Anna jerked her head back. “Isn’t it too late to drop in unannounced?”
“Come on.” He got out and met Anna around the front of the vehicle.
A cool breeze blew her hair softly around her shoulders. Only a hint of the scent of burning wreckage clung to the night air. She hooked a strand of her hair with her pinkie and slid it away from her face. The bright moon lit on her hesitant features. “It seems really late. Maybe we shouldn’t bother them.”
“Watch your step.” He held out his hand and Anna put her slim hand in his. “Come on. It’s fine.” Her cheek brushed against his shoulder as they navigated their way across the uneven lawn. A clean scent of coconut from her hair drifted to his nose.
Slowing his pace, he reached down and boldly tipped her chin toward the sky. “I bet you don’t see those in the city.”
“Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stars.” He stole a glance at the wonder in her eyes and bemoaned the circumstances surrounding their meeting. Another time, another place, perhaps. “There seems to be a certain peace out here. No traffic noise. No nothing.”
Eli wrapped his hand around the smooth railing leading up the steps. “It is a peaceful existence. A lot of work. No modern conveniences. But the Amish don’t clutter their lives with a lot of distractions. The Amish have a saying, ‘To be in this world, but not of this world.’”
“Are you sure this can’t wait until morning?” Anna whispered. “Don’t they go to bed early?”
“It’s only eight-thirty.”
“I know, it’s just...” She let her words trail off.
“You’re uncomfortable.”
Anna scrunched up her nose. “I’ve never met anyone who’s Amish.” She glanced down at her clothes. “I mean, am I dressed appropriately?” She lowered her voice to barely a whisper, and she tugged at the cardigan covering her sleeveless top. “And I was really hoping to freshen up soon. Do they have indoor plumbing?”
Eli laughed. If only she knew. “Yes, they have indoor plumbing.” He gestured toward the window where a soft glow emanated. “And lights. You won’t have to fumble around in the dark. They’re just not hooked up to the grid.”
“The grid?”
“They don’t use electricity. But there are plenty of other independent sources of power.”
Anna seemed to consider this for a moment. “It’s incredible, really, that people still live this way.”
Eli leaned on the railing. “We won’t be long. I just want to make sure they’re okay.”
Her tired gaze drifted to the street. The moonlight glinted off her vehicle’s windshield. “Okay.”
He rapped on the door before she could change her mind. Who was he kidding? He had to do it before he changed his mind. Sweat slicked his palms. The door opened slowly. Beautiful brown eyes met his. A smile broke wide on the woman’s face. “Abram! Abram!” she called, glancing over her shoulder. “Come quickly.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Eli sensed Anna watching him. He was glad for the shadows. He yanked his tie out of habit as the space suddenly felt close. The door swung all the way open. The woman’s long gown rustled in the evening breeze. The hair poking out from under her kapp seemed grayer than he remembered. Her bright eyes met his. Covering her mouth, she stepped onto the porch, the kindness in her eyes familiar.
“Eli, you’re home.”
THREE
Anna watched transfixed as the Amish woman welcomed them. Eli’s lips curved into a small smile, but a hint of hesitancy flickered in his eyes. “Anna, this is my mother, Mrs. Mariam Miller.”
“Hello, Mrs. Miller. Nice to meet you.” Anna did a horrible job hiding her surprise.
“Please call me Mariam.” She took Anna’s hand in her callused one. “Welcome.” His mother glanced over her shoulder. “Your father must be in the barn with Samuel.” She spun on her heel. “Let me get him.”
Eli reached out and caught his mother’s arm. “Wait. How are you? The plane crash this morning must have been a shock.”
Mariam fidgeted with the edge of her cape. “Those poor people. Do you know how they are?”
Anna’s cheeks grew warm.
“I’m afraid the pilot died. His passenger was the youngest child of the Christophers, Tiffany. She’s in the hospital.” Eli placed a reassuring hand on the small of Anna’s back.
“Oh, dear.” His mother’s eyes grew wide. “Katie Mae does some housekeeping for the Christopher family. I wonder if she knows....”
“I can talk to her if you’d like,” Eli said.
“I hope we’re not stopping by too late.” Anna found herself studying the space, suddenly fascinated to find herself inside an Amish home. Two oak rocking chairs sat in the middle of a room with wall-to-wall oak hardwood floors. The wood continued halfway up the wall and stopped at the chair rail. The room had a scarcity of knickknacks. Her mind’s eye flashed to the assortment of crystal trinkets her mother had collected with reckless abandon. Her childhood home had never lacked for stuff. A lump formed in her throat and she pushed the thought aside.
“I’m glad you came.” Soft frown lines accentuated Mariam’s mouth. “Did the plane crash bring you here?” She gathered her apron in her hands. “The noise. It was horrible.” Tears filled the corners of her eyes.
“Yes, I’m afraid it did.” Eli momentarily found Anna’s hand by her side and gave it a quick squeeze. Anna held her breath, relieved he didn’t explain that her brother was killed in the crash. In her exhausted state, she feared any outpouring of sympathy would send her crumbling.
“Do you need a room for the night? I could check with your father. I’m sure under the circumstances it would be acceptable.” Mariam stepped deeper into the entryway and called, “Katie Mae, please come here.”
“I don’t want to cause any trouble.” Eli slipped his car keys into his pocket.
Mrs. Miller seemed to study her son’s face. “I suppose your brother Samuel won’t mind having a bunkmate.” She hesitated a fraction. “You weren’t planning on sharing a room?”
Embarrassment flushed Anna’s cheeks. She imagined that the Amish views on premarital cohabitation ran toward the conservative. “We’re not...” She glanced at Eli for help, but apparently they didn’t know each other well enough to have their signals worked out.
“My brother was piloting the plane that crashed.” She swallowed hard. “I just met Eli today.” There, she said it out loud. The reality of her words crashed over her. Biting her lower lip, she hoped to keep her emotions at bay.
Mariam’s eyes grew wide. “I am so sorry. Do you need to contact your family? The Jones family down the road has a phone.”
Anna closed her eyes briefly. She couldn’t find the words to say she didn’t have any family. Not anymore. “It can wait,” she lied.
A hint of confusion flashed across Mariam’s face. Eli’s shuttered expression gave nothing away, yet something niggled at her brain. Why hadn’t he asked about her family earlier?
A young woman, probably in her late teens, appeared in the hallway. She had on a calf-length dress in a beautiful shade of blue that matched her eyes. Her flawless skin was untouched by makeup. A loop of brown hair poked out the side of her bonnet. The strings on the bonnet dangled by her chin. When her eyes landed on Eli, she smiled broadly. She covered the distance between them in a few short steps and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her cheeks blushed