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  Laura’s heart began to pound, and her throat felt like she’d eaten a bunch of hot peppers. If Eli broke things off now, there would be no chance for them. She couldn’t let that happen. She would not allow him to stay angry with her for something so ridiculous as a difference of opinion on religious matters.

  She touched his arm and was glad when he didn’t pull away. “Eli, I respect your religious beliefs, but can’t we just agree to disagree on some things?”

  “It’s kind of hard to have a friendship with someone when we keep arguing.”

  She nodded. “I know, so let’s not argue anymore. In fact, if it would make you feel better, I’ll just sit here and listen to you narrate. How’s that sound?”

  He reached for the reins and gave her a sidelong glance. “You’re a hard one to say no to, you know that?”

  Laura smiled. “That’s what my father says, too.”

  ***

  “Your wife called five times while you were in court today and left messages for you to call her back as soon as you could,” Wesley’s secretary told him when he entered the reception area of his office.

  “Did she say what she wanted?”

  “No, just that it was important and she wanted you to call as soon as you could.”

  “I can imagine how important it was,” he grumbled as he headed to his office. “Probably some major crisis over a broken fingernail.”

  Wesley had no more than taken a seat behind his desk, when his phone rang. He picked it up on the second ring, recognizing the caller ID. “Hello, Irene. I heard you called a few times while I was in court.”

  “Yes, I did, and I’m very upset.”

  His gaze went to the ceiling. Irene was always upset about something it seemed. “What’s the problem?”

  “It’s Laura. I got an e-mail from her today, and she’s in real trouble.”

  Wesley’s heart began to race. “Is she sick? Has she been hurt?”

  “No, no. She’s all right physically, but I think she’s taken leave of her senses.”

  He shifted the receiver to his other ear. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Our daughter’s been seeing some Amish man. She’s gone out with him several times, and—”

  “Whoa! Hold on a minute, and calm down. You’re not making any sense.”

  “Laura’s e-mail said she’s involved with an Amish man named Eli. I think his last name is Yoder, or something like that. She said they’ve gone on a couple of picnics, to the farmers’ market, and for rides in his buggy.” After a brief pause, Irene released a shuddering sob. “We’ve got to put a stop to this right away, Wesley. Can you fly out to Pennsylvania and speak to her about this?”

  “Me? Why can’t you go? I’m tied up in court for at least another week, and then I’ve got—”

  “I can’t go, either. I’m involved with that benefit dinner I’m helping plan for the historical society, and then there’s the country club luncheon I’m in charge of.”

  “So you’re not that worried about Laura, are you?”

  “Of course I am.”

  “Well, you needn’t be. Our daughter is old enough to make her own choices about whom she sees and when. I think if we try to interfere, it will only make things worse.” Wesley reached for the cup of coffee his secretary had just placed on his desk and took a drink. “Besides, Laura will be home for Christmas in a few weeks. I’ll talk to her about this Amish fellow then, and if I think she’s in over her head, I’ll try to dissuade her.”

  “All right. I guess that would be best. Oh, I’ve got a call on the other line. I’ll see you when you get home.” Irene clicked off without saying good-bye.

  Wesley shook his head. “Like mother, like daughter.”

  CHAPTER 8

  It was only the first week of December, but Lancaster County had been hit with a heavy blanket of snow. Laura figured it would mean the end of her enjoyable rides with Eli ... at least until spring. She would be going home for Christmas soon, so that would put an end to their times, anyway.

  Leaving Eli, even for a few weeks, wasn’t going to be easy. However, she had promised her parents and friends that she’d be coming home for the holidays, and she didn’t want to disappoint them. Besides, even if she stayed in Pennsylvania, Eli would spend Christmas with his family, and she, the fancy English woman, would not be included in their plans.

  Laura stared out her dorm-room window at the falling snow. If only she had some way to get in touch with Eli. If they could just meet somewhere for lunch before she had to leave.

  She finally curled up on her bed with a romance novel, surrendered to the fact that this Saturday would be spent indoors without Eli.

  Laura had only gotten to the second page when a loud knock drove her to her feet. “Who’s there?”

  “Darla. Are you busy?”

  Laura opened the door. “What’s up?”

  Darla was dressed in a pair of designer jeans and a pink sweater. A brown leather coat was slung over one arm, and a furry little cap was perched on top of her short, blond curls. “I thought I’d drive into Philadelphia. I still have some Christmas shopping to do, and only the big stores will have what I want.”

