Allison's Journey (20 page)

“I doubt there’s anyone in this world who hasn’t had problems,” Allison said. “But with God’s help, I feel like I’ll be
able to deal with anything that comes my way.”

He smiled. “That’s where Bible reading and prayer come in. I’m trying to remember to do both every day.”

“Me, too. As Aunt Mary says, ‘It’s the only way to stay close to God.’ ” She blotted her lips with the paper napkin. “I used to feel like the dolls I make—faceless and without a purpose. Now that I know God in a personal way, I think my purpose in life is to share His love through my actions as well as my words.”

It seemed as though Aaron wanted to say something more, but they were interrupted when Gabe and Melinda walked up to their table.

“It looks like you two are about done eating,” Gabe said, thumping Aaron on the shoulder.

“Just about.”

“Mind if we join you?”

Aaron looked over at Allison as if he was waiting for her approval. When she nodded and slid over, he said, “Sure, have a seat.”

Melinda slipped in beside Allison, and Gabe plunked down next to Aaron. “What’d Allison say about going fishing?” he asked, reaching over and grabbing one of Aaron’s fries.

Aaron’s ears turned red. “I. . .uh. . .haven’t asked her yet.”

“The fellows want to take us fishing some evening this week,” Melinda said before either Aaron or Gabe could explain. “I hope you can go, because I’d like the chance to get better acquainted with you.”

“I plan to take my canoe along,” Aaron said quickly. “Haven’t had the chance to use it yet this summer.”

Allison smiled. “That sounds like fun. Jah, I’d like to go.”

“Mama, there’s something I need to talk to you about,” Katie said as she and her mother stood at their kitchen counter, rolling out pie dough.

“What’s that, daughter?”

Katie moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue, wondering how best she could say what was on her mind. “Well, uh—”

“Raus mitt
,” her mother said. “If there’s something on your mind, then just out with it.”

Katie drew in a quick breath to steady her nerves and plunged ahead. “The other night, when Joseph brought me home from the young people’s gathering. . .”

“Joseph Zook?”

“Jah.”

“I didn’t realize he’d brought you home.”

Katie nodded. “It’s not the first time, either.”

Mama’s eyebrows lifted. “It’s not?”

“No. We’ve. . .uh. . .been kind of courting here of late, and—”

“I see.”

“And the thing is. . .” Katie paused for another quick breath. “The other night Joseph asked if I would marry him, and I said—”

“I hope you said no!”

Katie swallowed a couple of times. “I love him, Mama, and he loves me.”

Mama dropped the rolling pin and placed both hands on her hips. “Joseph Zook is a nice enough boy, and I have no problem with him courting you, but you’re both too young to be thinking
about marriage right now.”

“But, Mama, I know several others who’ve gotten married when they were eighteen, and—”

Mama shook her head forcibly. “Besides the fact that you’re both too young, Joseph only has a part-time job working at the Osborns’ tree farm. How does he expect to support a wife and kinner when he’s not working full-time?”

The tears Katie had been trying to hold back stung like wildfire. She knew her mother was right about Joseph needing a full-time job, but she didn’t know what could be done about it. “Maybe I could speak to Joseph about finding a better job,” she murmured. “If he did find one, then would you give us your blessing?”

“We’ll have to see about that.” Mama grabbed the rolling pin and pushed the pie dough back and forth really hard. She was obviously upset. Katie wondered if she should have brought up the subject of marrying Joseph at all.

She gripped her rolling pin tightly.
The next time Joseph and I are alone together, I’ll see if he’s willing to look for a better job
.

E
xcitement welled in Allison’s soul as Aaron and Gabe lifted the canoe from the back of the larger market wagon he’d driven to the pond. It would be fun to sit in the boat and fish in the deepest part of the pond rather than trying to do it from shore.

“Sure is a beautiful evening,” Melinda commented.

Allison nodded.

Melinda spread a quilt on the ground and motioned Allison to come over. “Let’s have a seat so we can visit while the men put the canoe in the water and get our fishing gear ready to use.”

Allison dropped to the quilt, and Melinda did the same.

“Oh, look, there’s a little squirrel over by that tree,” Melinda said excitedly.

“You really like animals, don’t you?”

“Jah, almost as much as I think Aaron likes you.” Melinda winked at Allison.

“What?”

“I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Gabe told me that Aaron’s decided to give up the nasty habit of biting his nails.” Melinda grinned. “A change like that could only come about for one reason. He wants to impress someone. I’m guessing it’s you.”

The back of Allison’s neck radiated with heat, and she knew it wasn’t from the warmth of the evening sun. “Has Aaron told Gabe he has an interest in me?”

Melinda shrugged. “I don’t know about that, but I do know Aaron has never shown much interest in any woman until you came along.”

Allison shifted on the quilt, tucking her legs under her long blue dress. “Even if Aaron does care for me, I’ll be leaving at the end of summer.”

“You can always write to each other.”

“I suppose, but it would be hard to develop a lasting relationship with me living in Pennsylvania and him living here.”

“I guess that depends on how you feel about Aaron,” Melinda said.

Allison felt the warmth on her neck spread quickly to her face. “I’d like to come by your place sometime and see all those animals you care for,” she said, quickly changing the subject.

“I’d like that.” Melinda grinned. “How about next Monday morning? Would you be free to come over then?”

Allison nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

“Who’s ready for the first canoe ride?” Gabe called, interrupting their conversation.

