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some of my questions,” Eli said suddenly.
    “What do you want to know?”
    He shrugged. “Guess you can start by telling me how old you are and whether you have any brothers or sisters.”
    “I’m twenty-two, and I’m an only child.”
    “How long will you be staying in Lancaster County?”
    “Just until I finish my studies, which should take no longer than two years. Unless I mess up and flunk some classes, that is,” she added with a frown.
    “You seem real smart to me. I’m sure you’ll do okay.”
    “Thanks, I sure hope so.” She smiled. “Anything else you’d like to know?”
    Eli’s ears turned pink as he stared out at the lake. “I imagine a pretty woman like you has a boyfriend—maybe more than one, even. Am I right about that?”
    Laura snickered. “You’re really direct and to the point, aren’t you, Eli?”
    “My folks would say so.” He turned back to look at her and chuckled.
    She toyed with the edge of the quilt a few seconds, then stared into his seeking blue eyes. “I’ve dated several men, but none have ever captured my heart.” At least not until you came along.
    Was that a look of relief she saw on Eli’s face? No, it was probably just wishful thinking on her part.
    The wind had picked up slightly, and Laura shivered, pulling her sweater tightly around her shoulders.
    “You’re cold. Here, take my coat.” Eli removed his jacket and draped it across her shoulders.
    Laura fought the impulse to lean her head against his chest. The temptation didn’t linger, because the sound of horse’s hooves drew her attention to an open buggy pulling into the grassy area near their picnic spot.
    A young Amish woman, wearing a dark bonnet on her head and an angry scowl on her face, climbed down from the buggy. Laura thought she recognized the girl, and her fears were confirmed when Eli called, “Pauline, what are you doing here?”
    “I was looking for you, Eli. I stopped by your farm, but Lewis said you had gone to the lake for a picnic. I couldn’t think who you might be with, but now I see who has taken my place.” Pauline planted both hands on her hips as her frown deepened. “I’m mighty disappointed, Eli. How could you bring this Englisher here?”
    Eli jumped up and moved toward Pauline. He placed one hand on her shoulder, but she brushed it aside. “She’s that woman you were showing birdhouses to at the market, isn’t she?”
    Eli glanced back at Laura, his face turning redder by the minute. “Pauline, this is Laura Meade.”
    Pauline’s lips were set in a thin line, and she glared at Laura as though she were her worst enemy.
    Laura didn’t feel much like smiling, but she forced one anyway. “It’s nice to meet you, Pauline.”
    “You’re involved in something you shouldn’t be, Eli,” Pauline said without acknowledging Laura’s greeting. “Wann der gaul dod is, drauere batt nix.”
    Eli grunted. “You’re being ridiculous, Pauline.”
    “I don’t think so, and you’ll see what I mean if you don’t wake up soon and join the church.”
    “That’s my business, not yours.”
    Pauline turned away in a huff. “And to think, I came all the way out here for this! I deserve much better.” She rushed back to her buggy and scrambled inside. “Enjoy your wunderbaar schee picnic!”
    “Jah, I will,” Eli called back to her.
    Laura sat too stunned to speak and struggled to analyze what had just happened.
    Pauline drove out of sight, leaving a cloud of dust in her wake. She was obviously Eli’s girlfriend.
    ***
    As Pauline drove away, she clamped her teeth together so tightly that it caused her jaw to ache. How could Eli have made plans for a picnic with that Laura person, who isn’t even of our faith? I thought Eli and I were drawing closer. After two rides home in his courting buggy following singings and having had lunch together recently at the farmers’ market, I thought we were officially courting.
    She snapped the reins and got the horse moving faster.