Diclaimer: I don't own anything related to the book.
Chapter 8: Picnics and Visits
Info: This is two months after Leah started her lessons.
Leah dressed in her black dress. Today she was to bapitized and then she will fully be Amish. Se may have English running through her veins but her customs are Amish. She has accepted the Amish way of life.
"Leah, it is time to go." Mary called from downstairs.
"I am coming." Leah said smoothing out her dress and walking downstairs.
Leah got in the buggy and they rode over to the Amish Communtiy Church. Many buggy's were there. Ann stopped the buggy and they got out. Leah walked behind the sisters.
They seated and the reverand started. They sang songs and he said their sermon. Then he made the announcement.
"Everyone. We have a new member of our commnuity. Please come up here Leah." He said. Leah walked up to him and he contiuned "This is Leah Lewis-Hall. She has decided to join us for a special reason. She has finished her lessons and will be bapitized today." He lead Leah to the bapitizing bowl. He bapitized Leah and everyone clapped. Leah smiled.
Afterwords, everyone gathered outside, before going home to eat Sunday lunch. People talked to Leah and told her congratulations for joining and finishing her lessons.
"Leah!" Ethan yelled running up to her. She turned around and jumped into his arms. He spun her around and then sat her back on her feet.
"I am so happy, Ethan. I am one of you." Leah said.
"Yes. Next is my turn and then we can married." Ethan said kissing her.
"I can not wait." Leah said kissing him back.
"Well, Leah." Ethan's father said scaring them and he said "Welcome to the Amish Comminuity. I may have seemed stern when we first met, but know I am happy you are here and with my son." He took her hand between his and patted them with care.
"Thank you, Mr. Longacre." Leah said. He smiled and left.
"How about that picnic?" Ethan said putting his hands on her arms.
"When?" Leah asked.
"Today. I had Ma fix a basket this morning. Is it okay with you?" Ethan asked.
"It is fine with me. Let me tell Ann and then we can go." Leah said. She went to find Ann or Mary. She found Ann and told her. She nodded and smiled. Leah found Ethan and they hopped into his buggy.
They rode far from the community. It seemed like an hours since they left the church.
"Where exactly are we going?" Leah asked.
"You will see. Just be patient, my Leah." Ethan said wripping the reins again. She liked they way he called her 'My Leah'. She absorbed the beautiful scenery passing them by.
"Leah, look right ahead." Ethan said. Leah looked straight ahead and saw a skeleton of a house. Ethan rode right up to it and stopped the buggy. He got out and then helped her out. He took her hand and they walked up to the house.
"What is this, Ethan?" Leah asked looking up at it.
"A house." Ethan replied.
"I mean, who's house?" Leah asked.
"Ours." Ethan said.
"What?" Leah asked.
"Since we are to be married, I wanted to build you a house for a gift." Ethan said.
"Ethan, it is so wonderful. I will truely enjoy this house." Leah looking at her future home.
"You will like it more once it is finished." Ethan said.
"I like it now. You built it for me." Leah said walking over to him.
"Yes, like I promised, you will have sturdy roof over your perfect head." Ethan said smoothing her hair.
"Ethan, I have no idea what to say." Leah said with tears forming in her eyes.
"Just say that you will live here." Ethan said.
"Yes, Ethan, I will live in this house." Leah said. Her tears rolled down her cheek.
"Why are you crying? Are you sad about this?" Ethan asked.
"No, I am crying because I am very happy. You built something for me and I never gave you anything." Leah said.
"You gave me love and joy. Leah, you are the one for me and I want to love you forever." Ethan said wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"Ethan, I love you too. I will enjoy living here with you." Leah said and "Can I have the tour?"
"Yes, I will gave you the tour and then we can eat our picnic." Ethan said.
Ethan showed her the house and where everything would go. He also explained that the roof wasn't in yet and there will be a cellar to keep their canned goods in. Then they had their picnic.
"That was very good." Leah said wiping her hands on a cloth napkin.
"I will tell Ma that you liked it." Ethan said.
"It is so beautiful out here." Leah said looking around.
"Yes, and so are you." Ethan said.
"Oh Ethan, do not do that. You make me blush everytime." Leah said.
"Leah can I ask you something?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, you can ask me anything." Leah said.
"I want to wait until the house is done to get married. Is that ok with you?" He asked.
