Allison's Journey Page 3

  “It smells nice in here,” she said, tilting her head and sniffing the air.

  “You really think so?”

  “I sure do.”

  “Most women don’t care much for the smells inside a harness shop. Except for my mamm, that is,” Aaron amended. “She used to work here with my real daed when I was a young boy. Then she took the place over by herself for a time after he died.” He glanced over his shoulder at Paul. “After Mom married Paul, she kept working in the shop, but then my grandparents’ health started to fail, so she had to give up working here in order to see to their needs.”

  “I see.”

  Aaron’s ears burned with embarrassment. He didn’t know what had possessed him to blab all that information to a woman he’d only met.

  “I can see why your mamm would enjoy working here,” Allison said, motioning to the pile of leather on the floor. “This looks like a fun place to be.”

  “Some might see it as fun, but it’s a lot of work.”

  “I’m sure it would be.” Her fingers trailed over the end of the harness. “I’d like to know more about harness making.”

  Aaron was about to comment when Harvey sauntered up, holding his finished harness. “Guess we’d better get going,” he said, nodding at Allison.

  She gave Aaron a quick smile. “Maybe I’ll see you again sometime and you can tell me more about harness making.”

  “No maybe about it. You’ll see him at church tomorrow morning.” Harvey winked at Aaron, but before Aaron could think of a sensible reply, Harvey and his cousin walked out the door.

  “She seemed like a nice person, didn’t she?” Paul asked, as Aaron resumed his work.

  “Huh?”

  “Harvey’s cousin, Allison. She seemed real nice.”

  Aaron shrugged. “I guess so.”

  Paul thumped Aaron on the back. “How come your ears are so red?”

  “Must be the heat. Summer weather makes its way indoors pretty quick on days like this.”

  Paul nodded and picked up a piece of leather lying on the workbench near him. “Just never saw your ears turn so red before.”

  Aaron just kept on working.

  While Harvey guided his horse and buggy down Highway C, Allison sat in amazement, studying her surroundings. Everything looked so different from what she was used to seeing in Pennsylvania. There were no rolling hills—just a multitude of trees with Amish and English houses built on the land that had been cleared. Most of the homes looked old, and many were a bit rundown. Few had flowers in abundance, the way most Amish places did back home. The two-story gray and white home that loomed before them as they turned onto a graveled driveway was an exception. A bounty of irises danced in the breeze near the vegetable garden growing to the left of the house, and two pots of pink flowers graced the front porch.

  Harvey had no more than guided the horse to the hitching rail when the front door opened. A middle-aged woman followed by a young boy and a girl hurried over to the buggy.

  Allison climbed down and was surprised when the woman gave her a hug. “I’m your aunt Mary, and these are my youngest children: Sarah, who is twelve, and Dan, who’s ten.”

  Allison noticed immediately that Aunt Mary had the same dark hair and brown eyes with little green flecks that she had. Since Allison barely remembered her mother, she couldn’t be sure her mother’s sister looked like Mama, but Papa had said they were identical twins. Mama probably would have looked much like Aunt Marry if she were still alive.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Aunt Mary,” Allison said. She turned to face the children. “You, too, Cousin Sarah and Dan.”

  “Actually, we have met before,” Aunt Mary said. “I came to Pennsylvania for your mamm’s funeral.”

  Allison stared at the ground, struggling to remember the past. “Sorry, but I. . .I don’t remember.”

  “You were quite young then, so I don’t expect you would remember.” Aunt Mary put her arm around Allison’s shoulder. “Shall we go inside and have a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade? It’s turned into a real scorcher today, and nothing cools a parched throat quite like cold lemonade.”

  Allison licked her lips, realizing that they were parched and she was rather thirsty. “That would be real nice.”

  “I’ll put the horse away and bring in her luggage,” Harvey said as Allison, Aunt Mary, and the two younger children headed for the house.

  “Sounds good. When you’re done, come join us in the kitchen,” his mother called over her shoulder.

