Plain Admirer

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Grace waved aside Sally’s objection. “I think she was only trying to make Faron notice her. Anyway, it worked. She left the barn party last Saturday with Faron, and I saw them kissing. I noticed he drove his courting buggy today. Mark my words, she’ll ride home with him this evening and not with Roman.”

Joann discovered she wanted to hear more about Roman’s romantic attachment, but she knew church wasn’t the place to engage in gossip. She softly reminded Grace of that fact. Grace rolled her eyes but fell silent.

Joann resisted the urge to look back and see if Roman’s gaze rested tenderly on Esta. It was none of her business if he was about to be dumped by a fickle woman.

Joann turned her heart and mind toward listening to God’s word.

After the church service, the families gathered for the noon meal and clustered together in groups to catch up on the latest news. There were two new babies to admire and newlyweds to tease. Then Moses and Atlee Beachy got up a game of volleyball for the young people that kept everyone entertained. It was pleasant to visit with the friends she didn’t see often. Joann was sorry when it came time to leave. She found herself searching for Roman in the groups of men still clustered near the barn but didn’t see him. Nor did she see Esta among the women.

Hebron walked up to her, a scowl on his face. “Have you seen the girls?”

She looked around for her nieces. “I think they were playing hide-and-seek in the barn with some of the other children.”

“See if you can find them. I’m ready to go.”

Joann walked into the barn in search of her nieces. It wouldn’t be the first time the girls had stayed hidden to keep from having to go home when they were having fun. They often played this game. After calling them several times, Joann accepted that she would have to join the game and find them herself. She climbed the ladder to the hayloft. A quick check around convinced her they weren’t hiding there. So where were they?

Joann returned to the ground level and began checking in each of the stalls. She didn’t believe the girls would be hiding with any of the horses, but she didn’t know where else to look. One stall was empty. A rustling sound from within caught Joann’s attention. She stepped inside but her search only turned up a cat with a litter of kittens curled up in a pile of straw in the far corner. She took a moment to reassure the new mother. Stepping closer, she stooped to pet the cat and admire the five small balls of black-and-white fur curled together at her side. It was then she heard Roman’s voice. “Esta, I wish to speak to you alone.”

“You sound so serious, Roman. What’s the matter?”

“May I speak frankly?” Something in his voice held Joann rooted to the spot.

“Of course. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

“I hope that we have become more than friends. That’s what I wish to talk about.”

“Why, Roman, I’m not sure I know what you mean.” Esta’s coy reply sent Joann’s heart to her feet. She needed to let them know she was present, but she dreaded facing Roman. Maybe if she stayed quiet, they would leave and she wouldn’t be discovered. She held her breath and prayed. To her dismay, they stopped right outside the stall where she crouched beside the kittens.

“Can I take you home tonight?” Roman asked.

“Did you bring your courting buggy? I thought you came with your family.”

“I did come with my family, but it would make me very happy if you would walk out with me this evening.”

“I’ve already told Faron Martin that he could take me home. He brought his courting buggy.”

“Tell him you’ve changed your mind.”

“But I haven’t.”

“Esta, don’t do this to me.”

“Don’t do what? I want to ride in Faron’s buggy. He’s got a radio in it, and his horse is a mighty flashy stepper. Almost as pretty as your horse, but of course, you can’t drive him anymore, can you?”

Joann heard the teasing in Esta’s voice. She was toying with Roman. Did she care who took her home as long as they had a tricked-out buggy? Joann wanted to shake her. How could a woman be so fickle?

“Esta, I’m ready to settle down. Aren’t you?”

“Are you serious?”

“Very serious.”

Joann wished she was anywhere else but eavesdropping on a private conversation. She shouldn’t be listening. She covered her ears with her hands and took a step back. She didn’t know the mother cat had moved behind her until she stepped on her paw.

The cat yowled and sank her teeth into Joann’s leg. She shrieked and shook the cat loose as she stumbled backward. She lost her balance and hit the stall door. The unlatched gate flew open and Joann found herself sprawled on her backside at Roman’s feet.

Esta began laughing, but there was no mirth on Roman’s face.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he demanded.

“I’m sorry,” she sputtered, struggling to her feet.

Esta crossed her arms. “She’s making a fool of herself, as usual.”

“I was looking for my nieces, if you must know.” Joann said as she dusted off her skirt and straightened her kapp.

A smug smile curved Esta’s lips. “She’s just eavesdropping on us because she can’t get a boyfriend of her own.”

Joann’s chin came up. “At least I don’t go around kissing everyone who walks out with me.”

Shock replaced Esta’s grin. “How dare you.”

Growing bolder, Joann took a step closer. “Which one is a better kisser? Ben Lapp or Faron Martin?”

“Oh!” Esta’s face grew beet red. She covered her cheeks with her hands and fled.

It was Joann’s turn to sport a smug grin. It died the second she caught sight of Roman’s face. The thunderous expression she dreaded was back.

“What have I ever done to you?” he asked in a voice that was dead calm.

She looked down, unable to meet his gaze. “Nothing.”

“Then why your spiteful behavior?”

“You call the truth spiteful?” She glanced up, trying to judge his reaction.

“What truth is that?”

“Esta Barkman is a flirt, and she’s using you.”

“I won’t listen to you speak ill of her.”

“Suit yourself.” She swept past him, wishing that she had kept her mouth closed. What did she care if Esta was leading him on? It was none of her business what woman he cared for. Joann only hoped she had opened his eyes to Esta’s less-than-sterling behavior even if it cost his good opinion of her.

* * *

On Monday morning, a faint hope still flickered in Joann’s heart as she walked up to the front door of the publishing office. She didn’t see Roman’s buggy on the street. Perhaps he wouldn’t come, and she could continue with her job as if nothing had happened. Oh, how she prayed that was God’s will.