Free The Hawaiian Quilt by Jean; Wanda E.; Brunstetter Brunstetter Page B

pretty lavender flowers. Luana said they are called plumeria. The room Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are staying in here at the bed-and-breakfast is called the Plumeria Room. It has a king-sized bed and private bath. Ellen and I share our bathroom with guests in the Gardenia Room. After tomorrow, no one will be staying there for a while, so we will have the bathroom all to ourselves
.
    Mandy paused and lifted her pen. The dress she wore was actually quite comfortable, even if it felt odd to be wearing something with such a bold print. She and Ellen would probably need to wear clothes like this for as long they were visiting. Mandy felt like she was ready to step out of her comfort zone. Being here in Hawaii was a whole new experience for her and Ellen.
    Looking in the mirror, she chuckled at the image staring back at her.
I do look funny, though
. She reached up and touched her white head covering.
It looks out of place with the Hawaiian dress. Think I’ll wear the black scarf Luana gave us
.
    Mandy removed her head covering, and was about to pin the black scarf in place, when Ellen entered the room. “What are you doing?” She stepped up to her.
    “My traditional head covering doesn’t go with my muumuu, and besides, I don’t want it to get dirty. I’ve decided to wear the scarf instead.” Smiling, Mandy picked up the scarf and pins. “We wear scarves when we’re working in the yard or around the house at home, right?”
    “Jah, but we’re not working here.” Ellen moved away from Mandy and flopped down on her bed. “I’m only going to wear the Hawaiian dress when my Amish dress is being washed, like it is now, and never out in public.” She pointed to the bodice of her blue muumuu with white hibiscus flowers. “When I’m wearing this, I don’t feel like myself. I feel as though I’m dressing up for one of those silly skits we sometimes put on during family get-togethers.” Crossing her arms, she frowned. “It wouldn’t feel right to wear this dress all the time. And if my parents were here, they’d agree with me.”
    Mandy moved over to the mirror to secure her scarf. “You can do whatever you want, but since neither of us has joined the Amish church yet, we’re not breaking any rules by wearing these Hawaiian dresses.”
    “True.”
    “And they are quite cozy.”
    “I guess.” Ellen slid off the bed and moved over to stand by the window, “Oh look, there’s a nice
gaarde
at the back of the house. It looks like a vegetable garden.”
    Mandy joined her, leaning her elbows on the windowsill. “I’ll bet Luana and Makaio raise all, or most, of their own produce. Should we take a walk outside and see what’s growing?”
    Ellen nodded but remained motionless. Then she lifted her hands and removed her own covering. “Maybe I will replace this with a scarf for now. I wouldn’t want my white head covering to become soiled.”
    Mandy smiled. “I hope you’re not doing this because of me.”
    “Well…” Ellen dropped her chin. “You do have a point. They don’t go with what we’re wearing.”
    After they both had secured their scarves, Mandy hurried to the door and opened it. She would finish writing in her journal later.

Chapter 10
    Middlebury
    G ideon didn’t feel like going to church, but his folks would be upset if he stayed home. He yawned and stretched one arm over his head, holding tightly to the reins with the other hand as he guided his horse and buggy down the road in the direction of the Hiltys’ place, where church would be held. Last night, he’d had a troubling dream about Mandy and hadn’t slept well. In the dream, he and Mandy were riding in his buggy, chatting pleasantly as they headed down the road. Suddenly, she clasped his arm and said, “I’ve decided not to join the church. The Amish way of life isn’t for me.”
    He’d pleaded with Mandy to change her mind, yet she stood firm, repeatedly saying the Amish life was not for her. The dream seemed so real. When Gideon