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must avoid. You must know that. If we were, why would you go out with me?”
    “It’s my rumspringa. ” Shirley grasped at her last straw.
    Jonas raised his eyebrows. “Come on, Shirley. Let’s be honest. This is more than rumspringa. For me you’d consider leaving the Amish, wouldn’t you?”
    Shirley drew in a sharp breath. “I have thought about that—in my daydreams, I guess. Especially since I came back from Oklahoma. But when I’m not daydreaming—when I’m facing reality—I don’t think it will ever happen.”
    “Then let me do all I can to persuade you.” Jonas settled in as if he’d prepared a long speech. “I know there’s the issue of my church, but I hope to convince you that we’re a much better choice. All of us believe in the Bible and in following God’s will. Maybe not the same way the Amish do—or think they do—but we’re walking in the light we have, Shirley. I’ve been hoping I can take you to one of our worship services. I think you’d like it.” Jonas paused for breath.
    Shirley reached over and touched his arm. “Okay. I’ll go to your house. But we’d better get moving before it gets too late.” Jonas’s face lit up, and Shirley knew she would’ve agreed to go long ago if he’d only kissed her again.

Chapter Six

    T wenty minutes later the immense Beachy home cut a stark profile against the starry heavens. Though she’d been here before, Shirley leaned forward for a better view as Jonas drove up the long driveway. She took a deep breath as he pulled to a stop in front of huge garage doors. Mamm and Daett wouldn’t approve of this visit, but they didn’t have to know. This was her rumspringa , and that was that!
    “Here we are,” Jonas quipped as he hopped out of the car and came around to her side to open her door.
    As she followed Jonas to the entryway, she tried to imagine living in a house like this. If she and Jonas continued their relationship, could it be that she’d live here—or in a house like this? Using her beauty was her only ticket to success, especially in this Englisha world. Did she want this life? The question throbbed inside her as Jonas held open the front door. The rich mahogany shone in the bright light from the ornate fixture perched high above them.
    Jonas motioned with his hand. “You first.”
    She did belong here! Shirley told herself. Jonas surely thought so. Her place of birth shouldn’t determine her station in life, should it?
    The hall opened in front of her, and Shirley kept her step steady. The last thing she wanted now was to project insecurity. Thankfully she’d left her kapp in the convertible. She’d taken it off soon after Jonas picked her up. Her long hair was down. Shirley brushed lose strands from her forehead. The Amish dress she had on couldn’t be avoided, but at least she could fit in a bit better by letting her hair down. The Goodwill store in Berlin had lots of pretty Englisha dresses she would love to buy, but she didn’t have money for such things.
    Jonas led the way through the kitchen. High ceilings arched above them. Shirley recalled the place as large, but this was even bigger than she’d remembered. She tried to calm the beating of her heart as they entered a massive living room. Shirley kept close to Jonas and pasted a bright smile on her face when he stopped in front of his parents.
    “Mom, Dad, we thought we’d stop by.” Jonas glanced toward Shirley. “You remember Shirley Yoder?”
    “Hi,” Shirley managed to squeak out. Her voice sounded shrill, but whose wouldn’t in such a situation?
    “Of course we remember Shirley,” Jonas’s mom, Mary, said. His dad rose from his chair and added, “It’s good to see you again, Shirley.”
    Jonas led Shirley to the couch where the two sat down.
    “Jonas has been telling us all about you,” Mary continued with a warm smile. “You were gone for a while, and I think he missed you.”
    “Mom!” Jonas said, his face and neck turning red.
    “ Yah