  Allison began to relax. Aunt Mary seems so pleasant—much different than Aunt Catherine. Of course, I’d best wait until I get to know her better to make any decisions.

  As Allison sat around the supper table that evening, she was amazed at the camaraderie between family members. Aunt Mary made no sharp remarks—only smiles and encouraging words. Uncle Ben was kind and friendly, but then Papa and her brothers had always been that way, too. It was Aunt Catherine who had made Allison feel as though she could do nothing right. No jokes were tolerated at Aunt Catherine’s table, and she often hurried them through their meals, saying more chores needed to be done.

  Allison had never been able to talk about her feelings with Aunt Catherine, either, and Papa sure didn’t have much time to listen. Here, everyone seemed interested in what others in the family had to say.

  She glanced at Cousin Harvey, who sat beside his fifteen-year-old brother, Walter. The younger teenaged boy had been in the fields with their father when Allison had arrived. This was the first chance she’d had to meet him. Both Harvey and Walter seemed polite and easygoing, and so did Dan and Sarah. Could the whole family be as pleasant as they seemed?

  “Allison brought us some peanut brittle,” Aunt Mary said to Uncle Ben. “Since it’s your favorite candy, I hope you’ll let the rest of us have some.”

  He chuckled, and his crimson beard jiggled up and down. “I’ll share, but only a bissel.”

  “Ah, Dad,” Walter said with a frown, “don’t you think we deserve more than a little?”

  Uncle Ben jiggled his eyebrows playfully. “Well, maybe.” He smiled at Allison. “It was sure nice of your daed’s sister to send the peanut brittle. She must be a very gedankevoll woman.”

  Allison almost choked on the piece of chicken she’d put in her mouth. If Uncle Ben knew Aunt Catherine the way she did, he might not think she was so thoughtful.

  “Are you all right?” Aunt Mary asked, patting Allison on the back.

  “I’m fine. I almost choked on a piece of meat, but I’m okay.” Allison reached for her glass and took a gulp of water.

  “I met your aunt Catherine at your mamm’s funeral,” Aunt Mary said. “You said earlier that you don’t remember me being there, right?”

  Allison nodded. “I was only seven when Mama died, so I don’t remember much of anything about that time.”

  “Are you saying you don’t remember your mamm at all?” Uncle Ben asked with raised eyebrows.

  “I have a few vague memories of her from before the accident, but that’s all.”

  “Martha and I were so close when we were growing up,” Aunt Mary said in a wistful tone. “It was hard on both of us when I moved to Missouri. We kept in touch through letters until her passing. I sure miss my twin sister.”

  “What made you move to Missouri?” Allison asked, not wishing to talk about her mother’s death.

  “That was my fault,” Uncle Ben interjected. “I wanted to get away from all the tourists in Lancaster County. Since I had a brother who’d moved to Missouri, shortly after Mary and I got married, we packed up our things, hired a driver, and moved here to Webster County.”

  Allison wondered if her life would be any different if Aunt Mary and Uncle Ben still lived in Pennsylvania. Aunt Catherine wouldn’t have needed to move in with them after Mama died if Aunt Mary had lived closer. She took another sip of water. Oh, well. As Papa always says, “Since you can’t change the past, you may as well make the best of the present.” So I will t
ry to enjoy my summer here, she resolved.

  Chapter 3

  Before church the following morning, Allison stepped into the Kings’ barn and was surprised to see how few people filled the backless wooden benches. At home, twice as many people would have attended, but then this Amish community was much smaller than hers in Lancaster County.

  As she lowered herself to a bench on the women’s side, someone touched her arm. She glanced to the left. A young, blond-haired woman smiled and said, “Hi. My name’s Katie Esh.” Her vivid blue eyes sparkled like ripples of water on a hot summer day, and a small dimple was set in the middle of her chin. Allison thought Katie was the prettiest young woman she’d ever seen. Not plain and ordinary like her. That’s what Aunt Catherine had always said about Allison, anyway.

  “What’s your name?” Katie asked, nudging Allison’s arm again.

  “Oh, I’m Allison Troyer, visiting from Pennsylvania.”

