“Why are you so dead set against Jake?”
“I’m not, but I found the way he’s treated his parents disgraceful. Not to mention leaving you dangling on a string. You can do better.”
“He says he wants to marry me.” Speaking the words made me feel helpless and immature, as if I were still being manipulated. “He may even join the church. But Harvey told us the bishops would have to wait until they see a real commitment.”
“And what do you want?”
“Me?” My mind floundered for an intelligent response. “I want Minnie to keep me company tonight.”
“Okay. Maybe dogs really are a woman’s best friend.”
FORTY-ONE
With Minnie on leash, I coaxed her into my cabin with a small plastic bag Beatrice had filled with chopped ham. I knew I was both Rose and Beatrice’s surrogate, a temporary owner for the night, but I got the feeling the terrier liked me even without the tidbits. At this moment I needed all the friends I could get.
I slipped into my nightgown and then between the chilly sheets. As I opened my book, Minnie hopped on the end of the bed as if she knew she had a job. I probably interpreted too much from her actions, but I appreciated her company.
My lids drooping before I got started, I shut the book and set it aside. The two younger lovers in the novel didn’t resemble Jake and me. And yet every love story made me think of him.
I dozed off and awoke when Minnie expelled a low growl. I assured myself a raccoon was rummaging around near my door. But Minnie jumped off the bed and yapped.
A knock-knock-knock on the door made her bark. I put on my bathrobe and tiptoed to the door to hear my cousin Olivia’s voice. “Evie, it’s me. Please let me in.”
Much as I wanted to see her, I said, “I can’t. I promised Beatrice I wouldn’t open this door to anyone.”
“Please let me come in, Evie. Am I not your cousin and best friend anymore?”
“I could lose my job.” But I couldn’t ignore her plaintive voice. I cracked the door enough to see she’d cut her hair and was dressed Englisch.
I scooped up Minnie so she wouldn’t escape. “What are you doing here, Liv?” Not a warm welcome, but I was in shock, plus I feared I was jeopardizing my livelihood. Yet she wasn’t a stranger or even a man, so what could Beatrice complain about?
Olivia squeezed her way inside. I closed the door behind her and set Minnie on the floor.
“What do you think?” Olivia twirled and fluffed her fingers through her short, highlighted hair. “Like it? I just step out of the shower, shake my head, and it’s dry. Then I add a little hair product that smells so good.” She was dressed in jeans and a purple knit jacket. And she was also wearing perfume.
“What have you done to your beautiful hair?” I sounded judgmental and critical, everything I abhorred.
“I donated it to a charity in Florida that makes wigs for children who go bald for whatever reason. ‘Locks of Love.’ Isn’t that cool?”
“But your hair. You cut your beautiful hair.”
“That’s what my boyfriend said. He was not pleased because he thinks I should have gotten paid for it.”
“Money is not my issue, Liv. It’s against the Ordnung. Women must never cut their hair. In the Bible, it says a woman’s hair is her glory, doesn’t it? And you pierced your ears?”
She fingered her silver earrings. “Aren’t they darling?”
She still looked cute, but like another person without her hair parted in the middle and covered with a kapp.
“Who cut and colored your hair?” I asked.
“A girl I met who works in a beauty salon.”
“A beautician styled it that way, all spiky and uneven?”
“I asked her to highlight it with lavender too, and I love it.” Gazing at her image in my mirror, she flashed a smile at herself. “When the beautician told everyone at the salon where my hair was being donated, all the other women clapped.”
I supposed Olivia had performed a generous act, but I couldn’t support it.
She fluffed her coif. “Don’t worry so much. It’ll grow back. I thought you’d be proud of me.”
“Have your parents seen it?”
“Ach, you should have heard my mamm when she came into the restaurant where I’m working. Plus, I was carrying a tray of alcoholic beverages.”
“You’ve started drinking too?” I must have sounded as flabbergasted as her mother had been.
“No, just carrying them to customers. Part of my job.” Her voice turned sour. “I thought of all my friends, surely you wouldn’t condemn me. But you’re as bad as all the rest.”
“I’m just surprised.” To put it mildly.
“No, you’re judging me. And here I thought I’d invite you to visit me where we’re living in New Holland.”
“An apartment?”
“Yes. In an old woman’s basement. You want to come see it right now? I borrowed her car in exchange for going to the supermarket for groceries.”
“I don’t think I should.”
“Because?” Olivia asked with a snarl in her voice.
“It’s too late, and it’s too far away. I have to get up early. And I’m taking care of Minnie.” The dog perked her ears and wagged her stubby tail at the sound of her name.
“Jake could drive you another time. Or I’ll come fetch you in a friend’s car.”
“You know how to drive?”
“Yes, I have for years. So come on right now. It’ll be fun. Aren’t you bored in this little cabin with no TV?”
“Liv, I don’t want to be caught in the middle.” I was curious, but I was already labeled a deceiver. “I don’t want to have to fib if someone asks about you. It’s better I don’t know anything.”
“At least come by the place where I work someday. My shift runs from afternoon to evening.”
I recalled Stephen’s disclosing he avoided places that served liquor. “I’d better not.”
“What happened to my adventuresome cousin I
