Dear to Me (7 page)

Susie was glad when the singing was over. Watching Melinda show off her yodeling skills was enough to make her feel downright sick. She left the table where she’d been sitting and moved over to the bowl of punch sitting across the room.
Funny Melinda. Cute Melinda. Talented Melinda. No wonder Melinda has a boyfriend, and no one’s interested in me. I can’t yodel worth a hill of beans, and I’m not nearly as pretty as Melinda. Truth be told, I’ll probably be an old maid until the day I die.

 She grabbed a paper cup and was about to ladle some punch into it when someone bumped her arm.

 “Oops. Sorry about that. I hope you didn’t get any punch on yourself.”

 Susie turned at the sound of a deep male voice and nearly dropped her cup when she saw a pair of dark brown eyes staring down at her.

 The tall, blond-haired Amish man grinned, revealing two large dimples in his cheeks. “What’s the matter? Is there a cat around here somewhere?”

 “Huh?”

 “Well, you weren’t saying anything, so I figured maybe some old cat had stolen your tongue.”

 Susie’s face heated with embarrassment.

 “I’ll bet you don’t remember me, do you?” the young man asked as he folded his arms and continued to smile at her.

 Susie swallowed a couple of times, realizing how dry her throat had suddenly become. “Jonas Byler?”

 He nodded. “I’d just graduated from the eighth grade when I went to Montana to work for my uncle at his log furniture shop.”

 Susie ladled herself some punch and swallowed some down so she could speak. “You’ve changed a lot since then.”

 He gave a slow nod. “So have you.”

 Susie’s cheeks burned hot under his scrutiny. Was Jonas staring at her in such a strange way because he thought she was homely as a horny toad? Of course, Susie didn’t really think she was homely; just not real pretty and full of exuberance, the way Melinda was.

 She took another swallow of punch. “Have you moved back to Webster County?”

 Jonas shook his head. “Just came for a visit with my folks. They’ve come to Montana several times to see me, but this is the first time I’ve been home since I left ten years ago.”

 “Uh-huh.” Susie didn’t know why she felt so tongue-tied in Jonas’s presence. It wasn’t like she might have a chance with him or anything. Beside the fact that he was five years older than she, he would be going back to Montana again, and then it could be several more years before she would see him. He probably had a girlfriend waiting for him back in Montana, and by this time next year, he might even be married. So there was no good reason for her to be looking at him, wishing for something that wasn’t going to happen. What she needed to do was grab a few cookies from the refreshment table, get back to her table, and forget she’d even spoken to Jonas Byler with the big brown eyes.

 “I’ll see you around,” Jonas said, as he turned away from Susie.

 Susie reached out a shaky hand and snatched a cookie. Then she turned and watched Jonas make his way across the room, where he took a seat beside Aaron Zook.

 She glanced over at Melinda, who sat next to Gabe, and a pang of jealousy sliced through her as sharp as a knife. Dropping the cookie back to the platter, she turned away. Her appetite was gone.

As Melinda sat beside Gabe in his open buggy, she closed her eyes and breathed in the sweet perfume given off by the trees and flowers bursting with spring buds. The temperature was just right this evening, and the full moon illuminated the road ahead to light their way.

 “Are you sleeping?” Gabe asked.

 She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Just enjoying the fresh air and peaceful ride.”

 “It is a nice evening.” He draped his arm across her shoulders, bringing them so close she could smell the pine-scented soap he must have used when he’d gotten ready for the gathering tonight. “Are you warm enough?”

 “I’m fine.”

 They rode in silence for a while, with the only sounds being the steady
clip-clop
of the horse’s hooves and an occasional
hoo-hoot
of an owl. Melinda thought about how things had gone this evening. Susie had hung around some of the other young women her age most of the evening, while Gabe stuck close to Melinda. Poor Susie never did pair off with any of the young men in attendance. Even during the time of yodeling Melinda had led and the singing of some lively songs like “Mockingbird Hill” and “Yellow Rose of Texas,” Susie had appeared glum. “I Never Will Marry” seemed more like her song. Aaron’s, too, for that matter, for he hadn’t paired off with anyone, either.

 When it came time for them to leave, Susie had informed Melinda that she’d found a ride home with Kathy and Rebecca Yoder. Melinda didn’t argue, knowing once Susie made up her mind about something, she wasn’t likely to budge. Besides, Melinda really did want to be alone with Gabe during the ride home.

 “Say, Gabe, I was wondering if you might have the time to build me a couple more cages for my animals,” she asked suddenly.

 “I’d like to, Melinda, but right now Pap and I are really busy in the shop.” He smiled. “I will try to squeeze it in when I have some free time, though.”

 “
Danki.
I’d appreciate that.”

 “Do you ever think about your real daed or find yourself wishing you and your mamm had stayed in the English world?”

 Gabe’s unexpected question startled Melinda, and she sat up straight. Did he have an inkling of what she was thinking about doing? Had Gabe spoken with Dr. Franklin recently? Could the vet have mentioned his suggestion that Melinda think about becoming a veterinarian? Surely he wouldn’t have said anything, since she’d asked him not to mention the idea to anyone until she’d told her folks what she was thinking of doing.

 “What would make you ask me such a question?” she asked, looking at Gabe out of the corner of her eye.

 “If there’s even a chance you might want to return to the English way of life, I feel I have the right to know.”