  “You’re going shopping today?”

  Darla nodded. “I was hoping you’d come along.”

  “In this weather?” Laura gestured toward the window. “In case you haven’t noticed, there’s a foot of snow on the ground.”

  Darla shrugged. “I’m sure most of the main roads have been cleared.” She nudged Laura’s arm. “I’ll treat you to lunch.”

  “I’m on a diet.”

  “So, order a salad.”

  Laura released a sigh. “Oh, all right.” It wasn’t the way she wanted to spend the day, but she figured it would be better than being cooped up in her room all day.

  ***

  “I’m going out for a while,” Eli said, as he left the kitchen table and slipped into his heavy woolen jacket.

  “Where you heading?” Lewis called to him.

  “I’ve got some errands to run ... not that it’s any of your business, schnuppich brother.” Eli plopped his black felt hat on his head and closed the door, curtailing more comments from his snoopy sibling.

  Mary Ellen clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth and turned to face Johnny. “Seems like our oldest boy is hardly ever home anymore.”

  Johnny shrugged. “Guess that’s his choice.”

  “I’ll bet he’s sneakin’ off to see that English woman again,” Jonas said as he grabbed a hunk of shoofly pie.

  “Don’t you ever fill up?” Johnny’s eyebrows drew together. “That’s your third piece now, isn’t it?”

  “He’s probably lost count,” Lewis said with a chuckle.

  Jonas smacked his lips. “Shoofly is my favorite breakfast pie. Never have been able to get enough of it.”

  “No, but you sure have tried.” Mary Ellen pushed her chair away from the table and gathered up some of the dishes. As she placed them in the sink, she glanced out the window and caught sight of Eli hitching his horse to the sleigh. She couldn’t help but wonder if Jonas was right about Eli meeting Laura today. He hadn’t said much about her lately, but Mary Ellen knew from her last conversation with Selma Hostetler that Eli sure wasn’t courting Pauline.

  On more than one occasion, Mary Ellen had tried putting in a good word for Pauline, and from what she’d heard, Pauline had made several attempts at getting Eli to invite her somewhere. So far all efforts had failed, and Mary Ellen knew all she could do was pray—and she’d been doing a lot of that lately. If enough prayers went up on Eli’s behalf, he might see the light and quit spending time with Laura. Or she might get bored with him and find a nice English man to take her places. Better yet, maybe the fancy English woman would leave Lancaster County and never return.

  ***

  The ride to Philadelphia went well. They took the main highway, and just as Darla had predicted, it had been plowed and treated. The bad weather hadn’t
kept many people home, for the stores were crowded with holiday shoppers.

  Laura and Darla pushed their way through the crush of people and fumbled through the racks of clothes and stacks of gift items until they’d both purchased enough Christmas presents for everyone on their lists. Everyone except for Eli. Laura wanted to get him something special, but since he lived a much simpler life than she did and was opposed to most worldly things, she couldn’t find anything that might be suitable.

  They had a late lunch and left the city around four o’clock, and by the time they reached the turnpike, it was snowing again.

  “I know it’s a little out of the way, but would you mind stopping at the variety store in Paradise on our way home?” Laura asked Darla.

  “What for?”

  “I want to get a Christmas present for Eli. I couldn’t find anything appropriate in Philadelphia, but I’m sure I can find something there.”

  Darla squinted. “I don’t mind stopping, but I do mind what you’re doing.”

  Laura looked away. “What are you talking about?”

  “I can see that no matter how much I’ve warned you about this, you’ve decided to jump into the deep end of the pool without even looking.”

  “Huh?”

  “Don’t be coy, Laura. I’ve warned you about getting involved with that Amish man, and you’ve forged ahead anyway. It doesn’t take a genius to realize you’re head over heels in love with this Eli fellow.”

  “In love? Don’t be ridiculous! Eli and I are just friends.”

  Darla gave the steering wheel a few taps with her gloved fingers. “Sure ... whatever you say.”

  When they arrived at the store in Paradise, no cars or buggies were in the parking lot, and it appeared to be deserted. However, the sign in the window said they were open, so Darla parked her car, and Laura went inside.

  She soon realized that choosing a gift for an Amish man, even in a Plain store, wasn’t going to be easy. Shelves were full of men’s black felt hats, suspenders in all sizes, and a large assortment of white handkerchiefs. Laura wanted something more special than any of these things. It had to be a gift that would cause Eli to remember her whenever he looked at it.

