A Little Bit of Charm (37 page)

Rachel considered inventing a myriad of excuses why not to attend, but if the gleam in Sarah's eye was an indicator, tonight was some sort of test.
Am I broken up with Jake Brady and serious about courting Amish men?
“Sure, I'll go. The Yosts don't live too far.”

“
Gut
. And as you cooked our delicious supper, I'll clean the kitchen.”

“Sarah, I only—”

“Don't fuss with me. I've had enough leisure time for one day. Now go get ready, and wear your rose-colored dress. That horrid brown one makes you appear anemic.”

Isaac glanced up from his apple cobbler. “I advise you do as
your cousin suggests, Rachel. Sarah has been planning this all day and can handle any barrier you throw up.”

She rose to her feet. “Well, I haven't managed my life very well, so I'm open to suggestions.
Danki
, Sarah.”

“Don't thank me. Just meet somebody nice so you'll settle down here and not run back to Lancaster.”

Unfortunately, the dating pool of eligible men had shrunk instead of expanding in Casey County, according to one of her friends. Bonnie explained within five minutes of her arrival that all of the Old Order Amish had moved from the area.

“Where did they go?” Rachel stood far back from the huge bonfire. Roaring blazes still made her nervous since the horrible night she'd lost her parents back in Mount Joy.

“The entire district pitched in to buy five thousand acres in Tennessee. Five thousand acres, can you imagine? It's supposed to be fertile farmland too.”

Rachel could not imagine it. That much land would cost tens of millions of dollars in Lancaster County—far beyond the reach of any Plain community. “What about the Old Order Mennonites?”

“Staying put, far as I know.” Her friend stood on tiptoes scanning the crowd for her beloved Josh. They had announced their engagement recently and were planning a January wedding during the slow-paced time of year. “Let's move closer to the fire. It's dying down. Soon they'll bring out the marshmallows.” Bonnie dragged Rachel to a row of lawn chairs. The moment they sat down, Bonnie jumped to her feet. “There's Josh! I'll see you later, Rach.” She flew off as though her feet had wings.

“Hello, Miss King. You've come out of hiding at last.” Reuben settled into Bonnie's vacated chair the moment her friend left. “I feared I would never see you again. My sister heard from Sarah that you'd been under the weather recently. Leah had been buying eggs at the time.
Gut
to see you're feeling better. Sarah said you might quit your job at the horse farm soon. Things too hectic for
you there? Say, we may need help with making cheese this winter. I'll check with my
mamm
and
daed
.”

Rachel stared as Reuben inhaled a deep gulp of air. All that had been uttered without the slightest break or hesitation. She didn't know which comment to respond to first. “I'm fully recovered,
danki
, but your sister heard incorrectly—I won't be quitting my job at Twelve Elms in the near future. So please don't speak to your parents on my behalf.” She smiled politely. The thought of working around fermenting dairy products made her queasy, even though she only smelled burning logs and branches. Wood smoke had once been a pleasant scent to her. Now it left her light headed and disoriented.

“Right then, but let me know if that changes anytime this winter. My
mamm
and sisters all would like to know you better.” Reuben scooted his webbed chair closer. “Did I mention we're thinking about adding a herd of dairy goats to our Holsteins and Jerseys? There's growing demand for both natural goat milk and goat milk cheese. And some ethnic groups in Louisville love to eat their meat. Can you figure how they serve it?”

Rachel hadn't expected to be drawn into a conversation quite so soon. “Maybe in stews or soups?” she stammered. “Or panfried with onions and peppers, like fajitas?”

Reuben's mouth dropped open. “Goat-meat burritos? I can't imagine any fast-food joints springing up soon, but anything is possible in the English world.”

No, some things aren't remotely possible
, she thought glumly. “Tell me about your Jersey herd. Those are the ones with the big ears, right? Their calves are so cute.”

“If Sarah and Isaac didn't have every barn devoted to poultry, I'd give you a calf next spring as a pet,” he said with sincerity.

Rachel smiled, taking in every detail of Reuben Mullet in a span of twenty seconds. He was a handsome man with thick, sandy-blond hair, blue eyes, and straight teeth. He was a hard worker
who cared about his dairy cows, his family, and her, if she would only allow him. But she wasn't assessing bloodlines in racehorses to determine which would make a better sire. She was human, and despite his highly flattering devotion after a long absence, she couldn't generate one ounce of romantic interest in him. She would never marry him any more than she could Jake Brady, but for completely different reasons.

That night Reuben drove her home in his enclosed buggy while two of his sisters rode in the backseat. When they parked at the Stolls' walkway, he jumped down, sprinted to her side, and offered his hand.

Like a true gentleman
.

When he walked her to the back door, Reuben ducked his head, blushed bright pink, and asked, “May I kiss you good night, Rachel?”

Despite her decision not to see him again, she couldn't bear to tell him her true feelings. So she nodded yes and closed her eyes. He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and fled back to his buggy.

Like a well-mannered Amish fellow
.

Rachel entered the kitchen and wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

Like the true snake in the grass I am
.

