Chapter 4

Chapter 4

"A snowman contest!" Eliza King Lapp danced around like a five-year-old after they found her in the kitchen the following day and told her their plan. "I love that idea. We have at least a half-dozen kinner here and they need something to do. I'll make a flyer and announce it at supper."

Kayla grinned and glanced at Lucas. They'd put the finishing touches on their plans yesterday, hoping their second day with their families might be better than the first. "This will be so much fun."

Eliza motioned toward the window. "That snow is coming down and it will be perfect for making handsome snowmen or pretty snow women. Amish, with hats and bonnets. We can put old straw hats on them and wrap garland around them like scarves."

Lucas let out a sigh of relief. "Okay, so that's settled. This afternoon?"

" Ja ," Eliza replied. "Now you two can go out to the stables and feed Samson these carrots." She lowered her voice. "And have some time alone. There is a very special old rock beyond the stables. It's a favorite spot for privacy."

"Really?" Lucas smiled widely, making both Eliza and Kayla laugh.

"Someone seems to want to be alone with you, Kayla."

Heat flushed Kayla's cheeks and her warm clothes became too warm. " Ja , we should go on another walk before anyone finds us and tells us we can't be friends."

" Neh , you will not go on any walks with him."

Kayla turned to find her grossdaddi staring across the room at them.

"It's only a walk," she said, wishing she could slip through the floor.

"I said you will not go and that is final," Claude Hollinger replied, his voice rising. "Your sister is upset with you. She told me you were down here with the Myer boy."

"We're just hanging out together," Kayla tried to explain.

"Which you shouldn't be doing," her grandfather said, his tone firm while his glare sent a razor-sharp zap toward Lucas.

"How about I have Levi escort them?" Eliza asked, clearly trying to defuse the situation. "It's so lovely out there right now."

Kayla walked to her grandfather. "Please, Daddi . Lucas is kind and just a friend. Becky and Mamm are so busy with the wedding, and I'm bored and all alone. Can't I have a friend? I'm old enough to take care of myself and mind my manners."

Her grossdaddi looked surprised, and then his expression filled with embarrassment as he glanced around. "I'm sorry but he's a Myer, Kayla."

"That's his name, not his attitude," Kayla replied. "He's not part of your feud."

"You will not speak to me in that manner," Grossdaddi said. Then he gave Lucas a shrewd stare. "You look like your grossdaddi. "

"Does that mean you don't like me?" Lucas asked, his tone clear and firm.

"I don't know you."

"Exactly," Kayla replied. "We mean no disrespect, but we think the ruckus between you and Lucas's family is being disrespectful to God's word."

"Do not talk to me of theology, young lady."

Kayla tried again. "Grossdaddi, you know how much I love you. I won't do anything to dishonor that love. It's just that Becky is getting married and I'll be all alone at home, and I'm older than she and still . . . single. Lucas is kind and interesting, and we are only keeping each other company. Don't ask me to give up a new friend while Becky is happy and has a big wedding about to happen. Can't I have my own kind of happiness for a brief while?"

Her grandfather looked ashamed, his stern expression changing to a cloud of regret and a hint of understanding. He glanced from her to Lucas but stayed silent.

Eliza stepped close to Kayla. "I will chaperone them, Claude. I had asked them to feed Samson for me, but I can go with them. He loves carrots and I thought they might enjoy meeting Samson. He enjoys taking guests on sleigh rides."

Kayla stared up at the grandfather she loved, hoping he'd concede. "Please?"

He finally nodded. "If Eliza goes with you—and do not stay out with this boy all day." Then he nodded at Lucas and turned toward the front parlor, his gait slower than Kayla remembered. He was getting on, so why keep up this silly grudge?

Eliza took them both by the arm. "Let's go before he changes his mind."

She hustled them out into the snow. Kayla's sturdy boots sank into the soft snow and its depth almost toppled her. Lucas reached to help her but she shook her head.

" Denke ," Kayla said, "but someone might report that you touched me."

He dropped his hand, a frown on his handsome face. "It's baremlich ."

"It is indeed terrible," Eliza said, sympathy in her eyes. "But your idea will help in so many ways. What other plans to do you two have cooked up to keep your families busy and hopefully happy?"

"Buggy or sleigh rides would be nice, as you mentioned," Lucas said. "If we could go on one in peace."

"And we thought sledding down one of the hills would be fun for the youngie ," Kayla said. "If the adults can behave long enough."