"Yes, that will gave me more time to practice my skills." Leah said.
"I promise to have this house done before winter sets in." Ethan said.
"Ethan, this is so wonderful. I can not wait not wait to move in and start a life with you." Leah said.
They talked for a while and then Ethan put the basket away and Leah stood by the house hust staring at it. Ethan noticed her and watched her. She was wearing her black Amish dress. He could not believe that this English girl turned Amish for him. She wrapped her arms around herself and let out a sigh. Ethan walked up to her.
"Are you cold?" Ethan asked.
"No, I just have a warm feeling and do not want it to go away." Leah said.
"I like watching you look at our house, but we should be leaving. They will soon worry about us and we do not want that." Ethan said.
"Yes, we should leave. I do not want them to send out a search party." Leah said with a giggle.
"You are quite funny sometimes, Leah." Ethan said helping her into the buggy.
They rode home. Ethan dropped Leah off at the sister's house after giving her a kiss. She walks in after watching him disappear.
"Well, hello, Leah." Said Ann.
"Hi Ann, Mary." Leah said.
"Did you and Ethan have a nice picnic?" Mary asked.
"Yes, he gave me a present." Leah said.
"What my dear?" Ann asked.
"A house." Leah said. The sisters screamed with joy and hugged Leah.
"You are very lucky Leah. Ethan will take good care of you." Ann said.
"It is not quite finished yet and we plan to get married once it is." Leah explained.
"When will that be?" Mary asked.
"He hopes this fall after havrest." Leah said and "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No, you have been like a daughter to me." Mary said.
"And you've been like a mother to me." Leah said.
Leah could not sleep. It was a warm night and she had no fans. Her windows were open but their was no wind. She kept kicking off her covers, but she can't sleep without them. All she wanted was to jump in a cold shower. But there was no shower. She stayed awake for the rest of the night. She went down when she heard one of the sisters get up.
"Leah, whay are you up?" Ann asked.
"I could not fall asleep. It was too warm and there was no wind." Leah explained.
"Yes, I know, but I am used to these nights and soon you will be too." Ann said putting the coffee on.
"What was Arthur like?" Leah asked sitting at the table.
"What do you mean" Ann asked sitting next to her.
"Well, you always talk about him and I would like to know about him, if it is ok with you." Leah said.
"Ok, Arthur was from a different Amish community. A more liberal community and my father was very strict about the non-Amish things. We were allowed to experiment, but only for the summer. Anyways, Arthur came here to visit is cousins and we met at a barn dance. My father did not like him. He thought of him as too English. I did not care where he was from. I wanted to marry him. So when we were both 19, we wed. He was a very good farmer. He made sure there was food on the table. One winter, he caught pnemonia and died before our fifth chirstmas together." Ann said.
"Oh I am sorry. Did your father get over it?" Leah asked.
"Yes, once he knew that I could not live with Arthur, he tried his best to like him." Ann said getting up and serving her and Leah coffee.
"Mr. Longacre is starting to like me, after all, I did all this for Ethan." Leah said tracing her finger around the rim of the mug.
"He can be a very nice man once you get to know him." Ann said.
Leah and Ann talked for a while. Then Leah went upstairs to dress. She helped Ann with breakfast. Mary came down before they were finished.
Leah was bored and decided to write her mother a letter
Dear Mom
Yesterday, I was bapitized. I am now an Amish lady. It gives me great joy that you found someone. I would like to meet him. Hopefully at my wedding?
Speaking of that. I will not be getting married until this fall. Ethan gave me the most wonderful gift. He is building a house and hopes to have it done by fall. He does not want to get married until it is done and we can move into it. The Amishe tradition is for the newlyweds to live with friends and family until spring when they get a place of their own, but Ethan does not want to that. He wants to move into a place of our own after we wed. I promise to let you know soon. Amish weddings are simple and not much planning. I will send you an invitiation and you may come and stay with me and the Stanley sisters. They are very sweet and will be happy to meet you. How has the sell of your home going? I hope you get what you want for it and find a decent place to live. I also hope that Mike is being kind to you. I miss you amd love you and want to see you soon.
Love your daughter
Leah
Leah sent the letter. She really wanted to see her mother again. She will talk to Ann and Mary.
Leah was going to visit her mother. She missed her and hadn't seen her since May and it was August.
