A Bee in Her Bonnet (16 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Why had he come? He wasn't in the mood for a gathering of
die youngie
, even if he got to see Dinah.

Luke wasn't in the mood for Dinah Eicher either. He wanted steak and potatoes, and Dinah seemed more like tapioca pudding and syrup. Would he be eating soft, mushy pudding the rest of his life?

He clenched his teeth.
Ach.
He was in a very bad mood. If he hadn't promised Dinah he'd be here, he would have found something better to do, like clip his toenails or play Life on the Farm with Dorothy or go down to the bridge and throw rocks in the ditch.

“
Ach
, Dinah, these are much better than Poppy Christner's cookies,” said Mandy Schwartz, glancing at Luke as if she were talking to him instead of Dinah. “She doesn't put cinnamon in hers.”

What did Mandy know? She was Dinah's best friend. Of course she'd praise Dinah's cooking, even if she had to lie about it.

They sat under a tree at the park watching some of
die youngie
play volleyball and horseshoes. A haze of smoke rose from behind the restrooms. Somebody was trying out a cigarette.

Luke gave Mandy a half smile and took a swig of lemonade to wash down his rock-hard cookie. Dinah liked her coffee cake dry. She liked her pretzels dry and her muffins dry, but how hard would it be to bake a moist, soft chocolate chip cookie? What he wouldn't give for a meltin-your-mouth caramel or a bite of Poppy Christner's nut brown bread.

He nearly choked on his dry and crunchy chocolate chip cookie rock. How could he be so disloyal to Dinah to think of Poppy at a time like this? Poppy's bread tasted delicious, but on principle, he'd never eat another slice. Poppy had to learn that she couldn't give someone a loaf of bread and then be reckless with her life. Someone had to teach her a lesson.

He frowned. Why did he feel so rotten about teaching Poppy a lesson? Josiah would say it was because he hadn't gotten his way. Dan would say it was because Poppy wasn't demure and submissive like most Amish girls and that Luke sort of liked that.

What did Dan know? Luke didn't like that at all. What boy would like someone who spoke her mind and did dangerous things just to spite him?

He wished he were anywhere but here. Dinah would burst into tears if he started scowling.

“Do you really think my cookies are good?” Dinah gushed—again—looking at Luke instead of Mandy, as if he were in on the conversation.

“The best ever,” Mandy said. “And it wonders me if Poppy Christner even knows how to make upside-down cake.”

“Of course not. She's too busy trying to be a boy.” Dinah and Mandy giggled as if that notion was the funniest idea in the world. Dinah took another bite of her cookie. How could she chew that thing without a drink of milk? “Don't you think so, Luke?”

“Huh?” he said, trying hard to put Poppy Christner's fine green eyes out of his mind. Why did Dinah want to talk about Poppy? He didn't—didn't want to talk about Poppy or worry about Poppy or feel guilty about Poppy. Something twisted like a drill in his gut. He'd said some horrible things, and no amount of wishing would lessen the guilt.

“Don't you think Poppy should get off her high horse?”

Why this fascination with Poppy Christner all of a sudden? Was it because he'd said something nice about her at Dinah's house the other night? Dinah and Mandy obviously steered the conversation with Luke in mind. What did they want him to say? He gave Dinah what he hoped passed for a disarming smile. “I think these cookies are wonderful-
gute
.”

“But are they better than Poppy's?”

“I've never tasted Poppy's chocolate chip cookies.”

Not the right answer. Dinah's smile sagged, as if she were doing her best, but finding it difficult to keep pretending. “
Ach
. Well. I thought you knew. You've spent a lot of time at her house lately.”

A lot of time? He'd eaten dinner with them and built a chicken coop. Something in the tone of Dinah's voice and the pinch of her lips told him the facts didn't matter. Dinah sensed some sort of threat, though for the life of him, he couldn't begin to guess how she'd gotten the idea that there was anything between him and Poppy Christner.

Luke stuttered on his reply. “Your cookies are delicious. They're made with so much love.”