Eliza's snort indicated she understood. "Why didn't you stick to the plan most young people usually employ—sneaking around?"

"We had that plan," Lucas said, "but the scene at breakfast yesterday ended that. I won't hide my friendship with Kayla. If it forces our families to change, then so be it. I saw a flicker of regret in Claude's eyes just now."

Kayla was thankful her grandfather had conceded a bit. "He's really so sweet when he isn't judging people."

That made them all laugh.

Yet she couldn't let go of the fears and doubts that had always kept her from committing to anyone. Could someone love her completely? Hearing about this ugliness between the elders of their families had really thrown her for a loop. How could she ever know if someone truly loved her?

"Yes, Claude reined in his feelings, but you might see a flicker of anger next time," Eliza warned, bringing Kayla out of her musings. "You two handled yourselves well back there though. We must be respectful to our elders, no matter what."

They made it to the stables and went inside. Eliza turned to them. "You have fifteen minutes to go visit the rock I told you about. I'll feed Samson and wait for you to come back and help me finish up. Levi and Jonah went into town for supplies. This weather is only going to get worse."

"I hope it doesn't mess with Becky's wedding," Kayla said, worry in her tone. "She'll make life hard for all of us if that happens."

"We'll have the wedding inside if the snow gets worse," Eliza said. "Plan B. But for now, get out there and enjoy the weather."

"We'll hurry," Lucas said, reaching for Kayla's hand.

She took it without drawing back. Putting her concerns away, Kayla glanced over at him. She didn't like sneaking but honestly, couldn't her family understand she'd met a man who checked all her boxes, and she wasn't about to let him slip away without getting to know him better?

They had so much to learn and so little time to really get to know each other. She ran with him, their boots digging into the snow, until they found the huge rock jutting out like a big bench behind a copse of shrubs and trees.

Kayla stopped and took a breath. "Look at that view, Lucas. I can see the big lake from here."

Lucas studied the constantly changing water and held her hand tight. "It's always amazing seeing the big lake, but this is the best view. No wonder people come up here to be alone. It's breathtaking."

"And romantic," Kayla said. Then she clamped her hand over her mouth. "Not that I expect romance. Not at all."

Lucas settled with her on the rock and shivered. "This is not a warm rock."

" Neh ." She straightened her skirts and her cape. "Brrr. That morning sun is beautiful but the temperature isn't cooperating."

"Now about that romance," he said, his hand still over hers. "I know we've only just met, but I've never really walked out with a girl before. I mean, I've liked girls and flirted and all that, but I've never felt this close to anyone this soon. Maybe too soon, but we are on a tight schedule."

Kayla smiled at him, relieved that he had some doubts, too. "In a hurry?"

"Kinda." His eyes darkened. "On the other hand, I want to savor this time together because we found each other here in such a unique way and it all seems perfect. As if it were meant to be."

"I understand," she said, her heart pumping warmth throughout her body. "We can't rush anything, but I do know we will be friends when we leave here. We can write to each other."

"I'd like that," he said. "And there are ways to visit each other. Buses, trains, vans. Or I'll just saddle up my horse, Donut."

"You have a horse named Donut?"

"I do. He looks like a donut because he has a spot of white hair, almost a perfect circle on his nose. It stands out against his tan skin."

"And you'd ride Donut all the way from Spartansburg to Shipshewana?"

"In a heartbeat," he replied. "I like you."

"I like you, too," she said. "I wish this week could last longer and that our families could make peace. Then we could truly be the best of friends."

Lucas leaned close. "Regardless of that, one day I'm gonna kiss you. But not yet. I want you to be sure."

"Do friends get to kiss each other?"

"I think at that point we will be beyond friends, ain't so?"

The heat of a blush warmed Kayla's cold cheeks. "I would think so, ja. "

They sat still, smiling at each other, shivering in the cold, snow covering their clothes until Eliza called out, her voice soft in the snowfall.

"We must get back," Lucas said. "The kitchen staff is doing their part to avoid tension by letting our families take turns in the café for noon dinner, but I hope to see you at supper if all goes well with today's plan."

"I will look for you."

"And let's hope we won't have any more outbursts," he replied as they trudged back to the stables. "We only want peace such as this snowfall."

"A peace beyond understanding," she replied. "Today, we build snowmen and hope that joint activity brings out the joy in our families."

* * *

"I do not want to make a snowman."

