Free The Miting by Dee Yoder Page B

should have guessed. You’re so funny! You talk of Bible studies? Whoa, you are rebellious!” She held her sides as more laughter rocked her.
    Leah’s face warmed, but she chuckled a little at her naive ideas. “You know it’s forbidden; even if it is just reading the Bible. It will get me into trouble if I go. It’s at an Englisher’s place, and the Schrocks have a reputation of leading away Amish kids.”
    Martha caught her breath, slowly sobering. “I know of the Schrocks. They have a phone number you can call if you need help.” She wiped tears of laughter from her cheeks. “I’ve heard of kids who leave the Amish, and the Schrocks try to help them. I’ve thought of calling them before.” She held her finger up in the air. “Wait a minute. Maybe I should go to this Bible study, too. I could check them out—see if they’re on the up and up, maybe find out if they can help me.”
    Was she serious?
    Martha continued, “Do you think you could sneak over to Raysburg General Store on Tuesday?”
    “I don’t know. If Maem thinks I’m going there—”
    Martha shook away her first idea. “No. Wait. I know something better. You could tell her Sara wants your help with the wedding plans, like the girls are getting together to help her with a quilt or something. Then you could meet me and Abe—he has his truck—and we could go on over to the Bible study.” Her eyes lit with excitement.
    Leah wasn’t as excited as Martha seemed to be about the lies she’d have to tell. But she’d gotten Martha into trouble with the bishop, so it was only fair to help her find a way out. Besides, she could check out the Bible study, too. She chewed her lip trying to decide what to do.
    “Okay. I’ll be there a little before 6:30. How will you let me know about what the bishop decides, Martha? Can you come by after you hear?”
    “ Ja . I’ll need to get the mail at the post office sometime tomorrow. If I know anything by the time I go, I’ll tell you.”
    “And Martha, I really am sorry. I hope it all turns out for the good.”
    “No matter. Abner has had it coming for a long time. Now, at least, he knows I’ll tell on him. Maybe that’ll be enough to keep him away from me and from my sisters.”
    Leah glanced out the window and noticed people were leaving. “I’d better go find Maem and Daet. Looks like things are breaking up.”
    She said a hasty good-bye to Martha and slipped back into the crowd.
    As she approached her family, Daet turned. “Where have you been? We need to get home, Leah.” He looked around suspiciously, but as his gaze settled on Martha clearing the tables, his shoulders relaxed.
    “I stretched my legs, Daet. Preaching goes on so long sometimes.” Though she had made a remark against the preachers, she grinned to hide her feelings about lying. To her surprise, Daet nodded in agreement.
    “ Ja. We picked a few long-winded ones this time, for sure,” he whispered.
    On the way home, the family chatted and laughed. It was unusual for Daet to be so calm and happy after church—he usually had something to chew over that he’d heard from the other men.
    She had a lot to think about as they drove home, so it took her by surprise when Daet turned around.
    “You might want to make sure you get to the singin’ on time tonight. I heard Jacob Yoder say he will be there, and he might be looking for you.” He smiled at Maem , and she giggled like a girl.
    All eyes focused on her. Ada grinned and gave her a friendly slap on the arm, while Benny hooted and kept it up until Maem admonished, “That’s enough now, Benjamin.”
    Leah looked out the back flap, and all thoughts of her secret plans with Martha scattered like dust behind the buggy’s wheels. All she could think about was tonight. Would Jacob ask to take her home? Could this night be the start of a new life for her? A life that would be satisfying. A life of contentment with her Amish heritage. A life filled with love for Jacob—and his