She hasn't told Ethan yet. She asked Ann to take her to his house and Ann did. Leah knocked on the door and Mr. Longacre answered.
"Hello, Leah. What brings you here?" He asked.
"I have come to see Ethan, is he around?" Leah asked.
"In the barn." He replied. Leah nodded and turned toward the barn. She found Ethan pitching hay as usual.
"Are you busy?" Leah asked. He looked over and smiled.
"Never for you." He said walking over to her and asking "What brings you here?"
"I have to talk to you." Leah said.
"Whatever about?" Ethan said worried.
"I am planning a trip to see my mother. I really want to see her." Leah explained.
"That sounds wonderful. I think she would be very happy." Ethan said.
"I am leaving the end of this week and plan to stay for about a week or so." Leah said.
"I do not mind. I have been busy with our house and helping Pa around the farm. I will see you when you get back." Ethan said kissing her.
"I promise to buy you something." Leah said.
"No need." Ethan said.
"I will see you soon." Leah said.
"Bye my Leah." He said kissing her once more.
Leah arrived at her old house. She had taken the bus, Ethan used to take when he came to visit his sister. She saw that her mother's car was in the driveway. Leah walked up to the house and knocked on the door.
"Hold on." She heard her mom yell and she opened the door. "Leah?"
"Hi mom." Leah said.
"Oh Leah, it is so good to see you." Her mother said wrapping her arms around Leah and "I had no idea you were coming."
"I thought I surprise you." Leah said.
"Well, you sure did." Roberta said and "Come in."
Leah walked inside her old house. Some boxes were on the floors.
"Did you find a new place?" Leah asked.
"Oh yes. I did get your letter. I thought that was a wonderful gift too." Roberta said and "And I can't wait until I meet the sisters taking care of you."
"I can not wait to see Mike." Leah said.
"He will be coming over soon." Her mother said and asked "Do you want to change?" Leah was wearing one of her Amish dresses.
"I could go for something to drink." Leah said sitting on a stool in the kitchen.
"What would you like?" Roberta asked opening the fridge.
"A soda please." Leah said. Roberta handed her one and Leah opened it.
"How about, when Mike gets here, we go out for supper?" Roberta suggested.
"Sounds very good. I will go change and we can wait." Leah said. She jumped down and walked to her old room. It was the same as she left it. She found a simple outfit amd went downstairs to wait with her mother. They talked for awhile. Then they heard a car pull up to the house. Roberta walked to the door and greeted Mike.
"Mike, I would like you to meet someone. This is my daughter, Leah. Leah, this is Mike." Roberta said introduced them.
"Well, hello Leah. It's so nice to meet you." Mike said shaking her hand.
"You too. My mother as spoken of you in her letters. I could not wait to meet you." Leah said.
"Do you live far?" Mike asked.
"I live in Nappanee." Leah said.
"Why don't we go. My stomach is sure growling. Isn't yours Leah?" Roberta said changing the subject.
"Yes, it is. I am hungry." Leah said. They followed Mike out to his car.
They got to the restuarant. The waitress gives them a menu.
"Leah, are going to school in Nappanee." Mike asked. Leah guess that her mother hasn't told him yet.
"I am taking the year off." Leah said.
"Then what are you gonna do?" Mike asked.
"I am not sure." Leah said looking at her mother.
They ordered food and then payed. Mike took them home and came in for a while.
"Mike do you want something to drink?" Roberta asked going to the fridge.
"I will take a soda please, mom." Leah asked sitting in the living room away from Mike.
"No thank you, Roberta." Mike said.
"Here you go Leah." Her mother said handing her a can of soda. Then she sat down next to Mike.
"So what do you do, Mike?" Leah asked.
"I'm an engineer." Mike said and then he explained what he did. He decided to leave.
"You haven't told him yet?" Leah asked.
"No, I will though, if the relationship is going somewhere." Roberta said.
"Well, I am going to retire. I will make you breakfast in the morning mom." Leah said getting up. She hugged her mom goodnight and walked upstairs to her room.
That morning. Leah woke up early, dressed, and went to the kitchen to start breakfast. She found everything she needed and begun. By the time she was finished, her mother had woken up and was down there drinking coffee.
"Why did you wake up so early?" Roberta asked.