  “How long will you be here?”

  “Until the end of August. I’m staying with my aunt and uncle, Mary and Ben King.”

  Katie leaned closer and whispered in Allison’s ear, “Looks like the service is getting ready to start. We can talk later, jah?”

  Allison nodded and sat up straight, thinking about the way Aunt Catherine expected her to behave in church. She remembered one time when she’d been sitting next to Sally and had been caught whispering. Aunt Catherine had marched up to them and plucked Allison right off the bench. Allison had spent the next three hours sitting beside Aunt Catherine, worried that she might receive a spanking if she moved wrong or did anything Aunt Catherine disapproved of.

  Allison glanced over her shoulder at Aunt Mary, sitting a few rows behind. I wonder what kind of mother she is to her children. Is she really kind and gentle, the way she appeared to be last night, or does she have a mean streak like Aunt Catherine?

  Aaron’s mind drifted from the sermon Bishop John was preaching as he glanced at the women’s side of the room and spotted Allison Troyer staring out the open barn door. Would she rather be outdoors, or was she bored with the service? As much as Aaron hated to admit it, Allison had his full attention. Maybe it was the fact that she’d mentioned yesterday how she liked the smell of leather. Aaron smiled to himself. Or maybe it’s because—

  Aaron felt a jab to his ribs, and he looked over at his brother Joseph and frowned. “What’d you poke me for?” he whispered.

  “Church is over,” Joseph said with a smirk. “You looked like you were off in some other world, so I figured I’d better bring you back to this one.”

  Aaron grunted. “Very funny.”

  A short time later, Aaron followed the men up to the house, where the common meal would be served. He’d no more than taken a seat when he felt another sharp jab to the ribs. He glanced to the left and saw Gabe sitting beside him. “What’d you prod me for?”

  Gabe snickered. “I was wondering why you’re making cow eyes at that new girl, Allison.”

  “I’m not!” Aaron bit off the end of a fingernail and was about to flick it over his shoulder onto the floor, when Gabe grabbed his hand.

  “That’s a nasty habit, and we’re not outside, so you’d better not do that.”

  “You’re right.” Aaron slipped the sliver of fingernail into his pants pocket.

  “Are you ever planning to quit that awful habit?” Gabe questioned.

  “Maybe someday—if I feel like it.”

  “Falling in love might make you give up your crude ways.”

  Aaron elbowed his friend. “A lot you know; I’m not crude.”

  “Jah, well, I know a man with a crush when I see one.”

  “I don’t have a crush on anyone. I barely know her.”

  “Who?”

  “Allison Troyer. That’s who we were talking about, right?”

  Gabe put his finger in the small of Aaron’s back. “Since you barely know her, why don’t you remedy that by going over and talking to her? Or are you too much of a chicken?”

  “I’m not scared of anything.”

  “Then prove it.”

  Joseph, sitting on the other side of Aaron, nodded his blond head in agreement. “I think it’s about time you took an interest in some nice young woman.”

  “Just so you two will get off my back, I will go speak to Allison,” Aaron said, his jaw tight. “But it’s not because I have an interest in her.” He hopped off the bench and strolled across the room, heading for the kitchen. He stopped a few feet from the table where Allison and Katie were serving a group of men. His heart hammered so hard he feared it might break through his chest, and he took in a couple of deep breaths in order to steady his nerves. He couldn’t march right up to Allison and start yammering away. What would he say? What if she thought he was trying to make a play for her? Then again, he didn’t want Gabe and Joseph to think he was a coward.

  Aaron took a step back and bumped a table leg, jostling Bishop Frey’s glass of water.

  “Whoa there! What do you think you’re doing, boy?” the man asked as he blotted the table with his napkin.

  “S–s–sorry, Bishop. I didn’t realize you were behind me.” Aaron glanced around. Everyone in the room seemed to be staring at him, including Allison.

  Oh, great. She probably thinks I’m a real klutz. Aaron slunk away, knowing he would probably be in for more ribbing from Gabe. He figured a little teasing from his friend would be better than facing Allison and feeling more foolish than he already did. No, he wasn’t about to start up a conversation with her now.