SEVENTEEN

We've no less days to sing God's praise

F
or the next three weeks, Rachel had had little trouble avoiding Mennonite social events. During the Christmas season folks spent more time with their extended families rather than the district as a whole. Plenty of aunts, uncles, and cousins visited the Stolls, many staying for several days. Rachel busied herself cooking, cleaning, and keeping up with laundry to allow Sarah and Isaac more time with their guests. Baking a steady stream of cakes, pies, and Christmas cookies prevented Rachel from wallowing in her misery. But no matter how many people visited, Sarah never neglected her beloved chickens. They ate before anyone else.

Life was different at work for Rachel too. The head trainer cut her back to Wednesdays and Fridays. An unusually cold, rainy spell kept the expensive show horses confined to the indoor arena. Owners didn't want their prized animals getting wet and muddy. Because trainers and exercise personnel were getting in each other's way, hours were reduced until March.

Rachel offered no argument. Jake was gone and wouldn't return
until spring. After not seeing him for several days, she finally learned the story from one of the grooms. He'd left town the day after their breakup. By the time he returned to Charm, she would probably be back in Pennsylvania, thus ending the most enjoyable period of her life on a bitter note.

Once the holidays passed, back-to-back ice and snowstorms canceled Sunday services two weeks in a row. Slippery roads created dangerous conditions for people and horses. Rachel and the Stolls spent Sabbath mornings in silent prayer and Bible study. During the afternoons, Rachel wrote long, chatty letters to her three sisters but avoided the topics most on her mind. She couldn't bring herself to talk about Jake or the shameful way she'd led on Reuben.

Her weather-imposed exile came to an abrupt end on the following Sunday morning. Sarah woke her with an impatient shake. “Get up, sleepyhead. The roads are clear and the forecast calls for dry and sunny weather. We might hit forty degrees today. We leave for church in half an hour.”

Rachel swung her legs over the side of the bed and nodded. “I'll be ready.” The sooner she faced the Reuben conundrum, the better. Waiting would only make him despise her more once he learned the truth. When they arrived at church, she spotted no familiar blond head on the men's side of the room. Now that she'd come this far, Rachel hoped he was at the service so she could swallow her bitter pill. Afterward she walked with Sarah and Isaac to their buggy.

“Rachel? Could I have a moment please?” Someone called out her name.

She turned and saw Reuben's mother coming toward her.
“Guder mariye
, Mrs. Mullet.”

“
Guder mariye
, but please call me Constance.”

“I was looking for Reuben earlier. Didn't he come with you today?”

“No. He was in a buggy accident almost two weeks ago. He's been released from the Charm Hospital and transferred to a rehab facility in Somerset.”

Sarah patted Rachel's back. “I'll wait in the buggy to give you two some privacy.”

Rachel swayed on her feet, feeling a little dizzy. “What?” All this time she thought only of herself while poor Reuben had been injured. “How is he?”

“Getting better each day. It'll be a long while before he walks without crutches, but at least the doctors believe he will walk. His
daed
wouldn't let me tell you over the phone, and with our weather lately, I couldn't come to church until today.”

Rachel pressed a hand to her throat. “How did it happen?” A light rain began to fall, which she barely took note of.

Constance Mullet raised her umbrella to shelter them both. “We're not completely certain. Reuben said he was waiting at a stop sign. It was night and the intersection had no street lights. The other road had the right-of-way with a yellow flasher but no stop sign. Highway patrol doesn't know if he didn't see the oncoming truck or if his horse got spooked and bolted across the road. Reuben doesn't remember.” Constance lifted her gaze to meet Rachel's.

“Mercy me,” she murmured. “Did he suffer a head injury too?”

“Just a concussion. He can recall the rest of his life except for the accident. Thank the Lord.”

“Yes, thank Him for His mercy.” Rachel's shoulder muscles relaxed.

“He sure remembers you just fine,” Constance continued. “You're all that boy talks about whenever we visit. How pretty you are, how sweet tempered. It's Rachel this and Rachel that.” Constance fluttered her blond eyelashes.

Rachel's relief proved short lived. “Will he make a full recovery?”

“He'll probably walk with a limp, but he will be fine.” Constance
pulled out her cell phone to check the time. “We're driving to Somerset to see him around one. Do you want us to pick you up? I know he would love to see you.”

Rachel's mind sorted and processed the details at lightning speed. “
Danki
, but if you don't mind I'll make the trip another time. May I have the address of the facility?”

“You'd probably like a few moments alone without his
mamm
,
daed
, and four
schwestern, jah
?” Constance Mullet chuckled good-naturedly. “Seeing that you two haven't announced your engagement, I shouldn't permit it. But considering Reuben has a roommate and the staff is constantly going in and out, I suppose it would be okay.” She dug in her purse for a business card. “Here is the address, phone number, and visiting hours. It's about an hour by car.”

“I appreciate your coming here, Constance. Tell Reuben I will see him soon.”

Just how soon no one could have predicted. Crammed into the front seat of a pickup with Ruby and her cousin, Josh, Rachel waited until the Mullet family left the rehab facility. She had bribed her companions with buffet dinners at Bread of Life besides offering to pay for the gas.

“There they go, heading toward their hired car and driver,” announced Ruby. “You want us to come in with you?”

“No. I won't be long.”

“Good luck. Be brave.” Ruby, privy to what Rachel planned to do, hugged her tightly.

Rachel jumped out and strode to Room 204 as fast as she could. She carried no flowers, no get well card, no box of chocolates. She brought only the grim announcement that whatever Reuben had
planned for their future wasn't going to happen. Her news would certainly send the man into despair.