Amish Romance: Annie's Story: Three Book Box Set Read online

  Annie sat frozen in her chair, working to get her mind around what Sarah had just told her. And who was this Eric person who held so much sway over her sister? She had to meet him.

  Making a quick decision, she rushed outside and caught Sarah just before she entered the big house.

  “Sarah! Wait!”

  Sarah paused with her hand on the doorknob. She leveled a glance at Annie. “What?”

  “I want to meet him.”

  “Who?”

  “Eric.”

  Sarah’s face softened and a light came back into her eyes. “Really? You want to? He’s wonderful, Annie. Truly.”

  “I believe you. When can I meet him?”

  Sarah glanced at the big house as if checking to see if anyone was listening. “Why not tonight? You can come to Powter’s Point. I’m meeting him at eight.”

  Annie inhaled sharply. So now she was to go to Powter’s Point? But if it might help her understand what was going on with Sarah, so be it.

  “You’ll give me directions?”

  “I’ll do better than that. I’ll take you with me.”

  “But how are you getting there?”

  “My Englisch friend Michaela is coming for me.”

  “How about if you give me directions, and Amos will drive me?”

  “You mean come in an old buggy? Ach! What will my friends think?”

  “They’re going to think something anyway, when they see how I’m dressed,” Annie replied.

  Sarah pursed her lips. “Jah. Hadn’t thought of that. Oh well, they know I’m Amish, anyway. This is how you get there…”

  Chapter Two

  At supper that night, Amos stared at her. “What? We’re going to Powter’s Point?”

  “Jah, please, Amos. I want to meet this boy Sarah’s cavorting all over the place with. I want to see what he’s like.”

  “It means taking the buggy out in the dark, Annie. You know how dangerous that can be.”

  “I know. And I’m sorry. I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t important.” Annie laid her hand on Amos’s arm.

  He put his hand over hers and squeezed. “All right, then. We’ll go meet this Englisch fellow.”

  Annie’s smile was wide. “Thank you, Amos. Ever so much.”

  Amos grinned at her. “I imagine Trotter will be glad for the adventure,” he said, referring to their road horse. “Although, she might be a bit befuddled by the time of day.”

  Annie stood and collected their plates and silverware. She carried them to the sink and then went back to clear away the serving dishes.

  “Best dress warm,” Amos said as he moved to the fireplace. He knelt down and gave the burning logs a few jabs with a metal poker. “Not cold enough to take warm bricks for the feet is it?”

  Annie looked over her shoulder at him. “Nee. Not that cold. You can keep me warm.”

  Amos gave her an appreciative look and sank back on his haunches. “Annie Braus, you are a forward woman.”

  Annie blushed at his teasing. Perhaps, she was forward. A bit. Her thoughts flew to her sister Sarah. She shuddered to think how forward Sarah had become during the last months. She knew her own gentle forwardness was nothing compared to Sarah’s brashness of late.

  At seven o'clock, Annie was bundled up and ready. Amos went out to hitch up the buggy. Annie stood on the porch and shifted her weight from one foot to the other, checking and rechecking the back windows of the big house, hoping her mamm wouldn’t be gazing out. She’d wonder what the earth they were doing, hitching up the buggy to go out so late.

  Annie knew she’d find out anyway, because the clip clop of Trotter was bound to be heard as they left the drive. But they’d already be on their way, and Annie wouldn’t have to face Mamm till morning about it. By then, she’d have more information on this Eric person.

  Annie saw the lantern swinging from the front corner of the buggy, and she dashed across the yard to climb in. The cold air seeped through her kapp, and she wished she’d brought her outer head covering. But she wasn’t about to go back for it—that would give her mamm and dat more time to figure out what was going on.

  She settled into the seat and felt the buggy dip as Amos climbed in beside her.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  “Ready.”

  He gave a gentle slap to the reins, and Trotter took off down the drive. According to Sarah’s directions, the trip would probably take them the better part of an hour. Powter’s Point wasn’t really in Hollybrook. It was down a backroad, toward Linder Creek. So far, there had been no traffic on the road, and Annie breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t like traveling in the dark any better than Amos did. Perhaps she should have arranged another meeting time.