"I am used to it. I wake up when Ann wakes. We talk and make breakfast. Then Mary comes down and we eat breakfast." Leah said serving her mother some food. Then herself. They ate and Leah cleaned up.
"Mom, can we go shopping?" Leah asked when her mother came back down dressed.
"Why of course. Is their anyhting you need?" Roberta asked.
"I promised Ethan I would buy him something." Leah said. Roberta nodded and they headed out to her car.
"Do you know what you are going to buy him?" Roberta asked pulling out of the driveway.
"No, but I will look and see." Leah said.
They drove to the mall. They went to almost every store.
Leah was to go home today. She dressed in her Amish dress she came in. She was talking to her mother when Mike came over.
"Mike! I had no idea that you were coming." Roberta said rushing to the door.
"I thought I come visit." He said walking into the living room where Leah is. He noticed her dress and asked "Are you puttin on a play today?"
"No." Leah said. Her mother still hadn't told him.
"Then why are you dressed like that?" Mike asked.
"I am Amish." Leah said calmly.
"Amish, Berta, you have an Amish daughter?" Mike asked confused.
"Yes Mike. She left before I met you. She has become Amish for the boy she loves." Roberta said standing by Leah.
"Why on Earth for?" Mike asked.
"Because, I love him and he did not want to become English, so I turned Amish and we are to married this fall." Leah said. She was proud to be Amish even though pride is a sin.
"Do you still live in Nappanee or was that a cover?" Mike asked.
"Yes, I live in Nappanee, because that is where my Amish Community is." Leah said.
"Will I ever get to see it?" Mike asked.
"If you are still with my mother, you may come to our wedding." Leah said. She heard the bus horn and said "I should be going. It was wonderful seeing you again, mom." Leah hugged her mother.
"I will miss you and keep writing you." Roberta said.
"It was nice meeting you, Mike, take good care of my mother, she has been through alot." Leah said opening the door and "Goodbye."
"Bye honey." Roberta said.
Leah walked to the bus and got on. She looked back at her old house. It would be the last time she sees it.
Leah got home when the sun was going down. She walked to the house and then inside.
"Leah!" Mary and Ann said at the same time. They hugged her and asked her about her trip. They then went to bed.
That morning Ann and Mary were up, but Leah was still asleep.
"Leah? Leah?" Ethan asked kneeling beside her bed.
Leah opened her eyes and jumped "Ethan, what are you doing here?"
"I have come to see you, I could not wait until later." Ethan said pushing her hair from her face.
"I do not think you should be up here." Leah said.
"Do not worry. The sisters are downstairs and I have all ready told you that I would do nothing to shame you." Ethan said.
"Fine, you can stay." Leah said.
"How was your trip?" Ethan asked.
"It was fine. I met my mom's new boyfriend and we went shopping. I did buy you something, but you will have to wait until I am up and dressed." Leah said.
"You did not have to." Ethan said.
"I did anyways." Leah said and "It does not compare to a house, but it is something." Leah said.
"It is the thought that counts." Ethan said.
"Of course. Let me get dressed and I will meet you downstairs." Leah said sitting up.
"Yes." Ethan said standing up. He kisses her and leaves her room.
Leah gets out of bed and dresses. Then she walks downstairs. Ethan is sitting at the table with Mary. They are talking, but stop when Leah enters the room.
"Ethan, could we go outside?" Leah asked.
"Yes." Ethan said standing and "Thank you for the talk, Miss Mary." Mary smiled. Leah and Ethan walked outside to the swing.
"Here is the gift I promised to buy you." Leah said handing him a plastic bag.
"Why thank you Leah, but you did not have to buy me anything." Ethan said. He opens it and finds a coffee mug. He said "Thank you." He hugs her.
"Read what is written on it." Leah said.
"Home is not a home without you." Ethan said holdng it up to read it.
"I do know that the line is tacky, but when I saw it, I knew it was for you." Leah said and "You are very welcome." Ethan kisses her.
"I will treasure it forever." Ethan said.
"So what did you do while I was away?" Leah asked taking his hand.
"I worked on the house. The roof is in and the sides of the top are covered. I want it done by fall, before winter." Ethan said.
"I do too, but boy, once you put your mind to something, you do it." Leah said impressed by how much her did while she was away.
P.S. What da ya Think?