Allison shielded her eyes from the sun filtering through the trees and realized that the canoe was already in the water.

“Why don’t you go ahead?” Melinda suggested. “I’d like to
draw awhile, and Gabe can fish from shore while he keeps me company.”

Since Allison had come to realize that Aaron didn’t think it was unladylike for her to fish, she didn’t need any coaxing. She scrambled to her feet and started for the pond.

“Wait a minute!” Melinda called. She rushed over to Allison and handed her a couple of large safety pins.

“What are these for?”

“To pin your skirt between your legs.”

Allison tipped her head in question. “Why would I want to do that?”

“In case the canoe tips over and you end up going for a swim you hadn’t planned on.” Melinda smiled. “My aunt Susie, who recently got married and moved to an Amish community in Montana, showed me how to do that when we were young girls.”

“I don’t plan on moving around much in the canoe, so I doubt it will tip over.”

“Even so, it never hurts to be prepared.”

Allison shrugged and took the pins. She bent over and attached them to the inside of her dress, laughing as she did so.

Melinda snickered. “It’s real fashionable, don’t you think?”

“Jah, sure.” Allison wondered what Aaron would think of her getup, but she decided not to worry about it and just try to have fun. She trotted off toward the pond, and when she reached the canoe, she took hold of Aaron’s hand and stepped carefully in.

Aaron’s gaze went to her safety-pinned skirt, but he never said a word. He just grabbed a paddle, hollered for Gabe to let go of the canoe, and propelled them toward the middle of the pond.

It had been hard for Aaron not to laugh when Allison got into the canoe with her dress pinned between her knees, but he wasn’t about to say anything. She might take it wrong, and he didn’t want to ruin their evening together.

When they reached the middle of the pond, they baited their hooks, cast their lines into the water, and sat in companionable silence. It was peaceful with the ripple of water lapping the sides of the canoe and the warble of birds serenading them from the nearby trees.

I could get used to being with Allison
, Aaron thought as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
Can I really set my fears about marriage aside and try to build a relationship with her? I want to. I’ve never wanted anything so much or felt this happy being with anyone before. But she’ll be leaving for Pennsylvania in a few months, and then what?

Aaron cleared his throat, and Allison’s eyes popped open. “What’s wrong? Have you got a nibble?” she asked, glancing at the end of his pole.

“No. I wanted to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“I was wondering. . . .” Aaron fought the temptation to bite off a fingernail. Why did he feel so tongue-tied when all he wanted to do was ask her a simple question?

“What were you wondering?”

He drew in a deep breath for added courage. “I enjoy your company and would like to court you, Allison. I was hoping you might consider staying here longer instead of leaving in
August like you’d planned.”

Allison’s eyes glowed with a look of happiness. “To tell you the truth, I had been thinking about writing my daed and asking if he would mind if I stayed here longer.”

“You’d really consider doing that?”

“Jah. And I’m pleased that you want to court me, because I enjoy being with you.” She smiled sweetly, and Aaron knew he wanted to kiss her.

He leaned toward her, and when the canoe rocked gently, he grabbed both sides, hoping to hold it steady. It finally settled, and he inched forward until his lips were inches from hers. He felt relief when Allison made no move to resist. Maybe she wanted the kiss as much as he did.

Aaron extended his arms and reached for Allison, but before he could get his hands around her waist, the boat rocked harder. He tried to steady it, but there wasn’t time. In one quick movement, the canoe flipped over.
Splash!
—they plunged into the chilly water.

Aaron kicked his way to the top and panicked when saw no sign of Allison. He dove under, taking in a nose full of water, frantically searching for Allison. Where was she? Why hadn’t she surfaced when he did? Could she have hit her head on a rock and been knocked unconscious? No, the water level was too deep in the middle of the pond. It wasn’t likely that she could have gone under that far.

The water in the pond was murky, and Aaron couldn’t see much at all. He surfaced again and gulped in a breath of air. Treading water, he scanned the area around the canoe, which was turned upside down and bobbing like a cork. “Allison! Where are you?”

He heard Melinda’s terrified shouts from shore, and then water splashing. Aaron was relieved to see Gabe swimming toward him. “I can’t find Allison! You’ve got to help me find her!”

Gabe had just reached the canoe when one side of it lifted, and Allison popped her head out. “What’s all the yelling about?”

“Thank the Lord you’re okay,” Aaron hollered as relief flooded his soul. “I was afraid you had drowned.”

She shook her head. “I had all the air I needed under the canoe.”

“Do you know how to swim?” Gabe asked.

“Of course I do. I’m able to tread water, too.”

Aaron held the edge of the canoe while Allison swam out. “Let’s get this thing turned over,” he called to Gabe.

Gabe grabbed hold, and they lifted it together. A few seconds later, the canoe was in an upright position.

“We’ll hold it steady while you climb in,” Aaron instructed, nodding at Allison.

“I might be safer out here,” she said in a teasing voice. “Besides, the cool water feels kind of good.”

“You’d better do as Aaron says,” Gabe put in, “or we’ll be here all day arguing with him.”

“Okay, but please don’t let go of the canoe. I’ve already had one drink of pond water, and it’s all I need for the day.”

Gabe steadied the canoe with both hands, while Aaron held on with one hand. The other hand he used to give Allison a boost. When she was safely inside, he handed her the paddle, which he’d found floating nearby. “Do you think you can row this slowly back to shore?” he asked.