  She clasped her hands in her lap. No, she was right to agree to this one. Sarah might not be so generous in the future.

  As the buggy trundled down the road, Annie glanced at the farmhouses. She could see the warm circles of yellow light from lanterns inside her fellow district members’ homes. When they rounded the corner onto Meadow Lane, she noted the Evan’s place straight ahead. They were Mennonites, and there were lights blazing from each window. It was unnatural the way the light lit up the yard as if it was still daytime. She squinted into the brightness and saw two red bicycles leaning against the porch. She smiled. She’d ridden on a bicycle a time or two in her life, and she’d loved it. Loved the feeling of the wind flapping her kapp strings behind her and her cape dress blowing up against her face. Such a feeling of freedom.

  Except when she’d made too quick a start down Edger’s Hill. The bicycle got to going too fast, and she was so ferhoodled, she forgot to brake. She landed in a scraped-up lump at the bottom of the hill and hadn’t ridden since. Mamm scolded her right good as she cleaned up her bloody knees.

  Amos snapped the reins. “It may take us a bit longer than planned. I think we’ll go around the Miller’s old place. Less traffic that way.”

  Annie leaned into his shoulder. “I don’t mind. It’s actually quite pleasant out tonight.”

  Amos looked out through the front opening of the buggy. “You’re right. That it is.” He glanced at her. “Feels like our courting days again.”

  She smiled, and her cheeks grew warm at the memories. She and Amos had spent many a summer’s eve driving around together in his courting buggy, admiring the night sky. She snuggled further into his side.

  He laughed. “You’re going to interrupt my driving.”

  She laughed with him. “So, we’ll be even later.”

  But they arrived well before Sarah did. Powter’s Point was a large clearing set back off the road. It was only slightly elevated, so its name was a bit of a misnomer. The only view was of the adjoining fields. There were scattered picnic tables and a net stretched between two trees. Annie assumed it was for either volleyball or badminton. The lighting was two street lights, one on each end of the clearing. They provided enough to see what you were doing, but not enough to expose everything. Annie pursed her lips.

  What did Sarah and Eric do there, anyway? For that matter, what did any of the young people do there?

  Just like Sarah had told her, there was a food trailer parked beneath a large oak tree. The side window was propped up, and Annie could smell the aroma of delicious, fried offerings. Her mouth watered as she remembered the French fries she’d shared with her family on that trip to Ohio. Her youngest sister Miriam had been tiny at the time, and she’d smeared the potatoes and salt all over her chubby little cheeks. Annie was about ready to ask Amos to buy her some fried food, when two cars roared into the lot.

  Trotter skittered a bit, and Amos pulled hard on the reins.

  “It’s Sarah!” Annie breathed, watching her sister climb out of a shiny red car. The driver emerged, too, a girl with flowing blond hair.

  “That’s Sarah?” Amos whispered.

  Sarah was dressed in tight jeans and a long T-shirt which boasted a picture of some brand of soda. Annie couldn’t quite make it out from inside the
buggy. Sarah’s chestnut hair was loose and fell over her shoulders like a thick waterfall. She was laughing and punching the other girl on her shoulder. But the girl was staring at their buggy, pointing.

  Sarah looked over at them, froze momentarily, and then ran over.

  Annie opened the buggy door and stepped down.

  Sarah was breathless. “You did come! I thought I heard Trotter leave the house.” She looked around Annie and into the buggy. “Hi, Amos.”

  “Hello, Sarah.”

  “Eric’s here,” Sarah said to Annie. “Wait. I’ll go get him.”

  Loud music belted from inside the second car that had arrived. The doors of the car were left open, and four guys milled around the hood.

  “Eric!” Sarah called over to them.

  One of the guys, tall and thin, craned his head and smiled. Then he made his way to Sarah. He put his arm around her and went in for a kiss, but Sarah backed away, suddenly stiff and uncomfortable looking. “Meet my sister,” she said, her voice overly-loud.

  Annie straightened her shoulders and put a pleasant smile on her face.

