Sewn with Joy (10 page)

Alicia glanced down at her yellow sundress and flip-flops and then looked around. A family with three small children played near the water. Behind her, two older women strolled by wearing windbreakers and sun visors. Then she noticed a man standing close to one of the red umbrellas near the hotel. Even though it was too far to see his face, Alicia would know Rowan's stance anywhere. She also noticed a hint of smile in his voice. That surprised but pleased her. The last few times they talked, all they managed to do was scream at each other. Then again, maybe he was more pleasant because their relationship was different for this job. He
was the director and she the actress. They'd always been professional in those roles, and maybe he, too, was hoping to be friends.

She moved his direction, telling herself to act natural. But as she neared and noticed his smile, a hundred happy memories flashed through her mind. They'd been married almost five years before separating, so she had many good memories to choose from. Maybe for a time she could forget how they'd grown apart, and how she'd let temptation get the best of her.

Alicia walked up the concrete steps and then sauntered toward the table near where he stood.

“I hope you don't mind, but when I saw you on the beach I ordered lunch for both of us.”

She pushed her sunglasses to the top of her head. “You did?” She placed a hand over her stomach. “That's good because I'm starving.”

He laughed. “You're always starving.”

Rowan motioned to the table, and she sat down. He was thinner than the last time she'd seen him. Maybe there were a few more wrinkles around his eyes too, but he was just as handsome as ever. His easy manner relaxed her, making it hard to believe they hadn't spoken in a year.

She took a sip of her ice water with lemon. “So, what did you order for me?”

“What do you think? Caesar salad with anchovies, dressing on the side, and broccoli cheddar soup.”

She chuckled. “Am I that predictable?”

“Of course you are, and you're not going to spend the day with the script as you planned.”

“I'm not?”

“No. Instead, we're going to Pinecraft. I want us to go spy on some Amish.”

“As if they're not going to notice us watching them?”

“They get a lot of tourists there. We're just going to pretend we're in Florida for the weekend or something.”

“Why, Gaston, you are positively primeval,” she stated, using her nickname for him.

He pointed a finger into the air. “I won't argue with that, and in addition to research I have another motive too. I heard there's a shop that makes the best pie.”

Joy leaned forward and rested her elbows on the top of the picnic table. Phillippi Park was busy today, and the noises of a community at play were all around her and Matthew. Everyone but the Swartzentruber Amish wore flip-flops. A couple of young people sat at a far table with cigarettes in their hands. Joy shook her head. Even though they were in
rumspringa
, they had no right to be smoking in public. It was a bad example to the
Englisch
who didn't understand. A group of girls walked by, and right away Joy noticed their pierced ears and sleeves rolled up.

Instead of getting upset, she decided to focus on the happy sights. Toddlers ran in circles. Older men gathered at the shuffleboard court. Teens too old for school sat on a nearby quilt on the grass and chatted. Youth from different Amish communities around the United States were catching up after not seeing each other since last year.

Even though there was so much going on around them, Joy was attuned to Matthew's every motion as they ate chicken salad sandwiches from Yoder's. He drank half his lemonade in one tilt of his head. The chocolate chip cookies seemed small in his large hand, and he ate each one in two bites. Yet despite his size, he ate
with care, like she imagined a king eating at a banquet. Growing up, Joy loved reading stories from history, and that's how Matthew appeared to her. He wasn't like a lot of the other young men, who liked playing practical jokes or who, up north, would get into trouble racing their buggies. He had a boyish face, yet he was responsible, mature. And he was exactly the type of husband she was looking for.

Joy also knew her parents approved. Unlike Lovina's beau, Noah, who had trouble in his past, or Jonas, Hope's intended, who was a widower, Matthew's life had no complications. He was the bishop's son. A son the bishop could be proud of. Joy had no doubt most of the mothers in Pinecraft had hoped Matthew would choose their eligible daughters to court. Joy didn't know how she'd been so blessed.

“So Mose is all right?” she asked, thinking about yesterday's phone call.

“He has a mess of stitches, but the doctor says he's lucky. It was close to hitting a major artery. God's hand was protecting him for certain.”

The sun moved over the trees, cascading bright light onto them. Matthew rolled up his shirtsleeves and leaned both elbows beside his empty paper plate. The wind picked up, ruffling their napkins on the table. Both of them reached for the scattering napkins, and his hand bumped hers. “Sorry.” He captured her hand, clinging to it. “I didn't mean to bump your hand.”

Joy laughed. “It's okay. You've made it all better, see?” She squeezed. She considered telling Matthew about
Dat
, but she didn't want to make him feel as if she were asking him to help financially. She and her sisters would figure it out somehow.

Matthew's hand completely covered hers. It was rough, like
Dat
's used to be. A twinge of pain touched her heart as she thought
about last night's conversation with her parents. She and Faith still wanted to know the costs involved, and
Mem
said she'd get more details. They determined to do what they could to find a way to get the money. Yet this moment she simply wanted to enjoy the smiling face across from hers.

“So was there any interesting news at the sewing frolic yesterday?” Matthew asked. “Any news of who's getting married or having a baby? I think that's what my
mem
likes best about sewing.”

“There's always news like that, but mostly about people I don't know. But”—she leaned forward—“there was quite the excited discussion about the television show that's coming to town.”

