The Englisher Read Free

her arm. ‘‘We’re all set,’’ Louisa said, and the three of them walked out to the curb where their driver was waiting.
    ‘‘I wish you would have let me in on the dress code before I came, Louisa,’’ Courtney whispered. ‘‘I hope you don’t expect me to go around like that.’’
    Louisa grimaced.
    While they placed the luggage in the trunk, Louisa wished she hadn’t said a word about filling Courtney in on her reason for dressing Plain. Suddenly, she felt it was flat none of her business.

    Annie sat quietly in a white wicker chair in the upstairs bedroom at the Maple Lane Farm B&B while Courtney got herself settled. Situated in the midst of a wide meadow, near a winding brook, the colonial inn was only a short walk to Amish neighbors, one an accomplished quilter Annie knew.
    Courtney gabbed up a storm with Louisa as she plugged in her portable computer and then rustled about to find a place in the empty bureau drawers to put away her clothing.
    ‘‘How’s it going with your roommate?’’ asked Lou.
    ‘‘Oh, I’ve got two now . . . one’s a guy,’’ Courtney said, lowering her voice and glancing at Annie.
    ‘‘Well, when did that happen?’’ Lou seemed very interested.
    Courtney’s eyes twinkled. ‘‘It’s not what you think. We’re just sharing a house. And Jared’s terrific in the kitchen.’’
    ‘‘He cooks?’’
    ‘‘Bakes bread, too.’’ Courtney again glanced at Annie.
    Lou mentioned a dozen or more other names Annie had never heard her say before, as Annie curiously observed Lou’s interaction with her English friend. It was fairly clear Lou was hungry for information about the outside world, and Courtney seemed more than willing to respond to the many inquiries, filling Lou in on the life she’d so abruptly left behind.
    Annie soon began to feel like a fifth wheel but did her best to show interest. Courtney paused from the chore of unpacking and perched herself on the high canopy bed, patting the rust red and white homemade quilt.
    Lou glanced sheepishly at Annie, then stared pensively at Courtney’s makeup bag. Saying nothing, Lou reached up to run her fingers across the delicate edge of the lacy ecru canopy.
    Courtney let herself fall back on the bed, staring up at the underside of the canopy. ‘‘Now this is elegant stuff,’’ she muttered, looking again at Lou’s plum-colored dress and black full apron, which matched Annie’s. Courtney’s pretty eyes drifted to Lou’s white head covering and lingered at the middle part in Lou’s hair.
    Lou must have sensed the scrutiny and resumed her chatter, asking about Courtney’s plans following graduation. Annie felt increasingly awkward, listening in on their banter like a moth on the stenciled wall.
    At one point, Lou glanced at her watch. ‘‘We need to get going, over to Zooks’,’’ she said.
    Courtney frowned. ‘‘I should freshen up.’’
    ‘‘Ach, you’re just fine,’’ Annie said.
    ‘‘Yeah, let’s go,’’ Lou said. ‘‘Annie’s mom’s the best pie baker in the civilized world.’’
    Courtney’s eyebrows rose at that.
    ‘‘Let’s not keep her waiting,’’ Lou urged.
    Courtney shook her head. ‘‘Really, Louisa. I need time to unwind. I feel like I’m still flying. I’ll join you tomorrow.’’
    Lou gave in. ‘‘All right, I suppose you do look like you could use a bubble bath.’’ The way she said it, Annie guessed she might long for one herself. ‘‘Glad you’re here safely, Courtney. I guess Annie and I’ll head home.’’
    ‘‘Home?’’ Courtney gave Lou a curious look.
    Annie wondered what her friend would say, but Lou only winked as if revealing a private joke. ‘‘You know . . . home for now.’’
    Courtney nodded, then reached to feel Lou’s dress sleeve, grimacing as if she’d touched a hot burner. ‘‘What sort of fabric is this, anyway?’’ Lou looked sheepish again, but Courtney’s expression turned animated. ‘‘I think we’ve got a