After a few gulps Jayce set his Styrofoam cup on the table and gazed at Evelyn. “I could live like this.”
“Nee, you couldn’t.” She spoke with an authority that surprised him.
“Why do you say that? My favorite times were with my grandparents on their farm. It’s slower here like it was there, quieter,peaceful. And from what you’ve said, there’s no performance pressure or desire to be better than someone else. There has tobe peace in that way of life.”
Evelyn frowned. “We’re still human, Jayce.” She nodded toward the window. “Widow Byler, down that road, makes the best bananapudding around. She won’t share her recipe, and believe me, she prides herself on that pudding.”
“That’s just a small thing.”
“Mei own daed insists his corn crop is the healthiest and tastiest in the district.” She grinned. “And I agree, but he’s been known tobrag about it. Both mei bruders flex their muscles anytime they’re around a woman they’re interested in.”
“Yeah, but no one is striving to have a better car, house, job, or more money than someone else.” Jayce sighed. “I’d buy afarmhouse, have a garden, and ride around in a buggy anytime rather than go back to the life I have.”
“Jayce . . .” Evelyn’s expression sobered. “You’re basically here on vacation. I know you’re working, but this is still just a change of scenery for you. After a month, you’ll be ready to get home, back to what you’re used to. And our way of life isn’t just about simplicity, even though that’s a large part of it. The simple living is symbolic of our literal translation of the Bible.”
Jayce thought about what was waiting for him back home. He’d find employment, move out of his father’s condo with the moneyhe’d made on this job, and strive to be everything his father didn’t want him to be. Not out of spite, but because his father’slifestyle had never suited him. But Evelyn had hit a nerve.
“You’re wrong.” He knew the moment he said it that he meant it. “I tend to interpret the Bible literally. Maybe that’s whyI’ve had a hard time committing to any religion. I’m living a life that doesn’t represent how the Bible tells us to live.Other religions all have varying translations. I’m not saying that’s wrong. I’m just saying that the literal interpretationas written makes the most sense to me.”
She took another drink of her lemonade, then met his eyes. “So you wouldn’t mind living without electricity? No more fancyhouse, cars, television, or regular visits to the movies?” She shook her head. “It would be even harder for someone like youto convert to our ways.”
The jab stung. “What do you mean, ‘someone like me’?”
“Privileged.” She spoke softly. “I suspect you’ve enjoyed far more luxuries than the average Englisch person. Englisch is what we call non-Amish people.” Shaking her head, she said, “It would be too much of a stretch.”
Jayce loved a challenge, but if Evelyn had any idea how much he despised the life he was living, she wouldn’t think overhaulinghis life was such a stretch.
“I guess you don’t gamble. I mean, you’re not willing to lay down any money on your convictions.” He raised his eyebrows as he stroked his chin, already stubbly with an afternoon shadow.
“Nee, no gambling either.” She paused. “You haven’t even been here a full three days yet. You think you’ve stumbled upon a lifestyleyou would find pleasing, an escape from whatever ails you back home.”
Jayce leaned back against his chair. “It’s more than that, but now you’re starting to get the picture.”
“But those things like not having electricity, no cars . . . They’re tangible things.” She placed a hand on her chest. “Youhave to find out who you are in your heart first. And even if you ultimately chose to live a slower-paced life, you don’tjust buy a buggy and start riding around in it or purchase a house with no power and call yourself Amish. It’s about our beliefs,our relationship with Gott.”
“You’re doing it again. You’re presuming that your relationship with God is more solid than mine.” He tried to keep the edgeout of his voice, but he’d worked hard to establish his relationship with God. “You look at me with my long hair, tattoo,and the luxuries I’ve had, and you believe that my way of life makes my relationship with God less than yours. Just becauseI have electricity, drive a car, and so on . . . You can’t judge my relationship with God any more than I can judge yours.”He smiled so she would know they were just having a friendly debate, even though it was starting to feel a little heated,which hadn’t been the intent. “You said your people don’t hang out with non-Amish people because they could become unequallyyoked. I could say the same thing about you. I have no way of knowing you’re solid in your faith, other than you’ve said so.”
“Wow. As you said earlier”—she was quiet as she tilted her head slightly to one side—“I’ve never had a conversation this serious with an outsider.”
Jayce sat taller, rubbed his fingers on his shirt, then blew on them, grinning. “I’m not just any outsider.”
“Nee . . . I guess you aren’t.”
There was something playfully seductive in her voice. More and more, he wasn’t as interested in what was beneath the baggyclothing as he was in her mind. With every word this woman spoke, he wanted to get to know her better in other ways.
“I have one more day off tomorrow, and then it’s back to the cave for me on Monday.” He rolled his eyes. “Care to spend moretime with me tomorrow?”
She shook her head. “Nee. We have worship service tomorrow.”
“Oh yeah. It’s Sunday.” He hesitated. “Can I go?”
“Nee, you can’t.” She rose from her chair, so Jayce did too. “I probably need to get you back to the inn so I can get home intime to help mei mamm make supper.”
It was only two