  She was about to give up, when she spotted a beautiful set of carving tools she was sure Eli could use. She paid for them and left the store feeling satisfied with her purchase. Now if she could only get the gift to Eli before she went home for Christmas.

  As Laura returned to Darla’s car, her foot slipped on the walkway, and she realized the snow had begun to freeze.

  “This isn’t good,” Darla complained as they pulled out of the parking lot a few minutes later. “I should have gone directly back to Lancaster and stayed on the main roads.”

  Laura grunted. “I’m sure we’ll get back to the school in time for your favorite TV show.”

  “I wasn’t thinking about TV. I’m concerned about staying on the road and keeping my car intact.”

  No sooner had she spoken the words than they hit a patch of ice. The car slid off the road, coming to a stop in the middle of a snowbank.

  “Oh, great!” Darla put the car in REVERSE and tried to back up. The wheels spun, but the car didn’t budge. She tried several more times, but it was no use. They were stuck, and it was obvious that there was nothing either of them could do about it.

  “Maybe I should get out and push,” Laura suggested with a weak smile.

  “I’d better make a call for help.” Darla reached into her purse for the cell phone and started to dial but dropped it to the seat with a moan.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “The battery’s dead. I forgot to charge it last night.” Darla opened the car door and got out. Laura did the same.

  “Now we’re really in a fix.” Darla kicked at the front tire with the toe of her boot. “I should have checked my phone before we left Lancaster this morning.”

  “I guess it’s my fault. If I hadn’t asked you to go to the variety store—”

  Laura stopped speaking when she heard the clip-clop of horse’s hooves approaching. “Do you need some help?” a man’s voice called out.

  She whirled around, and her heartbeat quickened as Eli stepped down from an open sleigh. “Are we ever glad to see you!”

  Eli joined them right away, and Laura introduced Darla. Then, offering Eli a wide smile, she asked, “Would it be possible for you to give us a ride to the nearest town? We need to call a tow truck to get Darla’s car out of that snowbank.”

  Eli surveyed the situation. “I think I can pull you out with my horse.”

  Darla shook her head. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

  “My horse is strong as an ox.”

  “Okay,” Darla said with a shrug. “You may as well give it a try.”

  Laura and Darla stepped aside as Eli unhitched the horse and hooked a rope around the animal’s neck, then fastened the rope to the back bumper of Darla’s car. He said a few words in Pennsylvania Dutch, and the gelding moved forward. The car lurched and was pulled free on the first try.

  “Hooray!” Laura shouted with her hands raised.

  Darla just stood with her mouth hanging open.

  “Why don’t I follow you back to the main road where it’s cleared?” Eli suggested. “That way I can be sure you don’t run into any more snowbanks.”

  “Thank you,” Darla murmured, as though she could hardly believe her car had been freed by a horse.

  Laura turned to Eli. “Would it be okay if I rode in your sleigh for a while? I’ve always wanted to ride in one.” She touched his arm. “Besides, I have something for you.”

  His brows arched upward. “You do?”

  She nodded. “I’ll get it from Darla’s car and be right back.” Laura raced off before Eli had a chance to reply. When she grabbed Eli’s gift from the car, Darla, already in the driver’s seat, gave her a disgruntled look but said nothing.

  Laura made her way back to where Eli waited beside the sleigh. After he helped her up, she pulled the collar of her coat tightly around her neck. “Brr ... It’s sure nippy out.”

  Eli reached under the seat and retrieved a quilt. He placed it across her lap, and she huddled beneath its warmth, feeling like a princess on her way to the ball.

  As they followed behind Darla’s car, Laura snuggled closer to Eli and said, “I’m glad you came along when you did. I’m leaving for Minneapolis in a few days, and I didn’t think I’d get the chance to see you before I left.”

  “I went to the variety store in Paradise this morning,” Eli said. “You weren’t there, so I thought maybe you’d already gone home for the holidays.”

  Laura frowned. If she’d had any idea Eli was going to venture out in the snow just to see her, she would have moved heaven and earth to get to Paradise this morning. “I guess fate must have wanted us to meet today after all.”

  Eli raised one eyebrow. “Fate? You think fate brought us together?”

  She nodded. “Don’t you?”

  He shook his head. “If anyone brought us together today, it was God.”