Plain Peace (A Daughters of the Promise Novel) (5 page)

S
UNDAY MORNING
A
NNA DIDN
’
T THINK WORSHIP
would end soon enough. She stared straight ahead throughout the service without hearing much of what her grandfather or the other ministers had to say. Instead, she spent her time wondering how many people in the barn disliked her grandfather as much as Rubin and Ben did.

Without moving her head, she glanced to her left toward Sarah Jane Miller. Did Sarah Jane really believe that
Daadi
was responsible for her stepmother’s death? Lizzie was sick for a long time, and Anna didn’t think that anything her grandfather had done would have made a difference one way or another. But apparently others didn’t feel the same way. Anna’s heart hurt to think members of their district thought so unkindly of her grandfather. He was too strict. That was true. But he was also a loving man trying to do what he believed was right in God’s eyes.

Twice during the service she caught the new fellow, Jacob Hostetler, staring at her. She knew it was because of her display the day before after the volleyball game. Jacob probably thought she was childish, running off and crying like that. But Ben and Rubin had said cruel things, things Anna had a hard time shaking.

She allowed herself a quick glance at Jacob. Their eyes met, and
she thought she saw the hint of a smile.
Why?
Someone who looked like Jacob could have anyone he wanted in their district. Someone beautiful like Emma.

Anna pulled her eyes away, but when she looked back at Jacob a few moments later, his gaze was still fixed on her, and this time he did smile. Her heart raced as she quickly looked away, not wanting to get her hopes up that someone like Jacob might be interested in her. Maybe he felt sorry for her, after hearing all the things that Ben and Rubin had said, then seeing her run off crying. That was it. Pity.

She lifted her chin, pressed her lips together, and tried not to look his way. But as her grandfather concluded the service, her eyes drifted in Jacob’s direction. Sure enough, he smiled again. Anna felt her cheeks warming, and while she couldn’t help but question his intentions, she found herself conjuring up a plan.

She waited until after the noon meal and cleanup before she approached Jacob. He was standing among a group of fellows, including Rubin and Ben. She avoided everyone’s eyes but Jacob’s. “Can I talk to you for a minute, please?” Anna swallowed hard as she wondered what they all must be thinking.

Jacob grinned as he tipped back the rim of his hat. “
Ya
. Sure.”

Anna turned, and without looking back, she walked around the corner of the barn. The Saunders had a small home, but they had an enormous barn where they could hold worship service. She could hear footsteps behind her but waited until she was clear of the crowd to turn around. Taking a deep breath, she knew this would be the boldest thing she’d ever done.

“Hello,” she said softly, attempting a smile.

“Wie bischt?”

Anna swallowed hard as her heart thumped in her chest, but Jacob strode up to her with the confidence of a hundred men, his perfect lips curled up into a grin and his eyes twinkling. How could anyone look this good? And why in the world would he even consider accepting her proposal?

“Would you like to take me to the singing tonight?” Anna blurted it out, then held her breath as she watched him rub his chin, frowning. Ach, nee
. . . he’s going to turn me down
. “I’m sorry. Never mind.” She shook her head, backed up, then turned around. She’d only taken a few steps when Jacob called her name. Biting her lip, she slowly turned.

“
Ya
, I’d like to take you to the singing.” Jacob frowned again, and for someone who
said
one thing, he sure looked like he felt differently. “There’s just one problem.”

Anna shook her head again, feeling ridiculous. “
Nee, nee
. It’s okay.”

Jacob eased a step closer to her, and it took her a few moments to realize she was holding her breath. “The problem is that I don’t have my own buggy.” His face reddened as he looked at the ground, then back up at her. “We only brought one buggy from Middlefield. I’m hoping to have
mei
own soon, but right now, I have to check with my folks.”

Anna let out the breath she was holding, unsure what to say.
Maybe that’s just an excuse
. She looked down, kicked at the grass with one foot, and shook her head. “It’s really okay, and—”

“Wait. I’ll be right back.” He held up a finger. “Don’t go away.”

Anna waited as he disappeared around the corner. She knew it was only a matter of time before Jacob became interested in Emma or one of the other girls in their district. But in the meantime, maybe they could help each other.

She thought again about what Ben and Rubin had told Jacob—that she was undateable. She leaned against the barn, bent her knee, and propped one foot against the siding, knowing Jacob would come back and say he wasn’t able to use his parents’ buggy.

Jacob spotted his father standing under an old oak tree on the north side of the Saunders’ house. He sighed. He’d rather seek permission from his mother, but she was nowhere in sight, and if he didn’t hurry, Anna might leave or change her mind. Jacob approached his father slowly. He’d been surprised that his father joined them for church service at the Saunders’. But he was glad too, though
Daed
hadn’t had much to say. He had missed his father. But here
Daed
was right now, and for the first time in over a year, Jacob was feeling almost cheerful.

“Daed . . .”
He stopped a few feet away.

“Ya?”
His father squinted in the midday sun, his eyes as dark as the circles beneath them, and Jacob nearly changed his mind about asking him anything. But the thought of spending time with Anna prodded him forward.

“I . . . I was wondering if I could use the buggy tonight.” Jacob scratched his nose and avoided his father’s eyes.