Chapter 8: Picnics and Visits
Info: This is two months after Leah started her lessons.
Leah dressed in her black dress. Today she was to bapitized and then she will fully be Amish. Se may have English running through her veins but her customs are Amish. She has accepted the Amish way of life.
"Leah, it is time to go." Mary called from downstairs.
"I am coming." Leah said smoothing out her dress and walking downstairs.
Leah got in the buggy and they rode over to the Amish Communtiy Church. Many buggy's were there. Ann stopped the buggy and they got out. Leah walked behind the sisters.
They seated and the reverand started. They sang songs and he said their sermon. Then he made the announcement.
"Everyone. We have a new member of our commnuity. Please come up here Leah." He said. Leah walked up to him and he contiuned "This is Leah Lewis-Hall. She has decided to join us for a special reason. She has finished her lessons and will be bapitized today." He lead Leah to the bapitizing bowl. He bapitized Leah and everyone clapped. Leah smiled.
Afterwords, everyone gathered outside, before going home to eat Sunday lunch. People talked to Leah and told her congratulations for joining and finishing her lessons.
"Leah!" Ethan yelled running up to her. She turned around and jumped into his arms. He spun her around and then sat her back on her feet.
"I am so happy, Ethan. I am one of you." Leah said.
"Yes. Next is my turn and then we can married." Ethan said kissing her.
"I can not wait." Leah said kissing him back.
"Well, Leah." Ethan's father said scaring them and he said "Welcome to the Amish Comminuity. I may have seemed stern when we first met, but know I am happy you are here and with my son." He took her hand between his and patted them with care.
"Thank you, Mr. Longacre." Leah said. He smiled and left.
"How about that picnic?" Ethan said putting his hands on her arms.
"When?" Leah asked.
"Today. I had Ma fix a basket this morning. Is it okay with you?" Ethan asked.
"It is fine with me. Let me tell Ann and then we can go." Leah said. She went to find Ann or Mary. She found Ann and told her. She nodded and smiled. Leah found Ethan and they hopped into his buggy.
They rode far from the community. It seemed like an hours since they left the church.
"Where exactly are we going?" Leah asked.
"You will see. Just be patient, my Leah." Ethan said wripping the reins again. She liked they way he called her 'My Leah'. She absorbed the beautiful scenery passing them by.
"Leah, look right ahead." Ethan said. Leah looked straight ahead and saw a skeleton of a house. Ethan rode right up to it and stopped the buggy. He got out and then helped her out. He took her hand and they walked up to the house.
"What is this, Ethan?" Leah asked looking up at it.
"A house." Ethan replied.
"I mean, who's house?" Leah asked.
"Ours." Ethan said.
"What?" Leah asked.
"Since we are to be married, I wanted to build you a house for a gift." Ethan said.
"Ethan, it is so wonderful. I will truely enjoy this house." Leah looking at her future home.
"You will like it more once it is finished." Ethan said.
"I like it now. You built it for me." Leah said walking over to him.
"Yes, like I promised, you will have sturdy roof over your perfect head." Ethan said smoothing her hair.
"Ethan, I have no idea what to say." Leah said with tears forming in her eyes.
"Just say that you will live here." Ethan said.
"Yes, Ethan, I will live in this house." Leah said. Her tears rolled down her cheek.
"Why are you crying? Are you sad about this?" Ethan asked.
"No, I am crying because I am very happy. You built something for me and I never gave you anything." Leah said.
"You gave me love and joy. Leah, you are the one for me and I want to love you forever." Ethan said wiping the tears from her cheeks.
"Ethan, I love you too. I will enjoy living here with you." Leah said and "Can I have the tour?"
"Yes, I will gave you the tour and then we can eat our picnic." Ethan said.
Ethan showed her the house and where everything would go. He also explained that the roof wasn't in yet and there will be a cellar to keep their canned goods in. Then they had their picnic.
"That was very good." Leah said wiping her hands on a cloth napkin.
"I will tell Ma that you liked it." Ethan said.
"It is so beautiful out here." Leah said looking around.
"Yes, and so are you." Ethan said.
"Oh Ethan, do not do that. You make me blush everytime." Leah said.
"Leah can I ask you something?" Ethan asked.
"Yes, you can ask me anything." Leah said.
"I want to wait until the house is done to get married. Is that ok with you?" He asked.
