The Amish Bride by Emma Miller

knew of others that were similar. Still, it never ceased to amaze her how insensitive some people could be when they were away from home. “Your aunt found them actually
inside
her house? What did she say to them?”
    “I don’t know exactly, but she shooed them out and sent them on their way. They— Oh, look who’s coming! It’s Micah Shetler.
Nay
, don’t let him know you’re looking!” Saloma grabbed Ellen’s arm and cut her eyes in the direction of the road. “I knew he’d be here,” she whispered excitedly, still holding on to Ellen. “Isn’t he just the cutest thing?”
    Ellen glanced at the horse and buggy turning into the schoolyard. That was definitely the Shetlers’ family buggy and Samson was pulling it.
“Jah,”
she agreed. “That’s Micah.”
    “Isn’t that horse of his beautiful?” Saloma demanded. “If he asked to drive me home, I wouldn’t know what to say.” She let go of Ellen. “I wish he would. Agnes went out with him a few times, with other couples, not a
date
date. And she said Micah’s sweet, not wild, like some people say. But my
mam
would have a hen if I started walking out with Micah. She thinks he’s not Plain enough. You know, because he’s almost thirty and not baptized yet. My mother thinks that’s a disgrace.”
    Ellen wished she had said something to her friend about her predicament with the Shetler brothers earlier. Saloma finding out later that Micah had driven her to Honeysuckle and that Neziah had driven her home the previous day would be even more awkward to explain now. And Saloma would learn about it. Nothing got by her for long. She would find out, and she would ask why Ellen had kept it a secret. But Saloma babbled on without seeming to notice that Ellen hadn’t said anything.
    “But you know Micah really well,” Saloma continued. She’d paused in setting the table, resting one hand on her hip. As much as Ellen loved Saloma, sometimes her constant chattering and abundant gestures were a bit much. “You’re neighbors, and you and Neziah used to walk out together. You know the Shetlers. What do you think? Should I set my
kapp
for Micah?” She chuckled. “Would he make a good husband for me, do you think?” She fluttered her lashes dramatically, making Ellen giggle, too.
    Micah drove his horse to the open shed and got out of the buggy. As he was tying Samson to the rail, Bishop Andy approached him with a smiling stranger that Ellen thought might be the visitor, Charley Byler. The three began a conversation.
    Ellen moved on to the next table. She hoped Micah would keep his distance at the supper. At least, she
thought
she did. As much as she hated to admit it, a tiny part of her was pleased with Micah’s attention. But she didn’t want it to cause hard feelings with Saloma.
    Only in her midtwenties, Saloma was far from being an old maid, but she worried constantly that no one would ever ask to court her. Apparently, her old community in upper New York State had a shortage of available young men, and Saloma was one of five girls, all but one of marriageable age. Since their arrival in Honeysuckle two years ago, an older sister had married and another, two years younger, had just had her banns cried for a November wedding.
    Saloma was a nice-enough-looking girl with blue eyes, rosy cheeks and a dimple in her chin. Her curly hair was tucked into an untidy bun that seemed ready to come down at any moment, and her silver, wire-rim glasses usually perched precariously on her nose. Other than Saloma’s habit of talking nonstop, Ellen could see no reason why she didn’t have more beaus. She was hardworking, good-natured and vivacious, though she did, sometimes, appear too eager to like others of the opposite sex and be liked in return. Ellen’s
mam
thought that Saloma bordered on being fast, but Ellen knew better. Saloma’s flirting was harmless, and she would have been shocked and hurt if she suspected anyone thought otherwise.
    More buggies were