“
Ya
, I don’t see why not.”

Jacob stared at his father.
Don’t you even want to know what for?
He knew his mother would be excited that he was doing something social again. His father, however, didn’t care what he did. What any of them did.
“Danki.”

He rushed back to where he’d left Anna standing on the other side of the barn, trying to leave his sadness behind. He relaxed
when he saw that she’d waited for him. “It’s no problem. What time should I pick you up?”

She stood taller and raised both eyebrows. “Uh . . . I guess four o’clock?”

Jacob felt a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. He’d gone out with a few girls back home, but none as beautiful as Anna. He was looking forward to getting to know her better, and he hadn’t looked forward to anything in a long time. “
Gut, gut
. Just tell me where to pick you up, and I’ll be there.” He thought about her grandfather and what Rubin and Ben had said, and for just an instant he wondered if he should have declined her invitation. But then she smiled, and Jacob realized he was more than willing to face her scary grandfather if it meant spending time with her.

“You know . . .” She stepped closer to him. “My grandfather isn’t an evil man like Ben and Rubin made him out to be.” She paused and took a deep breath, then grinned. “And he surely doesn’t lock me in my room.”

Jacob had suspected Rubin and Ben were exaggerating about the bishop, but he still felt relief flood over him. “I didn’t believe what they were saying, and I’m sorry they upset you so much. Lots of bishops are strict, but they just want what’s best for the district.”

“Ya!”
She bounced up on her toes, and a beautiful smile filled her face. “Exactly. I’m so glad you understand that. I wish everyone around here did.” Frowning, she shook her head and went on. “Anyway, I appreciate you agreeing to take me to the singing. It . . . it isn’t like a
date
or anything. I just thought if some of the other guys here saw me going out with you, then they’d know I’m allowed, that my grandfather isn’t such a scary man.” She blushed
as she glanced down at the ground. “Although . . .” She shrugged. “Maybe there’s another reason no one has asked me out.”

Jacob opened his mouth to tell her that her grandfather was definitely the problem, that otherwise she would have been asked out dozens of times. But he said nothing, feeling like he’d been kicked in the gut. He’d thought maybe Anna was interested in him. It had never occurred to him that she might be using the new guy to let those in the district know she was allowed to date.

“Four o’clock sounds great,” he finally said. He forced himself to smile, knowing this could be a mistake. Did she see through him? Could she tell that he felt on the verge of tears half the time? Or did she just not find him the least bit attractive? Either way, he knew he wasn’t a good catch. Grief sucked the life out of him sometimes. But the deed was done, and at least it might set a good example for his brothers and sisters, show that he was getting on with his life.

For a short while today he’d felt like it might be true. But Anna had straightened him out about her intentions, and now he just felt sad. And a bit bitter.

Anna waited until they were almost home before she mentioned the singing to her grandparents. She leaned forward into the front seat of the buggy and clenched the leather backrest in front of her.
“Daadi?”

Her grandfather gave a brief glance in her direction as he flicked the reins for the horse to pick up the pace.
“Ya?”

“A—a . . .” She’d always hoped this day would arrive, and she’d always thought her grandfather would allow her to be
picked up for a singing, but now that the moment was upon her, she wasn’t sure.

“Spit it out, child.”
Daadi
glanced at her again. “What is it?”

“A—a . . . um . . . boy would like to take me to the singing tonight. Is it all right?” She squeezed her eyes closed for a few moments until she felt the buggy slowing down. She opened her eyes to see her grandfather pulling back on the reins.

“What’s this?” He narrowed his eyebrows into a frown and peered over at Anna’s grandmother. “Did you know about this?”

Mammi
shook her head. “
Nee
, but I think it is
gut
. She has been of age, Isaac, for a while.”

Anna tightened her grip on the seat and waited.

“Who is this boy?”
Daadi
was still frowning and keeping the horse at a slow trot.

“Jacob Hostetler, the new boy from Ohio.” Anna bit her bottom lip, glancing at her grandmother, but
Mammi
just stared straight ahead.

“We know nothing about his family.”
Daadi
continued to scowl, but Anna felt hopeful that he hadn’t outright denied her request. She waited for her grandmother to back her up again, but Anna supposed
Mammi’s
earlier comment was all the help she was going to get.

“He seems nice,
Daadi
, and this would be a way for me to get to know more about his family.” Anna knew her grandfather liked to be well-informed about members in their district, especially the new families.

She waited, the
clip-clop
of hooves growing louder against the silence. After another minute or so, her grandfather spoke up.

“He will come and talk with me first. You will not just jump in his buggy and leave. I didn’t have an opportunity to properly
meet him today.”
Daadi
gave a taut nod of his head, and Anna wondered if she’d even get to the singing once her grandfather got done with Jacob. But this was probably the best she could hope for, and she’d take it.

“
Ya
. I will have him come in and talk to you and
Mammi
when he gets here.” Anna released her grip on the seat and leaned back. She felt lucky to have nabbed this opportunity before Jacob chose someone else in the community. She knew someone like him would never really be interested in her, but going with him tonight would at least show boys like Ben and Rubin that she was allowed to date. Not that she’d ever go out with either one of them, but they were bigmouths and would spread the word. Maybe someone else would show an interest.