  The young man came to her with his hand outstretched. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”

  Ma’am? Annie felt a hundred years old.

  “Nice to meet you, too,” she said. She glanced at Sarah who was looking up at Eric as if he hung the moon.

  The song blasting from inside the car stopped and a new song with heavy drumming burst into the air. Eric turned around to pump his fist at the other three guys milling around.

  Eric turned back to Annie. “So, that’s your buggy?”

  Annie nodded, glancing at it and noticing that Amos was coming to join them. “Jah, it is. Well, it belongs to the family, anyway.”

  Amos came to stand next to Annie. As always when he was near, she relaxed in his strength and solid presence. He extended his hand to Eric.

  “I’m Sarah’s brother-in-law,” he said, studying Eric’s face in the shadows.

  “Pleased to meet you.” They shook hands.

  “Well,” Sarah said, bouncing a bit and looking at her sister. “You probably have to go now, right?”

  Annie raised her brows. “Do I?” She spotted another car pulling in and someone else zooming up on a motorcycle.

  “Hey, it’s Jailin and Maggie. Wait, that’s Sandra, too. Nice.” Eric nodded his head as if he had produced his friends through some special power of his own.

  Sarah brightened. “I was hoping Maggie would come!”

  Annie watched as the newcomers first gawked at them and then greeted one another. Two couples met with lingering hugs and kisses. Annie swallowed, feeling as if she were peering into someone’s private business. Kissing right there where everyone could observe them? Her chest tightened.

  Is this what Sarah and Eric do? Do they make a display of themselves in front of everyone?

  Sarah followed Annie’s gaze and began shuffling nervously and clearing her throat. “Don’t you need to go?” she said again. “It’s dark now.”

  “It was dark when we set out,” Annie said, looking at Sarah. She worked to keep the judgment off her face, but it was pushing her limits, to be sure. She took a huge breath and gazed at Eric. “It was nice to meet you, Eric.”

  He smiled then, and at that moment Annie knew why Sarah was so smitten. The boy’s smile was like a joyous summer day. She blinked at him.

  Eric grabbed for Sarah’s hand, but she squirmed away, instead stepping close to Annie. “Thanks for coming, Annie.” But she looked worried.

  Annie nodded. “You’ll not be too late,” she couldn’t help but say.

  Sarah stiffened. “I’ll be home when I’m home.” Her voice was harsh, and she must have regretted it, for she was quick to continue. “Sure,” she said softly. “I won’t be long.”

  Annie turned back to the buggy, but Amos had held his ground, looking at Eric. Annie pulled on his hand. “Come on, Amos. We better go home.”

  She had to tug to get him to follow her. Sarah walked a few steps with them.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “This was stupid.”

  Annie looked at her. “Nee. Not stupid,” she said carefully. “I was happy to meet your friend.”

  Sarah grabbed Annie’s arm. “He’s more than a friend, Annie. You better get used to it.”

  Annie kept walking but remained silent.

  “Did you hear me?” Sarah’s voice rose.

  Annie paused. “Jah, I heard you. I don’t know how I can, though, what with that music blaring louder than Gabriel’s trumpet.”

  “Annie,” Amos murmured in warning.

  “Fine!” Sarah snapped. “Thanks for nothing.” She pivoted on her foot and whirled off.

  Annie watched her flounce away with a sinking feeling. Now, she’d done it. Sarah was angry with her. Again.

  “Get in the buggy, Annie,” Amos said, his voice not unkind. “Let’s get on home.”

  She climbed in and pulled her cape tighter around her neck. Her spirits were deflated, and she knew Sarah wouldn’t likely share with her again. Perhaps, come morning, Annie could somehow repair the damage.

  With a snap of the reins, they left Powter’s Point. For the first mile or two, neither Amos nor Annie said a word. Finally, Annie couldn’t stand it.

  “What’s she doing there?” she cried. “What’s she gotten herself into?”

  Amos clucked his tongue at Trotter.

  Annie clutched his arm. “Truly! She’s going to end up in trouble, Amos. Real trouble, and I can’t stop her.”