  Allison watched from the sidelines as a group of young men got a baseball game going in the field behind the Kings’ place. She longed to join them but figured, since she was new here, it would seem forward if she asked to be part of the game. Besides, none of the other young women had joined the fellows.

  “What are you doing over here?” Katie asked, stepping up to Allison. “I figured you’d be up on the porch with some of the women, visiting and sipping iced tea.”

  Allison shook her head. “To tell you the truth, I’d like to play baseball, but since the next best thing to playing the game is watching, I decided to stand here by the fence and watch.”

  “If you’d rather play ball, why aren’t you?”

  Allison shrugged. “I wasn’t invited.”

  “Me neither, but I’d play if I wanted to, invited or not.” Katie grinned. “Who do you think is the cutest fellow here today?”

  “I. . .I haven’t given it much thought.”

  Katie leaned closer to Allison. “Can you keep a secret?”

  “Jah, sure.”

  “I think the cutest fellow here is Joseph Zook.” Katie pointed across the field. “He’s the one with curly blond hair. That’s his brother Aaron with dark hair. They don’t look much alike, because Joseph looks like his real daed, and Aaron takes after his mamm.”

  Katie rushed on. “There’s going to be a young people’s gathering tonight at the Kauffmans’ place. Do you think you might attend?”

  “I guess that all depends on whether Harvey’s planning to go.”

  “I’m sure he will; he usually does.”

  “Tell me about your family,” Allison said, changing the subject.

  Katie smiled. “Let’s see now. There’s me; my younger sister, Mary Alice; and my older brother, Elam, still living at home, and I’ve got three other brothers who are married and out on their own. What about you, Allison?” she asked. “How many kinner are in your family?”

  Allison opened her mouth to reply when the ball whooshed toward her. Instinctively, she reached up and caught it.

  “Wow, that was wunderbaar!” her cousin Harvey exclaimed. “Never knew a girl could catch a ball so well. And with only one hand.”

  An eager smile sprang to Allison’s lips. She wondered if she should tell Harvey she was an expert ballplayer or let him think she had caught it by accident. If she had remembered to pack her new baseball glove when she’d left home, she’d probably be even more anxious
to join their game.

  “Allison wants to be part of your game,” Katie spoke up. “She told me that she’d rather play ball than visit.”

  Harvey tipped his head and grinned at Allison. “Is that so?”

  She nodded and handed him the ball. “I’ve been playing baseball with my brothers since I was a little girl.”

  “Maybe you’d like to be on Aaron Zook’s team. He’s one player short, and if you don’t mind playing with a bunch of rowdy fellows, we’d be happy to have you.”

  Allison looked over at Katie. “Would you like to play, too?”

  Katie shook her head. “You go ahead. I’ll stand here and cheer you on.”

  Allison followed Harvey across the field to where Aaron stood. Harvey explained the situation.

  Aaron’s dark eyebrows drew together, making Allison wonder if he disapproved.

  “You can play left field,” he finally said.

  For the next hour, Allison caught several fly balls, hit three home runs, and chocked up more points for Aaron’s team than any other player.

  When the game ended, she headed toward Katie, but Aaron stepped in front of her. He swiped a grimy hand across his sweaty forehead. “A lot of women I know like to play ball, and they do okay, but I’ve never met anyone who could catch the way you did today.”

  She grinned at him. “I’ve always liked playing ball.”

  He shuffled his feet in the dirt. “I. . .uh. . .guess I’ll go get myself something cold to drink.”

  Allison nodded. “I worked up quite a thirst out there, so maybe I’ll do the same.”

  Aaron hesitated and stared at the ground. “Maybe I’ll see you tonight at the young people’s gathering.”

  “Jah, maybe so.”

  Chapter 4

  I am glad you were willing to go with me tonight,” Harvey said as he helped Allison into his open buggy. “It’ll be a good chance for you to get to know some of the other young people in our district.”