 Melinda drew in a quick breath. Since Gabe had brought up the subject, maybe now was the time to discuss Dr. Franklin’s idea. She squeezed her eyes shut, searching for just the right words, and when she opened them again, she was shocked to see a man standing in the middle of the road up ahead. He had his back to them, but she could tell by his dark clothes and straw hat that he was Amish. “Gabe, look out!” she hollered.

 He pulled sharply on the reins. “Whoa there! Steady boy.”

 When the horse stopped, Gabe grabbed a flashlight from under the seat, and he and Melinda jumped down from the buggy.

 The man in the road turned around, and Melinda’s mouth fell open. “Grandpa Hertzler?”

 Grandpa didn’t answer. He stood staring at Melinda as though she were a complete stranger.

 “He looks confused, like he doesn’t know where he is,” Gabe whispered.

 Melinda nodded. “We’ve got to get him home.”

 “Levi, it’s Gabe and Melinda,” Gabe said, gently taking hold of Grandpa’s arm.

 Grandpa studied him a few seconds then turned to face Melinda. Finally, a look of recognition crossed his face. “What are you doin’ out here, girl?”

 “Gabe was giving me a ride home from the young people’s gathering. We stopped the buggy when we saw you in the middle of the road.” She grabbed his other arm. “Don’t you know how dangerous it is to be out walking after dark? Especially dressed in clothes that aren’t brightly colored.”

 The confusion Melinda saw on her grandfather’s face made her heart ache. He’d obviously wandered off their property and onto the road. She was sure Mama and Papa Noah had no idea where he was.

 “Let’s get into the buggy, and I’ll drive you both home,” Gabe said.

 Melinda was relieved when her grandfather went willingly, but she could see by the frown on Gabe’s face that he wasn’t happy when Grandpa took a seat next to him, which left Melinda sitting on the outside edge.

 She reached for Grandpa’s hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. This buggy ride might not have been the romantic one she had hoped for, but at least Grandpa was safe. Maybe she and Gabe would have another chance to be alone soon. Maybe by then she would be better prepared to discuss her future with him.

Chapter 6

G
ood morning,” Dr. Franklin said when Melinda stepped into the veterinary clinic one Monday morning a few weeks later. “How are you on this fine sunny day?”

 “I’m fine. How are things going here?”

 The middle-aged man’s blue eyes twinkled. “I got a squirrel in this morning with an injured foot.”

 Melinda moved quickly to the counter where he stood. “How bad is it hurt? Will it be okay? What are you planning to do with it once you’ve doctored its foot?”

 The doctor chuckled. “One question at a time, please.”

 “Sorry. I tend to be eager when it comes to helping suffering animals.”

 “I know you do, but your caring attitude is what makes you so special.” He smiled as he held up one finger. “Now to answer your first question: the wound isn’t real deep.”

 “That’s good to hear. Do you know how the injury happened?”

 He nodded. “I believe the squirrel had its foot stepped on.”

 She frowned. “Who would do something that mean?”

 “I don’t think it was done on purpose.” Dr. Franklin reached up to scratch the side of his head, where several streaks of gray showed through his closely cropped brown hair. “Tommy Curtis brought the critter in, saying he’d found it lying beside a maple tree near his school. I have a hunch Tommy may have accidentally stepped on the squirrel.”

 “Will you keep it here until it’s better?” she asked.

 He grinned. “I thought maybe you’d like to take it home until it’s ready to be set free, which should only be a few days from now, I’m guessing.”

 Melinda nodded eagerly. “I don’t have many spare cages right now, but I did find an old one at a yard sale awhile back. I suppose I could keep him in that until his foot’s healed.”

 “That’s a good idea. I’ll give you some ointment to put on the wound, and you can take the squirrel home with you this evening.”

 Melinda smiled as she donned her work apron. It felt good to know the doctor trusted her enough to care for the squirrel. Of course, if the animal’s injuries were serious, she was sure Dr. Franklin would keep it at the clinic. “Guess I’d better get busy with the cleaning,” she said.

 “Before you get started, I’d like to ask you a question,” Dr. Franklin said, stepping around the front of the counter.

 “What is it?”

 “I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to think over the things we talked about a few weeks ago, concerning you becoming a vet.”

 She nodded. “I have thought about it, but—”

 “Have you looked at the brochures I gave you on the school of veterinary medicine I attended in New Jersey?”

 “I did read through the information, and I’ve been thinking a lot about it.” Melinda pursed her lips. She had hidden the brochures under her mattress so her mother wouldn’t see them, since she wasn’t ready to talk to her folks about this yet. “The thought of becoming a vet is appealing,” she admitted. “But it would mean getting a college education, and that doesn’t fall in line with our Amish beliefs.”

 The doctor’s eyebrows drew together. “I’ve lived in Seymour for several years and know most of the Amish in the area. Yet I still don’t understand all their ways.”

 “We believe the Bible instructs us to be separate from the world,” she explained. “We’re not against basic education and learning from others, but our leaders feel that progressive education could lead to worldliness.”

 He took a step toward her. “So you’re saying you’ve decided not to pursue a career in veterinary medicine?”

 “No, that’s not what I’m saying.” Melinda swallowed hard. Just thinking about leaving home made her feel jittery, and talking about it with Dr. Franklin behind her parents’ backs didn’t seem right. “There’s so much to be considered, and I haven’t been able to think it all through. I haven’t said anything to my folks about this yet, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention this to anyone.”

 “I understand. It’s a big decision, so take your time, Melinda. I promise I won’t say a word to anyone until you’ve made up your mind and have told your family what you plan to do.”