The Miting by Dee Yoder Page A

you ignore Martha’s teasing. And I want you to know up front that my family doesn’t agree with bed courtship. ‘Course, we don’t go around spouting off about it, but none of my brothers or sisters did that. I plan to spend some time with you, get to know you, and leave. I know some people think being against bed courtship is too high church or proud, but my daet thinks it’s too much temptation for jungen. ” He turned Leah’s way. “Besides, I have to get up too early to stay out until four in the morning like some of these fellas do, and I need my sleep.” He winked.
    Leah breathed a sigh of relief and returned Jacob’s smile.
    Once they pulled into Leah’s lane, the butterflies increased in her stomach. She noticed the lights were out in the house, except for a lone glow coming from the kitchen. Jacob let her off and then walked his horse to the hitching post. True to his word, he didn’t unhitch Bingo and lead him to the barn. Instead he gave the horse water and then walked with Leah to the kitchen.
    After she poured mint tea for both of them, they sat at the table and talked. He shared his dreams of having his own farm one day, and she listened as carefully as she could.
    Every now and then, her heart lurched at his future plans, wondering if he was truly considering her a part of them. But she also knew there was something holding her back.
    She still wasn’t sure where her future lay—or even if she wanted to be Amish. But there was no denying the attraction she felt for Jacob. He was most definitely a different kind of Amish young man. Warm. Kind. Friendly. Not domineering or coarse. No bad language, and to her knowledge, no drinking or smoking.
    As the clock chimed the midnight hour, Jacob scraped back his chair.
    “I’d better get going. I’m glad you accepted the ride. See you next time, Leah.”
    “Yes—thanks for asking me.”
    She walked with him, and as he held the screen open for a minute, he seemed to consider something, but then grinned, put on his hat, and turned to leave. At the last minute, he leaned close and gave her cheek a quick kiss.
    Out he flew into the barnyard, unhitched Bingo, and hopped into the buggy. Smiling, she waved him off, and closed the door. That wasn’t so bad. Made it through my first buggy date.

    All day Tuesday, Leah waited for Martha to send word about what the bishop and the elders had decided to do with Abner. She did her chores, went to the shop, helped Daet put his accounts in order, and prepared lunch, but still had no word from Martha.
    At lunch, Ada kept looking at her but not saying anything. Once the dishes were put in the sink, and Ada began helping Leah clean them up, Ada leaned close and whispered, “I want to go, too.”
    Leah shushed Ada and frowned, ignoring the remark.
    “Leah, I want to go with you tonight.”
    She shook her head, pressing her lips together firmly.
    “It’s not fair,” Ada whispered fiercely. “I’m old enough to decide what I want to do—next year, I’ll be out of school. I don’t see why you won’t let me come along tonight. It’s just a dumb old Bible study.”
    Leah folded the damp towel neatly over the towel bar to dry and turned to face her sister. “Just how do you know I’m going? And why do you want to go if, as you say, it’s a dumb Bible study?”
    “I don’t know—just want to is all. And you told me, remember? You told me the day and everything.” She shrugged. “I just figured you’d find a way.” She wrinkled her brows. “How are you getting there, anyway?”
    Leah was annoyed. “Martha’s boyfriend has a truck.”
    Her eyes widened.
    “Now stop talking about it. Maem has already said I’m a bad influence for you. You can’t come with me because I’ll just get into the biggest trouble ever.”
    Ada rolled her eyes and gave up begging, but Leah wasn’t so sure she’d really given in, and wondered what would happen when—or if—Martha came by with news. Would Ada try to figure