"Yes, that will gave me more time to practice my skills." Leah said.
"I promise to have this house done before winter sets in." Ethan said.
"Ethan, this is so wonderful. I can not wait not wait to move in and start a life with you." Leah said.
They talked for a while and then Ethan put the basket away and Leah stood by the house hust staring at it. Ethan noticed her and watched her. She was wearing her black Amish dress. He could not believe that this English girl turned Amish for him. She wrapped her arms around herself and let out a sigh. Ethan walked up to her.
"Are you cold?" Ethan asked.
"No, I just have a warm feeling and do not want it to go away." Leah said.
"I like watching you look at our house, but we should be leaving. They will soon worry about us and we do not want that." Ethan said.
"Yes, we should leave. I do not want them to send out a search party." Leah said with a giggle.
"You are quite funny sometimes, Leah." Ethan said helping her into the buggy.
They rode home. Ethan dropped Leah off at the sister's house after giving her a kiss. She walks in after watching him disappear.
"Well, hello, Leah." Said Ann.
"Hi Ann, Mary." Leah said.
"Did you and Ethan have a nice picnic?" Mary asked.
"Yes, he gave me a present." Leah said.
"What my dear?" Ann asked.
"A house." Leah said. The sisters screamed with joy and hugged Leah.
"You are very lucky Leah. Ethan will take good care of you." Ann said.
"It is not quite finished yet and we plan to get married once it is." Leah explained.
"When will that be?" Mary asked.
"He hopes this fall after havrest." Leah said and "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No, you have been like a daughter to me." Mary said.
"And you've been like a mother to me." Leah said.
Leah could not sleep. It was a warm night and she had no fans. Her windows were open but their was no wind. She kept kicking off her covers, but she can't sleep without them. All she wanted was to jump in a cold shower. But there was no shower. She stayed awake for the rest of the night. She went down when she heard one of the sisters get up.
"Leah, whay are you up?" Ann asked.
"I could not fall asleep. It was too warm and there was no wind." Leah explained.
"Yes, I know, but I am used to these nights and soon you will be too." Ann said putting the coffee on.
"What was Arthur like?" Leah asked sitting at the table.
"What do you mean" Ann asked sitting next to her.
"Well, you always talk about him and I would like to know about him, if it is ok with you." Leah said.
"Ok, Arthur was from a different Amish community. A more liberal community and my father was very strict about the non-Amish things. We were allowed to experiment, but only for the summer. Anyways, Arthur came here to visit is cousins and we met at a barn dance. My father did not like him. He thought of him as too English. I did not care where he was from. I wanted to marry him. So when we were both 19, we wed. He was a very good farmer. He made sure there was food on the table. One winter, he caught pnemonia and died before our fifth chirstmas together." Ann said.
"Oh I am sorry. Did your father get over it?" Leah asked.
"Yes, once he knew that I could not live with Arthur, he tried his best to like him." Ann said getting up and serving her and Leah coffee.
"Mr. Longacre is starting to like me, after all, I did all this for Ethan." Leah said tracing her finger around the rim of the mug.
"He can be a very nice man once you get to know him." Ann said.
Leah and Ann talked for a while. Then Leah went upstairs to dress. She helped Ann with breakfast. Mary came down before they were finished.
Leah was bored and decided to write her mother a letter
Dear Mom
Yesterday, I was bapitized. I am now an Amish lady. It gives me great joy that you found someone. I would like to meet him. Hopefully at my wedding?
Speaking of that. I will not be getting married until this fall. Ethan gave me the most wonderful gift. He is building a house and hopes to have it done by fall. He does not want to get married until it is done and we can move into it. The Amishe tradition is for the newlyweds to live with friends and family until spring when they get a place of their own, but Ethan does not want to that. He wants to move into a place of our own after we wed. I promise to let you know soon. Amish weddings are simple and not much planning. I will send you an invitiation and you may come and stay with me and the Stanley sisters. They are very sweet and will be happy to meet you. How has the sell of your home going? I hope you get what you want for it and find a decent place to live. I also hope that Mike is being kind to you. I miss you amd love you and want to see you soon.
Love your daughter
Leah
Leah sent the letter. She really wanted to see her mother again. She will talk to Ann and Mary.