Matthew's brow furrowed. “So I heard. It sounds like complete nonsense to me. I have
ne
doubt they'll be adding all types of Hollywood drama to a show like that. Otherwise who would watch a program about sewing frolics, baking, and woodworking?”

Joy wanted to point out that it was sure to have a romantic plot, but she knew that wouldn't please Matthew either. Instead, she looked around. “Do you think they'll be walking around with their cameras? They can't do that without permission, can they?”

“
Ne.
I'm sure they can't. From what I hear, the main production studio is a few blocks over, but they are going to be doing some filming in a house close to Pinecraft Park—a rented house where these fictional people supposedly live.”

“It's on the corner of Good Avenue and Fry Street. That little white house that's been empty for at least a year.” The words came out before Joy realized what she was saying.

“Really? How do you know that?”

Joy nibbled on her lower lip. The last thing she wanted to tell Matthew was how she'd led the
Englischers
to the place in her nightgown when she should have been in bed sleeping. “Uh,
there was a big truck on our street. It was a supply truck I suppose, and they were lost. I gave them directions.”

Matthew nodded, and Joy was thankful he hadn't asked more questions. Heat warmed her cheeks even now thinking about how she'd thrown a coat over her nightgown.

“Lucky it was you they asked.” He chuckled. “I know many Amish women who would have just walked away.”

“Oh!” Joy sat straighter. “Speaking of Amish women, I have cousins coming on the Pioneer Trails bus today. It's an unexpected trip.
Mem
just found out this morning. Could you walk me?”

“Is it three o'clock already?”

“Almost.”

“I'd be glad to, but then I need to head back to work. Although…” He smiled at her. “It's hard to do when I have such lovely company.”

They walked side by side and joined numerous others traveling the same direction. Within a few minutes they were part of a crowd waiting for the Pioneer Trails bus to come in.

Matthew stood shoulder to shoulder with her. They were not touching, not holding hands, but anyone who saw them would know they were a couple.

Up ahead,
Mem
scooted closer. She paused, lingered a few steps away, and eyed them before turning north to watch for the bus.

Matthew glanced around. “It seems everyone is trying to pretend they're not watching us, not whispering about us.”

“Well, it's not every day that one eats lunch with the most eligible bachelor in town.”

“I'm not sure about that.”

“I am, and I'm not even going to look. If they see my eyes, I'm sure to give everything away.”

“Everything? What's everything?”

She wanted to say,
That we are falling in love. That we are both hoping for a future together.
But instead Joy simply shrugged and glanced down at the paper bag in her hand. “That I've been so busy at work that I didn't make you a lunch, but instead we purchased it from Yoder's.”

He chuckled. “That sounds like a scandal to me, but I think we'll get through it.” He flashed a smile totally bereft of worry. “But even more important than that…I can only stay a few minutes.”

“
Ja
, I understand. A man's got to do what a man's got to do.”

Beside Matthew two older men with white beards sat on three-wheeled bicycles. They wore straw hats with a black band. They each chatted with one foot on a pedal and the other on the ground. Another man sat in a motorized wheelchair, with his basketball-size belly pushing out. It was hard to picture him as a young farmer or factory worker from up north. She guessed that twenty years ago he'd never imagined himself here, hardly able to walk or get around well. Just like her
dat
never pictured himself in such a weakened state.
Lord, help me to focus on what matters. Even though it may not seem like it, the years are short.

On the other side of Joy were women on bicycles. While one woman sat, the other two stood, arms crossed and eyes intent on the roadway, as if just watching it would make the bus come more quickly.

Mem
scooted closer and joined them just as the bus pulled up. One by one, weary travelers exited. They were met by friends and family eager to help with their luggage and welcome them to this haven of rest. Most of the visitors were factory workers, here to enjoy their two-week vacations. Older men and women, younger women with children, and piles of suitcases filled the street.

Joy introduced her cousins to Matthew, and both Rosella and
Sylvia eyed her curiously. Joy knew she'd get lots of questions later. A handsome bachelor at their cousin's side was news for certain.

Hugs were given, and Joy looked around. “Where's Esther and her family? Aren't they coming?”

“Actually”—Rosella lifted an eyebrow—“they took the train out West and got on a cruise ship. They're sailing through the Panama Canal and will be landing in Fort Lauderdale tomorrow.”

Mem
clicked her tongue. “Well, that's a fancy enough way to travel. I—”

“Excuse me.” A man stepped toward them, an
Englisch
man. He wore jeans and a light blue T-shirt. He stepped past
Mem
and turned to Joy. “I'm so glad I found you. I was hoping to introduce you to my…uh, my friend.”

All eyes turned Joy's direction. She pulled back in surprise. “Oh, are you talking to me?”

“Yes, don't you remember…from the other night?”

Joy's eyes widened, and then she realized he was the man from the moving truck. He was hard to recognize without his baseball cap. He looking happier, refreshed. A woman stood behind him. She had dark hair pulled up in a ponytail and wore a yellow sundress with thin straps. She rubbed her arms, seemingly uncomfortable by the way she was dressed around these plain women. Seeing that, Joy took a step their direction. The sooner they said their piece and were on their way, the better for everyone.