  “Ain’t your job to stop her,” Amos said, his words slow. “Your job is to be her sister.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Annie cried. “I’m trying to be her sister! I’m trying to warn her. She won’t listen to me.”

  There was an empty hollow-feeling in the air. Almost as if every sound made an echo—Trotter’s sharp clip clops, Annie’s frantic voice, the call of the night hawks.

  Annie’s eyes filled with tears. “What shall I do? I have to tell Mamm.”

  “Talk to Sarah again tomorrow.”

  “I’ll try.” Annie wiped her tears. “What do I tell Mamm and Dat?”

  “They probably already know.”

  “About Eric? I doubt it! Mamm didn’t seem to know anything about him when she came to see me.”

  Amos turned to her. “I didn’t know she came to see you about Sarah.”

  “She’s worried.”

  “Rightly so.”

  Annie pressed her lips together and sent up a plea to God for help. How she wanted to keep her little sister safe.

  “You think Miriam is going to copy after Sarah?” she asked.

  “Why borrow trouble, Annie? Miriam is only eight years old.”

  “You’re right. You’re right,” Annie said, but her heart was in turmoil.

  “Let’s change the subject,” Amos said, guiding Trotter around the bend. “What are your plans come Saturday? I know we were thinking about a quiet morning at home, but I need to finish up the bureau for the Westmans. Ach, Annie, you should see it. It’s coming out right nice.”

  “You’ll be working then on Saturday?”

  “Jah. But didn’t I hear that your mamm and Aenti Betty are hosting a quilting frolic. Isn’t that so?”

  Annie sank back a bit on the bench. “Jah.”

  “You’ll be going to that, won’t you?”

  Annie let out her breath. “I’m thinking to stay home and do some baking.”

  She felt Amos stare at her, but she kept her eyes fixed on the dark road where the lantern threw ribbons of light across the pavement.

  “Annie?” Amos finally said.

  “Getting mighty cold these nights, jah?” She squirmed, hoping he’d drop the subject.

  And he did. Annie was grateful that Amos often knew when to keep still about something. She simply couldn’t bring herself to talk about the quilting frolic at that moment. Her heart was already burdened with her sister. She couldn’t bear to be remi
nded yet once again of the other ongoing pain that hung over her like a black summer cloud.

  That night, Annie crept from her bedroom to the front window. The wooden floor was cold against her bare feet, and she shivered as she parted the curtains to peer outside. The moon was buried somewhere in the clouds as she stared into the thick inky blackness. It was futile, if not downright silly, to stare into the dark, hoping to see her sister return for the night. Who knew what she was up to? And perhaps Sarah was already tucked up in her bed, safe and sound. Annie hadn’t kept a constant watch, although this was her third trek to the window. She prayed that Sarah had slipped into bed hours before.

  “Annie?” Amos’s quiet voice reverberated in the still room.

  She let the curtain drop and turned from the window. “Ach, Amos. I’m sorry. Did I wake you?”

  “What are you doing up?”

  She sighed. “I’m worried about Sarah.”

  “Watching out the window isn’t going to make her come home any sooner.”

  Annie gave a small laugh. “I know. You’re right.”

  He came across the room and put his arms around her. She snuggled into his shoulder and felt his beard tickle her forehead.

  “Come back to bed.”

  “Jah.”

  He cradled her against his side and the two of them returned to their bed. Annie burrowed down under the warm quilts and closed her eyes.

  “About the frolic…” Amos started.

  Annie stiffened.

  “Your cousin will be there?” His words were slow and soft.

  “Jah.”

  “That’s it, isn’t it?”

  She blew out her breath and shifted away from him. “Jah.”

  “I’m sorry, Annie.”

  “Me, too,” she managed to choke out before quick tears ran down her face.

  Of course, Amos had figured it out. It wasn’t so mysterious, really. Her cousin MaeAnn was six months gone with her first child, and she was showing as big as a pumpkin. Annie was happy for her and her husband. Truly. But it hurt to see her. MaeAnn had started to waddle a bit with that pregnant woman’s sway, and Annie could barely be in the same room with her without wanting to burst into tears.