Leah was going to visit her mother. She missed her and hadn't seen her since May and it was August.
She hasn't told Ethan yet. She asked Ann to take her to his house and Ann did. Leah knocked on the door and Mr. Longacre answered.
"Hello, Leah. What brings you here?" He asked.
"I have come to see Ethan, is he around?" Leah asked.
"In the barn." He replied. Leah nodded and turned toward the barn. She found Ethan pitching hay as usual.
"Are you busy?" Leah asked. He looked over and smiled.
"Never for you." He said walking over to her and asking "What brings you here?"
"I have to talk to you." Leah said.
"Whatever about?" Ethan said worried.
"I am planning a trip to see my mother. I really want to see her." Leah explained.
"That sounds wonderful. I think she would be very happy." Ethan said.
"I am leaving the end of this week and plan to stay for about a week or so." Leah said.
"I do not mind. I have been busy with our house and helping Pa around the farm. I will see you when you get back." Ethan said kissing her.
"I promise to buy you something." Leah said.
"No need." Ethan said.
"I will see you soon." Leah said.
"Bye my Leah." He said kissing her once more.
Leah arrived at her old house. She had taken the bus, Ethan used to take when he came to visit his sister. She saw that her mother's car was in the driveway. Leah walked up to the house and knocked on the door.
"Hold on." She heard her mom yell and she opened the door. "Leah?"
"Hi mom." Leah said.
"Oh Leah, it is so good to see you." Her mother said wrapping her arms around Leah and "I had no idea you were coming."
"I thought I surprise you." Leah said.
"Well, you sure did." Roberta said and "Come in."
Leah walked inside her old house. Some boxes were on the floors.
"Did you find a new place?" Leah asked.
"Oh yes. I did get your letter. I thought that was a wonderful gift too." Roberta said and "And I can't wait until I meet the sisters taking care of you."
"I can not wait to see Mike." Leah said.
"He will be coming over soon." Her mother said and asked "Do you want to change?" Leah was wearing one of her Amish dresses.
"I could go for something to drink." Leah said sitting on a stool in the kitchen.
"What would you like?" Roberta asked opening the fridge.
"A soda please." Leah said. Roberta handed her one and Leah opened it.
"How about, when Mike gets here, we go out for supper?" Roberta suggested.
"Sounds very good. I will go change and we can wait." Leah said. She jumped down and walked to her old room. It was the same as she left it. She found a simple outfit amd went downstairs to wait with her mother. They talked for awhile. Then they heard a car pull up to the house. Roberta walked to the door and greeted Mike.
"Mike, I would like you to meet someone. This is my daughter, Leah. Leah, this is Mike." Roberta said introduced them.
"Well, hello Leah. It's so nice to meet you." Mike said shaking her hand.
"You too. My mother as spoken of you in her letters. I could not wait to meet you." Leah said.
"Do you live far?" Mike asked.
"I live in Nappanee." Leah said.
"Why don't we go. My stomach is sure growling. Isn't yours Leah?" Roberta said changing the subject.
"Yes, it is. I am hungry." Leah said. They followed Mike out to his car.
They got to the restuarant. The waitress gives them a menu.
"Leah, are going to school in Nappanee." Mike asked. Leah guess that her mother hasn't told him yet.
"I am taking the year off." Leah said.
"Then what are you gonna do?" Mike asked.
"I am not sure." Leah said looking at her mother.
They ordered food and then payed. Mike took them home and came in for a while.
"Mike do you want something to drink?" Roberta asked going to the fridge.
"I will take a soda please, mom." Leah asked sitting in the living room away from Mike.
"No thank you, Roberta." Mike said.
"Here you go Leah." Her mother said handing her a can of soda. Then she sat down next to Mike.
"So what do you do, Mike?" Leah asked.
"I'm an engineer." Mike said and then he explained what he did. He decided to leave.
"You haven't told him yet?" Leah asked.
"No, I will though, if the relationship is going somewhere." Roberta said.
"Well, I am going to retire. I will make you breakfast in the morning mom." Leah said getting up. She hugged her mom goodnight and walked upstairs to her room.
That morning. Leah woke up early, dressed, and went to the kitchen to start breakfast. She found everything she needed and begun. By the time she was finished, her mother had woken up and was down there drinking coffee.
"Why did you wake up so early?" Roberta asked.
