The River by Beverly Lewis Page A

at least not in her secluded little world in Eden Valley.
    A large market wagon piled with pumpkins rattled past, pulled by two road horses. Ruth’s mouth watered at the thought of pumpkin pies and sweet pumpkin bread, and she realized how much she missed baking with her mother.
    “Goodness, how can everything look so much like home, yet seem unfamiliar all the same?” Tilly said quietly, looking her way. “Do you feel it, too?”
    Ruth said she did just as she spotted a gray carriage coming this way with a tall lone driver. “We must look terribly out of place to everyone here,” she said, glancing down at her shiny loafers. “Which is downright peculiar, considering this was once our home.”
    “It’s not like we’re dressed very worldly, though.”
    “But in contrast to the Amish here, we surely are.” Ruth looked down at her navy blue corduroy jumper. The hem came just to her knee, which must have seemed nearly scandalous to Mamm, who’d made no comment about it. She bit her tongue, Ruth thought, remembering a few furtive glances her mother had given her attire and hair.
    “Who’s this coming now?” Tilly asked, slowing her pace.
    Eyeing the buggy, which seemed awfully familiar, Ruth continued to keep up with Tilly’s stride. “Well, I sure hope it’s not who I think.” She could be entirely wrong, not having seen Wilmer Kauffman since she left at twenty.
    “You’d know better than I would,” Tilly said, picking up the pace again. “If it’s Will, what’ll you do?”
    Ruth wasn’t sure and didn’t have time to answer, because thecarriage was slowing and an arm was waving out of the buggy. Then a sun-tanned, enthusiastic face appeared from the side, and as Ruth had feared, it was Will Kauffman, her former beau.
    “Hullo!” he called a hearty greeting.
    Where’s his beard? Ruth was shocked that he wasn’t married by now.
    She moved closer to the side of the road, her heart beating considerably faster, not knowing what to say to this young man she’d so loved. In that instant, she realized she hardly knew a thing about Will anymore. What sort of person had he become? Had he been ruined by the Jamborees, marked for life . . . spoiled for the Old Order church? She could not even estimate her own previous significance to him, except to remember that he’d wanted to make her his bride, before Lloyd Blank stepped in and steered him toward the wild side of things.
    “Tilly . . . Ruth,” he said, halting the horse and jumping out of the carriage. He wasted no time in coming around to offer a gentlemanly handshake to each of them. He looked like he’d just had a shower; his blond bangs were clean and fluffy beneath his black felt hat. He wore a long-sleeved light blue shirt and black work trousers with black suspenders.
    Not surprisingly, Tilly seemed a bit hesitant to shake Will’s hand. Her big sister had clammed right up, leaving it to Ruth to carry the conversation, if there was going to be any.
    “We’re just out enjoying the day,” Ruth said, avoiding saying his name. She didn’t feel like looking him in the eye, either, but he was persistent and drew her gaze toward him. Such confidence, she thought. Or is it arrogance ?
    “I’d be glad to give you both a lift, wherever you’re headin’ to,” Will offered.
    “ Denki , but we’d like to walk,” Ruth was quick to say.
    Tilly continued her silence.
    “Well, once you’re back at your parents’, I’d like to talk to you, Ruthie. If you don’t mind.”
    “She does mind,” Tilly finally snapped, then reached for Ruth’s hand and started walking away.
    “I mean no harm,” Will called after them—after her. “Ruthie, is that how ya feel, too?”
    What’s to feel? she asked herself. After all this time, he’ s of no interest to me.
    “I have something important to tell ya, Ruthie Lantz . . . if you’ll give me a few minutes.”
    Tilly still held Ruth’s hand fast. “Don’t turn around, whatever you do,” she