Another fit of giggles from Dinah and Mandy. Luke bit his tongue. He sounded stupid and insincere, even to himself. He was already sick of being here. Maybe he could take Dinah home early and get together later with Dan and Josiah. He might be able to talk Josiah into doing something with him, but Dan was a worthless friend now that he was engaged. He'd rather spend every waking hour with Lily Christner.

Luke understood it, but tonight he wasn't happy about it.

Maybe Dan and Josiah would come to the gathering. If Lily planned on coming, Dan would be here. If Lily came, she would bring Rose, and Josiah would be here.

Of course, Lily and Rose would bring Poppy.

Why did his heart clomp around his chest like a bull wearing boots at an
Englischer
's square dance? Probably because Poppy made him so mad he could spit. Probably because she argued with him about everything.

Maybe Poppy wouldn't come. She wouldn't be able to play volleyball or croquet with one arm. Lord willing, she'd stay home and do something safe like bake bread or change all the batteries in her flashlights.

He most certainly didn't want to see her. He already had enough guilt to last a lifetime.

Jah
, he definitely wanted to leave early.

Luke and Dinah sat on a picnic bench under a big, shady tree. Three of Dinah's best friends sat on the bench with them as well as a couple of boys from Luke's district. They were all very nice people.

He wished they'd all go away.

He'd rather be miserable by himself.

The muscles of his neck and shoulders were as taut as baling wire. He needed to get away from Dinah and get rid of some of his tension. “I'm going to play volleyball,” he announced. Without waiting for Dinah's approval, he stood and walked away.

“Wait for me,” Dinah chirped.

Groaning inwardly, Luke stopped long enough for Dinah to catch up to him. He didn't want to babysit. He wanted to get Poppy out of his head.

They joined the game already going on. At least ten players stood on each side of the net. It wouldn't be much of a game, but at least he'd be moving. Even in his pathetic mood, he smiled when he saw Josiah jog from the parking lot. Maybe Josiah could help him figure out a way to get rid of Dinah without hurting her feelings, and they could go night fishing or something.

Josiah waved, and Luke motioned for him to join the game.

“Hi, Josiah,” Dinah said, ducking out of the way of a ball that came too close.

“Hello, Dinah,” Joe said, “It's
gute
to see you playing this time.”

“I love volleyball,” Dinah said.

Luke didn't contradict her, even though he'd never seen her play in his life.

Josiah made a place for himself in the game between Luke and Dinah. “Is Rose here yet?” he said, out of breath and all smiles.

Luke grimaced as that bull in boots started stamping around in his chest again. “Rose? Is she coming?” Why was he reacting this way? For sure and certain, Poppy would stay home.

Josiah jumped up and hit a ball coming right at Luke's head. “
Jah
. Dan is driving the three sisters over tonight.” He leaned close enough to whisper. “I might get a chance to talk to her.”

“You have to make your own chances, Joe.”

Josiah merely smiled. “I have a plan.”

Luke intercepted a very hard serve from Mahlon Zook, and it went straight up in the air. Unfortunately, Dinah wasn't inclined to look up, and it hit her in the head and knocked her over.

She gave a little squeak as she tumbled to the ground and landed on her
hinnerdale
. The game halted as two girls rushed to Dinah's side and clucked and worried themselves into a tizzy. “Are you all right, Dinah? Do you feel dizzy?”

“If you're nauseated, it's a concussion. Maybe you have a concussion.”

Moaning softly, Dinah cradled her head in her hands and closed her eyes. “It's definitely a concussion.”

Luke felt obliged to kneel next to her and paste a worried look on his face. He was Dinah's ride home, after all. He had to look concerned, even if he'd seen paper cuts more serious.

“Do you want some ice?” Josiah said.

Dinah held out her hand to Luke, clearly expecting him to help her up. He did. “Luke is all the help I need,” she said. “Can you take me to the bench?”

Holding firmly onto Luke's arm, she limped to the picnic table where her friends waited to make a fuss over her. He helped her sit down and got her a cup of lemonade. Mandy straightened Dinah's
kapp
, and Treva King squeezed her hand sympathetically. Dinah had enough sympathy, didn't she? He'd really like to get back to his game.