"I am used to it. I wake up when Ann wakes. We talk and make breakfast. Then Mary comes down and we eat breakfast." Leah said serving her mother some food. Then herself. They ate and Leah cleaned up.
"Mom, can we go shopping?" Leah asked when her mother came back down dressed.
"Why of course. Is their anyhting you need?" Roberta asked.
"I promised Ethan I would buy him something." Leah said. Roberta nodded and they headed out to her car.
"Do you know what you are going to buy him?" Roberta asked pulling out of the driveway.
"No, but I will look and see." Leah said.
They drove to the mall. They went to almost every store.
Leah was to go home today. She dressed in her Amish dress she came in. She was talking to her mother when Mike came over.
"Mike! I had no idea that you were coming." Roberta said rushing to the door.
"I thought I come visit." He said walking into the living room where Leah is. He noticed her dress and asked "Are you puttin on a play today?"
"No." Leah said. Her mother still hadn't told him.
"Then why are you dressed like that?" Mike asked.
"I am Amish." Leah said calmly.
"Amish, Berta, you have an Amish daughter?" Mike asked confused.
"Yes Mike. She left before I met you. She has become Amish for the boy she loves." Roberta said standing by Leah.
"Why on Earth for?" Mike asked.
"Because, I love him and he did not want to become English, so I turned Amish and we are to married this fall." Leah said. She was proud to be Amish even though pride is a sin.
"Do you still live in Nappanee or was that a cover?" Mike asked.
"Yes, I live in Nappanee, because that is where my Amish Community is." Leah said.
"Will I ever get to see it?" Mike asked.
"If you are still with my mother, you may come to our wedding." Leah said. She heard the bus horn and said "I should be going. It was wonderful seeing you again, mom." Leah hugged her mother.
"I will miss you and keep writing you." Roberta said.
"It was nice meeting you, Mike, take good care of my mother, she has been through alot." Leah said opening the door and "Goodbye."
"Bye honey." Roberta said.
Leah walked to the bus and got on. She looked back at her old house. It would be the last time she sees it.
Leah got home when the sun was going down. She walked to the house and then inside.
"Leah!" Mary and Ann said at the same time. They hugged her and asked her about her trip. They then went to bed.
That morning Ann and Mary were up, but Leah was still asleep.
"Leah? Leah?" Ethan asked kneeling beside her bed.
Leah opened her eyes and jumped "Ethan, what are you doing here?"
"I have come to see you, I could not wait until later." Ethan said pushing her hair from her face.
"I do not think you should be up here." Leah said.
"Do not worry. The sisters are downstairs and I have all ready told you that I would do nothing to shame you." Ethan said.
"Fine, you can stay." Leah said.
"How was your trip?" Ethan asked.
"It was fine. I met my mom's new boyfriend and we went shopping. I did buy you something, but you will have to wait until I am up and dressed." Leah said.
"You did not have to." Ethan said.
"I did anyways." Leah said and "It does not compare to a house, but it is something." Leah said.
"It is the thought that counts." Ethan said.
"Of course. Let me get dressed and I will meet you downstairs." Leah said sitting up.
"Yes." Ethan said standing up. He kisses her and leaves her room.
Leah gets out of bed and dresses. Then she walks downstairs. Ethan is sitting at the table with Mary. They are talking, but stop when Leah enters the room.
"Ethan, could we go outside?" Leah asked.
"Yes." Ethan said standing and "Thank you for the talk, Miss Mary." Mary smiled. Leah and Ethan walked outside to the swing.
"Here is the gift I promised to buy you." Leah said handing him a plastic bag.
"Why thank you Leah, but you did not have to buy me anything." Ethan said. He opens it and finds a coffee mug. He said "Thank you." He hugs her.
"Read what is written on it." Leah said.
"Home is not a home without you." Ethan said holdng it up to read it.
"I do know that the line is tacky, but when I saw it, I knew it was for you." Leah said and "You are very welcome." Ethan kisses her.
"I will treasure it forever." Ethan said.
"So what did you do while I was away?" Leah asked taking his hand.
"I worked on the house. The roof is in and the sides of the top are covered. I want it done by fall, before winter." Ethan said.
"I do too, but boy, once you put your mind to something, you do it." Leah said impressed by how much her did while she was away.
P.S. What da ya Think?