Lucas looked at his grossdaddi 's frowning face and let out a grunt. "So you won't help the boys? They specifically asked for you to be on their team. Besides, it's Christmastime. Have some fun."

Tobias put his hands on his hips. "I do not care for fun, not out in the cold. My old hip can't take that."

"I'll help," Mitch called out as he ran toward his grandfather. The eleven-year-old adored Tobias Myer, as did Lucas and his middle brother, David. "Please, please. We need you to help us, Grossdaddi."

Lucas gave Tobias a hopeful stare. "C'mon. Just try."

Finally his grandfather grabbed a handful of snow. "Well, let's get started. I can't stand here freezing all day." Then he threw the snowball he'd shaped at Mitch, hitting his grandson on the arm.

That started a round of back-and-forth snowballs until Grossdaddi finally held up his hand in defeat. "If I am to build the biggest, best snowman, I need to catch my breath."

Lucas laughed and glanced over to where Kayla and her younger brother Billy were already dragging her parents and grandfather toward the area of the yard where Colette and Eliza had organized the snowman competition.

"I'm not so sure about this," Cella Hollinger shouted. "It's a bit chilly."

"Perfect snowman building weather, Mamm," Kayla said. "And the winner gets a pecan pie."

"Pie?" Billy grinned, his shaggy golden bangs hanging over his eyes. The teenager was way more outgoing and energetic than his pretty older sister Kayla. "I want pie."

Claude laughed until he saw the Myer family gathering across the way. "I might need to sit this one out."

"You can't do that," Billy said, ignoring his grandfather's grumpy face. "Mamm, make him stay and help."

"I'll try." Kayla's mamm looked worried as she acknowledged the other people gathering. "But I won't stay long. I have things to do."

Billy tugged his mother toward the heavy snow. "You haven't played with us since we got here. Why do you hang out with Becky and no one else?"

"Your sister is preparing to get married," their mother said, glancing at Kayla. Then she amended. "I do have a few minutes, now that I think about it."

Lucas saw the sadness in Kayla's smile. Her sister took all the air out of a room with her demands for attention while Kayla stood back and watched and waited. He wanted her to have a great time this week. She was a special person, and it was time her family noticed that.

Eliza stepped to the center of the area where the two families had somehow gathered on each side, along with a few other daring people with their own kinner , some Amish and some Englisch. Lucas hoped the extra families would cushion the growing competition.

"Here's how this will work," Eliza explained. "You all have baskets full of scarves, aprons and hats, along with carrots and buttons to make noses and eyes. You have thirty minutes to create your snow people. The winning family will get a pecan pie and some other goodies to enjoy in your suite later with a warm beverage."

Everyone clapped. Lucas watched as the Hollinger family got their basket and waited for Eliza to announce the start. Claude stared across at the Myers who'd gathered—Mamm and Daed with Grandfather Tobias and Lucas's brothers. Mitch motioned for him to join them. Where was Mammi?

Lucas took a quick glance at Kayla with her mother and brother. Her father had walked out to the stables with Levi Lapp, Eliza's husband. They might need some help, but he was committed to the Myers' snowman for now.

Eliza lifted a red handkerchief and counted. "One, two, three. Go."

Tobias Myer immediately called out, "We need to win this and show those Hollingers a thing or two."

"Just try," Claude called back. "My family knows how to have fun and create beautiful things. Snowmen included."

"We shall see about that," Tobias shouted back. "And don't try to steal ours."

Then they both started working on their snow people, each of them grabbing buckets and instructing their teams on how to make the perfect snowman. The shouting got louder and fiercer with each minute that ticked by.

Kayla glanced at Lucas with fear in her pretty eyes. "Bad idea," she mouthed, her eyes wide and her cheeks red with cold and embarrassment.

He shook his head. "It's okay," he mouthed back.

Then his grandfather called out, "Lucas, whose side are you on?"

Lucas gave Kayla another pleading glance and then turned to face his grossdaddi . "Yours," he called. "Always yours."

" Gut ," Tobias replied, the smug grin on his aged face a clear stab at the Hollinger gang working on the other side of the open area. "We aim to keep it that way, don't we?"

As Kayla heard the conversation, the brightness left her eyes.

Lucas didn't answer his grandfather's question, and he couldn't face Kayla right now. Instead, he went to work on making a nice snowman. While he prayed he could salvage this competition and their friendship.

Would their idea turn out okay, or make things worse between the two patriarchs of their families?

Their whole plan might have just gone up in a snow fight to end all snow fights.