Dinah closed her eyes, as if the sun would make her concussion worse, and reached out blindly for Luke. “I think I'm going to faint. Could I rest my head on your shoulder, just for a second?”

Luke deflated. No more volleyball for him. Not when Dinah needed him so desperately.

Desperately.

Treva scooted over so Luke could sit next to Dinah. He sidled close and let her lay her head on his shoulder. He felt awkward with her leaning on him like this, but there was nothing to do but take it like a man. He stiffened and did his best not to move a muscle. He didn't want Dinah's head to slip off his shoulder and catapult her into the dirt.

She opened her eyes long enough to look at him. “
Denki
, Luke. You are a
wunderbarr
boy. My
mamm
always says so.”

Her praise didn't give him any sort of thrill or even the mildest satisfaction. Her constant compliments made her admiration meaningless.

He did his best not to notice Poppy when she stepped out of the buggy with her sisters. Poppy Christner was just another girl at the gathering. They didn't have to speak to each other. He had no trouble ignoring the royal-blue dress or the way it accented the color of her eyes. He could see the bandage that covered her cut, but from this far, he couldn't clearly see the freckles that dotted her nose or the dimple on her cheek or the obstinate smile that took his breath away, but it was hard to miss the sling over her arm or forget why she had to wear it.

He cringed with self-condemnation. The shoulder injury was no one's fault but his own. In his panic, he had yanked too hard when he pulled her out of the water. He'd been so angry and afraid, that he'd been reckless. No wonder she hated him.

He cleared his throat three times. He couldn't swallow, couldn't breathe, couldn't speak. She didn't hate him because he'd pulled her out of the ditch. It went much deeper than that.

Like Bitsy said, he acted too big for his britches.

His gaze followed her every move as she and her sisters and Dan left the parking lot and strolled into the park. She said hello to Mahlon and Moses Zook. Owen Zimmerman made her laugh. Ohio John Newswenger offered to take the plate of cookies she carried in her one good hand. Wallace Sensenig stared at her like an eager puppy waiting for a treat.

Luke clenched his teeth.

Poppy Christner hated him.

The thought made his bones ache.

Sensing Dinah's gaze on him, he glanced down. She studied his face with wide eyes and a puzzled frown. Turning her gaze in the direction he'd been looking, she stiffened like a slab of cement. “What's she doing here?”

“The whole district was invited.”

She lifted her head and patted Mandy on the leg. “Look at how she positions herself so she's in the center of all the boys. She's such a flirt.”

Luke and Dinah were obviously seeing two different things. The boys had sought Poppy out. She stood in a group with Dan and her sisters and four or five boys who were quickly devouring the cookies on her plate. Josiah caught sight of Rose, left his volleyball game, and made a beeline for the Christner
schwesters
. He snatched a cookie off the plate as an excuse for creeping up on Rose. Luke felt personally offended every time one of those cookies disappeared. Dan knew how much Luke liked Poppy's baking. If he were any kind of friend, he'd save at least three cookies for Luke.

Mandy, bless her, must have read his mind. “Look, Dinah. She brought chocolate chip cookies. We can prove to Luke that yours are better.”

Dinah thought about it for a little too long. Was she afraid of Poppy's cookies? “Okay, I guess, if she'll even let us taste one.”

Mandy jumped up from the bench, grabbed Dinah's hand, and pulled her along. It looked like the concussion was cured.

“Luke, come on,” Dinah said as Mandy pulled her away. “You're the one who has to do the tasting.”

Luke didn't want to be anywhere near Poppy. She hated him. He didn't see a conversation going well. Maybe he could snatch a cookie off the plate and walk away without having to say anything.

Poppy's smile could have lit up the whole sky. That is, until she glanced up and made eye contact with Luke as he, Dinah, and Mandy approached her little group. Her smile disappeared like a July snowman, and something painful flashed in her green eyes. She immediately turned her face away as if she hadn't seen him.

“Can we have a cookie?” Mandy asked. Without waiting for permission, she grabbed three off the plate.