beach house.”

“I hope you’ll have a lovely visit and have fun at the beach.” Marlene gave Violet an affectionate look. “I bet you’re happy to be finished with finals.”

“It’s a huge relief. And I can’t wait to relax and soak up some sun.” Violet hugged Marlene. “How’s my second mom?”

“I’m doing great.” Marlene kept an arm around Violet as she turned toward her. “Rachel, I happen to have four sons, and Violet’s like a daughter I never had.” She laughed. “Besides, Violet needs two mothers to keep her in line.”

“Violet’s blessed to have two wonderful women who love her.” She liked Marlene and thought how fun it must be to live next door to this delightful lady with four sons. “You’ve had your hands full. I have three brothers so I know what it’s like to live with boys.”

Aunt Carrie walked to the back of the SUV. “I got a shoofly pie, cheese, bread and noodles for you. Let’s take it to your house.”

“Thank you. Everything sounds yummy.” Marlene watched Aunt Carrie remove the items of food from the cooler. “That’s nice Scott might finish up with his committee work early, so he can join you in Florida.”

They were getting their bags out of the car when Aunt Carrie almost dropped the pie. “What? That’s news to me.”

A flash of surprise crossed Marlene’s face. “I thought you knew. Greg called Scott about something this morning, and he told him then. I bet he’ll call you this evening. He probably didn’t want to interrupt your visit and your drive home.”

Aunt Carrie sighed. “Adam’s bringing a friend too. So much for our quiet girls’ week.”

Her
daed
wouldn’t like too many English around her during her stay at the beach. But she loved her Uncle Scott and it would be nice to see him again. She had a feeling that her uncle wouldn’t be a problem for her
daed
, but Nick at the beach house was another thing.
When Samuel calls tomorrow night, I might leave Nick out of the conversation. If Daed becomes worried, he’ll give Samuel permission to take a bus to Florida. That will not help me in my time away from Samuel and family to make my decision whether to join the church.

* * *

Rachel left the guest bedroom to join Violet in the living room. She looked forward to watching a movie with her cousin. She’d been surprised to learn that her parents had seen this house. They’d stopped once after they went to an Amish wedding in Lexington. She and Peter had been too young to babysit and their grandparents had stayed with them.